New-York tribune., 1906-05-31
THE SPANISH MARRIAGE
a Victorian Princess SymboEsing
Good Fortune for the Peninsula.
lnndnn Max, %

s,b no fewer than eighty-six of her descend
s,,s- whose rights OF succession to the British
r,ugu could be seriously considered and tabu-
,.,es in precise order. When she had assembled
.,. throne the once exuberant Hanover stock
=. ,,ellnigh exhausted; but with new life tba
,-,,ctes had multiplied and were spreading
.rs- the Continent. The German Emperor ana
-. czarina OF Russia were then numbered
long regning sovereigns with the Duke of
.coturg- CSotha and the Grand Duke of
,-.sse DarInstadt and now there is a Queen of
Norway with Victorian ancestry; and to the
LORE Queens OF Sweden. Rumania and Greece.
ua.b strain Of the same blood in their veins is
:. be added the Queen Of Spain. With few
..,rs marriages European sovereign without
.a,orian lineage will become IN the course of
'.,,ss- generation an isolated exception to the
-,nu rule; and the noble Queen will have
,ssn her place the historic great-grand-
rosther OF European sovereigns.
The Spanish marriage has involved change
:. religious faith; but Princess Ena is not the
s-s, n Queen Victoria's granddaughters TO adapt
.-sslf before marriage 20 the environment of
. s.ate church The Czarina was equally fex-
,se and there have been in the Victorian circle
,ber instances OF conversion 10 another church.
The transition from the English Church TO the
ponan faith has not been easier than the pas
German PROFESSIONALISM 10 Ine Oreek
church; but IL has been more conspicuous. be-
osuse II has revived memories of the English
reformation and the Spanish Armada That
,bsre should have been so little popular resist
snce 10 the marriage IS a proof OF the steady
growth Of religious liberation. The bishops and
clarey OF the English Church have been exercised
over g. but there has been public outcry
evainst Il. Since the announcement OF the be-
t-othai the clerical letters Of protest in THE
Times" have ceased and the religious press has
re.rained from commenting upon the match. The
orncess has been heartily cheered wherever she
has been seen IN London and the Isle OF Wight,
and there is no evidence that she has forfeited
her popularity by becoming a convert TO the
Roman faith. The most plausible argument Of
the bishops against the marriage was the bad
example set by royalty in making religion
matter OF convenience and thereby bringing it
into contempt. To this most forcible reply
has been returned the effect that-it is not the
habit Of the Roman Catholic clergy to allow
converts TO slip into their communion without
thorough examination and preparation. and that
the conclusion that the princess has been in
sincere and has sacrificed convictions TO ambi-
ton has not been warranted by fact. While
baptized by Presbyterian minister in Scotland
and a oommunieant in the English Church. she
was petted by the Empress Eugenie and without
doubt strongly Influenced by her in matters
of faith and practice. Her passage into the
Roman Church was brought about naturally.
Her instructors may have found her willing 10
be convinced that her Spanish lovers religion
was the true faith; but il is not likely that there
was any lack Of seriousness IN her conversion
CT that she was Influenced exclusively by worldly
motives.
II there had been any popular prejudice against
the marriage as contrary 10 the spirit OF the
Reformation and the traditions Of the Eliza
bethan era, IL would have been dispelled by the
ardent wooing of the boyish King. At Biarritz.
in the Isle OF Wight and at Kensington Palace
the two royal lovers have won all hearts by their
youthful spirits and unaffected happiness; and
the eroakers and objectors have been silenced by
the old song, '''Tis love that makes the merry
world go round So Princess Ena is receiving
q hearty send-off this week on her way TO Madrid.
after dancing for the last time in an English
ballroom and showing her beautiful wedding
gifts TO her royal cousins and intimate friends.
The most stolid and unsentimental Englshmen
have warm cell in their hearts for pair Of
lovers; and they have not forgotten that one of
them was the pet OF Queen Victoria-a favorite
not only on account Of her own sunny nature,
but because she was the daughter OF Princess
Beatrice. the sovereign's constant companion In
Ier years OF lQneleSI WiQOWhOOQ- Princess EIra
IS not beauty, but she has regular features,
bright eyes. fresh coloring and robust health.
She had not been out OF the control Of a gov
erness many weeks when she attracted attention
az The gala opera performance IN honor Of King
Alfonso; and while he had come TO London in
the hope OF winning Princess Patricia, he went
away. as the court gossips have asserted. easily
consoled with the promise OF a substitute. As
bright and merry child as her mother had been
before her, Princess Ena was brought up in the
nurseries at Osborne as primly and simply as
her uncles and aunts had been. She was taught
70 write letters as soon she could read and
ffench ana German she learned readily, taking
more kindly 70 dancing than TO music or draw
Nie her childhood was sobered by the loss of
"ef Iather. but size was not allowed 70 be per-
A'anently saddened by it. There were four little
oat'enoergs 20 romp IN the nurseries and gar
GERS at Osborne. TO play hide-and-seek in the
observatory tower and to practise horsenansf1ip
iH the riding school and swimming IN a floating
San IN secluded nook OF the bay II was a
Hopfg little group, reared IL a simple, hopaely
way under the grandmothers eyes, with regu-
al routine Of work and study and with outings
q windsor and BalmoraI. II was a wholesome
- natural upbringing, that tended TO promote
p1sSical Vigor. serenity Of temper and vivacity
AcnsiDig tuefe COulG not nave been a
'e'Osf tfalning for the Queen OF Spain.
me marriage may wen be source Of pride TO
1'eAshInen 1t shows how efficient and helpful
e4l country can be IN the world. Spain. hav-
"e lost The remnant Of her colonial empire, is
''ertaking the work OF reconstruction and re-
VITA and hopes 10 rise to the level OF Austria
italy. To the English royal family the
s'Ohg ruler, who had the unique distinction of
@FGg been born a king. turned in quest OF
p0ce and soon as his choice was made Span