*12 
They had every one of them been en- 
aged in Abisbal’s plot: if tyranny 
ad trampled them under foot; con- 
tempt and scorn would have been pour- 
ed upon their zgnoble heads ;—your 
worldly-wise ones—your servile. slavish 
creatures—would have called them re- 
bels and traitors—and have linked their 
names to shame and infamy; but the 
bright and glorious success of the few 
heroes who triumph may repay us for 
the disappointments of the many who 
are bafiled in their struggle for national 
liberty. 
Quiroga was well aware of the perils 
of the task he had undertaken. He 
told me that he had determined, how- 
ever, never to fall alive into the hands 
of his enemies; he always sleeps with 
a pair of loaded pistols under his pil- 
low, and in case of surprise he had 
vowed that he would destroy himself 
and his wife; (then in an advanced 
state of pregnancy,) “That nothing,” 
he added, “ of me or mine might wit- 
ness the horrors they have prepared for 
me.” His-wife is of an English de- 
scent; and during the events of the 
Isla his only child, a daughter, whom 
he called Victoria, was born. ‘ TI pass- 
ed,” he said, “‘ many moments of doubt 
and of agony.” —“ And which were the 
bitterest moments?” I enquired. “The 
first when we attacked the Isla; for I 
knew, that if it were defended bravely, 
we never could succeed against it: the 
second, when Riego left me with his «i- 
vision: the third, when I knew that 
his troops were dispersed, and that he, 
a fugitive, was wandering alone among 
the mountains.” And let it be owned, 
the heart must have been made of stern 
and solid stuff which would bear its 
noble projects onward amidst a series 
of events like these. 
But it has been remarked of Spa- 
niards, and it has been we’l remarked, 
that they never calculate difficulties-— 
they conquer them. Their »o importa 
—it does not matter,,—leads them 
through every perplexity. When Mina 
made his unsuccessful attack on Pam- 
~ peluna,Spaniards were not disheartened 
—“ Noimporta, Spain wil] be free.’”— 
When Porlier was hanged—when Lacy 
was shof, the answer to all one’s sym- 
‘ pathizing regrets was, “ No “importa, 
Spain will be free ;’ and when, in the 
enthusiasm of joy and congratulation, 
you hail their deliverance, the reply is 
ready, ‘I told you before that all 
which happened no importa, and Spain 
és free.” 
The plot which was carried on to its 
fall pis aps ae by Quiroga had 
been cherished and conducted by ABIs- 
Present Prospects of Spain. 
'[Feb. 1, 
BAL, whose conduct throughout has 
been mysterious and irreconcileable. 
It was he who had fostered the spirit of 
opposition in 1819; it was he who ar- 
rested Quiroga, Arco, Agnéro, and 
their fellow officers, amidst cries of 
“ Long live the King ;” and it was he 
who consummated the revolution by 
proclaiming the constitution at Ocana, 
in 1820. All parties lhe had seemed to 
serve—all parties he had seemed to be- 
-tray. Allhave forgotten services whose 
sincerity was, at the least, doubtful; 
and Abisbal, who might have become 
the most illustrious character in Spain, 
has sunk into obscurity—not to say, 
disgrace. 
Every sort of national honour which 
cen be gratifying to the pride or the 
patriotism of the heroes of the Isla de 
Leon has been conferred on them by 
their grateful country. One of them 
is already no more. Arco Aguéro was 
lately killed by a fall from his horse in 
the midst of his youth and of his glory. 
Riego has been of late the object of 
the attacks and persecutions of a proud | 
and selfish faction—but Riego is the 
object’ of the idolatry of his fellow- 
citizens. ; 
Is the liberty of Spain secure 2—Is 
it secure if the holy alliance should 
presume to meddle with it? Yes! then 
you may answer for its security. An 
attack from without would unite all 
parties—would blend all hearts—would 
conciliate all doubts,and remove all dif- 
ficulties. Spain, too, has a thousand 
splendid recollections, all reposing 
in her former freedom—the army is 
bound by every sentiment of honour 
and every pledge of truth to its sup- 
port; the national militia isan institu- ~ 
tion admirably popular and constitu- 
tional; the patriotic Souches spread 
over the peninsula, engaged in active 
correspondence and influenced by ever- 
watchful zeal; the universal press, 
whose power is daily extending; the 
mass of influential and enlightened ci- 
tizens; the excitement of national 
pride and dignity---these are securities 
which cannot be shaken. 
“ Ste erat in fatis” was the cry when 
the first stone was laid of the Constitu- 
tional column. Jt is a proud monu- 
ment!—It will stand though in the 
midst of clouds and storms!—The best 
and noblest blood of Spain has been 
spilt to cement it!—It is adorned by 
the laurels of victory ! — “ National 
sovereignty’ is the proud inscription 
that surrounds it!—Valour and Devo- 
tion stand armed for its protection !— 
Let us not fear—that column is eternal ! 
B. 
