The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-17

the worst women In the world-and not
only was his paternity In doubt, but he
was brought up In the most prohigale
court OF Europe, so II was more his mis-
fortune than his fault that at an age
when boys ought to be at school he was
plunglng In dissipation Only for a year
or so did he observe the decencies, not 10
say the prophecies, OF his position, and
that was under the influence of Mercedes
Montpensier young girl Of Seville with
whom he was infatuated, and whom ne
married, in violation Of the judgment and
against the remonstrances OF his family.
his minister's and almost the whole court.
If she had lived Spain no doubt would
have had a different history during the
last twelve or thirteen years; for she was
a sweet, pure girl; but she died before
the honeymoon was over, before she reach
ed her eighteenth year, and is believed
to have been poisoned by those who were
jealous Of her influence over the king.
For several months he was inconsoable;
then he resumed his old habits, and even
the corrupt court at Madrid was appalled,
by his shamelessness. To such q husband,
within a few months after the death or
his first wife, was brought a second bride,
selected for political reasons by his min
istry In order to bolster up a totterlng
throne by the friendly influence Of Austria.
lie was utterly Indifferent. He often said
that his heart was buried with Mercedes,
and between her and the second wife was
the strongest contrast. The latter was sew
era years Older than he; a plain German
woman without attractions or social ac-
complishments, but evidently religious and
decidedly uninteresting. Although she be-
came the mother of his three children he
never pretended TO care for her, but con-
tinued his former habits with utter disre-
gard of the scandals he created. Her pa
tient, unselhsh loyalty was pitlful and al
though his adventures must have been
known TO her she never murmured not
even when he insisted that her first born,
the present Princess Of Asturias, should
be christened In honor of his love- wife. AT
one time, however, when reports Of his
scandalous conduct reached the court of
Austria, the Emperor Francis Joseph, the
Queens uncle, interfered and gave the
young king a lecture which is said to have
sobered him for a time at least.
Queen Christina has never been able TO
affiliate with the Spaniards; she has never
had the tact TO adjust herself to their pc
culiar character and disposition. she has
been a good queen; she is a wise, prudent,
able woman, and has taken great interest
and an active part in public affairs But
the people will never cease to regard her
as a foreigner, an allen in whom they have
no interest and who has no interest i'm
them, and she has been so imprudent as to
invest her surplus income In Austria in
stead Of Spain.
Since her husbands death the character
and the conduct of the court at Madrid
has radically changed, for she is a moral
list Of the etrictest type. She revoked a
concession her husband had given for a
gambling resort at Huelva. il was 20 be
a second Monte Carlo and the crown was
to receive a large royalty as a rake Off, -
but she wouldn't touch the money and
ordered the placed to be closed. 1t Is
now a hotel
Under her reign the court has been as
serious as that of queen Victoria. No
man or woman with a tainted name has
been allowed 10 hold office or visit the
palace IL she could have her way She
has never attended a bull fight, which IS
the national sport OF Spain, and, much 20
the Indignation OF the people, has pro-
nounced It cruel and barbarous. The in
Vtation lists OF her balls and banquets
are scanned with the closest scrutiny, Ia
order that the seal Of her condemnation
might be fastened upon those whose lives
are not such as she believes should be led
by the attendants Of a Christian court
Her tnother-in-law. the ex-Queen Isabella.
dares not go TO Madrid and her ssier-n-
law the Infanta Eulalia, is very seldom
there, because the restraints are too great
Tor her frivolous disposition.
The Secretary OF War In one Of the cab