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3 January 1874 — Madrid | |
Saturday. 3rd [January 1874]. While I was dressing Henry came to tell me that Genl Pavia had made a coup d’etat. At 7 this morng he had entered the Cortès with the troops & turned out the Deputies. I ran to the Dss who said it was true & was in high spirits. After breakfast one of Serranos nephews came to see her & to tell her that Castelar having been beaten by a vote of want of confidence had resigned—& then began discussions electing a President & a govt. At 7. the Capt. Genl (Pavia) sent word to Salmeron that he gave the Deputies 5 minutes to leave the building—there were shouts of indignation & resolves never to leave– After 5 minutes a few shots were fired in the corridors at the sound of wh the deputies took to their heels & a battalion walked in solemnly & took possession. A few diplomats (secretaries) who were in the tribune were conducted out by the military with all honor– Since this Serrano was in the Sala de Conferencia with the representatives of all parties to agree on the next course & to form a Govt. All the principal streets & squares were occupied with troops & cannon. Henry walked round the town at 10 & found troops everywhere & no one was allowed to stop & talk outside the cortès or form groups in the Puerta del Sol. Bauer & Maffei called looking radiant & there is general satisfaction. Abt 12 the Serranos administrador came & took the Dss home. After lunch Serrano himself arrived to see the children looking very happy but only stayed to give them a kiss & went off. He was accompanied by his 2 A.D.C. Alverada & Labala & an escort. A crowd assembled to see them. He told us the Govt was not formed but that he had been named President of the Executive Power & he had named Genl Labala Minister of War. Henry & I then went out for a walk as I was anxious to see the town. We found a battery in the Plaza Sta Domingo—also in the Puerta del Sol—& hardly any carriages abt—only a few cabs– The streets were full of pedestrians and everybody looked satisfied. In the Alcala there were knots of people all discussing—& we saw lots of friends. We called on the Riaños & stood at their windows over the Ministerie de Guerra to see the bustle going on– Madrid had the aspect of a fete day—or of Good Friday on account of the want of carriages. We went round the Prado past the Cortès where there was a strong force & we were not allowed to stop to talk to M. Bernar whom we met. We went up the Carrera. There were proclamations of calling on the volunteers to give up their arms. We went round by the Palace. The Plaza Oriente was occupied by cavalry. When we got home the Bauers came, they had also been walking & then arrived the Dss de la Torre to take the children home & we remained once more quiet—thankful to have had such a peaceful revolution. Henry had a note from Koudriaffsky asking for news so he went off at once to see him. We translated some of Castelars message of yesterday together. After dinner Mr Austin came to talk about everything. We went to bed at 11½. | |
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