Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/613

Rh roused far less enthusiasm than it would have done half a dozen years before. Royalty had lost prestige under the assiduous inroads of republican ideas, and the character and mishaps of the king had not presented themselves in a light to call for great sympathy and admiration. Succeeding news did not tend to improve the feeling.

The tone in the despatches from Spain, which remained suspiciously silent with regard to córtes or constitution, totally escaped the otherwise observant Calleja. In a manifesto of June he held out the prospect of fully establishing the constitution, and hastened to summon the provincial deputation which was installed July 13th, with a very incomplete representation, owing to interrupted elections and other obstacles. Early in the following month arrived the famed decree of May 4th. The officials and corporations were summoned to a praise service at the cathedral August 10th, and there Dean Beristain announced from the pulpit the change to be introduced, now attacking severely the same constitution which he had more than once impressively upheld. The usual demonstrations were ordered to follow, but this time the people held aloof, sullen and ominously silent.

A large number of Europeans observed the same attitude, especially the merchants, and above all those of Vera Cruz; so much so that the viceroy and commandants took precautions against a possible out break. Then, in order to distract attention,