Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-03
QUEEN MERCEDES.
Interesting Facts in the Life of
the Late Spanish Queen
Intrigues of Her
Father.
"reminiscences OF the Youthful PrIn.
cess by One OF Her
School Mates.

New York Herald.l
Queen Mercedes was born in
Madrid, June "a, 1860, her father
being the Due de Montpensier, a
son of Louis Philippe, king of
France from 1880 to 1913, and of
the Princess Maria Louise Ferdi-
nanda, Inianta Of Spain and sister
of ex.Queen Isabella. Her father
took up his residence in Spain from
the time Of his marriage, and has
always kept a sharp eye on the
chances of securing the succession
to the crown of Spain to himself or
some member of his family. M.
Guizot, who was instrumental in
bringing about the'marriage of the
young Orleans prince and the In
fanta of Spain, was known to have
the 81 ne object in view, and be-
lieved that a Franeo-Spanish ALI
ance thus secured would immensely
increase the French influence in the
councils Of Europe. The revolu-
tion Of lS4S, however, sent the
"citizen king" in hot haste to En-.
gland for safety, and the influence
of the French court was thus no
longer exerted at Madrid in favor Of
Montpensier, and he was left to
prosecute his intrigues alone. lie
never lost sight of his object, how
ever, and gradually and quietly the
duke and his wife gathered around
them a small party of clever and
unscrupulous court intriguers and
military adventures, who never let
slip an opportunity of undermining
the influence Of Queen Isabella
or of advancing the interests
of their patrons. During many Of
these years the strong hand Of
0'Donnell held the reins of power
with a firmness that bafled all the
plans of the conspirators, and in.
surrection after insurrection, in
which the people took no part what
ever, was stamped out with relent-
less severity. The part played by
Montpensier in these plots and pro.
nunciamentos is a matter that fu-
ture historians must decide, but
the fact is beyond question that
during all this troubled period he
never gave up the hope Of securing
the throne, either for himself Of
some Of his children. 0'Donnel
fell, and died in France in 1867
In 1868 Montpensier was appointed
captain general of the Spanish
forces and Infanta, or heir apparent
to the throne for which, after The
revolution, he became an ayowed
candidate. He also sat in th(
cortes as a deputy. The powel
that supported the tottering throne
was gone with 0'Donnells death
the queen herself was an exile, anC
Montpensier was actively intriguing
to gain the throne he had so lon!
coveted. He failed, and his treach
cry and ingratitude made his name
odious from end to end OF Spain
The short reign of Amadeus, tn
experimental republic, the fierc
struggle With the Northern Oarlists
did not divert Montpensier from
| his purpose, His pye was still
fixed on the Spanish throne, ant
all the energies Of his mind weFO
concentrated on its acquisition
Pavia strangled the tottering re
public, and the boy Alfanso, tn
son of the depOsed and eKiled Isu
bella, was called to the throne Of
which his ancestors had sat for s.
many hundred years.
MARRIAGE WITH ALFONSO.
Montpensier saw his chance
The opportunity which he had s
long waited, toiled and plotted fol
| and for which he had betrayed hi
own family connections, had com
at last, and 1t was ayailed Of Wit
characteristic alacrity. The bo
t king and the young Mercedes ha
] played together as children, an
5 had formed childish affection 70
Q each other. Alfonso had name
her his "little wife" before eithe
= of them had begun TO dream {
+ thrones, or crowns, or puzzle thei
: little heads about affairs Of stat
r In the meantime the princess ha