Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-17

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 defed superstition by asking
 Pope Leo XIII. to be his godfather
 The first letter the young king ever
 wrote was 10 the pope to thank his
 godfather for a present 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 ecstasies. He
 was scarcely more than baby when nc 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 particu-
 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 al San Sebastian. There he played soldiers with such enjoyment that a boy regi. ment was formed of mites of his own age, duly uniformed and drilled. whom he reviewed with much ceremony. Tn 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 lesson: were rather heavy for so young a child. but he worked well under an English governess. and al ten years old had military governor and reg. ular household of his own Very w.se- ly. however, the queen insisted on education, So the young king learned to ride. row and fence with much en- joyment. From the time he could first Sit a small pony young Alfonso has been devoted 10 riding. and a new horse to match his growth was hls mothers fayorite present. The king is a steady, intelligent worker, with much aptitude for languages-he speaks English, French. German ani Italian. besides being fair Greek and Latin scholar-and he has been most carefully trained in statesmanshir Like his mother, he is a good musi- elan.
 According to Spanish custom. the king came of age when IS. 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 cere- monies were not specially imposing. though Madrid held high holiday. and the national sport. bulI-fghting. was sent his brother sovereign the Order of the Garter as an accession gift. and the duke of ConnauEht went 10 Mairid 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. thou-a he can be bright and merry enough a; times He is stronger than he looks. 1 his fair hair and pale complexion Eiv- ing him an air of deiiczcy AI-og.ther 1 he is a handsome young feIlor. muck ! his mother. So young a sing-he is only just 1s-is somewhat 1 of an unknown quantity in.chsrsctsr I bHr from present appearances there is l every prospect that Alfonso XIII. zill ' be wise and devoted ruler. He xiIl i have a warm welcome in England and I King Edvsrd hss already spPoiltei kln a general in the British army.