he gained the first prize in mathematics. Sent to Spain to continue
his studies, he entered the Military School, and in three years' time
obtained the rank of Captain. For his services against the O'Donnell
revolutionary movement (1854) in Madrid, he was promoted to Major. At
the age of twenty-three he obtained the Cross of San Fernando (with
pension). Having served Spain with distinction in several important
missions to Mexico, Cuba, and Sto. Domingo, he returned to Cuba and
espoused the daughter of the great banker, Fesser, who gave him a
fortune of L20,000 on the day of his marriage. In the year of Isabella
II.'s deposition (1868) he returned to Spain, promoted the Bourbon
restoration, and became Lieut.-General on the proclamation of Alfonso
XII. (1875). He then became successively M.P., Senator by election,
and life Senator. He was Minister of War under Canovas del Castillo,
on whose assassination (Aug. 8, 1897) he became Prime Minister of
the Interim Government specially charged to keep order until after
the unpopular marriage of the Princess of Asturias. After several
Ministerial changes he again took the leadership of the Government,
was lately President of the Senate, and on his retirement, at the age
of seventy-two, he received the _Toison de Oro_ (Golden Fleece)--the
most elevated Order in Spain. On his mother's side he descends from the
Philippine creole family of the Conde de Lizarraga, and is uncle to the
Conde de Albay, better known in Philippine society as Senor Govantes.

[44] It was practically a secret branch of the _Junta General de
Reformas_ authorized to discuss reforms, and created by the Colonial
Minister Becerra during the governor-generalship of General La Torre
in the time of the Provisional Government in Spain which succeeded
the deposed Queen Isabella II.

[45] He was the grandfather of one of the most conspicuous surviving
generals of the Tagalog Rebellion (1896) and the War of Independence
(1899).

[46] Jose Maria Basa was the son of Matias Basa, a builder and
contractor by trade, who made a contract with the Spanish Government
to fill up the stream which branched from the Pasig River and crossed
the _Escolta_ (Manila), where now stands the street called _Calle
de San Jacinto_. In consideration of this work he was permitted to
build houses on the reclaimed land, provided he made a thoroughfare
where the former bed of the rivulet existed. This undertaking made
his fortune. His son, Jose