Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-02

weeks she passed between the uealn OIL
her husband and the birth Of her little
son.
The Queens first two children were
daughters. The Infanta Maria de las
Mercedes. Princess of Asturias, born on
Sept. H. 1880, was for many years con-
sidered the heir to the throne, and for
nearly seven months was treated as
Queen of Spain. The second daughter.
the Princess Maria Teresa, was born
at Madrid on Nov. u, 1882, and then
there was an interval of nearly four
years before the birth of King Alphon-
so XIII, who was born a king on May
H. 1886. to the enthusiastic delight of
his subjects.
Spain has been much quieter and
more prosperous during the reign of
Alphonso XII. than it had been for
many years, and Queen Christina sue
ceeded to the regency in the name of
her infant son without difficulty, and
began her rule under happy auspices
Spain is, nevertheless, most difficult
country to govern and had not Queen
Christina been possessed of marvel
louS tact and courage she would have
never succeeded as she has done during
the last nine years-years that have
been full of grave difficulties and much
danger.
And now, in the present crisis, she
has shown herself to be n woman of
strong will and Of many resources.
Whatever future may be reserved to
the Spanish monarchy, Maria Chris
tina S name must forever fill a page Of
history. She was only one year young
er than her husband. She is tall and
elegant. Her figure is perfect; her mar
row feet, taper fingers and slender and
rounded wrists reveal the purity of her
race. Seemingly plant and reserved,
she can, when circumstances demand
il, prove herself armed with the quail
ties of courage and determination and
possessed of high intelligence. Her
charity is discreet and discriminate.
neither weak nor ostentatious, and
from a sense Of duty she did not hest
tate To introduce into the inner admin
istration of the large. sombre, dreary
palace of Madrid certain economical
reforms which every one felt To be ur-
gent without having the initiative to
inauSurate them.
When it was decided that the young
archduchcss should become the second
wife of Aiphonse Nil. she could not
help feeling what a powerful rival she
had in the memory of Queen Mercedes.
the dolized bride of her future hus-
band. who had died at Is. after six
months of perfect welded bliss. But
the young girl, far from attempting C.
Danish the vision of the Kin. $ lost
love. resolved 10 take her as a model
in order To win his affection. In the
villa Of Arcachon. where the first inter
view took place between the engaged
couple. Don Aluhonso AT once noticed
ON his, tlancee's table portrait of Mrr-
cedes The future Queen murmured' in
broken accents of strong emotion that
her only ambition was To resemble in
all RESPECTS the woman whom sh" was
To succeed, with no hope Of ever being
able Ia replace her.
After, the first shock uf her hereaVe-
mrnt. as soon as the Queen had gone
i'm her long mourning robes to take the
oath al the Cortes. She resolved 10 fit
herself each day more for the duty
that had fallen To her. AZ ., she be-
gan work diligently. She studied the
Spanish code. she initiated herself
into foreign politics ana home govern
ment. She astonishes her counsellors
by the, yigor OF her intellect and the
rapidity Of her perceptions. and thus
she fitted herself for what was to fol-
low
The queen and her three children
generally spend the hot summer months
al st. Sebastian on the seacoast, where
she has one Of the most magnficeutly
beautiful castles in the world. com
handing an entrancingly beautiful
view over the esa. Here the Queen is
always hanpiest and here She always
has some Of her many friends and re-
lations with her. and is able to live a
comparatively free life. The little King
and his sisters are also charmed when
they can leave their gorgeous palace in
Madrid for the cool splcndor Of ST. Sc
bastian.
The little King is quite lnguist,
speaking Spanish, German. English and
French. The Queen anxious that her
son should learn u speak German per-
fcctly. has written Il German gram
mar and reading book for him, both
of which made him consider German a
most amusing lesson. In the reading
| book was a little poem called Was
joder thun muss' and it ends with
"Konige mussen gut regieren," or
Kings Must Rule Well" The King
learned this poem with great interest
and diligence. and when his mother
said good night to him he said Are
| you contcnted With me- The Queen
! 4 III. dol nd IA. a
said With great pride Yes. l have
| ruled very we'll today