[122] This, which is two years later than the date commonly assigned by historians, seems to be settled by the researches of Lafuente. (See Historia General de España (Madrid, 1854), tom. xiii. p. 437, note.) Among other evidence adduced by the historian is that of a medal struck in honour of Don John's victory at Lepanto, in the year 1571, the inscription on which expressly states that he was twenty-four years of age. [123] Vanderhammen, Don Juan de Austria, fol 3.--Villafañe, Vida y Virtudes de Doña Magdalena de Ulloa (Salamanca, 1722), p. 36.--See also Lafuente, Historia de España, tom. xiii. p. 432. This last historian has made the parentage of John of Austria the subject of a particular discussion in the Revista de Ambos Mundos, No. 3. [124] Vanderhammen, alluding to the doubts thrown on the rank of his hero's mother, consoles himself with the reflection that, if there was any deficiency in this particular, no one can deny that it was more than compensated by the proud origin of her imperial lover.--Don Juan de Austria, fol. 3. [125] Lafuente, Hist. de España, tom. xiii. p. 432, note. [126] Gachard, Retraite et Mort de Charles-Quint, tom. ii. p. 506. In a private interview with Luis Quixada, the evening before his death, the emperor gave him six hundred gold crowns to purchase the above-mentioned pension. [127] This interesting document was found among the testamentary papers of Charles the Fifth. A copy of it has been preserved among the manuscripts of Cardinal Granvelle.--Papiers d'Etat, tom. iv. pp. 499, 500. [128] "Gastava buena parte del dia en tirar con una ballestilla a los paxaros."--Vanderhammen, Don Juan de Austria, fol. 10. [129] "Y puede ser llegase á sospechar, si acaso tendria por padre á su esposo."--Villefañe, Vida de Magdalena de Ulloa, p. 38. [130] "Accion singular y rara, y que dexa atras quantas la antiguedad celebra por peregrinas."--Vanderhammen, Don Juan de Austria, fol. 31. According to another biographer, two fires occurred to Quixada, one in Villagarcia and one in Valladolid. On each of these occasions the house was destroyed, but his ward was saved, borne off by the good knight in his arms. (Villafañe, Vida de Magdalena de Ulloa, pp. 44, 53.) The coincidences are too much opposed to the doctrine of chances to commend themselves readily to our faith. Vanderhammen's reflection was drawn forth by the second fire, the only one he notices. It applies, however, equally well to both. [131] Vanderhammen, Don Juan de Austria, fol. 16. [132] Indeed, Siguenza, who may have had it from the monks of Yuste, tells us that the boy sometimes was casually seen by the emperor, who was careful to maintain his usual reserve and dignified demeanour; so that no one could suspect his secret. "Once or twice," adds the Jeronymite father, "the lad entered the apartment of his father, who doubtless spoke to him as he would have spoken to any other boy."--Historia de la Orden de San Geronimo, tom. iii. p. 205.