288 Notes for the Month. [SEPT. 



was never entrusted to him he goes over to the Spanish army ; and, by 

 the help of some forged papers, and by his appearing in his French uniform, 

 and passing himself as an aid-de-camp of Marshal Suchet's, he actually 

 succeeds in obtaining the cession of the French fortresses of Lerida, Mequi- 

 nenza, and JVlonzon. Which exploit, certainly hazardous for, if he had 

 been detected by the French, he would infallibly have been hanged for 

 the execution of it of course propitiates the Spanish authorities ; and 

 the repentant author returns to his flag, as " Captain of the army in the 

 service of the Regency." 



Now it is only justice to say of Colonel Van Halen, that his sins (of 

 which we are afraid this transaction must count as something like one), as 

 far as we can judge from his book, are chiefly of a political character. 

 There is a good deal of manly frankness employed in all private details 

 touching himself, and no one circumstance let out, even by accident, which 

 a gentleman might be ashamed of. But political sins lead sometimes, 

 although remotely, to political punishments; and the "perfidious" Ferdi- 

 nand, as our author calls him, when he was restored to the Spanish throne, 

 probably felt a suspicion that persons, generally, who had displayed emi- 

 nent talents for turning, might be likely to turn again : and the result was 

 that Signer Van Halen, in a very short time from this, found himself in 

 the prisons of the Inquisition. 



The manner in which Don Van Halen finds his way into prison is as 

 sudden and rapid as a stroke of harlequinade. His escape is still more 

 extraordinary ; and both incidents are strikingly illustrative of the condition 

 ofSpanish society. He is denounced to the government by an old friend, 

 to whom in distress he gives refuge and entertainment in his house : he is 

 liberated by the exertions of a perfect stranger, who seems to have no 

 motive for the act, and who is involved by it in great danger and suffering. 

 Some of the circumstances, however, connected with his imprisonment are 

 curious in the details which they present; and, among the most interesting, 

 is the account of his interview with the king. Being known to be widely 

 engaged in the Constitutional societies or " conspiracies" (as the reigning 

 government, unfortunately, was entitled to call them) of the day, as soon 

 as he hinted that it was in his power to make " communications," he was 

 carried into Ferdinand's presence. On the night fixed for the interview, 

 at about seven in the evening, the author was summoned from his dun- 

 geon ; and, after passing through what he calls " a labyrinth of passages," 

 found himself at the outer gate of the prison of the Inquisition. A carriage 

 was in waiting, which he entered, accompanied by two officers of the royal 

 household, and his gaoler. The vehicle takes the direction of the palace. 

 Ascending to the principal gallery by a private staircase, they enter 

 through a principal door into the ante-room of the king's private chamber, 

 which is called the Camarilla. Here one of the guides precedes the rest 

 of the party, and, on reaching the doors of a saloon, cries out, " Sire !" 



" What is the matter?" inquired a thick voice from within. 



" Here is Van Halen," replied Arellano. 



The answer is to come in ; the second officer remaining at the door of 

 the apartment : 



" We were desired to enter, Villar Frontin remaining outside the door of the 

 cabinet. The king was alone, sitting in the only chair that was in the room. As 

 we entered, he rose and advanced a few steps towards us. We found him in 

 a complete negliye, being without a cravat, and his waistcoat wholly unbuttoned. 

 Before the arm-chair stood a large table, on which there were various papers, a 

 portfolio, a writing-desk, and heaps of Havannah cigars spread about. Beside the 



