The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-05-14

ton that the birth was imminent. The
usual gathering outside the palace
court yard was soon swclled by i'm
mense throngs of the excited populacc
who watched the continual stream of
brilliantly uniformed personages driv.
ing up 10 the royal residence and tried
TO identify the individuals.
The crowd awaited in suspense until
nearly ] o'clock. when the laundering
out of the first cannon shot slgnlfied
that the royal accouchment was over.
The reports We're counted anNiouslv
until the 18th, and then a complete
silence ensued. The seconds appeared
as hours until the 10th shot boomed
forth. and the continuation until the
2lst had been fired informed the pub.
lie that the royal child was "A son
The 10th report brought forth a ring.
ing cheer. and at the same time the
royal standard was hoisted over the
palace. and it was known that no mis-
take had been made The people
danced with JOY and embraced each
other. shouting. Long live the king,
Long live the queen"
They then rushed from the spot.
carrying the news TO the furthermost
points of the city.
Soon after the royal salute the flags
Of Spain and Great Britain were raised
over the public buildings OF Madrid.
Business houses closed for the re
mainder OF the day as a sign OF re-
joicing.
In the meanwhile the solemn cere-
mony of presentation was being car
ried on in the palace. The mis-
tress of the robes. carrying a huge
silver tray, upon which was lying the
newly-born royal baby. accompanied
by King Alfonso. and Premier Maura
appeared in the ante-chamber. where
the courtiers had assembled. The
young monarch appeared. full of JOY.
and the premier, raising the drapery
which covered the infant on the sill
yer tray. said:
Gentlemen. 1t is a prince"
The solemn dignitaries thereupon
forgot all etiquette. and cheered both
the king and queen heartily
The minister OF justice. Marquis
Figueroa. made out the birth certif
cate. which was signed by all the
prominent personages present The
gathering then broke up.
King Alfonso tclegraphed the good
news to the pope. King Edward an
the heads of other states. and later
the congratulations began to come in
The accouchment was in every r..
spect normal, and the queen is making
very satisfactory progress toward re-
covery. Her majesty proposed herself
to nOurish the infant prince. who
shows signs of the utmost vitality
He has strong voice. blue eyes ana
fair complexion. like his mothers.
The queen was the first to kiss the
baby. and she was followed by the two
grandmothers. Princess Beatrice. Of
Battenberg. and Marie Christina. the
dowager queen of Spain.
The cabinet drew up and later pre-
sented King Alfonso for his signature
DEGREES transferring the title of heir
presumptive from Prince Charles oi
Bourbon to the newborn prince.
II has been decided that the bap
tism shall occur on Tuesday at noon
In court circles il is desired to naao
the boy Carlos. but the matter OF his
appcllation has not yet been definitely
decided.
King Alfonso. in honor OF the event.
decreed the pardon of thousands OF
prisoners. including eight persons who
were condemned to suffer the death
penalty. The press of Spain. without
reservation. rejoices In the birth OF the
little prince.