Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/519

491 REVIEW OF THEIR ADMINISTRATION. 491 vidual with lofty aspirations, and a proud conscious- chapter ness of the dignity of his nature. " The princely — 1- disposition of the Spaniards," says a foreigner of the time, " delighteth me much, as well as the gen- tle nurture and noble conversation, not merely of those of high degree, but of the citizen, peasant, and common laborer." ^^^ What wonder that such sentiments should be found incompatible with sober, methodical habits of business, or that the nation in- dulging them should be seduced from the humble paths of domestic industry to a brilliant and bolder career of adventure. Such consequences became too apparent in the following reign. ^^^ In noticing the circumstances that conspired to spirit of " •■ bigotry. form the national character, it would be unpardon- able to omit the establishment of the Inquisition, which contributed so largely to counterbalance the benefits resulting from Isabella's government ; an institution which has done more than any other to stay the proud march of human reason ; which, by imposing uniformity of creed, has proved the fruit- ful parent of hypocrisy and superstition ; which has soured the sweet charities of human life,^^^ and, set- 152 L. Marineo, Cosas Memora- thicken, as the stream of history bles, fol. 30. descends. See several collected by 153 " I Spagnoli," says the Ve- Capmany (Mem. de Barcelona, torn, netian minister, " non solo in que- iii. pp. 358 et seq.), who certainly sto paese di Granata, ma in tutto '1 cannot be charged with ministering restodellaSpagnamedesimamente, to the vanity of his countrymen, non sono molto indastriosi, ne ^^ One may trace its immediate piantano, ne lavorano volontieri la influence in the writings of a man terra ; ma se danno ad altro, e like the Curate of Los Palacios, piu volontieri vanno alia guerra, o naturally, as it would seem, of an alle Indie ad acquistarsi faculta, amiable, humane disposition ; but che pertal vie." (Viaggio, fol. 25.) who complacently remarks, " They Testimonies to the same purport (Ferdinand and Isabella) lighted