The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-05-27
PRINCES THEIR OWN FOOLS.

The Spanish royal family of the last century
aft ards Us an instance of the heir to the throne
not only being his own fool, bat of his raising
his friends to the dignity of folly By comforting
on them it's insignia. Lord Ligonier, the hus
band of one of Al6eri's worthless idols, was
English ambassador at the Court of Madrid
during portion Of the reign of Charles Ill,
which lasted from 1859 to 1888 After Ligo
nier's introduction to the King, he was conduct
ed to the apartments of the heir to the crown,
tie Prince of Asturias. The latter was, subse
qusntly, that Charles w who was his own
Queens especial fool Throughout the term of
their married lives. AS Lord Ligonier sp
preached the Princes chamber, he saw issuing
therefrom a number of grandees, each wearing
with proud gravity, a fantastic fools cap. On
inquiring the meaning of such pageant, he
was informed that his royal highness possessed
the fancy of distinguishing his most cherished
friends as his STOOLS" The Prince, too, was
often pleased to confer this mark of his favor
on celebrated foreigners. Lord Lgonier was
alarmed. II represent" be said, "a great
sovereign; and am myself o foreigner not al
together unknown. | must add, that my
gracious master would be seriously offended if
the Prince of the Asturias were to think proper
to cover the representative of the King of Eng
land with this decoration. You had better go
in, sir" said he to his introducer, and say as
etch to his royal highpess." The reluctant
'ofhciai undertook the mission but ne present
ly returned, with the intimation that the Prince
could not give up an old established custom.
Upon which, Lord L;gonier turned on his heel,
declaring that he would not visit a Prince who
thus exposed an ambassador to insult. The
court officials were thrown into state of anu.
sing terri )r by this declaration; they maintained,
that if the ambassador retired, it would be q
fragrant insult on the Prince. Ultimately, and
after many messages and counter messages had
passed between the Prince in his room aud
the English envoy in the snte-chamber, an
nouncement was made that the Prince of the
Asurias would not attempt to clap the fools
cap on the head of Lord Ligonier. His lord
chip consequently entered the apartment, but
not without being more than usually vigiiant
against surprise. He found the sage prince
with his back to the hearth, and with HIS hands
behind him. The Prince remained In that
position, and invited the ambassador to ap.
proach. The English Lord obeyed but as he
advanced, he perceived that the Prince held q
paper object, and the ambassador stopped short
to converse with his royal highuess at very
respectful distance At the conclusion of the
interview, he had to bow low but, as sailor
might say, bis weather eye was open, and he
watched the Prince narrowly. The latter was
resolved upon effecting his object, and as mar
rowly watched the ambassador. The bow was
almost at it's lowest, when the Prince, seizing
the most favorable opportunity, suddenly
brought the FOOLS cap from behind him, and
endeavored to FIX it on the head Of Lord Ligo-
nier; but the old soldier who, by one glorious
action at Lsffeldt, had disccncerted all the pro-
iects of Marshal SAKE, was not to be foiled by
a foolish Prince. As soon as his eye Caught
eight of the cap, his hand was upon 1t, and al
most as soon it lay crumpled up beneath his
feet. His sudden action nearly threw the
Prince out of bis equilibrium and leaving
that illustrious fools cap maker to recover him,
self as best he might, The old warrior quilted
the apartments with smile of scorn upon his
lip.-Dr. Dorans History of Court Fools. o-