Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-07-25
Humbert and Margaret If Italy,
From the Hour.

tFDlu TIE DOuE.
Thoughtfulncss, sadness, and taciturni
ty are the chief traits Of Umberto's char
acter. His atfability-and it is infnite-is
serious, and his manner of addressing
even his most intimate friends is serious
Victor Emanuel used to say: "This pro
fession of king is becoming cursedly diff
cult and every day more SO The merry
monarch laughed when he said that, for
he did not believe word of what he said
Umberto believes it, but does not say it
This seriousness of UmbertO prevades
the whole Italian Court, for the Queen is
as quiet and serene as the King is serious
and even the little Prince is rarely seen
with smile on his youthful face He is
the image of his father in looks and char.
acter Umberto has inherited public love
just as his father did though their two
characters are quite different. The charm
of his voice and conversation is go great
that with few words he fascinates even
red hot Republican. 1t is well known
that, during his visit to Turin, he spoke
for some time with lawyer who is the
head of the Republican party there. Upon
taking leave of The King, however, he
said: "Majesty, am Republican, as
you know Well, if there were Republic
in Italy, I would give my vote, a we, and
my blood, for you to be PRESIDENT
''Don't you think you had better save
your blood and take me as | am-eh?'
said the King smiling.
He always has right word in the right
place. When saw him after he became
King found him greatly changed. He
was as courteous and as afable as usual,
but he was still more serious. He spoke
OF the great misfortune which had befallen
him and Italy by his fathers death with
the same kind of dread as he showed on
the day when bis father breathed his last.
Time had not assuaged his feel lngs. He
spoke to me of his new duties, of his great
responsibility, without ostentation or vani.
ty but in accents Of profound emotion.
sadness, and seriousness, which imposed
respect and veneration he was not
dazzled by the glitter of crown; he only
saw the great difficulties attached to it.
At one moment, when I said that Italy
had full faith in her young king, he in
terrupted the words and murmared: liking
of ltalyi" and was silent for a few
moments; afterwards, rising, he said: Il
often ponder over these words-It is a
thought that makes one feel old!'
The day he took his oath in the
SndhDcI Ol hcpuGAcSJ Tire queen was III
her royal box. She knew almost every
word OF the speech The King had
frequently read it to her, but he had not
read the part that referred to herself and
her duties as queen, wife, and mother.
She was taken by surprise, and when the
King spoks his voice trembled with
emotion His eyes turned to the royal
box and his eyes sought those of the
Queen and theie boy; the three souls met
in that moment and the same look of ten
derness and love lit up the three faces.
When the King Left the hall he came face
to face with the Queen, who was leaving
the royal box In spite of the solemnity
of the ceremony the Queen threw her
arms round her husbands neck and burst
into food of tears Umberto pressed
her in his arms for moment, dashed
away tear from his own eyes, kissed her
on the forehead, and then, gently remov-
ing her from his arms, resumed his ordi
nary serious EXPIRE ssioD.