The best histories are those which treat of single episodes or periods, such as Prescott’s Ferdinand and Isabella, Irving’s Conquest of Spain, Spanish Voyages, and Conquest of Granada. To these, in truth, I would refer my young readers for a more extended acquaintance with Spain and her fascinating history. In those charming narratives the dry bones of fact are clothed in graceful drapery, and the reader moves and acts with their heroes, kings, and queens, in most distinguished company. I do not like to allude to the recent events in Spanish history, by which our own country was forced into collision with Spain; and I will dismiss the subject merely with the statement that it has been my endeavour to present an accurate account of the unfortunate war, in which I have had the benefit of supervision by competent authorities. To them, and to the silent companions of my voyages and excursions, drawn from the musty shelves of the library, and frequently exposed to peril “by flood and field,” I would herewith express my heartfelt thanks. F. A. O. WASHINGTON, D. C., _February, 1899_. [Illustration] CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I.—ANCIENT IBERIA 1 II.—PHŒNICIANS AND CARTHAGINIANS 6 III.—SPAIN A ROMAN PROVINCE 13 IV.—A KINGDOM OF THE GOTHS 25 V.—THE INVASION FROM AFRICA 36 VI.—THE WESTERN CALIFATE 45 VII.—SPAIN’S HEROIC AGE 54 VIII.—DECLINE OF THE MOORS 63 IX.—KINGS OF CASTILE AND ARAGON 72 X.—FERDINAND AND ISABELLA 82 XI.—HOW THE MOORS WERE SUBJUGATED 92 XII.—THE FALL OF GRANADA 106 XIII.—A MEMORABLE REIGN 113 XIV.—WHEN SPAIN WAS GREAT 123 XV.—CHARLES I AND PHILIP II 133 XVI.—SPAIN’S RELIGIOUS WARS 142 XVII.—THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY 154 XVIII.—THE HOUSE OF BOURBON 165 XIX.—CHARLES IV AND BONAPARTE 176 XX.—THE REIGN OF FERDINAND VII 187 XXI.—ISABELLA II AND THE CARLISTS 194 XXII.—FROM ISABELLA II TO ALFONSO XIII 203 XXIII.—SPAIN AND HER COLONIES 212 XXIV.—CUBA’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM 222 XXV.—WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES 234 XXVI.—SPAIN AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR 255 XXVII.—THE TREATY OF PEACE 266 INDEX 279 [Illustration] SPAIN. CHAPTER I. ANCIENT IBERIA.