Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-07-14
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE coNJUeAL LIFE c
THE RULERS OF sPAIg.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CoSJUGAL LIFE OF
THE RULERS OF sPAIs.
The London Neps has the following: The
displessure caused among the Spanish royal
lists by the mischievous and unfounded scan
dial which native aud foreign journals have
lately published against the Spanish reysl
family, has been intensified by the i'll adj ised
zeal Of some foreign papers, who nave un-
dertaken the defense of the King and Queen
OF Spain with such unfortunate indiscretion.
King Alfonso had for upward Of seyen years
enjoyed complete immunity from any al
tscks or comment upon his private life, and
even the most irrecencilable enFmies of the
monarchy admitted that the court of Spain
could vie with any in Europe since the res
toration OF the Bourbons as regards the bar
meoy reigning in the royal family. From
the first year OF his reign the young King
showed himself TO be q devoted brother to
his three younger sisters, the Princesses
Pillar, Psz and E1Ialia; and his elde-t sister,
Dona Isabella, widos of Count Girgenti, d.
rected the court and household with The tact
and energy for which that highly gifted, iu-
telligent and spirited princess is famed in
this country.
MERCEDES.
An early love match gave Don Alfonso
for first partner the unfortunate Princess
Mercedes, who was carried of by a cruel
sickness, and whose death cast a cloud over
the morning-tide of the sovereign's life. The
second marriage OF King Alfonso with an
Austrian princess, Dons Christina, seems to
have turned out most happily. The new
Queen won the hearts OF her Spanish ladies
and courtiers by giving up at once her pre-
vious plan Of bringing id some attendants Of
her wi nationality, and the only slight
cloud was the disappointment of the medical
profession in Spain when they perceived that
her msjesty's Austrian relations insisted
that a German physician should continue TO
advise the Queen. bona Christina kept up
all the rules of etiquette that are 30 dear to
Spanish mobiles. The palace was soon en-
livened with balls, bauquets and receptions,
and two little princesses came in lees than
three years 10 insure heirs TO the throne OF
San Fernando, as the natives say.
THE INFANTAs.
Her majesty got on very well with her els
ter. in-law, and showed peculiar affection for
the two infsntas, Eulalis and Psz, recently
married, the latter to a Bavarian prince. Few
royal families seem more happy than the
Buurbons of Spain, and even Queen Isabella
has at last listened to the advice OF her chill
dreu, and has taken up her abode in Seville,
raising, it is even asld, no objection 10 the
contemplated marriage of her daughter Dona
Eulalia with the son of the Duke and Ouch
ess of Montpensier. Despite the Cares of
state, despite his active life, which begins
when most of his subjects are fast asleep; de-
spite his councils OF ministers, held before 8
o'clock at the palace, and the daily Visits Of
each minister in succession, and of generals
as eager as the King himself in favor of
army improvements and organization on Ger.
man models, Don Alfonso is known always to
Sd ssnn. o. la~rota - -. 80 - -, lfstlo
children, 10 his %sis.ers, with whom he spends
all his spare evening", and many a morning
and evening in the royal seats OF the Casa de
Campo and Pardo,
KING AND sPoSTsMAE.
Els majesty is fond of riding, of hunting,
OF shooting, OF f.ning and outdoor EXERCISE.
Skating aud Devastating in winter, rowing,
iawn tennis and croquet 10 Summer have no
more ardent amateurs than the cadet roy d
of Saudhnrst. Next to athletic SHORTS the
King is said to, be fond OF conversation when
he can shake of the cares of state and gather
round him a few companions of his own
age, aud his bold, quick repartee, his pleas.
ami, affable manners, the wide range of Ills
reading, his constant Study of European
pelitics and literature make foreigners and
natives wonder how he can find leisure hours
for 30 much intellectual and physical activi
ty. His older servants say he resembles in
some points his grandfather, Ferdinand VII,
but he harbors liberal and tolerant ideas in
religion and IN politics more resembling his
great ancestor, Charles III. OF course he
would be neither a Bourbon nor a Spaniard
his very polit cal adversaries would ca arge
him with insineerity-if he eere not ike
'the fret gentlern an" Of his realm, to use the
old EogIish expression, gallant and courte-
Gus 10 the fair sex,