Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/260

234 234 THE REGENCY OF FERDINAND. PART read in the dark signs of the times abundant augury II. of some speedy revolution. 55 Zurita, Anales, torn. vi. lib. 7, Epist., epist. 311,) who seems to cap. 10. — See also the melan- echo back the sentiments of his choly vaticinations of Martyr, (Opus friends Tendilla and Talavera. Autliorities for the ac- count of riiilip. The principal authorities for the events in this Chapter, as the read- er may remark, are Martyr and Zu- rita. The former, not merely a spectator, but actor in them, had undoubtedly the most intimate op- portunities of observation. He seems to have been sufficiently im- partial too, and prompt to do jus- tice to what was really good in Philip's character ; although that of his royal master was of course calculated to impress the deepest respect on a person of Martyr's un- common penetration and sagacity. The Aragonese chronicler, how- ever, though removed to a some- what further distance as to time, was from that circumstance placed in a point of view more favorable for embracing the whole field of action, than if he had taken part and jostled in the crowd, as one of it. He has accordingly given much wider scope to his survey, exhibit- ing full details of the alleged griev- ances, pretensions, and policy of the opposite party ; and, although condemning them himself without reserve, has conveyed impressions of Ferdinand's conduct less favora- ble, on the whole, than Martyr. But neither the Aragonese his- torian, nor Martyr, nor any con- temporary writer, native or foreign, whom I have consulted, counte- nances the extremely unfavorable portrait, which Dr. Robertson has given of Ferdinand in his transac- tions with Philip. It is difficult to account for the bias which this eminent historian's mind has re- ceived in this matter, unless it be that he has taken his impressions from the popular notions enter- tained of the character of the par- ties, rather than from the circum- stances of the particular case under review ; a mode of proceeding ex- tremely objectionable in the pres- ent instance, where Philip, how- ever good his natural qualities, was obviously a mere tool in the hands of corrupt and artful men, working exclusively for their own selfish purposes.