Portugal -- History -- Modern, 1580-; Portugal -- History -- Revolution, 1640
As soon as he arriv'd, he communicated those Proportions, which had been
made him, to the Dutchess his Wife. She was of a _Castilian_ Family,
Sister to the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_, a Grandee of _Spain_, and
Governor of _Andalusia_. During her Childhood, her Mind was great and
heroick, and as she grew up, became passionately fond of Honour and
Glory. The Duke, her Father, who perceived this natural Inclination of
hers, took care to cultivate it betimes, and gave the Care of her
Education to Persons who would swell her Breast with[C] Ambition, and
represent it as the chiefest Virtue of Princes. She apply'd herself
betimes to the Study of the different Tempers and Inclinations of
Mankind, and would by the Looks of a Person judge of his Heart; so that
the most dissembling Courtier could scarce hide his Thoughts from her
discerning Eye. She neither wanted Courage to undertake, nor Conduct to
carry on the most difficult things, provided their End was glorious and
honourable. Her Actions were free and easy, and at the same time noble
and majestick; her Air at once inspir'd Love, and commanded Respect. She
took the _Portuguese_ Air with so much ease, that it seem'd natural to
her. She made it her chief Study to deserve the Love and Esteem of her
Husband; nor could the Austerity of her Life, a solid Devotion, and a
perfect Complaisance to all his Actions, fail of doing it. She neglected
all those Pleasures, which Persons of her Age and Quality usually
relish; and the greatest part of her time was employ'd in Studies, which
might adorn her Mind, and improve her Understanding.
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