Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-09
Life i'm the Palace at Madrid,
Madrid Correspondence New York Herald

madrid COrreSp ondence New York Herald
Sentries of the line are found at all the ex-
terror doors and at the foot OF the StaircaSsS
We went up narrow badly lighted stone stair
case called '.EScalera de las DanaSr not Ger
tainly. for its bad smells, highly digestive OF
poor drainage, but because it leads to the
apartments or the ladies OF the Royal house
hold. on reaching the first landing one OF the
tan porterS bowed TO Us and we fouad ourselves
In large gallery, with glass win1o9s boxing
On TO the court yard below. At every turl or
entrance or the gallery stoot haiOerier OF
the guard. These picked companions are the
Inner guard OF the pallch, AMI thalr chiefs are
grandee5 and nH0te5 Their 3-rselnt5 Off ;ars OF
captains rank. We passed tnsm ald maie for
the Chapel Royal II is snail chlp,l YerJ
simple IL its architecture, and has no benches
or chairs except those reserved for the canons
and priest of the Chapel R5yal. AT the bot
tom OF the chapel, facilg the altar are galleries
where the King and Royal family, With
thar household remain during mass that Is said
for them every sunday generally AZ Il, aud
every week day as early as II the IN 1rning
our visit continued through the galleries until
We reached the Han or Columns. This NOBLE
hall. With It's StuccO and marble columns is only
used on state occasions such as baGluetS on
birthdays OF fete days CT members OF the Royal
family. Through the long suite or apartments
hung with pictures OF value, We reached the
Throne Room. and admired that splendid apart
ment, with Its many windows on the Plaza de
ATfGaS and velvet panels and tapestry, Here we
found se1tries, aud were told that we Were at
the door or the Roy al antecbainbar. King Alton
SOS and queen Christmas apartments are In
tie corner OF the palace which looks on the two
squares OF ''Oriente' and ''ArmaS." Toe Kings
own room Is handsomely furnished and the
tables, the bureau or work table are profusely
provided with books, newspapers, reviews and
other proofs OF his Maj sty's active and lnquir-
ing spirit. Down q passage and by q staircase
We passed 10 the Entre5Ol looking toward the
Plaza de OTiente. An ante-chaInoer for guards
and servants was very we'll fitted up, and led to
the rooms fitted up FOR Sonora de TacOu the
second, but really the effective goveruess Of the
Royal infants household, as the nominal Chief
Cf THIS household Is the Duchess Medina de Las
Torres. a sTandee and guznan. Senior de Ia
coli was the goyerness OF King Alfonso twenty
three long years ago. She Is assisted IL her
dulles by an Epgiish head nurse Who was EN-.
pioyed H. the family OF the Dukes of Fernaa
NUIeL Inc wet nurses are provided with
rooms next TO those OF The Sonora de Tacon
and are two fine healthy looking PaS!eSa peas
ait women, u and % years old. The rooms OF
the Royal heir are simply furnished, and the
Sofas chairs, and armclairS are covered wish
French cIetonne OF a neat, simple design. The
curtains are OF the same stun. and the only con-
tTaSt is formed by the splendid cradles that the
two royal grandTnOtherS have given their grand
child. The Queen Isabella and Archdiocese
ISABELLA have spent little fortunes on lace and
emDroiderleS for these cradles, one made TO the
shape OF Landau carriage and the other like a
boat Fhere Is also In the corner the crai lie thai
served for King Alfonso. The marvel Of these
quarters OF the Royal babe is the layetJe. This
layette was made after the English patterns. an
important detail, as the babies of this country
are kept swaddled UP tightly and allowed no
4
are months old. The layette had. however TO
be made OF Spanish stuff and by Castiiian hands,
as the naUlona! pride could not bear the idea
that a Prince OF ASturIaS would be clad 10 for
eign underclOthing. Some French and Belgian
eInhToidertes OF the most exquisite patterns are
10 Dc seen 10 this layette aud it fills well-ntgh
Sin large waTdrooeS. AS one OF our guides was
eXpatiating on the spleld0r Of these prepara-
lions We had 10 make a haSty retreat before
The approach or Queen Isabella. Her Majesty
was descending from the apartments she occl-
pies In the first floor or the palace and which
were ceced 10 her by the Princess OF ASturiaS.
Thefe Is. 1t seems. a certain amount or Jealousy
OF rather rivalry between the TWO royal grand
mothers queen Isabella resolutely asserts b i
rght. as She calls Ii, to be godmother OF her
gTandchi d. though at Court every one thinks
the Austrian ArchducneSs ought TO De preferred
both as being foreigner and mother Of the
Queen. However, Isabella III. does not brook
any departure from the attentions sac thinks
are due TO her as Queen Mother. For instance.
she holds leTeeS In the palace as IL she were
really sovereign, and the chiefs and statesmen
or the opposition are especially demonstrative
In their attentions 70 her. True 20 her old tuct
nations, Queen Isabella drove in a royal car
rage, with outr1derS and equerrteS TO the bull
fight recently. and when she appeared wearing
the white mantilia that Is the Classical COSTUME
for such a place, her Majesty was LOUDLY
cheered by the people, and even more so By the
lower classes.