x THE SPANISH MARRIAGES. 471

“late the affairs of the world. “Tn all my travels,” he _ 1847.
"rote to Mr, Bright, “three reflections constantly occur to Ar.43.
U8: how much unnecessary solicitude and alarm England
lovoteg to the affairs of foreign countries; with how little
Mowledge we enter upon the task of regulating the con-®rns
 of other people; and how much better we might
“ploy our energies in improving matters at home.”* He
ew that the influential opinion of the country was still
‘Bains him, and that it would be long before it turned.
Until that time,” he said, in words which may be usefully
 remembered by politicians who are fain to reap before
‘hey have sown, “TI am content to be on this question as I
ave been on others in a minority, and in a minority to
Main, uni] T get a majority.”
While he was away that famous intrigue known as the
Spanish Marriages took place. The King of the French,
Sided by the austere and devout Guizob, so contrived the
Tarriggog of the Queen of Spain and her sister, that in the
loulated default of issue from the Queen, the crown of
“Pain would go to the issue of her sister and the Duke of
Montponsier, Louis Philippe’s son. Cobden, as we shall see,
lig Lot believe that the King was looking so far as this.
lt Was in any case a disgraceful and odious transaction, bub
Vents very speedily proved how little reason there was why
% should throw the English Foreign Office into a paroxysm.
Cobden was moved to write to Mr. Bright upon it:—
‘My object in writing again is to speak upon the Marlage
 Question. I have seen with humiliation that the daily
"*Wpaper press of England has been lashing the public
fing into an excitement (or at least trying to do so) upon the
lliance of the Duke of Montpeusier with the Infanta. I saw
hi boy and girl married, and as I looked at them, IT could
0% help exclaiming to myself, What a couple to excite the
} To Mr. Bright. Sept. 18, 1847.