The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-05-28
ENA ASKS
A PARDON
Future Queen Of Spain'S First
Request Of Alfonso.
LIFE OF LEVERA.
Princess Visits New Home In Pal
ace Wedding Dress Made
In Spain.
LIFE OF LEVERA.

MARlD, May 2S.-The first notable
act Of Princess Eua Of Battenberg since
her arrival in Spain to become the
bride Of King Alfonso Kill has been
to induce the king to pardon Fernando.
Leyera, who was condemned 70 death
after an exciting trial.
The dramatic circumstances under
which pardon was given, as the con
demned man was going to the gallows,
attracts widespread attention and fur
Their augments the popularity Of Prin-
cess Ena.
Leyera was to have been executed in
the nelghborlng town OF Badajoz but
the population solicited Princess Ena's
intercession. aud she spoke to the king
who consulted with his ministers, and
after cabinet council the government
resolved TO grant the request, as 1t was
the first petition the princess had made
In Spain ThereupOn the king issued
a pardon, and telegram announcing
this fact reached the prison at BadajOz
half an hour before the time set for
the execution The march TO the seat
fold was about TO begin when mes
senger brought word of the pardon
There We're remarkable scenes OF re-
jolclng. The townspeope formed a
procession aud sang the praises OF
their queen to be. The people of
Madrid also highly approve the prln.
cess humane Intervention. and the
newspapers comment upon the coming
queens first act as being one OF mercy
The Prado palace was again tlp
scene of royal ceremonies, the ideal
weather permitting of open air re.
lgi0us services on the lawns of the
palace, where the military bishop cele-
6rated campaign mass 1t was a
pretty sight with the brilliant uniforms
Of the soldiers forming background
for the royal personages Princess
Ena's interest in the Spanish uniforms
led King Alfonso 10 summon six sol
dierS representing the various arms Of
the service for his bride elects In.
ments. This was n source Of special
satisfaction to the influential army ele
ment.
Later in the day King Alfonso and
Princess Ena went In an automobile Ia
the picturesque forests Of Prado
On one of Princess Enas visits 70
Madrid she was permitted to visit the
gorgeous nuptia apartments that have
been prepared In the royal palace and
TO try on the wedding dress made
here.
The wedding dress has attracted
great interest in Spain, as ii is truly
a Spanish product in fabric and finish
except for the wonderful Brussels lace
which has been brought to adorn il,
1t was a fancy of the king and the
queen mother that the wedding dress
should be made In Spain, and the
Princess Ena graclously fell in with
this patriotic sentiment.
The dress is therefore one of the
special presents from the king and is
a marvel of elegance. The silk was
manufactured from special pattern
In one Of the large Spanish silk estab-
lshments. 1t was made up with all
the artistic skill of the court dress
makers. The silk is heavily overlaid
with wonderful silver embroidery with
soft frllls of the finest Brussels lace
said TO have cost $50 yard.
The laces were publicly exhibited be
fore being put on the dress and excited
the admiration and establishment of the
aristOcratic ladies of Madrid Orange
blossoms are prOfusely used with the
silver embroideries and laces for the
corsage and even in dainty clusters
along the train which is four yards
! long.
According to Spanish traditions, tn,
bride must afterward present this wed
ding dress to the Virgin de Ia Paloma
the popular protectress of maternity.
Frederick Wallingford Whitridge
American envoy to the wedding o
King Alfonso and Princess Ena o
Battenberg, and party has arrived
from Paris.
The cabinet ministers have had thei
share in the prevailing enthusiasm
over Alfonso's fiancee. Premier More
expressed his official view while drink
Ing toast to the princess. Addressing
King Alfonso, the premier said: "Sirt
you have brought us treasure. Ma
1t please God to make us worthily cor
serve II.