The National tribune., 1908-11-19
PEOPLE.

Ferdinand of Bulgaria, who boldly
declared his country an independent
State, and ha6 himself proclaimed its
King or Car the other day, was many
years working up to his coup detat.
King Ferdinand is a French Bourbon,
his mother having been the Princess
Clemantine, daughter of King Louis
Philippe, the Citizen King of France,
and he has great many friends and
relatives who live in that country, espe-
cially Paris, which he very frequently
visits He used to be continually talk
ing TO the Ministers and the Presidents
of the Republic of his hopes and ambi-
tions with regard to Bulgarian inde-
pendence, endeayoring to get some sub
stantial expression of sympathy from
them in the shape Of a promise of as
sistancc. But ne seems only to have
succeeded in making himself Il great
bore. for it IS said all the French diplo-
rnatists became SO worn out listening to
his continual harping on this theme
that they lodged him on all possible
occasions. or if caught employed all
their arts in keeping him off his favor
ite subject All the same, the Prince
went quietly OF in his own way, making
himself solid with the peasants of Bull
garia, from whose popularity he con-
stanuy gained strength, built up n
splendid army, and with his hard-fisted
Minister StambOuloff, by whom he
stood. thru thick and thin. governed his
people so economically that they saved
money right along. He knew he was
playing Il dangerous game. but he
played ii with 1t smiling face and a de-
termined spirit. Being Bourbon, Fer
dinand was naturally Roman Catho-
lie, and his first wife, Marie Louise, OF
Parme, the mother of his four children.
was a very devout member of this
faith. The National religion of Bull
garia, whose population is mostly Slav-
ic is the Greek Catholic Church, and
as Ferdinand was leaving no stone un-
turned to increase his popularity with
all classes of his people, he resolved to
convert 10 the Bulgarian religion his
eldest son, Boris, which he was obliged
10 do without the knowledge of his wife,
who is said 10 have died of a broken
heart in consequence. His aged moth
er, the Princess Clemantine, was furi-
Gus about it, and accused her old friend,
the Emperor Francis Joseph, of Aus
tria, of having hand in the matter,
and only pardOned him on her DEATH
bed. Ferdinand has now "won out"
and has great schemes for the advance
ment of his country on all lines. Per-
sOnally he is big, stout man, of genial
disposition apparently. interesting in
conversation and of cultivated mind.
His presence is good, inspiring conf
Gence. II is said that in his early years
he was good deal of a fop, always ap-
pearing daintily perfumed and dressed
In the very latest style, his extensive
and expensive wardrobe almost equal
ing King Edwards at the present time.
He is now completely changed in this
respect. and in most things is exceed
inSly simple and democratic But
blood will tell, and that Ferdinand has
very proper appreciation of that di-
vinity that doth hedge a King is shown
by his revival of the old custom of
hand-kissing. Kaiser William, King
Edward and all the other royal poten-
with their guests and friends, but when
anyone is admitted to the presence of
Ferdinand he gracefully extends his
right member, palm down, and 1t is
understood that the visitor may be
permitted to touch his lips to the back
OF the royal hand; in fact, of course. he
feels in duty bound to do so, whether
he wants to or not.
The English suffragists still keep mp
their merry war against Parliament. The
other day, since the last mob attack
made on the Houses Of Parliament
several of these determined, strenuous
reforraers actually chained themselves
10 the iron railing of the ladies' gallery
and then proceeded to make themselves
as obnoxious as possible TO the mem.
bers Parts of the railing had TO b.
removed in order to get the suffragistH
out OF the gallery, who We're taken to a
committee room and workmen sum.
moned to file them free. Mrs Pank-
hurst and Mrs. Drummond, the leaders
in the last mob attack before referred
N, are certainly being made to serve rs
q warning To future suffragists. II
spite of the many appeals made TO the
clcmency in their case (being ladies
accustomed to all the refnements and
1uxuries OF life), he refused to interfere
with the law, which was allowed to take
its course. When Mrs. Pankhurst ar
rived at prison she was stripped and
searched, and forced to take a bath
with the wardrrsscs looking at her oycl
low partition. She was then giyer
underclothing so coarse and rough a.
to be actually painful TO soft, delicat,
skin like hers, hideous green serg,
dress with great arrows stamped on tn,
material, I checked apron, a white cal
for her head, cheap, rough, shapeles
shoes, 3nd--this was the drop tina
ovcrfiowed the cup of bitterness-a hor
rid blue and white handkerchief, which
she was told must last her a week, will,
nilly In poor Mrs. Pankhurst's littl
13 by cell Is q plank, upon which rest
a mattress filed with hard, dried grass
ana Iff Dl3fW II liiif'u WIN the Sdiu
stuff. The bedding which goes witt
fhis sleep-dcstroying apparatus will no
admit OF the slightest tucking in, ant
as for night dresses they do not g
with the prison outfit. being considere,
an unnecessary luxury. Her bathing
facilities are most limited. She is awak
ened between and o'clock in tn,
morning, and after She has made he
simple toilet and cleaned out her Gel
she is allowed no more water that day
for anything but drinking purposes
She is permitted TO draw one book
week from the prison library. and car
write or receive letter only every twt
weeks. OF course, MrH Pankhurs
could be liberated If she would pay tn.
nEe the court imposed upon her bu
shis she has refused to do. thinking sfl'
I rs serving the cause better by her pres
ent course. England has really beer
very patient with these women, who's