Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-12
A MODERN "PRINCE HAL.o
The New King of fSweden-- Wayward
YOnIh and Unprincely Freaks.

From the New York Post-l
The number Of eccentric monarchs in
Europe has been increased by the ac-
cession of King Oscar H., Of Sweden
and Norway. Like nearly every mem
ber of the house from which he has
sprung, the New Scandinavian ruler is u
gifted man. During one of the most i'm
portant debates on the reform Of the
election laws in the Swedish House of
Lords he related with pride the remark
able answer which his grandfather had
given to the French historian, Ampere,
during visit which the latter had paid
at the royal polace in Stockholm. Am
pere had expressed his surprise at the
simplicity of his reception at the hands
of King Bernadotte. "Oh," replied the
latter, laughing, that is nothingl
What am l but Republican on the
throneY
The history of King Oscar up to the
present time is full of interesting incl
dents. His father, Oscar l.. was a great
disciplinarian, and insisted that his two
sons should be treated by their teachers
with the same severity as ordinary
school boys He himself would exam
inc their compositions after school
hours; and, when he found that they
were not satisfactory, he would admin
lister with his own hands the required
correction. Having received several
rather painful castigations in this man
ner, the young Oscar, in his twelfth
year, ran away from home, and sue
ceeded In finding his way to Copenha
gen, where the emissaries of his parents
found him playing in the street at mar
bles with some little ragamuffins. No
European Prince ever presented more
ludicrous aspect than young Oscar
when he was thus found, barefooted and
his clothes soiled and torn. But he as
serts to the present day that he enjoyed
himself gloriously during that brief abb
sence from home. sur
In his seventeenth year he was sent to
the University of Upsula, where he took
part in all the practical jokes, of which
the students at that ancient seat of
learning are so fond. After remaining
there about six months he shocked his
royal father by coolly informing him
that he had fallen desperately in love
with the daughter of one of the Univer-
sity Professors, and was determined to
marry her.
As matter of course, King Oscar
would not permit this and the young
man was recalled to Stockholm, where
he was not long in becoming very popu-
lar by his unaffected manners, and by
the simplicity of his conduct. He de-
lighted in walking through the streets of
Stockholm after nighifall in an humble
suit of clothes, and many an &C. of bru.
tality on the part of the police was pre-
vented by his gallant and timely inter
vention. He was also invariably present
at fires in the capital, and nothing could
prevent him from working on such ecca-
sions with the utmost vigor at the en-
gines.
In 1852, he and young friend of sim
liar disposition made an excursion to
Christiana, in Norway. They travelled
incognito, and registered assumed names
at second-class hotels Strolling after
dark through the streets of the city they
were unfortunately attacked by gang
of robbers, who knocked them down
and rihed their pockets. Without cent
in their pockets the two distinguished
gentlemen returned to their hotel Next
morning the landlord presented his bill
to them. They confessed that they had
no money, owing to their mishap the
night before. The landlord utterly re-
fused to believe their story, and threat
ened to invoke the interference of the |
police. Vainly did they try to dissuade |
him from his purpose, but rushing from
the room, he not only locked them in,
but placed at the door stalwart porter
armed with a club. The position in
which the future King of Sweden was
placed was so ludicrous that he could
not help bursting into peal Of laugh
ter. When the irate landlord finally
reappeared and brought two policemen
With him, the two gentlemen explained
who they were, but they had some diff
Guilty in establishing their identity.
When the Court Of Stockholm selected
q German Princess as consort of the
Oscar, the latter went secretly
TO Lubbock, and in disguise travelled with
her on the steamer that conveyed her
from that port to Stockholm, watching
his intended bride with the closest atten-
ion. What he saw of her satisfied him
hat she was an excellent young woman,
and he has ever since proved an affec-
.ionate husband to her.
The people of Stockholm know many
other amusing stories about the eccen-
.ricities of their young King; but they
know also that he warmly sympathizes
With the people, and they are convinced
hat his reign will be prosperous and
beneficial to the country.