The Somerset reporter., 1898-04-28
Here and There. No. q.

"Glory was not to be won without
danger Isabella of spain had told the
army when they hesitated before
Albania, and soon inspired by her brave
spirit Ferdinand's troops were entering
the gates of the Moorish city.
Malagar, the enchanted city of beauti-
full gardens and fountains, was not only
dear to it's Inhabitants but earnestly
coveted by Ferdinand. When only par
lial success came to the besiegers, the
troops wavered, and the king sent a
messenger beseeching the queens
presence, knowing full we'll the enthu-
siasm which would follow. The arrival
of the Cardinal of Spain and a splendid
ed the queen, were intended not only to
cheer the fainting spirits of the army
but designed to impress the beseiged
Moors with the fact that they had come
to stay.
One turns from the pomp and display
of the brightly decked procession as
they ride triumphantly into the city,
and eagerly await with the brave de-
tenders the answer to their passionate
prayer for their freedom, though they
should be sent far from their own land
they love so well. But even then Isa-
bella with thoughts intent on her usual
church celebration, and when the strains
of the TIE Deum were still sounding,
was deciding that the queen of
Naples should have fifty Moorish girls
as slaves. Indeed the wretched nhabi-
tants we're all 10 be parceled ont to
friends of the king and queen. 1t is
hoped though that it was altogether the
cold hearted Ferdinand's scheme which
so wickedly entrapped the suffering
Moors just at this point.
The king we'll knew, that, maddened
by the fear of an endless captivity. they
might secrete thefr jewels and treasure
with which this opulent city was pos
sessed and therefore he made solemn
proclamation. A certain amount of
money if paid to him within nine
months, would be received as the
ransom for the entire population, and
their jewels and plate would also be
accepted. With all that they could
raise themselves in Grenada or Africa it
was not sufficient, as the crafty king had
known very well, but hope kept up their
spirits so that they gave an honest &C
count of their wealth, and not jewel
was lost but alas, not single captive
was freed. Isabella must have agreed
to this plan, unholy and cruel in the ex-
IRENE, for the crown of Aragon though
united with that of [ astile was not first.
1t seems almost impossible to believe
that the sovereigns who sent Co
lumbus to gain new world for them to
rule, should at the very same date have
decided upon course that meant ruin
to so many in their own realm. The
unoffending Jews had become valu-
able part of their own people and were
held in high esteem. For centuries they
had lived in Spain and they were
rudely pushed forth to go, they knew not
whittier 1t may well be supposed that
as they were not allowed to take gold or
silver with them that they were in great
distress. A writer of that time says
that a vineyard had been exchanged for
forsake their religion, but nearly all re-
fused and went out to wander as fugi.
tives. Wandering in deserts we are told
some of them, prosecuted by robber
hordes, were reduced to seek nourishment
the sand. Members of them returned
asking for baptism, thereby hoping TO be
allowed the sight of the land they loved.
An eye witness has recorded that of
those who went to Italy great number
died from hunger, mothers who could
scarcely hold their babes, with no food
they died together. Some wretched
creatures sold their children to receive
passage on shipboard. "In Genoa on
account of an old law, a jew could
stay in the city but three days" Like
spectres they seemed, so emaciated were
they and almost without the power of
motion. More than a hundred and sixty
thousand were expelled from Spain.
Strangely familiar is this cruelty of
1902 as we hear told again and again in
this day, the horrors in another part of
Gods earth, Cuba, horrors caused
by the same crafty, treacherous Spain,
who has always ruled her colonies with
a tyrants iron hand. History repeats
itself. Isabella, the clear eyed, progress
sive queen of CASTLE signed the edict
which banished the worthy, industrious
Jews and which proved to be detri-
mental in many ways to the interest of
her kingdom. Her eldest and favorite
also named Isabella, when
asked in marriage by the King of Portu-
gal, made answer that on his promise to
expel the Jews from his realm she
would give her hand in wedlock-The
Jews went.
Isabella, the lovable and beloved, yet
erring queen of this land of Chivalry
Not strange though that one must
praise, excuse, also blame, and nearly in
the same breath oftimes. Chivalry, how
can it, save in its wild abandon and
dashing spirit, be applied to the land of
Spain? For one would fain see in this
goodly word all that is high and pure,
such indeed as inspired the knights of
old and of all times, in which no dark
blot of treachery defiles. Would that
Spain had long ago remembered "That
exalteth nation"
EMMA NJ. SMITH.