Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-03
ENA OF BATTENBERG.

mer at En1s s coming-out ball in Ken slngton palace, that they have been probably much together ever since, would probably heen allowed to wed had not the opportunity been given for the princess to become queen. They say" the princess rebelled, did not wish to take advantage of the oppor- tunity, much preferred her handsome guardsman, thought to make match not unlike that ot her aunt, Princess Louise, duchess of Argyle, who mated with a subject, not member of a royal family. But ambition led the girls relatives to override her objec- tions; the guardsman has disappeared from public view, King Alfonso's suit iE accepted.
 Alfonso is not yet 20 years of age. Ena is his junior by something over a year. He is tall and slight and plain, she tall and well built, and very good ,.lboRfng1 IrnmRy have been the con trast that drew the young king, but there seems small doubt of his devo- ton and ardent sentiments. It is pro- claimed he recently told a courier: "Ena was born to be queen and she is worthy of a throne. For her l should be happy to relinquish one. and I should be happier she being a queen than in being king"
 The love-making went on with cer- tain simplicity down there at Biarritz. southern France, where the Princess Henry was sojourning with her daugh- ter. Alfonso made his headquarters at San Sebastian, Spain, only 30 miles away, a distance easily covered by an enthusiastic motorist and an enthusi- astic lover But after the preliminar- ies, formality steps in and takes con- trol. The young king announces his intentions to his ministers. a grandee makes pilgrimage to England to ask of King Edward, head of the family, the hand of the princess. The consent is formally announced on the return of the grandee, ana now the betrothal is a very public affair indeed; every thing must be directed by the most hide-bound conventions. Probably there will be many ceremony-cum- bered day in Spain when the English girl will wish herself back in the land of the free.
 A Spanish king and queen are serv- ants of their servants, the rules of the court enforcing a formality almost incredible in these free and easy mod ern days. An article in the Chicago Chronicle says everything in the kings household is regulated ty old and musty laws. one law adhered to is that the queen must go to bed a; half-past eight in winter and ten in summer. The maJes,ies are ever at- tended by a formidable bodyguard. everywhere observed by numerous in- ouisitive eyes. 1t does not appear such an enviable iot, that awaiting the English princess.
 Yet let us bring forward the fact that Alfonso seems a plucky sort O; boy. snd that he has been reared by a wise mother. he 12> tuFneo ont macu better In the way of health and man. Illness than ras ftared in his early youth: is a true sportsman-a usshing motoris;. a daring rider and hunter. one of the bes; shots in Europe. a yachtsnan that Is able to take defeat smiIingiy. He seems to g.t quite a 10; Of enjoyment ou. cf life in spite of the conventions. and maybe his vife will b. able to.
 She has been chosen from among p-inoesses of many nations-Alfoaso dIa s-seetng eO. if not a-wooins- sII over Earope-to Germany. Austria, Bavaria sad England Thsy say h- has ch0sen the prstfisst of all the grincesses-
 HLFN TuAvFH