Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-27
Queen Christina's Task.

Madrid letter to the London Times.
Seldom, if ever, in the history of ma
tons has it fallen to the lot Of a woman
to have to occupy, it may almost be
said without moments warning, the
difficult and delicate if not dangerous
position-although Judging by the good
sense shown so far by the people the
Danger would appear to be less than
could have been anticipated-now filled
by Queen Christina, as regent Of Spain
for an infant daughter, or possible
infant son yet unborn. Maria
Christina, endowed with all the quail
ties which should make her husband
happy, endeayored from the first to
console Alfonso for the losses that he
had sustained in his most cherished af-
fections by the deaths of his first wife
and Of his favorite sister. Knowing
how the King treasured the memory Of
Maria de las Mercedes, she suggested
that this should be the name given to
her own first child, the Princess Of the
Asturias. Since her arrival in Spain
Queen Christina has kept herself en-
tirely aloof from party politics and
from court intrigues, combining her
self to the duties Of her house.
hold and the anxious care Of her
children. As things have turned out
it would perhaps have been better if the
self.ehacement Of the Queen in the wife
had not been carried out so completely
and so disinterestedly. But. on the
other hand, there is the advantage, for
her children and for the State, that the
Regent is compromised With no party,
has no camd1illd. and has no private
interests to serve that might clash with
those of the nation which she has been
called upon to govern.
From her all ministries formed cOnsti-
tutionally may safely expect the most
perfect impartiality. Maria Christina
possesses both energy and firm
ness of character, and she has
shown these qualities, with great
self-sacrifce, during the last fortnight.
The new Ministers, individually and
collectively, give her the highest praise,
and even express surprise at the pru-
dence and tact which she has displayed.
She has been accused OF certain cold
ness of manner, but have the best rea-
sons for knowing and stating that this
is the mask, not an uncommon one, for
excessive timidity and modesty. Not
the slightest breath Of SANDER, in
court somewhat given to this fault,
has ever fallen upon the good
fame of the first lady in the
land, and with the Queen Regent
Spain will doubtless have court which
for morality will bear comparison with
that Of any other country. Christina,
by those opposed to her, or rather OPP
posed to the constitutional monarchy,
is reproached not only with GOODNESS of
manner, but with being an Austrian,
and with, therefore, knowing but little
of Spaniards. Those who argue upon
these premises may find that they are
entirely mistaken, and that it is they
who do not know the Queen. Christina
has entirely identified herself with her
late husband and with his country, and
as foreign influence, owing to the acct
dent Of her birth, has been made the
handle for attacks against the monarchy
and the successor to Alfonso's throne,
represented by the Regent, | have not
the slightest hesitation in affirming that
a guardian more jealous and opposed
to alien interference in the affairs of
Spain cannot be found than Donna
Christina. Absolutely no foreign in
faences will he allowed to weigh with
one who has already shown, in the
most trying circumstances, great force
Of character, and it is not from the side
of the Queen Regent that any such
danger will come.