The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-08
THE CHILD KING.
How Alphonso XIII of Spain
Spends His Time-Early Riser.

The little King Of Spain, Alphonso XIII,
according to recen. letter from St. Sebas-
tan, the watering place where the queen
mother, Christine, and her children spend
the summer grows in beauty and iutelli-
gence every dav. He has been quick to put
off the habits of an infant and don instead
those of maturing childhood.
Alphonso sets good example to his sub
jectS childish and otherwise, by rising at 7
O'Clock III the morning. He at once takes a
bath under the supeTintendence of his
nurse, to whom he is so devoted that it has
been deemed wise to retain her in the
household At 80, his toilet being made,
he goes out for an airing in the Ayete Park,
and it is there, with the fresh breeZes of the
morning as an appetizer, that he takes his
breakfaSt-a simple cup of chocolate and
briOche.
From that time until midday he remains in
the park, running about, making mud pies
and indulgipg i'll other engrosSing sports OF
early childhood, while the warm Spanish
sun is Uniting his pale little face with faint
roses and bronze.
When the midday angelus sounds from the
church towers of st. Sebastian it is also the
signal for the midday meal or meat break
fast, taken in lieu of luncheon in many of
the continental countries. This repast is
quite imposing for the little King, for it is
enjoyed in the company of his mother and
his TWO sisters, while all the rigors of the
Spanish court are observed.
Breakfast over, all Spain takes a siesta,
and the little Kings head mods with the
rest of his sleepy subjects. His nurse takes
him in her arms and sings him to sleep with
the wild, sweet strains of the gypsy lula
bies cr00ned in the mountain Businesses of
Central Spain.
At 4 o'clock King Alphonso is awake
again. 1t is time for the stale promenade.
Nine. Tacon, the court goyerness, and General
C0rdorba, military chief Of the Kings
household accompany him in this function.
The little King has an intense childish adj
mlratlon for the brass buttons, the sword
and the splendid uniform of the General,
and In order to please him he has been made
like outfit, in which he takes great pleas
ure. tie loves to hold the massive cane,
which the General always carries, and
march soldier fashion, with mimic strides,
in front of his suite. The walk is always on
some highway, and the populace come in
crowds 10 cheer and greet the baby King.
He receives their Solicitations with great
gravity and never fails to respond.
Generous by nature, he filIs his little
pockets with small CONS, bright and fresh
from the mint, stamped in his likeness.
These he distributes right and left 10 the
numerous beggars that crowd the way.
calling, as he showers on them his royal
bounty, "Tonia" QakeD. Sometimes the
expedition is taken in carriage, but every
day this airing forms part of the routine
of the Kings life. AT 6 he returns to the
palace, where his mother is in waiting for
him.
The King has most remarkable appe-
title, and the regular life with its manv
hours of outdoor exercise has increased
this faculty. He eats all aud as much as he
wants. One day his goyerness told him
that he should not eat of a certain dish be-
cause it was bad for him. "Ihen why did
you put it before me?' was the poser pro-
pounded by the little kingly gourmand. His
taste runs to all sorts of queer food. and
among other things he has a strange fancy
for sausags, which he eats in large guam
titles.
His mind is untutored-he does not know
his letters, and all mental education is for
hidden him. His mother is determined that
his body alone shall be trained, at least for
the present. HE is to be made a man."
these are the Queens orders. His severe
illness OF last year has made Queen Christine
extremely cautious His mind must not be
fatigued. Fresh air, exercise baths and the
utmost freedom are the basis of his regimen,
which seems to have brought life back into
the feeble frame of the puny King AL
ph0nso, however, is extremely precocious,
and his intelligence and comprehension are
wonderful in child of his years.
AT o'clock precisely lie retires. He en-
braces his mother, and with quaint little
Good night, gentlemen" to the members of
his suite, he is led away to his royal crib by
the Countess de Peralta, the official nurse
She undTeSseS him and listens to his infant
periences of the day. Then his real nurse
who sleeps always by his bedside, takes
him in her arms. The palace is silent, and
her thin Quavering voice can be heard
singing in queer minor cadences Spanish
lullaby: