The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-04-27
A CULTURED MONARCH.
King Oscar III. as q Gifted Poet. Orator
and Musician.

A correspondent writing from Stock
holm gives an interesting description
of King Oscar ii. of Sweden and Nor
way. Being the third son, says the
writer, he probably never dreamed
that he one day would wear the crown
of Sweden and Norway. In the year
1872, however. he succeeded his Oldest
brother, the beloved Charles XIV. The
second brother, Gustaf, had already
been dead for many years. On his ac-
cession to the throne Oscar was
already forty-three years old, and was
not then very popular. The mother
used to say about her two remaining
sons, the polite, considcrate Prince and
the rather reckless King Charles: ''Os-
car does every thing in his power to
gain popularity; Charles does all he
can to lose it, and neither seems to
succeed"
Judging from the interest shown of
late in Oscar H., both at home and
abroad, it would seem that the King
had at last obtained what the Prince so
long pursued in vain. Now, at the
age of nearly fifty, and after reign OF
sixteen years, he has become rather
popular, especially in Sweden, though
less so in Norway, and is widely
praised throughout Europe as an ac-
complished gentleman. cultivated
student and an able orator.
Every body who has ever heard the
King speak compliments his voice,
style and manner. His speech from
the throne" resembles in no respect.
similar efforts in other European
capitals. When arrayed in snow
white ermine, a red and gold mantle
over his shoulders, a golden crown on
his head and a scepter glistening with
jewels in his hand, Oscar appears
before both houses Of the Legislature
to deliver his address. his magnificent
voice fills without an effort, the large
Throne Hall. and his hearers hang de-
lighted on his words. Ihave not had
the pleasure of being present on one
of those occasions. but am assured
that the King is no ordinary orator.
King Cesar is more than a gifted
speaker. He is also poet. as was his
brother who preceded him to the
throne. When, in 1882, he and his
Queen celebrated their silver wedding,
it was remarked that His Majesty has
also been faithful to the Muses. for
twenty-five years. For it was in 1857
that the Swedish Academy awarded it's
annual prize for poetry to collection
of verses which, when the sealed
envelope containing the authors name
was broken, was found to have come
from royal pen. Among his poetical
productions are translations of Goethe's
'.Tasso" and Herder's ''Cid." The
best known of all his poems is q COL
lection of manly and euphonious songs
about the Swedish navy. They have
gone through four Swedish editions,
two German and one Danish. All the
poems of Oscar Frederic"-his name
in literature--have been published in
Germany as well as in Sweden. King
Oscar is furthermore a musician. His
talents in this department of art were
recently very highly praised by the re-
nowned German critic, Hanslick. who
visited this. city afew months ago. The
rapid growth of the Swedish Academy
of Music is in large measure due to
his activity when Grown Prince. He
was then President of the Academy for
several years.-Denver Republican.