A hundred years ago
From the 'Spectator', 9 July 1870—There is nothing very odd, that we see, though there may be something very dangerous, in the re- ported selection of a Catholic Hohenzollern for the Throne of Spain . . . Marshal Prim, whether sincere or not, has always been consistent in his assertion that he intended to secure a throne for Spain; that he revolted against the monarch and not against the monarchy; and the abdication of Queen Isabella may have determined him to take a decided step ... Prince Leopold is a Hohenzollern, and the Hohen- zollerns are among the first four reigning families of Europe, and may yet, as Kaisers of Germany, take precedence of them all. He is a Catholic bred among Protestants, that is a Catholic who believes that the State is at least as sacred as the Church; and as a mediatized Prince he will have no individuality, and can reign only through the support of the Spanish people. The English writers who are so jealous on behalf of the honour of Spain say he is a German; but so is King Ferdinand, so is Queen Victoria, so is every legitimate Prince in Europe except Victor Emanuel, who is the- son of an. Austrian Archduchess.
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