Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/449

421 HIS DEATH AND CHARACTER. 421 less of difficulties, and fearless of all personal con- chapter sequences. The consciousness of the integrity of — his purposes rendered him, indeed, too unscrupulous as to the means of attaining them. He held his own life cheap, in comparison with the great re- forms that he had at heart. Was it surprising, that he should hold as lightly the convenience and in- terests of others, when they thwarted their execu- tion ? His views were raised far above considerations "is uismier- estedness. of self. As a statesman, he identified himself with the state ; as a churchman, with the interests of his religion. He severely punished every offence against these. He as freely forgave every personal injury. He had many remarkable opportunities of showing this. His administration provoked nu- merous lampoons and libels. He despised them, as the miserable solace of spleen and discontent, and never persecuted their authors. ^^ In this he formed an honorable contrast to Cardinal Richelieu, whose character and condition suggest many points of re- semblance with his own. His disinterestedness was further shown by his mode of dispensing his large revenues. It was among the poor, and on great public objects. He built up no family. He had brothers and nephews ; but he contented himself with making their condi- tion comfortable, without diverting to their benefit 31 Qaincuagenas, MS., ubi supra, table, as related by Madame d'Ar- Mr. Burke notices this noble blay, in the last, and not least re- trait, in a splendid panegyric which markableof her productions. (Me- he poured forth on the character of moirs of Dr. Burney, vol. ii. pp. 231 Ximenes, at Sir Joshua Reynolds's et seq.) The orator, if the lady re-