The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-09
EMPEROR AND KING AT LUNCH.
A Reporter Who Served Them rs Waiter


Tell. His Story.
Naples Letter to London Daily News.
Inc Neapolitans by no means found the EN-
peror William so grave and stern as be is gener
ally considered. The following account is so
characteristic that translate il In full, premis-
ing that 1t was written by Nespoltan CORE
spondeut. who conceived the idea OF assuming
the character of q waiter, and so cot Oh board
the Savoia during the lunch and review:
After . short stay on deck their Majesties
and suite came down and took their places at
table. ! confess that my emotion Was great,
ADD when / went TO stand behind the Emperor
felt that was not in full possession OF my
locomotive faculties. In front OF me was the
King, seated between Prince Henry of Prussia
and Prince Tommaso and turning their backs
to me like the Emperor. had the Duke Of Genoa
and the Prince OF Naples, who sat At the EN-
peror's side At first 1t seemed al II things
would 90 badly, for my colleaeues-and, let
US say the truth, my superiors-assigned
to me tho laborious and hum
BILE Office of taking away all the
dishes OF oysters that were not eaten. But
found means OF lbers,ipg myself from this
pleeiscital tribute OF untouched dishes: all the
more because did not wish TO create . prece-
dent So that folded my hands and returned
TO the back OF the Emperor's chair, Just as he
was begin ming TO joke with the Prince of Naples
while King Hum bert laughed with all his heart
at the amiabls cordiality of the Emperor. This
cordiality OF William ii is so frank, so expan-
siSe. 90 charming, that his Majesty does not
seem TO me at all like German. whom we are
10 the habit of considering to be cold. imposed
and rigid. And |, although l had heard the
Emperor say graceful things to the Minister Of
Instruction and to the Director OF the Muse
um. really did not expect tho ef-
loves bon mots ana jokes, and is
quick and happy in making them. King Hum
bert was gay, really gay; but it was almost al
ways the Emperor who wss the cause and in.
centive of this gsyety. A terrible squeeze OF
sthe Prince of Naples's hand; . JOKE at the bald
head, Saint Bon; . wink Of the eye-ths sienif-
canoe OF which escaped me-wers some OF the
incentives. While Borelli copversed eravely
and In low voice with his nei Oh Dor Saint
Bon, and Sienor Crispi was silent, the Emperor
joked in German with Count Bismarck or his
brother, and spread merriment among the
members of this select party of elk or eight Der
sons Only once, at the beginning, heard him
talk OF art, speaking OF picture of the Lepaato.
and 1t another time he spoke enthusiastically
about Mount Vesuvius. Indeed in order to look
at the plume Of smoke which at that moment
rose perfectly straight, because, As Prince Hen
~ remarked, III ny await pas de vent both
Emperor and King rose to their feet. Except
or speak of merry things. Once again did for
get my part, absorbed 10 the spectacle of the
Emperor, the King. and the Prince OF Naples
laughing together My preoccupation was so
profound and sincere that Prince Henry called
TO me twice for Chateau Lafrte But even then
l did not serve him / was far too interested in
observing joke played upon Prince Victor Em-
manuel by the Emperor. A torpedo boat was
passing; the Emperor, seeing it IN q mirror in
front OF him. turned, and suddenly rose. OF
Emperor held him fast by the left hand. and,
while King Humbert looked on and
laughed, the Emperor. graspne tho Princes
arm. twisted it SO violently that the Prince.
though he laughed, could not help writhiNg on
his seat. In this way he was leased BY the EN-
p-ror. who practiced on him all sorts of jokes
till lunch was over, to the great amusement OF
the King, whose face. when he really laughs, Ia
bright with merriment. And, repeat, who
ever, like me, had witnessed the CORDIAL hilarity
of the most illussrious personaees At this lunch
would remember il forever. Twice the Emper
or drank health. Lifting his glass full o!
Asst Spumante, he first invited Prince Tommaso
and then Crispi to drink with him, as fol
lows-'Tom. 'Crispi When drinking with
Crispi he emptied his glass and turned It upside
down on the table. looking round with a smile
and as this gave him an occasion to make
another Joke with the Prince of Naples, he be
gan to tease the latter. The party then rose Il
tsks coffee, and this was a terrible moment fol
me. Quite stunned by all had seen and heard
stood like statue. and suddenly found my
self blocked in by the Emperor, the Prince o
Naples. Count Bismarck, and their respective
chairs and swords, and WAS so ashamed of my
stupidity that could not get free till they them
selves left me
Their Majestiss then went on decK, and b,
who had so surprised me by tho readiness Of hii
wit, the frankness OF his merriment, and the
cordiality or his manner, now moved me by thu
Undesirable expression Of his face as he stood
erect. As we retained from Castsllamare, as
corted by the torpedo boats and followed by III,
feet. saw the Emperor seized with ev~r-in
creasing emotion. he gazed around through
the glass and slightly shook his head. He NJ
more uttered jokes; he laughed no more. HI
was evidently filled with wonder at the grea
beauty of the gulf, and with admiration for IN,
colossal magnificence Of the semi-circe of ships
that followed Us. At that moment wishet
that all Italians could have seen the Emperor
and felt as proud as did of being an Italian
and Neapolitan."