The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-18

chariot to meet an emergency or in case
OF a breakdown. To il were 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" having gilt al
legorical figures standing out in relief from
the panels and whose roof was surmounted
by a heavy gilded crown. The gold-plated
nodded lamps of this carriage were es-
pecially striking, being set with imitation
jewels. The hammer cloth, a wonderful
piece of embroidery work, is valued at
$4,000.
The King and the Queen Regent were
seated side by side in the royal coach, and
were accompanied by the infanta Maria
Teresa, ~youngster sister Of his Majesty. IL
was drawn by eight fine speckled grays in
dark red harness having heavy ormolu or
namentatiOn. 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. The process
sion, which emerged from the courtyard or
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 Chan-
Der Of Deputies. before the steps of which
had been erected q purple canopy
THE CEREMONIES.
A delegation. consisting of twelve sena-
tors and twelve deputies, received their
Majesties at the steps and, preceded by
the mace bearers, they were conducted
through the ante-chambers, filed with
courtiers and others who were unable to
find accommodation in the chamber it
self. The King, Queen Regent and the
Prince and Princess Of the Asturias as
cended a platform, specially constructed,
facing the semi-circular, giIded hall,
around which the benches were filled to
their capacity by senator's, deputies, cour-
tiers and ministers. The foreign princes
and other special ENJOYS were seated i'm
mediately to the right of the platform.
which was draped with red. Four gilded
armchairs were placed in front of the plat
form, with a red canopy.
The King and Queen Regent who had
entered together, took the center seats and
the Prince and Princess of the Asturias
seated themselves in the others. On the
left of the King stood a table on which was
a Bible, with a silver crucifiX behind 1t.
On the other side of his Majesty was a
stool, upon which was a golden crown,
blazing with jewels and a scepter.
As the royal party entered the hall ev-
cry one present rose and remained stand
ing until the Queen Regent pronounced the
chamber, Senior Vaga Armijo, who APP
preached the table on which the Bible
rested. then said. amid impressive silence:
Senior, the Cortes, convoked by your
duSuol lOIhCI dlC ~ ICO0lNO
from your Majesty the oath which, in ac-
cordance with the constitution, you come
to take, to maintain the constitution and
laws"
Senior Armijo then drew near to the King
and held the Bible. at the same time keep
ing open a book containing the formula
of the oath. His Majesty, placing his
right land on the Bible, then uttered the
following words:
II swear, by God, upon the holy Bible,
to maintain the constitution and laws. If
CO L 10 NOV Cod nuraP NIX IF Dir not
may He call me to account"
The Queen Regent. the royal party and
all others present listened TO the forego-
ing, standing. King Alfonso then again
seated himself on the throne and the 9TH
ers seated themselves. The president of
the chamber returned to the table and
"The Cortes have received the oath of
your Majesty has taken TO maintain the
constitution and laws"
At the sam moment the booming of
twenty-one guns was again heard, an
nouncing to the city that the King had
taken the oath.
AT THE CHURCH.
King Alfonso, the Queen Regent and the
Prince and Princess of the Asturias with
drew from the Chamber of Deputies with
the same ceremonial that marked thei-
entry into the building and the procession
was reformed and proceeded to the San
Francisco Church, which was reached
shortly after 3 p. m. King Alfonso was met
at the portal of the church by the primate
of Spain and the cardinal archbishop of
Santiago de Compostela and twenty bishops,
all in the magnificent robes which are only
worn on great occasions. Eight priests bore
a mop over the King as he advanced up
the central nave and took his seat on a
throne placed beside a crimson velvet-cov-
cred altar, especially erected in front of the
grand altar. A TIE Deum was then chanted,
accompanied by q grand orchestra. The
King left the church with the same cere-
monials as on his entry and returned direct
to the palace.
King Alfonso to-day for the first time
wore the uniform of a captain general, dark
blue with gold facings and red silk waist
band, from which hung a sword, and a steel
helmet with a white plume.
The reception met with by the procession
was on the whole lukewarm on the part
of the immense crowds. composed chiefly Of
people who had gathered to witness the
pageant out of curiosity. On the Querta del
Sol no cheers were raised until the King
arrived there, when he received an ovation,
mainly, however, from the spectators who
packed the windows and balconies. There
were some cheers from the people in the
streets and hats were waved, but many
men did not even uncover their heads.
King Alfonso, who was seated on the right
of his mother, smiled continually and
acknowledged the cheers by bowling and
waving his w~hite-glOved hand.
There were several minor accidents, due
to the rushes of the crowds, but no fatali-
ties were reported.