New-York tribune., 1879-11-28
Conhs de Ctassement, the nature of which have al
ready explained
TIE FESTIVITIES AT MADRID.

THE APPROACHING MARRIAGE BETWEEN THE HOUSES
OF THE SPANISH BoURBONs AND HAPsBURG-
LORRAINE.
This is the birthday of the King of Spain. Al
phonso XII. was born twenty-five years ago, his
mother being Queen Isabella. the eldest daughter
of King Ferdinand VII and his father her COUSIN
Infamte Francisco He ascended the throne IN JAN
uary 1875. upon the restoration of the Bourbons'
which brought TO an end the storm-and-stress
period of the House of Savoy and the kepuonc'
His first marriage, in January. 1873. to his cousn'
Princess Marie de las Mercedes the younges.
daughter of the Due de Montpensicr. was hailed
with feelings of the ivclest satisfaction through
out SPAIN The Queen-mother had objected to her
sons choice and withheld her consent to the be-
trothal. The King. however, was not only SELF
willed, but very much in love with his cousin'
and accordingly married her Her DEATH
which occurred six months afterward, caused
deep sorrow among all classes. for the
young Queen-a lass OF nlneteeh-hau
endcared herself to her subjects. The King seemed
artbroken. and mourned her loss with the mos'
marked manifestation of grief and bereavement.
In October of the same year lie was hred
upon by n crazy cooper as he return
ing to Madrid after a short visit to the Northern
Provinces but escaped unhurt. Alphonso Is
brave manly sovereign who has succeeded IN VIII
ming the affections of his subjects. lie has cINh
list fixed by the CoTtes in Juue, 1876 at 81 iOo,Ooo
exclusive of allowances to his relatives. Inc
Cortes not only determines his income, but sane
tons his marriage, for he cannot marry With
ont the approval of the legislative majority
There has been no opposition on the
part of the Cortes to his second marriage, for 1t Is
moi only an excellent one when political considera-
tons are taken into account. buts the necessity OF
pntting th, succession TO the crown more salts
factory basis than II stands at present rs generay
admitted by Spanish politicians , ,.,,
The succession follows the general Jaw
of primogrniture. If Alphonso dies chii-
less the succession will fall first TO ms ms
sister, subsequently to- to- ms aGn, M h1nbers nnd Of
Ferdinand VII. Tie King has two sisters liNlng
but no brothers; his cousin. Don Carlos next 10
himself the eldest male representative of the roya
house has already warred against him, denied his
legitimacy and title TO the throne and wrought un-
told mischief IN Northern Spain.
The Austrian Archduchess Maria Christina Is the
granddaughter of the popular Palatine joseph
She is a daughter by second marriage, her mother
the Arclduchoss Elizabeth, having lost her first
husband, the Archdulle Ferdinand Charles when
still girl IN years. and having married. four years
afterward. the Archduke Charles Ferdinand
Maria Christina is only eight months younger
than Aiphonso, aud is said TO he highly accom-
plished, amiablc and beautiful The bride
has seen more of her Royal lover than usually nap
pens when union of this kind is brought about
They have met and passed b0urS together III iami
lar conversation and are reported TO be exceedingly
fond of each other. The formal demand LOT lhc
Archduchess was made by the Dnkc OF Balen, IN
traordinary Ambassador from Madrid to VIENNA
and Oh receiving the Empcr0rs sanction the Duke
obtained the consent of the Archduchess
herself in the presence of her mother, Tie
Archduchess arrived AT the Spanish frontier on
November 20. travelling ncognlto, and was re-
ceived by deputation of members of the Cortes
and officers of the Kings household. On the lsth,
in the presence of all the archduchesses oI the
Royal family aud the members of the PIvy Council
the Archduchcss Christina had TcnOunced her
rights 10 the Austrian succession; and by
the special order Of the Emperor the Court
was also attended by the Ministers of the
dual Monarchy, by the presidents of both houses or
the two parliaments. and by the spanish ABhassa-
dor. The bride and the bridegroom are cousins
bat the relationship Is removed by 40 many degrees
that 10 Papal dispcnSatiOn will b. required To legal
iZs their union, was the case when Alphonso ana
Mercedes were welded The Pope has sent mag
niticcnt mosaic table, IN velvet case To MING Al
phonsO, with an autograph letter
There will he no fe'es at Madrid on the occasion
of the Kings marriage The event will be reduc IT
70 n religions ceremony. to which the chief func
tionaries and the diplomatic body Will he invited
and TO an ordinary reception at the palace III the
evening. The money that to have been cx-
pended in rcocngs, bull fights, Statepcriornanees
at the theatres exhibitions and similar festivities,
will be devoted tO the relief of the unfortunate
sufferers from the inundatOns III Murcla. lhiS
change in the arrangements was made AT the h'lg.
rcsiion of the future Qnccn. The King himself
has taken pains to 20 himself and dispense succor
TO the sufferers. He rode on horseback through
the devastated city and the suburbs, and was re-
ceIyed with enthusiastic greetings.
lI0r other FOrcign Nccs zee mn Dagel.