The New York herald., 1879-09-07
THE SPANISH MARRIAGE.
Meeting Of Alfonso with His
Future Bride.
A SAD KINGS WOOING.
How 1t Was All Brought About
at ArcachOn.

arch and the Austrian Archduchess, chosen to be
his bride, at Arcachon, Bordeauxs Brighton. The
presentation not wanting in that ceremonial for
which the House of Hapsburg is famous. "His
Majesty Alfonso XII. King OF SPAIN" said the
Duqae de Tetuan. approaching the imperial la
dies "Her Imperial Highness the Archduchess
Elizabeth" "Her Imperial Highness the Archduchess
Marie Christine" said the Baron Won Scholossing,
addressing the King. With this presentation. how
ever. the formalities ceased. sign from the
Archduchess Elizabeth mother of the Princess Marie
Christine suficed for the noblemen in attendance to
retire. and King Alfonso remained for nearly an
hour with his future bride. On his return to villa
Monaco His Majesty sum moped the Duque de Ietuan
with whom he conversed long and earnestly. Inc
following morning the King received the Marquis
de Molins. and was about to Visit the villa
Bellegarde once more. when he found the street In
front of his house crowded with people. "Whatis to
be done?' he asked of the Duque de Tetuan. Il
hoped that should be totally unobserved here and
quiet" Thereupon tho Duque led His Majesty to
the end of long corridor opening the garden at
the back of the villa and the King thus reached the
villa Bellegarde unperceived by the villagers. Here
he, together with the Austrian Archduchesses had
breakfast A drive followed and afterward the King
and the Princess Marie Christine, accompanied by
her mother enjoyed in six-oared boat.
Every account alludes to the young sovereign's
good spirits and apparent affection for his fdncee.
THE wooERs JOURNEY.
The French papers give detailed reports of King
Alfonso's journey to Arcachon. He travelled inccg
nito but such incognito admits Of the greatest
publicity. and the public by this time knows every
detail of the journey. In such circumstances. and
Notwithstanding the formality of interview it is
easily understood says the Paris correspondent Of
the Times 'that the risk of the alternative Of rup
ture is not incurred. Alfonso XII, who the first
time married according to the bent OF his heart
and had to overcome innumerable difficulties to do
20. is submitting to the fate of kings and is
being married by diplomatic negotiations. He is thus
perhaps paying dearly for the glory of sitting on
throne, but the statesmen who his advisers ap-
pear have decided it shall be The reporters
describe his journey from Madrid to Arcachon
say that lie looked sad and that no one would have
thought that melancholy looking young man was
gong to nuptial interview. His sadness is very
exp.caIle. 1t Is now just eighteen months since
hls marriage with Princess Mercedes, and in that
short period he has been married and happy, on the
way To becoming a father. a widower engaged again.
and he Is ouy twenty.one years of age. What
strikes me, and what will strike verybody-though
1t is clear that king of twenty years OF age
not forever be mourning the woman he had loved
from his childhood. and whom he lost in the midst
OF the greatest happinesss that there should besuch
haste in urging him toward second marriage.
What good can it do to Spain il the King narres
again so soon and weds an Austrian princess? Any
body acquainted with that country knows that this
CANNOT DC or any advantage 10 lt-at least or
any apparent advantage. Austrian prncesses have
never consolidated the thrones OF Latin nations on
which they have sat- and the Spain Of our day is so
different of the Spain of the past that she ought
certainly only to look to herself for peace and pros
perity. She is not ally, and it is not worth her
while to seek for foreign alliances"
TIE RECEPTION.
"The arrangements made for the reception of King
Alfonso perfect; but. out OF Difference to the
expressed wish OF His Majesty. there demon
stration OF any kind, and even flags were dis
played great crowd was present at the arrival Of
tha Hil Mate n1l lAgf At in,n M
the Villa Belegarde, whore all the pre mnaries OF his
projected marriage with the Ar,hduchess Marie
special envoy will leave Madrid on the 18th of Sep
tember to proceed to Vienna the purpose of for
the Emperor OF Austria. The King, it is pleasant to
hear, passes most OF his time with the Archduchess
and her mother in Vile Belegarde. walking in tho
beautiful grounds of the chateau OF NJ Pereire. The
correspondent Of the London Standard says:-
"Among the inhabitants OF Arcachon most curiosity
excited by member OF the Austrian
party, lady of the middle height, slender
and fair, with large blush eyes. The Archduchess
Christina was observed to attend mass frequently
and French ladies commented kindly on her appear
ance. King Alfonso takes his meals regularly with
his bride and her mother at the Villa Bellegarde
When out he wears u neglige costume and straw
hat, his right arm still resting in sling From
diplomatic point of view the match will,
results. "span and Austria, once so closely
united. will again be allied, and to France
this union will torebode none OF the evils which an
alliance with the PrussIan or Bavarian bouses might
have engendered. The granddaughter of the Arch
duke Palatine will certainly not represent at the
court of the ESQ uria passions politics hostile
France. On the contrary the marriage which is
about to be celebrated will unite more closely Aus
tra the Latin peoples on the day when the latter
viii return to their motto. God and the King"
THE STORY OF KING ALFoNso's wooINGs-
HOW THE PRESENT MATCH WAS BROUGHT
ABoUT-LErTER FROM THE MADRID coRRE-
sPoNDENT OF THE LONDON STANDARD.
Queen of Alfonso Kill that Spanish politicians and
statesmen entertained the idea that their sovereign
would have to seek another partner. State reasons
were adducod to show the necessity tor o new
and foreign alliance. 1t argued that only in
this way could the King dispersc the hope OF
Carlsm and of its supporters. No one, even
before the twelve months OF mourning over
seemed to think it improper. in the press in
Madrid society, to discuss the rival merits of many
Princesses Death dispelled some rumors. and then
Madrid gossip fastened tor while the young
Princesses of the Orleans family. Some reports
~ far back the month of February, had men.
toned the Austrian Archduchess Marie Christine
Henrietta Desree. daughter of uncle to the
present Emperor by his marriage with Princess
Paatine OF Hungary. The young Archduches
was born In 1858. and is consequently now OF
full age. She lost her iathcr six years ago.
Her mother. the Archduchess Elizabeth Francoiso
Marie. was born January IT, 1891. and was widow
Of the Archduke Ferdinand Victor. of Este. when
she married the Archduke Charles Ferdinand of
Hapsburg. on April IL. 1854. OF this marriage were
issue four children. still living. In direct descent
the father OF the future Queen of Spain grand
son OF the Emperor Leopold, of Austria, who
married the lnianta Maria Luisa, daughter Of
the most famed Of tho bourbon Kings, Charles
III. The Archduchess had entered of tho
ordors OF Chanoinesses, which exist in Prague
for ladies of noble birth, she IL aDbcss OF her
chapter, though not bound to remain in the order
Tor lfe no VOWS being required In thes, lay esaU-
lishnents Within their walls. in both Austria and
Germany the daughters OF noble families lead lie
OF quiet and agreeable seclusion returning to so.
cety when they choose, ana free to marry az they
like. Each lady In the house OF Prague enjoyed an
income OF 200 marks year, ana the Archduchess
pOssesse Ell about 1910