ing pride grounded on
nothing at all; a Kaiser much sunk in the sediments of his muddy
Epoch. Sure enough, he was a proud lofty solemn Kaiser, infinitely
the gentleman in air and humor; Spanish gravities, ceremonials,
reticences;--and could, in a better scene, have distinguished himself by
better than mere statuesque immovability of posture, dignified endurance
of ennui, and Hapsburg tenacity in holding the grip. It was not till
1735, after tusslings and wrenchings beyond calculation, that he would
consent to quit the Shadow of the Crown of Spain; and let Europe BE at
peace on that score.

The essence of what is called the European History of this Period, such
History as a Period sunk dead in spirit, and alive only in stomach, can
have, turns all on Kaiser Karl, and these his clutchings at shadows.
Which makes a very sad, surprising History indeed; more worthy to be
called Phenomena of Putrid Fermentation, than Struggles of Human Heroism
to vindicate itself in this Planet, which latter alone are worthy of
recording as "History" by mankind.

On the throne of Spain, beside Philip V. the melancholic new Bourbon,
Louis XIV.'s Grandson, sat Elizabeth Farnese, a termagant tenacious
woman, whose ambitious cupidities were not inferior in obstinacy to
Kaiser Karl's, and proved not quite so shadowy as his. Elizabeth also
wanted several things: renunciation of your (Kaiser Karl's) shadowy
claims; nay of sundry real usurpations you and your Treaties have made
on the actual possessions of Spain,--Kingdom of Sicily, for instance;
Netherlands, for instance; Gibraltar, for instance. But there is one
thing which, we observe, is indispensable throughout to Elizabeth
Farnese: the future settlement of her dear Boy Carlos. Carlos, whom as
Spanish Philip's second Wife she had given to Spain and the world, as
Second or supplementary INFANT there,--a troublesome gift to Spain and
others.

"This dear Boy, surely he must have his Italian Apanages, which, you
have provided for him: Duchies of Parma and Piacenza, which will fall
heirless soon. Security for these Italian Apanages, such as will satisfy
a Mother: Let us introduce Spanish garrisons into Parma and Piacenza
at once! How else can we be certain of getting those indispensable
Apanages, when they fall vacant?" On this point Elizabeth Farnese was
positive, maternally vehement; would take no subterfuge, denial or
delay: "Let me perceive that I shall have these Duchies: that, first of
all;