The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-14
ALTON sos NEW BRIDE.
How the Grand Duchess Christina Won Al
fonso's Heart.
.fLondon Truth. August 2s ]

London Truth. August 26
The Vennese Christina was coy, and tossed
her head impudentiy when the Spanish match
was proposed to her. This piqued Alfonso.
who soon became an ardent sutton, left Off
signing over the likeness OF the departed
Queen and dwelt with complacency on pleas
ing souvenirs Of the Archduchess, who had
been gay aud espiegle playmate OF MS when
he was student at inc theresa Coilege III
Vienna. Christina, who is year his junior,
was ut that time high-splrited and very
frOftc5t1fut5 iittie ets.insel She once ran race
with him in some imperial park. The mon
arch In bud was on d bicycle, ana tiie young
Archduchess on q fleet pony, who, though the
velocipede had the wind with 1t, came III fir5t
at the goal.
The young idea shoots earlyin the sons and
daughters OF royal and imperial houses.
Christina, in playing the Number Nip with
the exiled son Of Isabella, and ronping with
him and tormenting him In various ways,
fell In love with him. 1t ID courtlef-llke now
to speak of her childish attachment to the
King, who did not until wtthin the last SIX
months reauite 1t. When Alfonso was re-
stored to the throne OF his mother the Arch
duchess WAS glad to learn that his most IN
fiuential and paternal advisers, the DUO de
Se5tO among the number, Op1ned she would
make an ideal Queen Consort. She discovered
That the Spanish costume suited her exactly,
and had several sets OF photos done In Wh1ch
she was represented wearing II. On Mer-
cedeS being preferred to her, Christina, OF
Hapsburg, was dreadfully nettled. To snow
that she resented with proper spirit the In.
dignity, she declared, when Alfonso proposed
for her, that she would not consent 70 marry
him until she had further opportunities OF
| meeting him and seeing him, and insisted tnat
| ne should assume the attitude OF an humble
suppliant for the fair hand which he might
| have taken, but did not "If he wants to win
me-" said the Archduchess, "let hlm come
| and WOO me. 1t 10 his his place 70 court me
/ ,t.,, hlT or
chief which he conde5cends to throw down.
| Alfonso, VINO 10 brimful OF chivairous deyo-
/ ton to the fair sex, did not think the worse Oh
the Archduchess for the airs she TOOK Win
| his matrimonial agents at Vienna. lie
handsomely accepted the conditions Inn
posed and sent word that were ne only to
win the Arcnduchess by penetrating into
the wilds Of Central Asia he would gladly
undertake journey there. l believe 1t was
/ his intention to go all the way % Jenna 70
make her by word Of mouth an Offer and
! that he would have this autumn proceeded
| there II the life OF the Infanta Pillar had not
been suddenly cut short. The La GraDJa ac-
ctdent happened 80 unfortunately Tor the
| King that were scandal ongers to affirm
that design had d predominant part In II
could not blame them. II Modified the vexed
Archduchess, and afforded her plausible ex-
| cuse for relenting. She has Deen brought py
| II to travel more than half the way to
| Madrid to meet her royal sutton, whose, de-
| pressed appearance, with his arm In sing,
excited her Interest and led her to treat un-
pleasant bygones as SUCH
And now about the personal appearance OF
| Christina of Austria, who would show poll
tic spirit 10 dropping that name Of. in Spain,
evil 'augury, ana taking some other. The
Arohduchess ~ tall, slender and harmonious
ly formed Her air Is arstoeratle She rides
and Dances admirably, and Is passionateiy
fond 81 horses and brisk exercise. Without
being Intellectual she Is clever. 1t IL her
settled intention to be- mistress at the Paacio
Real. Her WillfulneSs is tempered With good
nature and q disposition to become easily re-
Hapsburg. The rest Of the physiognony is
Hungarian, and reminds those like Nine.
/ Won Langsdorff, who know the creme OF Wen
nese society, OF the Sander. family.
If Christmas laugh were not pleas
ant and communicative, her hair q
golden fleece aud her complexion trans
parent and beautifully tinted, she would
BIZ plain, for hef cheek-bones are prominent.
her nose re .roltsse and wide at the nOStrll and
her mouth too much expanded. The future
Queen OF Spain has the Magyar taste for ex-
Lernal splenGer. Her court, If she can nave
her way, Will De lively and magntllcent, when
would suit the present generation OF gran
dees She il very devout Catholic, and may
he expected To remain one. Her voice is good
and she can Warble with exquisite feellng q
sentimental hed Or prOvohe laughter ny her
droll rendering OF a comic song. LII Will oe
very nice fol- Don Alfonso TO nave q queenly
Wis Will " ~ pSy t@dA q Ue@ tDfs'st" ''A''o =" n.y.
nature. -,
The future Queen will be introduced to the
Madrenos on 1t high hoIlda. Alfonso was
advised to tie the nuptial knot at barcelona,
which did not witness hts demonstration OF
eternal grief for poor little Mercedes. Chris
tina wishes the ceremony to take place With
the utmost pomp at Madrid, and she Is to be
gratified. According to present arrangements
she is t. be- married on November /, or All
Souls Day. The wedding dinner will De eaten
. on the vigil Of Ali Souls Day, consecrated IN
Roman Catholic States to those who nave
: died within and without the pale OF the saliva
ton While the harmonieS vi bridal mlSle
, will be lingering In the air the bells OF the
churches will begin to clang out their night
! long dirge.
There Is always money enough at Madrlc
! for amusement and fine displays OF chival-
rous gailautry. Alfonso mas magnlficently
ordered the rooms which were prepared 1ol
Mercedes in his different palaces to De newly
, furnished for his con8ort that Is 70 De. ont
will have the satisfaction OF knowing tha
, there is not in her apartments single obIse'
to remind the King OF her interesting prede
cessor. dare say the creditors Of Spain VII
learn to laugh on the wrong slde OF tneil
< mouths at this right royal decision, Whlcn, Il
= aopears. has enhanced the popularity oil ths
t King. His subjects say OF it: '.W hat q trut
Spanard it proves him to be. ours Is slu
country worthy Of the Cid"
to
NordenskJsId's Expedition.
The arrival OF Prof. Nordenskiold and thu
: Swedish exploring steamer Vega, III Ills com
5 Inand, at Yokohama Japan. on tuesday, sets
= he II ii