The report from Spain for the week might consist of
a repetition of that which we wrote last week, only with two important addi- tions. We now know that the Queen has conferred, face to face, with the insurgents of Madrid, and has promised to consider their representations. In other words, the Royal Government has ca- pitulated with the insurrection. Secondly, Espartero has issued an address, briefly devoting himself to the service of his country. Some question is raised as to the selection of Espartero for a popu- lar leader, considering that his last acts in Spain constituted a great failure. He was defeated not so much by the strength of those opposed to him, as by some deficiency, some slowness, mili- tary or political, of his own. It was in fact a break-down. But the reason for the choice does not appear to us to be obscure. Spain has had more energetic men, cleverer men ; but they have all yielded to the two great vices which distinguished ancient and modern Spain—the ancient vice of impracticable pride, the modern vice of self-seeking, which sacrifices everything to personal promo- tion. Spain in these days wants above all things a man who will think less of himself and more of his country ; and of all public men in that country, there is none who stands so well in those re- spects as Espartero.
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