The San Francisco call., 1897-08-29

monarchs in Christendom, yet, curiously
enough. he has been singularly unlucky
in the majority of his ventures. differing
in this respect from King George OF
Greece and King Oscar of Sweden, both of
whom ascended their thrones as poor
men and are now enormously wealthy.
Leopold's constant i'll luck and conse-
quent financial necessities have frequently
driven him into the arms OF fnanciers by
no means of good standing, since the
Rothschilds closed their doors against
him, and some of his associations have in
consequence been of an exceedingly ex-
traordinary character, notably his inti-
macy with the late Colonel North. the
so-called Nitrate King" man OF the
most appalling vulgarity, who was never.
tteless permitted by Leopold to pat him
on the back, and to invite a very mixed
party OF his own city friends in London to
stay for a week as the Kings guests at
Ciergnon during the shooting season, the
colonel practically doing the hcnors and
officiating as master of the entire estab-
lishment with all its army Of royal serv-
ants and retainers. If the Belgian news
papers are to be believed Leopold is inter-
ested in several of the gam bling establish
ments at Ostend, Spa and elsewhere, and
It's certain that he has gone out of his way
to visit his lspleasure upon those judicial
and magisterial officials who have dis
tinguished themselves by their too strict
enforcement of the laws at Ostend, and al
though married to an Austrian Arch
duchess, with two of his daughters settled
at Vienna yet he is in the worst of odor
in the m metropolis of the dual empire, in
consequence of the firm belief which pre-
walls in court circles there TO the effect
that he has squandered in speculation,
notably in his Congo company, the whole
of the immense fortune of his only sister,
the ex-Empress Charlotte of Mexico, OF
whose estate he is the trustee. and who. if
popular rumor is to be believed is COM
pIetely cured from her dementia, and
merely kept under restraint because her
brother is unable to give proper account
OF her properly.
In conclusion, two little incidents,
trivial in themselves and yet character
istic, may be given here as indicati the
nature OF the man whom Japan wishes to
name as arbitrator in her controversy with
the United States. 1t is,cusromary at the
various courts on yonder side of the At
lanlic for each foreign diplomat TO re.
ceive from the sovereign parting gift on
presenting his letters of recall, which
mostly takes the form of iewcIed cigar
case or snuffbox. Four years ago for.
eign diplomat, while attending a fare well
banquet at the palace. received from King
Leopold superb gold cigar-case, studded
with costly jewels. as memoir of his so.
journ at the court of Belgium. On the
day following note arrived from the aid.
de.camp in waiting, begging that the case
might be returned for some inscription to
be added to the interior. OF course the
| diplomat consented. After waiting no,
merely for several days but actually fo,
several weeks in order to get it back, and
writing repeatedly to the palace, he was
| finally forced 10 leave Brussels without it.
and he has never seen it to this day. Re.
Gently, however, he met his successor.
who in his turn had just left Brussels.
The latter was full OF enthusiasm about
the King.
Leopold" he exclaimed. "is a capital
chap, presented mo with splendid gold
cigar-case. heavily encrusted with mag
nificent gems, when took my leave Of