He is the only foreigner ever knighted
by Mercedes during her short reign. The King also presented him with the
Marine Cross of Spain and photographs of himself and Queen.
Before he left Spain the beautiful young Queen was dead. Might not the
erratic action of the dove have been an omen?
Leaving Madrid, Paul appeared in the principal cities of the northern
division of the country and was everywhere received with the usual
cordiality. At Barcelona, he gave an exhibition for the benefit of
several families of fishermen who had been lost in a gale but a short
time before. The fishing folk of Barcelona, as well as those of Northern
France are unlike those in any other part of the world. They are
peculiar in their costumes and characteristics and form a little world
unto themselves. After Paul had given the benefit exhibition, he was
surprised one morning to be summoned from his room. He found the
courtyard of the house full of fisher folk dressed in their holiday
attire, who had appeared to tender him their thanks. An address was
delivered, and he was also presented with a curious, pear-shaped iron
locket, inlaid with gold and silver, that had been made by one of
their number who was a cripple. It was suitably inscribed and of
ingenious workmanship.
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