The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-04-11
BIRTH OF ASPANISH PRINCE
NATAL CEREMONIES AT THE
 COURT OF SPAIN

ing in the Private Chapel of Palace --Old Fcnt.
 The family life of the Spanish court is conducted with much simplicity, and since the advent of Queen Victoria Eugenie several English customs have been introduced, such as afternoon tea "a thing formerly unknown-and cer- tain English dishes at the luncheon and dinner tables. These things, how ever, do not encroach upon the formal etiuette of official observances and roy al ceremonies for which the court of Spain is famous. Breaches in this di- rection would give grave offence to the grandees of the country whose tradi- tions have been handed down with un- swerving regimen from the Austrian epoch.
 A Spanish prince or princess is ush- cred into the world with quaint obser- vance and stately ceremony, writes Mary Spencer Warren in the London Express The abolition of the Sale law in 1880 insures the future success sion of princess to the throne should the reigning sovereigns have no son born to them But it goes without saying that the Spaniards would far rather owe their allegiance to a king than a queen, and so when the birth of an infant in direct succession is immi- nent boy is ardently desired by all classes.
 When the coming of the future king ln --as in other households-are subjects of paramount importance. In the pres ent instance the young Queen of Spain has had presents from all directions, the ladies of her adopted country es- pecially having forwarded numerous robes richly trimmed with costly lace, Her majesty's own nurse for the royal baby has been chosen, in accordance with Spanish custom, from the peas- antry of the Asturlas.
 This province is noted for it's hand some women, number of whom are summoned to the palace at Mad rid prior to an expected birth. From these women one is finally selected, and the rejected ones, to compensate them for their disappointment, are sent
 
 well as with a sum of money, and their entire expenses to and fro are also de- frayed. Quite naturally this office is thought most highly of, and whoever is selected Is a person to be envied, for she occupies an extremely prominent position throughout the first year or so of the baby's life, and when her duties are ended she receives a monthly pen sion and is in fact rich woman for one of her class. Her official dress consists of back velvet and lace and silver chains of office.
 When the birth of the little prince or princess is imminent certain high dig nitaries are, in accordance with prece- dent, summoned to the palace, these consisting of representatives of the church, the army and the navy, the royal household, the prime minister and deputations from the Cortes. The Mistress of the Robes must also be present, as she has a special duty to perform. These officials all assemble in an apartment adjoining that of the Queen, while the tidings of the expect ed event naturally gets known throughout the city and the inhabi- tants with one accord are wont to as semble in the Plaza del Oriente ana vicinity. From here they can watch for the appearance of the additional royal standard--with the broad and yellow folds showing the lions of Ara gon and the castles of Castile-whch 1t is customary to run up when the birth of the infant is announced.
 Tta ft,A distinguished personages await in anX- ious expectation the appearance in their midst of the Mistress of the Robes, whose coming will announce the royal birth. As in England, the lady who holds this position is always a duchess and her presence on this occa- sion is one of the duties of her office, while the momentous message with which she is charged by the royal phy- Hician is delivered to the prime minis ter, who in his turn makes the an- nouneement to all assembled.
 Before many minutes have elapsed the grandees and officials have ocular demonstration of the birth of the royal infant, for the child is brought into their presence carefully laid upon a
 
 yer has been first of all artistlcally covered with a costly cushion trimmed with deep flounces of exuisite lace. Then, in accordance with precedent the salver, with it's precious burden, is intrusted to the arms of the prime minister, to be by him formally presen- ted to all present, who greet the infant with profound bows and subdued vi- vats. The premier 1t is who also makes the necessary announcement to Parliament on the same or following day, in accordance with the hour of birth.
 The strains of the Marcha Real which halls from the time of Carlos " lis heard in different parts of the city, Guns are fired from the fortresses and depots and To Deums are sung in the churches.
 The christening of an infant son or daughter of the Majesties of Spain takes place in accordance with the dogma of the Roman Catholic church within one week of the birth, The cer- emony is always held in the private chapel of the palace, and though this is of somewhat limited dimensions, it is customary for a certain portion to be set apart for the accommodation of the poor of the city, who are admitted without ticket. Also many of these people are allowed to take up a posi- ton in the long galleries of the palace through which the state procession nassaS On it's way to the sacred edifica