Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20

will traverse the principal streets and
squares of the city, with martial music,
summoning the populace to rejoice and
| make merry Troops will line the streets
through which the royal procession will
pass. From the royal villa of the Pardo
the princess and her suite Will be escorted
to Madrid by brilliant cayalcade. The
princess will proceed direct to the senate
house. where lot of aristocratic danes
will look on while a few deft-hngered wom-
en-. who have no exalted titles but under
stand their business, will array her in her
bridal f1nery and see to it that her hairpins
and various other fxings are properly adj
tusted. When the aristocratic danes have
declared themselves satisfied with the re-
suit, and pronounced the bride too lovely
for anything" she will go to the Church of
st. Jeronimo accompanied by all her
gorgeous galaxy of attendants. Alfonso
will drive there from the royal palace in
the famous historical coach Of ebony and
pearl, known as the Jeanne Ia Folle, which
Is far more costly than the gorgeous old
vehicle in which the lord mayor of London
makes his official Journeys.
X
Everybody who considers himself some
body in Spain will try to squeeze into the
church. At present there Is more intriguing
and diclSer1ng going on to secure an invita-
ton than precedes the outbreak of reyo-
luton. But the shifting process will neces-
sarily be q severe one, and as aristocrats
are q numerous tTIDo IN spain, IUdlly d uOlA
With q yard-long pedigree will have to con-
tent himself with Joining in the shouting
on the outside. But the blue bloods inside
will present a splendid spectacle. There
are no people on earth who can assume
magnihcence with so much stately grace as
Spanish grandees. English noblemen. on
the rare occasions when they appear In
their robes and ooronets. look sheep-faced
as though ashamed of their finery. but the
Spaniard in a gorgeous uniform takes Just
as much pride In 1t as a peacock in his tail
feathers.
The marriage ceremony will be performed
by Cardinal Sancha. assisted by lot OF
archbishops. bishops and minor church
preIates. At the moment when the couple
| are made one for life: Alfonso IN accora ora,
ance with a queer Spanish custom, VIII
hand to his bride, thirteen gold coins, winch
are supposed to symbolic. In some way
Christ and the twelve apostles He VIII &C
company the act by the words, "Wife, take
this 'arras' which | offer you as pledge
| of marriage" According to some anti
ouarians, this presentation OF arras, lar
from possessing any rensiJ ,d sls,so ems.
| tom when brides were bought on the Y. ".
| D. system. Be that as 1t may. the newly
made queen will take the money, put priodi
dresses being unprovided with pockets, sne
will seize the first convenient opportunity
| TO slip the money into the hands or one OF
her attendant satellites.
X
At the conclusion OF the ceremony the
royal couple Will drive to the palace in the
| wonderful ebony and pearl coach, and the
procession that viii trail after them VIII be
| the most gorgeous ever witnessed in spain
in modern times. Or Alfonso Will De saoiy
disappointed 1t Is estimated that IL Will
stretch at least two miles. It viii move
along to the accompaniment OF salvos OF
| artillery, national airs played by the pest
bands In the country. and all Madrid turned
loose. Soon afAer the arrival OF the royal
couple at the palace there viii occur ORA
matic episode Outside. OF course, there
will be vast concourse of people. anxious
| to catch glimpse of the king and his fair
young queen Suddenly, all the windows OF
+ the palace giving on the balconies VIII De
thrown open and the bride and bridegroom
will step forth, accompanied by the menu
bers OF tho royal family and the court.
Then Madrid will show how 1t can cheer.
ON the afternoon OF the same day. follow
ing another curious traditional custom, Car
dinal sanoha viii call at the palace to
soIamnly bless the habitation OF the newly
married couDIs. and the nuptiai bed In