The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-06
(Letter to New York Sum-

ApuSt E1AS BIG LII o the Water.
(Letter to New York SUM-
About San Sebastian, the Spanish New
port and the summer home of Spain's
royal family, enough has been written to
make 1t familiar to all, but a few details
of the daily life of eel pequenito" 1.-THE
little one), as he is affeotionateIy called
by his subjects, ARE worth recording. Ev-
cry year the court now makes q soiourn
of several months at the north coast wat
ering place, drawing in it's train great
portion of fashionable Madrid, and ma
king the pretty town the center of Span
ish life for the season. The royal fami-
ly, consisting of the king, the queen re-
gent and her two daughters, reside in the
Real Palacio de Miramar, q pleasantly
situated. though not very imposing edi-
flee, built chiefly Of red brick, land, as it's
name implies, overlooking the sea. 1t
is, indeed, charming view that can be
seen from any of the palace windows, a
mass of color, ruggedness and calmness
marvelously blended. Straight in front
| is the Bay of Biscay, charming alike in
storm or calm: to the left and to the right
high and rugged cliffs of msjestio beau
| ty, and to the rear smiling country,
| backed by the dim shapes of the not far
| distant Pyrenees.
Here his little majesty lives joyous
but busy life, divided between health
giving recreations, political studies. and
inner home occupations. The time when
he is most seen by his subjects, to whom
temporary abiding place, is in the early
morning when he sallies out for the daily
sea bath. This is sometimes abandoned
on account of bad weather, but, provi-
ding the m orning be fine, one may be
sure of good look at the royal family at
Spanish idea of punctuality will allow.
A knot Of expectant persons of both
sexes and all ages and stations in life
gathered round the opening in the sea
wall leading to the caseta real, or royal
bathing house, announces the approach
officers in gorgeous uniforms group them
selves picturesquely around the bathing
house. They all appear deeply interested
in the latest news from Cuba, all read
ing the morning papers assiduously.
! Then from the private road leading from
the royal palace carriage comes dashing
up, drawn by four horses, or sometimes
mules. This equipment contains the roy
al family itself. The queen regent and
her daughters are in charming light
morning toilettes, and the king in d blue
and white striped sailor suit with the
regulation straw hat. The little king
| Jumps out first and rushes headlong
down the wooden slope in manner very
undig nified for king, but with such
an abandon and appearance of joyous
spirits as to win the hearts of the specta.
tors. There is no ceremony, no fuss, no
demonstration. The officers and the male
spectators doff their hats, and the queen
regent and the 1nfantas follow more lei
surely their lord and master into the
bathing house. Nothing will now be seen
for few minutes save about half doz-
en- staIwart men in bathing suits whose
duty it is to look after the king when In
the water, who rush about in frantic
endeavor to do something-or to appear
to be doing something
Presently the king steps out of the
house. which it may stated resembles as
much as anything glori1ed summer
house, divided into two octagonal build
ings with landing between the steps
leading down to the water. When the
royal party enters the house is close up to
the sea wall, but once inside, the whole
structure is allowed to slide gently down
rails by means of paid-out cable, until
the surf breaks over the steps and the
water laps the wooden walls. The little
monarch wears a blue and white bath
| ing costume and is hatIess. A fayorite