The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-30
THE SPANISH BOURBONS.
Why Queen Isabella Did Not Attend
Alfonso's Marriage.
HISTORY OF A SCANDAL.
Alfonso Thinks Reforms Should
Begin at Home.
A PROGRESSIVE MONARCH.
The Herald Correspondent Visits the
Royal Apartments
THE BRIDAL CHAMBER.


The appearance Of Queen Isabel In company with
Don Carlos and the letters OF explanation which were
published IN tho French papers caused quite little
autter among spanish politicians OF all grades and
shades OF opinion. The absurd unbelievable
stories were put into circulation with dscred.
iting the reienng dynasty but the government wisely
permitted the letters TO be copied into the Span
Ism papers, when their true value made evident
10 the people. Rumors began to circulate, however
anew that the most Important letters-said TO have
been addressed in the drst to the Russian
Ambassador IN Paris-were published in all English
paper, and this has turned be
true. II is difficult believe that Queen
Isabel should have taken the imputed TO her,
though in truth there Is no counting what spite
'u woman may do, especially IT. in addition to beng
spiteiui, she happens 10 be silly. I.may MS well say
however that the authenticity OF the letters referred
10 Is doubtful Though detost writing about the
private affairs even OF monarchs whose history Is sup
posed 70 belong 10 the public, IL is perhaps just as
well that should give the account Of the scan
halous row between Queen Isabel ana the govern
nent OF her son, King Alfonso
HOW THE TROUBLE AROSE
The story Was told TO me by q person high IN rank
ina enjoying every facility for knowing what passes
the palace. and may as well state mere that the
responsibility Of what about to write rests wholly
sith this parsonage. IL Is well known that the
Duke do Montpensier has long looked with
sovstous eyes on The Spanish throne 10 which
MS daughter Is about TO ascend. Under the pretencs
Of advancing reforms he allied himself with the
luton which IN 1868 drove Queen Isabel from the
lhrone This movement had mis- countenasce and
pecunIary aid. but ne VAS lacking IN those qualities
which would have enabled boidcr man 10 take the
lead. He gave money largely 10 the active spirits Of
he movement, but his parsimonous disposition pre-
Vented him giving enough to benefit nimsell.
GAME.
When the moment OF action arrived instead oil put
ling himself At the head OF tho revolution and play
Ing the part of William VI Orange, he renamed in
Seville conspirIIg, but no, daring act he showed
himself capable of committing treason against hls
hs,er-in-law. but without the courage 10 pay boldly
Tor throne Ho found therefore,
mat his money and his treachery had penc-
hted others moro than himself, the vision
OF crown vanished he repentsd and began Tor
reconciliation with the exled royal family He was,
porhaps moved not little to this by the deep attach
ment which, even VI that time, Doha Mercedes and
Dor Alfonso manifested toward each other. In view
oil Montpensers efforts to oring about the restoration
VI the Bourbons reconciliation was patched up be-
tween the families, Queen Isabel her return TO
Spain even visited the Dukes palace Seville. In.
deed, the Spanish government by appointing the Al.
compelled the parties to cultivate friendly relations
Matters went on in this way tor time, una APP
parently all peace. 1t said the Queen rom the
first showed some reluctance to sanction marriage
between hontpensier's daughter and the King. put
little diplomacy soon overcame this difficulty, and tho
matter was accepted arranged.
A COURT INTRIGUE.
During all this time the ex Queen hal continued to
live tho same kind OF life whicn has given SO much
ground Tor uufavorabic comment while she was Queen,
and no ono had thought OF interfering with tho
whims or caprices OF the royal dame one day, how
ever, tho KING who aspires to he good young man,
respectfully but firmly suggested TO his Their tina.
certain senior do Ia Puente should in future absent
himself from the royal table. Now, this senior dc la
Puonte happens TO be the chief OF Her Majcsty's
household, and Is said to BIO held great esteem by
the ex-Queen on account of his many estnabe qua Ii
ties. 1t vas, therefore. with small
corn that she listened to the words spoken
by her royal son. II rumor Can be depended
upon there ensuod truly royal row. but though
Queen Isabel was furious and talked like lady thor
oughy acquainted with all tho resources of tne Cas-
lillian tongue the King remained unmovsd, for among
the excellent qualities possessed by Alfonso XII. Is
cool self-possesson which, tho French would say,
is absolutely inaltcrabie.
THE MAN IN THE CASE
Queen Isabel defended her do Ia fuente much better
Than die her generals the celebrated Puentc dc Acolca
where sno lost her crown out her valor devotion
walled not and Senior de Ia Pacnte appeared no more
At The monarch's table. The OF this battle soon
spread abroad and the Montpcnsicrs, IN eprdcr
The Kings example Inc Duke In his
turn noheed the exQueen that, although no would al
Ways be delighted to receive Her Majesty, c,rcum-
stances would IN future compel him To deprive him.
Sell OF the pleasure OF Seor dc la Pucne society as
In view orthe Kings refusal 10 admit him to his table,
u was not right that he should associate with the
LADY who was destined 10 be tho future Queen. This
mole was The last drop OF gall which mado tho wine OF
courtesy undrnkaDo, ana henceforth all bitter
ness Queen Isabel Immediately declared war against
Doha Mercedes whom she pronounced not the Kind Of
Spouse she wished her son 10 take unto himself, and
casting her mothers eye ABOUT Tor real princess her
glance rested ON tho lar Georgian mountains
HOURS FOR BOYS
There was discovered u Russian princess, belonging
10 the line OF the Georgian monarcns. beautiful as a
drcani one oil those hours Win eyes oi light nOout
whom Eastern poets such wonders tell. Here was
the princess 10 charm the Imagination OF O boy and
break The enchautncnt winch Doiia Mercadesi goody-
gooy virtues baa druwn about tue heart OF the young
King Armed With the Photograph OF the lovely Rus
san the ex-Quecn rushed back from PARIS 10 exhiDt
tnc useo'ercu tr,asure anu IL Tue truth must be told,
II seems tue air Russian rather uazzleu people
terested ana poor Dona Mcrccdes' star began 10
waue just as matters were beginning to look serious
however, the Prime Minister iutervencd
RIVAL PoPEs.
He reminded the Queen that Princess was In all
probuoi!ity member OF the Greek Cnurcn and that
there mlgnt DC sonic difficulty about her becoming
Roman Catholics; not that IL was Tor a moment aus.
pueted Tho aay would hesitate to sacrifice ncr allu
Tor tho SAKE vi q crown, out the Emperor ut Russm
In his character OF Pope Vi tho Greek Church was not
likely 10 allow one OF the imperial family
to desert 10 the rival Pope. Cunoyns del
Castillo therefore mildly suggested 10 Queen
Isabel the proprety oil nscertaining wLcilcr
this difficulty was likely TO he overcome before pro.
reedng iurthcr IN the negotiation When the mater
was aid before the Russian Ambassador that WORTHY
CVssack very nearly mad III ut tho mere suggostIon
oil the apostucy OF one OF the imperial family ard
declared IN the most emphatic that
his imperial master never would consent Bailcd
but not conqucrcd tho Queen set out In search
OF lady 70 wear the crown of Spain, anu alter some
looking about naturally came ON German Princess,
Bus The Ministry ny This timo had TO the cou-
fusion that IL would better SUIT the OF SPAN
not 10 effect any foreign matrimonial alliances, ana
papa ana mamma Mon,pensier having undertaken to