Spain keeps up the burden of the national song—bull-fights and
rebellion. Madrid has been in a state of revolt; while the young Queen, all smiles and comfortable embonpoint, has been revelling in the sanguinary pleasures of the amphitheatre, illu- minations, dances, and such toys. In the midst of her fun, came as visiters the Duke and Dutchess of Nemours, with the younger Duke of Aumale ; and rumour is busy with all sorts of guesses as to the object of the visit. For the mere enjoyment of sport is never presumed in such cases : the children of royalty are under- stood to need amusement just as much when busy as at leisurel-- like other spoiled children, who insist on keeping hold of their toys even at lesson-time. Narvaez is supposed to be foiled in some way by the progress of French influence among the bull- baitings of Pampeluna; while the insurrection is understood to be a successful trick on his part to bait a trap for the unwary. Appearances give colour to the latter supposition : there was an ostentatious absence of precaution until the moment of the out- break ; yet at that very moment Government-troops showed themselves fully prepared, and the tumult was suppressed in an hour. A mutiny among the soldiers is said to have been the proximate cause. Very likely. Narvaez and his colleagues pro- bably deemed it easier to deal with a partial disorder of that kind than with a real popular revolt ; and in the mean time the citizens of Madrid, prone to rise against Senor Mon's plan of taxation, were practically reminded of the dangers attending revolt, its suppression, and punishment. A few mutineers and rabble rioters, who will scarcely be regretted, will serve at the place of execution as examples to those citizens from among whose own ranks it might have been more hazardous to take any further examples. Not that Narvaez would entertain tender scruples ; but there is a judicious economy even in bloodshed—as every bandit knows.
