1828.] Don Alonso. 13. 
Urraca, looking up to heaven, ‘ that my two sons will increase the number 
of heroes—the elect of the Queen of Angels !—‘ The defenders of the faith’ 
must use all possible dispatch,’ rejoined the intendant (for such was the 
important personage who had last entered); ‘ for I have bad news to announce. 
Some troops are arriving, headed by your brother, Dona Urraca.’ 
“ The sound of trumpets was now heard ; a squadron appeared, preceded 
by a general officer ; the village drum joined in the flourishes ; the inhabitants 
gathered together to increase the cries of Viva la Constitucion! Viva el Rey 
Constitucionel!* Equally surprised and indignant, the monk and the inten- 
dant shewed themselves at the window. On seeing them, the villagers, some- 
what intimidated, either held their peace, or retired. Some women, whose 
opposition had been manifested by a mournful silence, recovered courage: but 
the curate appeared ; his parishioners rallied round him ; reassured by his 
example, and the presence of the dragoons, they no longer feared to display 
on their hats the yellow and red ribbon. The phrases ‘ Sacred Code !’ and 
© Well-beloved Ferdinand !’ were uttered by all. The monk and the intendant 
saw themselves defeated ; they left the field to the conquerors, and escaped 
by a door which opened to the mountains.” 
Some of our readers are not, perhaps, aware that the constitutional 
code was as much supported by the regular clergy as it was opposed by 
the monastic orders. To secure the former, the Cortes had decreed the 
abolition of the onerous pensions which weighed on most of the eccle- 
siastical benefices; but, convinced that the number of monasteries was 
injurious to the national prosperity, they had also resolved either greatly 
to reduce, or entirely to abolish, those religious establishments. No 
wonder, then, that the church should range itself under the banners of 
both parties—that it should be divided by the opposition of interest. 
But to proceed— 
“ In the meantime Francisca, filled with joy and affection, hastened to 
meet her father. The general kissed his daughter’s forehead, gently touched 
the tresses of her dark hair which fell to the ground, and said, with emotion : 
—‘ Thou hast thy mother’s beauty, her very figure, her hair ;’ but, raising his 
head at this moment, and discovering that the constitutional stone no longer 
ccupied its accustomed place, he hastily disengaged himself from his daugh- 
rs embrace, and severely reprimanded the inhabitants for neglecting to 
e-erect the sign of the public regeneration. They attempted to excuse them- 
selves for the omission, alleging their fear of the alcalde, the monastery, and 
the intendant : but all now hastened to collect the fragments of the consti- 
ie nal table, which had been thrown down in 1814. Most of the pieces had 
een preserved in the presbytery, the remainder by the peasants ; soon there 
arose before the escutcheon of Don Geronimo, amidst the applause of the 
crowd, and the stifled curses of Dona Urraca, the restored monument, which 
bore this incription, in letters of gold—‘ Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy, 
_ sanctioned March 19th, 1812. 
“The general entered his sister's house: she had been praying ever since 
his arrival. He had a savage appearance ; he was tall and stout; his scarf 
trailed on the ground ; he had a fierce dignity of mien; a menacing, look shot 
from behind his long eyelashes; his eyes were half concealed by his bushy 
brows; his enormous whiskers, his disordered hair, and several deep scars 
covered the remainder of his face. He received almost unnoticed the obse- 
quious attentions of his brother-in-law the alcalde:—‘ Fewer compliments 
and bows,’ said he, as he sat down on the long bench by the wall ; ‘ my eacel- 
lency, if you will call me so, wants only one thing—obedience to the laws to 
which Don Ferdinand has sworn. You are not greater than he: imitate him, 
that this hut may bless you, as all Spain blesses her magnanimous prince.’ 
* The Constitution for ever! Long live the Constitutional King ! 
