The Washington herald., 1909-01-31
THE PRIVACY OF KINGS
BY EX-ATTACHE
BY Ex-ATTACHE.

hcient in breeding. owing 10 the fact that
they we're unable 10 submit with COM
plete equanimity and stimulation OF In
difference, TO the gaze OF the multitude
when occupying boxes at the great an
nual horse show at Madison Square Car
den. in New York. Il may possibly be
news 10 those who offer these criticisms
that there are plenty Of women Of royal
birth and OF sovereign rank. who ind It
net only difhcult but almost impossible
20 maintain an impassive demeanOr Of
this kind. Try as they may, in spite OF
their lineage and OF their training, they
never wholly overcome their repugnance
TO the brutality Of the public stare
Royalty is not only at its best bat
likewise at its happiest when it can es-
cape the hmelight. and secure that priv
acy from which it derives the geratest
enjoyment Of its existence II is only IN
its privacy that It can abandon al arti-
fetal pose and anectsfiOn, that it can
become perfectly natural. that it can af-
ford to laugh when amused. and 70 frown
when 5ispleased, instead OF being forced
to smile when angered. and to simulate
interest when bored 70 the point Of ex-
tinetion
King Edward is credited with an ssser-
ton 10 the effect that in his experience
there was nothing more disagreeable In
the life OF royal parsonage than having
20 maintain an amiable aspect and 10
remain pleasant alike in manner and con-
version. when suffering from a jumping
toothache. This artificial 6emeanOr IS
part OF the trade Of monarchy. And It
originates not so much from any consid-
eratons Of policy, as from genuine kind
ness of heart.
For royalty, especially when the SOW
ereigns themselves are concerned, know
fun well that kindly words, mods, and
even looks viii be treasured perhaps for
q lifetime in the memories Of those with
whom they are brought into contact on
these public occasions, whereas signs Of
irritation OF Of ennui would cause lasting
dismay and distress
II Edward VII is so devoted 10 his
country home ar SandringhaEl, which he
prefers imms2suTably to Buckingham
Palace. 10 Windsor Castle and to Bal
moral, Il is because IL is the only place
in his dominiOns where ne is able to en-
JOY TO its utmost the privacy Of an Eng
hsh country gentleman. and his Nor
foIkshire seat holds an even higher place
in the affections of Queen Alexandra.
whose dover house II is TO become in the
event Of her surviving her husband.
The environments or the King and
Queen OF Norway at Christiania are
democratic enough. in all conscience.
Bat when they wish 90 really enjoy them
selves, they run over 20 England. 70 their
small manor house Of Appleton. nor far
from Sandringham. where they are able
to lay aside the trappings OF royalty.
But just IN the same way that the Nor
wegian sovereigns are compelled 70 90
TO England when they wish 70 enjoy real
privacy, so are the other rulers OF
Europe obliged to leave their dominions
# they are in search OF perfect freedom
from publicity.
Queen Alexandra is unable 20 co any
shopping in London, for fear Of being
mObbed. But she IS able TO indulge in
this truly feminine pastime, so dear to
every woman. 20 her hearts content
when in Paris. at Rome, IN Florence, OF
anywhere else on the Continent.
When the Emperor OF Russia is asked
where the happlest hours OF his life have
been spent, he has iniimatsd that they
were those which he devoted 10 punting
staying in England with Prince and Prin-
cess Louis Of Battenberg. now his broth
er and Sister-in-law. at the country place
which they rented for a few seasons on
the banks Of the river near Maidenhead.
and also the weeks that he spent IN the
enViTuns Of Darmstadt. as the guest of
his other bTother-in-law. Ernest. the
grand duke. or. as he declares him 70 be,
the TT-rgn-'' o. HpSzp
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen Helene
positively abhor publicity. insist on such
a degree Of privacy as 10 give offense to
Roman society, and are never 50 pleased
as when they can escape with their chill
dren 10 their simple. unpretentious villa
on the island Of Monte Cristo. which rem
dered famous by Alexander Dumas
novel OF that name has been purchased
by the King from the Marquis Ginori Of
Florence
Emperor Francis Joseph is q man OF the
simplest tastes. IN spite Of the splendor
OF his court, and throughout his life has
always found the greatest relief from his
many sOrrows and anxieties IN his re-
mote mountain shooting lodge OF Muerz-
steg. where his days were given up 10
stalking, IN the bare-kneed garb OF q
Syrian peasant. the chamOis. along with
the late King Albert OF Ssxoay. or some
other Of his cr0nies. Il Is the same with
the Kaiser He IS an entirely different
man in private 10 what he is in public.
When he feels that he Is the cynosure
Of the eyes Of a thrOng be Il great or