The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1904-02-04
ROYAL AUTHORS AND EDITORS.
Kings and EmperOrs of Principal
European Nations Have
Taste for Literature.

Taste for Literature.
The commentaries of julius Caesar
are not the only literary works that bear
the imprint of royal authorship. From
the days of King David down to the pres
ent time royalties have had a passion
for literature in some form or another.
Just now there are at least four SOW
ereigns, not to mention Queen Carmen
Sylvia, who affect a knowledge of the
requirements of authorship, states the
Chicago Chronicle
To the already long list of unique po-
sitions which King Edward VII holds
must now be added that of responsible
editor. 1t is announced that he has
read, corrected and revised the proofs
of book dealing with his recent visits
to the countries of Portugal, France,
Malta and Italy. The author of the
book is Charles Hardinge, who accom-
panied his majesty throughout the tour
as minister plenipotentiary He was
given unusual facilities for gaining in
formation for his production. and, need
less to say, the book will only be circu-
lated among personal friends of the
king. The book In reality will be pho
tographic souvenir of his majestys trips,
snapshots, ETC., four original drawings
by the celebrated marine painter, Chew
alier De MARITIME, who was guest on
the Victoria and Albert.
The book will be beautifully produced,
and copies, bound in full morocco, with
covers specially designed, are to be pre-
sented to the king and queen, Princess
Victoria and the prince Of Wales. His
majesty exercised the greatest care In
the editing of this work, striking out
certain matter dealing with his Italian
visit which to him seemed unnecessary.
Some little time ago her majesty.
Queen Alexandra, acted in the capacity
of subediter. A concert on large scale
was organized on behalf Of the children
Of Highland soldiers killed in the late
war, and the duchess OF Sutherland was
the first to move in the matter. Simtl
taneously the various Highland soci-
cites in London began a movement with
the same object. II was afterward de-
cided by these societies to join forces
with the duchess of Sutherland, and to
hold the concert at the Queens hall.
The object of the conccgt was at first
described as on behalf of the Highland
brigade widows and orphans. but her
majesty the queen very happily per-
formed the part of stbeditor and sug-
gested "Fatherless BARNS" as being
more effective headline. Needless to
say, her idea was at once adopted.
Another royal editor is his majesty,
the emperor of all the Russias, who is
responsible for small book which cir
culates privately among court favorites.
1t chronicles the doings of the Russian
court from day to day, and is very
privileged publication, mona but the
most intimate associates or their ma
jesties being allowed to see this royal
sheet. In addition to containing court
news, it is sometimes used for the pur-
pose Of distributing jokes from the cars
own pen, his majesty having, 1t is re-
ported, keen sense Of wit. Should q
copy of this precious publication fall
lulO OulSluc udHuS, Tue pcISOud6S re-
sponsible for the error is Immediately
removed from the royal circle.
There is at least one newspaper which
Is edited by a king. In New Zealand
there is an interesting little eight-page
paper, with three columns to page, ed
tied in both the English and the native
tongue, and called the Pleiades, or Seven
Stars. It's editor is no less parsonage
than his royal highness Tawhiao. II
is true that this potentate is not an in
dependent sovereign, but when he de-
sends from the royal throne to the ed
itorial chair, then, indeed, he Is mon
arch Of all he surveys.
Emperor William Of Germany Is ed
itor OF at least one newspaper. He
maintains so-called literary Office" at
tached to the Prussian ministry for the
interior. Here, under the guidance OF a
Baltic German, cuttings from all the
principal newspapers are laid out for
his majesty's inspection. With a blue
and a red pencil he carefully edits the
notices which he desires to be recorded
in his bureau, and If the notice is I'M
favorable it is struck across with a red
pencil mark, the blue pencil being re-
served for notices which his majesty de-
sires to be pasted in his oficial book.
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