New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-27

Real or Royal March, Is always played ior thl~
It is an attractive little air, depending on drums
and bugles for its best effect and neeessitating
slow, measured step like the Lohengrin Wedding
March,
A sort of concert number follows, played by
one or the other Of the bands; then the incoming
officer of the day and the outgoing officer ride no
and salute each other, and the retiring guard
marches out Of the plaza again to the tune Of the
ROYAL March. 1t is all a most interesting incident
Of the day. and for the novelty and formalty Of It
worth seeing again and again.
OCCASIONAL TOURISTS AND sPANLARDS
AMONG THE SPECTATORS.
There are occasional tourists among the on
lockers, and surprisingly large number Of ordi'
nary Spanish citizens, considering the guard
mount is a daily occurrence, and one would think
that It would become old story to Madrid
Spectators are kept to the side lines during the
military exercises, but at any other time any one
may wander about the plaza in front Of the palace
even to the sentries at the entrance to the palace
and there is no objection restriction. On the
day when 7 took my pictures at guard mount
there was much interest in my little camera, and
the people about me were anxious to give me
place in the front row Of spectators that there
would be obstruction to my view Of the advanc-
ing soldiers In fact, this kindly interest was
shown everywhere in Spain and no trouble was
too great for them to take in showing US direc-
tions or answering our questions.
The Kings Offices and cabinet are on the lefo
of the palace, and he occasionally comes to the
window or out on the balcony while the fine band
is playing its little concert.
While all the uniforms are gay to American
eyes the most striking feature of the change OF
guard is the cavalry. The horses are beautiful
creatures and the men sit them we'll Their uni
forms are bright blue with red decorations, their
helmets are shining and their banners all combine
TO give them really medieval appearances.
ONE LITTLE ACT THAT TELLS WHY THB
KING IS POPULAR.
That Alfonso is popular with his people has
already been said. A little act Of his at a recent
review was told US which shows his impulsiveness
and his kindness A youngster of three or four
little girl had been schooled by her mother to
approach the King as he rode by and reach up
toward him a letter begging for the pardon of the
child's father, who was in prison. This dramatic
appeal was not timed exactly right, and the child
got IN the horses way before she drew the atten-
ton Of the King She knocked down by the
horse and it was not until then that Alfonso
saw her. He refined his horse Immediately, backed,
dsmounted and picked the child up, finishing the
parade with the baby held before him on the sad
dle-and the effect on the crowd general
hurrah, of
All the life of Madrid centres about the Puerta
del Sol, an old plaza from which the principal
business streets radate. 1t was here that there
was the greatest activity to be seen, and at one
side of the Sol were the headquarters where the
money bags were emptied out huge table.
During the forenoon the King and Queen drove
in their car down from the palace along the
Gale del Arenal. As the car was held up with
others by the passing traffic before entering the
Sol, one of the pretty mantills girls with her
money bag mounted the running board and held
up the King for his contribution He emptied his
pockets into her bag and she covered the lapel of
his coat with floral tags, and when the car started
he made the girl sit down between Queen Victoria
and himself and drive the Sol with them
| heard that the King drove through the Sol in
the afternoon, too and aughingly turned his
pockets inside out to show that he had no more
10 contribute
These little things always noted in the
Madrid press, and so his subjects who do not see
his good nature and spontsneity shown read OF
it, and his popularity grows
Afonso's eldest son, the Prince OF Asturias,
was seven years old last May, and there was some
formal ceremony attending this event. II Alton
sos courage continues to foil the attempts OF
the assassin, and if he continues to Eld up her
material posperty Spain may again be greas
power when this youngSter comes TO the throne