Year: 1878




beforehand by the nuns that we
must all call her "Madame." IT.
seemed q funny idea to call such a
little girl Madame, especially here,
where we all call each other by our
first names, whatever the difference
in age or rank but the nuns didn't
think it right that we should be
quite so familiar with a future
queen. l noticed, however, that
they themselves called her by her
name, Mercedes. At first some of
us undertook to instruct Madame
in the prisoners base," but we
soon felt she knew it as we'll as any
Of us; she is a fast runner and will
make a capital player. Some of the
girls we're a little shy with her and
would not chase her very hard at
first, but she saw through it and
seemed quite hurt by it, and would
purposely put herself in the way
80 that they couldn't avoid catch
ing her, and we soon felt at ease all
round. l think she is going to
make a trump. Without losing
the gentlenesS and simplicity Of
her manners she is fast getting over
her shyness, and there is nothing
rough about her, yet is bright and
gay, with plenty Of spirit, and ready
for all sorts OF adventures. She
told us little to-day about her
ways at home. The Duchess of
MOntpensier brings up her chill
dren very Sensibly, and they have
ell to get up at 6 and go to bed at
s. Madame was quite disappointed
when she came here to find that
our hours are even earlier than
hers, for we get up at half-past 5.
However, her bed time is earliest,
which consoled her somewhat. Her
playmate is the Prince Ferdinand,
a year older that herself. They
treat their parents with the great
est respect, and never dream of 90
ing to bed without their fathers
blessing. Mercedes says that some
times when their father is off with
the hunt he is delayed until nearly
midnight, but instead Of undress-
ing, the children remain down
stairs and take maps in chairs till
he gets back. They are never al
lowed to lie on sofas when Older
people are present, but Mercedes
says she can sleep very soundly in
a chair. When the father comes
home they just wake up enough tC
receive his embrace and blessing
and get off to bed as fast as they
can.


SHE RRCITRS L0NGFELL0W.


At the end Of the torn, wher
the pupils standing in their classes
were reported, the writer of these
letters says: 81 was curious to see
how the Princess d'0rlesns would
fare on this occasion; but she haC
to take her share, as | supposed
Madame, it was said, had given per,
feet satisfaction in her behavior,
and studied very well in class, but
she did net make the progress they
could wish in her private lessons
also, her English teacher marked an
aversion on madame's part to talk
| in any language other than her own,
whereupon the superiOrs gave {
little lecture on the necessity O.
conversation in becoming familiar
with a language. That reminds
me of funny scene at the Englisl
examination, where madame wa'
called upon to recite something
She chose Longfellow's Psalm o
Life and stood up quite bravely al
first. She did very we'll till abou
half way through, and then all a
once she got stuck, and the frs
thing we knew she had utterly dis
appeared from view. The chile
had been SO gneved at her failur,
that in her embarrassment she sai
down; but so comic an effect haC
this sudden disappearance that the
whole room burst out laughing.
Nothing would persuade madame
to get up again."


BETROTHAL or MERCEDES.


The last Of these letters is date(
July, 1874. In it the writer says
"The Princess d'0rleans is now
aspirant, and has worn the purpl,
ribbon for one month. (She re
ceived the white ribbon and media
of the Society of the Enfants d.
Marie in the spring of the following
year.) Madame has just been for
mally betrothed to the Prince AL
fonso. There has been a grea
family gathering and she was ab
sent from school several days, ant
when she came back we knew i
had been all arranged. Poor child
l am afraid she will have an un
comfortable life of it in such an un
settled country as Spain"


That Other Plymouth seaudaI.