The only portion of the news from Spain this week
that deserves notice, is the self-dissolving act of the Junta at Madrid ; who have resigned the functions of government to the Regency. Though this resignation has the appearance of being voluntary, it became absolutely necessary when the Regents and the infant Queen arrived at Madrid. The Junta must then have either retired to private life, or have determined to oppose the authority of the Regents. They had no pretext for the latter course; therefore they submitted to necessity. Though they have resigned the "functions of government," they, however, still wish to exercise a controlling influence : they promise to meet from time to time to watch over the acts of the Regents and keep them to their duty. It remains to be seen how long E$PARTERO and his colleagues will tolerate this surveillance.
Don FRAN isco, the uncle of the young Queen, has published a manifesto to the Spanish nation, claiming the guardianship of his two nieces, as their nearest relation after their mother, who has resigned her trust. He protests against being thought to act from ambitious motives ; his " sole object is to fulfil a sacred duty with zeal and patriotism." To deny him the right which nature and the analogy of the Spanish law confer on him, would, he observes, be a direct insult. The manifesto concludes by claiming merit for the sacrifice he is making by wishing to undertake this " sacred duty." ESP IRTERO and the Spanish nation, we have no doubt, will be too considerate to require such a sacrifice at his hands.
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