PRINCESS VICTORIA EUGENIE OF BATTENBERG AS QUEEN OF SPAIN
1906
As the Spanish authoress Concepción Gimeno de Flaquer devotes the
last chapter of her book, “Mujeres de Regia Estirpe” (Women of Royal
Degree), to Queen Victoria Eugénie of Spain, it seems that I should
fall short of the mark were I not to publish some of the Spanish
impressions of the present English Queen at the Court of Spain.
[Illustration: VICTORIA EUGÉNIE, QUEEN OF SPAIN]
Señora Flaquer says: “The presence of the beautiful Princess at the
royal palace is like a shining star on a dark night, a soft balmy
breath of wind in a violent storm, a refreshing dew in hot weather, and
a ray of hope in depression.”
This description is Spanish in its imagery, and it is interesting to
note the more measured language in which Figuerola Ferretti expresses
the joy of Spain at the news of the engagement:
“The news is like a fresh spring of hope to us Spaniards, who regard
any English girl as a symbol of sincerity and sweetness, and how
much more so when that girl is grand-daughter of the great Queen
Victoria, whose name is venerated throughout the Peninsula!
“Whilst regarding the entry of Princess Ena into Spanish spheres as the
commencement of a new era for the education and progress of our women,
who are only waiting for the opportunity to prove their intellectual
worth, I must say I might have some fears lest the Princess should be
chilled by the restrictions of Spanish Court etiquette, had not King
Alfonso already shown himself capable of breaking down the unnecessary
barriers which would prevent his future bride continuing the happy
outdoor life and the social pleasures which brighten the existence of
royal ladies in England.
“‘Manners maketh man,’ it is said, but it is also true that ‘man maketh
manners,’ and when our monarch follows the natural and noble impulses
of his heart, it is always to the making of a manner which expresses
good feeling.
“The young Spaniard has marked with great interest King Alfonso’s
foreign mode of courtship, which oversteps the lines of our customs;
and as he follows in the footsteps of the royal _fiancé_, he will
soon see that invigorating motor-car excursions and walks in a garden
with the queen of his heart are more conducive to mutual knowledge of
character than perpetually thrumming on a guitar outside the lady’s
window, or only being permitted to whisper words of love in a corner of
a room where the rest of the family is assembled.
“To judge from ancient records, the arrival of the young Princess
Eleanor of England in 1170 as the bride of Alfonso VIII. of Spain led
to a reaction against the strictures of etiquette introduced by the
Moors to the extreme limitations of the liberty of our ladies; and
it was by the natural assumption of a certain freedom of action that
the daughter of young Henry II. passed a happy life of nearly half a
century as Queen-Consort in our country. And Princess Ena is not likely
to fall short of her English predecessor in her natural love of liberty.
“Readers of Mariana’s ‘History of Spain’ may be struck with the
resemblance of the meeting of the young royal lovers on the borders
of Spain in 1170 and that of the illustrious couple at Biarritz. The
ardent young Alfonso VIII. was charmed with his English Eleanor,
even as our Alfonso XIII. admired the Ena of your land; and as Queen
Eleanor associated herself with the promotion of learning and letters
for men, and supported the foundation of the University of Palencia,
our future Queen Ena will doubtless encourage the present movement
for the education of girls, which has just culminated in the opening
of the Middle-Class College under the committee of ladies of the
Ibero-American Society, presided over by Queen Maria Cristina.”
The joy foretold by the Spanish courtier was more than realized at
the arrival of the English bride. Her bright, sunny smile and ready
acknowledgment of the people’s evident admiration of their future Queen
delighted the people.
But the tragedy of the bomb cast in the bouquet, which caused so much
disaster, came like a sudden frost, and nipped the spontaneous joy
of the young Queen, and the drives and walks in the city of Madrid
became a source of fear instead of joy. It is hard to us here in
England to realize what the bomb outrage on her marriage-day was to
Queen Victoria of Spain.
[Illustration: QUEEN VICTORIA OF SPAIN AND THE QUEEN-MOTHER AT A
BULL-FIGHT]
Wearers of the Victoria Cross and the D.S.O. have not often gone
through such a terrible ordeal. For soldiers on active service are at
least prepared for such tragedies, but in the glitter and gaiety of a
marriage-day the blow was dealt in the dark.
An officer in the Wad Ras Regiment, who was close to the carriage, told
me that he can hardly bear to speak of it even now. The gaily-decorated
street was suddenly transformed into the fearful scene of a
battle-field. The cries of the dying and the sight of the killed sent
many people out of their minds. With the calm courage of a soldier’s
daughter, Queen Victoria neither swooned nor went into hysterics; but
the shock went deep into her soul, and she naturally fears a repetition
of the horror when she is in the city.
The people, therefore, are a little disappointed at their greetings not
meeting with the quick response of the first days in her new land; and
as Spaniards would do anything for a smile, and love to see happiness,
this inborn terror, begotten of the tragedy of her wedding-morn, would
form a barrier between the English Queen and her people, were they not
reminded of the source of the set expression on her face.
In La Granja this is different. The freedom of the country life gives
scope again for our Princess’s smiles, and the beautiful gardens and
the charm of the palace seem far removed from the tragedy of the city.
“Oh, how we adore her when she is like that!” said the simple-hearted,
sympathetic Spaniards, as they saw the eager, guileless way the Queen
showed her young cousin, Princess Beatrice of Coburg, her lovely
country residence; and after she had passed up the fine staircase of
the palace, lined by the halberdiers sounding their drum tattoos of
welcome, she appeared at one of the windows to smile on the soldiers as
they saluted her in their parade past the palace.
[Illustration: PRINCE FERDINAND OF BAVARIA, BROTHER-IN-LAW OF ALFONSO
XIII.]
Bouquets are naturally, of course, still looked upon with suspicion at
the Spanish Court. When Miss Janotha, the celebrated pianist, wished
to leave a beautiful bouquet at the palace as an offering to Princess
Henry of Battenberg, when she was in Madrid, the lackey looked at it
askance, saying:
“We are not to take bouquets.”
Miss Janotha looked regretful, and I was very glad when a superior
official stepped forward and said:
“We do not take bouquets, but as it comes with the English lady we know
here, it is all right.”
This confidence I acknowledged gratefully; the Polish pianist was
pleased, and the bouquet was taken.
“The Queen is always her bright, merry self on the yacht,” said a
distinguished naval officer, when speaking of the shock of the bomb to
the young Queen. “She sings, and is as happy as the day is long, for
there is no fear of such tragedies on board ship.”
One always connects Spain with sunshine, and Queen Victoria was
interested at seeing the after-effects of a snow-storm in Madrid. Their
Majesties sallied forth in a motor-car to the park of the Retiro. The
Queen expressed her admiration at the clever efforts in statuary made
of the snow which had fallen in the morning. The newly-appointed Prime
Minister, Maura, was easily distinguished as a snow-man, and many other
celebrities were recognized in this exhibition of snow-figures made
by the street _gamins_. Great lions in front of the War Office also
showed the skill of the officials in turning the snow into form when
clearing the pathways, and in the squares and streets there were many
presentments, both male and female.
The Infanta Maria Teresa was driving across the Puerta del Sol with her
young husband during the inclement weather, when a mule of her carriage
slipped on one of the tram-lines, which form a perfect network at
this busy centre, and the carriage came to a standstill. The Princess
descended from the vehicle, and would have walked home had she not
herself slipped on the treacherous footwalk. Fortunately, the etiquette
which formerly forbade a commoner to touch royalty even in a time of
danger does not now prevail, and a policeman raised the Infanta from
the ground, and placed her in a tram, in which the rest of the journey
to the palace was made.
[Illustration: THE INFANTA MARIA TERESA, AFTERWARDS WIFE OF PRINCE
FERDINAND OF BAVARIA]
AN AUDIENCE AT THE COURT OF SPAIN.
It was one morning during this short season of snow in 1907 that a
charming Spanish lady, Señora doña Carmen Burgos de Seguí, called
to ask if I would join her and two or three other members of the
well-known Andalusian Centre in their visit to the palace to invite
King Alfonso XIII. and Queen Victoria to a forthcoming fête to be held
by the Centre at a theatre. All the formalities with reference to the
audience had been arranged, and I was pleased to accept the invitation
to join the commission.
As a fall of snow precluded the possibility of being able to obtain a
carriage or cab--for the cobbled stones of the roads make it unsafe for
horses in slippery weather--I put on my snow-shoes and fur cloak, and
soon arrived with my companions at the royal palace, which flanks the
whole side of the great Plaza de Oriente, and towers majestically above
the richly-wooded valley of the River Manzanares.
The white-cloaked sentries, in their three-cornered hats, saluted us
respectfully as we passed, and the colonnaded, rich-carpeted staircase
soon led us to the gallery which lines the quadrangle of the royal
palace.
A sympathetic porter helped me to remove my cloak and overshoes, and as
I shook out my dress and donned my white gloves he said:
“Her Majesty will be very pleased to see a compatriot, for since last
June she has not seen an English lady.”
The ring of the halberds on the floor of the gallery as the historic
halberdiers changed guard, and the quick word of command, were the only
sounds to break the solemn silence as darkness fell on the courtyard,
where snow was falling softly.
A lackey in gold livery now issued from the royal apartments and met us
in the gallery. He then conducted us to an imposing doorway leading to
the landing of the state double-winged staircase, which is only used on
very important occasions. It was in this gallery that the young King
and his sister, Maria Teresa, startled Queen Victoria, on her first
Shrove Tuesday in Spain, by jumping out at her disguised with masks.
The white marble lions, the blazing lights of the fine chandeliers,
the rich carpets, the carved marble rails and handsome walls, looked
like a scene in a fairy-tale as we saw it for the first time, and after
passing several footmen and officials on the landing we reached an
antechamber, where we were asked to wait our turn of audience.
The walls of this salon were hung with rural scenes embroidered on
tapestry set in crimson velvet. Large mirrors reached from the floor to
the painted ceiling, and reflected the crystal candelabra and the works
of art which lined the room, with its crimson-satin-covered furniture
on a velvet-pile carpet.
Just before we were summoned to the royal presence, I was told it was
contrary to Court etiquette to wear a veil, so I removed it in time to
obey the summons of the Court official, who appeared with the papers
relating to our visit; and being handed over to the usher, we ran the
gauntlet of the eyes of Chamberlain and military men standing about
in uniform in every salon, and passed through a large anteroom with
green-satin-panelled walls hung with pictures of the royal predecessors
of the present King, and thence into a room like a large and splendid
ballroom, where a lady was sitting on duty in full Court dress with a
companion, and we were finally ushered into the presence of the King
and Queen.
The Queen looked fair and regal as she stood in the beautifully
decorated French salon in a perfectly-made pale pink dress trimmed
with the finest lace, and the King was in the undress uniform of a
Captain-General.
The Queen looked somewhat sad as she graciously received us, and she
must, indeed, have thought that it was another wearisome occasion
of speeches and remarks which would be in an unknown tongue to her.
According to the etiquette of the Spanish Court, the King and Queen
were both standing to receive us in the beautiful little boudoir.
Indeed, the room seemed only arranged for such audiences.
My introduction to the King as an Englishwoman at once met with a
cordial shake of the hand and a pleasant “How do you do?” after the
Queen had gracefully greeted us. As Her Majesty looked pleased to see
somebody from her native land, I begged to be allowed to address Her
Majesty, and, passing behind the King to her side, I soon had the great
delight of hearing her speak with pleasure of the Shakespearian Bazaar
in London, where I had last seen her as Princess Ena; and when speaking
of my friend, Miss Janotha, she said, “Yes, I have known her since I
was so high,” holding her hand a little distance from the floor.
In the talk with the Spanish ladies, Alfonso pleased one who has rather
advanced opinions by the gusto with which he said, “Yes, there are
indeed far too many associations in Spain!” for this remark showed
that His Majesty is alive to the evil; and if the clerical party would
only allow action to be taken to prevent this overwhelming number of
religious associations in Madrid, it would be to the joy of the country.
For these associations ply their trades of printing, chocolate-making,
boot-making, needlework, etc., and they undersell the trades of the
lay-workers, as they have neither taxes nor rent to pay. This abuse
the Government was seeking to remove by bringing in a law for the
diminution of such societies, but the _camarillas_ of the palace,
instigated by the clerical party, checked the progress which Canalejas,
the President of the Congress, was making in this direction, by causing
the fall of the Ministry. It was falsely reported at the palace that
Canalejas is atheistic and antagonistic to the Church, whereas he
told me himself that he is very religious. He has a private chapel in
his house, where Mass is celebrated every day. But, as the Minister
said, this matter of the associations (of which many are from Belgium,
France, and other parts of the Continent) militating against the
trade of Spain is a matter of State policy, and has nothing to do with
religion.
“And now the King is offended with me, and I have no chance of an
explanation with His Majesty,” said the ex-Minister, who a short time
before had been patted on the back for his zeal for the welfare of the
land.
When I looked at the young Queen, so tall, so elegant, and so alone in
a foreign land, I felt how difficult it must be to fulfil her rôle to
the satisfaction of all parties.
The report that the expected royal heir’s layette was to be made
entirely in Spain excited much commendation; but when I went to see the
things at the best shop in Madrid, I could but note that they were not
so fine as I had expected.
“No, no,” said the proprietor of the place; “all the best things are
made in the convents, and we have only the second and third best. The
Queen, I believe, meant to benefit the trade of Madrid, for she was so
sweet and gracious when she called here, but the priests gave most of
the work to the societies in which they are interested.”
Moreover, the King not only expressed himself frankly about the
associations at our audience at Court, but he showed a deep interest in
the details of the Andalusian fête to which we had come to invite Their
Majesties. It is the King’s keenness in all matters which captivates
those about him.
“What dances will there be?” he asked eagerly. “And will there be songs
of the Region?” he queried. To all these questions the Spanish ladies
answered, flattered at the interest manifested.
During the talk I was privileged to have with Her Majesty in English,
I was charmed with her evident affectionate recollection of things in
England, whilst graciously interested in the subjects which had brought
me to Spain.
She smiled sweetly when I kissed her hand on leaving, as I said I
did not know whether I did it as a Spanish subject or as an English
compatriot, but in either case it was an honour I could not forego.
Then, the audience over, we were conducted with the same pomp and
ceremony as before through the stately salons and guarded galleries
till we were once more in the free atmosphere of the Plaza de Oriente,
environed by the statues of past Spanish Sovereigns, who looked
spectral in the moonlight, and met by editors who wished to make copy
out of our audience.
The King said we could see the state apartments of the palace on the
following day, but, as the weather was bad, I proved to be the only one
who appeared the next morning to profit by the royal permission.
There was much discussion in the Chamberlain’s office as to the right
course to pursue about my visit. The royal permission, which is rarely
granted whilst Their Majesties are in residence, had been given to the
party of ladies, and only one had come. Was that one to be given the
privilege or no? I was amused at hearing the flow of oratory which the
subject aroused among those in the office, but directly I suggested
myself deferring the visit to another day, the traditional courtesy of
the Spaniards gained the day, and with many bows and protestations of
pleasure I was escorted past the sentries on guard by a courtly guide,
who did the honours of the salons. If I describe these state apartments
in the words of Pierre Loti, it will be seen that I do not exaggerate
their magnificence, for the French author writes:
“The place is decorated by Velasquez, Bayeu, Tiepolo, Mengs, Luis
Lopez, Rubens, Vicente Lopez, Luis Gonzalez, etc. A whole world of
splendour seems to unfold, and as one passes through what seems an
interminable line of salons, all marked with the particular ideas of
the artists employed on them, one is struck by a series of surprises.
“The great frames of the doors are all made of agate or rare marbles,
whose colours and veined surface harmonize beautifully with the
brocades of the walls.
“The Salon of Charles III. is hung with blue satin starred with silver.
Other salons are hung with exquisite old satin, with furniture of the
time of Louis XV.; others are hung with an inimitable red embroidered
with gold of the time of the Renaissance, or with pale green curiously
blended with yellow or saffron colour, or deep blue embossed with
yellow, with the stiff but elegant furniture of the Empire period.
“Then there is a salon with the whole ceiling and panels of faience,
and when the artist died before completing the work, his wife finished
it by inaugurating and superintending the exquisite embroidery of
garlands of white and pink roses on panels of grey silk.”
There is another salon with the walls covered with cherubs
of the white pottery for which the factory of the Retiro was
famous--viz., the throne-room, with its ceiling painted by Tiepolo,
its crimson-satin-hung walls, its long mirrors, its many crystal
chandeliers, its busts of the Roman Emperors on pedestals, and, above
all, its magnificent throne with its crimson and gilt chairs. The four
steps of the throne are guarded by two large lions of gilt brass,
and the royal seats are flanked by figures representing the cardinal
virtues; and the banqueting-hall, with its magnificent columns, panels
of porphyry and marble, is a perfect picture.
Spanish ladies declare that Victoria of Spain looked every inch a Queen
when she first took her seat by her royal Consort. Her diadem-crowned
golden hair, beautiful face, and her exquisite toilettes, make a
striking feature at the State receptions; and when we consider that
it was in an unknown tongue the talk went on, it was wonderful she
could preserve her stately and quiet demeanour. Now the Queen has
become mistress of the Spanish tongue, her subjects can admire her
intellectual as well as her physical charms.
THE COURT OF SPAIN AT CANDLEMAS.
The protocol of the royal Court etiquette at Madrid and the rites of
the Roman Catholic Church produce a pageant in the Spanish palace at
the Feast of the Purification (commonly called Candlemas) which, in
splendour and solemnity, savour more of the Middle Ages than of the
present practical period.
The galleries on the first-floor of the magnificent quadrangular
Palace of Madrid showed the advent of a great event, for the windows
looking on to the spacious colonnaded courtyard were hidden by the
fine tapestries of the same character that lined the walls on the
opposite sides. Rich carpets covered the floors, and the companies
of stalwart halberdiers, the Guard of the palace, were placed at ten
o’clock along the corridor, bearing on their shoulders their halberds
with the inscription, “Fabrica de Toledo, Alfonso XIII., 1902,” which
were presented to them when the present King was added to the list of
the Sovereigns to whom the corps had the honour to be the bodyguard.
Officials of the palace and officers constantly passed to and fro,
giving orders and seeing that the soldiers stood in their right places.
The three-cornered hats edged with white, the high black leggings
reaching to the white breeches, and the blue coat decorated with
scarlet badges bearing the castle and the crowned lion, is the same
uniform of the Royal Guard as it was in the early part of the last
century, and it reminds one of the pictures of Napoleon, etc., of that
time.
A clap of the hands from a Court official announced the opening of a
large door leading to the apartments of the Infanta Maria Teresa and
her husband, Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria. Bright and happy looked
the young Princess as she passed along, with her ready sweet smile
for familiar faces, and looking quite pretty in her pale blue dress.
The merry eyes of the stalwart, fair young Prince were cast about in
cheerful greetings as he swung along in his striking blue and scarlet
hussar uniform, with the jacket slung on one shoulder, revealing the
richly embroidered sleeves underneath.
There was a pause after the young couple passed to the seats set apart
for the Royal Family in the chapel; then the strains of a march from
an opera were heard from the band of the Royal Halberdiers in the
courtyard below, the halberdiers stood at attention, and the royal
procession was seen coming along the gallery.
The gentlemen of the Court, with the badges marking their respective
offices, the Chamberlain, all in full dress, with white silk stockings
and richly embroidered coats, were followed by the grandees and
officers in their striking uniforms. They walked in two single files,
so as to leave clear the view of the Royal Family. The Infantas of
Bavaria and the Infanta Isabel came with their respective Ladies
and Gentlemen in Waiting in full Court dress. The widowed Prince of
Asturias was in his place, and lastly came the King in his uniform as
Admiral, and wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Collar of
Carlos III., and the procession solemnly passed through the guarded
portals of the chapel, where the Queen-mother and the young Queen
Victoria had already taken their places. For after December 25, 1886,
when a special service was held in the royal chapel of the palace, in
which the Virgin’s protection was petitioned for the young Sovereign,
the Court was in gala costume for two days. A reception was held,
congratulations received, and from then till the birth of the expected
heir Queen Victoria did not sit with the King on the throne in the
chapel, but in the royal box on the ground-floor. All eyes were soon
turned in admiration to the youthful English Sovereign of Spain, who
looked like a beautiful picture in her white mantilla shading her
diamond-crowned beautiful hair, and dressed in a rich, soft white Court
dress.
The doors of the chapel were soon again flung open, the halberdiers
were again called to attention, and the procession issued from the
chapel in the same order in which it had entered, only now it was
preceded by the Canons of the palace and other clerics in gorgeous
vestments, with the Archbishop of Sion in gold-and-white mitre and
emblazoned cope; and everybody in the procession carried a long candle,
as they solemnly made the tour of the gallery to the tune of the psalm
of old in which Simeon declared that the Babe brought to the Temple
would be “a Light to lighten the Gentiles.”
The King, as he bore his candle, looked ruefully at his sister, as much
as to say: “How am I to manage this?” The Infanta smiled pleasantly,
and her young husband’s eyes twinkled with fun. The evident strain on
the dignity of the stately grandees and Chamberlains to carry their
lights befittingly gave a touch of humour to the stateliness of the
scene, and I overheard a grandee say, when he was asked by one behind
him not to walk so slowly: “I can’t go any quicker, or I shall spill
some grease on the Infanta’s train!”
The tour of the galleries made, the procession returned to the chapel,
the King went back to his throne, and Queen Victoria of Spain to the
royal box, the Chamberlains, grandees, Court ladies, the Infanta Maria
Teresa, the Infante Ferdinand, Don Carlos, and the Infantas of Spain,
all knelt reverently with their candles, whilst the incense was swung
in front of the King after he had partaken of the Holy Sacrament.
Then, when the candles were removed by the Chamberlains, the strains
from the beautiful stringed orchestra accompanied the fine voices
of the hidden choir, which swelled in harmony in the chants of
the occasion. The lofty cupola of the chapel, with its mythical
painting supported by the gilt cherubs poised above the marble and
porphyry-pillared panels of the walls, were a fitting setting to the
scene.
Then the candles were once more handed round, and the glittering
company again knelt in prayer. When the torches were finally taken from
the worshippers, the assembly all left the chapel in solemn order, each
grandee kneeling in turn for a second before the altar, and crossing
himself before saluting the Queens in the royal box. The Infanta Maria
Teresa, the Infanta Isabel, and the Court ladies, made a low reverence
to both the Queens in the royal box before leaving the chapel, and the
King, with his characteristic freedom from the fetters of etiquette,
disregarded the scarlet mat, and knelt on the carpeted floor for a
minute before the altar; and then with his natural grace he made a
respectful salute to both his mother and his wife, and left the church,
to pass once more with his retinue, and followed by the military, along
the tapestry-lined galleries to the royal apartments.
The Court of Spain is especially noted for its cult of symbolism. The
events of the Church calendar are presented in a realistic way which is
suggestive of the Middle Ages.
I believe the Courts of Spain and Austria are alone in their dramatic
representation of Christ’s act of washing the feet of the disciples and
feeding them on the eve of the Crucifixion.
HOW THE KING WASHES THE FEET OF THE BEGGARS AND FEEDS THEM ON MAUNDAY
THURSDAY.
It is only by special invitation from the chief Court Chamberlain that
one can witness the King’s performance of this religious function on
Maunday Thursday. Being the fortunate possessor of this permit, I
passed at three o’clock in the afternoon to the Hall of Columns in
the palace. There the Court soon assembles in state, the ladies in
magnificent dresses, of which the trains are tastefully arranged by the
Gentlemen-in-Waiting over the backs of the chairs behind them, and the
throng of nobles, Ministers, and officers in their gorgeous uniforms,
make a brilliant show.
The King soon appears, attended by the Bishop of Alcalá and Sion, some
clerics, and twelve grandees in Court attire. After divesting himself
of his sword, Alfonso is girded with a towel by the prelate, and passes
to the line of beggars, who sit humbly waiting for the honour which is
to be paid them.
These poor men are chosen by lottery about a fortnight preceding the
function, and their feet naturally undergo a course of preparation
prior to the ceremony, and they are all swathed in the long Spanish
cloaks given them for the occasion.
The twelve grandees in attendance have meanwhile knelt in front of
the twelve beggars and taken off their shoes, and the forms of these
stately personages in this humble position make a sort of screen
between the eye of the public and the King’s action of passing a towel
over the feet of the poor men, which have been sprinkled from the gold
ewer of the Bishop who precedes the Sovereign.
The King then passes to the long table, of the form and laid in the
style familiar to us in pictures of the Last Supper, and the beggars
are handed by their respective grandees to their seats at the board.
The poor men on the last occasion were blind, but this in no way
affected their calm acceptance of the fact of being the cynosure of a
Court in splendid state and the object of their Sovereign’s service.
Stolid were the faces as the King swiftly passed the items of the long
menu before their sightless eyes, and as the smell of the good things
was wafted to their nostrils they knew that time would give them a more
substantial realization of the dainties.
For the dish of each part of the menu found its way to the baskets for
the respective beggars, after being handed by the King to the grandees
in attendance. Thus twelve large pieces of salmon, twelve joints of
beef, and a dozen dishes of every item, were distributed by the august
purveyor.
The menu finished, His Majesty completed the programme by handing also
the glasses and cruets to the distinguished retinue, they also finding
their way to the poor guests; and finally the King concluded the
function by folding up the tablecloth with the zest characteristic of
his actions.
The final privilege granted to these beggars on Maunday Thursday is the
sight of the state apartments. This benefit seems to be thrown away
on those whose affliction deprives them of the appreciation of their
splendour, but etiquette must be preserved.
On Good Friday the King exercises his power of pardoning criminals, so
he stands in front of the high-altar, and, raising to heaven the gold
salver containing the names of the privileged persons, he says: “These
I pardon for their crimes, even as I hope God will pardon my sins.”
The carving of the lamb on Easter Sunday is quite a religious function
at the King’s table. The Bishop of Sion has a service of benediction,
and the King and Queen take their places in state on this occasion.
One of the most striking ceremonies preceding the birth of a royal
infant in the palace is that of transporting the arm of St. John the
Baptist, a sash said to have belonged to the Virgin Mary, and other
relics, from the chapel to the bedroom of the Queen. The King and the
Court all take part in the function, attended with all the ceremony
due to the occasion, and so fatiguing is the ritual that in May, 1907,
Queen Victoria nearly fainted during the performance. Indeed, so many
are the wearisome rites which Queen Victoria had to follow, according
to the customs of the Court of Spain, that more than one editor of
a democratic paper declared that if he were interested in the royal
succession he would see that the authorities did not thus imperil it.
On Saturday afternoon the King and Queen go to hear the _Salve_ in a
quiet, simple fashion at the Church of the Buen Suceso. Women who press
their hungry children to their bosoms as they gaze up into the face of
the young Queen as she sits in the royal box on this occasion wonder
if Her Majesty knows what their sufferings are. The rise in the price
of bread, which the Spanish Press speaks of as an act of unjustifiable
oppression, recently drove the women to desperation, and made them
break the windows of the bakers’ shops in some quarters of the city.
This strong measure was successful, and bread is now at its usual
price; for, as a Spanish lady said, “The determination of hardly-driven
mothers can accomplish more than the discussions of men.”
The poor people who greeted the Queen with such loud acclamations on
her arrival in Spain wonder, moreover, if she knows that the liberal
gifts bestowed on such festivals as the King’s Saint’s Day (January
23) to the orphans of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Real Associación
de Beneficencía Domiciliaría, etc., are devoted to the maintenance of
the friars and nuns of these associations rather than to the benefit of
the needy.
The Queen’s philanthropic spirit is, moreover, only appealed to on
behalf of the orphanages and schools in the hands of the clerics, and
so she is not in touch with the lay side of her country’s efforts.
“If such serious matters as the lessening of the heavy duties on
articles of food which go to the support of the friars, and the
limitation of the associations which kill our industries, are not soon
settled by the Government, they will be settled in the street!” say
many thoughtful men in Spain; and it was those who saw the seriousness
of the aspect who expressed their disappointment that the English Queen
was so gracious in her reception of the deputation which presented the
King with a petition, signed by leading ladies of fashion, against
the Law of Associations; for these ladies are naturally unable to
realize the struggles of their sisters against the monopoly by these
associations of many of the industries on which their bread depends,
such as chocolate-making, perfume-distilling, embroidery, lace-making,
etc.
A bitter smile wreathes the lips of people as they read of the royal
sympathy for these organizations, but they say: “What can one expect,
when the young Queen is only environed with Spanish ladies, whose
support of the clerics smoothes their lives, and with the Spanish
priests, who dictate every deed of sympathy to the Sovereigns of
Spain?”
In speaking of Queen Victoria, it must be remembered that all opinions
expressed are modified by the reminder of the Queen’s difficulty of
knowing the real circumstances of a strange land of which she had to
master the language, and that conventional greetings, gala receptions,
and State dinners, do not lead to a true knowledge of the country and
its needs.
It is hoped by patriots that the Queen’s advent will lead to the
adoption of a system of Parliamentary elections in Spain similar
to that of England; for, as everybody says, if the deputies of the
Congress were elected by the votes of the people instead of by the
voice of the Ministers, the country’s conventional love would be
cemented into real devotion to the dynasty, and the reforms would be
enacted which would save the land from stagnation and poverty.
The article published in an English review by a Spaniard, called
“Spain’s Hopes of a New Era,” showed that the English Queen was looked
upon as the coming saviour of the country from much that has so far
crippled it; and the twenty-four short articles and poems published
in the _Woman’s Agricultural Times_ from the pens of leading literary
and professional ladies, begging their future Sovereign to encourage
the lighter branches of agriculture as professions for women, show the
hoped-for result of the new reign.
Disappointment has been expressed that this spontaneous act from
Spanish women of note, many of whom have influence in the Press, has
not so far resulted in any royal act of encouragement in the direction
desired; so the people do not know whether their Sovereign is in
sympathy with their needs or not. Directly Her Majesty is in touch with
the more progressive women of her country the Press will be filled with
the fact, and the warm hearts of the people will beat with gratitude,
and they will be able to talk about more than the beauty of the Queen’s
hair and complexion.
The Spanish Court seemed to surpass itself in magnificence in the
splendid functions of the christening of the first heir to the throne.
Every seat in the chapel of the royal palace was reserved for those of
the highest degree, and the gallery along which the royal procession
passed on its way from the royal apartments to the church was crowded
by people, who could only gain admittance by tickets from the Chief
Chamberlain of the palace.
The magnificent tapestries only used on State occasions were displayed,
the halberdiers lined the way, and the ladies, all in mantillas, with
their cavaliers in uniform or evening dress, waited in breathless
impatience for the advent of the new Prince of Asturias. At last came
the announcing hand-clap, and with solemn, stately step the procession
came round the angle of the gallery.
[Illustration: CHRISTENING OF THE PRINCE OF ASTURIAS, SON OF ALFONSO
XIII.]
First came the mace-bearers, then the ushers, all in double file, then
two long lines of Chamberlains in gold-laced coats and white silk
stockings, followed by the grandees of Spain in their striking military
uniforms and feathered cocked hats. Then came seven grandees carrying
the seven salvers with such requisites for the holy ceremony as a
salt-cellar, a gold basin and ewer, a cut lemon, a lace towel, a cape,
and a large cake. Behind this party came the royal Prince himself,
looking really an ideal infant in his beautiful laces. His fair little
uncovered head, and sweet, placid, tiny face, and clenched fists were
the admiration of all beholders. He was in the arms of the Marquesa de
los Llanos, who is the chief of his retinue, and on one side walked the
Nuncio, who is the representative of His Holiness, as godfather, and
on the other was the Queen-mother, as the godmother. The King looked
dignified in his new position, as father. The Infantes and Infantas
followed, with their suites. The Infanta Maria Teresa and her husband,
Infante Fernando, being only convalescent from measles, were unable to
be present. Don Carlos, the widowed husband of the King’s late sister,
the Infanta Mercedes, led little Prince Alfonso, who was known as the
heir to the throne until the birth of his little cousin, and by the way
he tripped along and evidently enjoyed the brilliant sight he seemed in
no way saddened by his deposition from his former rank.
It was then understood that Don Carlos would marry before long the
beautiful daughter of the Princess of Orleans.
The little sister of the ex-heir was led by the hand by the Infanta
Isabel, at whose side walked Princess Henry of Battenberg, beautifully
robed in grey velvet and ermine. Prince Arthur of Connaught, with
Captain Wyndham and the Princes from Russia and Germany, etc., all
had their places in the procession. China was also represented. The
personal staff of the King was conspicuous, and the halberdier band of
music marshalled the glittering throng to the chapel.
The altar was decorated with white flowers. The historic font in which
the members of the Royal Family have for centuries been baptized was in
the centre of the chapel.
Thirty-six Bishops and four Cardinals officiated. The royal neophyte
was very good in the arms of his grandmother, Queen Maria Cristina. The
water sprinkled on his brow was from the River Jordan. The christening
ceremony over, the King decorated his infant son with the Order of the
Golden Fleece, the Order of Isabella the Catholic, and the Collar of
Charles III. All the ladies of the Court were in full dress.
Then the procession filed back to the royal apartments in the same
order in which it had come. The dresses of the ladies of the nobility
were all rich in colour and profuse with splendid jewels. The white
satin, gold-embroidered train of the Duchess of Arion set off the
beauty of her person.
Amid the many stately personages, the majestic figure of Sir Maurice de
Bunsen was conspicuous, and Lady de Bunsen attracted attention by her
beauty and her beautiful and yet simple Court dress. The ceremony was,
indeed, one not easily to be forgotten as the occasion of a gathering
of important personages or their representatives from far and near,
and no infant could have taken its prominent part on such an important
occasion with greater equanimity than did the beautiful babe--the
Prince of Asturias. To sleep and to smile seem easy things to do, but
to do them during the solemn, stately functions in which Church and
State meet together to do him honour is not always an easy thing for
an eight-day-old infant, and by accomplishing this task little Prince
Alfonso added to the affection and admiration with which he is regarded.
It is always pleasant to Queen Victoria Eugénie to pass from the
pageantry and pomp of the palace of Madrid to the less formal
surroundings of the country. It is by no mere figure of speech that it
can be said that when they are at the Palace of San Ildefonso, at La
Granja, King Alfonso and Queen Victoria Eugénie lead the simple life.
The King rises early in the morning, and takes a long walk or
ride--sometimes alone, sometimes attended by one gentleman, and
sometimes accompanied by the Queen--or he has a bicycle spin in the
grounds.
Not long since, when the King was driving alone with the Queen in
a motor, he saw a soldier thrown from his horse, upon which he
immediately jumped from his automobile and rushed to the assistance of
the poor man.
The King’s interest in his soldiers is very marked, and when the bell
rang at dinner-time, when he was in consultation one morning with the
commanding officer, he went with him to inspect the food, and tasted it
himself.
The Prime Minister could hardly hide his surprise, when he arrived from
Madrid one day to transact political business, to meet his Sovereign
in his shirt-sleeves, the young King having taken off his coat, as it
was a hot day for golfing.
King Alfonso and Queen Victoria like to go about unattended together,
and the Spanish custom of wearing no hat in the country has been quite
adopted by the English Sovereign; and people in the little town are
pleased to see the Queen pass by on foot to pay a visit to some friends
without anything on her head, but, of course, carrying a parasol. Both
the Sovereigns spend hours with their baby son in the beautiful gardens
of La Granja. The King will often take him in his arms and carry him
about, or if they meet the baby Prince in his little white carriage
when they are out walking they stop and fondle and talk to him.
The Queen is beginning to share King Alfonso’s interest in golf, and,
indeed, she takes her part well in the game, and can easily do the full
round over the rough ground without any sign of fatigue.
When the weather is too hot for golf, Her Majesty much enjoys a
peaceful afternoon by the river, trout-fishing. In this sport she is
quite an expert, and the large basket of fish caught by the Queen and
the Duquesa de San Carlos was carried home in triumph on one occasion,
and figured on the royal menu for dinner.
In the Court, surrounded by courtiers and people, whose rôle is to
please, the Queen may hardly gauge the depth of Spain’s devotion to
their English Sovereign.
When the people of Galicia presented the island of Cortegada to Alfonso
XIII., they said it was also a tribute of sympathy to their Queen. “It
will be nice for Her Majesty to be within sight of the English ships as
they lie at anchor off the coast,” they said. “It will be easy to go
to England from there, and she will perhaps be reminded of her Isle of
Wight. Then, we hope to see King Edward in the Spanish island home.”
The enthusiasm for England is very great since the royal alliance, and
for the successful recommendation of any fashion, game, or sport it is
only necessary to say it is English.
It is, therefore, hoped that a nearer acquaintance with our
Parliamentary system will lead to its adoption in Spain.
As, in face of his overwhelming influence, it is not possible for the
people to elect a deputy of either party in opposition to the one
chosen or supported by the _cacique_ of the district, the deputies
elected by public vote have mostly been republicans. Hence the suffrage
is associated with republicanism in Spain, and Catalonia, where this
has been successful, is connected with the idea of Separatism. Thus,
with the misreport of things in Madrid, it is thought that Catalonia is
wanting in Monarchists. But whenever the wisdom of the King leads to a
royal visit to Barcelona, the enthusiasm for the royal visitor always
proves that the Press has misinterpreted the state of feeling there;
and the welcome that will be given to Queen Victoria when she makes the
long-looked-for visit to Barcelona will show that Catalonia is also
content that an English Queen should reign over them.
At Cortegada the peasants to whom I was introduced made the sign of the
cross, for they said they had never seen an Englishwoman before; but
they had one for their Queen, and she was welcome in the land.
“Viva la Reina Victoria!” was the cry which floated across the moonlit
waters as the peasants returned to the mainland after the celebration
of their annual festival on the island which had been offered for the
acceptance of the King and the Queen, and, indeed, this cry is echoed
throughout the land.
INDEX
A
Alagon, Duke of, 79, 81, 84, 85, 121
Alava, General, 72, 73, 101
Alcalá Galiano, historian, 3
Alfonso XII.: birth, 193;
education, 198-202;
made King, 248;
character, 252-4, 280;
travels through Spain, 255;
marriage, 257;
second marriage, 264;
visit to Germany, 268;
return, 269-71;
ill-health, 271, 275;
escapades, 271-2;
government, 273;
death, 276
Alfonso XIII., 294-6, 303;
chapter on, 305-13;
baptism, 305;
instruction, 306-8;
youthful occupations, 308-9;
coronation oath, 309-10;
affection for his mother, 310, 315;
grants audience to authoress, 320;
personal traits, 322-3;
ceremony on Maunday Thursday, 332-4;
daily life, 341-2
Alfonso, Prince of Asturias, 338-41
Amadeus of Savoy, King of Spain, 224;
claim to the throne, 224-5;
his courage, 225-6, 228-31, 236;
Court life, 232-4;
abdication, 240-1
Angelo, Michael, the painter, 212
Aranjuez: revolution at, 35, 42, 44, 53;
arrival of Maria Cristina at, 107;
Isabella II. at, 174
Arellano, Ramirez, 87, 91
Argüelles, Agustin, guardian of Isabella II., 142-3, 146-7
B
Ballesteros, General, 101, 103
Baso, Secretary of Ferdinand VII., plot of, 95
Bayonne, 61;
Treaty of, 67;
Maria Cristina at, 134
Beauharnais, Marquis of, French Ambassador in Spain, 14, 39
Beira, Princess of, 106
Benavides, Cardinal, 176-7, 277
Beramendi, 202-5, 208-9
Berthémy, 73, 74
Bonaparte, Joseph, King of Spain, 68-70
Bonaparte, Lucien, Prince of Canino, 6, 24
Bonaparte, Napoleon: proposes Spanish marriage, 10;
has letter from Charles IV., 6, 19;
designs on the Peninsula, 24, 25-35, 38, 51;
plots against the Royal Family of Spain, 53-78;
enters Madrid, 68;
letter to Ferdinand VII., 53-6
Brabo, Gonzalez, Prime Minister, 148, 152, 156, 206-7
Bulwer, Lord Lytton, British Ambassador in Spain, 164-5, 178, 189-90,
217-18
C
Cabrera, Juan, 228
Caciquism, 284-5, 343
Cadiz, Constitution of 1812, 125
Calomarde, Minister, 110-12
Campos, Martinez, 292-3
Canalejas, President, 323-4
Canovas, Conservative leader, 272-3, 274-5, 288-9;
letter to Ferretti, 291;
death, 299-300
Carlos, Don, claimant to Spanish throne, 83, 108;
intrigues, 111;
refuses oath of allegiance, 117;
an exile, 119;
appears before Madrid, 128, 137, 215
Carlos, Don Juan, son of preceding, 191
Carlos, Don, Count of Montemolin, son of preceding, 161;
rebellion of, 191;
letter to Isabella II., 191-2
Carlos, Don, son of Alfonso XII., 339
Caroline, Queen, of Naples, 9;
opposition to Napoleon, 10
Castelar, Emilio, 225, 287-8, 295, 298
Chamorro, 84, 85
Charles III., 2;
opposes French marriage, 6
Charles IV., 2, 3;
quarrel with Ferdinand, 5-18;
writes to Napoleon, 19, 43, 45, 59;
at Bayonne, 61;
letter to his son, 63;
abdication, 67
Concha, Manuel de la, General, plot of, 143-5
Cuba, insurrection, 292-3, 297
D
Dulce, General, 143-4, 153, 183-4
E
Erroz, chaplain to Ferdinand VII., plot of, 95
Escoiquiz, tutor to Ferdinand VII., 4;
dismissed, 5;
influence at Court, 3, 6, 7, 50
Espartero, General, 127;
Captain, General, and Grandee, 137-8;
Regent, 140-2, 145, 187, 218-19
Estancelin, 170-1
Eulalia, Doña, 261;
marriage, 278-9
F
Ferdinand VII., Prince of Asturias, 1;
marriage, 6;
hatred of Godoy, 7;
intrigues against his parents, 9-23;
writes to Napoleon, 14, 53, 74-5;
duplicity, 25-9;
receives letter from Napoleon, 53-6;
at Bayonne, 61;
scene with his parents, 65-7;
letter to Berthémy, 73;
and George III., 77;
King, 79;
disposition, 85-6;
home life, 79-104;
second marriage, 83;
third marriage, 92;
fourth marriage, 107;
plot of Baso, 95;
martyr to gout, 101, 108;
attitude towards the revolution, 99-104;
increasing weakness, 110-12;
recovers, 113;
gratitude to his wife, 115-17;
letter to Don Carlos, 118;
death, 121
Ferdinand, Prince of Bavaria, 328-9, 331, 339
Ferretti, Figuerola, Colonel, 242-3;
diary of, 244-6, 249, 291, 298-9, 302;
greeted by Alfonso XIII., 303, 314
Fouché, 76
Francisco, Duke of Cadiz (Infante), 106, 146, 165;
marries Isabella II., 166, 174
G
George III., King of England, 77
Girgenti, Count Frederick, 223
Godoy, Manuel, Prince de la Paz, 2, 23;
overthrow, 24-52;
seized by the guard, 29;
house ransacked by the mob, 30
Goya, painter, and Wellington, 72-3
H
Halem, Juan Van, 87, 91
Henry, Prince of Bourbon, 222;
killed in duel, 222
I
Isabella II.: accepted as future Queen, 120;
plot to seize, 143-5, 147;
proclaimed Queen at thirteen years, 149;
forced to sign a decree, 154;
authorizes her mother’s marriage to Muñoz, 157;
popularity, 157-8;
marriage proposals, 161, 164;
marriage, 166;
attempt on life of, 167-9;
separation, 174-7;
goes to Aranjuez, 174;
returns, 177;
reconciled to her husband, 178;
attempted assassination of, 181-2;
popularity wanes, 183;
mutiny against, 184;
insurrection against, 194;
coldness towards her sister, 198;
at San Sebastian, 207;
dethroned, 216;
character, 216-221;
intrigues against, 208;
in Paris, 221, 231;
present at the wedding of Alfonso XII., 264
Isabella (Infanta), 180;
marriage proposals, 207, 223, 329, 331, 339
Isabella of Braganza, second wife of Ferdinand VII., 83, 86;
death, 91
Izquierdo, 39
J
Janotha, Miss, 318
Josefa (Infanta), 185
L
La Granja: secret societies at, 124, 130;
Maria Cristina at, 134;
Queen Victoria at, 317, 341-2
Lacy, General, 98
Leon, Diego de, General, plot of, 143-5
Leopold, Charles, Baron de Colly, 76
Luisa Carlota of Naples, 106, 136-7, 142, 146-7, 163
Luisa Ferdinanda (Infanta), 144, 166;
marriage, 166-7, 169-72, 197
M
Macanáz, Pedro, Minister of Justice, 80-1
Madrid: riot of May 2, 1808, 64;
in hands of Napoleon, 68;
cholera at, 123;
Don Carlos appears before, 128, 129
Marfori, Don Carlos, 209-10
Maria Antonia of Naples: marriage, 6;
correspondence with Queen Caroline, 9-10;
dissensions of, 11;
death, 12
Maria Cristina of Naples, fourth wife of Ferdinand VII., 106-21;
Regency of, 122-41;
her beauty and charm, 107;
influence at Court, 108-9;
manifesto, 114;
decree, 126;
conduct in face of the rebels, 125-7;
infatuation for and marriage with Muñoz, 129-33, 156;
daughter by Muñoz, 134-5, 138;
goes to Valencia, 140;
to France, 141;
returns to Spain, 156;
visits her daughter, 173;
unpopularity, 185-7;
leaves Spain, 187;
returns, 193, 242;
influence over Alfonso XII., 271-2;
grief at husband’s death, 276-7;
Regent, 278-80, 264-304;
devotion, 294-6, 306-8;
decree as to, 310, 340
Maria Cristina of Austria, second wife of Alfonso XII., 262-5
Maria de las Mercedes, Princess of Asturias, 250, 339
Maria Francisca de Asis, wife of Don Carlos, 83
Maria Josefa Amelia, third wife of Ferdinand VII., 92-5;
death, 105;
her character, 105-6
Maria Luisa of Parma: marries Charles IV., 2;
Queen, 3;
infatuation for Godoy, 4, 8;
letters to her daughter, 30-4, 39;
correspondence, 40-3, 47, 59;
at Bayonne, 61
Maria Luisa, Princess of Etruria, 34;
writes to Murat, 42, 144
Maria Mercedes, Queen of Alfonso XII., 256-7;
death, 258-9;
funeral, 259-60
Maria Teresa (Infanta), 267, 319, 321, 328-9, 331, 339
Maria Victoria del Pozzo, wife of Amadeus, 226, 230, 237-8, 240
Marie Amélie, wife of Louis Philippe, 213
Maura, 294, 312, 319
Mercedes, Princess of Asturias, 265-7
Merino, Manuel Martin, attempts to assassinate Isabella II., 180;
executed, 181
Miraflores, Ambassador, 123, 159, 161-2, 179
Montijo, Countess of, 250-1
Montpensier, Duke of, 162;
marries Infanta Fernanda, 166, 169, 222, 278-9
Moret, Minister, 303, 311-12
Morillo, General, 103
Muñoz, Fernando: marries Maria Cristina, 129, 130;
Duke of Rianzares, 133, 156
Murat, Grand Duke of Berg, General: in Spain, 27;
at Madrid, 37-9, 43;
correspondence, 43-6, 51
N
Nakens, 274, 300
Narvaez, Ramon Maria, General, 128, 148, 150;
War Minister and President, 159, 163;
arrogance, 188-90, 194, 210;
exiled to Paris, 211, 213;
marriage, 214;
Prime Minister, 214
Nelson, 11
O
O’Donnell, Leopold, General, 138, 183-4, 188-9, 194-7;
death, 206
Olozaga, Salustiano, President, 150-1, 154-5
P
Pacheco, Francisco, 173, 177
Pavia, General, 243, 245-7
Paz, Doña de la, 261;
marriage, 267
Philippe, Louis, 161, 166;
fall of, 172
Pilar, Doña, 261
Pius IX., 207
Prim, General, 122, 221, 224;
murdered, 227
R
Riego, Captain, General of Galicia, 96-7, 101, 104
Romanos, Mesoneros, historian, 70, 81-2, 91
Rosa, Martinez, Prime Minister, 124
Rovigo, Duke of, 65
Rubio, Juan, historian, 281-2, 298-9
S
Sagasta, Liberal leader, 272-4, 286-7, 295, 299
Salamanca, Premier, 174, 177-8, 288
San Gil, insurrection of, 194, 239
San Luis, Count of, 183, 219
San Rafael, Marquis of, 239
Serrano, Francisco, General, 150-1;
influence, 173, 178, 216, 221;
Regent, 224, 248
Seville, Duke of, condemned, 290, 295
Silvela, Minister, 300, 302-3
T
Tacon, General, 216
“Trágala,” popular song, 101, 104
V
Valcarcel, Doña Teresa, 133-4
Vicente Richard, conspirator, 86, 87
Victor Emmanuel, King, 226
Victoria Eugénie, Queen of Alfonso XIII.: chapter on, 314-44;
bomb outrage on, 316-17;
grants audience to authoress, 320;
personal traits, 322, 324-5, 327
Victoria, Queen of England, letter of, 190, 217, 315
Vinuesa, Matios, Canon, plot of, 99
W
Wellington, Duke of, 70;
proclamation to Madrid, 71;
and Goya, 72-3
Z
Zamora, Leocadia, 211-12
Zorilla, Ruiz, 224
BILLING AND SONS, LTD.,
PRINTERS, GUILDFORD
Transcriber's Notes
The following changes have been made to the text as printed.
1. Illustrations and footnotes have been located in appropriate
paragraph breaks.
2. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
3. Accentuation in this book may differ from modern Spanish usage, but
accents or absence thereof have been retained as printed, except where
noted below.
4. Where a word is used repeatedly in the same way, hyphenation has
been made consistent, preferring the form most often used in the
printed work, or failing that the more usual form in general use at the
time of publication.
5. So as to allow presentation within limited width, many names in the
family tree on Page xiii have been abbreviated, and a key provided
below the diagram.
6. Page 99: "the infant Don Carlos" has been changed to "the Infante
Don Carlos".
7. The following changes have been made to Spanish names, in line with
sources consulted:
Pages ix and 138: "Duke of Teutan" has been changed to "Duke of
Tetuan".
Page xiii (key): "Count of Girgente" has been changed to "Count of
Girgenti".
Page 37: "Archdeacon of Alcáriz" has been changed to "Archdeacon
of Alcaraz".
Pages 56 and 58: "Pedro Caballos" has been changed to "Pedro
Ceballos".
Pages 68 and 69: "Charmartin" has been changed to "Chamartin"
[location in Madrid].
Page 70: "Conde de Amirante" has been changed to "Conde de Amarante".
Page 103: "Vicaloaro" has been changed to "Vicalvaro".
Page 139: "Francisco Baimes" has been changed to "Francisco Balmes".
Page 141: "Manuel José Quintina" has been changed to "Manuel José
Quintana".
Page 141: [General] "Las Concha" has been changed to "La Concha".
Page 152: "El Guerigay" has been changed to "El Guirigay" [newspaper].
Page 157: "Luis Mayang" has been changed to "Luis Mayans".
Page 158: "Guipazcoa" has been changed to "Guipuzcoa" [province].
Page 173: "Francesco Pacheco" has been changed to "Francisco Pacheco".
Page 197: "Palace of San Felmo" has been changed to "Palace of
San Telmo".
Page 267: "San Lucar de Bairameda" has been changed to "San Lucar
de Barrameda".
Page 269: [Plaza de] "La Incarnacion" has been changed to "La
Encarnacion".
Page 320: "Carmen Burgos de Segúi" has been changed to "Carmen
Burgos de Seguí".
Page 340: "Duchess of Ariot" has been changed to "Duchess of Arion".