The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-08
ALFONSO XII OF SPAIN
PERSONALITY OF THE FATHER OF
THE NEW BOY KING.
Man of High Attainment. as Scholar
and Statesmnn-His widows Work
for Her Royal Son.

a delightful six months sojourn in southern
Spain.
The capital was gayly decorated and
crowded with visitors from every part Of
the kingdom. as well as abroad, who had
assembled to witness the festivities in COM
memoration OF the second centenary OF the
death OF Calderon de la Barca, SPANS
greatest dramatic poet after Lope de Vega.
who died on May .. 1851.
The weather was glorious even for spring
IN the peninsula and every one seemed
happy. although the landlords showed un-
mistakable traits Of the descent from
brigand ancestors by urbanely extorting a
fabulous ransom from each guest that fell
into their clutches No matter what rate
had been agreed upon in advance you had
90 pay about twice as much before you
could leave with your baggage. However,
the Spanish boniface is so exquisitely polite
that you actually depart with the comfort
ing sense Of having been nobly entertained
in the private mansion OF some hidalgo.
was fortunate enough to obtain accom-
modations in a casa de hues pedes (board-
ing house, in a side street where most Of
the guests were permanent and whose
landlady was good enough to think that all
Americans were somehow the posterity of
the early vOyagers from Spain, and there
fore to be treated as kin beyond the sea"
II was curious, indeed. in those days how
many Spaniards could with difficulty be
dissuaded from the fond belief that the
United States were much the same thing
as Las EstadOs midas de Colombia
some other FESTIVE South American repub-
lie. fear they have grown more enlight-
ened now.
Madrid was en- fete day and night from
May 3 TO the 9th. There were splendid
parades OF the sturdy Spanish soldiers.
whom Bismarck once called the best fight
Ing material In Europe Eloquent orations
were delivered in sonOrous Castilian. There
were gala performances of opera, a special
representations OF Calderons masterpiece,
La Vida es Sueno." and grand concert,
at which the chief soprano singer hap
pened 10 be Miss Emma Thursby, of Brook
iyn.
Then there was a most magnificent and
interesting bull hght-not the customary
bloody spectacle which is a relic of the
Roman arena, but a revival Of the cOurtly
Jousts OF Spanish chivalry. which still sur
vtved in CalderOns day. This tournament
was styled 'CaballerOs en- Plaza (Cava-
Tiers in the ring and afforded an OppOr-
tunity for the ultra 'sWells' among the
nobility 10 mount their superb horses and
tilt gracefully at the charging bulls. which
were decoyed TO one side just in time TO
prevent general goring' Of steed and rider.
The knightly costumes of the partici
pants, the element of danger involved. the
notable representation of Castilian beauty
and high life in the brilliant thrOng of
spectators were quite sufficient TO make the
''Caballeros en- Plaza the most unique and
interesting event of the whole Calderon
festival
Then the trip from the city out to the
plaza de Toros" afforded an entertain
nent by itself that only be compared
10 the Derby day procession in England.
Every conceivable kind of vehicle was
pressed into service, and nearly every ami
NAL that figured in Noahs ark. with
preference for goats. donkeys and mules.
The entire population Of Madrid was on
the road. / think, exclusive of the royal
family and the clergy Very few of the
Of
they were just as happy 10 stay outside
and play pranks.
ROYALTY AT CLOSE VIEW.
However. what interested me supremely
during my Madrid sojourn and what has
mainly suggested this article was my visit
10 the royal palace and the opportunity
afforded me OF studying their Majesties at
close quarters.
Alfonso XII was then in the early twen-
ties. and had been on the throne for five
years.
The experience of that somewhat degage
young monarch had been a bitter one in
many ways and yet he seemed to bear his
trouble and responsibilities with the indif-
ference of a well-bred man OF the world.
The saying that time that while
there were sixteen millions of people in
Spain, there were at least sixteen millions
and political parties And yet this
seemingly languid youth of scarcely TWEEN
ty-four years dealt with the opposing fac
tions in a mastery way. and commanded
not only the respect OF his own subjects,
but OF all Europe before he died. in 1885.
Banished with his mother Isabella from
his native land for more than half his life
prior 10 his accession TO the throne, he had
enioyed the advantages of travel and had
been educated In the most liberal and thor
ough way. II was knowledge OF the world
and OF human nature. together with unfail-
ing tact that combined 10 make Alfonso
XII almost great.
II wish you 10 understand he said, on
throne hands
partisans, that 1 consider myself the first
republican in Europe. and when you are
then I shall retire AmadeO has done.
He had the people with him 10 man
on Corpus Christi day IN Spain it has
long been the custom for the King and
Queen. with their entire court to attend
high mass in state at the royal chapel and
afterward To march through the sumptu-
ousy tapestried galleries OF the palace,
while before them proceed the high digni-
tories OF The church hearing the conse-
Grated host with all he pomp and cere-
mony of the Romish ritual
Through the kindness OF a friend, resident
in Madrid. I secured card of admission 10
the chapel itself. and never shall forget
the deep impression made upon me as a
lad while an eyewitness of that splendid
function. 1t was glorious morning in
early June and all the world seemed to
have dOnned their best attire. After ar
irving at the palace il took me fully half
an hour 20 reach the entrance 10 the
chanel There were doorkeepers innumer-
chists or assassins, and each one in turn
had more questions TO ask than the last.
AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.
once in the chapel 1 breathed a sigh OF
relief, although 1 found myself penned ur
in a narrow space with about fifty other
perspiring ticket holders. For over an hour
we waited. being soothed at intervals with
the most beautiful music. the distinguish
ing feature OF which was a piercing fall
sstto voice Of unearthly, yet beautiful
quality.
At II O'Clock heralds. richly costumed. an
nOunced the arrival OF their Majesties with
sonorous fanfare Of trumpets.
First came the clergy, in gorgeous vest
ments conspicuous among whom was the
benevolent and portly figure OF the Arch
bishop OF Toledo, the primate OF all spain
Then at a little distance, followed the
royal psrty-Alfonso. every inch a King
notwith standing his slight figure aEC
youthful appearance, and Christina, pale
and distinctly plain. yet distinguished anC
regal in her bearing. Directly behind theil
Majesties, a brilliant spectacle of handsome
uniforms, orders and gay toilets. came TIT
entire court. including foreign ambassa