New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-10

How do roval personages compare with ord
nary mankind az regards brain power ana II
,srsc,q. "a the purport O. an inquiry from
xo.a.r 80 The Trfbune-one which mas probably
no.r called forth 10y Some reference t. Prince
r,,sr,orct.s veu-known phrase about "Austria's
t,,hoo1a Archdukes" in connection with the re-
,o,. dna.h Of the old uncle OF Emperor Francis
rosa,b To this reply may be made that. as
General rule the intelligence Of the Amounted
~ the Lord" is not above the average Of that o'
ordinary nortals. Paradoxical though il may
onnear brains are MOI needed in any suparabun-
dant quantity TO direct the destnies OF great ana
nowprful nations and ancient we'll as modern
history teaches that the most successful rulers
have been persons Of a mental calibre below
rather than above the average; whereas. those
monarchs who were exceptionally gifted have in
varably shown themselves untitled ~ administer
the destinies OF the people subjec; TO Their con-
troll. This may be explained by the fact thd'
dulncss usually goes hand in hand with caution
which is a very desirable quality IN ruler Whhe
genius ia often both impulsive and in1pfactcao'e'
No one. for instance. would dream OF as'roins
70 Queen Victoria brancy and talents aoo'e
the average although she possesses a vast anu
unriva,led fund Of experience gathered u"''"e -.
course 90 reign OF nearly threescore years YET
10
tho most successful and exemplary monarch III
tho bistorv Of Great Britain. which under her
guidance has attained an unprecedeh''o ues'ee
-. ,ros,eri,y and development. Prudence and
,,,,or due I'm part TO her sOwness of compra-
bension have been the dominant features OF her
rule and never were they exercised to such ad-
vantage as al the time OF the Trent imhrogio'
which would probably have degenerated int"
war between England and the United states mad
not Her Majesty checked and modified the in
temperance of language Of which her Cabinet
Ministers had been guilty in the note addressed
10 the American Government asking for redress
Neither Is Emperor Francis Joseph gifted above
the average OF humanity. Indeed. ne Is man OF
very ordinary intellect; Vet during his forty
seven wears Of reign his country has been trans
formed from the most backward to the most ell
Iirhtened and progressive OF European states
Its development has been phenomenal in every
rAsnect Wel-nigh bankrupt in lS4S II is to-day
one Of the few states that can show surplus OF
revenue over expenditures; constitutional gov
eminent has taken the place Of despotisnl COM
mercial and Industrial prosperity have succeeded
widespread want and misery, and Il Austria has
lost those Italian provinces which were CON
slant drain upon her resources she is more than
compensated by the acquisition of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. which cannot fail ultimately 10
nrove Of inestimable benefit to the Empire.
Queen Christina Of Spain and Queen Emma of
the Netherlands have given proof OF a sagacity
and sound common-sense that can only be COM
parcd to that Of Queen Victoria IN administering
ss Regent the government Of those countries
over which their children are the t:ular rulers.
In each instance their task has been rendered
douby difficult by the intense Jealousy that pre-
walls in Spain. well as in Holland, against
foreigners: but the one as well as the other has
succeeded in living down all prejudice and in
winning the good will and confidence OF the peo-
pie OF their adopted countries which. under their
rule. have enjoyed unprecedented tranquility and
prosperity. Ye: neither of these royal ladies can
he described intellectually brilliant; their
mental calibre is certainly not above the average.
and had they been born anywhere else than on
the steps Of a throne they would certainly never
have achieved any celebrity.
King Humbert is noted for his dulness. He
possesses no accomplishments. no gifts and no
talents whatsoever; yet if Italy continues. in
spite Of all it's numerous difficulties and troubles.
TO adhere to a monarch;cal form OF government.
instead of supplanting it by the formation Of A
republic. II is solely due to the confidence and
regard inspired TO all classes Of the population
by the sterling honesty and straight forwardness
Of the King. II he were clever his much afflicted
subjects would distrust him. "a they already do
his constitutional advisers and in that case his
throne would not be worth hours purchase.
The obtuseness of King Carlos Of Portugal is
on par with his fat to which latter perhaps is
attribute BILE his Incidence. He is in every sense
OF the word A "Roi Faneant." a King Log.
Notwithstanding which his country manages to
rub along in spite of drawbacks and obstacles
that would have led TO revolution and bloodshed
there are at the court Of Lisbon are concealed
beneath the abundant chevelure Of the masterfui
Queen Mother and Of the energetic Queen Con-
sort. who. however, manage to neutrallze their
respective efforts either for the good the evil
az the Nation by their bitter mutual hostility.
King Christian of Denmark Is humdrum old
gentleman. who has no soul for ANYTHING save
for his dogs. his horses and his numerous chill
dren and grandchildren, and neither King Albert
OF SaXony nor King Charles OF Rumanid has
ever given evidence OF the possession OF a super
abundant quantity % brains. yet their subjects
are perfectly content and happy under their
rule; the only trouble that King Charles has
ever experienced al Bucharest having heep in
connection with his wife the poet Queen Car &
Silva, whose foolishness almost cost him
his throne five years ago. Nor have ever beeu
able to find German who does not look back
with satisfaction to the reign Of dull steady {
going and cautious old Emperor William whose /,
administration Of the affairs Of the Ka!serrelch
compares so advantageousy with that OF his gifted
but erratic impulsive and headstrong grandson
William II. Neither does there seem to he any /
ground for apprehension that the new Gear Will /
prove a cleverer or more brilliant man than his /
somewhat obtuse yet honest father who. not
wthstanding all that has been said TO the CON !
Uary, showed himself infinitely more able /
asomnistrator than his own more gifted father. /
having oequeathed the Empire 10 his son Nicho- |
las In far more prosperous condition than that
80 ""Vn ne had found Ii on succeeding 10 the !
.n,o'.e III lssi lf there is any difference between
Souns Nlchoias III and his father. II is not in /
brain power or superiority 81 intellect. but mercy
IN aiHerence OF education. Alexander having FUR !
nlsned us DON with more liberal rnnn,n1 -. /