The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-28
Sentiment of Princes in Ger
 many and Spain
STUDIO OF M. B6uRGEoIs
Spectacle of Painter Having His Por- trait Painted by a Statesman. Pueelni Delighted With
 Americans.
BY PAUL VILLlERS. Special Cable to the ge-Herald.)

Copyright, 1907, by w. R. Hearst)
 Paris. April 27.--"Gil Blas,' which likes to have a hit at royal heads and royal ways, as well as at foreigners, says in a recent editorial:
 Princes and crowned heads nowadays i are trying to reoonstitute the familiar good sentiment of the bourgeoisie of all nations. One of the sons of the Kaiser is in love with his cousn, Princess Augusta Victoria, of schleswig- -Holstein. He was informed at Bonn. where he is studying, that a Grand Duke was also in love with and had asked for the hand of his lady love.
 As soon as he heard this he left Bonn, and tore for Berlin. There at the feet of his royal father he vowed his love, while the royal parents wept with tender emo tion. It was decided by the Emperor that if he was good Prince August Wilhelm should marry the Princess Augusta-Vic- toria in 19o9
 There was nothing left for the Grand Duke to do but go in search of wife somewhere else.
 This little idyll is thoroughly German, and in all the little towns and villages of the great Germany the little bour- geoises must have been enchanted. It speaks straight to the heart, this little theatrical scene After all, this manner of governing is as good as any other, and we know that if the popularity of Elm perors is difficult to gain, 1t is still more difficult to keep.
 We find the same sentimentality in Spain. Alfonso found himself obliged to so to Carthagena to meet the King of England He was very happy because kl.t .t- k1,- politics of Spain, but he was also very much roubed because he loved his wife, and she was on the point of an interest ing event. He was afraid that he might not be there when the critical moment arrives. He wants to be a good King, but he also burns to be a good husband.
 No doubt we shall have telegrams des- tined to prove the ardor of the love of this young royal couple Naive romance of two loving young people, and simple little drama of young household where there is love, and publicity, publicity, pub licity all around, ~
 Times are hard and the governments govern as they can. Let us hope that these little examples will not be forgotten in future scandals It does not displease us that imperial dynasties, after they have become old begin to be modest and try to ape the virtues of the little people, and that the virtues flourish as well in the palaces of royalty as in the peasants huts.
 An old farmer was buried alive in the village of Sarlat in the Landes a few days ago.
 He fell III about two weeks previous and afterwards lapsed into state of coma, which was mistaken for death. When the cuffn was lowered into the grave the by islanders almost went insane with terror at nf from within.
 They ran to tell the mayor and when he arrived, in full uniform, tri-colored scarf and all. he ordered the lid of the coffin to be opened. During this interval, however, the man had died, but his changed and agonized expression showed that ho had regained consciousness after he was placed in the coffin.
 In the studio of M Leon Bourgeois can be seen the rare sight of a well known painter having his portrait painted by a statesman. M Leon Bourgeois who has at various times been prime minister. minister of foreign affairs and president of the chamber of deputies, is at the present time engaged in painting the DOT trait of M. Levy Dhurmer. the well known French artist The painter gives the bril- liant statesman an houss sitting every day, and M. Bourgeois says that he finds painting a much more interesting occupa- ton than politics. People are hoping that this picture will be sent to some salon, where they will have the opportunity of judging whether M. Bourgeois painting Is as thorough as is his work in the po- litcal line.
 Signor Puccini like the famous com poser Saint Saens, is delighted with Amer lea and the American public. He has just returned to Italy from his tour in the United States and he is enthusiastic on the performances of opera in New York. |