ROYAL BAPTISM IN SPAIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13960, 20 July 1907, Page 2

ROYAL BAPTISM IN SPAIN.

SCENES IN PALACE CI-lAPEL. GORGEOUS PAGEANT. The Daily Mail corespondent at Madrid, writing- on May 19, states:— . From the early hours of yesterdav morning a curious crowd surrounded the liugo white palnco to witness the arrival of tho guests at the historic ceremony connected with the l>aptism of the lieir to the throne. Shortly after 11 o'clock tho scsno before tho palace was magnificent. In ths> great open squaro thousands upon thousands of Madrilonos and largo nUmbere of foreign visitors watchcd the guests' carriages dashing fo the great, iloorway, while ineide and at the foot of the main staircase \ras a seething sea of brilliant uniforms and toilette, sparkling- jewellery, and waving plumes. Inside tho softly-carpeted gallery, the walla of which were hung l with priceless tapestries of palest blue, stood two lines of stalwart Alaba.rderos, on guard, each wearing tho little iuft of hair on tho chin distinctive of tlio corps. The lady guests wore chiefly in light dresses, all wearing tho delicious white or black mantilla. A great clock in the sunny courtyard tolled tho hour of middav, and at tho same moment, slowly thundered forth tho' royal salute announcing that the baptismal cortege had left t.lio royal apartments. An usher,- rapidly advancing, called out, "Gentlemen, tho Tvinic!" and heads were bared. All the watchers in the gallery Razed eagerly towards the door from which tlio cortege was to issue, the ladies forming an over-moving mm of brilliant colour with inccssant waving of resplendent fans. From sovoral small windows in tho walls of foe chapel peered forth the faces of ladies nnabl-o, on account of deep mourning, be aetiwlly present. THE PROCESSION. The procession, which occupied a fail half hour in passing, was headed by two olliecrs acting as masters of the ccremonias. Then came gentlfmen-in-waiting in the rich palace uniform; four mace-bearere with heavy, gilded maees. who took posts insido the chapel on either side of the door; niajordomos of tho palace; two heralds, with the royal arms blazing on their tunics; and the grandees of Sp'ain, every ono of whom had his breast covered with costly insignia.

Two moro heralds came next, followed by Hie seven gentlemen of,, the chamber bearing the various articles for tho baptismal rites—the salt-cellar and the rolic, the cup. the basin, the ewer, tho cloth, the veil, and the marchpano cake. Then came threo cardinals in starlet robes, tho Infantes Carlos and Alfonso of Orleans, the former holding his little sou, the Infante Alfonso, the former heir to tlio throne, by tho lwnd.

Behind them walked the little group which excited tho greatest interest—tho royal babe's godfather. Cardinal Sinai* <lini; on his right the little heir peacefully sleeping in a cloud of lace in tho arms of his aya, the Countess of Llanos; on her right Queen Maria Crist ilia in pale heliotrope. i Behind strode the four foreign Princes, Prince Arthur of Connaught, tho Dulte of Oporto, Prince Frederick Leopold of Prussia, and the Archduke Eugene, who attractod attention by his great height and Ihe wolfskin thrown over his shoulder.

Walking alono was King Alfonso, dressed in a light hluo cavalry uniform, with tho white and blue sash of tlio Order of Isabel tho Catholic, the collars of the Golden Fleeco and Charles 111, and the insignia of the Garter and tho Bath. After his Majesty walked tho Infanta Isabo' with Princess Henry of Battenberg. Dressed in palo grey, tho Infanta lipid tlio hand of the tiny Infantita Isabel Teresa, daughter of tho Infante Carlos. The little girl, who is two years old, smiled happily amid tho brilliant pagoant. . THE KING'S. SMILE.

After the entrance of the procession, the Bceno inside tho crowded chapel was ono of subdued magnifioenco. subdued owing to tho somewhat dim light contrasting with tho bright-new in the gallery outside. Tho altar was covered with white lilies, carnations. and lilies of (lie valley, palo beneath, the blaze of candles. Facing it- was s, silicon canopy, under which stood King Alfonso. In tho centre of the chapel, on a raised dais, stood tho historic font of reddish marble, heavily sheathed with silver.

Immediately after tlio entrance of tho last of the long cortege, the Primate of Spain, Cardinal Sancha. motioned to Queen Maria Oristina, who. taking the baby from tho Countess of Llanos's -arms, advanced, uncovering the baby's head, to ■the font. Cardinal Rinaldini as godfather also stepped forward. As the holy water dropped from a golden shell upon the child's head, his Royal Highness uttered a little cry, which made it impossible for King Alfonso, a few paces away, to repress a smile. 'Tho baptism over, the King placed upon the babe's lace and cushions tho Orders of the Golden Fleece, Isabel tho Catholic, and Carlos 111. Queen Maria Cristina, just before reaching the door of the ohapel, covorcd the baby's face, but iws* W/W. 11 ry

not beforo allowing an easy glimpse of tho child's features and healthy complexion. Each royal personage, on passing out, received holy water from tlio hands of t.ho Bishop of Sion, pwjlato of tho palaoo. Queen Maria Cristina, dinning her finger in tlio water, nmle the SiVn of tho Cress on ihe baby's breast, lips, and forehead. After the return of tho procession to the royal apartments. Queen Maria Cristina, 'accompanied by members o£ the family,. carried her little grandson to his mother's chamber, where the child was joyfully welcomed.