Daily Honolulu press. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1886, 1885-12-31
SCENES AT ATARoYALDEATH-BED A
Human Nature the Same in Palaces
as In Peasants Cots Grief in
Alfonso's Death Chamber.

AAIO0sO y 0eAtn OnAmDers
When the Queen Christina an Isabella and
the Royal family arrived at Ell Pardo, the
physicians allowed only Christina to enter the
bed-chamber. When II was decided to have
consultation Of eminent physicians, the King
absolutely refused, and the Queen and Queen
mother had both to implore him to permit the
visit Of the doctors. When they entered, the,
royal patient again and again deprecated the
alarm and the effect their visit would cause in
the capital. Increasingly King Alfonso re-
quested that nothing should be done to alarm
his people or damage the credit Of Spain.
After the consultation he remarked "But
I'must be worse when they do all this" He
was not yet aware of the entire gravity Of the
situation, and at nighifall the Royal family
took leave Of him, apparently to return
to Madrid, but they remained in the large
ante-chamber close to his room, and there
Queen Isabella, the Montpeisicrs, and the
Infantas Isabella and Iulalia, sisters Of the
King, passed the awful night waiting and
praying, and doing their best to repress their
audible sobs. Cardinal Benarides helped to
console the Royal family. At in the morn
ing the King felt symptoms Of suffocation, and
asked DIR. Camison for some medicines to re-
leve him. Hypodermc injections were
effected, and he dozed of quietly, with only
Queen Christina leaning at the head Of the
bed. DIR. Camison and Duke Sexto sat little
apart, and all continued watching as the hours
passed. AT S another fit Of ,sufocation came
on and was again relieved.
The day broke gloomy and rainy, and as
the other members of the Royal family en-
tered the sick room the King seemed little
quieter, but sadly weaker. DIR. Camison
went out, and as bis Majesty had expressed
a desire to see his children, orders were tel
egraphcd for them to be sent down immedi-
ately. The physicians now no longer con-
cealed from the Royal family that the end
was fast approaching, and Cardinal Benarides
entered the Royal alcove and prepared the
King for the final rites of the Church. AL.
fonso confessed most dcvoutly, and received
absolution amid dead silence, Queen Isabella,
the Infan,as, the Montpensiers, Duke Sexto,
and other high officials kneeling, with tears
coursing down their cheeks. 1t was an awful
and impressive scene, and outside, in the
palace ante-chambers and halls, sorrow and
compassion were written ON every face.
| AT forty-6ve minutes past eight the King
who had always lain on his left side, feebl,
turned on his right, breathing with mucl
effort, and his head inclning toward tn
shoulder Of Queen Christina, who thus, quit
unawares, received the last breath Of her hus
band. Drs. Camison and Riedel at ono
suspected the truth, felt the pulse Of Do
Alfonso, and called all the members Of tn
Royal family to the alcove. When Quee
Christina became aware Of her bereavement
wild cry Of anguish burst from her lips
She shed no tears, but cried out "Alfonsc
my Alfonso Oh God, he answers not
Alfonso 1" Queen Isabella and both the In
iantas sobbcd outright, the Quecn-mothe
falling on her knees and crying "My son
my boy; Holy Virgin, have mercy !"
After the first burst Of grief the Duke {
Montpenser and his son took Queen Isabel
and the Infantas away, but Queen Christin
insisted on remaining, and with her ow
hands dressed and laid out the remains Of hi
husband. She moved about like a marb
c.,sa IL allan, cr;a( and ,,,han oil y,e f,n;eba
she called for flowers and strewed the bed an
the body with them, and then knelt Ion
while by his side until Cardinal Benaride
, himself moved to tears, implored the Quee
to go out and receive Senior Canovas and th
Ministers, as it was her duty as Queen Roger
to attend to State business.
A short time after he expired the Duche'
de Medina Torres arrived with the litt
Princessses Maria de Las Mercedes, aged hv,
and Theresa, who is only three. They wei
! taken to the bed where their father lay, Ii
poor little ones stepping softly, as they ha
been told he was asleep. Suddenly Ii
Princess Of the Asturias asked. "If he
sleeping, why have they laid all these flowers
because papa likes flowers, dear" reptile
the Duchess. "Hush, let us 60 softly, OF "
shall wake dear papa" said the little Princes
and they left the room to 60 to their mothe
when another terrible scene Of grief too
place. All recollected how fond the King wa
Of his children, often spending hours playin
with them in the evening in Queen Christina
room, and Of late, during his illness, he alway
wanted to see them. .--Londoa Standard
dfaayia eoyysspOnde,'ee, Nov. 20.