The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-04

who said $50 many languages. so many
Countries" and Alfonso wrote and spoke all
tongues with equal facility. To his mother
he always went for advice. and she alone
was cababe of curbing his fiery spirit.
In 1868, when Isabella left Spain. she took
refuge in Paris, and six months later bought
from Prince Basiewski the house he had
Just finished. The Palais de Castillo, in the
Avenue Kleber, would DE q superb resi-
dence for any other than the ex-sovereign OF
one Of the great European powers, but,
compared with the palace in Madrid. that In
Paris. is only modest villa. Alter the
Troeadero was built the Avenue du Roi de
Rome became a great thOroughfare, and the
name W a. changed 10 Avenue kleber. Then
Isabella bought the land on each side
of her house, made two gardens, and
added wings 10 the building. Span
sh etiquette seems myth to those
who have access 10 the palace. The
Duke de Tamames is grand master OF the
household and the Duchess de HJar first
lady in waiting. She is the companion and
faithful friend of her Majesty; she is very
amiabla and always beautifully dressed.
The Duchess de Hijar has blonde hair. and
eyes like Parmese vioiets. Once she was
very rich and built for her own amusement
a theater in her house at Madrid. When
reverses came all was sold-theater, scenery
and the wonderful curtain painted by
great master-to Nine. de Rnte Chen Nine.
Palace. For centuries the kings of Spain
have sent to the family De ii jar at the be-
ginning of each year costumes that they
wear on Epiphany day January O..
Queen Isabella cares more for the Duchess
de Hjar than for any person ever attached
to her court; perhaps that Is why the
Duchess consented to accept the position of
/, lady-in- waiting. Ii is the Duchess de ii jar
who ushers the visitors into the presence of
her Majesty. and the Queen receives as does
any lady of good breeding. Guests always
| call Isabella Majesty" during an inter-
view, but the frequent use OF this word is all
which denotes that one is in the presence OF
a woman who has ruled over nation. 1sa-
| bella is perfectly frank and simple; she
| does not smile when pleased, but laughs
| heartily aud often before the elect Of
| laughter has disappeared from her face a
| tear may be seen e0ursing down her cheek
| In her manner there is nothing of the re-
| serve which Is the result of an unpleasant
| acquaintance with the world. Too quickly
| she accepts people for what they seem 20 be.
and as they always appear at their best in
| her presence, many times she has been
cruelty deceived.
Entering the grand marble hall of the
| Palais de Castillo orc sees. on the left,
| offices. The first of these is occupied by
| two under secretaries, and this is simply
| furnished The second. luxuriously ar
| ranged, belongs to the Queens first cham
beriaiu, Duke de Tamames. The stone
| staircase leading to the second story is
| broad-too broad-but its severity has been
| modified by embroidered velvet hangngs.
| The ante cbamber in the second story is q
miniature museum, filled with pictures OF
| the Spanish school. The suite Of rooms on
the facade are reserved for the Queen. At
! each extremity is a cOnServatory-0ne COM
municating with the grand staircase, the
other with the Queens boudoir. The fur
niture of drawing-room, morning room
and boudoir is in the luxurious Paris
| ian style; there is gold and brilliant
| coloring everywhere, but it Is very
handsome, and in harmony with the
| rooms There Is entire absence of
those trif1es that count for 80 much in
| furnishing room. The candelabra are
statuesque chefs.d'9uvre, and the consoles
works of art Not flower, bot many large
| tropical plants are scattered about the
! apartment. The curtains must feel sense
| of humiliation in being employed merely
| to keep out draughts, for they ars large
enough to be used on theatrical stage.
| One would never think of lounging in the
! Queens drawing-room, for it has the cold
| beauty of a room used only on state oeca-
sions. The morning-room, in which her
| Majesty transaets business, is sufficiently
cheerful, and we may imagine that some
! times 1t is in disorder. There are torn let
| tiers, pens lying not quite ut right angles
| with the blottiug-pad. books out of place, Q
| fan on chair, etc.
A few years ago Isabella. sold at the Hotel
| DrouOt (auction-h house, a collection Of Jewels
| that filled the entire room. Nearly all the
| money realized from this sale was used for
! the establishment of the Palais de Castillo.
| The servants quarters were enlarged and
| arranged In manner BETTING royal
| household. The means of communication
| between the portions of the palace reserved
| for the use of Queen Isabella were also
| changed. Now her Majesty can pass from
the salon to the garden by small staircase
without making long circuit. as once she
| was obliged to do, by the grand staircase at
| the entrance-door. The stables have been
| rebuilt and they are as palatial as the
rooms of the Queen. Isabella has $780,
OO0 a year to spend, and. as she is
generosity itself, at one time she
was in debt. Her Majesty has been
| generous to friends and enemies; even the
daughters of generals who did all in their
| power to dethrone her, have received large
dots on the wedding day. When on the
| throne she gave Immense estates TO the
nation for a very slight compensation. To
her mother, Queen Marie-Christne. her
| purse was always open. as 1t was TO her
| son, before he was called TO reign over
| Spain. To the Duke de M0ntpensier and
| his family Isabella was always like a fairy
| godmother, but l do not believe that the
| Duke himself appreciated her kindness; it
| is true that after the death of King Alfonso
the Duke de Montpensier looked anxiously
| forward to revolution. but he knew that
| The crown would never be placed on
| his own head. He was the Nestor OF the
! Bnurbons, but Notwithstanding his nteli-
| gence the Duke had few partisans. The
| Spanish reproaehed him with two faults,
avarice and ambition. For the first they
had but one proof-he, to their great grief.