The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-05-16
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF Alfonso XIII, the young hng
of Spain.

On Nav II. Alfonso ILL.,, the y2unses'
ruler in the world, will be formany pr. ,,,
claimed King of Spain. ana mn WIZ ~
he Witnessed. : an event. or series %
ovents which mark so great an epocn in
the history of an empire-tne CORONATION
Added to the dignity attached TO tne
Inauguration of a Presldent OF ti W. as
cd States. the browning OF hlns ds
sumes the splendor and magnincence Vi
the fairy tales of old. 1t IS paeeam.,
a rapid procession of beauufolly aIraAs r'
and gorgeously colored pictures throu III. y
which the figures of the King ana ms
court together with the high dignitaries
~ other countries move in panoramic
order ,,t.,, cav,
do is added to the requirements OF say say :,
and SO. with due ceremony ana MAJESTY
pomp. the crown and scepter Of spain VIII
he placed in the lifelong keeping OF her
youthful King, Alfonso XIII.
History His Favorits Study
The personality, habits. character ana
life of the young ruler are OF more tnal'
ordinary interest to the world at large,
inasmuch as he is not only one or the
rulers of the world. hut the younkes...
and ono who. in the early part ol ms
reign. has had to see large part OF ~, ms
possessions wrested from MIN anu ~ NJ
country, which was once among tne
most powerful. relinquish its regency 70
the newer powers. ,-.n
Alfonso will be Il years old the lith
day of this month. the day upon when
he assumes the actual RUE OF hi2 uUuIi
try. and upon that day he will. through
the demands of state, be forced to give
up many of the pleasures which nave
marked his boyhood. = -
His life up to the present time mas
been an unuslal one. With all the buoy
ancy, love of pleasure, and childish I'M
pulses, he has blended the more manly
qualities and serious inclinations which
are foreign to most boys. a student since
he could first read the alphaoet, ne neVe1
has ceased TO be deeply Interested in all
things pertaining to the history of his own
and other countries.
With a keen thirst for knowledge. he
has always applied himself assiduously 10
his books, and now. when he is ready to
assume the reins of government. he finds
himself admirably EQUIPPED to cope with
many of the questions OF state which ne
will be forced to meet ana with which
he would have been unfamiliar through
all these years.
Another advantage which his studies
have been to him is the unceasing NIL
tual devotion of Alfonso and his tutors.
One of his greatest pleasures, aside from
that of mastering his studies, has been
the sensation of pleasing his tutors and
so rewarding their efforts to make the
King of Spain worthy of his noble an
cestor6.
Alfonsos chief delight is his army.
IL
he sent out to little drill ground on
the outskirts of Madrid to watch the ma
neuvres of the troops. All Madrid barred
Its head and gazed with admiration on
the tiny figure perched upon horseback.
with little legs sticking out each side in
the true baby fashion.
Accompanied by guard of ten soldiers
the young King would sit and watch the
troops, and it was not long before he had
learned the commands and their mean
ing, and soon insisted in taking active
part in the drill himself. With a wee bit
of voice that strove hard to be big
and sonorous. the little monarch would
lisp the command and compel the bat
talions to wheel about" in fine style.
turn to Madrid. escorted by his guard
with all the dignity of a victorious gen
eral.
Horseback Riding Favorite Exercise.
The Kings favorite form of exercise Is
riding and shooting. and when he Is not
absorbed in his books he usually is t.
be found on horseback in the midst OF
his dogs, leading them in a chase to their
infinite delight
function in an official capacity not even
at dinner. He Is still restricted to the
habits, customs and forms of diversion
which always have marked his life. and
until he Is formally crowned hing OF
Spain he will continue to be a prince. as
10 were. of the royal house. and one I'M
der age.
less among those who nave given tn,
subject much thought, as to who the COM
panions of the young King are. or if. in
deed, he Is allowed any companions, in
view of the fact that there is no one OF
his rank in his kingdom. Since he was