Rambles in sunny Spain . and they were thrustout upon the world. The plazas of Madrid are not numerous, but they have some inter-est, especially to a Protestant desiring to keep in mind the atrocitiesof the Romish Church. In the Plaza Verde, for instance, is a cross,marking the spot where the last victim of the Inquisition perished atthe stake. As to the Plaza Mayor (the Great Square), there formerlytook place the atrocious antos da fe, when numerous victims werecondemned and burned in the presence of the court and distinguishedvisitors. Should you wish for other proofs than that in the histor
Rambles in sunny Spain . and they were thrustout upon the world. The plazas of Madrid are not numerous, but they have some inter-est, especially to a Protestant desiring to keep in mind the atrocitiesof the Romish Church. In the Plaza Verde, for instance, is a cross,marking the spot where the last victim of the Inquisition perished atthe stake. As to the Plaza Mayor (the Great Square), there formerlytook place the atrocious antos da fe, when numerous victims werecondemned and burned in the presence of the court and distinguishedvisitors. Should you wish for other proofs than that in the histories,go to the Royal Gallery, and there inquire for a great painting by acontemporary, in which the revolting scenes are depicted with disgust-ing fidelity. It was during the regency of the ambitious Cardinal Ximenes thatMadrid became the residence of the court, in the early years of thesixteenth century. Through the crazy Joanna, daughter of Ferdinandand Isabella, the crown of Spain came to Charles I., who is also known. FOUNTAIN OF THE SWAN, MADRID. SOME MIDSUMMER DAYS IN MADRID. 113 as Charles V. of Germany. Catalina, another daughter of Ferdinandand Isabella, married Henry VIII. of England, and is known asCatharine of Aragon ; and Isabella herself was descended from aSpanish princess, Constance, daughter of Pedro the Cruel, who hadmarried a prince of England. But Madrid, from the time of Ximenes, is associated with theroyal families of Spain. The growth of Catholic Spain after thedeath of Ferdinand may be traced in the expansion of Madrid andits influence in affairs. Notwithstanding that Charles I. came intopossession of Spain in the plenitude of its power, with all its peopleunited under one government, and with no domestic enemy to fear,yet the decline of Spain commenced with his accession. He hadmore power for good or ill in Europe than has been exercised byany man since the reign of Augustus; and on the whole he did asmuch harm with it as could possibly be done. Let us r
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