I 



FROM THE SPANISH MONARCHY. I93 



and Ifabella ; and Charles of Auftria, his fon, was 

 born lord of the kingdom of Spain, the two Sicilies, 

 the new world, and the Netherlands. 



The common people here, fooner emerged from their 

 deplorable vafTalage, than in the other feudal kingdoms, 

 and prefently gained a civil exifrence. The country, 

 advantageoufly rltuated on the fea and great navigable 

 rivers, early awakened commerce, which encouraged 

 the arts of induftry, allured foreigners, drew men to- 

 gether into towns and cities, and diffufed riches and 

 opulence among them. Contemptible as the trade now 

 efrablifhed might appear in the eyes of the haughty 

 nobles, yet they could not relift the captivating charms 

 of gold ; which, under the various titles of taxes, im- 

 polts, highway-money, bridge-money, tolls, &c. they 

 caufed to be paid them both by natives and foreigners. 

 Their own covetoufnefs made them promoters of com- 

 merce, and barbarifm itfelf, as it often happens, ferved 

 their purpofes until a founder conftitution fupplied its 

 place. The numerous wars, which the counts and 

 dukes carried on both amongft themfelves and againft 

 their neighbours, made them dependent on the good 

 will of the cities, which had procured themfelves im- 

 portance by their wealth • and, for the fubfidies they 

 afforded, had been able to infift upon conliderable 

 rights and immunities. As the crufades rendered great 

 and expenfive preparations and armaments needful, the 

 extended navigation more nearly connected Europe 

 with Alia, and the increafe of luxury created new wants 

 for their princes ; the cities did not neglect the favour- 

 able moment for gaining new acceffions of privileges 

 and for extorting important rights of fovereignty from 

 vol. 1. 0 their 



