Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-07
EMPEROR AND KING AT LUNCH.
A Reporter Who Served Them - Waite
Tells his Story.


A Reporter Who Served Them % Waiter
Tells his Story.
Naples Letter to the London Daily News
The Neapolitans by no means found the EN-
peror William 90 grave and stern q he is gen.
orally considered The following account is 90
characteristic that translate it in full premis-
ing that it is written by Nespolitan CORE
spondent, who conceived the idea of assuming
the character Of waiter, and 90 got on board
the Savoia during the lunch and review:
AFTER Q short stay on deck their majesties
and suite came down and took their places at
table. confess that my emotion was great,
and when went to stand behind the emperor
felt that was not in full possession of my
king seated between Prince Henry of Prussia
and Prince Tommaso, and, turning their backs
to me like the emperor, had the duke Of Ge-
noa and the prince of Naples who sat at the
emperor's side. At first it seemed as il things
would go badly, for my colleagues--and, let US
say the truth, my superiors- assigned to me the
laborious and humble Office of taking away all
the dishes of oysters that were not eaten.
But l found means Of iberating myself
from this plebiscital tribute Of un-
touched touch s;s Dishes she all the more be-
30 that folded my hands and returned to the
back OF the emperor's chair Just as he was be-
ginning to joke with the prince Of Naples, while
King Humbert laughed with all his heart at the
amiable cordially Of the emperor. This cord
ialty OF William II is so frank, so expansive, so
charming, that his majesty does not seem to me
at all like German, whom we are in the habit
OF considering to be cold, composed, and rigid.
And l, although had heard the emperor say
graceful things to the minister of instruction
and to the director of the museum, really did
not expect the efusion now witnessed. The
emperor loves bon mots and Jokes, and is quick
and happy in making them. King Humbert
was gay, really gay; but it was almost always
the emperor who was the cause and incentive
OF Naples hand, joke at the bald head, Saint
Bon; wink Of the eye-the significance of
which escaped me-were some Of the incen-
tives. While Borelli conversed gravely and in
low voice with his neighbor Saint-Bon, and
Signor Crispi was silent, the emperor
now whispered to the prince Of Naples,
now joked in German with Count Bismarck
or his brother, and spread merriment among
the members OF this select party Of six or eight
persons. Only once, at the beginning, I heard
Lepanto, and at another time he spoke en-
Enthusiastically about Mount Vesuvius. Indeed,
in order to look at the plume Of smoke which
at that moment rose perfectly straight, be-
cause, as Prince Henry remarked, III ny await
pas de vent both emperor and king rose
stances, I only heard the emperor speak
OF merry things. Once again did forget my
part, absorbed in the spectacle Of the emperor,
the king, and the prince of Naples laughing to-
gether My Preoccupation was 30 profound
twice for Chateau Latte. But even then I did
not serve him. was far too interested in OBJ
serving a joke played upon Prince Victor
Emmanuel by the emperor. A torpedo boat
was passing; the emperor, seeing it in a mirror
in front of him, turned and suddenly rose. OF
course the prince wanted to rise also, but the
emperor held him fast by the left hand, and,
while King Humbert looked on and laughed,
the emperor, grasping the 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 empe-
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, is
bright with merriment. And, I repeat who
ever like me had witnessed the cordial hilarity
Of the most ipstrious persOnages at this lunch
ror drank health. Lifting his glass, full Of
Asst Spumante, he first invited Prince Tom
maso and then Crispi to drink with him, as
follows-Tom, 'Crispi.' When drinking with
Crispi he emptied his glass and turned it up
side 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
began to tease the latter. The party then rose
TO take conee, and this was q terrible moment
for me. Quite stunned by all had seen and
heard, stood like astatue, and suddenly found
myself blocked in by the emperor, the prince
OF Naples, Count Bismarck, and their respec-
tive chairs and swords, and was so ashamed
Of my stupidity that I could not get free till
they themselves left me So
'Their majesties then went on deck, and he
who had SO surprised me by the readiness Of
his wit the frankness of his merriment and the
cordiality OF his manner, now moved me by the
understandable expression Of his face as he stood
erect As we returned from Castellamare, es-
corted by the torpedo boats and followed by
the feet, I saw the emperor seized with an
ever-increasing emotion, as he gazed around
through the glass and slightly shook his head
He no more uttered jokes; he laughed no more
He was evidently filled with wonder at the great
beauty OF the gulf, and with admiration for the
colossal magni6cence Of the semi-circle of ships
that followed us. At that moment wished
that all Italians could have seen the emperor,
and felt as proud as did of being an italian
and NeapOlitan."