The Republican journal., 1901-03-14


chapel are two magnificent sennlch ras
wrought IN Carrara marble, on ton of
winch are extended life-size marble
figures of the Catholic soyereipns and
those of their next successors Far5i
nand and Isabella rest side by side on
tnelr marble pillows, in the peaceful at
tldues OF their long and happy union
The faces are said to be accurate nor
traits, and both are simply dressed in
tne costumes of the time-Ferdinand
decorated only with the riband Of the
Garter, and Isabella with the cross Of
Santiago. Her face is beautiful as ones
IDEA OF an angel, and you remember that
SHAKESPEARE called her ''the queen of
earthly queens" and Lord Bacon de-
scrlbed her as ''an honor to her sex and
tne cornerstone of the greatness of
SPAIN" In front of their effieies an
IRON door slides back, and you descend
a hight OF stone steps into the crypt
which contains their dust in caskets.
and also that of Philip II. Imagination
reverts to the days when these mighty
monarchs were surrounded by the flow
er and chivalry of Spain, when retinue
OF obsequious courtiers, pages and ser
wants attended their slightest beck or
nod; when they led victorious armies.
and sent Columbus to discover new
world, and accomplished the fall of the
Arabian empire in Europe. Now a
shutf1ing custodian indifferently points
dirty finger and says: "Aqui esta
(here ls) Ferninand; aqui, Isabella"
The queen, as we know, died far from
Grenada. but desired to be buried here.
She is one of the most faultless charac-
ters in history-the brightest star of an
age which produced Ximeney, Colum-
bus and the Great Captain, all of whom
rose to full growth under her smile, and
withered at her death. Ferdinand, too,
was worthy to occupy the highest niche
in flames temple. Eminent in piety,
brave and generous, devoted to his
country, and taking parent care of his
soldiers, the world finds few blemishes
in his character. Yet as I placed my
hand on the casket containing his dust,
the old saying REQUIRED to mind: Sio
transit gloria mundi-"thus passes earth
ly glory
In characteristic contrast is the no
less splendid sarcophagus of their only
daughter, Juana la Loca ("Crazy Jane'')
and her handsome but worthless hus-
band, Philip of Burgundy. Their mar
BILE efigies also lie on top, and are said
to be perfect representations, from head
to foot. Both are magnificently attired,
and bedizzened with numerous decora-
tions, including that of the Golden
Fleece. Philips coffin in the vault be-
meath, is the very same that Juana
carried about with her everywhere,
often passionately embracing it and
watching it constantly for forty-seven
years, in the fearless madness of her
long widowhood
Once every year-on January I'd, the
anniversary of the surrender of Grena-
da-great Difference is paid to the men,
ory of Ferdinand and Isabella. With
the first ray of light crowds of peas
ants, all in gala dress, come docking
into the city. They tramp all over the
Alhambra and the Generalife, and visit
the watch-tower 20 keep up an incessant
din with its bell, believing that to ring
it on the festal day will bring good luck
for the ensuing year-to the invalid
health: to the poor, riches; to the un.
married, husband or wife. On that day
all the Alhambra fountains, dry and
dusty the rest of the year, throw uI
their crystal jets to celebrate the ruin
of their builders. The cathedral, too is
full of worshippers all day long, and
every shrine and balcony in the city is
decorated with wreaths and tapestry
emblazoned with the shield of Spain
At high noon the relics of the conquest
are brought with great pomp into the
royal chapel and ceremonies begin
Upon the altar, at whose ends are the
kneeling figures of Ferdinand and Isa-
bella, rests the splendidly illuminated
missal used by those sovereigns in all
their campaigns, and over which SO
many prayers were offered up for the
propagation of the faith Their re-
liquaries and crosses are fastened to the
ratings of the monuments; and in
front, upon the crimson velvet cushions
embroidered by the hands of royalty,
are deposited the sceptre and crown of
Isabella and the sword of Ferdinand.
Above them wave the four identical
banners carried during the wars of
Grenada, under whose tattered folds so
many brave champions met death, in
those combats which called forth the
noblest qualities of both Christian and
Moorish chivalry. After high mass a
procession is formed, composed of the
ecclesiastical and military dignitaries of
the province, the rear brought up by
the Captain G General and his staff in the
brilliant uniforms of the Spanish army.
Three times the gorgeous pageant
moves slowly around the cathedral,
T1 nd