We find that when a certain cardinal of the Roman Church presented his plan of the "Spanish Inquisition" to the King and Queen, that while Ferdinand approved, Isabella hesitated for a time; it may be that her woman's heart made her hesitate to condemn all who did not agree with her in religious matters. Perhaps you do not know what is meant by the Inquisition. The Inquisition was a court established for the purpose of seeking out and punishing, or in some cases banishing, heretics. This meant all who were not Romanists. I cannot think that a woman so amiable, so kind and so devout, had other than good intentions in even this matter. The King and Queen doubtless had the best interests of their people at heart, and they looked also to the advancement of their church. They wanted too to gain the favor of the Pope. Doubtless there was a variety of motives urging them on; one writer says-- "Fear, piety, patriotism, absolutism and ambition" all influenced them. And when we are inclined to condemn our beautiful queen, we must remember that she was educated by a bigoted mother, that she lived in bigoted times and that her advisers were sustained by the highest authority she recognized--the Papal court. Let us judge her leniently and put the blame of this act and of that other edict, the expulsion of the Jews, elsewhere. Let us think of her interest in Columbus, for it was she who took an interest in his project of seeking a new world beyond the seas, and who offered even to part with her jewels in order to furnish means for the carrying out of his grand scheme. We all know how it ended, and surely we as Americans will ever cherish her memory. [Illustration: THE PRISON OF THE INQUISITION.] She was a most gracious queen, beautiful in face, pleasing in manner, and very loving as a wife and mother. And among the royal personages of her beloved Spain the name of Isabella stands foremost. FAYE HUNTINGTON. - - - - - - - GUNPOWDER, which is as you know a mixture of saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal separately pulverized, then granulated and dried, and guns, were first invented by Swartz, a monk of Cologne, in 1340; Edward the Third had four pieces of cannon, which contributed to gain him the battle of Cressy, 1346; bombs and mortars were invented in the same year. [Illustration: ROUND THE FAMILY LAMP] MUMMIES.--GAME FOR NEW YEAR'S NIGHT. "DO you think you could pick out your papa, if you only saw his eyes?" "Oh, what a question!" Ethel laughs in great amusement. "I guess I couldn't help knowing my papa, if I only saw one eye!" Well, now you try it, Ethel, and let all the others try it--this funny and perplexing game of mummies.