The sun., 1890-01-26
AMADEo. oYcr KING OF sPAix.
Iatersstlae De,sll. OF hl. rsr.OnsI IIistory


His widow is his own niece and also Buona-
parte but It was his first wife, OF far less Illus
trlous lineage. who sat Tor two yeara with him
on the throne OF Spain. This lady was the dauRh.
tor OF Prince Pozzo della Cisterna, and Of
Comtcsse do M6rodo and was married to the
Duke dAosta In 1867. 1u 1870 soon alter the
abdioatlon Of Isabella Sogunda the Spanish
crown was offered to Amndeo He accepted
tho dignity and proceeded in the depth OF win.
ter to Madrid, but tho Duchess was on tho eve
OF her confinement. The child was born Nov.
"a. 1870, and ten days after his birth became
royal. for on tho 4th OF December his father
was King Of Spain.
| The now monarch entered his capital In q
I snow storm and amid political portents moro
alarming than the turbulence OF the elements,
for two days before his arrival Con. Prim, the
statesman to whom he owed his elevation, was
assassinated. Tho population Of Madrid was
averse to the foreign sovereign, and the tenn
psst was welcomed by his aI1erents, for
Spaniards are sensitive to incloment weather. {
and tho storm was certain to keep many OF the
disaffected in their houses. Thus even In the
case oil King the homely proverb hold. IL
was m i'll wind that blow majesty good.
l chanced to be sent to Spain with dispatches
about this time, and thus had opportunities to r
observe or learn many OF tho particulars OF the
political situation. Soon after the arrival OF
hLnaucO u udy WuS hnDOlnIeu 10 lno
onth OF allegiance to the army. The occasion,
OF course. was important, and one for the full
display OF Spanish magnitlcence. The King
was to 90 In state to large fold outside the
city, and in addition to the high officers Of his
own Government. the entire diplomatic body
was invited to be present. But many
OF the European courts were displeased at
the accession OF Amadoo. and their repre- senta-
tivos were very ready to find excuses 10 stay
IN
cold and clustering. and the only dlplomatst
who presented himself ut the palace to accom-.
pany the cort1go was Gen. Sickles the Ameri-
can Minister. He had been requested to appear
in unifo .m and rs an officer OF the American
army, was able to conform to the etiquette, al
though the regulations OF his own Government
prohibited diplomatic dress. But he was also
asked to 60 mounted and he had lost leg at
Getty sburg. Nevertheless he complied with
this convcntionallam Rs well. and sat oil day
on his horse, with his orderly behind him car
rying his crutches.
The Marshal Serrano. who had been Regent
OF Spain before the election of the King. and
was now frme Minister, greeted tho solitary
diplomatic representative more than warmly.
lie declared that the presence of the Minister
OF the American republic on this occasion
would he an advantage to the new dynasty,
and more than compensate In the peoples eyes
for the absence OF imperial and royal ENJOYS.
Sickles was asked to ride on one side the King.
while Serrano was on the other.
His Majesty was at this time 25 years old, J
and bravo as all tho princes OF the House OF
Savoy. and though he knew the danger to
which he was exposed. rode calmly through
the narrow streets OF Madrid amid the moody
silence OF subjects to many of,whom he was an
unwecome sovereign. Theirs were no ac-
clamations; the people were as cold as tho
blasts from the Sierras that encircle the horl.
zon OF the Spanish capital. At one moment
Seirano unsheathed his sword. and the escort
rode rapidly up to surround the King.
man in the crowd had drawn his machete and
approached his Majesty; but the danger was
wsrded of. and the procession passed.
By 10 o'clock 1t reached the camp in the en-.
virons Of Madrid whero 80. 600 men were drawn
up for review. and the King advanced at once to
the right OF the line. The oath was read to
certain number Of battalions. and tho soldiers
shouted in reply. Yo turo." CT swear it",
and presented arms. Then the King and his
suite passed to the second group and the rite
was repeated. The ceremony. though impos-
ing. WAS tedious for 1t occupied several hours.
and the storm OF wind and cold continued. At
last the entire army at Madrid had sworn
allegiance and the royal cavalcade returned.
But the lowering weather OF the occasion
proved n true augury. for the young King never
became popular often used to see him drlv-
ing or riding through tho streets or in the
Prado. where few Of his subjects paid him the
passing honor OF salute. II now and then
gentleman uncovered or lady bowed the un-
lucky monarch was demonstrative in recoRnlz-
ing tho sautation. The great nobility OF Spain
were dissatisfied with au Italian King and
esnecaly displeased that his consort was not
OF royal birth. These proud hidaRos despsed
sovereign no higher born than themselves.
and there was difficulty In finding ladies to
fill the places about her Majesty at court.
The American Minister, however was always
welcome at the palace. His courtesy at the
taking OF the oath WAS not forgotten. When,
after the great fire In Chicago. all Europe was
sending assistance to the sufferers. and everV
American representative abroad was appealing
to his countrymen in their behalf, Gen. SicRles
arranged an operate performance In Madrid
Tor the benefit OF the stricken city. Tho man.
agement offered the opera house. and the
singers were willing to do their part
gratuitously, but some difficulty arose in OBJ.
tanning grand piano for the occasion. Tho
Minister, however, knew that the Queen pos
sessed an uncommonly fino instrument. anu ho
was on footing that allowed him to request
the ~ us use Of 1t from her Majesty. The successor
eirument, but declared that she would attead
me a performance. and sickles. of course made
contributed 81 100 to the charity, and XinG and
Queon and all the court were present
!, But the dissensions OF Spanish politics con.
tinued and in 1873 they came to head.
a Constitution which he swore to mnintain in
Vlolabie; but at this crisis his Ministers as.
sured him i would be impossible reign &C.
c9rding to ts provisions. Ho must seize upon
Hpsnluie power like all the preceding sover-
eeigns Of Spain. But he replied: II am OF the
House OF Savoy. whose princes never break
! ttheir word" The Cabinet PERSISTED. and still
cordi1e 10 the Constitution, and ] will do So.
or resign my crown" Again his Ministers i'm.
plored L,n MIN to change this determination. "po
C9ns!itution In order to reign?"
We do"
Then will abdicate:" and no nersuaslons
could sworve him from the decision 1t was
made known to the Cortes the same day aud
ls conc was ACCEPTED with dignity. lie