It was difficult to say to what extent the fate of whole nations might be affected by the conduct of the officers who, at the time of his decease, might command the garrisons of Barcelona, of Mons, and of Namur.
The prince on whom so much depended was the most miserable of human beings.

In old times he would have been exposed as soon as he came into the world; and to expose him would have been a kindness.

From his birth a blight was on his body and on his mind.

With difficulty his almost imperceptible spark of life had been screened and fanned into a dim and flickering flame.

His childhood, except when he could be rocked and sung into sickly sleep, was one long piteous wail.