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14 October 1875 — Madrid | |
Thursday. 14th October [1875]. At a little before 12 we went to the Palace to assist at the ceremony of the King giving the Nuncio his Berretta or Cardinals Cap. Henry went in uniform as also Sir J. Walsham & Mr Phipps 1st & 2nd secties– I went in a high black silk dress & white mantilla on my head. We went straight to the Palace Chapel & found raised seats had been put for the Corps diplomatique & most of them were already there. I got a seat between Chaudordy & Baronne Greindl. After waiting some time the King arrived & his throne was uncovered. The throne was under a canopy & on a carpet (raised on steps} all embroidered with gold on white satin. The chair was kept covered till the King was coming. There was an armchair below the King’s dais for the Pss of the Asturias & seats for the ladies & gentlemen of the Court. In front of the King sat the Nuncio & the Ministers (the King sat on the right of the altar) & in the same row was our box. Opposite us sat some of the grandees of Spain. The Space between us & the door was filled by the public who was admitted until there was no more room but they behaved in a scandalous manner talking & laughing aloud so that the speeches cd not be heard. Monsignor Bianchi made a speech to the King in Latin & the Nuncio made another & then the Cardinal’s red cap was brought to H.M. on a silver platter & the Nuncio knelt to the King who put it on the Nuncio’s head. He was very near putting in on wrong side before then one of his assistant priests guided his hand. The new made Cardinal then retired to the Sacristy where he changed his garments for a complete Cardinal’s suit of red during which there was a pause & Ct Chaudordy whispered to me that the Cardinal was as long over his toilette as any young lady. At last he appeared in red even to his gloves & his red skull cap was handed him on a salver. During the reading of his speech his hand trembled so much that the paper waved abt so that one wondered he could read it. I suppose he knew it by heart. When all these speeches were over there was High Mass. The Music was good & led by Monasterio. The Choir was spoilt by the Alto voices being sung by men wh made a very screechy effect. It was nearly 1.30 before the mass was over & we got away. I found Inzenga waiting to give me a singing lesson on my return. At 4 I went off to fetch Mme & Mlle Saint Martin & take them for a drive. We went to the Retiro & got out and walked but the weather was chilly & unpleasant. The Riaños & Mr Kennedy dined with us & after dinner Henry went to the Salms & I retired early. | |
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