Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-26
Princes their own Fools.

The Spanish royal family IF the last CEN
tury affords us an instance of the heir to the
throne not only being his own fool but OF
raising his friends to the dignity of folly by
comforting on them its insignia. Lord Lio.
onier, the husband of one of Alfieri's worth
less idols, was English ambassador at the
Court of Madrid during q portion of the
reign Of Charles III, which lasted from 1859
to 1888. After Ligonier's Introduction to the
King, he was conducted to the apartments of
the heir to the crown, the Prince of Asturi-
as. The latter was, subsequently,, that
Charles Nv who was his own Queens especi-
al fool throughout the term of their married
lives. AS Lord Ligonier approached the
Princes chamber, he saw issuing therefrom a
number of grandees, each wearing, with
proud gravity, fantastic fools cap. On in
quiring the meaning of such pageant, he
was informed that his royal highness posses
sed the fancy of distinguishing his most cher
ished friend, as his ''fools." The Prince, too,
was often pleased to confer this mark of bis
favor on celebrated foreigners Lord Lyon
ier was alarmed. Il represent" he said, "a
great sovereign and am myself foreigner
not altogether unknown. must add, that
my gracious master would be seriously offen-
ded if the Prince of the Asturias were to
think proper to cover the representative of
the King Of England with this decoration.-
You had better 60 in, sir, said he to his in
troducer, land sly as much to his royal high
ness" The reluctant official undertook the
mission but he presently returned, with the
intmation that the Prince cs5ii,a cSs55li,a not give ND
all old established custom. Upon which,
Lord Ligo-jIe. turned on his heel, declaring
that he would not visit Prince who thus
, exposed an ambassador to insult. The court
officials were thrown into state of amusing
terror BY this declaration they main, aimed,
that if the ambassador retired, it would be
fragrant insult on the Prince. Ultimately,
and after many messages and counter mes
sages had passed between the Prince in his
room and the English envoy in the ante
chamber, announcement was made that the
! Prince of the Asturias would not attempt to
clap the FOOLS cap on the head of Lord Lig-
onier. His lordship consequently entered
the apartment, but not without being more
than usually v'gilant against surprise. lie
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 approach. The English
Lord obeyed; but as he advanced, he per-
ceived that the Prince held paper object,
and the ambassador stopped short to conv erse
with his royal highness at a very respectful
distance. At the conclusion of the interview
he had to bow low but, as a sailor might
say, his weather eye was open, and he watch
ed the Prince narrowly. The latter was re-
solved upon eff.cting his object, and as mar
rowly by watched the ambassador. The bow
was almost at its lowest, when the Prince,
seiz;ng the most favorable opportunity, sud-
denly brought the fools cap from behind him,
and endeavored to iix it on the head of Lord
Ligonier but the old soldier who, by one
glorious action at Laffsldt. had tisconcerted
all the projects Of, Marshal SAKE, was not to be
folled by foolish Prince. As soon as his
eye caught sight Of the cap, hi, hand was up
on it, aud almost as soon it lay crumplcd up
beneath his feet. Ills sudden action nearly
threw the Prince out Of his equilibrium
and leaving that illustrious fools cap maker to
recover himself as best he might, tue old
warrior Quilted the apartments with smile
of scorn upon his lip.-Dr. Dman's History
Of Curt Fouls.