The National Register.
London, England, 1820-07-23 00:00:00

No. 1,2/5/3.—VoL. XIII.]

SPAIN.

MEETING OF TILE CORTES.
MADRID GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY OE THE 10TH JULY.
The memorable einpiepitijittbred la which the
w4es of the Spanish tuition were to be fulfilled—.
tahappy day, in which a people determined to pre-
serve the liberty and the dignity of the throne, have
seen their adored King giving another decisive and
irrefragable proof of his paternal views, of the lore
which Its beers to his subjects, and of the earnest
desire which animates him to concur, in concert with
the Cortes, in founding and consolidating the public
happiness by. means of a constitution essentially
directed to the welfare of all—the happy. hour, in
which Ferdinand the Seventh, uniting his senti- '
ments with those of the Spanish people, presented
himself before the august national congress in the
solemn act of swearing to the constitution of the
monarchy. All the necessary arrangements for the
celebration of this solemn ceremony had been pre-
viously made. The King having appointed the
hour of ten in the morning of yesterday, Sunday,
the 9th of July, for proceeding to the hall of the
Cortes, his Majesty left his palace, accompanied by
his august spouse and the Infanta', attended by his '
suite, in state coaches.
On reaching the hall of the Cortes they were re-
ceived by two grand deputations of the national
representatives. One, consisting of 22 members,
accompanied the Queen to the tribune which had
been prepared for her, that she might, in company
with the Infantas, enjoy the spectacle of so solemn
a ceremony. The other deputation, consisting of
32 members, including two of the secretaries, was
appointed to attend on the King.
When his Majesty entered, all the members stood
up, as well as the diplomatic corps in the tribune on
the right of the throne. The councillors of state,
generals, and magistrates, occupied the other tri-
bunes ; the immense multitude which filled the gal-
leries could not restrain themselves from bursting
into loud acclamations and Vim! The King took
his seat on a magnificent throne, on the sides of
which were displayed the royal insignia. As soon
as the King had seated himself, the Infanta', the
President of the Cortes, and all the Deputies, also
sat down. After a short pause the President rose,
and, with the Secretaries, proceeded to receive the
King's oath, which was taken in the manner pre-
scribed by the Constitution.
Don Joseph Espiga, Archbishop Elect of Seville,
as President of the Cortes, then addressed the King,
declaring :heir attachment, and his Majesty replied
in the following terms
" I accept the expressions and sentiments of love and
loyalty whi:•11 the Cortes manifests towards me through
the organ of Its President ; and I hope, through its as-
sistance, to see the nation I have the glory to govern fire
and happy "
Immediately after his Majesty read with a clear
intelligible voice a speech to the Gentlemen Depu-
ties, to which the President replied ; and the cere-
monies of this august solemnity being etekel, their
Majesties and the Infantas withdrew from the Cortes
with the same retinue with which they had entered,
reinated cries of Viva el Rey y las Cortes! re-
sounding through the hall, and all returned to the
palace.
The streets through which the procession passed
were lined with the different corps of the garrison
of Madrid, and the national militia, both cavalry
and infantry. The presence of their Majesties and
the Infantas—the splendour of the retinue—the
brilliancy of the equipages--the taste displayed in
the tapestry (which ornamented the balconies of the
windows)—the numerous concourse of people, which
almost impeded the course of the procession—the
repeated applause of all classes of persons, enthu-
siastically exclaiming Viva el Rey! viva la avail-
tacion .1 viva el Rey constitecional,dec.,—and, above
%% the recollection of the object of the magnificent
ceseasete",—.all concurred to eleshsr this dey most
glories* tit the Spanish nation] and to present a
spectacle which will be the eternal admiration of
future ages.
The tranquillity and order which prevailed in the
hall of the Cortes, as well as throughout the streets,
served to confirm more than ever the good opinion
that is entertained of the character of the inhabitants
of this capital, who, on the great da.y n 1 Spain, gave
the saint convincing proofs of their noble sentiments,