The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-24

Spanish etiquette to admire any especial article OF
dress or ornamentation that may strike your |
fancy This lady wore an antique cameo set m
pearls "what fine cameo" said another Of the
group. "Yes,n she said; "that is an antique.
value it above money. 1t Is cameo OF
the sixteenth century. and is the head
OF Philip H." philip II. p' said my friend,
as his mind no doubt recalled that
dark. s0mbre imperial tyrant, with his Inquisition
and burning OF Protestants and Jews, and the
his cruelty, superstition and bgotry
"Yes,n said the Countess; II wear it in memory OF
that dear and sacred King. He was King OF
Spain when Spain was splendid and proud and
OF the world. know what passes in your
mind. You are an American, and republican, OF
course; and IN America, hear, there are republi-
cans who are gentlemen. But here-Heaven help
usl And OF course you have your unjust views OF
Philip H. But we OF Spain, who know what he did
and what he tried to do and what a true King he
was, Amounted Of God and worthy to be OF the
Lords anointed; we who know what Spain was in
those days and see what she is now. then mighty
and new 80 f0rlOrn and unhappy, we can appre-
ciate Philip II. Yes, honor his sacred memory. l
pray for his souls peace, and pray that God may
send us another king with his spirit. Then will
Spain be spainl' probably you pray for Don
carlos'" said my friend, smiling, Ard E9y whom
else should spanish lady pfay9' was the re-
Spouse.
A R0LT ONT OF THE BLUE.
Az the carnival drew near Madrid was stagnant.
The Cortes were quietly stumbling through a bill
about the colonies. The people were getting ready
for the festivities OF the merry time. The eppOsi
ton journals had reverted to that topic, which
here always comes when newsi is dead-abuse OF the
American Minister. All the town was laughing ever
caricature, which was sold everywhere, represent
ing the Minister with his crutcn and one leg, nying
In haste from couple OF lions who were hotly on
his trail The legend said that the Minister had been
making an offer for Cuba, and the lions were driv-
ing him away. There was little disturbance in the
Basque country, but that was too old a story even
to write about. There was good deal OF opera.
Fine days tempted people to the Prado. The cares
were crowded every evening, and it seemed as If
the carnival would come and go with unusual glee,
Madrid doing her full share towards 1t. The wo-
men were in. a 1utter about Her Majesty's new
born baby, and the priests had had solemn time
christening 1t. Madrid was specializing over the
baptsmal names, and was happy to learn every
morning that mother and child were well. Foreign
Ministers were packing their trunks for a run to
Paris. All of sudden, like the lava that over
whelmed POmpe there came upon Madrid the an
nouncement,
''THE KING WILL ABDICATE!"
NO one COulu trace the ruulOr, out IL was In
every mouth. One had heard 1t at the opera,
another at cdJg q third on the sidewalk. There
had been rumors OF this nature at intervals since
the King came to the throne. Now, it was plot {;
again, mutiny in the palace; later, command
from King Victor Emmanuel. There had been
times when abdication was more probabe-when
1t would have been an Ineligible and not q sur-
prising act. But why nowf Madrid was unusually
quiet. The troubles in Spain were only symptoms
Of an old trouble, and, If anything, Amadeus
was having clearer weather than usual To
be sure, there was the artillery question,
in which the King had o grievance with his
Ministry, but even that was said to be settled. But
the rumOr could not be cried down. No one could
trace it to trusty source, but it was in the air.
The Duke OF Aosta was weary Of the crown, and
meant to give 1t back to the Cortes next morning.
Madrid took the news very calmly. There was an
extra fiutter in the cat9s an added sense OF good
humor in the faces OF the people. But have seen
the capital more excited over the exploits Of
famous bull, which would not be killed until it had
tossed and gored one or two Of the pcadors in the
bull ring.
THE REASONS FOR THE ABDrcATtoN. -
But the King had resolved to abdicate This was
certain. Why the resolution This question has
been asked a thousand times, and has received q
thousand different answers. Can any one tell but
the King At last let your correspondent take the
innumerable solutions that have been given him
and write what seems to be the best answer to the
question.
WHY THE KING PARTED WITH sERRANO.
When the King came TO Spain he was invited by
q COrtes which really did not want him. When
young Amadeus came to Madrid he rode into
sullen city. On the day of his accession to the
crown, as he passed from the Palace of the Depu-
ties to the Palace of the Kings men held their
breath for fear OF assassination. 1t Is remembered
that he insisted upon riding alone through the
Puerta del Sol, and would not allow the
Captains General to surround him as had
been proposed Madrid was surprised and
pleased at the courage, precisely as 1t
would have shouted over the prowess OF q
favorite bulnghter. So Amadeus found his palace.
1t was cold. His wife, the queen, was i'll on her
way. This was bad omen. as the death OF Pfim
had also been a bad omen. AS few craved him few
came to him. The grandees remained aloof The old
legitmists neglected the palace as In France they
neglected Napoleon LII. But Napoleon had
party, while Amadeus was without one and IL the
dukes of the Old regns did not visit the Tuieries,
dukes Of new reign, aud one even more
splendid, took their place. Prim was dead and no
one renamed who could make dynasty. serrano
and Topete and some of the consprators against
Isabella surrounded him. They were men of
violent counsels They prepared to use the
King, to make him an instrument Of ambi-
tion. But they found in him resolution
and integrity. He tried one after the
other Of the conservatives beginning with Serrano
and running down to Sagasta But they could not
found permanent Ministry. They had the Cortes,
but the country was not behind them. Finally,
several Ministries had fallen, Serrano proposed
to the King daring measure. He pointed out to
His Majesty that irmness was necessary to stamp
out the spirit OF revolution He would suspend the
constitution, dissolve the Cortes and make coup
detat, as Napoleon did. This measure was agreed
upon by the Ministry; everything was ready to
overthrow the work Of the revolution and make
Amadeus an absolute King; but when mentioned
to the King he declined. Serrano urged that this
alone would save the crown. 81 have sworn"
said Amadeus, ito be true to the constitution. II
cannot save my crown without being false to that
oot, 7 will ahdcate SerrauO and mia freDdo voro