hen goldfinch burst out in a fury on a thrush quite five or six times her size that had looked into her nest; and drive him out of the garden faster than he had ever gone out before! Another one, that was in an aviary, would fly screeching at any dog that came near him. No wonder our Norfolk country people call him "King Harry." In his gold lace and black silk tissue, puffing out his red and white cheeks as he flirts and bows to his lady love, and singing his lirrupy rattling melody all the while, he looks for all the world as bluff King Hal must have looked when he came about these parts, and went singing ballads to Anne Bullen under the trees that grew round her Norfolk home. It was before the Nero side of Harry VIII. showed itself, and so the folks on the country-side loved him, and gave his name to the gayest and most fearless bird that they knew. The goldfinches and bullfinches of the German forests are larger than those reared in England. Those reared in Russia, especially the bullfinches, are larger than English or German birds. French gold-finches are smaller than English ones. It is not easy to account for these differences except that that between the German and the English is due to the superabundance of food that the former must find in the vast German forests. It is a note-worthy fact also that a gradual increase of white takes place in the plumage of goldfinches as their habitat approaches the North Pole. Those of Siberia are almost half white. The goldfinch breeds readily with the canary, and some of the mules thus produced are most beautiful creatures, and only equalled by the constancy and sprightliness of their song. I have known some of these mule birds to sing so incessantly when excited that they have fallen senseless from their perch. The goldfinch's nest is a compact semi-spherical structure, but wants the beautiful finish which the chaffinch gives to his. By the bye, here is a casuistical difficulty that troubles me. Both are unjust; but which is more unjust, to cage a wild bird, or to take its nest? I have kept many birds in cages, but I do not think I have taken half-adozen birds' nests with the eggs in, in my life. The evident distress of the birds, if the eggs, or if a portion only of them be taken, affected me when I was young, and I have never been able to settle whether the oologist, or the bird keeper, if the latter gives his birds plenty of room and fresh air, is the greater offender against natural morality. I am an inveterate bird-keeper. As I look through the window, I see the hooded crows making for their hiding-place by the Fish Pond. They ought soon to be gone. Why are they not quick and away before the keeper shoots them? I know where a pair of kestrels roost, but am afraid to write it even here, lest that same deadly enemy of theirs should bring them to the ground. The rooks and chattering daws are flying homewards; sometimes in the early spring they rest for the night in our Home Woods rather than fly the other mile or two to the rookery, but at this time of the year they go the whole distance. The cattle are coming up the lane, now and then one of them prods its neighbor with a sideward jerk of its head, and then awkwardly gambols to the side of the road. The sheep and this year's lambs are standing on the bank, every tail wagging. The lambs' tails with a vibratory motion that takes some time to travel from the top to the bottom of them. (What a long, long tail a lamb's is!) Round the corner comes Lizzie Burrell pulling her brother Albert along; fat, tired, and happy, both of them. How old it all is, and yet how new it will be to him, who will look on it a hundred years hence if he look on it aright. I remember how sweet-singing Sappho saw all these things twenty-five centuries since, and still they remain for the heart to love. Beautiful nature! Dear children! Loved companions! at the thought of you the tears, half of content and half of gratitude, keep me from seeing more, and I whisper to myself the old-world words: Sweet Evening Star! thou bringest all things home Which Day had scattered far: Thou bringest home the flock, Then the words of an older poet still, who drew nearer to the eternal source of things, come to my mind: Man goeth forth unto his work And I put my pen and paper away. From The Deutsche Revue. THE STATESMEN OF SPAIN. POLITICAL SILHOUETTES. At the present time, when in consequence of the colonial wars in which she is involved and the immense expenditures caused by them, the situation of Spain appears extremely critical, it would probably be useful to give a brief description of her most prominent statesmen, those now at the helm, as well as those who would be entrusted with the management of the government, if the political horizon should become still darker, and certain complications ensue which pessimists consider inevitable. The number of Spanish party leaders is five: Don Antonio Cánovas del Castillo is head of the orthodox Conservatives; Don Práxedes Mateo Sagasta is the chief of the Liberals; Don Francisco Pí y Margall has the direction of the Federalist Republicans; Don Nicholás Salmerón is the leader of the Unionist Republicans; and the Marquis de Cerralbo is given by the Pretender Don Cárlos de Bourbon the direction of the traditionalist following. The five parties which are directed by these five leaders are as unlike one another, in regard to strength and influence, as the five fingers of a hand. In one respect, however, all are united: each has in its rank a large number of malcontents. Don Francisco Silvela leads the dissatisfied elements of the Convervatives; Don Ramón Nocedal those of the Carlists; the Marquis de Santa Marta those of the Federalists. Among these silhouettes must not be omitted the name of that statesman who, though he has at present retired from party life and refused a re-election to the Cortes, as well as any share in politics, can never fall into oblivionDon Emilio Castelar. The present premier, Don Antonio Cánovas del Castillo belongs to the small number of men whose great talents explain and justify the high posttion they occupy. Even his worst enemies-and Cánovas has as many as Castelar-acknowledge his great ability as a statesman. Cánovas was especially prominent during the last years prior to the Revolution which drove Isabella II. from the throne and, later, under the Restoration under Alphonso XII., which was largely his work. Under the regency of Maria Christina of Hapsburg, who committed the guidance of the government to his charge, he became what he is to-day, the man who always extends his hand to aid when his native land is in danger; whose loyal heart gives even his political foes well-meant counsel; whose mighty intellect, under all circumstances, maintains its calm poise. Don Antonio Cánovas is a native of southern Spain. His birthplace is Malaga. He is the nephew and pupil of a famous author, known by the pseudonym of "El Solitario." Cánovas showed a preference bordering upon passion for literature, and historical and political-economical studies. But it cannot be said of him, as of many other politicians, that he merely used literature as a stepping-stone to his lofty position, for even later, when his time was occupied by affairs of state, he did not cease to occupy himself with literary work, and wrote articles upon subjects which had no connection with politics. He is entitled to a place among the great Spanish prose-writers and most costly books and manuof the present day; some of his histori- scripts. cal articles-for instance, the description of the battle of Rocroy-are models. Cánovas is also an admirable parliamentary speaker, and a charming conversationalist whose language is characterized by grace, intellect, and wit, terseness of expression and depth of thought. Cánovas, who is now more than to hear Cánovas' speeches loses a great pleasure and a rare advantage. Don Praxedes Mateo Sagasta, the leader of the Liberal party who, since the Restoration, has alternated with Cánovas in the direction of the government, is older than his rival. But, in spite of his seventy years, he, too, rejoices in the full vigor of his intellectual faculties. Impartiality demands the acknowledgment of the great skill with which Sagasta, who sprang from the Revolution, has Cánovas, who is now more thau adapted his party to the Restoration sixty years old, has retained the full and the Regency, and later succeeded freshness of his rich mental powers. in rendering himself almost indispenHis head is massive, his face, though sable to a government for whose overthe features are not regular, is pleas throw he formerly labored. Sagasta ing and expressive, and the gleam of has many political foes, but scarcely a his thick, silver-white hair lends it single personal one. His disposition is special brilliancy. Cánovas' voice is affable, amiable, and frank, his manas well preserved as his hair-fresh, ner is kind and cordial, his good-nature clear, and resonant, it sounds like a and integrity are proverbial. He was youth's. In matters of dress, he dis- born in La Rioja; his profession is plays a philosophical indifference. It civil engineering. While he lacks the taste for literature and learning which Cánovas possesses in so marked a de gree, he has, on the other hand, great knowledge of human nature and understands the art of directing large bodies of people and making himself popular with them. Endowed by nature with unusual oratorical talent, he perfectly comprehends how to represent his cause in Parliament and steer skilfully past threatening cliffs. How thoroughly Sagasta was equal to the demands which the political situation of Spain imposed upon him, is shown by the fact that he won over to his party a large number of men of noble birth. Among those who joined Sagasta were the bearers of the historic names of De Fernan Nuñez, Samames, Medina Coeli, and Alba. During the first years of the Regency Sagasta was extremely popular, and it was at this time that the ladies of Bilbao received him with kisses of the hand and gifts of flowers. is said that he once sent one of his secretaries to his tailor to try on a suit, instead of going himself. Notwith standing this indifference to the arts of the toilet, Cánovas was always a special favorite of the fair sex, and had the good fortune to win the love of one of the most beautiful and admired ladies at court, Señorita de Osma, and make her his wife. Señora de Cánovas' dark, brilliant complexion has the delicacy which we are accustomed to admire in Creole women. Her character, her purity of morals her extensive knowledge, her great social tact, and her choice literary taste render her ap parently created to be the life-companion of a man whom we cannot imagine united to a woman who held aloof from his aspirations. La Huerta, the superb palace, surrounded by a leafy park, where the Cánovas live, is the resort of the most talented and prominent representatives of learning and of the nobility; at the entertainments which are given here, the conversation relates to literature more than to politics. One of the principal objects of interest at La Huerta is the great library, which contains the rarest At present, since the skirmish in Melilla and the disturbances in Madrid, his star seems to be declining, for the system of government represented by him, which is expressed by the French motto: "Laisser faire, laisser allef," has not proved practicable under existing circumstances. There is no lack of able men in Sagasta's party-one need cite only the names of de Moret, Gamazo and Maura-but it is entirely deficient in a well-planned, accurately defined programme of beard, and features agitated and transfigured by passion, suggests an Arabian prophet or a dervish. of the As for the Marquis de Cerralbo, the champion for years of the Pretender's cause, he can boast of having given the strong and apparently indestructible Carlist party, which formerly had a purely military organization, a structure adapted to periods of repose and peace. If we turn from the French Legitimists, the adherents Stuarts in England, and the partisans of Dom Miguel in Portugal, we shall find that history affords no second example of persistence which can equal that of the Carlists, who have awaited the coming of their Messiah for more than seventy-five years. This party has cost Spain three civil wars, God grant that a fourth may not follow. We must recognize the perseverance which these two Republican leaders display in remaining at the head of a party whose following is daily dimingovernment, ishing. Both are authors of merit; Pí carried out with energy and persever- y Margall is a scholar and a historian, ance. If everything in Spain had pur- Salmerón writes philosophical studies, sued its normal course, Sagasta's sys- to which so few people in Spain devote tem of government would perhaps themselves. have been suitable but, in the presence of conflicts, the discovery was made that a strong power with a definite aim was necessary. In dress and style of living Sagasta affects an exaggerated simplicity. Hence, a few years ago, it was reported in Madrid that the members of the Liberal party intended to join in presenting their leader with a new hat, as the one he wore could scarcely fulfil its purpose. Like Cánovas, he has never sought to obtain titles of nobility for himself or the members of his family. Vanity has no place in the character of Sagasta who, when he has retired from the premiership, regards himself as only a plain citizen. His constitution is not strong; his complexion shows Cerralbo's party leadership is adthat he has a bilious temperament and versely criticised in no quarter, Don the accident which he met with a few Carlos's choice could have fallen upon years ago-a fracture of the leg-seems no worthier person. The Marquis de to have considerably impaired his Cerralbo, who possesses marked orastrength. torical talent and has the reputation of being an excellent archeologist, belongs to the oldest nobility of Spain, is a millionaire, a good Christian and a model courtier. The two leaders of the Republican party-Pí y Margall and Salmerónare the greatest contrasts imaginable. Pí y Margall is called el hombre de hielo (the man of ice) and Salmerón might be named el hombre de fuego (the man of fire). Pí's speeches, delivered in a quiet, indifferent tone, are exactly the opposite of Salmerón's, who utters everything with emphasis and Southern vehemence. The difference in their physical traits is equally great; Pí y Margall is an old man with snowwhite hair, a fresh complexion, and a mysterious smile; one might imagine him to be the work of a Byzantine sculptor or an astrologer of the Middle Ages. Salmerón, in the prime of life, dark-skinned, with coal-black eyes and The leader of the Carlist parliamentary minority which, a short time ago, resolved to take no farther share in the sessions of the Cortes, is Vasquez de Mella, a fiery, tireless speaker, who, at the time of the election of the Cortes, during his journeys through the Basque provinces, Navarre, and Catalonia, often spoke three times a daymorning, afternoon and evening. Don Francisco Silvela, the leader of the malcontents in the Conservative party, is distinguished by the elegance and accuracy of his style, and has also been engaged in literary pursuits. At the head of the malcontents of the Carlist party, who call themselves Integristas, stands Don Ramón Noce dal, an ambitious dreamer, who for many years has renounced allegiance to Don Carlos de Bourbon, and refused to support his pretensions to the Spanish throne. Instead he has proclaimed himself a sort of monarch and summus pontifex, and by the diffusion of his political ideas, which far surpass the claims made by the Traditionalists, has roused to fanaticism the poor I fear that these political silhouettes Ced, has been numbered among the may appear somewhat monotonous, members of the Republican party. since the history of great orators constantly repeats itself. But this cannot be changed; for in Spain success in politics is dependent upon success as a speaker and author. Political life develops in the Cortes, and there-as in former days among the Greeks and Romans-the victory belongs to the best orator. Parliamentary habituês, and literary amateurs, rarely miss a session if they know that one of the great Knights of the Tongue will speak. Each has his special qualities, his special style, his special mode of mountaineers of the Basque provinces delivery, which cannot escape the listeners. Cánovas's discourse is detailed, resolute, overpowering, but not wholly free from a sensitiveness, which is especially noticeable in language otherwise so virile; Sagasta is as crafty and persuasive as Ulysses; Romero Robledos is impetuous, winning and convincing his auditors; Silvela is Machiavellian, a master of parliamentary tactics, who also understands how to use heavy artillery against his opponents; Salmerón is energetic, almost aggressive in his mode of speech; Nocedal wily, a combination of layman and theologian. The politicians of Spain, much as they may resemble each other, when seen from the distance, on closer in spection leave nothing to be desired in point of diversity. and Navarre. To these people, who give him unlimited confidence and implicit faith, he preaches, a second John Knox-only with the difference that he himself does not believe in the truth of his words-that Liberalism is the greatest evil on earth, a far greater sin than murder, robbery, and adultery. In spite of the enthusiasm of these fanatical people, Nocedal has been unable to obtain a seat in the last legislatures. There can be no doubt that his hopes and expectations have vanished into nothingness, and that he will neither succeed in establishing an absolute monarchy in Spain under Maria Christina, nor in becoming himself president of the theocratic republic with the Inquisition and what belongs to it in its train. It is said that he aspires to become president of the Cortes, whose present presiding officer, Don Alexandro Pidal, has understood, as no other politician has done, how to reconcile the Catholic ideas so deeply rooted in the hearts of the Spanish people, with the inevitable of the vicissitudes In the Federalist Republican party, Pí y Margall has for an opponent the Marquis de Santa Marta, at the head of the revolutionary group. He is a grandee of Spain and descends from an ancient family, to which also be longed that Guzman el Bueno, who surpassed William Tell by throwing consequences the Moors over the wall a knife which, since the beginning of the ninewith which to kill his son, instead teenth century, have permitted Spain of surrendering to them the city whose defence had been entrusted to him. Such contrasts-a grandee of Spain leader of a party contending against the monarchy-are not rare in this country. Another nobleman, the Marquis de Albaida, a descendant of the no peace. Pope Leo XII. has repeatedly expressed his appreciation of the successful exertions of Pidal, the founder of the Unión católica party, to the great indignation of the ultra integristical adherents of Nocedal, who would have been best pleased to see Pidal and his followers on the scaf |