New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-16
IN MADRID.
AN ENGLISHwOMANS IMPRESSIONS ON
THE VERGE OF wAR-PEAsANTRY.
BULLFIGHTs AND GOVERN
ING CLASSES - QUEEN
REGENT AND


awaited with the dignity OF restraint. for the
masses the least spoiled the most hgh-sprited.
patriotic and sefsacrincing IN Spain. This may be
accounted for by the peculiar policy Of Church and
State existing here since absoutsm became united
to the Inquisition. which bounced upon the rich.
the noble and the middle classes. but neglected con-
temptuously the poor peasantry, from whom moth
Ing could be extracted. The baneful influence OF
revolution has Slapped only In the big towns the
spirit Of religion and loyalty The splendid physique
OF the poor peasant. whose dry crust and handful
or dates are accepted without murmur. contrasts
favorably with the stunted. elfsh figure Of the
noblemen OF to-day in Spain. whose moral tone
matches Its coating. The blue blood Of patriotism
found in the ranks OF Spain's despsed peasant ee-
ment has been her salvation In all her troubles.
The entire Cuban question hangs upon the in
fanny of the governing class selected from penni-
less adventures. detested by honest Spanlards.
They are utterly powerless to defend even their
own private interests at home from the claws
OF the administrative vulture. They have had no
voice at all in colonial affairs. The elections, par
lamentary and municipal. a mockery; the
Cortes deusion: the whole machinery snare.
The patriotic peasantry upholds the crumbling edi
flee OF State.
Popular excitement and anxiety have given way
within the last twentv-four hours. in the face Of
the more trying ordeal Of suspense. TO hopeful
state OF religious feeling. This Is in consequence OF
the reported intervention of Pope Leo XIII as med-
Even with this transtory hope Of peace. Madrid
for once seems sober and sombre. There Is some
thing particularly pathetic In that rare spectacle a
sad-visaged native Of IBERIA Ordinarily not even
personal calamity has power to extnguish the care
less. merry-go-ucky temperament Of the typical
of the soil, whose philosophy Ia characteristic
and born Of geographical conditions over which he
has no control Theophile Cautier says apropos the
Spanish peasant: pleasures procured as ours are.
by dint of labor fatigue perseverance, and mental
anxiety. would strike a Spaniard as being bought
too dearly" The Spaniard will forego food and
clothing. his last blanket he Will pawn. in
order to be present at his favorte sport. tho bull
fight. Pan toros" dread and buls) represent
to him the acme OF human bliss.
1t is scarcely credible but even with the terrible
cloud looming at this moment the bulls are
not lost sight Of. and the journals already furnish
the coming programme for the Easter show of the
season. where fair women and brave men sioat over
the agonies OF inrfensve animals, and enter
tanned with witty and satiricai remarks. pelted at
all whose political or social creed happens to dis
agree with the digestion OF the gallery gods. There
are few spectacles more animated than that of the
return from the bull ring. with the black eyes and
white mantlas Of these purring seforas. all smiles
and softness they emerge from the slaughter
house: with the stately steeds and equipages. ming
ling with the lIdicrous caravan. laden with women
and men. yelling with the sense of pleasure which
these besoted sports provoke The ensemble.
though bewildering. is something not easily for
gotten. and only to be seen In Spain. The pictur-
esque garb OF the "manolas." class indeed sect.
OF whose mission it Is TO laugh and grow
fat Is predominant note. for those danes Of the
people love color and the regulation toilet for
these occasions includes the exquisite Manila
shawls which cost small fortune. Nowhere IL
the mixed caste more In evidence nowhere is the
Moor moro to the fore than in those popular and
most radical reunions. Even in war time the bull
fights will go on
The religious services are. nevertheless. we'll at
tended in tho morning, but at Madrid there are no
temples worthy OF the name Barcelona carries the
palm In this. for In that modern Venice. whose
residences are palaces paved in marble and deco
rated with al that Is best in the arts and crafts.
are 10 be found beautiful churches In Madrid
every goes 10 church in the morning and to the
bullfght in the afternoon. 1t matters not whether
there he peace or war.
Whether there will be peace or war with America
depends less upon the caprices OF the people ard
the piety OF Papal mediator than upon those in
authority here-the Queen Regent and her Min
isters. The Queen Regent is exceedingly respected.
even by her enemies. She Is a good mother and
dignihed sovereign. These are not hereditary gifts
m Spain. and she Is a foreigner. Up by O'clock
daily her first duty is TO her children. after which
she receives her Prime Minister. with whom she
transacts State affairs for an hour two appear
ing at ! clock for luncheon. The Princess. or In
fantI Isabel. meets her royal s!ster-in-aw at
luncheon at which one or two OF the lords and
ladies In waiting also present. The Queen
drives for an hour two In the afternoon. accom-
panied by the royal children. on the days when
the Queen has promised audiences she returns
early being the soul OF punctuaty The little King
del Shs In mount but foregoes his pleasure in
expation OF any fault or neglect Of study FOR
which he is censured The little princesses
still in the care OF the Countess Mlrasol. Gordon
by marriage. who Is the governess They have
masters in art and music. and. like the little King,
speak five languages already. The Madrid palace
is a trcasure-house OF art.
The present Prime Minister. Sagasta, has al
ready ruled the des,in.cs 81 Spain in this the
chief political stronghold. six times and sixteen
times he has been called upon to fulfil the duties Of
a Minister II politics meant TO believe. TO think,
feel. even TO hate. there are those who could
be named having higher claims to craftsmanship
than Sagasta: but policy means to give way,
above all in critical moments In periods OF doubt,
and this has been the programme OF the Prime Min
lister upon more occasions than one. He is silent
under contradiction. dissmulates his feeling. and
IL discreet in his anger, which he secretly enjoys
When worried BY the Opposition Sagasta becomes
slightly agitated and fercely oratorca a parlia-
mentary trased!an AS II Indignation were felt. he
raises in suppliant protest his hands invoking the
divine justice denied him here below. lifting or
lowering his glance to the exigencies dictated by
pride or humility ana then crossing MS arms with
cares that never In Spain. not In Europe. nor
has there existed a party equal to his own Then
in a caressng voice he deals with the minor notes
q diGcOrd,
gentle accents. Thus it Is that Sagdsta leads his
nariy and his household In private in public life.
Everybody does what he wishes and he returns the
compliment By doing what everybody likes.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Gulon, is much
esteemed. for throughout his career he has
sought through place either wealth or distinction.
nor has he ever farmed upon the State ragged
regiment OF relations and Adventures as SERVANTS.
the administration Of Gullon has beSn I'M
assailabe Not at Madrid. that hotbed OF
enemies could IL stone be aimed nj him. liulon
delights in diplomacy. He is modest and retiring
Ills eloouence IL nevertheless powerful. for ne
neither exalts nor reduces the standard OF things
which he leaves as they are; me Shield not the
The Minister FOR the Colonies. Morei. perhaps the
most nopular member OF the Cabinet, Is gifted with
taients Of a high order Cultivated. a linguist and
man OF the world. no Is "A born orator. and such
,races and renders admirable service to his party.
Fifteen scrubbed lines, fifteen minutes walk and
three hours sleep VIII be his only preparation for
a sneech When Moret directs his address TO the