Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-13
A NURSE FOR TmM PRINCE.
An Important Function that Now
Distresscs the Spanish Court.
Madria Letser 10 Pltla Fianro.


Madrtd Letter to Ptrjs Fjg1ro.
The great question Of the hour at the
Court OF Madrid IS the choice OF a nurse
for the royal infant. Formerly, and down
even to the reign Of Ferdinand VII,
nigh court fuuCtiOuary, accom- panied by
, physician ana numerous suite, travel
ed through the provinces OF GaUce and
santander IN quest OF the nurse who was
to be chosen for the royal babe. II is the
province Of S8ntander, especially that
portion known as ''Ghe mountain" that
has furnished the greatest contingent OF
royal nurses. 1t was once regarded rs
one OF the Industries of the place. Tne
royal delegate visited Santauder first, and
his arrival was sOlemnly announced IN all
the towns and villages. The Mayor pre-
eented the candidates 10 him and the doc
tor put tnem through public eXamlna-
ton.
I,-day 1t is the nurses who come to
Madrid. They are presented TO the maj or-
dOmO, who takes down their names and
then passes them on to the physician.
The work OF choosing is no light affair,
Tor the number who aspire to the position
OF royal nurse is enormous and the appH-
cations and recommendations pour in
from all sides. This is not surprising, as
the position Is very agreeable one. re
occupation of royal nurse is very digni-
lied, to begin with. The wages are also
very nigh. The nurse is treated az one Of
the ladies' OF the palace, her magnificent
costumes are frequently renewed. aud as
they become her own property her ward
robe IS soon varied aud luxurious. The
nurse il never asked 10 attend to the
toilet Of the royal Infant; femme de
chsmbre is specially appointed for that
duty. The infant remains with the nurse
at night, however. Apart from the prom
enades which she makes with the baby,
the nurse may 20 out when she peases,
but she IS always accom- panied by two
ladies' OF the palace. When the royal in
FAINT Is weaned the nurse receives a large
money gift, all the members OF the royal
family give her rich presents and the Sow
ereign bestOws on her a pension from the
priyy purse. 1t will be readily under
stood then that the number OF applicants
for the position ID largo.
A few days ago DR.. sanchez Ocana, of
the Royal Faculty of Medicine, examined
- robust Young women, a few OF whom
evidently did not belong 10 the peasant
class. Taey had already uursed the chill
dren of some of the highest OF the Madri-
lene arlstocracy. Among the applicants
one attracted the special attention OF
everybody. She was decked out in
splendid costume OF red and black velvet,
trimmed with gold lace, and wore dia-
mOnd earrings and a dentelle mantilia.
she was RaimOnda, VINO has recently been
nurse 10 the baby Prince OF Bavaria. A
repose OF nine months in her charming
cottage of Revilla allows Ler 10 resume
her former functions. All the women
who have presented themselves are re-
markabiv beautiful, but no choice has as
yet been made. The most minute inves-
tigation takes place before final accept
ance concerning the family, the children
and especially the moral character Of the
nurse. The choice is regarded as quite an
event in Spain.