New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-18
QUEEN ENA's HONEYMOON.

QUEEN ENA'S HONEYMOON
La Granja. where King Alfonso ard his bride viii
spend their honeymoon, IS situated about forty
niles from Madrid. in a sheltered recess Of the
mountains in the midst Of pine forests. 1900 feet
above the level Of the II is exquisitely
beautiful place. which owes its creation to King
Philip Y. and has frequently been described as the
Versailles Of Spain. Its gardens have much IN
common with those of Versailles, for the fact
that the terraces are the result Of nature instead OF
artice while the fountains are even finer than the
celebrated ones at Versailles. It was az La Granja
that Philip abdicated in I724 in favor his son.
at whose death in the same year he resumed the
crown II was there. too that the Infamous
Godoy. The Prince Of Peace. and execrated favorite
OF King Charles ". signed Premier the Treaty
OF 1875, which surrendered Spain to Republican
France Among the relics Of the palace in which
King Charles and his first wife are entombed Is
the "Baculo." stan OF St. Elizabeth OF Hungary
and from time mmemoal this relic is placed in the
hands OF the Queens Of Spain when in childbirth
with the idea that it may not only preserve their
own lives. but bring blessings 10 the infant.
The Queen Mother Christina Ioathes La Grauja
50 intensely that she has been there only once and
then but for few hours. SINGS the death Of her
husband, more than twenty years ago. The pres
ent generation is ignorant Of the cause Of the
Queens hatred of this most delightful picturesque
and always cool and healthy summer residence Of
ne Crown Of Spain But older people recall that
y was at La Granja that some OF the most painful
euarrels between Christina and her husband took
p!aoe-Quarrels arising from the thoroughly justi-
led jealousy OF the Queen-and that II is in the
gardens OF La Granja that the late Duke OF Sesto
president Of the Spanish Commission to the Column
nan Exposition Of 1893. received singing slap on
he face from the irate Queen when he ventured TO
PIT out his hand in attempt to bar her entrance
2 pavilion or kosque in the grounds. where the
King was engaged IL according audience TO
fascinating duchess. now dead.
u was from La GFan5a. too. that Queen Chris
INA made her sensational departure from Spain on
That occasion, travelling straight TO Vienna whence
she vas induced only with much difficulty TO re-
surn 10 her husband by her kinsman, warm friend
eAe ssgacious counsellor Emperor Francis Joseph
queen Christina. IA spite OF all this was deeply at
tached 70 her Eighty and In affairs Of the heart
extremely frivolous husband II is therefore quite
hstural that she should dislike a place, no matter
nov beautiful that recalls to her memory soma Of
ne most painful and Notifying episodes OF her
married life
Another beautiful palace OF King Alfonso TO
which he win take his bride in the fall is Aran-
'oeZ Il Is situated the banks Of the Tagus
&c forest teeming with much game as in the
uays OF the Due de 81. Simon. many OF the cpl
sooes described IN his famous memoirs having
t+Aen place there. Il owes its origin q royal
-s9'oenee 10 Emperor Charles V, who erected pal
sc On the site OF an ancient Roman temple TO
sslllsr: but Il subsequently, destroyed by fire.
saa IN its present condition ii dates back 70 the
-leoe OF the eighteenth century. Formerly its
walls we're adorned with magnificent old masters.
- most Of these were transferred during the reign
= Puesn Isabella TO the PradO Museum. at Madrid.
Aeh contains one % the glaRdest national co..
'soo1s Of old masters 10 all Europe