ISABELLA OF CASTILE.

Born 1451-Died 1504,

"SHOULD we seek," says Mrs. Jameson, (in her interesting "Memoirs of Female Sovereigns,") "through the pages of history for the portrait of a sovereign, such as the supreme Spirit of Good might indeed own for his vice-regent here on earth, where should we find one more blameless and beautiful than that of Isabella? Or should we point out a reign distinguished by great events,-events of such magnitude as to involve in their consequences, not particular kings and nations, but the whole universe and future ages to the end of time, where could we find such a reign as that of Isabella, who added a new world to her hereditary kingdom? Or did we wish to prove that no virtues, talents, graces, though dignifying and adorning a double crown and a treble scepter; nor the possession of a throne fixed in the hearts of her people; nor a long course of the most splendid prosperity, could exempt a great queen from the burden of sorrow, which is the lot of her sex and of humanity, where could we find an instance so forcible as in the history of Isabella?"

The incidents and characteristics about to be

portrayed will prove the foregoing remarks to be not ill-founded, notwithstanding the general tendency of the mind, by a curious anomaly, to overrate alike past heroes and present public incidents. Indeed, the judgment of mankind is, in these particulars, especially to be distrusted, from prejudice in favor of the one, and to the depreciation of the other, acting upon the principles of a pride common to both; by which the individual is led to praise the past heroic character with which, having no competitorship, he cannot lose by contrast, (for we only praise as far as we can equal,) and to exaggerate his own epoch, in which vanity would prompt him to behold himself, a prime mover or authority.

In the year 1469, while the wars of the Roses were still devastating Britain, there was enacted in the fine old city of Valladolid a petite romance, of which the results were to spread through the entire world, and not only to the limits of the known hemisphere, but into that as yet undiscovered. A young prince, who had performed the journey to the above town, disguised as a servant, and without state or escort, met here privately the heiress presumptive of the neighboring kingdom to his own; an archbishop blessed the union of the pair, and but a day or two after the unostentatious nuptials, even to defray the expense of which it had been necessary to borrow funds, they parted for an indefinite period, until events should be ripe for

the declaration of a marriage which should strike rage, terror, and astonishment into numerous hearts, perhaps end for their territories and themselves in desolation and death. Let us give a short description of this rash couple.

The bride was a girl of eighteen, if not positively beautiful, at least pleasing and attractive, beyond even what the magic pencil of that palmy age generally confers. Her figure, gracefully formed, was neither above nor below the medium altitude of her sex, and possessed an air of extreme dignity and ease. The auburn tint of her hair was accompanied, as it frequently is, by a complexion of dazzling fairness, and eyes of a deep azure, expressive of benevolence, yet not deficient in acumen; but the predominating expression of the countenance declared decision and earnestness of purpose. Who, that has studied the human features, will deny that there is a distinct development appertaining to the large-minded and comprehensive thinker and observer, and the circumscribed follower in the world's footsteps, the trammeled actor after its Procrustean code? This countenance that we are speaking of declared, as fully as if its lines were words, the very emotions written there, that its possessor belonged to that class which comprehends the bold exponents of untried means and circumstances, whether for good or evil.

The bridegroom, on his part, was scarcely less interesting; certainly as far removed from common

place as his companion. His age was nearly the same, his person athletic, erect, and majestic. His forehead was as boldly proportioned, the actual outline of his visage more perfect than hers. When he spoke, the words came rapidly and easily, and the tones in which they were uttered showed the speaker not less quick of apprehension and judgment. Yet this attractive exterior concealed a soul far less noble of purpose, infinitely less scrupulous of means. Ambition was already too plainly declared, but the frank impulses of youth are scarcely ever thus early perverted to selfishness, or contracted into policy; and that must indeed be a thoroughly odious nature which bears the impress of aught unamiable or disingenuous upon an occasion like the present. The marriage was not only one of state advantage to both parties, but a match of inclination, if not of love. The hand of the young Spanish donna had been sought by numerous applicants, and though it would appear that the fourth Edward of England had some years before foregone an alliance himself with her, "to take to wife a widow woman" from among his subjects, ("an unkindness for which the Queen of Castile was ever turned in her heart from England,") yet this did not prevent his proposing his brother, the Duke of Clarence, (afterward drowned in a butt of malmsey,) for her husband; while the King of Portugal, the Duc de Guienne, (brother of the French King, Louis XI.,) and several other notable competi

tors, were most earnest in endeavoring to secure her. The son of the King of Arragon, Don Ferdinand, who bore off the envied palm, had, in the moment of their marriage, created an indelible interest in her heart; she not only loved, but thoroughly admired and appreciated his ease and brilliant talents; and if in after-years she saw cause to question his motives,―occasionally to repudiate a participation in his craft,—and mark her disapprobation of his cruelty, there was at least no foundation for the assertion of Voltaire, that indifference swayed their actions relatively, so that they "neither loved nor hated each other, and lived together less as husband and wife, than as allies and independent sovereigns." Many instances are recorded of the attachment ever subsisting between them, and, even in her last moments, Ferdinand appears to have been so dear to her that she exacted from him a promise never to marry again-a vow destined, however, to be broken from ambition and jealousy, though not from other impulses.

Before entering upon the history of Isabella's reign, it will be well rapidly to review the circumstances attending the state of Spain at the period, and the nature of such, particularly, as led to her somewhat unexpected succession to the throne of Castile.

Insurrection, treason, and bloodshed unlimited, had marked for a length of time the annals of a country divided into four separate governments;