The Washington herald., 1908-03-29
KING ON VACATION
England's Ruler Enjoys HOl'
iday at Biarritz.
COMMUNICATES WITH LONDON
Edward Has Chosen Historic Hotel
du PaIais for His Residence-En-
joys Freedom from Curiosity of
Visitors or Residents-Roam
About Picturesque French Resort.

Biarritz. March %. - His majesty the
King is enjoying his wen-deserved holi-
day at Biarritz, which he appreciates all
the more because Of the freedom ne en-
joys from the undue attention Of the
visitors and the inhabitants. Although
the King is in excellent health, II has
been thought advisable not TO trouble him
with any business except Of a very spe-
cial character. The keen interest which
he takes, however. in the welfare OF his
subjects is displayed by the earnestness
with which he follows all events. both
great and small in England.
His majesty's days in the beautiful
watering place on the southwest coast OF
France are quite uneventful He spends
HIS mornings in his rooms. where he goes
through whatever dispatches are submit
ted TO him. At noon he goes for a short
walk before lunch. and. seated on the
rocks. enjoys the magnificent panorama
which lies before him. where mountain
and sea combine TO make one Of the
most enhancing aspects In Europe
He usually dimes at the Hotel du Palais.
, and subsequently visits his friends. Sir
Ernest Cassel's villa is q favorite resort
Of the Kings and here many pleasant
evening is spent by him. after the fashion
Of an English country gentle-ian. The
Kings companion In his morning walks Is
usually the Hon. John Ward.
At the Hotel du PaIais.
The Hotel du Pslais, which King Ed
ward has chosen for his residence during
his stay at Biarritz, has many points Of
attraction. Its situation is almost unique
ly superb, commanding, as II does. a wide
view of the rock-strewn coast of the Bay
of Biscay. From his windows the King
looks out on a panorama Of ever-chang-
ing beauty
Apart from its comfort and regal mag
nificence. the hotel has historic associa-
ton. II was erected in the first instance
for Napoleon III and the Empress Eu-
genie. and because IL was his lovely girl
bride who herself chose the site and took
such interest in its erection the Emperor
had it built in the form Of the letter E
and called IT the Villa Eugene.
The history Of the Palais since its con-
version into a hotel has not been unevent-
ful. During the night Of February !, 1903,
It was burned 10 the ground. In a few
hours the work OF years was destroyed.
and Of the original building only the
walls remained standing. Very faithfully
following the original plan, the hotel was
rebuilt The rooms Of the suite occupied
by Napoleon III and the Empress were
reconstructed, and some few precious
pieces of furniture which had been res
cued from the fire were placed in them.
Telephone to London.
On the large writing table In the King's S
London. In this room walls and carpets
are rose-colored. while the tapestry Of the
chairs is cream and rose. One charming
detail connected with this room is that
when the King arrives at his temporary
Biarritz home his first care is to place on
his writing table a large photo of Queen
Alexandra, without which he never trav-
els
There is no truth in the statement
which has been rather widely circulated
that a meeting will take place in the near
future between King Edward and King
Victor Emmanuel, and that his visit to
Biarritz is simply a preliminary to a
cruise in the Mediterranean and a subse-
quent visit to an italian port. There IS
really no international question Of impor-
tance at the present moment calling for
the necessity Of a meeting between the
two monarchs-
There will. in point OF fact. be no spring
cruise this year Unless a serious situa-
ton arises IN connection with the pre-
miership. his majesty will not return d.
rect TO England. The Kings visit TO Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman before he
left England had a twofold object In view
lin the first place. II was taken for the
purpose of sympathizing with his chief
adviser in his painful illness. and. in the
second place. with the object of ascer-
tanning the prime minister's wishes in re-
gard 10 certain eventualities.