The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-14
SHRENDEST OF RULERS
AND GREATLY MALIGNED
IS LEOPOLD OF BELGIUM
Hard-Working and Abstemious
Monarch, and Not the Sinner
He Is Often Represented.
SIMPLE, DAILY ROUTINE
Not Disturbed by Fiction and SLAM
ders, but Trusts to Time to
Set Him Right.
ADMIRES THIS COUNTRY
One of the Richest Men in the
World, and Devoted to Business
Family Affairs.
SIMPLE, DAILY ROUTINE
ADMIRES THIS COUNTRY
specia1 corrernondenoe q the Journa1.

Special Correspondence OF the Journal.
BRUSSELS. Feb. Among the many
notable strangers who it is hoped will visit
the St. Louis exhibition the most remark
able undoubtedly is Leopold III, King of the
Belgians. From every point OF view this
monarch commands attention, the unique
position occupied by Belgium as neutral
state whose position is guaranteed by the
great powers Of Europe allowing him
free hand in his enterprise. The tall. spare
form. the aQuiline features Tin which the
extreme length of the nose bespeaks the
prudence and love Of inquiry which are
his Majesty's great characteristics, the OBJ
servant eyes. in which penetration glitters
like the flash of a two-edged sword, and
The long beard, snowy white. are familiar
the world a few facts about the
Kings daily life told by one who has spent
several years in Belgium, may not be I'M
Interesting, and. since they give the lie to
many Of the fictions charged to King Leo
poIds account, should not be uninstructive.
Five O'Clock in summer-and but little
later in winter-sees the King of the Bel
CLANS, aged sixty-eight, walking in his
palace of Laeken, which stands in one of
the immediate suburbs of the capital. His
Majesty's bedroom is comfortably but plain
~ furnished, and he does not care for fires
in his rooms. The writer. who entered the
Kings study one cold autumn day just aft
er his Majesty had left it, was amused to
see the royal shirt airing before an empty
fireplace for a parliamentary dinner to be
given a the Brussels Palace that evening"
His Majesty is extremely simple in his
tastes and detests ceremonials, rather
ceremonies. His valet de chambre, who
sleeps in adjoining room. has an easy
life, for the Kings costume consists almost
Invariably of a generals undress uniform.
Immediately he is dressed he takes walk
This is the Kings favorite occupation, and
he spends most of his day afoot. By Z a.
m. his Majesty has already run through his
first correspondence, his private post. which
either comes in the usual way, or by
mounted couriers always on duty, or by
cyclists The letters are often examined
during the short turn enjoyed in the park,
which the King always takes alone. Re-
turning TO the palace, he goes straight to
his study. where ne sketches out his
plies. The King seldom dictates. and al
ways answers his own private correspond
ence himself
AN INFORMAL BREAKFAST.
At 1880 a brake comes from Brussels with
various commissions for the Princess Glenn
entine, the suite etc. and a second volu-
ninous post. which the King also examines
then given. audiences arranged and at
punctualy his Majesty breakfasts During
the late Queens lifetime and before she re-
moved to Spa, the royal couple breakfasted
together. Princess Clementine prefers hers
in her rooms. No servants assist at break
fast. samovars being at hand for making
tea and coffee; rolls and plenty of fruit are
on the table, grapes and peaches being pre-
ferred. The King has particularly hearty
appetite. and finishes his repast by eating
OI nrr~,f fIa
papers. Meanwhile his instructions have
been conveyed to the high officials of his
household, and to his secretary, head of his
private cabinet at the Brussels palace.
After breakfast the King always goes for
another walk. He is indeed an indefatiga-
bic pedestrian, and when at Ostend his tall
along the coast miles away from the royal
chalet. He is the terror of his aids-de-
camp, who are changed once week, re-
port says, because even in that short time
their royal masters walking powers have
quite worn them out; The King apparent
for he has a frame OF steel and an in
domitable spirit. While recently examining
on foot the immense territory destined for
the magnificent Liege exhibition Of 1905, one
OF the organizers expressed hope that
his Majesty was not firing himself.
Fatigue replied the King. lis a word
for which monarchs have no use.
once more returned to the palace the
King takes what he calls "bOule deau"
which means drinking the contents of a
brings communications from the minister
OF state, and after examining these the
King generally makes tour of his mag
nificent Conservatives. These are the larg-
est and finest ornamental glass houses in
Europe and are connected with the palace
by a subterranean way. His Majesty is
extremely fond OF flowers.
WHAT A KING HAS FOR LUNCH.
Luncheon Is served at midday, those at
table consisting of the King, Princess
he ffiv
aid-de-camp. This meal always comprises
a dish of eggs served in various ways, roast
beef or beefsteak rarely mutton cutlets)
and vegetable served separately The
King prefers spinach. chicory or asparagus
and owns to a special fondness for arti-
chokes and young carrots. bat he really
does not care much what he eats and is
indeed a most excellent trencherman a
dish or cold meat always forms part of this
menu, followed by a sweet dish and splen-
did fruit from the lighthouses OF Tervueren
and Laeken, where peaches ripen all the
year round; Never was more sober King
than Leopold III, three glasses of wine-gen-
orally BOrdeauX-being his extreme limit
Luncheon, served by three servants and a
butler. is never allowed 10 exceed nineteen
minutes. so conversation is restricted The
question OF how the afternoon shall be
passed is discussed and the dishes for din
chef.
After luncheon the King either goes to
his Brussels palace 10 give audience or he
takes another lonk walk around Iaeken.
where he has enormously improved the
property. or else toward Tervueren where
he loves u watch the fine roads he Is maxi
ing Unroli themselves like white scrolls
through the Forest de SOignes. which saw
the passage of Wellington's army These
links are serving 10 unite the new and fash
ionable suburb with the city and will grad
ually lead the inhabitants 10 establish them
selves IN "a fine and picturesque neighbor-
hood
Whatever his faults. and in considering
Leopold ii one must remember Ito para
phrasc Burns) "A king's "A man for a that
that no country boasts a monarch SO en-
tirely and actively devoted 10 the develop-
mCnt of his kingdom. He is especially in
tcrested ia the Improvement of the three
leading cities OF Brussels. Antwerp and Os-
tend. representing they do wealth. com
mcrce and fashion. Not a street is planned
scare a house designed that Leopold II
does not consider It's suitability. and where
private taste runs wild ne quietly pur-
Chases the property and improves il ac-
cOrding 20 his own ideas. The result of
this incessant watchfulness on the Kings
part Is making the chief towns OF Belgium
and especially Brussels, remarkable for
their fine open spaces. picturesque points of
CONTINUED ON PAGE ?, PART %