The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-05-09

From His Lat
the management took. advantage of
the occasion to jump the price of or
chestra seats to $50 each.
The late Dan Leno, the most popu-
lar character sketch artist of the
London music halls, was a great fav-
orite of the kings, and practically oc-
cupied the position of court jester.
Whenever the king had a company of
close friends at Sandringham or one
of his smaller places, where he didn't
have to be too much on his dignity, he
had Dan Leno down to do all the
latest music hall stunts
From Prince to King.
Edward, in company with all ruling
sovereigns today, with the possible
exception of Plus X, has the firm be-
lief that etiquet is one of the best
assets of monarchy. Edward does not
enjoy ceremonial as much as his
nephew, the kaiser, but in all essen
tial points he is just as punctilious.
Whatever he may do in intime associ-
alton with a few friends, the public
is never allowed to see him depart
from the traditional royal dignity. AS
prince of Wales he allowed himself a
few liberties, such as travelling by
ordinary trains, though always in a
private compartment, and occasional
ly walking in the public parks or
streets. Now, each railroad keeps a
private train for his sole use, and
when Edward appears in London
streets or country roads it is always
in a carriage or automobile. With
his carriage he has one or more out
riders, but the automobile is naturally
more informal. When in hurry he
breaks the speed limit, and has had
rest.
Once an irate coster, whose horse
he had disturbed. yelled after him:
Hi, slow up there, you fat bloke.
You must think you're the king his
self"
One of the kings first innovations
was to bring the construction of
Windsor and Buckingham palaces up
to date. Queen Victoria had every
thing much as it was in 1880 and had,
moreover sealed up against all use
the apartments which had belonged
to the prince consort The king reno
waited and opened all these apart
ments.
The king also instituted many re-
forms in the way of business admin
istration He found that some of his
mothers favorite servants had been
paying exorbitant prices for all sorts
of palace supplies and were waxing
fat on secret commissions.
Then he looked up a lot of trades
men who had been advertising them
selves as purveyors to the queen and
royal household. and found that a
great number of them had never re-
ceived the proper warrant from the
lord chamberlain. which is demanded
in such cases. He put the tax col
lectors after them and large num-
Der of London West-end hatters, tall
ors, bakers, and what not. had to pay
heavy fines. Two men had claimed,
to the king.
Only one individual escaped the
general prosecution. He is James
O'Connor, who keeps a baked potato
stall near the houses of parliament.
over the stall O'Connor displays the
royal arms, with the announcement
that he is purveyor to his majesty.
1t seems that some years ago, when
the king was prince of Wales. he WIS.,
tied the house of commons to hear
Gladstone speak and, leaving about
midnight. decided to walk home to
Marlborough house. Near the Mall
he was attracted by the appetizing
odor of baker potatoes, which ema-
mated from OConnor's stall. He
stopped and bought pennys worth
and devoured them on the spot.
O'Connor recognized his customer and
thenceforth decorated his stall with
the royal arms.
Women and Cards.
From his youth up the king has
been fond of the society of charming
and clever women. Some of his early
affairs were not free from scandal,
but of late years he has exhibited
more discretion, at least.
When he was n young royal prince
there were any number of women
ready literally to throw themselves
at him. In European high society
an AFFAIR with person of royal blood
Ia still considered scarcely a breach
OF moral law. l have heard clergy
man of the American Episcopal
church boast that he was descended
from an illegitimate son of George
IL, and what was considered dis
tinction by this clerical snob. is
scarcely looked down upon In English
society, where some OF the proudest
ducal houses claim descent from the
natural children of Charles III.
One noble beauty who made con-
quest of the young prince OF Wales,
wooed him in the character and
zephyr draperies of Cleopatra. in
apartments through which he had TO