The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-12-06 00:00:00

MARRIAGE OF THE KING OF SPAIN.

The Madrid Correspondent of the Daily News gives the
following account of the marriage of the King of Spain,
which took place last Saturday :

MADRID, Sunday.

After eight days of rain and wind, yesterday morn-
ing broke with clouds, but a bright sun shone and
continued throughout the whole day.
The day was ushered in by the military bands play-
ing, by the artillery sainting, and by the ringing of
bells. Thousands of peasants strangely attired soon
mingled with the inhabitants of Madrid. The streets
were very prettily decorated with flags and coloured
hangings on the balconies, even in the less important
districts. The larger residences of the nobility die
played old tapestries and embroidered panels of arms
from the windows. The garrison, 10,000 strong,
lined the route of the cortdge about ten o'clock, but
the King and the Archduchess did not appear until
long after eleven.
The Church of the Atocha, the Spanish West-
minster Abbey, was full of the mcst eminent men of
Spain. It was decorated with flags, regimental
banners, and captured emblems, and was briliantly
lighted up, and hung with red damask and velvet.
The tribunes and the nave were crowdei with the
flower ef the Castilian nobility and the beauties of the
capital. The diplomatic corps were very numerous,
forming an interesting group behind the Royal Family.
In the midst of the special enveys the British uniforms
in scarlet were conspicuous. Japanese and Chinese
envoys were present.
The lower part of the church was occupied by depu-
tations from the Cortes, the Senate, the CoLrts of
Justice, and the Army and Navy. The presence of
about fifty ladies in magnificent toilettes, wearing the
national mantillas and costly diamonds, added to the
lustre of the scene.

The King entered &bunt twelve o'clock in the uniform
of a general officer, with the Spanish crosses of San
Fernando and Charles 111. He was followed by
Queen Isabella, the Princess of the Asturias, the
lnfantas Paz and Pilar, and behind came the members
of the Royal household, the grandees, and the high
functionaries of the Palace.
Great curiosity WAS shown by everyone present
when the Royal March was played, as the Austrian
Archduchesses drove to the door of the Atocha.
The future Queen looked ex,•.eedingly beautiful with
her auburn hair adorned with orange buds, and with
her silk train ornamented with lace. Her mother and
the Archduchess Reynier accompanied her to the
altar. All the Austrian suite, in military costume of
a very rich kind, and wearing many decorations,
entered at the same time.

Cardinal Benavides was assisted by the Papal
Nuncio, four bishops, and eight canons.
The ceremony was short, and was soon over.
Immediately afterwards a procession was formed
with much state. The members of the Royal house-
hold walked first, followed by the led horses and
carriages of the nobility and the Royal Family.

The Royal carriage was drawn by eight white
horses, led by servants in the old liveries of the
Bourbons. At some points of route the procession was
cheered. Altogether the scene was very imposing.
On arriving at the Palace the King and Queen wit.
nessed the march. past of the troops.
During the afternoon Madrid was very animated,
the crowds rapidly increasing after nightfall. Then
the illuminations began to attract people to the Plaza
in front of the Palace, where the garden, the trees,
and the houses were lighted up most effectively with
gas and Venetian lamps. The Palace looked quiet.
King Alfonso and Queen Christina admitted only
the members of Royal and Imperial families to their
table.

The principal streets about the Puerta del Sol and
the Plaza Mayor in the Old Town were brilliantly
illuminated, as were also the public buildings in
Alcala-street, where the crowd was so great that only
carriages going to Marshal Campos's reception were
allowed to pass.
I think Madrid looked more. interesting by night,

with the motley crowd perambulating the -streets,
than by day. The theatres were filled with the
guests of the Ayuntamiento. The reception at Mar-
shal Campos's was very brilliant, 2,100 guests passed
the door guarded by gendarmes, and ascended the hand-
some staircase. They could hardly move in the splendid
rooms, which were thrown open to men of all parties.
Even the Liberals had come, as well as the aristo-
cracy. The Princess of the Asturias, the Infantas,
Paz and Eulalia, arrived before twelve, being welcomed
by the "Royal March," which the artillery band in
the courtyard played. Very few even of the Conserva-
tives kept away from the reception of the Marshal,
Lord and Lady Napier and the members of the British
Mission and Legation, with the Honourable Sackville
West, were also present.

The Madrid correspondent of the Standard, writing on
Monday night, sbys:—

"Tie first Rlyal bull fight, despite the piercingly
cold wind, attracted thousands of people who, the
day being a fine one, crowded the route of the
Royal procession. It is estimated that seventeen
thousand persons were closely packed in all the avail-
ablo space. The boxes presented a brilliant spectacle,
being filled with ladies, whose toilette was exquisite
and becoming. The Ambassadors and Envoys Extra-
ordinary were present with their Staffs, and all the
official circles were represented.
"When King Alfonso and Queen Christine entered
they were greeted with enthusiastic cheers, and every
demonstration of respect and loyalty was exhibited.
The Queen was dressed in the national red cloak,
white mantilla, and bright bodice. Queen Isabella
also met with a hearty reception.
"When Queen Christine gave the signal for the
commencement of the display the vast assemblage re-
doubled their acclamations. Then the toms, with
brilliant gilt costumes, mounted on picador mules,
appeared simultaneously in the ring, seated in
coaches, each drawn by four horses plumed, richly
harnessed and caparisoned. They were escorted
by deputies to assist the caballeros in the Plaza,
Who rode their own horses, against the bulls. The
sport was, for bull-fighting, excellent, and the
audience were greatly gratified. The famed Toreros
killed eight fine animals, not, however, without many
exciting incidents. One bull jumped the barrier,
knocking down several persons, and tossing up a
gendarme. Another animal injured a picador, and a
third also had its victim.

"The people expressed much satisfaction to see the
Queen remain throughout the entire performance, as
well as the Austrian Duke.'

Writing from Madrid, on Tuesday night, the Correspondent
of the Daily News says :

The second day of the Royal bullfights was very
tame. The cold weather marred the effect of the
display made by the caballeros in the Plaza, and
their procession of carriages and servants, in fine
Eighteenth Century liveries, led horses, and Algua•
zils, in Philip IL costume of velvet, with yellow
boots and breeches. This novelty is only seen
at Royal weddings. It consists in having horses
mounted by young gentlemen instead of ordinary
picadors. By skilful horsemanship the rider parries
the charge of the bull at the moment of striking with
the spear. The second caballero to•day killed a bull
with a single thrust amidst much applause. Nine
bulls and a few horses were killed in the presence of
the King and Queen.
Tonight the illuminations were much spoiled by
the snow, which has been falling slowly for the last
two hours, disappointing the crowds assembled before
the palace to witness the military curfew that is to
mark the termination of the festivities during the
banquet offered by the King to the Envoys, Ministers,
and distinguished statesmen.
Ihe gala night at the Italian Opera passed off well.
There was a splendid house, crowded with the elite
of Madrid society. The three tiers of boxes were full
of ladies in full toilettes. There was a magnificent
show of diamonds, and the many lovely faces, Austrian
and Castilian, made a great effect. Both the pit and
stalls were full of uniforms, which are so varied and
splendid in the Spanish army and Court. The Kgrg,
Queen Christina, the Queen Mother, the Princesses, and
toe Austrian Archdukes occupied the Royal box under
the second tier. The foreign Ambassadors, the
Austrian suite, and the Ministers were in the boxes
to the right and left. L,rd and Lady Napier of
Magoala were present. The house has just been
entirely redecorated and renovated for the season.