MOBBING A MONARCH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3854, 23 November 1883, Page 4

MOBBING A MONARCH.

THE KING OF SPAIN IN PARIS,

As briefly reported in our cable messages, an extraordinary scene took place in Paris ou 28th September on the arrival of King Alfonso in that city. At the appointed timolol the King's arrival, the streets and squares from the Northern Terminus to Avithin a short distance of the Ncav Opera wore filled with dense crowds, estimated at 200,000, and every AvindoAV and roof Avas thronged with spectators. As the train came into the station, a salute of lnl guns avus I'xmcA, and the excitement of tho croAvd perceptibly increased. What folloAved is thus related by the Standard correspondent: — AVhcn through the open door under the verandah the "slight figure of the King in uniform Avas seen by the side of the burly form of President Grevy, there arose a perfect tempest of hissing, mingled Avith cries of "A bus le Uhlan." The King entered his carriage, folloAved by M. Jules Ferry and M. Ohallcmol-Lacour, the Cuirassiers rapidly placed a barrier of steel betAveen the eorlige and the uoav surging aud violently excited mob, and tho procession drove on rapidly. But volleys upon volleys of hisses mid cries of " A has le. Uhlan !" followed it all the Avay down the Rue Lafayette. At the steep, uneven open space in front of the Church of St. Vincent do Paul, one of the horses stumbled and fell, and this caused some slight confusion, of Avhich the crowd took advantage to press close to the carriage hissing, shouting, and shaking their fists. The corter/c then swept a.AV*'.y- from the Northern Terminus to the Embassy in the Rue St. Dominique. It has been justly observed that the Royal progress through the city avus more like a flight from a rroAvd of hostile pursuers than anything else. It certainly bore no sort of resemblance to a State entry, and there was no mistaking the animus and earnestness of the yells of execration Avhich pursued the luckless monarch for nearly a mile of his way. On the Place de la Concorde the cortege Avas received in silence. It is said that in the Rue St, Dominique there were a few cries of " Vive le Uoi .'" After remaining about au hour closeted Avith his Minister for Foreign Affairs, tho Marquis do la Vega-Armiju, the King again sallied forth to pay a State visit to M. Grevy at the Elysee. There Avas a guard of honor in the court-yard of the Embassy, but no escort, and thus a disagreeable incident occurred Avhich might have been prevented by a troop of horse. A croAvd of roughs made a rush at tho horses' heads, hissing and shouting, " xt bus Alphonse !" "A bus le Uhlan .'" A Avonian flung her umbrella at the King, but it did not hit him. An attempt to throAv stones at the carriage Avas defeated by M. Lamouroux, avlio Avas very roughly handled by the mob, and Avas AA'ith difficulty rescued from their hands. Meanwhile large croAvds blocked up the Faubourg St. Honore to Avitness the arrival of the King, but tho Royal carriage drove down the Avenue Marigny, Avhere, when close to the place, the King AA'as again mobbed and insulted. The visit did not last long. Soon after tho Corps Diplomatique Availed on his Majesty in full dress, and after a short leA'co the King Avent to dinner Avith tho Duco de Fernan Nunez, and retired early.

The next day, Sunday, M. Grevy called on llio Kiny to kuuso tlie riotous proceeding, and invited him to the banquet at the Elysee. " Iconic," said M. Grevy, "in the name of Franco to beg you not to confound her with the miscrables AA'ho have compromised her old rcnoAvn by demonstrations I repudiate. Unfortunately our hnvs are powerless to repress such things. I beg your Majesty to give us fresh proof of your generous friendship by being present at the banquet which Avill collect this evening tho whole Government at my table, and you Avill see then the real feeling of France."

The King replied as follows .*—" As chief of a proud and noble nation I could not; remain any longer here without compromising its dignity, and for this reason I had arranged to leavo; but, desirous of giving a special proof of my regard and consideration for France —regard and consideration wliich have been so badly returned—l accede to the desire of tho President of the French Republic "

The King is said to havo had serious thought of leaving Pat-is that night, but was satisfied Avith the apology tendered to him by the President of tho Republic, and attended the banquet, Avhere His Majesty Avas seated between Mdino. Grevy, Avife of the President, and Mdme. AVilson. All the Ministers Avere present except General Thibaudin (War) and M. Meliuo (Agriculture). M. Grevy Avore the Order of the Golden Fleece, and all the French guests Spanish decorations. Tho King, President Grevy, and AL Julos Ferry, seated on tho same sofa, conversed together for sonic time. Tho President strongly urged his Majesty to remain in Paris another clay, but ho declined doing so, and left Paris for Madrid the lioxl illuming.