The Washington herald., 1907-05-11

Madrid, May IA whole city besides
itself with delirious JOY is the impression
gained from the outward aspect Of Ma
dTid to-day.
son has been born TO the beloved
young king and queen. who miTaculQusiy
escaped assassination together less than
a year ego. and. humanity speaking, a
male successor 10 the throne of Spain
is assured
The event appeals to the sympathies
and sentiment Of Spaniards in a degree
difneult for outsiders to imagine and inn
possible TO limit. OF the genuineness Of
the enthusiasm evoked by the auspicious
occurrence there can be no more doubt
than OF the sincerity which marked the
rejoicings of the people at the escape OF
the sovereigns from the bomb in the
Gale Mayor, or of the demonstrations Of
loyalty since displayed on every occasion
OF their public appearance in the capital
or provinces.
First signs of COmmotiOn.
Renewed rumors Of the coming event
spread through Madrid early to-day.
There had been many such rumoTs during
the past few weeks, but to-day's rumor
despite previous disappointments. had
some indehnable air Of probability, which
led numbers Of people TO Immediately
abandon their work and hasten toward
the palace. Shortly after 10 o'clock the
Kings aunt, Infanta Eulalia. and her
son drove quickly to the palace. Then
followed a stream Of carriages conveying
grandees, ministers, diplomats, and the
other officials summoned to attend the
ceremony Of presentation. which. in sc-
cordance with ancient custom, follows
the birth Of an infante or an infanta Of
Spain.
POPuIace Streams to Palace.
The effect Of this procession upon the
population was magical Shops and Offices
were hurriedly closed, business was sus-
pended, and from all parts Of the city
crowds began to stream 10 the square in
front Of the Pardo Palace. They thronged
around the carriages and automobiles
bound ia the same direction, greatly hin
dering the progress Of the vehicles, until
streets Converging on the palace were
almost blocked. Some laughable sights of
haste were witnessed in the carriages.
Exalted ladies. in their eagerness TO COM
ply promptly with the royal summons and
not to miss the palace ceremony. COM
pleted their tOilettes as they drove along
IN their carriages. displaying no concern
at the amused comments of the crowd.
The agitation Of those whose carriages
were hindered by the press of foot pas
sengers was quite painful TO see. Drivers
shouted. automobile horns footed, and the
people chartered and laughed excitedly
Gayly uniformed officers hurrying on foot
TO the palace pushed the obstructors aside
with less ceremony than police dispensing
a mob.
Cry of "a Boy, BOy!s Thrills Crowd.
BY noon the palace square was thronged
as well as the neighboring streets, where
late comers. shut out from view of the
palace. waited eagerly for the booming of
the guns which would announce the
child's sex. few minutes before
o'clock an officer Of the Pavia Hussars ran
quickly down the palace steps, waving a
handkerchief and shouting:
Chico, un chico! -(Little boy, a little
boy9
Then the pent-up emotion broke loose and
wild outbursts Of seni-hysterical cheer4
ing arose from men and women, fashion,
ably dressed artisans and blue-bloused
working men kissing one another in un-
feigned joy at the event which means to
Spain more, perhaps. than it would be
possible to say.
The next moment official confirmation
of the news was doomed forth by the
guns. but the roar of the artillery was
almost deadened by the noise Of the clap
ping of thousands of hands and frantic
OF Al WIN Ia qrfxfa
ei Heredero Real de Espana."
Scenes Within the Castle.
Meanwhile the customary preparations
and ceremonies had been going on quietly
and in an orderly manner within the pal
ace. Wax candles were lighted around
the many holy relics collected in the
Queens ante-chamber. The bishops and
court chaplains were gathered in the roy
al chapel. where the Host was exposed
and the Hymn of the Nativity sung
Prayers were offered for the Queens safe
deliverance. The famous girdle Of the
Madonna of Tort0sa was taken 10 the
bed chamber for the Queen 70 kiss.
While the accouchement was in progress
frequent reassUTing messages were sent
10 the anxious father from the physicians,
who reported that her majesty's splendid
constitution was carrying her through the
ordeal most happily.
When his majesty had been informed
that his wife had borne him son. the
Duchess of San Carlos. mistress of the
robes. opened the door OF the Queens bed
chamber and summoned Prime Minister
Maura. Custom prescribes that the pre-
mier shall be present at the birth. This
was long ago reduced TO a formality, and
the chief minister awaits in an ante
room the summons. He received from
the Duchess of San Carlos the news that
the child was a boy and entering the
apartment where the officials were con-
gregated. ne proclaimed in a loud voice:
Gentlemen, i is a prince" whereupon
the assembled personages shouted; Viva
el Rey viva la Reina,"
King Appears Before His People.
When the baby was ready for presenta-
ton it was placed in the arms of its
father, who bent over it with his eyes
filed with tears of pride and JOY. The
infant was then laid by the mistress of
the robes in the cradle This was placed
upon a golden saIver and covered with
q lace veil Then the King. wearing the
Continued on Page 3, Column 8.
}. H. small & sons, Florists.
Washington and New York