This did not help the Carlists.  A republic was declared which lasted until 1874.  In August of that year the republic was formally acknowledged by all the countries of Europe except Russia, and in the following December the people changed their minds once more, and Alfonso, the son of Isabella, was proclaimed King by the Republican armies.

Alfonso reigned eleven years, and died in the winter of 1885.  In the spring of 1886 the young King was born, his mother, Maria Christina of Austria, was declared Regent, and will continue to govern the country for the young Alfonso XIII. until he is old enough to take care of the country himself.

During all these troublous times Canovas steadily upheld the crown; through riot and revolution he never wavered, and was even banished from Spain on one occasion because of his well-known sympathy for the crown.

When the right moment came he placed himself at the head of Alfonso’s friends, and succeeded in seating him on the throne.

Alfonso XII. never forgot the service Canovas had done him.  He made him his Prime Minister, and during his entire reign was guided by the Minister’s advice.

After Alfonso’s death Canovas devoted himself to the service of the Queen Regent, and has been her faithful ally and counsellor ever since.

The Minister was, however, a haughty and arrogant man.  He made many enemies through his pride, and despite the respect which both King and Queen had for him, both were more or less afraid of him.

There are two stories about him which show how little he cared how he offended even such mighty personages as his sovereigns.

On one occasion Alfonso XII., wishing to reward him for some service, offered to make him a duke.  Canovas is said to have replied to the King: 

“Sire, I made you a king—­how can you make me a duke!”

One day, during Alfonso’s lifetime, the Queen got very much out of temper with her consort, and allowed herself to give way to her anger before the court.

Canovas was greatly displeased, and followed the Queen to her apartments.

“Madam,” he said, as soon as they were alone, “the interests of the monarchy are of more importance than your private feelings.  To-morrow you will leave Spain for Austria, and await my orders in Vienna.”

Astonishing as it may seem, the Queen obeyed.

Canovas ruled with a rod of iron.  It is stated that his murder was committed in revenge for some terrible cruelties that were practised in Barcelona by his orders.  A little over a year ago a bomb was thrown into one of the churches in Barcelona.  Four hundred people were arrested, and it was supposed that the bomb-throwing was the outcome of an Anarchist plot.

Numbers of the persons arrested were evidently innocent, and the Government could not find out who was responsible for the outrage.  Canovas refused to believe that any of the people arrested were innocent, but insisted that they knew all about it if they could only be made to speak, and so he ordered them tortured in the most inhuman ways to make them confess.