s,
however, was for diplomacy, for which, indeed, his subsequent life, and
his turn for intrigue, showed him to be well qualified; and at his
repeated instance he was sent to various courts in high diplomatic
capacities. "We are sorry to have to say," remarks a Spanish military
writer who fought in the opposite ranks, "that Cordova in part owed his
elevation to the goodness of the very prince against whom he
subsequently drew his sword." Be that as it may, at the death of
Ferdinand, Cordova, although little more than thirty years of age, was
already a general, and ambassador at Copenhagen. Ever keenly alive to
his own interest, he no sooner learned the outbreak of the civil war,
than he saw in it an opportunity of further advancement; and, without
losing a moment, he posted to Madrid, threw himself at the feet of
Christina, and implored her to give him a command, that he might have an
opportunity of proving with his sword his devotion to her and to the
daughter of his lamented sovereign. A command was given him; his talents
were by no means contemptible; his self-confidence unbounded; intrigue
and interest were not wanting to back such qualities, and at the period
now referred to, Cordova, to the infinite vexation of many a greyhaired
general who had earned his epaulets on the battle-fields of America and
the Peninsula, was appointed commander-in-chief of the army of the
north.

Upon assuming the supreme command, Cordova marched his army, which had
just compelled the Carlists to raise the siege of Bilboa, in the
direction of the Ebro. Meanwhile the Carlists, foiled in Biscay, were
concentrating their forces in central Navarre. As if to make up for
their recent disappointment, they had resolved upon the attack of a
town, less wealthy and important, it is true, than Bilboa, but which
would still have been a most advantageous acquisition, giving them, so
long as they could hold it, command of the communications between
Pampeluna and the Upper Ebro. Against Puente de la Reyna, a fortified
place upon the Arga, were their operations now directed, and there, upon
the 13th of July, the bulk of the Carlist army arrived. Don Carlos
himself accompanied it, but the command devolved upon Eraso, the
military capabilities of Charles the Fifth being limited to praying,
amidst a circle of friars and shavelings, for the success of those who
were shedding their heart's blood in his service. The neighbouring
peasants were set to work to c