[201]. To show how uncertain were still the relations between the people of the two countries, it may be mentioned that an eyewitness of the ceremonies of the exchange, etc., mentions as a marvellous thing that there was no fighting between Spaniards and Frenchmen.
[202]. The only portion of this building now standing is the ancient Gothic church where King Alfonso and Queen Victoria Eugénie were recently married. It stands close to the famous picture gallery in the Prado.
[203]. From an unpublished MS. in the British Museum. Add. 10,236.
[204]. From MSS. of Diego de Soto, de Aguilar Royal Academy of History, Madrid, G. 32, and another in British Museum, Add. 10,236.
[205]. Father Florez and other ecclesiastical writers give many instances of her liberality in contributing to pious works, and in Reinas Catolicas there is an account of Isabel’s action at the time (in 1624), that a ‘heretic had outraged the Most Holy Sacrament in this my convent of St. Philip.’ In addition to the services of atonement for the outrage in all the churches, ‘the royal family made such an atonement as never was seen, as befitted an insult to the greatest of the mysteries. The corridors of the palace were adorned with all the valuable and beautiful possessions of the crown, and a separate altar was erected in the name of each royal personage. That of the Queen attracted the attention of all beholders for the taste it exhibited, and the immense value of the jewels that adorned it belonging to her Majesty. The value of these jewels was computed at three million and a half’ (of reals).
[206]. ‘Voyage d’Espagne.’ Aersens van Sommerdyk, and many other visitors to Spain at the time testify to this. See also ‘Relatione dell’ Ambasciatore di Venetia.’ British Museum MSS., Add. 8,701.
[207]. Historia del Arte Dramatico en España (translated from the German of A. F. Schack).
[208]. Howell’s ‘Familiar Letters.’
[209]. The steps of the Church of St. Philip in the Calle Mayor was so called El Mentidero.
[210]. Speech (published) by Don Eugenio Hartzenbusch to the Royal Academy of History, Madrid, 1861, where the whole question is discussed.