The Washington weekly post., 1900-11-20
WHEN MONARcHS HUNT.
Only TIVE Of Eur0pe's s0yereigns Are
Really Fine Equestrians.

From the Philadelphia Press.
Although most of the monarchs of Eu-
rope follow the hounds, as a matter of
''noblesse oblige," only two of them are
really fine equestrians, and sit their steeds
as the glamOr of legend and their sculp-
tured likenesses would lead one TO be-
lieve they do. These are Francis Joseph,
of Austria, and Leopold, of Belgium.
William II, of Germany, is lover and
cOnnoisseur of fine horses, and ardently
admires skiIlful horsemanship, but to his
great chagrin, owing to his partial paraly-
sis of his right arm, he has not, and never
can have. the graceful seat and perfect
assurance which his wife enjoys on horse
back.
What the late King Humbert lacked In
graceful hOrsemanship he made I'D for
in the beauty of his steed for he always
considered it royal obligation to be well
mounted.
The Kings of Sweden, Greece, and Dem
mark simply do not care for riding, and
frankly admit the fact Reversing the
Old order OF things, they drive out COM
1Ortably In their landaGs. admiring at
thelr leisure the grace and skill of the
ladies OF their families on spirited
mounts at the side OF the carriage.
In no way is the King of Portugal more
chagrined by his excessive embonpoint
than on account Of the fact that il pre-
vents his riding. He has often remarked
with the good humor Characteristic of far
men, that he would certainly ATTEMPT il
were he not afraid Of the Society for the
Prevention .: Cruelty to Animals
The Prince Of Bulgaria also belongs IN
the category OF royalty physically inca
paeltated for horsemanship ANY sustain-
ed riding occasions him severe internal
pans. Consequently he is only seen an
horseback at short pageants and co-teees
II Is curious that = man so brave aS
Alexander Of Servia in other resnee,s
should forego riding because of his fear
OF horses. This fear extends TO an ant
mails, even to dogs and cats. and seemq
all the more marked a1d unrea soma h.
since Alexander is a reckless driver oe
an automobile and late.y even beoged
and got permission from the engineer ~
the train on which he happened TO be 70
handle the throttle himself.
The Gar dislikes riding hAca,,so .hss
form Of exercise invariably gives him =
headache. Referring to this cone.It,,-
nonaI weakness, he remarked. ~ 5sve
heard or people VINO suffer from fica TIM
kidneys. / believe that / must have =
floating braiil-"
The Queen Regent Of Spain il 81 nerv-
Gus that she would not willingly lei the
young King ride a hobbyhorse- The hour
or MS equestrian exercise Is for her an
hour Of terror, owing 10 the urorsl,ec,- -
a gipsy that the Kiag would mel 1rffh
death on horseback.
The young Queen Of Holland sdore-
riding With the warmth of efri,sh en-
thusiasm. bat has seldom gsatffed IT,
f'as5iOn since her accession to the thrx.Ts
ministers forbade her 10 make bsr ~.
trance into her good town OF AmsrSr-
dam en- horseback
Many OF the French Presidents have
made inc figures on horseback, and near
" al OF them have had a great interest
in hOrsefesh aside rom riding. 50
Hunting has, however. been tho s,,r,r.
for which they have all cared fhe uncst
excepting only the first Presiden- NJ
Thiers. who hated game shooting GreV.,
shot like q Jura peasant" and IlLed -
bring back 9 full bag.
MacAIahOn's manner CT shooting vvae
manly and Unaffected. He woul9 reve-
Ingssacres. In a ''battue." accOrdiHs- -.
him. one just fired straight. wifI.out
taking aim, and the game feII IL ~
ground. CarnOt. Ike the mafhcnaficIan
and man OF etiq1stie that he was. Fksd
the "battues-" They left nothing =,
chance, though. 10 be sure, not aine =,
sksn either Given the number of srsS,r.s
D-en and the number OF birds. ss,1 ere
soali ten how many birds or dess- wolfId
figure in the "tableau" as the Frencb
call the display spread oGt in the cleSring
after the shooting. Faure was a greaf
siaughterer or game. and very proud OF
his skin.