The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-05-17
Solemn Ceremonies When AIphonso
XIII Became King Of Spain.
The Feies Had Been in Progress for
Several Days Past-General
Rejoicing.
MADRID FILLED WITH DIGNITARIss

mtuf1u, may lf-hls uhJesty,
Alfonso XIII, king of Spain, solemn
ly took the oath to the constitution in
the hall Of assembly of the chamber Of
deputies today, with the utmost cere-
mony and in accordance with all the
religious forms and ancient rites.
Shortly after the break of day the
ceremonies began with salute Of 81
cannon shots, marking the opening
Of the day, and at the same hour the
church bells throughout Madrid began
ringing. At 10 O'Clock the court dig
nitaries and distinguished persons who
were to take part liz the royal cortege
began to assemble in the halls Of the
royal palace. The ladies wore court
dress and the dignitaries werein full
uniform. The ENJOYS extraordinary,
the ambassadors, the ministers pleni.
potentiary and the charges d'affaires,
with their wives, assembled at the
palace ut II O'Clock and were invited
by the master of ceremonies to repair
to the chamber of deputies and take
the places reserved for them.
The royal insignia, borne by high
court dignitaries, included the collar
of the Order of the Golden Fleece, the
sword, the standard and the seal Of
CASTLE, and the royal mantle of his
majesty. The Spanish..crown, circle
Of gold, richly decorated with jewels
and precious stones. adorned with
eight leaves and closed with four
arches, surmounted the carriages in
which rode the king and queen
mother. The carriage itself, was a
dream Of gorgeous color. The vehicle
was q huge and cumbersome affair,
according to latter day notions, and
was made for King Philip V. Its
interior was richly upholstered in
purple and gold, and while the outside
was decorated W tn paintings by Ru-
bens and richly inlaid with silver and
pearl 1t was drawn by eight magni-
ficent horses with footmen and out
riders clad in the livery of the period
of Charles V. In the front were
squads Of brilliantly uniformed SOL
diers, while at the side cantered
galaxy of Spanish generals. Two
dozen carriages, scarcely less rich in
their fittings and decorations, con-
veyed the Infsntas and the great dig
nitaries of the royal palace. As the
procession swept by, the troops, in
parade order, presented arms and rem
dered all military honors to the royal
party.
Upon arrival at the chamber of dep
uties the king was received at the foot
Of the exterior stairway by the presi-
dent of the chamber, who conducted
his majesty to the hall of assembly,
where the throne and altar had been
erected on a raised platform, above
which hung a rich canopy of purple
and gold. There was little room to
spare in the great hall, spacious
though it is Senators and deputies
were grouped about the foot of the
throne. Nearby were the prelates
and clergy of the Roman Catholic
church The body of the hall, ex-
cept that portion reserved for relatives
of the king and high officials of state,
was given oyer.to the hereditary no.
bility and others whose rank and po-
sition entitled them to admittance.
The women wore court gowns, while
the men appeared in brilliant uni
form or in evening dress. One of
the most gorgeous bits of coloring in
the great picture was furnished ty
the foreign representatives occupying
the tribune.
The king, upon entering the hall,
bowed to the knee before the senators
and deputies and also to the tribune
occupied by the foreign representa-
tives. His majesty, having removed
the robe which he wore in the car
riage, now appeared in the brilliant
uniform of a captain general of the
Spanish army. The queen-mother
wore a white, low-necked dress, with
q long train. which was borne by
four court chamberlains. As their