The San Francisco call., 1905-06-07
ALT FONSO SEES
LONDON SIGHTS
All Day Rainfall Gives
the City's Decorations a
Bedraggled Appearance
BUCKINGHAM BANQUET
Famous Gold Plate Used
at State Function At
tended by All the Notables
BUCKINGHAM BANQUET

LONDON, June 6-King Alfonso OF
Spain saw the sights of the metropolis to-
day in typical London weather. Rain fell
all day long, accompanied by chill east
wind. The limp decorations gave the en-
tire city bedraggled and forlorn ap-
pearance.
The young monarch, however, carried
out a long programme with evident en-
joyment. After receiving the dipiomatlc
corps at Buckingham Palace, King Al
fonso attended mass in the Roman Cath-
olic cathedral at Westminster. Later ne
visited Westminster Abbey, took luncheon
with the Duke and Duchess of Connaugnt
and was an interested spectator OF the
military tournament at Agricultural nan.
He gave reception to Spanish RESIDENTS
and to the Anglo-Spanish and American
Spanish commercial bodies OF LONDON at
the Spanish Embassy and paid surprise
visit to the House of Parliament, which,
however, had adjourned before MS ar
rival.
The day concluded with a state banquet
in Buckingham Palace, which was at
tended by members of the royal family,
the diplomatic corps and practicaly all
the notables in political England
The banquet was laid at long table
in the picture gallery, and there were
covers for 120, the famous gold plate be-
ing used The members of the royal
family assembled in the sthroneroom,
from which King Alfonso conducted
Queen Alexandra and King Edward the
Duchess of Connaught to the banquet
table. The general guests were assembled
In the green drawing After tnelr
majesties and the members of the royal
family passed. the guests were paired
and followed them.
Count Wolff Metternich, the German
ambassador, took in Mrs. Whitelaw Reid,
and Whftelaw Reid. the American EN-
bassador, took in the Duchess of Port
land. These were seated to the immediate
right of King Alfonso.
Others present were Count EMensdorf,
the Austro-H Hungarian Embassador; the
Duchess of Marlborough, the Spanish EN-
bassador, L. Polo de Bernabe, and the
Duchess of Roxburghe.
King Edward toasted King Alfonso.
He expressed, on Behalf of the Queen
and himself, pleasure at the long
wished-for visit, which he said, lis
most gratifying to the whole OF the
British nation, whose wishes vie In
friendly rivalry with the great country
you so recently visited in welcoming
your Majesty with the reclamation
which is your due"
After felicitous reference to Queen
Spain and England often have been allies.
May they always remain so, sanas above ala
| march together for the benefit OF peace. pro-
/ gress and civilization. 1 drink the health of
| your Majesty and the prosperity OF the Span
/ ish nation
Speaking in French, King Alfonso re-
piled:
{ 1 am profoundly moved. thank you from
/ the bottom of my heart for myself and my
| august mother for your amiable words OF well
| come in this noble country. united with mine
| by strong ties of common interest and lnef-
| facabe pious memory. 1t was here my Ia
mented father learned the duties of constf-
/ tutional sovereign, having always before him
/ the august example of the great Queen, your
| revered mother who filled with her goodness
| and glory almost a whole century. The cor
diality of the sentiment which has united our
two royal families extends to good relations
| happily existing between Spain and Great
| Britain which ought TO develop in the future
to the mutual advantage of the two friendly
4 nations -,
/ / drink to the health of your Majesty, the
/ Queen and the royal family and to the hap
! piness and prosperity of the great. hourishing
I British empire. -,
! A concert was given in the blue draw
! ing-room. at which the artists included
Nine. Melba, Miss Muriel Foster and En-
rico Caruso.