story
of the world. For seven hundred years the race for which that name
stands had kept alive the national spirit, while their land was
occupied by an alien civilization. These were centuries of privation
and suffering and hardship; but never wavering in their purpose, and
by brave deeds which have filled volumes, they reclaimed their land
and drove out the Moors.

This is what gives to the name "Castilian," its proud significance.
But when degenerate Hidalgos and Grandees, debauched by wealth
and luxury, gloried in the name; when by rapacity and cruelty they
destroyed the lands their valor had won; and when the Inquisition
became their pastime and the rack and the wheel their toys--then
the name Castilian began to take on a sinister meaning. Spain's most
glorious period was not when she was converting the Indies and Mexico
and Peru into a hell, not when Charles V. was playing his great game
of diplomacy in Europe, but in that pre-Columbian era when a brave and
rugged people were keeping alive their national life in the mountains
of the Asturias. Well may Spain do honor to that time by calling the
heir to her throne the "Prince of the Asturias!"

CHAPTER XIX.

The history of the century after the death of Philip II. is one of
rapid decline; with no longer a powerful master-mind to hold the state
together. Every year saw the court at Madrid more splendid, and the
people,--that insignificant factor,--more wretched, and sinking deeper
and deeper into poverty. In fact, in spite of the fabulous wealth
which fortune had poured upon her, Spain was becoming poor. But
nowhere in Europe was royalty invested with such dignity and splendor
of ceremonial, and the ambitious Marie de Medici, widow of Henry IV.,
was glad to form alliances for her children with those of Philip
III. The "Prince of the Asturias," who was soon to become Philip
IV., married her daughter, Isabella de Bourbon, and the Infanta, his
sister, was at the same time married to the young Louis XIII., King of
France.

[Illustration: Philip IV. of Spain.
From the portrait by Velasquez.]

The remnant of the Moors who still lingered in the land were called
_Moriscos_; and under a very thin surface of submission to Christian
Spain, they nursed bitter memories and even hopes that some miracle
would some day restore them to what was really the land of their
fathers. A very severe edict, promulgated by Philip II., compelling
conformity in all