The absurd regulations with regard to trade, which were not however new, led also to disastrous results. In the vain hope of keeping prices down, the export of corn and cattle, and even dealing in corn within the country, was prohibited; importation of any kind from the Barbary coast was also forbidden. The effect of these and other absurd restrictions was that the cultivation of the restricted articles was checked, and that trade gradually fell into the hands of foreigners. Many of these, in return for loans, obtained licences from the King to export, while the demand for foreign goods gave the foreigner the command of the import trade. All articles of luxury came from abroad, and we know that the rebels of the Netherlands carried on a thriving trade in those very munitions of war which Spain used in her attempt to crush them. It has been computed that five-sixths of the home, and nine-tenths of the Indian trade were monopolised by foreigners. Thus Spain, by no means wealthy by nature, failed to enrich herself by trade and manufactures, and remained poverty-stricken. The evil was increased by the exorbitant taxation necessitated by Philip’s wars, and by the expenses of the court. These taxes fell more especially on Castile and Naples, and were collected by such evil and corrupt methods that, while the people suffered much, the government often received but little. | General results of Philip’s Home Policy. The general effect of Philip’s policy at home was to foster and exaggerate all the worst traits of the Spanish character--its intolerance, its ignorance, its indolence, and its pride; and if at the beginning of his reign Spain seemed to have touched her pinnacle of greatness, by the end of it she had made a long step towards her future decline. We must now pass on to deal with Philip’s policy in the Netherlands and abroad, to trace the failure of his attempt to reduce these provinces to the condition of his other dependencies, and the collapse of his wild idea of subjugating England and France to his despotic rule. [Illustration: THE NETHERLANDS] FOOTNOTES: [59] The Grand Inquisitors during the reign of Philip were:-- 1. Don Fernando Valdès, Archbishop of Seville, 1547-1566. 2. Espinosa, the King’s Secretary, Bishop of Siguença, and Cardinal, 1566-1573. 3. Quiroga, Archbishop of Toledo, 1573-1594. [60] For the mystery of Don Carlos cf. Prescott, _Philip II._, c. vi.; Forneron, _Philippe II._, c. xi.; Gachard, _Don Carlos et Philippe II._ [61] There were Moriscoes in other parts of Spain, especially in Murcia, Valencia and even in the Vega of Granada, who were not disturbed.