Page:Memoirs of Baron Hyde de Neuville; outlaw, exile, ambassador; (IA memoirsofbaronhy01hyde).pdf/265

Rh ratified it and the Princesse de la Paix has now the rank of Infanta, and her brother, the Archbishop of Toledo and Seville, an equally high rank.

The Prince de la Paix appoints to all offices, nominates Ministers, changes them at will, and has such influence, that when the King is appealed to on any matter, he invariably asks: ‘What does Manuel say?’ and is careful not to come to a decision, until Manuel’s views are known. It is said, that last year, the King wished to abdicate in Manuel's favour, or at least, to give up to him the Regency of his dominions; but this, would only have been to add one more title to a power which could not be greater than it is.

The King has just conferred upon him the title of Grand Admiral, a dignity that has been revived for him, and has never before been accorded in Spain to anyone but a Prince of the blood; notably to the celebrated Don John of Austria. The patent of nobility sets forth that this is a feeble acknowledgement of the great merits of the Prince de la Paix, and of his services to the Crown. The sarcastic would have liked some details to render this phrase clearer. [t remains to be seen if the new Grand Admiral, who has never seen the sea, will restore to Spain good seamen and ships. Everybody doubts it, even the flatterers who are celebrating the event with such pompous festivities, as if the King had just gained a brilliant victory.

Such is the personage, the actor, upon whom turns the whole drama now being played in Spain, a sad drama, of which we can only too readily see the dénouement. I wish you to understand it fully. You would think, no doubt, that in this Most Catholic country, and married to the second cousin of his master, the Prince would have a great regard for appearances. Quite the contrary. The poor Princess is relegated to her apartments, and scarcely sees her husband, who dines publicly every day in his Palace with a mistress by whom he has several children. This woman, who is called Tudo, plays an �