Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 2
Of his romantic excursion into Spain for the Infanta, many curious particulars are scattered amongst foreign writers, which display the superstitious prejudices which prevailed on this occasion, and, perhaps, develope the mysterious politics of the courts of Spain and Rome.
Cardinal Gaetano, who had long been nuncio in Spain, observes, that the people, accustomed to revere the Inquisition as the oracle of divinity, abhorred the proposal of the marriage of the Infanta with an heretical prince; but that the king's council, and all wise politicians, were desirous of its accomplishment. Gregory XV. held a consultation of cardinals, where it was agreed that the just apprehension which the English catholics entertained of being more cruelly persecuted, if this marriage failed, was a sufficient reason to justify the pope. The dispensation was therefore immediately granted, and sent to the nuncio of Spain, with orders to inform the Prince of Wales, in case of rupture, that no impediment of the marriage proceeded from the court of Rome, who, on the contrary, had expedited the dispensation.
Houssaie observes, The English council were against it, but king James obstinately resolved on it; being over-persuaded by Gondomar, the Spanish ambassador, whose facetious humour and lively repartees greatly delighted him. Gondomar persuaded him that the presence of the prince would not fail of accomplishing this union, and also the restitution of the electorate to his son-in-law the palatine. Add to this, the Earl of Bristol, the English ambassador-extraordinary at the court of Madrid, finding it his interest, wrote repeatedly to his majesty that the success was certain if the prince came there, for that the Infanta would be charmed with his personal appearance and polished manners. It was thus that James, seduced by these two ambassadors, and by his parental affection for both his children, permitted the Prince of Wales to travel into Spain. This account differs from Clarendon.
Isaac Disraeli
---
CURIOSITIES OF LITERATURE.
ISAAC DISRAELI.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
CURIOSITIES OF LITERATURE.
CHARLES THE FIRST.
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
THE DEATH OF CHARLES IX.
ROYAL PROMOTIONS.
NOBILITY.
MODES OF SALUTATION, AND AMICABLE CEREMONIES, OBSERVED IN VARIOUS NATIONS.
FIRE, AND THE ORIGIN OF FIREWORKS.
THE BIBLE PROHIBITED AND IMPROVED.
ORIGIN OF THE MATERIALS OF WRITING.
ANECDOTES OF EUROPEAN MANNERS.
THE EARLY DRAMA.
THE MARRIAGE OF THE ARTS.
A CONTRIVANCE IN DRAMATIC DIALOGUE.
THE COMEDY OF A MADMAN.
SOLITUDE.
LITERARY FRIENDSHIPS.
ANECDOTES OF ABSTRACTION OF MIND.
RICHARDSON.
INFLUENCE OF A NAME.
THE JEWS OF YORK.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEAS.
ON THE CUSTOM OF KISSING HANDS.
POPES.
LITERARY COMPOSITION.
POETICAL IMITATIONS AND SIMILARITIES.
EXPLANATION OF THE FAC-SIMILE.
LITERARY FASHIONS.
THE PANTOMIMICAL CHARACTERS.
EXTEMPORAL COMEDIES.
MASSINGER, MILTON, AND THE ITALIAN THEATRE.
SONGS OF TRADES, OR SONGS FOR THE PEOPLE.
INTRODUCERS OF EXOTIC FLOWERS, FRUITS, ETC.
USURERS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
CHIDIOCK TITCHBOURNE.
ELIZABETH AND HER PARLIAMENT.
ANECDOTES OF PRINCE HENRY, THE SON OF JAMES I., WHEN A CHILD.
THE DIARY OF A MASTER OF THE CEREMONIES.
DIARIES—MORAL, HISTORICAL, AND CRITICAL.
LICENSERS OF THE PRESS.
OF ANAGRAMS AND ECHO VERSES.
ORTHOGRAPHY OF PROPER NAMES.
NAMES OF OUR STREETS.
SECRET HISTORY OF EDWARD VERE, EARL OF OXFORD.
ANCIENT COOKERY, AND COOKS.
ANCIENT AND MODERN SATURNALIA.
RELIQUIÆ GETHINIANÆ.
ROBINSON CRUSOE.
CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT DRAMAS.
THE HISTORY OF THE THEATRE DURING ITS SUPPRESSION.
DRINKING-CUSTOMS IN ENGLAND.
LITERARY ANECDOTES.
CONDEMNED POETS.
ACAJOU AND ZIRPHILE.
TOM O' BEDLAMS.
INTRODUCTION OF TEA, COFFEE, AND CHOCOLATE.
CHARLES THE FIRST'S LOVE OF THE FINE ARTS.
SECRET HISTORY OF CHARLES THE FIRST, AND HIS QUEEN HENRIETTA.
THE MINISTER—THE CARDINAL DUKE OF RICHELIEU.
FELTON, THE POLITICAL ASSASSIN.
JOHNSON'S HINTS FOR THE LIFE OF POPE.
MODERN LITERATURE—BAYLE'S CRITICAL DICTIONARY
CHARACTERISTICS OF BAYLE.
CICERO VIEWED AS A COLLECTOR.
THE HISTORY OF THE CARACCI.
QUOTATION.
THE ORIGIN OF DANTE'S INFERNO.
OF A HISTORY OF EVENTS WHICH HAVE NOT HAPPENED.
OF FALSE POLITICAL REPORTS.
OF SUPPRESSORS AND DILAPIDATORS OF MANUSCRIPTS.
PARODIES.
ANECDOTES OF THE FAIRFAX FAMILY.
MEDICINE AND MORALS.
PSALM-SINGING.
ON THE RIDICULOUS TITLES ASSUMED BY ITALIAN ACADEMIES.
ON THE HERO OF HUDIBRAS; BUTLER VINDICATED.
SHENSTONE'S SCHOOL-MISTRESS.
BEN JONSON ON TRANSLATION.
DOMESTIC HISTORY OF SIR EDWARD COKE.
OF COKE'S STYLE, AND HIS CONDUCT.
SECRET HISTORY OF AUTHORS WHO HAVE RUINED THEIR BOOKSELLERS.
FOOTNOTES: