Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-12-13
BIRTH CT Ii PRINCESS.

Queen Christina gave birth on Sunday,
November -. to the second princess and
the event was accompanied by one of those
stately Ccrcmonials for which the court OF
spain is celebrated. Dr. Ricdcl an Austrian
physician. was in attendance on her maies-
", ana when the circumstances OF the case
warranted such communication. he infor-
med the Duke Scxto, the lord chamberlain.
o! The mmncncc Of the birth. and the duke
q; once summoned TO the palace the minis
icrs Of the crown. the ambassadors and 9TH
cr IignitaricS. Meanwhile preparations;
Wele made i'll The palace for their rccep-
ion. DetachmentS of Il halberdicrs lined the
great staircase IN their striking seventeenth
century uniforms Soon the courtvards.
galleries and antcchambcrs were crowded
with grandees. chamherlains and lords in
waiting. In splendid costumes. 1t is an an
Gent custom OF the Spanish kings 10 pre-
sent the newborn prince or princess TO an
assembly composed OF about .wo hundred
and fifty persons OF high rank: so that
within IN hour OF the summons being sent
from the palace. the ministrrs. high
dl%nltarIcs and ambassadors began to
arrive, their carriages forcing their way
with difficulty through the crowd.
/ ne royal guests We're conducted to the hall
where they were sumptuouSly entertained.
Until! the lord chamberlain appeared to lead
them 10 the antc-chambcr nearest TO the
royal bed chamber. The latter is large
room. hung with white and blue silk. the
furniture OF ebony. and containing two mas
SlFc nedS. between which stands the queen 5
|Teuicu chair, oyer which hangs fine ivory
cruc!lN which she brought from Austria.
ana hcr marriage and !irsi communion
"rcathS cl artificial flowers. She was at
tended ny her mother, the Archduchess
iSaoc!ia, an Austrian countess. and DR.
incuei. lhe King frequently passed to and
iFo INTO the antechambcr to communicate
WITH other members OF the royal fimilv,
ne spanish physician in Attendance waited
III lhc antechaMbcr but, as or the first oc-
caS!on. Doctor Ricdel alone assisted the
queen. As the booming Of The guns an
noUnccd to Madrid The birth OF Il princess.
ana the church bells pca'cd forth merrily.
the Duke ScHto appeared, and asked the
brilliant company TO follow him. They
passed in.o the autcchambcr--a curious and
interesting throD@. full of contrast, like all
the ceremonies OF the Bourbon court. that
keeps up the stately ctiqrettc ofthc seven
tccnth century
Everybody looked to the door Of the bed
chamber. near which stood the Duke .5cxto
and Marshal Campos. Soon il opened. and
the king appeared, bearing on lovely
cushioned basket Il baby princess, in the
midst OF lace and sill; coverings Behind the
king came Scnor Scgasta and thcmembcrs of
the household. Impressed forward or rose on
liptoc TO catch Il glimpse of the royal child.
The king seemed much pleased. and smiled
a he cndcavored to satisfy the curiosity OF
his mobiles and Of the foreign Gip!omatists.
who warmly congratulated the young
monarch.
After the ceremony Of presentation. the
king handed the child to the principal lady
OF the bed chamber, who gave the child to
the NarqucSaa Santa Cruz, who has been
appointed chief Of the household of the
royal infant. The Minister Of Justice pre-
pared an official decd relating to the birth
and presentation, and the register was signed
by the principal personagcs present. The
young princess will have only four Christian
names. whereas ii is not unusual for Spanish
princesscs 10 have dozen names she will
b. called Isabella.