authors they start with, are Mme. de Girardin, | Scribe, George Sands, De Stendahl. When it is considered that all of the above works are subject to copyright, they are really marvels of cheapness. FRANCIS RUDE, the French sculptor, died lately at the age of seventy-one. His statue of the Neapolitan fisherman first made him famous, having for it received the cross of the Legion of Honor from Louis Philippe. He was the principal artist employed by M. Thiers in decorating the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile. The grand jury of the Paris Exhibition had shortly before his death awarded to him a grand madaille d'honneur. FOR the vacancy in the French Academy, caused by the death of Count Molé, there are already several candidates in the field, the most important of whom are M. Troplong, President of the Senate and the Court of Cassation, and a learned writer on law; and Emile Augier, the dramatic poet. Jules Janin is also spoken of. THE works of Dr. Channing, of the United States, have obtained the honor of translation into French. A translation of Ranke's "History of France in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries," has also just been published at Paris. THE discovery of a new "variable star" has just been made by M. Luther, of the Observatory of Bilk, near Dusseldorf, in Prussia, and he has given it the name of T. Piscium. The degree of variability is from the ninth to the eleventh magnitude. NEW MONTHLY PERIODICAL.-The New Year, as usual, is a signal for the commencement of literary speculations, some of which die after a brief and checkered career, whilst others survive and event ually become property. The Idler is a new English candidate for the latter desirable consummation, and, judging from the prospectus, it ought, from its spirit ed bill of fare, to have a good chance. Among its leading attractions, is a new tale from the pen of the author of "Singleton Fontenoy." THE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE.-This wellknown and deservedly popular periodical has passed into the hands of Messrs. Hurst and Blackett, the highly respectable successors of the late Henry Colburn. The sum given for the copyright was £750 and we consider it well worth the money. We perceive it stated by some of our contemporaries that it was valued at £100; but it should be mentioned that this valuation took place on the other side of the Channel, and no doubt by those who would have had no objection to buy it at that price. Fortunately for those who had an interest in realizing the full value of the property, the Irish valuation was simply laughed at. Messrs. Hurst and Blackett, we hear, intend still to publish it in Dublin as heretofore, and that they will preserve the national character of the Magazine to the fullest extent. MR. James Hardiman, a well-known Celtic scho lar, formerly Commissioner of Records in Dublin Castle, and afterwards Librarian to the Queen's Colleges, died lately at the age of seventy-three. His land," have given him a distinguished name among "History of Galway," and "Bardic Remains of Ire the authors of Ireland. THE sales of the libraries of the Rev. Dr. Town shend and the Rev. Dr. Gilly, are fixed for the 11th and 17th inst., at Messrs Southgate and Barrett's rooms. They are most valuable collections, chiefly of historical and ecclesiastical works. M. LEVERRIER and Sir. R. Murchison have been elected foreign members of the Royal Academy of Science at Stockholm. THE Academy of Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, of Paris, has elected M. Texier a member, in the room of the late Baron Barchon de Ponhoen. M. DE KONINGH, professor at the University of Liege, has been elected foreign member of the Academy of Science at Munich, as attached to the class of physical sciences and mathematics. SOME of the artistic trophies captured at Sebastopol have already arrived at the Louvre at Paris. The most important of them are two sphinxes in white marble. THE Paris papers announce the death of F. Berat, a musical composer and poet of some little note. a far more prominent place in the popular mind than the Spaniard. AMONG the many important subjects of inquiry which the history of the sixteenth century suggests, few are more striking It was not until almost the close of the than the sudden and prominent part taken fifteenth century that Spain first challenged by Spain in European politics. During a place in the councils of Europe. But, the long succession of the middle ages, under Charles V., mighty was her power nearly every other European state and and influence, and as mighty during the kingdom-Italy, France, Germany, Eng- reign of his son. Unlike his father, who, land, the free cities of Flanders, the flour- not content with the strifes of diplomacy, ishing towns on the shores of the Baltic, charged with his armies mounted on his even remoter kingdoms, Denmark, Poland, war-steed, and even when struck down by Hungary, by turns, or together, took part his "old enemy," and helpless as an infant, in the stirring drama of those times; while was borne on a litter at their head-Philip Spain, separated only by the chain of the withdrew from personal warfare; but then, Pyrenees, appeared as utterly cut off from in the privacy of his cabinet, he wove those the great European family as the regions intricate webs of state policy, and issued beyond the Caucasus. Indeed, from those those sanguinary mandates, which made half-mythic times, when the chronicler told the influence of the Escorial to be felt beof Charlemagne's paladins, and the fatal yond the uttermost bounds of Europe. pass of Rouncevalles, to the day when The history of this great Archimago of the Columbus laid a new world at her feet, Romish faith is, indeed, an important one Spain scarcely ever appears on the pages-not to be manufactured with scissors and of European history-scarcely even in European legend and romance. Even their deadliest foemen, the Saracens, held paste; nor is it a theme for the superficial historical student; for, along the whole course of his life, with how many kingdoms and peoples was he brought in contact*History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King tion and the rise of her proud nationality; England, with the strife of her Reformaof Spain. By WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT. 2 vols. Bentley. VOL. XXXVII.-NO. III. Flanders, with its deadlier strife for religion 19 and freedom; Germany, with the feuds of its princes, and the contests of its people; and France, with her fierce conflict of rival parties, the treachery of the Guises and Catherine de Medicis, and that crowning atrocity, the massacre of Saint Batholomew. Even signal victories over the Turk -the Cross, as of yore, triumphant over the Crescent-cast a romantic splendor over that long reign. And all along there is the sullen countenance and cold, but expressive features of Philip the Second looking out upon us; and his dark sinister eye glares forth like that of some evil spirit, bent on the work of destruction, fearful indeed to contemplate, but from whence shall eventually arise abiding good. We are gratified to find that Mr. Prescott has undertaken this important history. No one can be better qualified for the task than himself, both from his previous knowledge of the history of Spain, and his command of hitherto unemployed materials, but, more than all, his skill and judgment in using them. Only the two first volumes are, as yet, before us, and to them we will now proceed to direct the attention of the reader. Philip the Second was born at Valladolid, on the 21st of May, 1527. Ere the festivities customary on the birth of an heir to the crown could be completed, tidings of the capture of Clement the Seventh and of the atrocious sack of Rome arrived, and the emperor, who, doubtless, shared the general indignation, although he cannot be altogether acquitted of participation in the earlier steps which led to these results, immediately gave orders that all public rejoicings should cease. The disappointed Spaniards obeyed this mandate most reluctantly, and, singularly enough, prophesied that the reign of the prince, who, in after years, became so uncompromising and unscrupulous a champion of the Church, would be injurious both to her and to Spain. Well had it been for that age had the augury proved true. Charles seems to have exercised a praiseworthy care in the education of his only son. The first seven years of the boy's life were passed with his mother, Isabella of Portugal, an excellent woman, worthy of her namesake ancestress, and then he was transferred to the superintendence of Juan Martinez Selicco, a professor in the college of Salamanca, under whose teaching he became a tolerable Latin scholar, and also made some progress in French and Italian. Philip's proficiency in languages, however, never rivalled his father's, for, in conversation, he was rarely inclined to venture beyond his own mother tongue. He is said to have shown a more decided taste for science, especially the mathematics, while to the arts, especially architecture, he in after life paid much attention. While the learned professor of Salamanca thus superintended Philip's literary education, Don Juan de Zuñiga, commendador mayor of Castile, was charged with his instruction in all those athletic and graceful exercises which were indispensable to the accomplished cavalier of the sixteenth century. But little taste had Philip for these accomplishments, in which in youth his father had delighted, and, far worse, still less inclination had he to receive those lessons of lofty principle, of honor and truthfulness, which his noble-hearted tutor was well qualified to impart, and for which the wise father had warmly eulogized him. As Philip "grew in years, and slowly unfolded the peculiar qualities of his disposi tion," caution, reserve, suspicion, and an utter absence of generous feeling, became strongly marked, and, together with the acuteness beyond his years, which he is said to have displayed, and his perfect self-possession, must, even in his boyhood, have indicated "what manner of man he should be." The loss of his mother ere he was twelve years old, his appointment to the regency, his marriage with his first cousin, Mary of Portugal, at the early age of sixteen, and the birth of his son, the illfated Don Carlos, with the consequent death of his young wife, within two years after, may be noticed as we pass on to the first important event of Philip's history, his visit to his father at Brussels, in the autumn of 1548. This visit was arranged with the greatest magnificence, for the emperor was desirous that his son should make an appearance that would dazzle the imagination of the people among whom he passed," and should flatter his Flemish subjects, too, by the assumption of a state to which they had been accustomed by their Burgundian princes. Sailing from Rosas with a fleet of fifty-eight vessels, commanded by the illustrious Andrew Doria, Philip arrived at Genoa, and after a few days' festivity, during which, however, we find he made his first essay in kingcraft most successfully, the narrator informs us that, while his answer to the suppliant was exceedingly com Four months were occupied by this splendid progress; and, as the heir of the great Emperor rode slowly along, each village sent out its inhabitants to gaze, and each town and city reverently opened its gates, and welcomed him with thunders of artillery, with humblest addresses, and not unfrequently with silver goblets brimful of golden ducats. These last were received by Philip himself with gracious condescension. The reply to the addresses the taciturn prince delegated to the Duke of Alva, who, already high in favor, rode beside him. At length the gorgeous procession entered Flanders; and, as it drew near Brussels, the eager crowds rushed forth, greeting their future ruler with wild enthusiasm, and amid the roaring of cannon, the merry peals of myriad bells, and the shouts of heartiest welcome, Philip, with Alva at his bridle-rein, entered the festive city. Philip and Alva in Brussels! What would have been the greeting, could a prophet voice have foretold the unimaginable miseries these two should inflict on its inhabitants! The meeting between the father and son was affectionate; it was nearly seven years since they had met, and Charles, ambitious and grasping as he was, was not deficient in natural affection. "He must have been pleased with the alteration which time had wrought in Philip's appearance," Mr. Prescott remarks, and we subjoin his full-length portrait: "He was now twenty-one years of age, and was distinguished by a comeliness of person, remarked upon by more than one who had access to his presence. That report is confirmed by the portraits of him, from the pencil of Titian, taken before the freshness of youth had faded into the sallow hue of disease, and when care and anxiety had not yet given a sombre, perhaps sullen expression to his features. He had a fair, and even delicate complexion. His hair and beard were of a light yellow; his eyes blue, with the eyebrows somewhat too close together. His nose thin and aquiline. The principal blemish in his countenance was his thick Austrian lip; his lower jaw protruded even more than his father's. To his father, indeed, he bore a great resemblance in his lineaments, though those of Philip were of a less intellectual cast. In stature he was somewhat below the middle height, with a slight, symmetrical figure, and well-made limbs. He was attentive to his dress, which was rich and elegant, but without any affectation of ornament. His demeanor was grave, with that ceremonious observance which marked the old Castilian, and which may be thought the natural result of Philip's slow and phlegmatic temperament." But Philip, although resembling his father in some points, both in person and character, was, in many essential respects, widely different. Charles was far more Fleming than Spaniard; Philip far more Spaniard than Fleming-indeed, altogether Spanish in tastes and feeling. The free and frank deportment of the emperor, which, despite of his tyrannical measures, rendered him so popular with his Flemish and German subjects, contrasted strangely in their eyes with the cold, formal demeanor of his son. The love of athletic sports which Charles in his youth displayed, his taste for gorgeous ceremonial and a splendid court, even his love of good cheer-the potted capon and eel-pasties, for which he endured a penance far more severe than hair shirt or scourge could inflict-and his deep potations-the mighty goblet, containing a full quart of Rhenish, drained at a single draught, as Roger Ascham, who witnessed this feat of imperial excess, so wonderingly recordsall these endeared him to the wealthy, pomp-loving, luxurious burghers of Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp, who could scarcely comprehend, far less admire, the prince who, although but just past twenty, rigidly adhered to one system of diet, who seldom took part in the tourney, scarcely ever hunted, but preferred to pass his hours in the privacy of his own apartment, in company with a favorite few, but talking of nothing and thinking of nothing but Spain. But however distasteful to Philip, he was compelled, in conformity with his father's will, to take part in the festivities in his honor; and in the great square of Brussels, opposite the palace, and arrayed in unaccustomed splendor of cloth of gold and violet velvet, he ran the first course against Count Mansfeldt, and received a brillant ruby as the prize. There is a mournful interest in the details of this tournament, so graphically and spiritedly described by Mr. Prescott. Count Hoorne, among the challengers, and the gallant Count Egmont, with lance in rest, supporting Philip; and Alva sitting among the judges, while the emperor, beneath the gorgeous canopy of crimson and gold, his sisters, the regent, and the dowager-queen of France, on either hand, occupied almost | Metz, at length began to meditate that the very spot where, on that sad morning abdication which ere long was to startle twenty years after, the tolling bells, the Europe. Ere this step had been arranged black scaffold, and the headsman drew to--probably ere it was definitely decided gether a greater, but heart-broken crowd, upon-death, which, if it so often extinto witness the execution of those two gal- guishes ambitious hopes, so often, on the lant nobles, while Alva, drunk with blood, other hand, awakens or aids them, offered but with thirst yet unsatiated, watched a new prize to the still grasping emperor. behind the lattice the fall of their gory Young Edward of England had died, and heads. Mary, the cruelly-used daughter of Catharine of Arragon, the persecuted sister of the Protestant boy-king, the desolate princess, on whose behalf, and for the free exercise of whose faith, Charles, as her nearest maternal relative, had repeatedly interfered, was now actually queen, and unwedded! What a prize for his still widower son! The history of Philip of Spain now links itself with that of England; and in entering upon it we shall refer to English affairs more largely than Mr. Prescott has done, since scarcely any portion of our annals requires so much to be re-written as those of the reign of Mary. A residence of more than two years in Flanders, if insufficient to reconcile Philip to the habits of his Flemish subjects, was an amply sufficient space of time for Charles to initiate his son into that science of government which he understood so well. Every day Philip passed some time in his father's cabinet conversing on public affairs, or in attending the sittings of the council of state; and it is probable that Charles "found his son an apt and docile scholar." One thing was still wanting to his father's wishes; that in addition to the crown of Spain, the diadem of the Germanic empire should be secured to his son; and earnest was Charles with his Few kings' daughters, from their very brother Ferdinand to induce him to waive cradle up to womanhood, have been the his prospective claim in favor of his nephew. object of so many marriage treaties as But Ferdinand was unyielding; while to Mary Tudor. Giustinian has told us how the suggestion that Philip might at least Bonnivet placed the diminutive ring on become king of the Romans, the plea that the little child's finger as she stood on her this was in the gift of the electors was urg- mother's knee, thus betrothing her to the ed-a plea unanswerable, and at once fatal Dauphin, then a babe in his nurse's arms. to the claims of Philip of Spain; for, as (B. Q., No. XLII., page 462.) But the Sorriano remarks, while his manners had peace thus solemnly ratified between Henbeen "little pleasing to the Italians, and ry and Francis was ere long broken, and positively displeasing to the Flemings, then Charles V. sought a closer alliance they were altogether odious to the Ger- with his cousin, still the heir-presumptive mans." A kind of compromise was at of the English crown, although then but length entered into between the two broth- six years old, and by the treaty of Winders, and Philip prepared for his departure. sor stipulated that at the age of twelve He had now accomplished the object of she should be sent to Spain to complete his visit in regard to his Flemish subjects; her education. This treaty is very importbut even then "the symptoms of alienation ant, for we find that it was there stipulatbetween the future sovereign and his peo-ed that Mary should be brought up in the ple, which was afterwards to widen into a permanent and irreparable breach, might be discovered," and when Philip again visited Flanders, there was little of that wild enthusiasm which hailed his first appearance. It was with no reluctant feelings, therefore, that Philip returned to Spain. In July, 1551, he re-landed at Barcelona, proceeding to Valladolid, and there quietly resumed the duties of the regency during the next three years; while his father, humiliated by his flight from Innspruck, and the disastrous results of the siege of habits, the language, even the costume of Spain. "And who is so well qualified to instruct her in all this as the queen, her mother?" said Henry.* Charles, well acquainted with the inveterate nationality of his aunt, willingly ac *For if her father shuld seke a maistresse for hir to frame hir after the maner of Spayne, and of whom she myghte take example of vertue, he shulde not fynde in all Xtendome a more mete than she now hathe, the quene's grace, her mother, who is comen berith to the emperer will norish her, and bringe her of this house of Spayne, and who for th' affection she up, as may hereafter be to his most contentacion."Letter of the Ambassador's, July 8th, Cotton MSS. |