New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-27
AFFECTING SCENES AT THE LAST MOMENT.
KING ALFONSO PLUNGED INTO FRANTIC GRIEF-THE
QUEENS DEATH PAINLESS.
lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUSE.I


lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
LONDON. Wednesday, June 49, 1878.
Dispatches received at the Spanish Embassy
tonight give the details OF the closing scenes at the
death-bed Of Queen Mercedes Her Majesty remained
quite up TO within short time Of ner death;
she addressed few words from time TO time to her
father but most frequently to her husband, whose
frantic grief she alone was able restrain. In
hand she grasped cruchX, containing portion OF the
wood she died with this pressed to her
lips her right hand casped in that OF her husband
She appeared suffer but little pain and expired while
In the act OF uttering prayer.
Madrid is plunged into grief by the event The young
Queen By her beauty. gayety, amiaby andcharty had
endeared herself TO all classes.
Messages OF coincidence and sympathy have been sent
10 Madrid addressed to the King from the Pope, Queen
Victoria Empress Eugene, the Prince OF wales ana
the Prince Imperial. The EmperOrs William and Fran
els Joseph Marshal MacMahOn and King Humbert also
sent assurances of sympathy and regret
The last dispatch received Embassy from Mad
rid says that the King wholly Frustrated by his be-
reayement The English Court Will 90 into full mourn
ing.
Maria-de-las- Mecedes, wife of Alfonso XII,
King of spain was born in Madrid the Path OF
June 1860 She was the third daughter Of the Due DO
Monpeuser SON Of Louis Philippe and OF Marie Louise,
sister OF Queen Isabella H. Her sister Isabella is the
wife OF the COmte de Paris, Orleans claimant Of the
throne OF France. Inc Princess AcIccucc was
to her cousin the King of Spain, the Gath Of January
last amidst great pomp and festivty the details Of
which are still freshly remembered. The marriage was
extremely agreeable the Spanish nation aud apartom
the freedom from Internal commissions which itpF0miseu
and other political considerations, the union was ao-
uonnccd 20 be one Of mutual inclination. The match
was entirely repugnant 20 the wishes OF the exQueen
Isabella the mother Of Alfonso XII The fatality attend
ing Old Louis Philippe's scheme Of Spanish alliance
does not seem to be at an end. Nobody and nothing
connected with it has prOspered. History Will record
that the bad faith toward other great powers shown by
the King Of French, in promoting the Montpensier
marriages had much 70 do with his expulsion from the
French throne At least it cost him the good opinion Of
Europe which settled into confirmed belief In rs
erafliness and falsehOOd. Nothing happened as the
sage old monarch had intended He supposed that
the reiguing Queen OfGspain would have no ehidrsns
and she gave birth the present occupant OF the throae
The abdcaOn Of Isabella in 1868 did little toward -
storing the peace of the unhappy country and her per-
sona misconduct was scandal in the eyes OF the world
The marriage King with daughter OF the Due dc
Montpensier revived chance of Orleans dynasty In
Madrid but this dssipaed by the death Of Queen
Mercedes without offspring, an event which may au-
matey expose the country 10 new calamlties.
Writer IN SeyfJner;s Monthly Magazine for Aprl
last who enjoyed the opportunity o. observing the
Princess Mercedes school In 1S73'74, near Paris
gives pleasant account OF her person and character.
She is described as large and well formed for her
age, her complexion very fine and clear, with
healthy tinge aud her features pleasing especially the
Win Win dark las6es deep set, and very bright
and and full Of expression Her hair ives jet black
and sPenddly thick and glossy, she wore
which we're fastened low the back OF her head
She had a very white throat and pretty shaped ears and
Ss writer 70 adds that the DSchess d MonPenser
brought up her children very e2sey Ihsy an 9sd 70
school did not differ from that Of her mates The inn
preston which she made was that OF very smlaPle Sna
betrothed to the Prince Alfonso.