Year: 1878

He Is most conscientious In the dis


charge Of his duty. Indeed, do no


know anyone who takes so sincere


pleasure In the discharge of his duty


He is fond of study and is very we'll In


formed. He does not care much fo


balls or society, and passes his spar,


time in reading. When 90 to the palac,


to transact business with him he take


pleasure in telling me how he has beer


occupying his time. A few evening,


ago | found him in excellent humor


he told me he had passed a delightful


day, entirely TO his satisfaction. He


said, 81 rose this morning little after


o'clock; at 10 heard mass with nv


sisters, returned to the palace to break.


fast, read little, and In the afternoon


left my eldest sister (the princess OF


Asturias) at the concert, and drove my


young sisters TO the Casa del Campo


and gave them two hours walk In the
gardens. That was much better for
their health than listening to a classical
concert. Concerts are all very well for
the princess, but these young people
derive more benefit from a good, long
walk in the gardens" His majesty
talked of his sisters as "young people"
just as though there was a great differ
ence In their ages; but the pleasure he
took in playing papa with his sisters is
typical of the earnest way he enters
upon the performance of all his duties.


Another incident which occurred
lately will show you the energy of his
character. At the review which was
held at Carabanchel in honor of the
visit paid by the Moorish ambassador
the colonel of one of the cavalry regi-
ments called the kings attention to the
fact that he had not yet inspected his
regiment, which is cantoned some
leagues from Madrid. The king replied,
Gone of these days will come on you
when you least expect me; 1 want to
see your regiment in its normal state;
therefore | will rot tell you when am
coming-I will take you by surprise"
Your majesty can scarcely do that"
replied the colonel, 81 will always be
Informed in advance" "Well, you
shall see," was the kings reply. This
occurred on the evening of the fourth
days maneuvers, and as the king had
undergone good deal of fatigue every
one was thoroughly satisfied that he had
enough military maneuvering for some
time. Next afternoon the king had ap-
pointed to 60 out driving with his sister,
and when the hour came he conducted |
the princess to her carriage, but excused |
from accompanying her. Call
Ing the officer of the guard he ordered |
him to furnish him with guard of fifty
horsemen, and, putting himself at their
head, he rode out to the cavalry camp
at full speed, and, true to his promise,
the regiment, which was ELL
gagged in the stables when he arrived.
Notwithstanding that heavy rain was
falling the king ordered the regiment to
De turned out, and putting himself at
he head he rode to the exercise ground,
where he inspected the men and after
ward exercised them in the maneuvers.
Every one was delighted, for the king
ound the regiment really in good con-
lition, l was in the palace waiting for
lis majesty when he returned, soaked
through with the rain. AS he walked
Icross the floor his course was marked
" regular stream of water, but he
vas in excellent humor at the success
which had attended his surprise of the
avalry. AS he shook hands with me
le remarked, "See how man can get
oaked."