declared against all who failed to obey, and against any
Christians who should shelter the recalcitrant. The edict was
obeyed, but it was a blow from which Spain never recovered. The
Moriscoes were the back-bone of the industrial population, not
only in trade and manufactures, but also in agriculture. The
haughty and indolent Spaniards had willingly left what they
considered degrading employment to their inferiors. The Moors had
introduced into Spain the cultivation of sugar, cotton, rice and
silk. In manufactures and commerce they had shown superiority to
the Christian inhabitants, and many of their products were eagerly
sought for by other countries. All these advantages were
sacrificed to an insane desire for religious unity.

The reigns of Philip III. and Philip IV. witnessed a fearful
acceleration in the decline of Spain by the contests with the
Dutch and with the German Protestants in the Thirty Years' War,
the wars with France, and the rebellion of Portugal in 1640, which
had been united to Spain by Philip II. The reign of Charles II.
was still more unfortunate, and his death was the occasion of the
war of the Spanish succession.

Under Charles III. (1759-1788), a wise and enlightened prince, the
second great revival of the country commenced, and trade and
commerce began to show signs of returning activity. Previous to
his accession to the throne, Spain appeared to be a corpse, over
which the powers of Europe could contend at will. Suddenly men
were astounded to see that country rise with renewed vigor to play
once more an important part on the international stage. Commerce
and agriculture were developed, native manufactures were
encouraged in every way possible, and an attempt was made to