The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-04
A POPULARITY OF A KING.
RcSukc of an Actor and Rcproof for
n Beauty.
Mainly About People.

Mainly About People.
Like all the rest of us. the King has his
peculiaritics, writes a candid Ensiishman-
One of the most marked Of these is that
he is particular to the verge OF severity
on the subject Of decorations that should
be worn. How they should be worm, when
they should be worn, are matters to which
he has always given the closest attention.
Of this idiosyncrasy many stories are told.
Here are a few:
The first relates to that most popular
henchman of the King. Sir Dighton Probyn.
He has the right TO wear many deco
%rations. including the coveted Victorian
cross. Among his honors is q cross of
a leading Danish order Of which he Is
a knight, and a second Danish distinction
OF less eminence. One evening, at San
dringham. a year or two ago, a large party
had assembled at the bidding OF the Prince
and Princess OF Wales for dinner. Indeed,
so many were the guests that Sir Dighton
and one Or two others found places at a
small table, a sort of Overflow dining
table in the corner Of the room.
1t so happened that the date was the
birthday OF the King of Denmark, although
the dinner was not specially in honor Of
that event. Sir Dighton. ever a courtier,
had the anniversary, and, in
dressing for dinner, had affixed TO his coat
the small star of the chief Danish order.
but either did not look for or could rot
find the insignia of the lesser In impor-
tance. Dinner was announced, and Sir
DiShton was deep in the discussion Of an
excellent menu, when a footman brought
him a message from his royal master TO
the following effect: III. r. II. is surprised
TO see that Sir Dighton Probyn is not
wearing the Order Of -" Sir Dighton
had there and then to fetch the order, and
reappeared with it displayed in the correct
position. In telling the story he said that
he was amazed that his involuntary omis-
sion should have been noticed by the
prince, who was sitting at the corner of
the. main dining table farthest from HIM
self
y friend Of mine was staying as fellow
guest with the King some time back at a
country house for a weekend The King
had, as prince, the custom Of sending his
entirely a male party) informing them
what his wish was as to wearing decora-
tions. On this evening my friend had re-
ceived the message: H. r. II. desires gen
tlemen TO wear the ribbons and buttons
only of their orders" He is q careless
man, and he stuck two English orders
and one foreign decoration on the lapel of
his dress coat, and never needed the exact
positions. A few minutes to the dinner
hour he came out into the passage and was
making his way to the stairs, when he met
He stood aside. but the prince motioned
him to join him. and they went down to-
gether.
prince, who had been looking attentively
at my friends coat. stopped, and. much
to the ~latter's confusion, said, taking hold
of the lapel: These ribbons should not
be placed so: That one" pointing to a
foreign one. has no place there at all on
pointing to the English ribbons. the order
should be reversed" My friend murmured
his apologies, and the prince said: Il
know 1t is not always easy TO understand
but | like care to be given to such mat
ters."
Ny third story has to do with a we'll
known and popular English actor who, in a
play in which he appeared with great sue
cess, acted the part of a Russian general.
The prince was present one evening, and
noticed that across his uniform coat the
and stars. When the curtain fell on the
first act the prince sent an inquiry 10 ask
the actor to visit the royal box. Much
gratified. Mr.. - hurried to obey, but
upon entrance, instead of the congratula-
tons he expected, the prince, after a cool
greeting, pointed TO the row of gew-gaws
on the military coat, saying with some
severity: May i ask they are sup
posed to representa-
taton ewels and crosses, supplied by a
costumer, such as any actor would natural
~ wear. Mr.. - very feebly answered
that they were TO represent such Russian
military and civil orders as a general of
the Cars army would probably possess.
Really said the prince ironically, land
you call yourself an artist. l am sur
prised that you have not taken more trou-
Die TO be exact think your uniform
would become you better II you dispense
in the next act with those ludicrous orna-
rents" And the actor did.
But perhaps the most severe reproof
which the King ever gave a subject in the
matter of decorations was that admins
tered to a very pretty young girl in q ball
room. The prince had invited her to
dance, and she, much gratifed. had taken
a turn or two. when the prince noticed
upon her breast the small diamond star OF
a well-known English order. May L ask
you where you got that from? he said. in
0icAfln2 the little Jewel The girl hllTSh-
ing a great deal. answered that her fanco
G. young officer of great Distinction had
lent TX 10 her to wear. Indeed" said his
royal highness coldly. please unpi it and
return 1t to Lieutenant Colonel Sir --,
and inform him that such jewels are not in
tended for the adOrnment Of beauty. how
ever great" And he led his partner to her
cnaperOn.