Marshal Prim has made a speech to the Cortes, of
which Renter gives a very enigmatical account. According to his report the Marshal informed hisaudience that he had offered the Crownto "four candi- dates" without result, but still hoped to find a King within the next three months. Whether the four candidates are all new, or include the Duke d'Aosta and the Regent Serrano, is not stated. Prim further stated that he would have nothing to do with the Infante Alphonse, but looked forward to a monarchical confedera- tion between Spain and Portugal, each country to preserve its own -autonomy. This means, we imagine, that both crowns are to be placed on one head, and if correctly reported is an important -declaration, more especially as it has not yet provoked any riots in Lisbon. The attitude of the Cortes on hearing this speech is not -described, but it is stated that the members find Madrid too hot, and are going home.
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