Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-01-02
AN ECCENTRIC KING.
Isis Occupation. and Amu.em.n,..

tue thfone OF the Helenes il was general.
ly believed that his reign would be short
lived, and that the young gentleman from
Denmark would speedily 1lng away his
crown, and return TO his delightful home
on the shores ofthe sound.
The contrary has been the case: the
Basileus from Denmark is not only very
happy man, but also an exceedingly popu-
lar ruler. Nothing can be less pretentious
than the manner in which he lives.
brought TO him letter of introduction
from his father, and, 1t being fine Sep
tember day, Strolled down between and
so'clock in the morning to inquire OF the
palace guards what hour would be most
convenient for the King to receive me. To
my establishment, the Greek soldier at the
gate in his picturesque uniform, replied 10
me:
lyon can see His Majesty now. He is
always up before O'clock"
This was singular but welcome news to
me.
"Where may I SEQ the Master of Cere-
monies ?" asked.
The soldier stared at me.
''Send in your card by one of those boys
(pointing 10 two or three pages lettering a.
bout the portico), and you will probably be
admitted at once"
Such proved to be the case. Two or three
minutes aiterward, was in the presence
OF the King. Imagine a slender young
man of twenty-eight, with thin, light-col-
ored hair very expressive, handsome
face, ruddy cheeks, dressed in checkered
paid, with steel-franed eyeglasses, small
dS nd foot -.
rocco slippers, and you have the BasileuS
before your eyes.
He glanced over my letter Of introduce
| tion, and then kindly asAeu me 10 be scat
ed.
"You have come here all the way from
Copenhagen ?" he asked.
'Yes, sire; seven days ago was yet at
the Tiyoli, and took leave of your royal
father"
"Oh, yes, he likes to go there and minsle
with The people," said the young King,
smiling "and to laugh over the farces in
the open-air theatre
"Your Majesty has no theatre here" 1
remarked; "it must be a great privation."
mot at all, !" be said II believe would
have no time TO so, if there was good one
In Athens. am very busy. Look at this"
he added, showing me pile of manuscript;
"I am writing"
'Writing!' r. I exclaimed, in surprise.
The King laughed.
"Yes," he said "writing a book"
took the libertyio ask on what subject.
"On the Bees of Hymettus." Times
must have changed greatly, or the ancient
Hellenes must have boen poor judges Of
honey. Waitr'
He jumped up, aud brought a tumbler
filled with honey and a teaspoon. TASTE
this"
di. so, while he looked at me expeo-
family.
'Is it good p he asked.
mot very" l said. "Not near so good
as Danish honey"
THAT is just what am going. to prove
in my book"
He asked me to accompany him to his
cabinet. 1t was small room full of chem
ical crucibles, and glasses covered with
waxed paper.
"Here," said the King, "are ninety diff
ferent sorts of honey-even from Australia
and New Zealand. Hymettus honey ranks
far below most of them"
different kinds.
asked him if he thought that in the old
en- times, tie busy bees of Hymettus had
done better.
81 incline to that opinion" he answered,
land l am sure have found out the true
reason. The climate Of Greece is no longer
what it was 1000 years ago. That is my
discovery" he added almost triumphantly;
'and, if can prove the assertion, am not
entitled to some philosophical honors?"
ventured to ask for the reasons of this
belief
''Ah p he said. laughing "that is my
secret. But, believe me, ain we'll forth
fed with arguments. l have my classics
at my fnGers'-ends, and 1 have waded
through an enormous quantity oil learned
literature"
I asked the King whether he devoted his
. leisure hours entirely to this branch Of
q study.
, mo, no. he said eagerly "to my birds.
Will you see my aviary2"
' There was no refusing of course. And so
| 1 followed His Majesty into the court yard, |,
L where he showed me truly srperb avlary.
] expressed my surprise, and he said,
4 |
r eyes:
o "Is it not beautifulH" But it cost me =
o great deal of fmopey-almost more than I
: was able 10 Afford"
o And now he showed me his pets-the fa-
II nous five trained magpies. He took Oh
- his hat, and placed FIVE bright brass rings
# on his head. The magpies took them from
! him, one after another; and then he whis-
tied, and they brought them back to where
n they got them. They also placed them
70 selves, at his command, upon his head
forming a sort of crown and when he
+ shouted "OikonP (Go home y they fleW
,s back to their cote. Another curiosity was q
At tame vultHre, of gigantic size, captured
N near the site of ancient Delphi. At the
a Kings call, the terrible creature placed It.
70 self with both legs on his shoulders. I In
. stinctively shrank back from the vulture
m but the King said;
'- "Never mind, old Miitiades Is very good
= patured. lie will now shake hands with
y you.'
~ Sure enough, Mntiades grasped my
- shrinking hand with an antique grip wOr-
~ thy of his namesake, and with an exceed
or ingly ludicrous air of gravity.
20 The King then ordered him to retire, bu
10 the bird was evidently reluctant Th'
20 King ordered piece of meat 10 be brough
,r to Miltiades, who thereupon withdre"
~ with an uumistakable air of satisfaction
III while His Majesty proudly told me thal nd
h, alone had trained the bird to all this. ~,
he We veulured into the palace, ana th'
nd King kindly showed me the most remsrS
able apartments, chatting all me whllo
bont MS parents and his brothers and sts
ne ters. lie expressed bis regret that naugS