Year: 1869

The New Regent OF Spaan


Spain is once more q monachy without
crowned heads, the Constituent Certes having
passed decree establishing regency under
Marshal Seranno. This is the third time
within forty years past that the Spanish peo-
pie have had a regent for their ruler. In
October, 1882, Queen Christina was appoint
ed regent during the indisposition of her fam
Gus consort, Ferdinand VII, then near his
end, and continued to act in that capacity
till his death in the following year, when she
assumed the title of Governing Queen until
her infant daughter. Isabella H., lately driv-
en- from the Spanish throne, should attain
her majority. Queen in title. she was re-
gent in reality, holding the throne for her
daughter. whose claims to it against the pre-
tentions of Don Carlos were established by
the quadrupic of 1884. Victorious over the
Carlists, after terrible civil war, lasting for
seven years, Christina was compelled by the
revolutionary movement at Madrid in 1S40,
TO abdicste, and leave the Kingdom, her
downfall being followed by the appointment
of the celebrated General. Espartero, Duke of
Victory, to power, as Regent, during the
minority of the young Queen. Espartero
beld power for little over two years, at the
expiration of which time he was himself over
thrown by revolution, Immediately after
which event, the nation having had enough
Of regency. the young Queen, although only
l3 years of age, was declared by the Cortes
to be of age. The history Of her reign is
well-known. She, in her turn, has been
driven out of Spain, and in default of an
eligible candidate for the Spanish throne, q
Regency has once more been established.


Francisco Serrano the new Regent. is one
of those many soldiers of fortune in Spain,
who owe their fame and rank to the devotion
with which they attached themselves to the
cause of Christina, and tue courage with
which they fought during the war of indepen-
dence. Like many others of his class he was
literally rewarded by the Queen Mother, and
at the period of her overthrow in IS4l, he al
ready held high rank in the military service
Of his country. The Queens abdication and
exile did not long retard his advancement for
be took prominent pars in the successful
movement against the Regent Espartero, and
Immediately on the restoration OF Christina
be joined NaIvaez in his scheme to combat
and destroy the influence of the Minister
Olozaga. He played his cards with so much
skill that he continued steadily to rise at
Court, gaining such great influence over the
mind of the young Queen that in 1916, some
time after her marriage, very serious diff
ference occurred between her and the king
consort, arising out of the latter's jealousy of
Gen. Serrano. This domestic difficulty was
indeed q matter of public scandal at the time.


An attempt was made shortly after by the
Duke de Sotomayer to ruin Serrano politically,
but it recoiled on that Minister'S own head ;
Serrano succeeded in oyerthrowing the Minis
try of which the Duke was chief. Popular
opinion, however, proved more powerful than
royal favor, aud Serrano subsequently fell
with the Ministry of the Salamanca. with
whose fortunes he had identified himself. Up
to this time the lucky favorite had been re-
dictionary in politics, but he now became a
Liberal and he has ever since been identified
with what is known in Spain as the Liberal
Union party. He was sent in 1854 into exile
for having taken part in the Saragossa out
break but the revolution of July in that
year opened the way for his return to Spain,
and he became warm supporter of the
O'Donnell-Espartero coalition, He PLAYED q
prominent part in the coup d'etat of July,
1856. it being principally through his instru-
mentality that the insurrection in Madrid
was subdued and O'Donnell enabled to seize
power as Dictator. For this service he was
sen. as ambassador to Paris but the down
fall of O'Donnell shortly after led to his re-
call. In 1865 he was appointed by the new
O'Donnell Cabinet Captain-General of Mad
rid. For many years be has had seat in
the Senate, where he has distinguished him.
self by uniform and vigorous opposition to
the reactionary policy of the old school of
Spanish statesman, and by his hearty support
of all liberal measures. He has taken quiet
but influential part in this last revolution,
and he owes bis elevation to power as regent
to the character he has won OF late years for
prudence and moderation, Joined to liberal
and enlightened views. Serrano ia about 20
years of age. having been born at the end of
the last century.