The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-05
HE NEVER SEEMED AWKWARD
ALWAYS At EASE AND NEVER TMPA-
TENT UNDER TRYING ORDEALs.
Impressed by the Tall Buildings of
New York and the Lavishness of
Captains of Industry"
From a stan Correspondent.

which marked the way Of the royal guest.
First would come a platoon OF fat police
men. who were always putting as they
kept their horses in a gallop. Then came
the free-riding cavalrymen and the strong.
big horses made a deal OF noise on the
hard asphalt. The horses Of the prince
were always in a fast trot and once or
twice when the President was along they
were in a gallOp. These were unusual
sights. The President comes and goes with
out soldiers. and even the secret service
guard is hard To discover.
What most impressed the prince? This
question is frequently asked. Up TO the time
OF his leaving Washington the things which
took hold OF the prince the hardest was the
sight coming up New York bay and the
high buildings OF New York. Perhaps they
appealed TO his sailor mind In the one In
stance he might wonder what chance
warship would have in passing them, and
in the second as 10 what fine targets the
high buildings would make for the lucky
ships He frequently said he had read
about the great buildings. but the printed
words had never given him a definite idea
as 10 what they were He also frequently
spoke OF the hurrying people. lie said that
ne had naturally read about the hustle
never understood the swift precision Of
American business methods until he got
glImpses of the way of doing things in New
York
HOW HE CONDUCTS HIMSELF.
What is the most impressive thing about
the prince? The answer is easy. His good
manners and model behavior. What may at
first sight seem a rather trivial observa-
RI n ia
in the minds of observers OF American men
and affairs. For years and years his royal
highness had daily instruction as to how to
conduct himself on all occasions. He is
trained 20 take part I'm public functions
With all forms and niceties of courtesies
and etiquette ne is perfectly familiar. To
offend I'm the slightest detail is as serious
a matter as 1t is for one OF his brother
naval officers TO transgress the regulations
OF the service.
Americans have no such training No one
complains. probably. because this is not 50.
but il is noted as a fact. When the House
was receiving the senators, justices Presi-
dent and royal visitors on the occasion of
the Mckinley memorial service the en-
plOyes OF the House were as graceful and
mcthodical as a number OF hired hands
from a stock farm would have been If sud-
IDENTIFY transferred. One young fellow with
long. thin frock coat. was so excited and
clustered that in a loud voice he ordered
dignitaries around as though he were fore
man on construction gang. In short, it
was an awkward scramble.
While this whOoping and driving was go
ing on to get the President and his minis
ters the ambassadors. the legislators. etc,
TO their places the royal guest was fire.
auently left alone In positions which. to
others, would have been awkward. No stu
alton was trying to him. His composure
was perfect. He could stand absolutely
still with thousands looking al him and the
fact that ne had nothing TO do did not
bother him any more than the ocean both
cred him when he shipboard. The
ocean was one thing and crowd of spec
tators another. both having cOurtesies and
attention due them. His every act was
natural. being at all times the main part
of the show. but never forgetting the prop
er relationship. He made the engineer in
the locomotive cab feel entirely al ease,
and he did the same for the pretty girl who
handed him roses, the same for the am
bassadors. the same for the sailor who for
merly served on the Irene, the same for the
spectators who saw him come from the
train, etc
COOL AND RESPECTFUL.
1t was one of his ceremonial duties to
listen To Secretary Hay read the Mckinley
memorial address. After he had seated
himself by the side OF the President he
crossed his legs, placed his cap carefully
on his knee. placed his right hand over his
left wrist and prepared to listen. He did
listen He gave the most respectful and
earnest attention his composure was that
OF a statue. Once or twice his eyes were
raised 10 the press gallery and once his
hand was lifted 10 his head but these
movements were slight. The President was
FESTIVE and impatient. He twirled his
thumbs and shifted his position a dozen
times. He yawned several times and
glanced around TO see what the others were
doing.
While long prayer was being made the
President first bowed his head and then
nervously looked around. He shifted from
one foot 10 the other and clearly was i'm
patient. Prince Henry gazed steadily at the
chaplain and never so much shifted a
hairs breadth while the prayer was being
made. When he bowed TO the diplomats ne
took them on in squads, that is 10 say he
made a little bow for every four and they
answered so. His nod was both gracious
and friendly, but in wise oyerdone. For
his Emperor he noted them, nothing more
or less II was always Just the same. The
right thing was done, exactly as the regu-
lation said they should be done and with
out any appearance Of rigid formality.
Such Is the clever work OF a man trained
TO perform IN public. IL does not indicate
or conceal ability. 1t is more than acting
and less than original work. IL requires
presence OF mind. but initiative. Ii is
charming and even. but not forceful. His
manners II him did his uniform. The
writer him at dinner. at receptions. on
trains. on board ship, at public ceremonies.
having a merry time with visitors ETC.
and never for a moment was he To be seen
except doing the most natural thing in "A
definitely proper way.
His power Of observat ton is as well
trained as his department. He compre-
hendS the meaning OF what men are doing
instantly. He sizes up assemblages and
companies with great swiftness and ac-
curacy Perhaps he does not see deeply.
nut he notes all the marks on the surface.
AT the Waldorf banquet a marvellous pic
ture was made for his entertainment IL
was a beautiful banqueting scene. per-
haps no more magnificent one was ever
made in this country. Yet the thing which
impressed him most was the service and
he asked TO be informed $ 10 how the wait
ers were able 10 take care OF the guests so
we'll. He had seen big banquets before and
handsome scenes, but he had never seen all
served alike In such marvellous fashion.
Each guest was dining elegantly as
though he were at a small dinner with a
space OF thirty seconds he saw a thousand
plates OF oyster shells disappear and a
thousand plates OF soup appear. There was
no rushing or jostling. He was informed
that the tables were set practically I'm
duplicate In another part OF the hotel and
each waiter knew that he must place the
plates in the dining just as he had
found them in the serving room
The prince said he had had considera bic
terrapin since coming 20 this country and
wanted 10 know II others We're really get
ting terrapin he understood II was very
scarce. lie was told that every guest in the
hall was being served exactly as himself
and that the terrapin probably would hold
out. The prince frequently spoke OF the
amazing pfodigality OF his hosts IL is TO be
expected that In his day he has seen a few