Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II | Page 2

of Rome,
who, on the contrary, had expedited the dispensation.
The prince's excursion to Madrid was, however, universally blamed, as
being inimical to state interests. Nani, author of a history of Venice,
which, according to his digressive manner, is the universal history of
his times, has noticed this affair. "The people talked, and the English
murmured more than any other nation, to see the only son of the king
and heir of his realms venture on so long a voyage, and present himself
rather as a hostage, than a husband to a foreign court, which so widely
differed in government and religion, to obtain by force of prayer and
supplications a woman whom Philip and his ministers made a point of
honour and conscience to refuse."[1]
Houssaie observes, "The English council were against it, but king
James obstinately resolved on it; being over-persuaded by Gondomar,
the Spanish ambassador, whose facetious humour and lively repartees

greatly delighted him. Gondomar persuaded him that the presence of
the prince would not fail of accomplishing this union, and also the
restitution of the electorate to his son-in-law the palatine. Add to this,
the Earl of Bristol, the English ambassador-extraordinary at the court of
Madrid, finding it his interest, wrote repeatedly to his majesty that the
success was certain if the prince came there, for that the Infanta would
be charmed with his personal appearance and polished manners. It was
thus that James, seduced by these two ambassadors, and by his parental
affection for both his children, permitted the Prince of Wales to travel
into Spain." This account differs from Clarendon.
Wicquefort says, "that James in all this was the dupe of Gondomar,
who well knew the impossibility of this marriage, which was alike
inimical to the interests of politics and the Inquisition. For a long time
he amused his majesty with hopes, and even got money for the
household expenses of the future queen. He acted his part so well, that
the King of Spain recompensed the knave, on his return, with a seat in
the council of state." There is preserved in the British Museum a
considerable series of letters which passed between James I. and the
Duke of Buckingham and Charles, during their residence in Spain.
I shall glean some further particulars concerning this mysterious affair
from two English contemporaries, Howel and Wilson, who wrote from
their own observations. Howel had been employed in this projected
match, and resided during its negotiation at Madrid.
Howel describes the first interview of Prince Charles and the Infanta.
"The Infanta wore a blue riband about her arm, that the prince might
distinguish her, and as soon as she saw the prince her colour rose very
high."--Wilson informs us that "two days after this interview the prince
was invited to run at the ring, where his fair mistress was a spectator,
and to the glory of his fortune, and the great contentment both of
himself and the lookers-on, he took the ring the very first course."
Howel, writing from Madrid, says, "The people here do mightily
magnify the gallantry of the journey, and cry out that he deserved to
have the Infanta thrown into his arms the first night he came." The
people appear, however, some time after, to doubt if the English had

any religion at all. Again, "I have seen the prince have his eyes
immovably fixed upon the Infanta half an hour together in a thoughtful
speculative posture." Olivares, who was no friend to this match,
coarsely observed that the prince watched her as a cat does a mouse.
Charles indeed acted everything that a lover in one of the old romances
could have done.[2] He once leapt over the walls of her garden, and
only retired by the entreaties of the old marquis who then guarded her,
and who, falling on his knees, solemnly protested that if the prince
spoke to her his head would answer for it. He watched hours in the
street to meet with her; and Wilson says he gave such liberal presents
to the court, as well as Buckingham to the Spanish beauties, that the
Lord Treasurer Middlesex complained repeatedly of their wasteful
prodigality.[3]
Let us now observe by what mode this match was consented to by the
courts of Spain and Rome. Wilson informs us that Charles agreed "That
any one should freely propose to him the arguments in favour of the
catholic religion, without giving any impediment; but that he would
never, directly or indirectly, permit any one to speak to the Infanta
against the same." They probably had tampered with Charles
concerning his religion. A letter of Gregory XV. to him is preserved in
Wilson's life, but its authenticity has been doubted. Olivares said to
Buckingham, "You gave me some assurance and hope of the prince's
turning