Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-31

King Alfonso XIII
tran de la Cueva. who not only endorsed
four knights but also, single handed and
on horseback, with small javelin, con-
quPred and Killed Infatuated bull which
had torn to pieces the greatest toreadors
of Spain. The king to commemorate TINS
event founded monastery, which the Jeron-
limo friars iraugurated. Later Isabella, the
Catholic. shifted the site of the monastery
to its present place Here It became the
royal chapel and during the gay era OF
Philip w all the royal alliance and cere-
monies took place there. At another time
the cortes met there.
After the expulsion of the frfars the edi-
fee became an artillery magazine ana
later carpenter establishment Thus II
remained workshop until In 1850 the gov
er,,rnent resolved to restore the building 10
its original object as royal chapel fhe
saw mills were then removed, and extern
sive renovating and repairing. gave IL pach
seine of its ancient glory.
The style of the church is Gothic. with
two small towers, and large gotnc por-
tico with rich stone carvings. The interior
has the form of a cross. with a rose win
dow throwing a soft light across the al
tar There are few artistic treasures within,
and the scant light from the musty stain
ea-glass windows makes the interior rather
dark.
Moreover it is essentially chapel. rather
than a magnificent cathedral, and it iacks
that splendid perspective lifting state
ceremony However It's dark walls are
now hung with magnificent tapestries, while
thousands of plants and flowers and burn
ing candles give a setting worthy OF this
solemn act
San Jeronino is the only church In Spain
where mass can be celebrated after MID
day This results from an lnauisen'e .e
granted for a fortune bequeatheo 10 the
hx- n, rif
fayor of the soul OF her maid servant Inc
doweger's precious jewels disappeared one
day and the servant being accused sile
was tortured and executed with All ,,se i nu,
eIs were discovered in the adjoining PARK,
in nest of magpies. The grlet OF , sno
dowager was bourdless, and she gave mel
whole fortune for reduiems, the indulgence
for afternoon masses following some years
after.
The w Wedding Presents
The presents for King Alfonso and his
bride are arriving from all quarters of the
globe. from countries and their rulers, from
provinces and Cities and even from school
children of Spain who have contributed
their mite to show their loyalty to the
king. Some of these gifts are as follows:
The queen mother presents the King with
her portrait painted by Moreno Carbonere:
The city of Madrid gives an enduring pres
ent to the bride. by establishing q work
mems quarter which is baptised in the
name of Queen Victoria Eugenia- The
MAYOR of Madrid has invited all the may
ors OF Spain to sign an artistic album ex-
pressing their homages to the young conpfe.
The manufacturers OF Barcelona have pre-
scented the bride with diadem of diamonds
valued at 100000 pesetas.
The presents from royalty are notable
mainly for their elegance and taste, rather
than their intrinsic worth, although some
of them are of great value. The Emperor
of Germany sends some splendid hunting
trophies made of the heads of wild boars
and stays which Alfonso killed during his
hunt In the imperial hunting preserves OF
Germany. France sends some OF the nm
est productions of Sevres porcelain and the
Gobelin tapestry fabrics. The Spaniards or
Argentina cabled to the famous sculptor.
Mariana Beu,iiure, ordering busts of Al
fonso and the bride, In marble or bronze.
and transmitting $1,000 pesetas.
Queen Christina presents the bride with
a priceless court mantle which belonged 10
Queen Isabel II. OF dark red velvet Won
derfuIly embroidered In gold The bride
presents from the Spanish aristocracy In
ciude many historic jewels, fine old fans.
laces and porceiains The daughter or the
Duke of Alba sent her gold waist buckle
set in rubies. The presents from the people
of Spain show the sympathy with which
they receive the foreign princess. The
school teachers throughout the country
have subscribed a large amount for stump
tuous edition of Don Qufxete accompanied
by a message of felicitation on parchment.
The friends of the king at Biarritz have
united in making a truly royal gift or the
villa Mouriscot and its splendid estates,
where the royal eourtship began The Eng
Hsh residents are wing with the Spaniards
In giving presents. the English colonies or
the interior towns having raised 10000
pesetas for a diamond and pearl necklace
Many of the presents from rulers and state
are yet to be announced.
La Granja, the Place Of Honeymoon.
The castle which Alfonso and his queen
have chosen for their honeymoon Is the
Spanish Versailles. known as La Granja.
1t is quaint and quiet spot, far removed
from the inquisitive throngs of the capital.
and with all the picturesque and romantic
surroundings for royal honeymoon.
The palace is situated at the foot of the
imposing Pico de Penalara In the Guadar-
rama mountains, high above the sea level.
The little village dates from ancient times,
when Henry " built a chapel there and
dedicated 1t to ST. ndefonso. Later, the
friars of the Parral monastery established
here farm Ga Granja}, which so much
suited the fancy of the first Spanish BouE-
bon, Phillip ", that he bought the place
and erected magnificent palace with sur
rounding parks, in the style of his French
native country. The fountains and water
works then established and still running
are not surpassed by any other royal pos
session in Europe.
For years the Spanish kings used this pal
ace and park a pleasure resort, much
as the French kings passed their days Of
pleasure at Versailles. Charles III received
here the Count Artois, when he marched to
conquer Gibraltar. Godoy signed here the
treaty which delivered Spain from France,
and Ferdinand VIII here appointed the In
FAINT Don Carlos to be prince hereditary.
When his energetic sister-in-law heard OF
this intention. she FASTENED to La Granja.
threw the courtiers out OF the palace, gave
to Premier Calomarde the famous box on
the ear, about. which he said later that
white hands cannot Offend" tore to pieces
the first Spanish testament and Insured the
throne to the kings atle daughter. Isa-
bella-events which caused the bloody civil
var.
La Eranja La at its best at this time Of
year, and the blossoms, the old trees, the
myrtle lanes. the fountains and the fresh
mountain air VIII all serve to make this
royal honeymoon delight. This castle
oyerlooka the mark with fks- numerous cas-