Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-21

LONDON, January 1.-THE follow
Ing is the substance of an interview
with the Prince of Wales which is to
appear shortly in London magazine.
There is every reason to believe it is
perfectly genuine, and it is understood
to be the first interview in which His
Royal Highness has been directly
quoted.
A correspondent, who had been priv
LEGGED to meet the Prince of Wales or
more than one occasion, had an inter
view with Englands future king at
Marlborough House, His Royal High
ness London residence, some days ago.
The Prince talked with great frank
ness concerning himself and his views
on various subjects.
If any one deserved the appellation
Of "a busy man." the Prince does and
there are few city merchants or bust
ness men who work harder than he
does and even the London public has
no idea OF the quantity of work he
goes through in the course of a dav. 1t
is only by following a most methodical
arrangement that he is able to do SO
much as ne does in the time AS
made weeks and sometimes months
ahead, and every hour, almost every
minute is mapped out for him. When
the correspondent was ushered into
his study at Marlborough House the
Prince was seated at an old-fashioned
pedestal writing desk, the fac-simile
of the one used by his father, the late
Prince Consort, which was piled high
with papers and documents of all de-
scriptions. He wore a black morning
coat and vest, dark grey trousers,
square fronted collar with a white
spotted black bow tie and patent leath-
er shoes, and in his fingers he held
the inevitable cigar.
His greeting was kind in the ex-
IRENE. 1t was merely like an elderly
man, smiling a kindly welcome to some
young and daring intruder.
We'll, what do you want me to
say?" was His Royal Highness' query
as soon as the preliminary greetings
were over.
The correspondent launched forth
his questions, beginning with inquiries
about the numerous public dinners
which the Prince attended and allud-
ing to the published statement that the
Prince held the record for obtaining
the largest sum Of money ever col
lected at one banquet.
Yes; that's quite correct. certain
ly hold the record in that respect
said the Prince And presiding at
dinners, etc, for the benefit of chaTi-
ties, especially Masonic ones, is almost
a pleasure to me; the only part | don't
like about the proceedings is, if the
dinner drags itself out to a considerable
length That I do not like, and when
dining in private at home the meal
seldom lasts more than an hour"
u have read many times in reports
of dinners, etc, at which Your Royal
Highness has been present" said the
correspondent, that you were contin-
ually smiling during the proceedings
and seemed to be enjoying yourself
very much"
yes" replied the Prince, a shade Of
WEAKNESS creeping into his eyes, that
is where | act only you know how
terribly bored l am by the inordinate
length of some of these dinners and
the speeches and how l am all the
time longing to get away, you would
be really sorry for me. But, there
! must not say too much on that sub
ject."
With regard to horse racing and
betting Your Royal Highness?"
Il think racing is the finest sport in
the world, and l only regret that it
should be harmed by the amount OF
betting which goes on. Personally.
am strongly adverse to the practice,
and l always use what influence | pos
sess to discountenance it amongst my
personal friends. especially when 1t is
made a regular practice OF and stakes
are large"
There are many people who think
that Your Royal Highness has a very
easy life OF it, and that the hardest
duties which you have to perform is
attending state functions, etc?'
Now, here is some information for
you" said the Prince DO you know
that l myself see every letter which
is addressed to me, and in the major
ity of instances dictate the reply?
When the mail arrives in the morning
1T is opened by my secretary's staff
and sorted into three groups-letters
from personal friends and relatives.
those bearing on state affairs and,
thirdly. betting letters and petitions.
etc.-and l make it my business TO
make myself avare Of the contents OF
each. This Of itself is no light task.
when you take into consideration the
fact that each mornings mail consists
OF some hundreds of letters. So. that
those who say mine is an idle life,
malign ne"
Asked his opinion on the South Afri-
can matter. His Royal Highness smil-
ingly shook his head and refused to be
drawn out: but he said that he should
always remember with the deepest af-
lection the regard and heroic conduct
OF the troops in the campaign.
One more question" said the cor
respondent, What is Your Royal High
ness favorite recreation?''
Shooting" he replied unhesitating-
ly. There Is nothing / like better
than good days shoot. Il seems the
only thing which takes me out OF
myself and makes me forget the cares
and responsibilities Of my position"
There was one more remark whichg
the Prince made which will be 81
inesrest. g It bears on the Amer1cak