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1 January 1875 — Madrid | |
Friday. 1st January 1875. After breakfast the Dss went out in our carriage to see after her appartment. I copied for Henry & wrote. The Dss returned abt 2 & said she had found the appartment taken for her (that of Marshal Cinches) so uncomfortable that she had taken one of Salamanca’s “hotels” (No 8) wh is near her own house & from whence she can superintend & hasten the finishing of her own hotel. At 3.15 I went out driving to call on Mme Ulloa whom I found in. She poured forth to me all the details of the events of the last days & how the Ministry had resigned only at the order of Serrano who declared he wd not put himself at the head of another civil war. I then went to the Recolletos to fetch Henry. I found rather a crowd in the Alcala between the Ministry of War & the Presidencia. I met Henry who told me it was on acct. of Jovellar’s arrival & he would remain & see him arrive. I went to see Emilia Riaño & found there Mariquilla whom I congratulated. We went to Emilias back windows to see if we cd see any demonstration—but it appears that Jovellar & Martinez Campo went to the Presidencia on horseback from the station & no one took any notice of them—the soldiers alone calling viva. I then went home & had a succession of visitors who came also to see the Dss. The Valeras, Mme Ulloa &c the Greindls & Aylton girls came to see me. We dined at 7.30 & the Dss with us. In the evening Conchita & I were playing duetts on piano & harmonium when a lot of gentlemen came to see the Dss—a Sr Rivero, Monteverde, a chaplain &c &c & stayed till 12. Col Olañeta came. He today returned from headquarters where he had been with Serrano & told us all that had happened there. He was with the Duke when he recd the telegram announcing what had happened in the centre & saw his face change. The Duke called a council of war & asked La Suma if he cd depend on his troops. La S hesitated & said he was afraid—that the circumstances &c &c Marcones answered “Mi general I can depend upon my division—from the 1st to the last they will follow me”– The Duke gave orders to get trains to convey some of the troops to Madrid wh had been already begun when the news came that the Capt Genl of Madrid & the garrison had gone over to Alfonso– He at once stopped the troops & resolved to resign his command & the Presidency of the Executive Power. He went to have a conversation with the Ministers at Madrid thro’ the telegraph & told them to give their resignations into the hands of the Capt Genl for he would not raise another civil war in the land & he expressed himself pleased with his Ministers. They offered to go to him at any place he might name & fight for the cause but he refused “A los dos telegrafistós curair lagrinos de los ojos” said Olañeta in the usual sentimental way of Spaniards– He said the Genl went to bed at his usual hour. A short time after then came a commission—2 gentlemen who asked to see the Duke & were shown into his bedroom– They began palaving & stuttering when the Duke interrupted them by saying “dont trouble to go on—why not say at once” the King has been proclaimed–” He bid them good night turned on the other side & was asleep in a minute. The chaplain who came in his priests dress had some remark made to him on that fact. He answered that now in the times of this Catholic King it was best to be all en regle. Henry went away to to the Bauers—I stayed & gave them all tea—but when Hy returned abt 12 they went away. Pepito the cat is lost. | |
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