The farmer and mechanic., 1915-09-07
VI. Queen Isabella of CASTLE, the FL
nancier of The Columbian ExpoSI-
ton.


To possess exceptionala talent, rare
personal beauty, and then to acquire
the power of sovereign over increas-
ing domnions for which one was not
destined at birth, it not always |
kind fate A great soul and the heart |
of an angel must be added to prevent
the yielding to the ever-present temp
tationS that encircle the throne. |
Search the annals of history as we
may we can find no reign more bril-
liant than that of Isabella, by inherl-
tance Queen Of CASTLE, by marriage
Queen Of Arragon, by conquest the
first Queen of united Spain, nor one
SO we'll fitted to adorn an exalted
sphere. Not only did she raise Spain
to the height OF a leading world
power. but through her efforts the
entire universe was transformed and
all ages join in honoring her unsul-
lied and glorious name with unstinted
admiration. Hers was the age Of rO-
nance and chivalry, when knighthood
was i'm flower and heraldry was at the
zenith OF it's popularity. 1t was IN
deed q spectacular era, the leading
events Of which rivaled the most mar
velOus Of fairy tales, which only en-
hanced the virtues of this most nOta-
BILE queen Of the history Of all CEN
turieS.
The assertion of Samuel Smiles that
physical beauty is essential to the
success of a leader can be verified
by many proofs. This is true par
ticularly with women. Doubtless we
should not find the fair Castilian
queen one-half so charming had she
been homely instead the lovely prin-
cess history records 1t is claimed
that she was endowed with the pc
culiar grace. the winning gentleness
and the feminine accomplishments of
Mary Queen of Scots without her
weakness She was we'll formed, of
medium statue, with a queenly bear
ing. and extreme gravity and gra-
CiousneSS Of manner. Though of pure
Castilian blood she was blond with
fair complexion, auburn hair tinged
with red. blue eyes clear and express
Sive. She showed unusual mOdeSty in
her countenance but revealed an en-
ergy and firmnesS of purpose that was
truly masculine, tempered by ten
derneSS OF heart, sweetness of diSpO-
sition and manner decidedly feminine
Thoroughly self-possessed she was
never cold; though prudent she was
above dissimulation; generous anC
magnanimous she never stopped tt
crooked paths of policy. What a pity
that same praise could not be be
slowed on her husband. Her publ,
e
private mode OF living was simple
frugal and absolutely without ostenta
ton. Though not learned she wa
xMlj Of literature and mastered man.
lines OF knowledge. She encouraged
the arts and promoted every under
taking that tended to the advance
ment and happiness of her people
Human nature is not fiawleSs and s
of Isabella of CASTLE il can be writ
ten she had but one fault-her dee
piety led to bigotry and a submis
sion to the influence of the priest:
|er advisors. Though human, an
therefore not free from the failings
which humanity is heir as woma
and a queen her character is the mos
splendid in history as we'll as the mos
interesting and above reprOach. Th
phenomenal mental gifts. strength {
character and royal pride of Eliza bet
Of England were hers without he
despotic will, arrogance, harshness {
lack of spirituality. Isabella's shor
comings and errors were due to tn
age in which she lived-a result
circumstances Surrounded in yout
by the corrupt court of her eide
brother. Henry ". of Castillo ST
escaped unsullied. untouched even
the tongue of slander. The ladies
her own court and her companion
were as a rule truly eStimable tt
men who rose to distinction won h
favor through either sterling worth
unusual gifts OF these Columbus al
Ximenes were the most famous, Il
greatest men of their time in orie
nality of thought and tenacity of pu
pose.
Legendary history has woven mai
tragic and romantic incidents aroul
her brilliant career so that to separa
truth from fiction is an almost impo
sible task. 1t matters little wheth
or no she solemnly vowed to fore
the comfort of changing her weari
apparel till she had conquered Ora
ada-thereby making a dingy h
fashionable for Spanish lace-it is a
thentic that Granada did surrend
Neither is it of consequence whetf
or no she pawned her crown Jewels
defray the expenses of Columbus, vC
age since it is a fact that She {