The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-01-23

very little time 20 devote to dissipation.
even had he been inclined to II.
Official denial has been given also to some
of the widest reports concerning his finan-
cial necessities, although his association
with financiers Of a certain character have
confirmed the belief that his expenditures
have been beyond his income.
Legitimate Expenses Heavy.
II is, of course. a matter of common ro-
toriety that his legitimate expenses have
been enormously increased by the additional
burdens of entertainment thrown upon him
by the retired life OF the Queen. but he mas
himself been at pains to give direct denial
to current reports about his heavy losses on
the turf and at cards.
For many years he was unfortunate witt
his racing stable. but the victories Of Per-
simmon and Diamond Jubilee must have
largely reduced the previous deficit In his
racing account.
Formerly he was a straight rider in the
hunting field, but he has not followed this
form of sport of late years. although he Is
as devoted as ever to every kind of shoot
ing. His successes in the yachting field
with the Britannia are matters of very
recent history. and 1t Is known that he
has taken the liveliest interest In all the
various efforts to recapture the America $
cup. He always has been a prominent
spectator at university and school athletic
contests of every sort. and. as has been
said. he owes a great amount of his IN
disputable popularity to his thoroughly
Anglo-Saxon tastes In this respect.
No account Of the Prince would be COM
plete without a reference to his love for the
stage. both musical and dramatic. His ap-
probation OF every variety of theatrical en-
tertainment has always been OF the most
catholic kind. and scarcely a week passes
In the season without his appearance at
the opera or some leading theater. He has.
indeed. betrayed, perhaps. too great hk-
ing for the society Of the player folk: but.
on the other hand, IL must be admitted that
the recent Improvement in the social stand
ing of actors is due In no small degree 70
his infiusnce.
His Courtesy and Tact.
In all the varied circles In which the
Prince has moved he has shone pre-emi-
nently by virtue Of two rare characteristics.
a most gracious courtesy and ready tact
He has inherited In no small measure his
mothers gift of saying and doing the right
thing at the right moment.
But he has qualifications much deeper
than the externals Of social polish. His
knowledge of the world and OF men u
wide and deep. He has been everywhere.
seen everything and everybody. Neces-
sarily, he has associated with many OF the
most famous men Of the day In all de-
partments Of life. learned, religious. polit-
icai military and artistic
without a suspicion Of genius. he has
plenty Of natural intelligence anc common
sense and has imbibed a vast bulk Of In
formation. A good linguist. he is thor
oughly acquainted with Continental men
and affairs and his exalted position has
kept him for many years ION the inside.
so to speak, Of all the most delicate ana
questions which vex the soul
,f the diplomatist- 30 far as British pol
tics Is concerned, he has been very care
rul to keep on intimate terms with the
leading men Of all parties. being equally
friendly with Lord Salisbury. Disraeli and
NJ. Gladstone
Men who know him say that his sagacity
9 at least equal to his knowledge and ex-
,erience and It 10 whispered that he has
Inherited a considerable share Of the SELF
will which was SO striking q characteristics
If his mother. especially In her youth.
What his political preferences will be on
,ome Of the leading questions of the day II
5 dificult to guess. Undoubtedly the at
nosphere of Marlborough House has been
very different from that which prevailed In
he sober precincts of the Queens court.
nut the distinction was social rather than
,olitical At all events there has never
,een a Marlborough House party in the
,ense In which there was a Carlton House
,arty In the days Of the Prince Regent.