Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-05-31
AN ACT OF MERCY.
Princess Ena's Intercession Saves
Life Of Condemned Man and
Increases Her Popularity.
ROYAL PALACE or MADRID
Home of spanish King One OF h"rS
est and Most sumDtuOuH Palace"
in EurOpe-Its Erection
Commenced in 173S'

in EurOpe-Its Erection
Commenced in 173S'
Madrid, May 2S.-The first notaple
act of Princess Ena OF Battenpers
since her arrival in Spain to become
the bride Of King Alfonso XII nan
heen to induce the king to pardon FER
nando Leyera, who was condemned 10
death after an exciting trial. The ara
matte circumstances under which par
6on was given, as the condemned man
was going to the gallows, attrac"
widespread attention and further aug
ments the popularity Of Princess Ena
Ievera was to have been executed IN
the neighboring town of Bada1ose, Da'
the population solicited Princess Ena
intercession and she spoke to the KING,
who consulted with his ministers, anu
after a cabinet council the government
resolved to grant the request as IL was
4he first petition the pricess had maze
in Spain. Thereupon the king issuou
a pardon, and a telegram announcing
this fact reached the prison at Bada-
4oee half an hour before the time se'
for the execution. The march to TINS
scatfold was about to begin when
messenger brought word OF the PARDON
There were remarkable scenes OF TO
1oicing. The townspeople formed .
PROCESSION and sang the praises Oh
their oueen to be. The people OF Mad
rid also highly approve the princess
humane Intervention and the newspa'
pers coment upon the coming queen y
first act as being one of mercy.
The Pardo palace was again the
scene Of royal ceremonies Sunday tne
ideal weather permitting OF open alE
religious services on the lawns OF the
palace. where the military bishop cole
brated campaign mass.
On one Of Princess Ena's visits to
Madrid she was permitted to visit the
gorgeous nuptial apartments that have
been prepared in the royal palace anc
To try on the wedding dress maze
here. 90
The royal palace of Madrid is doublN
interesting Just now both as the piac'
from which King Alfonso goes to NEE
his bride and as the future home OF TIL
royal couple. The suite Of apartment
designed for the future queen nav
been most lavishly prepared with TN
richest art treasures from the gallerie
Of Spain. But aside from this, til
palace itself is one Of the largest an
most sumptuous of Europe. IL
built on the former site Of the Alcaza
of the ancient kings, from plans by Tn
italian artist Giovinni Bettirta sac
chetti. The first stone was laid
1888 and 20 years afterwards Charlie
Ill took possession Of the edince an
began the decoration Of the interior
The expenditure amounted to SOO,Ooo
900 reals. Immense substructures CIV
the palace a dominating position D
the Mauzanares river and lend 1t tn
appearance not only Of palace Dt
Of a great citadel commanding the Cit
II covers an expanse of 1880 sQual
meters; $50 feet on each side and IL
feet high. The massive structure
of granite throughout except II
frames Of the doors and window
which are Of marble.
The enhance to the royal palac
winch Is conceded to be one OF u
most magnificent in the world, hf
been further enriched for the preseI
occasion. 1t is gorgeously carpete
and ornamented, illuminated day an
night by myriads Of electric ligh
concealed within the rich gold CO
nices, with halberdiers in their bri
liant uniforms acting as guards.
the first landing, serving as pillars
the baIustrade, there are two emo
nous lions Of stone, the work Of u
sculptors Castro and Michel.
II is well known that Napoleon
had a jealous regard for these lions
the day that he admired the palaC
remarking to his brother that thu
we're better housed than he himself
Paris.
Many Of the salons are decorate
with rich embroidered cloths and d
luxurious furniture and ceiling we
painted by Mangs, Balyen, Velasqut
Vicente Lopez and Juan Rivera. I'll
furniture has been the slow grow
Of the luxury-loving kings Of Spa
and represent an incalculable outls
Many Of the salons are veritable m
seums. Formerly It was not possil
TO adequately admire the beauties
the palace, as its vastness made
rather dark, but the modern innoN
ton Of electric lights has broug
out all OF It's glories- Nowhere
the electric lights used with more d
Cling effect than in the Sale des A
bassadeurs, with its majestic throI
on which Alfonso and his queen v
soon be seated together.
The old tapestries Of the pala
about 1900 IN number, have no eq
either In artistic execution or intr
sic value. The library contains o
100000 volumes and 100000 MAJ
scripts, many Of them unique s.
Is the truly royal residence Of
queen Of Spain.
oDs1aeinR Plum Eun Mines.