Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-06-14
King Alfonso,s Marriage.

.
THE ARcHDUCHEss MARIE CHRISTINE OF AUS
TRIA.
Eleven months have elapsed since the young
k1ng OF Spain was bereft OF lovely aud ami
able consort, to whom he was passionately at
tached, and whose death affected him 80 deeply
that for some time after that melancholy event
he led the life OF q recluse; and it was even
feared that the vehemence of his grief might
prompt him to renounce his exalted position in
the hope OF finding consolation In religious prac-
tices. The marriage OF Alfonso de Bourbon with
his cousin, Maria de las Mercedes orleans, was
genuine love match. The King, youth OF
an ardent and romantic temperament, had be-
slowed his affections upon his beautiful ktns-
woman In the days of his early boyhood, and
had maintained an unflinching constancy to the
object OF his juvenile passion throughout his
long exile from his native country and wander
rejoicing celebrated this welding, solemnized
under such favorable auspices and fraught with
such abundant promise OF felicity. Alfonso and
enjoy that exquisite bliss which results from
the union OF lovers In the heyday of youth.
Scarcely five months after their wedding day
hand OF Death, which snatched away the fair
and gentle Mary OF Mercies from her despairiny
bridegroom and plunged Spain into mourainy
show Dictated by the Of cor M
quette. King Alfonso's betrothal to princess
OF the Hapsburg- Lorraine House has recently
than probable that in contracting a se,-
ond alliance within twelve month OF
the lamented Mercedes death he has yielded
to the wishes OF the Spanish people,
who are wen satisfied with the present m 4n'
ner OF their government and extremely DESTROYS
that the crown should remain In the custody OF
the elder branch OF the Spanish BourDons. The
King has three sisters living, but no brother:
his cousin, Don Carlos next to himself the eld
est male representative OF his royal house, has
already warred against him, denied his legiti.
macy and title to the throne and inflicted an
infinite amount OF suffering upon the Spanish
people. By the vast majority OF Spaniards it is
held to be in the highest degree desirable that
His Majesty should wed again, and in due
course OF time provide his country with
crown prince. It could hardly be expected
that so young and patriotic sovereign as Al
lonso u: should offer any very durable resistance
10 national demand, the purpose OF which
Is, after all, the firm and dennitive establish
ment OF his dynasty. IL appears likely that the
King OF Spain will eSpOuse the Austrian Arch
duchess Marie Christine, granddaughter OF the
talented and popular Palatine Joseph, upon the
anniversary OF his twenty-Second birGhd ~,
which Will be celebrated on the 2Sth of next
eight months younger than His Majesty, and is
said to be highly accomplished and amiabie
as well as beautiful princess. She is the datgh-
ter OF a second marriage her mother, the Arch
duchesS Elizabeth, having lost her first hus-
band, the Archduke Ferdinand Charles when
years later the Archduke Charles Ferdinand
the father OF King Alfonso'S bethrOthed. Ali,
anceS between the HapSburgs and the Bour-
Dons nave been OF frequent Occurrences for
many centuries past, and the bride and BRIDE
groom are cousins, but SO distant that no Papal
aispensation viii be required to legalize their
union. That 1t may prove happy one for
themselves and Spain cannot but be the earnest
wish OF every civilized European people Lon
don Daily Telegraph.