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1 January 1871 — Madrid | |
Sunday. 1st January 1871. We were going to church this morning when Henry persuaded us that we ought to go & see poor Prim’s funeral– So we sent to Palmaroli & Mr Ash & walked to the Prado. Adeline set off with Mr Ash. & I followed a little later with Pal. & we met in the Prado where the soldiers were drawn up. It was very cold but bright & we were standing all the time on the trodden snow so that our feet got frozen. We stood near the Alcala end of the Prado where we could see the procession coming down from the house. After the priests & charity boys & men came the Govt’s 2 war horses covered with crêpe & then the car with the coffin followed by Silvela & others & his servants– There came an unimpressive train of employes of the public offices, academicians, all smoking, talking & not in mourning– The Cortès &c & last of all the Regent & the Diplomats—& then the troops. Altogether the effect was not that of a grand ceremony & it was rather jarring & uncomfortable to ones rather wrought feelings– In the Alcala on our return we saw the King’s carriage & 6 with feathers & plumes & others of curious shapes & sorts. Pal. went near the King’s carriage & observed on the panel that the fleur de lys in the arms had been changed already for the cross of Savoy– We walked home as quickly as possible to warm ourselves & to get luncheon & abt ½ past 2 Henry returned & said that when they had got to the Atocha, where the Genl is to lie in state 3 days, that the crowd was so great very few managed to get into the Church & he managed it by keeping close to the Regent. He said that the departure of the procession was delayed at the last moment by Mme Prim sending to say she must see the body again—that the bearers put down the coffin & opened it, but that when she got to the door she swooned away & had to be carried off without seeing it– The De la Rochefoucaulds called & I offered to take Miss Cavendish tomorrow to the Cortès. Emilia Riaño & her b. in law Benifayo came– Also the Weisweillers & Mr Blanc– We told the latter to come & dine & also Pal: & we had Mr Ash & Mr Goschen who turned up at the last minute having returned from Gib this morning & said that Arthur would be here tomorrow fm Cordova. | |
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