clusively of members of the Conservative (Moderados) and Neo-Catholic parties, as all the Liberal parties abstained, in March, 1867, from taking part in their election (see ANNUAL AMERICAN CYCLOPÆDIA for 1867). The only opposition made to the ministry proceeded from the Senate, in which from 30 to 40 members belonged to the Liberal parties. On the 2d of January, the Chamber of Deputies unanimously passed the draft of an address, in reply to the speech of the throne on the reassembling of the Cortes in December, 1867. The most important passage of this address is the following, in which the Chamber refers to the position of Spain with regard to the Roman question:

The deputies may be permitted to express their satisfaction at the flattering and pacific state of our relations with friendly powers, and to render themselves the interpreters of the extreme joy that has been produced in all truly Spanish, and consequently Catholic hearts, by your Majesty's magnificent words relative to the Pontificial power, and favorable to the independence and stability of the legitimate power and the incontestable rights of the Holy See.

While making use of the initiative, and taking up the attitude suitable to an eminently Catholic nation

and while offering to the Emperor of the French, a friend and ally of Spain, the support of our moral cooperation, and even of our forces in case it should be thought necessary to employ them in the defence of the legitimate rights of the Holy See, the Government has deserved well of the nation, has shown itself worthy of the Queen who happily occupies the throne of Isabella I., and worthy also of the nation which has combated for the integrity of its faith during seven centuries. In the horrible struggle of the revolution against legitimacy of force against right, the Holy See symbolizes the cause of right and of legitimacy. By her filial love toward this Holy Father, by the moral influence of her opinion, by her language and her vote, if the European Conference came to be realized, Spain must assume the post of honor and of justice at the right of the Sovereign Pontiff, who is the most august, the calmest, and the most venerable figure of contemporary history.

Conformably to these sentiments, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, on January 22d, informed the Italian Government that Spain was determined to uphold the temporal power of the Pope. A brigade of volunteers was also formed for the support of the Pope, but it was dissolved before starting for Rome, owing to the remonstrances of France.

The proceeding of the Cortes did not present many points of interest. On March 11th the Minister of Finance was authorized to contract a loan of fifty-five millions of francs. The difficulty with England, arising out of the seizure of the British ship Queen Victoria, was settled by the payment of an indemnity to England. A treaty of commerce was concluded with the North-German Confederation. The formation of a new ministry, after the death of Marshal Narvaez, produced no change of policy. The Cortes were adjourned on May 20th.

During all this time, Spain was comparatively quiet. The Carlists had made preparations for a rising in February, but the scheme utterly failed. There were slight tumults in Catalonia in April, and the province was placed

under martial law; but no serious outbreak occurred. But the situation became very grave in July. The Government claimed to have satisfactory evidence that the three great sections of the Liberal opposition, namely the "Liberal Union," of which the late Marshal O'Donnell had been the chief; the "Progressists," to which belonged Espartero, Prim, Olózaga, and Madoz; and the Democrats, who embraced a large republican element-had united in a more extensive revolutionary scheme than any that had yet threatened the reign of Isabella. On the 7th of June, Generals Serrano, Cordova, Dulce, Bedoya, Latore, Letona, and Zabula were arrested at Madrid, and lodged in prison. Simultaneously with the arrest of the generals, the Government requested the Duke and the Duchess de Montpensier, who were likewise suspected of being implicated in the conspiracy, to leave the country. The ministerial papers announced that this measure had become necessary, in order "that the Duke might not be used as a Previous to their exile, the Duke and Duchess flag by the enemies of Spanish institutions." de Montpensier refused to comply with the orders of the Spanish Government, on the ground that an Infanta of Spain could only receive orders direct from the sovereign. Isabella thereupon signed the decree exiling them from Spain. After this step had been taken, the generals belonging to the Liberal Union party were also all exiled without exception. Insurrectionary attempts were at once made in Barcelona, Valencia, and Saragossa, but they were suppressed. Dissatisfaction with the Government increased, however, rapidly in all the provinces, and a number of prominent generals, among them the Captain-Generals of Madrid and Barcelona, tendered their resignations. Preparations for a great rising were made in all the provinces, and a perfect accord between all the oppositional parties secured.

The expected revolution began on the 17th of September, with an insurrectionary move ment in Cadiz, and assumed at once formidable dimensions, when the commander of the naval force off Cadiz, Topete, declared in favor of the insurrection. Within a few days, pronunciamientos were made in almost every province. Local and provisional juntas were formed everywhere, to assume the control of the movement, and all the generals, exiled in June, as well as General Prim, appeared upon the scene, to place themselves at its head. Serrano and Prim were at Cadiz as early as the 19th of September. On the 21st the city of Santander fell into the hands of the insurgents, but it was recaptured on the 24th by General Calonge, after a sharp fight with the insurgents, who numbered about 1,800. The general reported a loss of 600 killed and wounded on the royal side, and 300 on that of the insurgents. After the reoccupation of the city, a number of citi zens, who were found with arms in their hands were tried by court-martial and immediately