New-York tribune., 1909-01-31
CHEST ROCK OF PIXIES
TIRE FOR THE WORK HE

lorgnettes, but through opera and even huge
marine glasses whenever she made any public
appearance, as for instance, in the Corpus
Christi procession through the streets OF the
metropolis at the annual industreIlen ball.
Empress Elizabeth, who was a remarkably
high spirited woman. of delcacy of mind.
keenly resented this. 1t was this horror of be-
ing examined through glasses at close range, of
having her features. her figure. her toilet and
her department investigated In the most relent-
lessly prying manner, that caused her gradually
TO withdraw from all public appearances in the
Austrian metropolis and to search for that prt
vacy which IS more highly priced by the sover-
eign families of Europe than any one outside
the precincts of court life conceive. I have
sometimes. since I have been in America heard
women condemned deficient in breeding, ow-
ing to the fact that they were unable to submit
with complete equanimty and stimulation OF in
difference to the gaze of the multitude when
occupying boxes at the great annual horse show
at Madison Square Garden, in New York. 1t
may possibly be news to those who offer these
criticisms that there are plenty of women of
royal birth and of sovereign rank who find it
not only difficult but almost impossible to main
tain an impassive demeanor of this kind Try
they may in spite Of their lineage and of
their training, they never wholly overcome their
repugnance to the brutality of the public stare
I Royalty is not only at It's best but likewise at
its happiest when it escape the Hmelight
and obtain that privacy from which it derives
the greatest enjoyment of its existence 1t is
only in its privacy that 1t abandon all artI-
fetal pose and aTectaton. that 1t can become
perfectly natural, that 1t can afford to laugh
when amused and to frown when displeased in
stead of being forced to smile when angered
and TO simulate interest when bored to the point
of extinction. King Edward is credited with an
assertion to the effect that in his experience
there nothing more disagreeable in the life
of royal parsonage than having 10 maintain
an amable aspect and to remain pleasant alike
in manner and conversation. when suffering from
a jumping toothache. This artificial demeanor
is part of the trade of monarchy. And it origi-
mates not much from any considerations of
policy as from genuine kindness Of heart For
royalty, especially when the soveregns them
selves are concerned, knows full we'll that kindly
words, mods and looks will be treasured
perhaps for lifetime in the memories OF those
with whom It Is brought into contact on public
occasions, whereas signs of irritation or OF emu,
would cause lasting dlsmay and distress
If Edward VII Is so devoted to his country
home at Sandringham, which he prefers i'm
measuraby to Buckingham Palace to Windsor
Castle and to Bamora it is because 1t is the
only place In his dominions where he is able 10
enjoy to its utmost the privacy of English
country gentleman. and his Norfolkshire seat
holds higher place in the affections OF
Queen Alexandra, whose dover house 1t is TO
become in the event OF her surviving her hus-
band. The environments OF the King and Queen
of Norway at Christania democratic enough
IL all conscience. But when they wish really to