New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-25


in olden days IT was hospital for leDers
before becoming a royal abode
While modern rulers therefore no longer lay
any claim to the curative character Of ther
touch. there Is no doubt that the fact OF TIA
latter's having been formerly endowed with
sacred attributes has contributed 20 the re-
serve which uonarchs manifest nowatays
about shaking hands. The two European
sovereigns who display the greatest freedo1
and Hberality IN this respect are the German
Kaiser and King Edward. probably because
they are so thoroughly up 70 date And yes
at state functions and ceremOnious occasions
they for the most part respond 70 the o5eis-
ances Of those presented 70 them or Who pass
before them by slight inclination OF ths
head In cases where King Edward does
honor some stranger with a handsaake the
latter, if he be an EngIishman, is wont 70 look
back upon the act one Of the notable events
of his Hfe while IL it be the Kaiser who e1-
tends his hand to one OF his subjects az
a token of marked favor the person thus
hOnOred bows low to kiss IL Emperor
William the occasion Of his first speech
from the throne after his accession to tbs
crown in 1SSS. a ceremony at which most II
the minor sovereigns OF the Empire vera
present, extended. he stepped down from
the throne. his hand TO Prince Bismarck as
L mark of special regard. The old Prince VIA
had known the Kaiser from his babyhood
Immediately bent down and raised his young
masters hand to his lips. as did also Old Field
Marshal MOltke.
Emperor Francis Joseph, although the kind
lest OF mOnarchs rarely extends his hand
save to the Members Of his family He VII
often lay it paternally on a mans shoulder
or will pat him the back But he viii 10.
shake hands save on rare occasions. and thec
the fact Of his having accorded a handshaks
to this or that Parsonage or dignitary IS coz
sidered Of such Importance that special men
ton thereof Is made in the newspapers. and
even in the Official Gazette The sovereign
most democratic OF all IN this respect vas
King Humbert Of Italy. who. while hs
would readily grasp the gloved hand OF any
laboring man or peasant. only manifested re-
serve in this respect when dealing with rs
patrician houses OF Italy. He was cordial
to foreign diplomats. and his attitude toward
the patricians of his own country was only
to be explained by the circumsta1ce that they
have always manifested q disposition % queS-
ton the blue blood and the superiority Of ths
royal House OF Savoy. Of which he was -hs
head
OF course in England Cabinet Ministers o.
receiving their seals Of Office. Ambassadors a1d
plenipOtentiaries when being received n
audience BY the King on their nomination.
bishops and archbisaOps OF the Established
Church doing homage on their appointment
invariably kneeI to kiss the hand q the
sovereign But they 60 not shake it. ard that
explains why Mr.. Gladstone. although &c hin
was frequently accorded the hand OF Queen
Victoria to kiss. only once in his life. and that
when the verge Of the grave. received
friendly handshake-
The late President Faure. on Tire occasion
of the last New Years Day reception at TIE
Elysee prior TO his sudden DEATH caused u
to be known that he would no longer acco7t
the privilege OF shaking his hand rs indl$
criminately Heretofore. and. while be eI-
tended his hand as usual 70 the various an
bassadOrs and ministers PlenipOtCnttary. re
pointedly abstained from extending the sans
greeting to the secretaries and RttacheS
military. naval and diplomatic, Of the various
foreign missions. Naturally this save grea-
offence To the prinCe4 dukes and other foreign