FERDINAND VISITS NAPLES. 255 tion ; ^^ but the historian, who reviews all the cir- chapter cumstances, must admit that there was nothing to justify such distrust, and that the only exception- able acts in Gonsalvo's administration were per- formed not to advance his own interests, but those of his master, and in too strict obedience to his commands. King Ferdinand was the last person who had cause to complain of them. After quitting Genoa, the royal squadron was Death of driven by contrary winds into the neighbouring harbour of Portofino, where Ferdinand received in- telligence, which promised to change his destination altogether. This was the death of his son-in-law, '& the young king of Castile. This event, so unexpected and awfully sudden, was occasioned by a fever, brought on by too vio- lent exercise at a game of ball, at an entertainment made for Philip by his favorite, Manuel, in Burgos, where the court was then held. Through the un- skilfulness of his physicians, as it was said, who neglected to bleed him, the disorder rapidly gained ground,^^ and on the 6th day after his attack, be- ing the 25th of September, 1506, he breathed his 17 "II Gran Capitan," says mentary on the morals of the land ! Guicciardini, " consciodei sospeiti, 18 Philip's disorder was ligiilly i quali il re forse non vanamente regarded at first by his Flemish aveva avuti di lui," &c. (Istoria, physicians; whose practice and torn. iv. p. 30.) This way of damn- predictions were alike condemned ing- a cliaracter by surmise, is very by their coadjutor Lodovico Mar- common with Italian writers of this liano, an Italian doctor, hio;hly age, who uniformly resort to the commended by Martyr, as " inter very worst motive as the key of philosophos ei medicos lucida lam- whatever is dubious or inexplicable pas." He was at least the better in conduct. Not a sudden death, for prophet on this occasion. Peter example, occurs, without at least a Martyr, Opus Epist., epist. 313, — ■ sospeito of poison from some hand Zurita, xlnales, tom. vi. lib. 7, cap. or other. What a fearful com- 14.
