Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-07-31

II. M. KING ALFONSO Kill, OF SPAIN.
long years of minority. She was de-
termined to call him Alfonso after his
father. and though the superstitious
Spaniards objected to the number
XIII. the queen had her way, and
further defied superstition by asking
Pope Leo XIII. to be his godfather.
The first letter the young king ever
wrote was to the pope to thank his
godfather for a presen. on his first
communion. The little fellow wrote
seven copies before he made one tidy
enough to send.
Little Alfonso grew up amidst the
greatest affection. The queen never
left him, his sisters were his slaves,
and wherever he appeared in public,
the people went into ecstasie5. He.
was scarcely more than q baby when he
first took part in state ceremonies. but
his dignity exceeded his years, and al
most as soon as he could toddle the
juvenile sovereign was most particll-
lar about being saluted according to
his rank. At first he was a very deli-
cate child, so he was kept in the open
air, had more play than lessons. and
spent much time by the sea at San
Sebastian. There he played soldiers
with such enjoyment that a boy regi-
pent was formed of mites of his own
age, duly uniformed and drilled, whom
he reviewed with much ceremony. In
fact, the young king has always had
strong military tastes, and is excep-
tionally well trained in army tactics.
AS he grew into boyhood his lessons
were rather heavy for so young a
child, but he worked well under an
English governess. and at ten years
old had a military governor and 4 reg
ular household of his own. Very wise
ly. however, the queen insisted on q
large share Of outdoor pursuits in mis-
education, SO the young king learned
to ride, row and fence with much en-
joyment. From the time he could irst
sit a small pony young Alfonso has
peer devoted to riding. and a new
horse to match his growth was his
mothers favorite present. The king is
q steady, intelligent worker, with
much aptitude for lan%guages--he
speaks English. French, German ami
Italian, besides being a fair Greek and
Latin scholar-and he has leen most
carefully trained in craftsmanship
Like his mother, he is a good mlsi-
clan.
According to Spanish custom. the
king came of age when 1G, three years
ago. and then solemnly assumed the
government. A Spanish coronation Is
a very tame affair, for the king simply.
takes the royal oath and the oath Of
allegiance before the cortes, and
crowns himself. SO the accession oere-
monies were not specially imposing,
though Madrid held high holiday, and
the national sport, bull-fghting. was
grandly represented. King Edward
sent his brother sovereign the Order OF
the Garter as an accession gift. and
the duke of Connaught went to Madrid
to invest the young king. Since then
King Alfonso has paid state visits to
several courts, where he has been
much liked for his quiet, pleasant
manners.
The young king has always been of
rather serious disposition, though he
can be bright and merry enough al
times. He is stronger than he looks.
his fair hair and pale complexion Civ
ing him an air of delicacy. Altogether
he is a handsome young fellow, much
resembling his mother. So young q
king-he is only just 19-is somewhat
of an unknown quantity in character,
but from present appearances there is
every prospect that Alfonso XIII. will
be a wise and devoted ruler. He will
have a warm welcome in England. and
King Edward has already appointed
him a general in the British army.