New-York tribune., 1889-10-13
ROYALTY AT ATHENS.
THE HAPPY AND USEFUL CIRCLE INTO
WHICH PRINCESS SOPHIA WILL ENTER

trRoM AN OCCASIONAL coRREspoNDENT OF The TRIBUNE
Athens September 80.
When the Princess Sonhia OF Prussia becomes
che wife Of the Crown Prince Of Greece she VIII
enter what is probably the happiest royal family
circle in Europe l do not know whether the
head OF King George escapes any OF the proverpiai
uneasiness that haunts the pillows OF royalty, Dut
il his condition in his waking hours affords
correct basis for judgment, should say 'ha' '"e
hsppiest low-lie-down in the kingdom rests no
more soundly than he. One often sees on the
streets of Athens pleasant-looking couple, walk
ing arm in arm. They are not past middle age
and have the air OF people whose deots are Pald,
whose consciences are clear. and whose digesuons
are always good. They are dressed in ordinary
citizens garb Inside the collar Of his coat is
the trademark of famous London tailor, and the
bill for her quiet but stylish walking gown bore
the imprint OF Paris dressmalSer. They always
seem 10 be sightseeing, gazing into shop windows,
looking at new buildings, observing the througs
of passers-by. or, when all else fails, admiring
the blue skies and bright sunshine Of the City of
the Violet Crown. No rcgnha glitter on their
bosoms, no liveried guards attend them. They
make their way through the crowd, jostling, and
being iostlcd with unfailing good humor. Some
times they may be standing on the curb, or on
some bousc-steps, waiting 10 see procession pass
by, or watching an illumination or other public
ing on horseback alone, or attended by comrade'
both in civilian dress or the lady may be seen on
the promenade, escOrtng, or escorted by
huge Danish dog But one notices that "a
great many people and all officers and soldiers
salute them with precise courtesy, and from TINS
circumstance the conclusion is at last reached that
they must be people OF considerable Importance
They are IN fact the King and Queen oil oreeoe.
Ddring the hot weather of summer one may find
them with their whole modest Court at Iato'
This summer residence is short distance from
Athens and is situated upon the slope OF Mount
Parues. II is upon the very site of that anclenb
fortress of Decelca. which the Spartans built DUR
ing the Peloponnesian War. 1t was formerly the
property of General Sutzo, and was chiefly covered
with pine forests 1t has been greatly improved,
however since the King purchased it, and now
comprises some OF the most beautiful pleasure
grounds in all Europe. When the royal family
first made it their summer home, they lived IN
a cluster Of small one-storied cottages, such as
are the homes of ordinary Greek peasants. They
had indeed been the bones Of the w0rkmen on
General Sutzo's estate. About two years ago,
however, a handsome palace was built. 1t is an
exact copy enlarged scale OF the Russian
Emperor's palace of Peterhof, near St. Petersburg
King George himself the architect of it. lie
not only prepared the or gnal plans, but in person
surerintended the construction OF the building,
and be now takes great pride in showing 10
visitors the admirable carpentry and other work
about the palace. Scattered about the GROUNDS
near by are several pretty Swiss chalets which
are occupied by the manager of the estate and
various members of the Royal Court This place
is the home of the royal family for about five
months of the year, and here the King receives
the visits of the various foreign Ministers and
other persons of Importance who come 10 see him
on business or pleasure Every week, however,
he goes to Athens for day or two OF hard work
at the business of a King
And the business OF King is in this case a
pretty serious matter. Not only in their uncon-
ventonal manners do King George and Queen
Olga differ from the conventional models OF
sovereignty, and indeed, from actual overeignty
rs it exists in too many capitals. They toll
not, neither do they spin,S was text applied
hy Mr.. Chamberlain TO the royalty and peerage
of Great Britain, and one thinks Of kings ana
queens as folks whose chief aim in life Is to
wear purple and ermne and crowns and carry
sceptros and sit on thrones and receive the hom-
age OF their subjects. and have a perpetual good
time with never Bit of real hard work to do Well,
have already exploded, with regard TO this couple,
the dress and manners part of this theory. Now,
as 70 the work part Every day when he is in
Athens an early hour finds the King in his office
hard at work He makes point of receiving
in person all visitors, whether on errands OF busl-
ness or mere curiosity. The latter he soon gets
rid Of though with charming and atfahe
courtesy that makes one feel anything rather
than dismissed from the royal presence. The
former the King always detains until the buSi-
ness in hand is considered and settled, if settle
ment he possible. Then the King consults his
Ministers on current topics connected with the
de frnr
all departments of the Government; dictates
letters and orders TO his secretary, and, in brief
transacts all the business OF the Kingdom pre-
ciselv ms an ambitious and enterprisng merchant
might he expected TO transact the business Of
bis countng-rOOm.
Nor does King George confne himself exclusively
70 Office work Later in the day he goes gen.
erally on foot and often alone, TO visit the docks
forts custom houses, prisons. postoflice and all
public institutions under the direct administration
of his Government. These visits are not mere
pcrfunctory inspections, arranged for beforehand
and sprinlsled over with rose water, Zach one has
some specific object. lie marches into the post
office for example, with the remark Good morn
ing. Mr. Postmaster. / have come TO see what
is wrong with our foreign mails. They don't
seem 20 get distributed as promptly as they
sbouId.- Or at the Jail: "Ah. Mr. Sheriff. how
do YOU do? They tell me that the prisoners don {
get enough TO eat. How about il? Just let me
90 in and see them at dinner will you?' OF
course these functiouaries know that the Kings
visits mean business and If they are guilty. Of
negligence or misconduct the outlook for them is
stormy On the other hand. il their record is
clear they have uneasiness nor do they hesitate
TO vindicste themselves by speaking plainly, for
the King seems 10 enjoy argument and is never
offended by the most outspoken difference of
opinion. When a man agrees with me" he says.
''he may be speaking falsely. But if he contra
diets me TO my face. feel pretty sure he is
speaking the truth" OF course he King does not