The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-02-22
THE BABY KING.
AN INFANT IN ARMS THE RULER
OF SPAIN.
Alfonso the X1II-Born a King
Crowned When Five Days
Old-The Homage He
Receives.

born King, for his father, Alfonso the
Twelfth, died some months before this
youthful occupant of the Spanish throne
opened his little eyes on the world in the
royal palace at Madrid. It was near
noon on the 7th of May, 1886, when the
church bells of the Spanish capital rang
out the news to the people that new
King had. come to take the place Of the
one who only a short time before had
been laid in the tomb at the palace of
the Escurial. There was great rejoicing
in Madrid, and crowds gathered in the
square where the royal standard was
hoisted in honor of the event, while in
all the churches prayers were offered for
the baby King and his young widowed
mother.
Meanwhile in the palace an ancient
Spanish ceremony was taking place: The
courtiers and mobiles, in glittering uni
forms and splendid costumes, were as
sembled in the great hall, and the tiny
newborn King, lying on cushion. rich
with lace and embroidery, was solemnly
carried round to receive their admiration
and homage. ...
Before Alfonso's birth it had seemed
probable that his oldest sister, Mercedes,
would be Queen of Spain. Indeed,. she
had been proclaimed as such at the time
of her fathers death, but the arrival of a
baby brother changed all her prospects;
for it is not the oldest child of King;
but the Oldest son who inherits the
throne, and Mercedes is now only her
Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias,
and sister to the King. As she was but
FIVE years old when the little King was,
born, she could not realize what grave
responsibilities were removed from her
pathway through life. ''
The Queen mother, Christina, was Re-
gent for Mercedes during the very brief
time that the little maiden was Queen,
and she now holds the same position for
her baby son, and will represent him at
the head of the nation until he is old
enough to understand the duties of
King. Queen Christina is not yet thirty
years old, but she is wise and discreet,
and is tender and loving mother to her
three fatherless little children.
When the infant King was five days
old the christening took place. The
ceremonies were of great magni6cence,
and all the grandees of Spain were present
to do honor to the baby monarch. He re.
ceived the name of Alfonso in memory of
his father and a long line of illustrious
Kings of Spain, and is known as Alfonso
the Thirteenth. Leon, Ferdinand and
many other names were given him. and
one of them is Pascual, as in the Spanish
calendar Pascual is the patron saint of
the little Kings birthday.
This royal baby's home is in the palace
at Madridy but all the palaces in Spain
are his by right of inheritance. In the
hot summer months he goes with his
mother and his little sisters, Princess
Mercedes and the Infanta Maria Theresa,
toLa Granja, beautiful palace situated
in fragrant pine forest among the
mountains, about forty miles from
Madrid. La Granja is an ancient royal
residence. It was built in the early part
of the. eighteenth century by Philip the
Fifth, who was the first Bourbon King
of Spain.
The pretty boy, who as yet knows
nothing OF life except to nestle in his
mothers arms and receive her loving
caresses, has stormy past behind him,
and many enemies who threaten the
peace of future.
A dispute concerning the right to the
throne has been going on in the Spanish
royal family for more than fifty years.
In 1888, when Ferdinand the
Seyenth the oreat.orandfather of
little Alfonso, died, he left no
sons. and his oldest daughter, Isa-
bella the Second, assembled the throne.
Ferdinand had brother named Carlos,
who, believing that woman should not
be allowed to rule Spain, declared him
self King. A strong band of adherents
grew up around him. who were called
Carlists; and although his branch of the
family has never succeeded in gaining
possession of the throne, the struggle
for kingship has been passed down from
father to son, and much blood has been
shed in battles between the armies of
the rival parties.
The affection of the Spanish people is
strong for Alfonso and his young
widowed mother, but the Spaniards are
q turbulent and restless nation, and fond
of intrigue. They are not to be trusted,
and the lot of the poorest boy in Ameri-
ca is better and happier than that of this
baby King who lives in the midst OF
desperate and bitter enemies.-Ha'Per's
Yang People.