Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-10
SerranO,

Marsh a. Francisco Serrano, Duke lie la Tore
now president OF the Spanish republic, was born
st the close of the last century, and acquired
mis- military experience in the war OF independ-
eUCe. Devoted to the interests of the govern
meut, he assisted 70 bring about the fall of E.
ptTtgIO in 1913. After the restoration of the
queen mother Serrano coalesced with Mar
vaeZ In the attempts OF the latter TO overthrow
DlUZtga, Shortly after the marriage OF Dueeu
Isabella in lSi6 he acquired an influence over
TIE royal mind which OccasiOned differences
between the King COnsort and herself and
caused some scandal. The ministry OF the Duke
lie SotCmayOr, which attempted to destroy his
influence. was OverthrOwn by him, while that
" VI. de Salamanca, which he supported yield
cd to the storm Of public indignation which
assailed it. After this SerranO turned liberal,
and just before the accession to power OF
Naryaez accepted the Captaincy General of
Grenada. Having been implicated in a rising
at Saragossa in ls4i he was exiled, but re-
turned during the revolution of July in
that year, aud became an active supporter
of the O'Donneli and Espartero Cabinet.
In the rupture which followed between these
tive he sided with the former, and having been
nominated Captain General OF New Castile-an
appointment which placed Madrid in his pow
erin the coup d'etdt of 1856 he played into
o'Donnell's hands, and in that same year he
was created Duke de la Tore. In 1857 he was
sent as Ambassador 10 the Court of France, and
IN 1859 he was appointed Director snd Colonel
General of Artillery, and i'll June, 1865, Captain
General of Madrid.
After witnessing many governmental, even
dynastic changes Serrano's life was endangered
by revolution in May, 1873. A correspondent
gave at that time an interesting account of Ser
ramos light from SPAN in the following words:
AFTER being hunted from house to house by the
iufuriated and lawless crowd, his own dwelling
and those OF his relatives and more imme-
date friends being subjected TO a rigorous
search over and over again repeated, the Duke
sought shelter under the flag which has never
yet refused to protect the weak against the
strong. He besought a hiding place at the
hands OF the English minister, Mr.. Layard.
Fearful OF the possibility of a fresh outbreak or
renewal OF the violence of the sd and 9th Of
ApIn, and, moreover, impeled by the sup
posed existence of a plot TO assassinate hun,
the friends OF the Duke urged his departure
from the country. Even the government
joined in the urgency. But how to get him
away was the difficulty. His handsome
features and manly form were known to every
man, woman and child in the city. It was
felt necessary that all the prominent ex mon.
archists who were seeking safety in flight
should go disguised. Serrano's disguise was so
perfect that even those who helped TO get it up
failed to recognize him after he had shaved off
his handsome moustache, put on a pair of false
tired himself in an old mourning suit of Mr..
Lay ards, including a felt hat, or wideawake.
In the preparation Of his disguise he protested
against the whiskers, and only yielded at the last
moment. He, however, threw them Off the mo-
ment he started from the station. 1 was there
whenhe departed and must confess | did not
know him, though he brushed past me 90 enter
the carriage prepared for him. His appearance
was that of an elderly English country gentle
man, returning from a days shooting. In the
same train, but at the other end of it, went
Mortos, also in disguise, accompanied by a pub
lie functiOnary who shall be nameless. Serrano
was accompanied by MIR. and Mrs Layard."