The introduction to the original edition (1899) states: “This is the story of a nation during a century of struggle upward out of the abyss into which despotism and bigotry had sunk it.” Our 1906 edition’s new Preface begins: “In the seven years since this book was written the happiest hopes expressed in its closing lines have so far been fulfilled.” The history of Spain has always been a topic of interest, including many fascinating themes of religion, culture and society, and this book, written by a man who was familiar with papers in the public record of the Spanish state, provides an authoritative and detailed introduction to the subject. Martin Andrew Sharp Hume (1847-1910) was an author, historian, and editor of the Spanish Calendar of State Papers. He was lecturer in Spanish history and literature at Pembroke College, Cambridge; examiner in Spanish and lecturer at the University of London; and examiner at the University of Birmingham. The Calendar volumes published by Hume were volume 1 (Elizabeth, 1558–1567), volume 2 (Elizabeth, 1568–1579), volume 3 (Elizabeth, 1580–1586), and volume 4 (Elizabeth, 1587–1603). Although born in London, he was educated in and a resident of Madrid, and was later a member of the Royal Spanish Academy and the Royal Spanish Academy of History as well as a Knight Grand Cross of the Spanish Order of Isabel the Catholic. He received a master of arts degree from Cambridge. He died, intestate, in London on July 1, 1910.Our book is handsomely bound in dark green leather, with decorative gilt bands, motifs, title etc on the spine. The exterior is in \'as new\' condition, and inside, the binding is tight with no loose pages; all pages clean and bright; no foxing. The only blemishes are some strange double lines apparently scratched into the edges of the textblock (see photos). A very handsome volume.