Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-27

witnessed the autumn manGuvres at
Aldershot and Dartmoor. Later in the
year be went over to Paris to visit his
mother. On the 22d of December,
1874, in replying to an address from
some grandees who had sent him their
congratulations on the 2Sth Of the pre-
cediDg month, the seventeenth anniver-
sary Of his birth, Prince Alfonso
said that the monarchy alone
could terminate the disorders and
uncertainty which prevailed in Spain,
and further declared that a majority Of
the people Of Spain were agreed and
have declared their opinion that he only
was :" the rightful representative Of the
Spanish monarchy" Before the year
closed the scheme was consummated,
and on the last day Of 1874 he was
proclaimed King of Spain by General
Martinez Campos in Valencia and was
at once recognized as such by all the
forces then operating against the Carl
lists and garrisoning Madrid.
King Alfonso left Paris on January
6, 1875, and landed at Barcelona from
q Spanish frigate on the 9th. On the
l4th he arrived at Madrid, where, as at
all the cities on the route to the capital.
he was received with fair show of en-
thusiasm. Five days afterwards he
started to join the Army Of the North
to assume command in the operations
against the Carlists. BY the close OF
the first year Of his reign the
Carlist cause had been fairly sup
pressed, the victories at San Sc
bsstian and Vitoris, and especially
the capture Of SEQ de Urgel and Estells
proving to Don Carlos that his cause
was lost one and rendering it prudent
for him to. seek refuge on French soil
On the Goth Of February Alfonso re-
turned in triumph to Madrid at the head
Of $4,000 men and his career as recog'
nized King Of Spain was well begun.
In the same year the ex-Queen Isabel.
Ia returned to Spain and was received
by her son at Sautander. In truth an
era Of reconciliation had set in. But
Alfonso was too much like his ances-
tors to maintain his prestige by any
strength Of character.
On the ed of January, 1873. when
be was in his twenty-frst year, he was
married at the Atocha church, in
Madrid, to his cousin, the Princess
Mercedes, the third daughter Of the
Duke Of Montpensier. The affair was
conducted with great splendor and was
made the occasion Of great rejoicings,
but all this Joy was dispelled by the
untimely death Of the young Queen or
the 9th Of juno in the same year, from
nervous gastric-fever, accompanied by
severe intestinal hemorrhage. Tit
King appeared disconsolate at his loss
and il was even rumored that he in
tended 70 abdicste. AS he was driving
through the streets of Madrid On the
evening Of October 25th he was fred at
but without injury, by fanatic named
Juan Moncasi, who was promptly con
victed, sentenced to death, and dsspit,
the plea Of insanity garroted on thu
morning Of January 4, 1879. Soon ate
the Kings betrothal was announced 4
the Princess Marie Christine, Q daagh
ter Of the late Archduke Charles o
Austria, and the marriage was oese
brated on the Goth Of November, 1879
Two daughters have been the fruits Q
this second marriage--the Princess Ma
ria do las Mercedes, born on Septembe
IL, 1850, who now becomes Queen Q
Spain 1t the immature age Of five years
and the Princess Maria Theresa, Dor
ON November IL. 1882.
When Alfonso assembled the thron
be found Senior Canovas del Castillo q
he head Of the Ministry, and, with
coppje Of brief intervals. Castillo ker
himself in power till February, 1881
He vas then succeeded BY Se6or Sagas
q, calleda Liberal, and from 1881 til
1884 there were numerous changes
Since January Is, 1884. Castillo ha
again been the head Of the Ministry
end under his leadership the policy o
ths Government has been reactionsr,
and the King has only held his Own b,
series Of secidents.
In September, 1883, while psssiuJ
through Paris on bis return from yisiI
TO Berlin. whore be had accepted q
vers Of The Emperor William and Bis
nsrck, Alfonso was booted at and
mobbed BY The French. and SO became
4 much sndssTed % his own people. His
conduct during The recent trouble be
tween Spain and Germany over the
possession Of the Caroline Islands was
eoDeiliatory. but patriotic, and increased
ms popularity. His hsroic conduct in
visiting ibs scenes of tbs disastrous