Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-23
A Popular Sovereign and His Personal
characteristics.

A Popular Sovereign and His Personal
characteristics.
Paris Correspondence the London Globe.
King George of Greece has arrived in the
French capital, where he will remain a few
days on pleasure bent. Apart from being
a king he is remarkable parsonage in
many respects. He is both grave and ser-
Gus and al the same time gay and amiabie.
When he presides the cabinet councils
held at the palace he astonishes his min
listers by the clearness of his judgment.
his great perspicacity and a good humor
which never leaves him After the council
he has always a kind word 10 say to every
body When he was a midShipman in the
Danish navy he never dreamed that he
would be the successor of King Ohio of Ba-
v&ra. The national assembly proclaimed
him King of the Hellenes on March 30,
1863 He was then seventeen years Old,
having been born on December "a. 1915.
On October 80 of the same year. he arrived
at Athens, and on the morrow he took the
oath and mounted the throne.
Next to Queen Victoria and the Emperor
of Austria he is the oldest of the sovereigns
of Europe. His figure is well known in
Paris. where he may be seen nearly every
year. He Is the most Partisan monarch
10 be found in the world. OF medium sta
ture and martial bearing, with eyes soft
type almost intact. in spite of the fact that
in Greece he is an Athenian of Athenians.
He might be called the King Democrat.
having been able TO secure the sympathies
Of the French people. and when he comes
to France the republicans applaud him, al
though he is a monarch.
King George as the father of a family
may serve as model. The first thing he
thinks of is the education and welfare OF
his children. At the time of the departure
of Prince George for Crete, about a year
ago. there was painful scene at the pal
ace. The king, Notwithstanding the eff
forts he made to hide his emotion, could
not withhold his tears. and when his son
threw himself into his arms, asking if he
had any orders to give him. King George
replied, in voice full of affection: Il have
no orders TO give you, my child. Providence
will guide you. Go, and rely on the grace
of Cod
The king leads patriarchal life at the
palace To see him surrounded by his chill
dren and grandchildren one would think he
was some rich lord of the manor of bygone
times. He rises early in the morning and
works alone. AT 9:3o he takes tea and cot
fee with Queen Olga. He then receives his
ministers and deputies. and the persons en-
tered on the visiting book for a private
audience. All 100 he breakfasts with all
the royal family. After this repast he again
works for an hour or Two. He then goes
out for drive or walk with his daughter
the Princess Marie. The queen and other
members of the family drive out later
His majesty's faithful dog, Dick, a gift of
the Princess Naldcmar. accompanies them
everywhere, even in their journeys through
out Europe. When the king goes out alone
he likes TO visit the suburbs of the town.
Numerous anecdotes are told of his solitary
walks.
In the first years of his reign he was often
mistaken for some country gentleman. Peo-
pie says the "Gaulois.' addressed him in
familiar terms. and he took great pleasure
in talking with them and hearing what
they had to say about the king, the gov
eminent and the affairs of the state. One
day, while strolling in the environs of the
town, he got into conversation with a
peasant who was selling vegetables. Sud-
denly the mans horse slipped down, ana
the vegetables were scattered in all direc-
items. The king. while the countryman was
swearing and disappearing, proceeded to
make the horse get up and to gather the
vegetables which the peasant was taking to
market. An officer who happened to be
passing at the moment recognized his maj
esty and, quite astonished TO see him load
ing a cart, advanced toward him. The
ccuntryman. perceiving that his comrade
was none other than King George, stood
aghast. The king. putting a yellow piece
of money in his hand. said to the peasant.
ION another occasion, instead of losing
your time lamenting and swearing, you will
do better to pick up your carrots and pota-
tees" And his majesty, accompanied by
the officer. walked away laughing.
But times have changed. and King George
can no longer preserve his incognito. He
is too well known, and, whether in town
or country, is recognized by everybody.
Wherever he goes he is saluted to which
his majesty responds by uncovering. The
king, however, is not altogether pleased
with this excessive popularity. The con-
slant raising of his hat gives him colds and
coughs Ii is said by the "Gaulois' that
he has invented method of avoiding them
His majesty now goes out either as a gen.
eral or a captain, and the military salute
fhprafnra ha IL, nh.l-
peau.'
Dinner is served at o'clock. and the
company comprises the members of the
royal family. the dignitaries of the palace,
and some private friends. The king goes
out very rarely at night unless 1t be to the
theater or the fetes given by the represent
tatives of foreign powers and the minis
tiers. He prefers to pass the evening with
his family. He is very fond of music. In
these familiar gatherings there is no ETH
quette.
King George Possesses the magnificent
chateau of Tatoi which is about twelve
miles from Athens. 1t Is one of the largest
domains in Europe. At the time it was
bought, now several years ago, 1t was an
immense forest. At present 1t is one of the
most delightful summer residences that can
be imagined. This transformation natural
~ cost enormous sums of money. The king
brought over from France a perfect army
of workmen, who constructed ON this do
main eighty hlometers OF routes. offices
and factories. Breeding Is carried out
there on large scale. The forest and the
parks of the chateau contain great guam
tity of game Of all sorts. The estate of his
majesty forms a magnificent place for
shooting and hunting the best throughout
Greece, no doubt but ia chasse," strange
to saw is vigorously prohibited. The king