The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-08
ENGLISH COURT SECRETS.
A FRENCHMAN TELLS TALES OF
ROYAL DOINGS.
VI. de Tcramond ON the Frlyollty OF
Edward as Prince of Wales and OF the
0ueenly Way In which Victoria Got
the kOh-l-noOr by u Coup dc Lunch"

~ buN Us l"Idulouu' II processes 10 De a
view from the inside of the life of the pres
ent King and Queen when they were Prince
and Princess of Wales, with incidental
anecdotes about Queen Victoria and other
members of the royal family. The Prince
Of Wales is represented as a lover of France
and the Princess "a having an undying
hatred Of Germany
The hatred OF Germany entertained
by the Princess of Wales and others OF the
Danish royal family is Illustrated by an
anecdote of the Danish family reunions
at the Chateau of Bernstorf 1t appears
that favorite amusement OF the royal
children was the construction OF mud
| pies. Sometimes these took the form Of
mannikrs to be pelted with sticks and
stones. The bombardment was always
accompanied by demonstrations OF hatred
and disgust, for the mud man was always
a German
Once the children had some difficulty
in completing their image because the
mud was frozen
Don't cry. my dears," said the future
Empress of Russia q will help YOU"
She did She managed TO construct the
mannikin She selected "A particularly
nasty sample Of mud for the head and
| she fixed it on with diamond hatpin.
which she drew out Of her hat for the pur-
pose.
Now she cried. there he is. my little
ones, the enemy. Bismarck, demolish him.
There are other anecdotes about the
| Danish family parties, The Kings and
Princes are described as guying each other
and themselves for their ceremonial man
ners on state occasions, and the old King
is represented as chasing n maid of honor
In playful mood. and when she took refuge
in her room climbing up by the balcony
on the outside of the chateau TO head her
| of
The Prince and Princess OF Wales found
the greatest enjoyment in these family
reunions and the absolute sansgene with
which they were conducted, but the Prince
got almost equal pleasure out OF the long
stays which he made at his own place in
Scotland, Abergedie. There he il pict-
ured as arrayiug himself in kits and dane
ing until midnight torch in hand, des gigs
ehr6nees' Oranuo jigs) to the sound of
tho bagppes
Nothing could be more curious says
the chroncler. by way of effect than the
spectacle OF these dances in the nj ght, all the
more because their Highnesses. very good
TO every one. permitted their tenants and
their households TO take part in them
You saw diamonds glitter and laces fut-
ter side by side with woolen gowns and the
little caps of the housemaids.
The frivolty Of this life at Abergelde.
it seems. was particularly distastefuI to
the old Queen. Things reached a climax
one morning after the couple had attended
a dinner party at Balmoral II was the
day of their departure from Abergelde
and the Queen apparently thought they
would be up bright and early-perhaps to
pack their traps
But not so The frivolous young people
had spent the night in their customary
designations The Queen, out for her
ing TO say good-by to them.
Seeing the carriage of the Queen APP
proach. every one rushed headlong, accord
ing TO his station, TO warn the Prince. Taken
by surprise. he jumped from bed precpi-
lately and robed himself in bis smoking
jacket which happened TO bc under his
nand But, in spite OF his haste. when he
reached the vestbule II was only 10 see the
carriage Of his mother turn and start off
through the wood In the direction of her
castle.
He started in pursuit making sweeping
gestures to stop To John Brown. who was,
as always, on the box Despite the efforts
OF Brown. il was evident that her Majesty
refused and, without even deigninR to turn,
he the poor Prince run the whole way
10 Balmoral, whore he arrived in n state
slightest observation, and from the height
of her carriage and Of her grandeur gave him
her hand to kiss that was all
Poor Princel yet the Queen Ia repre-
scented rs having really strong affection
for him. This is Illustrated in scene
at Sandrngham during his attack of
typhoid fever. when the disease appeared
to take a fatal turn. II was after period
of hopefulness, and, the strain of proceed
ing weeks being relaxed, every ono had
gone to bed early.
Toward in the morning the doctor
had John Brown called and said some rapid
words TO him. Brown rushed Immediately
10 the Queens room 10 announce TO her
that the Princes condition had become
alarming
I'm an instant every one was on foot.
and kilograms started in all directions
The Queen. understanding the danger, pre-
cipifated herselffrom her apartment. dressed
simply in a short pettiooat and slippers
without ever rejecting that She would be
seen in such accoutrement, and ran 10 her
sons bedroom. sobbing like a child.
holding her head between her hands. IL
was perhaps the only time in her life when
she forgot that she was Queen
Later. Brown took her back TO her
room. wrapped IN q dressing gown The
danger was passed, but the corridors and
waiting rooms were still filled with pale
and pancstricken throng.
OF course, John Brown figures extern
sively in the chapters devoted to the Queen.
When n new question arose the Queen
talked il over with every one she met,
absorbing their ideas. Then she laid 1t
before John Brown. He represented 10
her popular opinion, he always spoke his
mind with "a brutal, though respectful,
frankness which no dignitary would have
dared TO employ toward her"
Armed with John Browns opinion, Vic
toria invited her Ministers, one 10y one. 10 /
lunch with her Only the Princess Bca- |
tree was present, besides. and she sea-
soned the menu with an expression OF her /
w hes on the moOted topic
Then, when the Ministers came together. /
all found that they held the same views I
those Of the Queen, Of course. The .
process, VI. de Teramond says, came TO be /
known as the Queens coup dc lunch. /
Perhaps 1t was.
The coup dc lunch, however was the I
plan which. the book says, the Queen 4
adopted TO -subtiliser" the koh-i-nOor /
The anecdote deserves TO DO told says
the author. Here it is:
The kOh-i-noor had been taken as booty
OF war during the conquest of India and
famous Lord Roberts. who offered II 10 the
Queen When the war was terminated. the
Nlaharaiah Duleep Singh was installed IN |
the magnificent property which was offered |
him MS compensation for MS los kingdom. !
The Prince then demanded his todf which
had also been Coniisrated. and IN hoh-i-nOor.
ms being an object Of yeuyration an his family. [
10 which il belonged from time immcmorial,
and to which sort OF superstition attached.
d. ~ NfUfH h