The Story of Majorca and MinorcaMarkham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
History
The Story of Majorca and Minorca
Markham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
Balearic Islands (Spain) -- History
Wellington concerted his plans with Romana, who was, in the ensuing
campaign, to keep open communications with Badajos, behind the Gevora.
The Marquis began his march thither, but died very suddenly of
heart-disease on January 23, 1811. A small edition of Pindar was found
in his pocket. His death was most disastrous, for the troops had no
confidence in his successor, and Badajos was lost.
Wellington appreciated the great qualities of this illustrious Majorcan
soldier. He recorded his sense of Romana’s services in the following
tribute to his memory: ‘In Romana the Spanish army has lost its
brightest ornament, his country their most upright patriot, and the
world the most strenuous and zealous defender of the cause in which we
are engaged. I shall always acknowledge with gratitude the assistance
which I received from him, as well by his operations as by his counsel,
since he had been joined with this army.’[26] The body of the great
Majorcan was conveyed to his native island. The funeral took place with
all possible solemnity on June 4, 1811, and a monument was voted by the
Cortes.
The monument is on the east wall of one of the northern side-chapels in
the cathedral. The recumbent figure of the Marquis of Romana rests on
a tomb, all in white marble, and beside it is another figure, pointing
upwards, supposed to be the Duke of Wellington. Below there is a
bas-relief with Romana and Admiral Keats superintending the embarkation
of Spanish troops and baggage at Nyborg, in the island of Funen.
The son of the great general, also named Pedro, succeeded as fourth
Marquis of Romana, and married Doña Tomas Alvarez de Toledo y Palafox,
Duchess of Montalto. He died in 1848, and was succeeded by Don Pedro
Caro, the fifth Marquis, who married a Hungarian lady of rank, Isabel
Szechenyi Zichy-Ferraris. She built the castle of Bendinat, as has
already been mentioned; but afterwards disposed of all the Caro
property in Majorca, and went to Madrid, where her son, the present and
sixth Marquis of La Romana, now resides.
Every visitor to Palma should go to the tomb of the illustrious
Majorcan, whose splendid career was so closely connected with most
interesting episodes in English history. Romana was the intimate friend
of Hookham Frere, one of the most distinguished among the diplomatists
and men of letters of the last century; and he won the esteem and
friendship of the great Duke of Wellington.
At the same time that the corrupt government of Godoy sent the Marquis
of Romana and fourteen thousand patriotic soldiers to Denmark, an
equally illustrious man was sent a prisoner to Majorca. Jovellanos is
connected with the island, not as a native, but as one whose iniquitous
imprisonment won for him the warm sympathy of the islanders.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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