The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-10-08
OSCAR,
KING OF
SWEDEN
Most AccOpliShed Monarch in
the World.
Knows Languages, Has Writ
ten Many BOOkS---HOw He
Lives.

1
poet, author, historian and dramatist,
sketches well. paints in water colors,
reads and writes eight languages and
speaks five. He is fine horseman and
the most eloquent orator in Sweden,
where oratory is held in high esteem.
AT the same time he is man Of modest
ana uuostentatious manners, and when
he travels shields his royal rank behind
an incognito and is know as Count Of
Hays. His best literary work was done
before he ascended the throne, when he
lived in a quiet home on the seashore as
the Duke of Oestergotland. His cares
and duties as king have not permitted
him the leisure and the liberty to think
and write as he did in the olden days
when he was merely a modest country
gentleman. Nevertheless he finds time
to prepare many speeches, TO write an
occasional essay and to keep pace with
contemporary literature.
His music and artistic work are a
diversion from the cares of state, and
every afteTnool when he comes from
the council chamber or his office he
usually sits at the piano for an hour or
80 trying the latest music and his old
favorites.
1t is gratifying to foreigners who have
the privilege Of an audience with the
King OF Sweden to find him able to con-
verse with them in their own language.
Few people outside of Scandinavia speak
Swedish, but the king can converse free.
ly in English, French, German and Nor
wegian, and invariably conducts his in
terviews with the ministers from those
countries in their native language. MIR.
Thomas, the United States minister, says
the king has keen sense Of humor and
is particularly fond of American stories.
When Mr.. Thomas hears new one he
makes note TO remind him to repeat
il to the king at the FIRST opportunity.
II is not customary for kings TO laugh.
They are supposed to preserve digni-
fed and serious demeanor on all occas-
ions, and King Oscar permits no one to
outdo him in the strict observance OF the
laws OF propriety.
Bot when he is alone with Mr.. Thorn
as or with General Lagerberg, his par
ticular chum, or any other Of his par
ticuar friends, he relaxes and lets him
self go in hearty manner.
The literary works OF King Oscar re-
quire ten pages OF the regular publish
ere catalogue, and comprise an extra.
ordinary variety, history, biography,
poetry, dramas, music, essays, speeches
and criticisms. His first serious work
was published in lSl9, before he had any
idea Of ever assuming the responsible
tiles OF king. II was historical in char
acter. His best known historical work
is an account Of the events that occurred
in the years l7ll.t3, a very important
period OF Swedish history. He has also
written a history OF the Swedish navy
and a history of the wars Of Sweden
which is used as textbook in the
schools. HE biography Of "Charles
XII, King, Warrior, and Man." was
translated and published in English in
1870. Several OF his pamphlets on Ma
sonry have been translated into English
and German, and the speeches which he
has delivered from time TO time during
his forty years Of public life upon every
conceivable subject-history, politics,
art, music, literature, commerce, naval
and military affairs, I'LL several volumes.
He appears on all formal occasions as
the "orator Of the day" lays corner
stones, dedicateS public buildings and
opens manufactures. He loves 10 make
q speech as we'll as the people love TO
hear him, and can be wise. witty and
eloquent in any one Of five languages,
| do not know OF any other public man
who las similar accomplishments.
His speeches are never sensational,
like those OF the German kaiser He
has a great deal Of tact. avoids eontro-
veries, and is diplomatic enough TO dis-
euss the most exciting topics withouto Of
fendiRg either side. His mood is
generally eoncliactory. lie is a great
peacemakeT and likes to say pleasant
things. He 10 sometimes critical, how
ever, and several years ago became in-
volyed in a sensational quarrel with
Bjornson, the Norwegian poet and au'
thor, because Of causlic comments made
upon something the latter had written.
Biornsoa is very hot tempered and
implusiye person. lie is also a radical
Ia his political tendencies.
He advocates the separation Of
Norway from Sweden and the establish
meat Of a republic lie is the lea Ter Of
the republican party in Norway, and
has published great deal In violent
criticism Of King Oscar. The la'er,
therefore, has NOT always had kindly
feeling toward hini, and the bitte'ness
Of his sarrasm was repeated 10 BjOrnson,
Who az once challenged the king 10 hghl
a duel This vas. Of course, al act Of
treason a. we'll - ls0- maj eiy and an
0 Der va. issucd for the auihor's arres'.
Bjoru 'on aed 20 Germany, where ! Q
remained several years. Through the
intercsssion oi irieuds he was permitted
70 return, aud oi late has been on
friendly terms wish his sovereign.
Several literary aud scientific men Oi
g,,ee,e, AMI Nurvrav eniov the psreousl