The King's proclamation to his people declares that "as he
is first in the hierarchy, so he will be in devotion to the father- land " ; but by far the most striking of the official documents called forth by the transfer of power is the letter to Senor Sagasta and all Spain in which the Archduchess Christina, lately Queen-Regent, thanks the Spanish nation for its sup- port, and is confident that all Spaniards gathering around the King "will inspire him with the confidence and fortitude neces- sary to fulfil the hopes placed in him. "That will be the completest recompense of his mother, who, having devoted her life to the fulfilment of her duties, begs God to protect her son in order that, emulating the glories of his ancestors, he may succeed in giving peace and prosperity to the noble people over whom he is to reign." The Queen-Mother has had grave misfortunes to meet—all Spain writhing under the loss of her last colonies—and has met them with wisdom and fortitude, resisting any diminution of the Royal authority, yet abstaining from the dictatorship which many advisers pressed her to assume. She has conceived her duty to be the preservation of her son's throne, and unfavourable as all events have been, the ceremony of the 17th inst. is proof that she has been able to perform it. The future is on the knees of the gods, but Queen Christina may say with the Knight of old that she "has kept the bird in her bosom," an indefeasible loyalty to her task.
