Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1902-05-17
MADRID TO Be Scene
OF BRILLIANT FETES
Ceremonies In Honor of the
Young King Alfonso.
HAS ATTAINED HIS MAJORITY
Spanish City Crowded With Ambassa.
dors and Royal Personages-No
Less Than Fifteen Bull Fights viii
Enliven Festivities.

Madrid May 16.-The weather was
auspicious for the official ceremonies
in honor Of the majority of King Al.
fonsO which opened here yesterday. A
cloudless sky and brilliant sun favored
the arrival at Madrid of the Duke OF
Connaught, Prince Albert of Prussia,
Princes vladimir and Christian of Den.
mark, Prince Nicholas Of Greece and
the crown princes of Monaco and
Siam, who arrived in a royal train.
The events of the day conceded with
the festival of San Isidro, the patron
saint of Madrid, which brought i'm
mense crowds to the city from the
surrounding country. Thousands of
persons gathered along the route from
the northern station to the palace to
witness the procession.
The scene at the railroad station
upon the arrival of the royal train was
most brilliant. An escort composed of
the royal body guard, in shimmering
breast plates and with drawn swords,
and a squadron of dragons in bur
ished steel helmets and with waving
lances was drawn up in the courtyard,
while within the station were assem-.
bled the officers of the royal house.
hold headed by the Prince of the AS.
turias.
The various ambassadors and their
staffs, all clad in handsome uniforms,
with breasts resplendent with orders
and decorations, formed a striking
group of color The edge of the sta.
tion platform was lined up by com.
pany of engineers in becoming uni.
forms and tri-colored caps, The regi-
mental standard was displayed within
the station and a band was stationed
there.
The train arrived at half-past 4. A
bugle sounded, the guard of honor
presented arms and the band struck
up the Spanish royal march. The eff.
feet Of the arrival of the ambassadors
was somewhat marred by a mistake of
the engine driver of their train, who
q
fore reaching the official stopping
place. The brilliant throng on the
platform had consequently to scurry
down the station to the royal car.
riage. The guard of honor was then
reviewed, the Duke of Connaught and
the Prince of the Asturias walked to.
gether first, followed by the other
princes. 3 Among these was the crown
prince of Siam, in white uniform
conspicuous on account of his short
stature. Prince Vladimir of Denmark
who walked at his side, lowered above
him. The Duke of Connaught and tie
other ambassadors saluted the stand
ard and the royal body guard They
then took their places in carriages
and were driven to the palace, escort
ed by the royal body guard and the
Dragons At the palace the ambassa
doris were received by the queen re
gent and King Alfonso and conducted
by them to their apartments. A grand
banquet in their honor was given al
the palace last night.
The queen regent has directed the
Duke of Alba as gentleman of the
chamber, and Colonel Marquis Mendi
gorra to be in attendance upon the
Duke of Connaught during his stay
here.
A special bull fight, in which eight
bulls appeared, was held in the after
noon at the Puerta Del Sol No fewer
than 10 bull fights are to take place
in connection with the festivities anC
over 100 bulls are to be killed.
Free dinners were given to 5000
poor persons. This charity will be re
peated daily until May "A. Fifty thou
sand pesetas have been distributed tt
the poor and small sums will be de
posted in savings banks in the name,
of all children born Saturday, May II
the day the king takes the oath. AL
| together gifts amounting to 200 ,00t
L ~ T=TsII