The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-13
CONFIRMING THE KING
Little Alfonso the Center of
Much Ceremony.
SENIOR SILVELHS VIEWS
As to the Making of Peace
and How to Make 1t.
SENIOR SILVELA'S VIEWS

Madrid, June 26-On Thursday, in the
palace chapel, two interesting religious
ceremonies took place-that Of the first
communion of the young King, celebrated
at half-past eight o'clock in the morning,
ad that Of his confirmation celebrated at
five o'clock in the afternoon.
The first Of these ceremonies, which was
a strictly family festival without any Of
pomp or splendor. The beautiful chapel
with its marble columns, its richly fres-
coed dome and walls, and costly paintings,
the nigh altar, decorated with palms and
flowers and lighted by Vulnerable tapers,
presented q festive aspect. This was
heightened by the rich uniforms and dec
orations Of the various officials OF the
royal household and of the cabinet min
listers, all of whom were present by invi-
tation Of the Quen, with the exception of
Senior Sesasta, who was prevented from
attending by a slight indIsposition,as was
officially stated-or by the fact Of his
being Free Mason, according to one Of
the newspapers.
Occupying seats on the platform before
theh nigh altar were the Pope's Nuncio,
Monsignor Nava de Bontife, the Bishop
of Sion, the Archbishop of Granada, and
other church dignitaries. Seated in rows
Of chairs upholstered in crimson damask,
which half filed the body Of the chapel
were the grandes Of Spain, the duchess,
warehouses and others who had ben in
vted by the Queen 10 be present at the
ccrsmcny.
Attended by her ladies OF honor and
some OF the officers Of the household, and
accompanied by the Princess of Austrias,
the Infanta Maria Teresa. and the Infanta
Isabel. the Queen Regent, preceded by
the young King, entered the chapel punct-
ually, at the hour appointed for the cere-
rnony. and the customary observance,
took her seat in one Of the crimson arm
chairs placed for the royal party, 'front.'
ing hte alter, the Princess Of Austrias
seatin herself on the right Of the Queen,
The Infanta Maria Teresa and the Infanta
Isabel on her left. Alfonzo seated him.
self in the chair Of state prepared for him
In front OF the alter, and before which
was a crimson velvet cushion with d
lighted taper on the right The young
king wore the uniform of cadet OF in
fantry and the collar of the Order of the
Golden Fleece, The Queen wore simple
gown Of gray Powered batiste, the young
Processes gowns resembling that of the
Queens. and the Infanta wore a gown of
heliotrope grenadIne. All wore the black
lace mantilla.
The palace having the character of a
fortress. "A number of halberdier5 were
stationed at various points around the
chapel During the mass, which was cele-
brated by the bishop of Leon, assisted by
the palace chaplains. the Queen Regent
more than once gave evidence of the
emotion which she felt, wiping away her
tears with her handkerchief, or burying
her face in her hands. Both of the young
princesses and Alfonzo were also az vari-
GUS times visibly effected. Only the In
fanta Isabel maintained entire self-pos-
session throughout the ceremony.
Before administering the sacrament,the
bishop officiating addressed the young
communicate, explaining 10 him briefly
the significance Of the act that was about
performed, recommending him to apply
his prayers to the eternal reposeof his
fathers soul, to ask a blessing for his
mother who had heaped upon him such
unwearied care and affection, and finally.