His Frugality 162 His magnificent Establishment 162 His fatal Habit of Procrastination 163 Remonstrances of his Almoner 164 Habits of the great Nobles 164 Manners of the Court 165 Degeneracy of the Nobles 165 Splendour of their Households 165 Loss of Political Power 166 Depressed Condition of the Commons 166 Petitions of the Cortes 166 Their Remonstrance against Arbitrary Government 167 Their Regard for the National Interests 167 Erroneous Notions respecting Commerce 168 Sumptuary Laws 168 Encouragement of Bull-Fights 169 Various Subjects of Legislation 169 Schools and Universities 170 Royal Pragmatics 170 Philip's Replies to the Cortes 170 Freedom of Discussion 171 Standing Army 171 Guards of Castile 171 CHAPTER II. DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF SPAIN 172 Philip the Champion of the Faith 172 Endowments of the Church 172 Alienations in Mortmain 172 Disputed Prerogatives 173 Appointments to Benefices 173 The Clergy dependent on the Crown 174 The Escorial 174 Motives for its Erection 174 Site selected 175 Convent founded 175 Royal Humility 176 Building commenced 176 Philip's Interest in it 177 His Architectural Taste 177 His Oversight of the Work 177 He governs the World from the Escorial 178 The Edifice endangered by Fire 178 Materials used in its Construction 179 Artists employed 179 Philip's Fondness for Art 180 Completion of the Escorial 180 The Architects 180 Character of the Structure 181 Its Whimsical Design 181 Its Magnitude 181 Interior Decorations 182 Ravages it has undergone 182 Its present Condition 182 Anne of Austria 183 Her Reception in Spain 183