5 JANUARY 1878, Page 2

A grievous quarrel has broken out between the ex-Queen Isabella

of Spain and her son's Government in Madrid. The Queen objected to her son's betrothal to a daughter of the Duke de Montpensier, and finding remonstrances useless, began to cultivate Don Carlos, even dining with him, and signifying to her friends that she regarded him as of her own house. The Spanish Government, extremely irritated, applied to France for- the expulsion of Don Carlos, which was granted, and the Queen actually wrote to the Figaro to complain, and mourned in her letter over the sacrifices she had made- for her son. Thereupon the Government of Madrid in- formed Queen Isabella that her pension would be stopped, and that she would not be allowed to return to Spain. Her Majesty is said to be furious, and it is feared that many of her partisans, who are still numerous, especially among enrages clericals, will desert the Alfonsist Government. The King, meanwhile, ie resolute in maintaining his troth, the necessary dispensation has• been obtained from Rome, and the marriage is to be celebrated with royal splendour. The Liberals in the Cortes intend, it is said, to ask formally in the Chamber what the quarrel is all about.