Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/363

339 GONSALVO SUCCOURS THE POPE. 339 Roussillon, but in part, also, to his habitual frugal- chapter ity, which, with a very different spirit from that of ^' his illustrious consort, always stinted the measure of his supplies to the bare exigency of the occasion. Fortunately the genius of the Great Captain was so fruitful in resources, as to supply every defi- ciency ; enabling him to accomplish such brilliant results, as effectually concealed any poverty of preparation on the part of his master. The Italian wars were of signal importance to influence or 'J ••• the war on the Spanish nation. Until that time, they had ^p"'"- been cooped up within the narrow limits of the Peninsula, uninstructed and taking little interest in the concerns of the rest of Europe. A new world was now opened to them. They were taught to measure their own strength by collision with other powers on a common scene of action ; and, success inspiring them with greater confidence, seemed to beckon them on towards the field, where they were destined to achieve still more splendid triumphs. This war afforded them, also a most useful lesson of tactics. The war of Granada had insensibly trained up a hardy militia, patient and capable of every privation and fatigue, and brought under strict subordination. This was a great advance beyond the independent and disorderly habits of the feudal service. A most valuable corps of light troops had been formed, schooled in all the wild, irregular movements of guerrilla warfare. But the nation was still defective in that steady, well-disci- plined infantry, which, in the improved condition