The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-10-29
THE BABY KING.
A Description of His Quiet Life at
st. Sebastian.-Fond Of
Sausages.

pduSdgtSs
The little King Of Spain, Alfonso XIII,
according to q recent letter from st. Sc
bastian, the watering place where the
Queen mother Christine and her children
spend the summer, grows in beauty and
intelligence every day. He has been
quick to put off the habits Of an infant
and don instead those of maturing child
hood. Alfonso sets a good example to
his subjects, childish and otherwise, by
rising at seven O'Clock in the morning.
He at once takes a bath under he super
intendence of his nurse, to whom he IS 50
devoted thai it has been deemed wise 70
retain her in the household.
At half-pasb seven, 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 appe-
tizer. that he takes his breakfasts sim
pie cup of chocolate and a biroche. From
that time until midday he remains in the
park, running about, making mud pies
and indulging in other engrossing sports
of early childhood, while the warm span
ish sun is tinting his pale little face with
faint roses and bronze. When the mid
day angelus sounds from the church tow
ers of St Sebastian, it is also the signal
for the midday meal or meat
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 ms motner
and his w sisters, while all the r1gors OF
the Spanish Court etiquette are observed.
Breakfast over, all Spain takes a slesta,
and the little Kings head nods with the
rest OF his sleepy subjects. HIS nurse
takes him in her arms and sings MN 70
sleep with the wild, sweet strains OF the
gypsy l%ullabies croanad in the
Businesses of Central Spain. AT four
O'Clock King Alphonso Is awoke again.
1t is time for the State promenade.
Madam Tacon, the Court g~overness,
General Cordorba, military chief OF tne
! Kings household, accompany him III TINS
function. The little King has an intense
childish admiration for the brass buttons,
the sword and the splendid uniform or
the General, and in order to please MIN
he has been made a like ontnt IN Wnlcn
he takes great pleasure. He loves to hold
the massive cane which the General al
WAYS 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 cneer
aud greet the baby King. He receives
their salutations with great gravity ana
never fails to respond. Generous by ma,
ture, ne fills his little pockets with small
coins, bright and fresh from the mint,
stamped in his likeness. These ne DIS
tributes right and left to the numerous
beggars b crowd the way. calllng, as
he showers ON them his royal county,
ssTonia,'' (takeD Sometimes the expedl-
ton is taken in o carriage, put every day
this airing forms 9 part of the routine OF
| the Kings life. At six he returns to the
palace, where his mother is in waiting Tor
him. go
The King has a most remarkable appe-
| fife. and the regular life, with its many
hours OF outdoor exercise, has increased
this faculty. He eats al 2 as mucn a5
| him TINT he should not eat OF q certain
| dish because it was bad for him. "Ihen
vvbv did Won put it before me?" was the
noser nropounded by the little kingiy
gourmand. His taste runs to az SORTS OF
queer food, and among other things ne
has a strange fancy for sausage, WHICH ne
eats in large quantities.
His mind is untutored-he does not
know his letters and all mental education
10 forbidden him. His mother is deuer-
mined that his body alone shall be train
ed. at least for the present. u 70 pc
MADE q man. These are the queens Or
ders. His severe illness OF last year has
maae Once n Christine extremely eau
lions His mind must not be tatigueu.
Trash air. exercise, baths and the utmost
freadon are the bases of this regimen,
which seems to have brought pack ilIe
into the feeble frame OF Ing puuy Alnk-
Alphonso, however,, is extremely preco-
cions, and his intelligence and compre-
hensior are wonderful in a child OF his
years.
his mother. and with a quaint little good
night, gentlemen" to the members 9 I 6is
suite, he is led away 70 his royal crin py
She nndresses him and listens to his
infant prattle while he tells her OF tho
many experiences Of the day = u Then heI his MS
side takes him In her arms. The palace
is silent, and her thin, quavering voice
can be heard singing, in queer minor
cadences. a Spanish lullaby.
Mus tie King of Spain falls into SUM
Der, and as his Sleep song, ceases, his Mai
esty' sentinels pace with heavy steps ont.
the long watches of the night repeat the
hours with a deep toned "Alerta"-
ssquards, be careful'-as they meet each
| other in their rounds--PGaaS HS9dro.
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