Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-09-15
AN UNHAPPY KING.

King Alfonso Of Spain is IN difficulties.
News is received that the Pope is about to
send for Alfonso with view to what will
undoubtedly prove painful interview.
Some time ago King Alfonso joined the
Freenasons. He had lost his first wife
short time after marriage, and was about to
marry Il German princess. He was not
particularly anxious to marry, and he was
determined, if possible, to retain some free
dom of action even in the married state.
In these circumstances he wrote conf
Dental letter to his friend the Grown Prince
of Germany, who is an experienced hus-
band, and asked him how he explained
things to the Crown Princess when
he happened to come home late at night
and found her sitting up for him. Sup
pose" wrote Alfonso, that the King of
Portugal comes to spend day or two with
me and wants me to help him paint Madrid
rcd. What can | say to the Queen if she
should hear us come up the stairs at, say,
8 O'Clock a. m. The Crown Prince promptly
replied that the lodge was the palladium of
the husband Join the Freemasons, my
dear cousin" said the experienced German,
'and YOU can always tell her Majesty, the
Queen, whenever you stay out late, that you
have been to a meeting OF the lodge. |
have tried this plan for twenty years, and
it has never failed to work except when my
royal mother-n-law, Queen Victoria, has
| been in the house, in which case | have
| usually made it point to stay at home and
help her paint the house Brown"
King Alfonso was grateful for this advice,
and as he failed to understand the Crown
Princes Joke as to painting the house brown
! h;,,,. took
measures to Join the Freemasons, and was
initiate in De Witt Clinton Lodge No. 2G5,
by the Spanish Grand Master himself, who
shut up his grocery store and neglected his
business for whole evening. The King
did not think very highly of Freemasonry,
except as means Of domestic peace. He
sworc to keep the secrets of the fraternity,
but, rs he could not remember the next
morning what they were, it never occurred
to him that Freemasonry was an impious
and dangerous affair
Shortly after the initiation King Alfonso
was married, and month later the King Of
Portugal came to see him. The two mon
archs spent an evening in roaming through
Madrid in disguise e-having left their
crowns and sceptres with the property clerk
Of the paIace-and returned home just be-
fore daylight with their guitars hanging
over the wrong shoulder and their
hats in Il really disgraceiul condition.
Of course, the Queen inquired al the break
fast table what had kept them out 50 late
at night, and when Alfonso unhlushins'y
said that they had attended II meeting of
the lodge the Queen was perfectly satisfied
| with the explanation. and merely remarked
| that Poor father, when he was alive. used
| to have to attend the lodge three or four
| nights every week"
Now, it so happens that the Roman Cath
olc Church forbids ts members to become
Freemasons-a fact which Alfonso complete
| ly forgot. He continued TO represent TO the
Queen that the lodge required his presence
one night every week, until her Majesty ac-
cidentally spoke Of the matter TO her con
| fessor, Father Colorado Madnro. That ex-
cellent man was horriied to learn that King
Alfonso was Il FretmaSon and Instantly
| wrote TO the Pope, informing him of the sad
event. The Pope thercupon ordered the
Papal Nuncio at Madrid-Rev Nillary
Nillar, ID. D.-to inform the King that he
was accused Of having become Il Freemason,
| and that the Pope would like TO sec him III
| the Papal study at the Vatican that day
week, Immediately after tea.
1t is needless to say that Alfonso received
this message with dismay. 1t has long been
the right of the Popes of Rome to admins
ter corporal punishment with the sacred
shingie TO any Spanish monarch guilty OF
violations Of Roman Catholic rules. This
right was not exercised during the reign of
Queen Isabella for the reason that Pope Pi-
us IN, who was not physically strong,
shrank from q task SO extensive, but the
Pope never formally waived the right
Hitherto Alfonso has conducted himself so
we'll that Pope Leo has had no occasion to
| find fault with him, but there can be only
one construction placed upon his request to
| Alfonso to meet him in the study. Other
Spanish monarchs have received that ter
rible invitation and have returned from the
interview in condition which rendered it
inconyepient for them to sit down while
playing the guitar, And Alfonso knows on
ly too we'll what he has to expect.
It may be asked why he does not at once with
| draw from Freemasonry and apologize to the
Pope. Such q course would be impracticable. He
has attended lodge meeting, listened to the Sc.
crets of Fremasonry and sworn terrible oaths. dc
cannot undo what has been DONE The old proVero
"Oncc Mason always Mason, is as true now
as it ever was. Nothing can alter the fact that
King Alfonso is q FreemaSon and he will have 70
suffer the usual penalty inflicted by all former
Popes upon offending Spanish Kings.
All humane people will sympathize with that
unfortunate young King. There is no doubt that
he became Freemason without the slightest idea
of hurting the Popes feelings, and with the sole
purpose of avoiding domestic complications. The
Crown Prince of Germany cannot, however, be
held blamcless for he knew that Alfonso was a
Roman Catholic and that the Pope disapproved OF
Freemasonry. His conduct in this matter Is
another proof-if any were wanting-that he is
not good companion for young Spanish King
and it is to be hoped that Alfonso will hereafter
avoid his society.
DIRD CAGES! BIRD CAGES we will close