78
LIFE
AND VOYAGES
OF
[BOOK
II.
every part of the kingdom; books were admitted free of all duty, and more, we are told, were printed in Spain, at that early period of the art, than in the present literary age.* It is wonderful how much the destinies of countries depend at times upon the virtues of individuals, and how it is given to great spirits, by combining, exciting, and directing the latent powers of a nation, to stamp it, as it were, with their own greatness.
Such
beings realize the idea of guardian angels, appointed by Heaven to watch over the destinies of empires.
Such had been Prince
Henry for the kingdom of Portugal; and such was now for Spain the illustrious Isabella. * Elogio de la Reina Catholica, por Diego Clemencin.
Madrid, 1821.