Don Juan de Vargas took possession of his government the 21st of September, 1678, and began his administration with universal applause; but in a little time the passion of avarice effected a thorough transformation of his character: disputes between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities alone engaged the public attention during the whole period of his government. CHAPTER III. ANNO DOM. 1684. The Administration of Don Gabriel de Curuzalegui. Don Gabriel de Curuzalegui took possession of his government the 24th of August, 1684, and by his judgment and prudence, put an end to these disgraceful dissensions. On the 27th of April, 1689, the Governor died, and was interred in the church of St. Augustine. He was a quiet and inoffensive man, and although he leaned too much to the side of the Archbishop in the ecclesiastical disputes which had occurred for some years previous, yet the court approved his conduct. On the 22d of December, the same year, the Archbishop died. Señor Abella succeeded to the Government ad interim, and during his Administration the Marquis of Villasierra, Don Fernando Valenzuela, terminated a political life as remarkable as any on record for the versatility of fortune which distinguished it. This nobleman was known by the name of Sylph, because he took the opportunity of one night entering the palace at Madrid, in a private manner, and relating to the Queen mother what was passing at court, by which means he gained her confidence, and became prime minister and grandee of Spain. Don Juan of Austria having persuaded his natural brother, Charles the Second, to send the Queen mother from Court, he ordered her to retire to Toledo; and by this fall of the Queen, Villasierra lost his popularity, was imprisoned, stripped of all his honours, and banished to the Philippines, 1679, where he was imprisoned in the fort of Cavite, and remained there till 1688, in which Don Juan of Austria died, and the Queen was restored to the favour of her son. On this occasion Villasierra was liberated; and after living some little time on charity near Manila, he embarked for New Spain, where (in Mexico) he died by the kick of a horse. Strange reverse of fortune this man had suffered! From the highest station in the court of Madrid, he was sunk to that of nearly absolute want. At Madrid he had filled the highest dignities, and most important political situations: he was banished to the Philippines, confined many years in a dungeon, restored again to his rank, and died as above related. CHAPTER IV. ANNO DOM. 1690. The Administration of Don Fausto Cruzat y Gongora.