New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-23
THE MARRIAGE or KING ALFONSO.

THE CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE TO-DAY
GRAND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF VISITORS IN
MADRID-RoYAL PRESENTS.
MADRID, Tuesday. Jan. 81, 1873.
Elaborate preparations have been made fOy
the marriage tome Of King Alfonso and the
Princess Mercedes. daughter Of the Duke OF Montpen
sirr. Queen Christina and Francisco dc Assist, the
Kings father the special foreign and thousands
OF visitors have arrived. The Count and Countess Of
Paris the brotheruaw and sister OF the Princess Mer
ccdes to ArarJuez to congratulate the Prin
cess The King received the German. French and Brit
ish ENJOYS yesterday. The latter delivered auto
graph letter from Queen Victoria TO the Duchess OF Nom
penser, and a bracelet for the Princess Mercedes. He
also brought Indian scimar with the scabbard and
hit naid with gold and precious stones, present
the King from the Prince OF Wales.
This will be n festival day at Madrid. At
this morning the military bands Will beat the rcveie
and about the procession Will leave the palace
for the ancient Church OF the Atocha, where King
Alfonso and his first cousin the Insnta Mercedes,
To be united In marriage. The Cardinal Primate Will
oicia;c assisted by the Patriarch OF the Indies and
twelve preates. The ENJOYS from the European
courts the diplomatic CORDS, grandees, and other
people OF distinction will go to the hurCh
open carriages, with outrdcrs and running fo0mcn
The ceremony over royal procession will return to
tho palace by the Paseo OF AtOcha, BoanicO. Prado
Gale Acaa, Puerto del SOL ami Gale Mayor. When the
King and Queen the palace there will be grand
military parade, which they " II witness from the win
dows The fcstlvty will last five days. On this. the we'd
dng-day, there will be general iumin atoms the
theatres be thrown open to the public and there
will be grand serenade on one of the pazas.
Tomorrow there will be official reception, and at
night grand display Of fireworks. Friday viii be de
voted TO the national amusemcnt-a grand bud fight.
Next day there will be horseracng, TO be followed
the evening by grand pcrormancen the Theatre Real,
admission being by invitation On Monday festivities
viii close nth grand tournament in tue Plaza de roros,
and grand rout at the palace. The Madrid municipal
ty has voted large sum to deray the cost OF the pub
Tic festivities The city hall Will be decorated with Grim
sou velvet and portraits of the KING and his bride will
be displayed under royal canOpies.
Hc Went into exile IN 1865, with his mother The ex.
Queen Isabella, and resided IN France until January,
authority. His accession to the throne was due TO the
goodwill OF Marshal Serrano, who succeeded Cas-
neasly two years when, with concurrence the
tary leaders proclaimed Alfonso King. Alfonso, then
and manly bearing He left the direction OF public ar
fairs hands Of Canovas del Castillo. who has been
his ascession the Carlis revolt was suppressed. and
steps were taken TO restore constitutional government
war; his has since been peaceful. and has not been
The bride nfanta Mercedes is the third daughter Of
Antoine dOrleanS Duke OF Montpensier and the Prn-
cess louise Younger sister OF !Le queen Isabella,
Duke her father, followed military career and served
WA, nS to the reess whose sis
ter was then Queen of spain. The marriage,
hopes that would render French influence dominant IN
Spain. The Duke went into exile with the Orleans laIn
y in lS4S, and took up hs residence IN Seville. lie be-
came nlncal Queen Isabella and!in July 1868 dur
ing political strife which preceded her overthrow he
was forced into exile Before leaving spain he resigned
his grade Of Captan-Genera in the army renowned the
title Of infant OF SPAIN and returned TO the Queen the
decorations she had given HIM. When the revolution
triumphed the Duke recognized the Provisional Govern
ment and was allowed TO return. He was spoken Of as
candidate for the Spanish throne, but never enlisted
much support.
The xleen, Isabella who resides In Paris, has
been greatly annoyed at tho Royal engagement. She
demonstrated strongly vita her son, aud that failing,
threatened to transfer her claims, which would to
extent involve his own, 10 Don Carlos. She dned with
that Prince and finally wrote q letter to Paris jour
nal, IN which she ayowed her friendship for
the elder branch, aud complained bitterly Of
her unrequed sacrifices in the cause OF
her son. This conduct caused great annoyance at
Madrid the Government informed the Queen that she
must Spain, and that the Spanish Ambassa
dor would longer hold any relations with her court
The French Government was, moreover, requested
remove Don Carlos from the frontier q request with
which It at once complied. Anxiety still exists in regard
to the eT Queens plans The utmost vigilance nas been
employed 10 prevent her from attending royal nup-
als and the Spanish Ambassador has remained his
post III Paris to watch her.