and whose shrine queens enrich with jewels, whose cost would found an
hospital or comfort many poor. A young Queen, entering her capital in
haste and anxiety, a few hours after a revolt against her authority,
ought, one might suppose, to command, by her mere presence, some
demonstration of loyalty and affection from her subjects. But the
present Queen of Spain has so completely weaned from her the affections
of her people, has so well earned their contempt, and even their hatred,
that neither on that night nor on any other occasion that I have
witnessed was a voice uplifted or a _viva_ heard. A body of gendarmes,
drawn up opposite to the ministry of the interior, cheered as she
passed, and possibly the same may have been the case on the part of
civil and military functionaries at other points of the line of her
progress, but the attitude of the people and soldiers was one of perfect
indifference. The same was the case on the following day, when she
reviewed the garrison in the Prado, and conferred decorations and
promotion on sergeants and privates who had distinguished themselves by
their fidelity in refusing to be led away by the insurgents. Surrounded
by a numerous staff of officers, and having the troops formed in such
wise that as many as possible of them might hear her, she addressed to
them a short speech, was profuse of smiles, and held up to them her
infant daughter as if confiding it to their defence. Now was the time,
if ever, for the old Castilian loyalty to burst forth in acclamation.
But its spirit is dead, crushed by royal misconduct and misrule. Not a
cheer was uttered, either by officer or soldier. The ominous silence was
remarked by all present. It was equally profound as the Queen returned
to her palace through the most populous streets of her capital, crowded
on the warm summer night. It is said and believed here that, on reaching
the palace, she was so affected and disheartened by the chilling
reception she had on all sides met, that she burst into a passion of
tears. Pity it is for the poor woman, who is not without some natural
good qualities, but whom evil influences and a neglected education have
brought to sorrow and contempt.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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