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New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VIII, 24 February 1900, Page 356

THE BOY KING OF SPAIN. The young King Alfonso XIII. is one of the youngest of European monarchs. At present he is a king in name, but in two and a half years he will be the ruling sovereign in reality.’ He’is nd longer a bhild, but a growing boy. The well known French writer, M. Gaston Routier, has been describing his impressions of a recent visit to the Spanish Court. Young Alfonso, lie says, is tall for his age. well developed, and has a good healthy colour in his face. His eyes are quick and intelligent. He looked me stiaight in the face, as a king should, without pride, but without embarrassment. He is much better looking than he*appears in his portraits. He wore the uniform of an infantry cadet, with a little Golden Fleece at his throat, and from time to time his fingers toyed carelessly with his military cap. The youthful monarch is accustomed to ail bodily exercises. He rides on horseback every day. sometimes taking out five or six different horses. He practises in the gymnasium, and has already had several tumbles in trying to learn too quickly to ride the bicycle. He speaks French, English, and German well, and is well up in Latin. HIS DAILY LIFE. The young King rises at seven o’clock all the year round, and his time is fully occupied. From 8.30 to 10 a.m. he studies, one day in English and the next in French; at 10 a.m. a riding lesson is taken; from 11 to noon lessons in physics, chemistry, g-eography, .or military taction; at noon comes luncheon, with the professor on duty and one of the generals who direct the studies; from 1 to 2 p.m. comes German conversation or the drawing class;, thereafter rhetoric, poetry,’and universal history. The king is very fond of history and geography. »