Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-02
The New King and Queen of Italy.

King Victor Emmanuel, now the
occupant of the throne Of Italy, vaca-
ted Monday ia consequence of the
SaSSinatiOn of Humbert |, is possibly
the best educated prince in Europe,
and is credited with being an able man,
although he is SO small, physically
speaking, as to be claSsed among the
pygmieS. He is barely five feet in
height and has frail constitution,
having been sick practically all his
life He was named after his grand
father, one of the greatest men who
ever occupied a throne. and was born
Nov II, 1869.
In spite of his lack of bodily strength
he was subjected to the most rigorous
discipline in his youth, nearly every
hour from daybreak to darkness being
devoted to study and military exercise.
His education was made thorough and
complete. and as he was naturally an
ardent student and gifted with clear
brain and keen perception, he learned
rapidly and retained what was taught
him.
King Victor has two fads-elec-
tricity and numiSmatics-and his
collection Of coins is one of the most
extensive in Europe. He is great
admirer of Edison. and had not reasons
of state interfercd would have paid a
visit to the United States in 1898 for
the sole purpose of seeing the wizard"
at work in his own laboratory. He is
also skilled in photography: speaks
English, German and French perfectly:
his knowledge of history and geography
is phenomenal; has great love for
Dante and is Indifferent to the teach
ingS of AriOStO. He is positive in
character and is credited with dis
position not agreeable at all times.
In Italian literature, Latin, mathe-
! maticS, physical sciences, constitute
tional right, political economy and
German the most renowned professors
were his masters, and his yearly ey-
aminaJiOnS in the presence OF his
parents, tutors and professors were
most severe.
The new king was married Oct. q,
; 1896, to Princess Helene,of Montenegro,
one of the handSomest women in
! Europe and a gianteSs compared to
her royal cOnSOrt, as she is six feet in
| height. No children have been born
to the royal pair
! The Duchess of AOSta, who was
Princess Helen of Orleans, once hoped
to wed King Victor when he was
prince of Naples, but failing in that
married the duke of AOSta. The lat
ter will succeed to the Italian throne
if the king dies childless, and it is
probable he will. For long time
King Victor feared to marry. By
some strange fatality an imbecile is
born every generation in the house of
Savoy. He was afraid he might be-
come the father Of such an unfortu-
nate, but so far he has escaped that
calamity.
The new Queen of Italy is regarded
as one of the handSOmeSt women in
Europe. She was the Princess Helene
Of Montenegro. She is nearly six feet
tall and stands head and shoulders over
her husband. She is as magnificent
physically as he is puny.
1t was the hope of the young man
and his father that her splendid bealth
| would compensate for his weakness.
and that children would be born to the
couple and thereby keep up the direct
| line of succession. They were mar
ried Oct. u, 1896. but no child has yet
been born TO them.
Princess Helene eXcelS IN all the
sports that her husbands ailments
have kept him from enjoying. She is
proficient in hunting, riding, and
| shooting. She is fine musician, play
ing the piano and violin exceptionally
we'll for an amateur: she speaks Eng
! lish. French, German. and Italian
with iuency; she is a clever artist,