New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-10
HIS BABY MAJESTK.
THE KING OF SPAIN AT HOME.


From The ST. James's Gazette.
vsFy soon the exceedingly blue-blooded little
gentleman who was born King OF spain VIII cee-
been 70 The world ute than thirty month"; 9s:
spirit Of faction, reoices in vast variety OF
names In addition 10 the Aphonso by which ne Is 70
be known n history cry po me ont tie %broser
Of all other wearers Of crowns; the cousin on mo
spanish grandees his mother the Zen chgd
klphonso XIII Is an exceedingly handsome mite
fellow, with blonde hair which fails IN peslti ours
upon his shoulders lie Is all gayety, hghthearted-
ness end smiles IFS Joyous little Majesty gives no
thought to his exalted position or his future destnies
lie regns, but does not govern, leaving to bis mother
the care OF signing every day great bundles OF DEGREES
and appointments And when uniformed Minister
arm portfolio stuffed With papers which have caused
discussions, intrigues, and great political debates his
though 10 say, what has all that to do with me y
King Baby already enjoys tho glones Of military
camp Of the late King AlphonSo are attached TO he
service Of the Queen but technSany they form ms
men consists Of the gOveness, Nine Tacon, who held
the same position toward the late KING the doctors
two or three majordomos lady Of honor, and sew
eral pages, footmen, and servants Inc iaihous
in an apartment adjoining the royal bed-chamber
The little monarchs life IS very simple lie rises az
an early hour, Is bathed dressed and handed over
TO the wetnurse, who, In addition to the semi
maternal duties which there Is no longer any
necessity that she should u takes him out Tor air
The nurse Raymunda, at night occupies bed by the
side OF the royal CRIB. Directly the King Is dressed
no "a taken 10 his mother, who impatenuy awaits his
arrival lie sometimes present at the early morn,
ing audiences to Ministers and members OF the royal
family His favorite amusement while queen Chrss-
tina Is thus occupied Is 10 strum upon the table with
his chubby little fingers. Raymunda Is faithful crea,
ure and Is almost fond Of her charge as the queen
herself Upon one occasion a great lady wished 10
see the King and the Queen accompanied her 70 the
Youngsters apartments; but Raymunda barred the
wsy YOu can't come in,H her peremptory de
clsion; " no Is asleep The Queen and the Duchess
When he weather Is fine tho King drives out
Naturally he possesses his carriage. with an
eouery who gallops bravey by its side and forms the
only escort He dimes alone at well garnisned table.
trouble witch might drive some grownup people to
madness but since he is entirely unconscious OF IL,
N does not worry him very much The photographer
Is always on the lookout for him. Scarcely week
has passed since he was born without demand rom
some fresh photographer 30 be allowed TO take his
portrait He has been photographed standing, Sitting
in his mothers arms upon her lap, or holding her by
tho hand; with his hat and his hat of fullface,
profile; and In short, In every possible posiuon IL
is the ambition Of every Madrid photographer 10
posseS negative Of the King since his portraits sell
by thousands not merely IN Spain but In most civil
lied countries. And this Is not all He has been
painted m OIL he has been engraved and etched. and
Is rho original Of numberless miniatures
oneen Christina experiences great deal OF difficulty
IN procuring for the little monarch those childish
pleasures which are enjoyed by all children Of less
eexalted rank There Is always the fear Of causing
With There Is no lady in Spain, however high her
rank. who would not be proud 70 say, My boy has
niayed with the King' Then there Is that terrible
EnanIsb etiquette and 1t Is almost impossible 10 pre-
vent a youthful playmate from oreaEng the many
around Usually, therefore, he Is surrounded by
qrown-up people.