The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-11-06
ALFONSO'S- FiANCEE.
Princess Mercedes. the Prospective ssucci,
F." of Spain.
away from

|. The FrcnehtepRrespondcnt Of the Lon
don don messstnfsomc extended comments
iiolts Spanish politics, weavcs Il sketch of
tsPrincess Mercedes, the Youngest Of the
two daughters Of the Due de Monpcnsicr
whose engagement to King Alfonso was
| recently announced:
at issevidently thought that Il mar
riage between the King and the Princess
-9lercedes-would- produce considerable eff
feet in Spain, and rc-unitc, to the exclu-
sion of the Carist king, whom civil war
and the blood which has been shed. cut,
off from the nation, in one and the same
interest, all members OF the royal family.
But naturally this alliance would not be
supported by the present cabinet, for i.
would free the king from the cncrvating
guardianship of the Duke Of Scsto, and it
Is in this silent struggle, i'm this incvita-
bile :mtagonism, that the anticipated cX-
PLANTATION of events which will happen in
Spain must be sought. twas with these
| reflections that lspent the morningatR Ran
dan. | observed the respectful cnthuSi-
asm with which the SpaniardS treated the
young Princess, who has become the OBJ
lcct OF their combination, and it NAV be
said OF their hopes. The Princess herself
just passed from childhood, full of grace
and ingcniousrcss, seemed unaware Of the
royal dcstincs which perhaps await her,
as, with her eyes fixed on the Princess
Christina, her sister, she laughed ut the
awkwaldncss ofPrincc Antonio, her little
brother, while they all abandoned them
selves 0rrricrc pcnscc, to the pleasures of
croquct on the shady terrace of Randan.
At the end Of the day the Due dc Mon
pcnsicr WAS surrounded by his Spanish
guests, who had all resumed their Castil-
ian gravity and whose attitude brcathcd
the traditional respect of old Spain for
! those who sit on the steps OF the throne.
Further on, The duchess, in the midst of
Il circle Of ladies; convcrscd in discreet
tone Of voice, and raised her head from
time to time oiollow the childrens game
with satisfied air and to smile ut the
bursts of laughter or frcqucut discussions
cntaicd By the cr0quct, while she is con
denncd to the severity Of Spanish cti-
qucttc. The Princess Mercedes is one Of
the most graceful pcrsonagcs who could
occupy Il throne. Evidently the Prn-
cess is yet too young to become immcdi-
ately n royal bride for she is not yet II; !;
but am sure that the young king, who
knows her and who must have preserved
& recollection Of her, will easily become
4
ing to Spain that Princess who to-day
brcathcs grace, and who tomorrow at the
wishcd-for hour will add to this grace the
kindly dignity of a queen and tie scduc-
tive charms of woman. ! do not know
how far Spain is in position to give up
its struggles, competition and inccssant
war. do not know howiar one ought
to wish that this young princess should
become the instrument OF this difficult
undertaking. do not know, should it
be accomplished, ifonc day shall not
think with sadness of this young lady
whom people arc trying TO thrust into the
Spanish furnace; but in leaving Randan
and while laughing at the thought that
had been assisting at the supposed con.
spirators' feast was obliged to confess
that this marriage might well be pleasing
to Spaniards sincerely dcsrous of procur
ing halt for thcir country on the path
of fagitation which it has trod so long. ,