[251]. One day (8th November 1657) she suddenly asked for some Buñuelos (hot fritters), and men were sent out hurrying to the Plaza where they were sold. A great cauldron of 8 lbs. of them were brought smoking hot covered with honey, and Mariana ate greedily of them, to her great contentment.
[252]. Barrionuevo.
[253]. Cartas de la Venerable Sor Maria de Agreda. The King’s prayer came true, for the child died at the age of four.
[254]. The extravagance of these rejoicings produced a remonstrance from the nun to the King. ‘It is good and politic for your Majesty to receive the congratulations of your subjects ... but I do beseech you earnestly not to allow excessive sums to be spent on these festivities when there is a lack of money needful even for the defence of your crown. Let there be in them no offence to God.... It is good to rejoice for the birth of the prince, but let us do it with a clear conscience.’—Cartas.
[255]. Barrionuevo. A curious circumstance is related by the same journalist as having taken place at the christening. The lady-in-waiting, as usual, handed the child to the little Infanta Margaret, aged six, who was the godmother; and the only clothing the babe wore was an extremely short tunic, the lower limbs being entirely bare. The little Infanta, shocked at what she considered disrespectful neglect, asked angrily why the prince was not properly dressed; and had to be told that it was done purposely in order that all might see that he was really a male.
[256]. Barrionuevo relates (vol. iv. p. 166), that a saintly Franciscan friar, upon being appealed to by Philip to pray for the health of his child, replied that he would do so, but a better prayer still would be for the King to give up his constant comedies and rejoicings and pray to God himself. This was in June 1658; and the nun was for ever giving to Philip the same advice.
[257]. ‘Recueil des Instructions données aux ambassadeurs de France en Espagne,’ vol. i. (Morel Fatio.)
[258]. ‘Journal du Voyage d’Espagne.’ Paris, 1669.
[259]. Luis de Haro alone took a household of 200 persons, whilst the King’s medical staff alone consisted of ten doctors and four barbers.
[260]. ‘Viage del Rey N. S. a la Frontera de Francia.’ Castillo. Madrid, 1667.