The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-17

Ass MES AUTHORITY.
reached the age, 16, prescribed by the
constitution.
Beautiful weather favored this, the
central day of the fetes. At an early
hour all the bands of music of the
troops composing the garrison, march
ed through the principal streets, playing
lively marches to the royal palace, where
they performed beneath the windows Of
the kings apartments.
The royal procession was formed on
the Plaza de Arms in front of the pal
ace shortly before 2 p. m. and proceed
ed to the chamber of deputies where, in
the presence of the senators and depu-
ties the king took the oath to uphold
the constitution.
The procession was a spectacle of nae
dieval magnifcence. Great groups on
horseback, opened the march. They were
followed by four buglers and cymbal
players from the royal stables. whose
horses were led by grOOns on foot; four
mace bearers on four horses, with orr
entail trappings, led by hand; two of the
kings riding horses, two of the queen
regents riding horses, ready saddled,
led by grooms and six other royal horses
covered with handsome velvet cloths Of
red, blue, green and yellow, embrOider-
ed with armoria1 bearings in gold and
silver. Then came Il of the principal
outriders, who directly preceded a line
of quaint, historical coaches, emblazOn-
ed with armoriaI bearings, and embel-
lished with massive. gilt ornamentation-
The cOachmen and fOOtmen wore bril-
liant Louis XVI Iiveries and the trap
pings of the horses We're of the most
gorgeous description
The first vehicle. bronze cOlOred. drawn
by four black horses, was occupied BY
four masters s-at-arms. After it came
the so-caIled ''pris' coach, occupied by
the court chamberlains, and u state
chariOts, belonging to grandees of Spain
In them We're seated palace functionar-
les of high rank. The next carriage,
having six sable horses attached to it.
was occupied by the Infanta Isabella
and Infanta Eulalie
A TORTOISE SHELL COACH
A detachment of horse guards sep
arated the foregoing carriages from
very pretty tortoise shell coach in which
were seated the prince and princess of
the Asturias, the brother-in-laW and Sis
ter of the king The entire body of this
vehicle was yeneered a dark, tortoise
shell color, except for a border of paint
ings illustrating the history of Solomon
It was drawn by six chestnut horses
The tortoise shell carriage was follow
ed by a mahogany coach, called the
coach Of respect" which was not occu-
pied. This vehicle always directly pre-
cedes the royal chariot, to meet an
emergency, or in case of a breakdown,
To it We're harnessed eight chestnut
horses, driven by four outriders.
A detachment Of the royal bodyguard
rode in front of the maSsiVely gilded
chariot termed the royal crown" hav-
ing gilt allegOrical figures standing out
in relief from the panels, and whose roof
was surmounted by a heavy gilded
crown. The gOld-plated, moulded lamps
Of this carriage were especially striking,
being inset with imitation jewels.
The hammer cloth, a wonderful piece
Of embroidery work. is valued at $18,
OO0
The king and the queen regent were
seated. side by side, in the royal coach,
and were accompanied by the Infanta
Marie Teresa, youngest sister of his
majesty It was drawn by eight fine
speckled grays. in dark red harness,
having heavy ormolu ornamentation.
immense white ostrich plumes waved
from the heads of these horses.
The officers of the kings military
household and three squadrOns of the
royal bodyguard closed the parade
CANNON BOOM.
The procession. which emerged from
the courtyard of the palace amid the
booming Of cannon. proceeded at a
walking pace through the streets, gay
with flags and bunting, and beneath
festOons Of evergreens which, at some
parts of the route. formed veritable
vaults of foliage and flowers, to the
chamber of deputies, before the steps