Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
VICTOR EMMANUEL III.
Italy's Intellectual and Manly Young
King.

King.
From the LOLdon Mail.
A new king. has arisen in Europe, young,
intellectual, manly king, a ruler whose fu-
ture deeds can scarcely fail to have the
most important results not only for Italy,
his country but for the world.
Victor Emmanuel Ill, though not the
youngest of reigning monarchs, is yet
very young man to be saddled with the
troubles of kingship. He is but thirty-one
years of age, and his only juniors on the
thrones Of Europe are Alfonso xiii OF
Spain, who is now but fourteen years oio
and stil subject to the regency OF ms
mother; Alexander l Of Servia who Is
twenty-four, and Queen Wilhelmina OF Hoi-
land who is twenty. Victor Emmanuel is
nearest in age to the Russian emperor, nav
ing been born in November, 1863, while the
czar came into the world in May, 1868.
The story of his early life is one Of Spar
tan training. hard study and struggles
against physical weakness. AS child ne
suffered from ricketts,. and the plain living
and constant application to study which
were his daily portion undermined his
health to alarming degree but 1ortu-
nately for his subsequent career his father
King Humbert. changed his mode of liV-
ing just in time and sent him travelling
about the world, with the result that ne re-
turned in great measure restored TO
health.
The princes early studies were mainly d.
rected by Queen Margherita, who was al
ways extremely intellectual Modern Ian
guages with several Of which he is thor
ougRiy conversant), the dead languages,
mathematics military history and phiioso-
ply formed the most important part of his
curriculum. Yet, in spite of these scholar
ly attachments, Victor Emmanuel is thor
ough and enthusiastic soldier and sailor
into the bargain. In the army he is be-
loved and has the reputation or being
strict disciplinarian, somewhat severe as
commander and very exacting in regard to
his officers, from whom he expects not only
obedience and strict attention to duty, but
what is of equal Importance thorough ca
pacity and efficiency.
Coin Collector and Electrician.
Even kings have generally a hobby of one
kind or another and Victor Emmanuel is
no exception to the rule. In his case his
tastes in the way Of occupations for killing
time lie in the direction of numismatics.
He has a collection of over 10000 coins, said
to be the finest in Europe, and so devoted is
he to this hobby that he has prepared with
much labor a comprehensive catalogue and
guide to numismatics. for which his own
collection formed the foundation.
J In addition to this his majesty is an cleo
trician of no mean merit. Indeed, he has
been called 1.-The only real electrician among
all the present princes of Europe He is
well versed in all that concerns the appli-
cation of electricity to light, motive power,
sound and photography, and he was one Of
the earliest and most successful expert
mentors with the N-rays. Soon after that
famous discovery he turned his apartments
in the quirinal into something like a chem
ical laboratory, much to the disgust of the
other members of the royal family.
AS a statesman Victor Emmanuel may de-
velop into powerful factor in European
politics. of which he has a comprehensive
grasp and an intimate and detailed knowl
edge. King Humbert had secrets from
his only son. and the result of this conf
dence has been that all the details of adj
minstration and affairs of state are known
and understood by King Victor Emmanuel.
His family relations are, and always have
been, of the happest nature. He was de-
votedly attached to his father, and only one
real difference ever existed between them.
This was on the question of the Italian pol
Icy in Abyssinia and King Humbert's rela-
tons with Crispi. Victor Emmanuel was no
friend of the latter, and the despotism
which the prime minister execised over the
king irritated him beyond measure.
1t is related that one day, when the news
of the great defeat of the Italians at Adowa
reached Italy, the Prince Of Naples entered
his fathers presence to discuss the situa-
ton. and finding Crispi there he openly at
tackled the minister's AbysSinian policy and
accused him of being the chief cause of the
disasters which then threatened to over
whelm the kingdom. Crispi left on this, and
father and son had what was perhaps the
only stormy interview that ever took place
between them.
Happy Marriage.
Prince Victor also deeply loved his
mother, and the story of his romantic mar
riage with the beautiful Princess Helene of
Montenegro shows that his was not a mere
political marriage In accordance with the
old adage that "the course of true love did
never run smooth Prince Victor had
many difficulties to surmount before he
could call the Princess Helene his own. In
the first place, the Car Alexander had set
his mind upon his heir (now the Car
Nicholas III, marrying her. But Nicholas
was not to be dictated to in affairs Of the
hn Torn y.ifx foll l.,
love with Princess Alix of Hesse, and de-
clined to be rival of Prince Victor Then
the latter's parents and advisers were not
too well disposed toward the match at first
but they came round and afterward be-
came much devoted to the beautiful and
high-spirtted girl who is now Queen Of
Italy.
A few words about the queen will not be
out of place. She is a brunette with dark
eyes, jet black hair and very fair COM
plexion She plays both the piano and the
violin. is devoted to sport and is fond Of
the sea as is her husband. She speaks
four languages. including Russian. 1t is
entirely through her relations with the
Russian court that the car and her hus-
band are such good friends each having
played into the others hand In the matter
Of lovemaking.
In appearance Victor Emmanuel is de-
cidedly prepossessing He has cleanly cut
features, short cropped hair, and a mus
tache very like that of the German kaiser
He has general appearance of determine
ton and strength of will, and his looks do
not belle him in this respect, for 1t is said
the king has firmness Of character and q
quickness of decision which are highly nee
essary in his exalted position
Like his imperial neighbor the kaiser,
Victor Emmanuel is almost impervious to
fatigue He can remain on horseback for
many hours without firing, he can go a
long time without food. and in military
maneuvers. parades and marches he shows
unceasing energy and untiring ZEAL He is
an enthusiastic yachtsman, has spent a
good deal of time cruising in the Mediter-
ranean with his beautiful wife.
Though much physical activity. much
study and great deal of politics have
been crammed into the kings short life he
has yet found time to write sentimental
novel!
Such, then. is the man who is to rule
Italy. May he be as successful as his
friend, neighbor and ally. the Kaiser WIZ
liam, who succeeded to the throne at
similar age and under similar, though han
PLY not SO tragic, conditions.
Up-tO-Date "Vet."
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