SPAIN AXJ) HER FACTIONS. 669 



raent of the last vestige of their ancient liberties. The government have 

 accordingly been obliged to resort to auxiliary means of controuling the 

 angry and conflicting interests which alternately and simultaneously 

 menace their existence. This has hitherto been accomplished, by nou- 

 rishing a mutual dread, and an increasing hatred between the parties ; 

 and by assuming, at the same time, by the aid of France, until the late 

 revolution in that country, a strong intervening position, from which 

 they were enabled to keep either in awe, by assuming to themselves the 

 only means of keeping the others in check. The French Revolution 

 was almost a death-blow to this system. It paralyzed the ministry, en- 

 couraged the liberals, and infuriated the apostolicals. The government, 

 however, still totters on, repelling the secret and overt attacks of both 

 parties, under the cover of its expiring prestige. This state of things 

 may linger on for a longer or a shorter duration of time, according to 

 the progress of European events ; but it cannot last ; and the only spe- 

 culation is, when and how the revolution will be effected. 



The actual position of parties does not lead to the conclusion that the 

 ignition of the train will proceed from the liberals; notwithstanding the 

 restless and indomitable character of their several leaders, so dreadful 

 are the penalties to which an unsuccessful attempt would expose them, 

 not to mention the inevitable ordeal of horrors they would have to 

 endure, ere they could arrive at the termination of a fortunate struggle, 

 however short ; but unbearable must be the persecution, or great the 

 opportunity, that would induce them to incur the brunt of the hostility 

 of the government, and the alarmed vengeance of the apostolicals. So 

 extensive, likewise, is the system of police espionmge, and so frequently 

 has treachery marred the secret machinations of the liberals, that sus- 

 picion has intercepted their mutual communications, and their strong 

 holds are blockaded by terror. Experience of the cabals which deso- 

 lated the prospects of the late revolution, also render many, who are 

 more or less theorists in liberalism, apprehensive, or at least lukewarm, 

 as to a return to a regime which may be accompanied by, perhaps, as 

 much evil as good. A larger proportion are spirit-broken, by the accu- 

 mulated calamities incident to their position, and feel more of the de- 

 pression of despair, than of its desperation ; they are sick at heart, and 

 are no longer to be aroused by Hope, with Danger at her side. 



It is apparently from the Carlists that we are to expect the opening 

 of the drama ; and the succession to the throne seems the question which 

 will probably set the nation by the ears. The very precarious state of 

 the king's health, renders it very probable, that though the queen 

 should, in the course of time, present the nation with a prince of the 



" The truth of all this is, that the king is frightened at the act of his govern- 

 ment; and to conciliate this party, he thus embarrasses his ministers, to whose po- 

 sition, to save himself, he gratuitously adds new danger. The king's conduct in 

 this, as in every thing else, is selfish, cowardly, and wretchedly impolitic. He 

 adopts a ministry, to preserve himself from the dictation of the apostolicals ; and 

 when that thwarted dictation assumes treason against his person and his govern- 

 ment, he shelters himself behind his ministry, and finds safety in their decision 

 and determination. Saved from immediate peril, he tampers with the faction he 

 has disappointed and enraged ; and for personal reconciliation, exposes his sup- 

 porters to their vindictiveness, by actually regenerating their means and their 

 strength. The service of such a prince, a service based on despotism and violence, 

 is thus retributively paid by ingratitude, surrounded by danger, and weakened br 

 contempt and disunion." 



