Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-28

! beach Of San Sebastian.
"Ah. you wish to see my baby" cried
the Queen, with all a fond mothers pride
in the boy who has been the object OF
her devoted care from his infancy, and
who probably owes IN grslt measure
10 her iudicious watchfulness the robust
health which he now enjoys. and sum
mon!ng an attendant. she sent upstairs
for the royal children.
After few moments the children OF
the Queen entered unattended through a
door at the further end OK the salon-Al-
fonso. the young King: Maria de las Mer-
cedes. the Princess If Asturias. and the
Infanta Maria Teresa.
Come here" said the queen Regent
TO the children. who came forward
sm!lingly. Alfonso In advance OF his Sis
ters. These ladies wish 10 talk with you
In English, AlfOpsito." she said to the
boy. "Will you not give them kiss
The young King responded very grace
fully TO his mothers suggestion, and MS
bright and intelligent eyes looked search
ingly but smillngy into mine.
The Processes kissed US also. and all
three conversed with us for a short time
in English. and then. at a WORD ana
smile from their mother, after kissing her
hand affectionately. returned to the oc-
equations from which they had been
called.
When Alfonso and sisters had left the
room the Queen. inviting Us to resume
our seats. and sitting down again herself
asked me II | did not think that hef
boy-whOse health had been for Few
years a subject OF great anxiety to her-
looked wei and strong ! answered win
perfect sincerity tina, | did, for, although
of slender build. and evidently OF a net-
vOus temperament he had nothing OF the
los . "a
pstrlnce. and his face had the bronze
hue. his brown eyes the brightness. ana
his fair. curly hair the iustre Of health.
There can be no doubt that the pure ana
bracing air OF san Sebastian has been
most ehicacous in cOunteractng any ten
dsncy to deliCacy which may have oriSl-
nally existed in his constitution.
The Queen Regent in the most amiable
manner then entered into the detalls OF
her system Of bringing up her children
quiet. regular. and simple existence -
what she desires for them. Industrious
habits are inculcated in the household OF
Maria Cri-;ina. who H. herself. rs / learn
ell from other sources, a woman OF I'M
wearying activity. rising al Z IN the morn
ing and devoting many hours oi the day
20 the duties Of her position. Alfonso, VINO
is a prccocious hoy, quick oi conpreheh-
sion. and eager 10 learn everything. -
ofires TO be restrained rather than iorc-
ell in his studies. The processes are both
intelligent girls, excellent lngulsts' IKE
their mother speaking correctly ffehch'
English and German besides their native
Spanish. and are well advanced In general
studies.
The same simplicity which reigned in
the ante-chamber. as well as in the re-
which is furnished in the
same general style as the former apart
ment marked the dress OF the members
OF the royal family. The Queen Regent
wore a very simple but elegant gown or
black and white check tafieta SIX win
white glove. the princesses simply made
percale dresses. and Alfonso white
duck salor-suit.
Emboldencd by the kindness which the
Queen had manifested toward her
throughout the audience. my companion
availod herself Of a favorable nom nj
to say 10 the Queen;
May | ask your Majesty to do me
favor"
with pleasure; what is it, returned
the Queen. with a smile.
May / take one Of these roses re
piled the girl. indicating vase filled
with flowers that stood on "A small table
beside her "as a souvenir OF our WISH.
Certainly" returned the Queen cor
daily, and. rising. she crossed over 10
the table and began TO select some roses
from the vase; then, looking in the di-
rection OF another table on which also
stood "A vase with howerss went over
to il. saying. Il think these are better.
and taking off her gloves. selected some
roses from the vase. brushed the water
from the stems with her handkerchiefs.
and. returning whore we had remained
standing from the time when we had
risen with her. handed 4 part Of them
to my daughter and a part 10 me, saying
with unaffected sweetness: The only
merit they possess is that they are from
my own garden
With this fragrant token Of goodwill
our audience with the Queen Regent Of
Spain came to an end, and We left the
royal presence feeling that more to be
admired even than the Queen was the
mother and woman.