ctionate in his disposition, although he has a very firm
will; and he tenderly loves his mother, whom he also greatly respects,
and his sisters, who are his favorite playmates.

He seems, as he grows older, however, to be perfectly conscious of his
exalted position. He knows that he is the King, and in the official
receptions and ceremonies at which he has to be present he rarely
becomes impatient however long and solemn they may be. One of these rare
occasions was during a royal reception in the throne-room. He was
sitting at the right hand of the Queen, and all the high functionaries
and courtiers were defiling past him, when he began to play with the
white wand of office of the Duke of Medina-Sidonia, a great officer of
the palace. Suddenly leaving his seat and the wand of the Duke he ran
down the steps of the throne, and mounted astride one of the bronze
lions that stand on either side of it. The act was so entirely childlike
and spontaneous, and was performed with so much grace, that it gave
every one present a sensation of real pleasure. Even the Queen herself,
while she regretted that the young King should have failed in the
etiquette of the occasion, could not help smiling.

On another occasion of a similar kind he amused himself greatly watching
the Chinese diplomats, looking with wonder and delight at their silk
dresses, which he would touch from time to time with his little hands.

What most attracted his attention, however, was the Chinese minister's
pigtail. He waited a long time in vain for a chance to look at it from
behind, for the Chinese are a very polite people, and the minister would
never think of turning his back upon the King. At last it occurred to
Alfonso to run and hide himself in a corner of the vast apartment, and
wait for his opportunity, which he did. After a while the President of
the Cabinet, seeing him in the corner, went over to him, and said, "What
is your Majesty doing here?" "Let me alone," answered the boy; "I am
waiting for the Chinese minister to turn round, so that I may steal up
behind him, and look at his pigtail."

The boy King, like most other boys, is very fond of boats, as may be
gathered from the following anecdote. About three years ago the Queen
gave a musical at San Sebastian, a sea-port where the royal family spend
some months every summer for the sea-bathing, at which the Commandant of
the Port was present. The little Alfonso was very fond of the
Commandant, and ha