New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-06
GEORGE.
THE KING OF THE HELLENEs.

anu i'S POSITION IN the eyes OF civilized Eurona
arose in 1860, when the brigandage it had tilI
then failed to suppress came into fragrant view
"A oand Oh thieves had captured on the plains OF
| Marathon two English tourists and member .,
| the English and Italian legation Profitino h.,
the nigh social standing of their prisoners. the
| brigands asked not only heavy ransom nm,
amnesty for their offence. When this was ve,v
properly refused, TO the horror of Euroue and
almost within sight Of the Greek gendarmes ,hs
brigands murdered their captives cry of indie.
nation rang through the whole continent II VS.
thundero0lt also for the Grceks-it was thei,
nohor that was at stake. What, after thirty
years Oh liberty, were they still unable to guarantee
saIeS 70 any tourists who happened to visit their
cassie land The country was thoroughly aroused
at last to this national disgrace of breandage and
really energetic measures were taken in conss
quence, with the result that the era Of these ,ohh
chleftalns Is now ended, ana people can travel ~
Safey LII Greece as in other parts of Sonthern.
EUROPE ior TINS general Indignation enabled
! me chamber to vote not only DacOnian measures
against brlgands, but to obtain extended connas
slons for the construction of telegranhs rnads
and other needful adjuncts 10 civilization Is
directly, too, this murder induced Eurone r. ncr,it
uIeece TO make at last those territorial ononis;ton.
whlch make 1t less easy than formerly for malefac.
!ors 20 reach the Turkish frontier, and thns dnd
themselves outside the reign Of Greek law.
In This matter of finally suppressino brirand-
age, Whch under the Turkish dominion had been
organized as a protest against tyranny. KIM
"eorSe showed himself most active.
ACTIVITY In very fact. is the keynote to tho
hlhgs character. He is a great worker Even I'm
winter ne Is TO be found in his study at early
hours. Indeed, early rising would seem to be a
royal virtue. These persons, perhaps, best CRASH
the value Of those undisturbed morning hours. I'M
summer, twice week, Independently of his minisI
ters' the King receives all the persons who PASSING
through AtnTens have asked for the favor Of an
audience, lheSe visitors generally find him stand.
! ing beside little table piled with papers and
documents IN room which is the last of tha
three ground ioor rooms Of the palace set aside
] Tor his private cabinets. These rooms are richly
Cec0rated WIN pictures brOnzes, marbles, and
costly objects Of art. Bat besides these there
are aif3 hung on the walls portraits Of all the
ureece This is delicate compliment on the
part of the n:ng to his native visitors. and
one they never fail to appreciate. for the King
| himself Is essentially modern man, though he
possesses all due love and respect for his nations
great ana glorious past. But modern literature,
modern art, the marvellous scientific discoveries
| or our century, have a rare attraction for him as
! also has modern history. lie has most extensive
kn0pwledge Of international politics
Those who come IN contact with King George
testify TO his frank amiabe manners He puts his
visitors at their ease. and permits them to talk
gnrestrasinedly He loves discussion and straight
| forward speech. lie does not forbid C0ntradc-
ton. Hence it is possible for his visitors 10 hold
! true converse with him. thing not common in
interviews with royal persons. who like their
!
tho King learns much, and knows what is occur
ring, what is thought in the large world outside
the narrow little circle in which royalty moves.
lie also likes TO inspect Government works with
his own eyes. going to visit harbors. barracks.
roads and buildings me pectedly. and on foot.
accompanied by but one or two gentlemen.
His programme for his reign is. for the interior,
progress; for the exterior liberation OF the Greek
peoples still under strange yoke. The latter
part Of his task has, OF course. 10 be carried out
with tact and delicacy, so ms not 10 wound inter-
national susceptihilites and jeaonsies. But the
King has been astute and s'ilful as he has been
patriotic. At the Congress Of Berlin he understood
| so we'll how TO make the claims Of tie Hellenes
! respected that much OF Epirus and Ihessaly was
| restored TO its true owners; and N the end Of
be % he can PUnt O 70 By ms
third. without shedding their blood 10 obtain this
result.
| The popularity he Justly enjoys is shared by his
| Queen, who has the added merit in the peoples
eyes that she is of their own faith An intelligent
| and superior minded woman, she has been true
| helper 10 her husband Under her patronage arc
most of the charitable institutions. many Of these
| being Of her own foundation, notable among them
a model hospital Dming the Russo-Turkish
| War she established course of ambulance lessons
| for women, AMI attended them herself, IN order
! that she too might learn how 10 tend the wounded
| Indeed, she among the most assiduous Of the
learners Her open handedness is almost proven
! bal IN this also she Is supported by the King
| Both are ever ready 10 give 70 charities, and
solemnize every public occasion with gifts to the
poor q,
list is bat 000C francs a year But he under
stands so well how 10 manipulate IT that he man
ages on Ibis naIrow sum to fulhll win hecomIns
dignity the requirements OF his station. MS
| house is well-C ppolnted. he has good horses, ms
| table is sumptuous, aud does not suggest tho
| Spartan black broth.
and OF sport lie is good shot and whip, an
interchangeable swimmer, and a lover Of angling.
Wh fs e often etres t. sh Ills hunting
seat is Satoi, an hours distance from Athens: But
it is at Corfu. where he has his summer residence,
that he is able to live entirely according TO ms
| tastes-a lovely domain in an enchanting spot.
Here lie and the Queen are able 10 carry on tnae
free existence devoid of etiquette which peases
| them both. The King turns farmer. ana the
| Queen becomes musician and painter Flower
painting is her forte, and she may be met IN me
! gardens at Corfu copying from nature many OF
the lovely plants which bloom IN that enchan,e,n
isle She arranoes her floral pictures win nuc.
! skill. and these graceful bouquets signed oga,
would easily find n market we're their au'not
0'I I}appy hours of relaxation are those for the
King aid Queen. Their official life at Athens IS
IA very busy ore, and OF necessity very talis t 40
omen for receptions DINERS balls. and skatins
testivals-for the King has caused sksting1rihhH
to be erected in long gallery where .he ln aoy
,ants of n land in which snow never falls can enjoy
I'm mock fashion the pleasures that zee alol '
The theatre plays part in fashionable A'nen. meme.
M, for Greece, strange 10 say, prodc's 10 aOVos'
New Years Day and March 2j-the date com
mcmorative of the proclamation of Hellenic lnue-
prndencc-are high festivals at court ana among rua
he pcople Easter and Christmas, TOO. are sreat
occasions The King and Queen have eaSn .ner
own private chapels in the palace n NJ III. 81 "
na make an exception and go Their with Their
Children to the cathedral to attend the SeGVi tSs
| During Passion week, too, the King goes 10 tle
| GrcrlI Church and irroundcd with great pomp
wv all his court in ful gala costume, listens TO
tGc sermon on the Passion Also the night t pre-
ceding Faster Day il is customary for the SOVEREIGN
tn mass lonr hours in the cathedral As soon as
| Ho,P Downs tile cannons boom 10 celebrate the
Resurrection and the archbishop presents sym
n;m,s.If rock fashion, and reverenty kisses The
i' KIM George goes through all these ceremonies;
80 nt necsssity with an amiable grace hut is sui
40 r r., M heart as we'll as by profession.
| ,,x.o;rI,. King George of Greece, notwithstand-