The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-08-29
Wearing Hats Before Kings

Mark Twain has Indignantly denied the
assertions that he kept his hat on while
conversing with Queen Alexandra, and
that he put his arm around King Ed
wards neck and addressed him In terms
not consonant with the English idea OF the
dignity for such occasions made and pro-
vided OF course the denial will not catch
UP with the erroneous report. and those
who desire to believe the latter will make
much OF Twain's admission that on Queen
Alexandra for a second time requesting
him TO put on his hat he complied. The
fake" for such the story must have
been, with the addition that Twain kept
his hat on all the time he was talking
with the king, obtained such currency as
TO inspire the New York Evening Post to
ask: WAS William Penn the last Ameri-
can citizen who kept on his hat while
conversing with the King OF England?"
This of itself Is a very interesting ques-
ton for the student OF manners and GUS
toms, who before entering upon the
studies will pause 10 say that William
Penn never was an American citizen, but
lived and died British subject We
should hope that the American investiga-
tor would find that few OF his countrymen
had been guilty of such rudeness or love
OF advertising as 10 keep on their hats
when conversing with the monarch or ex-
ecutive OF any nation. II a foreigner were
guilty OF equal discourtesy to President
Roosevelt what sermons the American
press would address TO said foreigner and
his country! Penn had the justification
that his refusal TO remove his hat In the
presence of royalty was dictated by his
religion. With him II was case of con-
science. The hat is often the index of
character. Napoleon wore his hat when
Metternich presented his credentials as
Austrian ambassador, and kept IL on
throughout the interview. The shrewd
Austrian saw in the incident the character
OF the Corsican. and inwardly pronounced
him a ''parvenue" uncertain OF his posi-
ton. The Emperor OF Austria, said Met
ternich. would not have worn his hat In
receiving the representative Of the mean
est nation In the world. He would have
uncovered out OF courtesy not merely TO
the ambassador, but to the latter's coun-
try. But as Metternch added. the EN-
peror OF Austria was a gentleman, and
would never In his own house assert So
cial superiority TO his guest.
Hat wearing In the kings presence Is
matter OF prescription with at least one
family In Great Britain. The De Cour-
says. Barons Kingsale. have the prescrip-
tive right. granted by King John. to keep
their hats on in the presence or the mon
arch. The Lord Kingsale OF George HIS
time asserted this right In a peculiarly
offensive manner. The king remonstrat-
ing. Lord Kingsale, so the story goes, re-
torted. King John authorized the Do
Courceys forever TO keep their hats on
when the king was present" Did he au-
thorize them TO keep their hats on when
ladies were present, too?" asked the king.
who must have had one OF his lucid mo-
ments. as he pointed to the queen and her
attendants. II seems difficult TO believe
George III was capable OF saying any
thing so neatly pointed. Rather are we
prepared TO accept as characteristic OF
him his estimate OF Shakespeare "A
great deal OF sorry stuff in Shakespeare;
only. OF course, one must not say SOL
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