The Washington herald., 1910-05-09

throughout the world.
The Friendship between the two con-
tinued even after King Edward assembled
the throne, but the most interesting
"reminiscences from Senator Depew are
those in which he relates incidents to
support his belief that Edward was one
of the greatest Of the worlds rulers.
Senator Depew said:
King Edward would have made a great
American had his lot been cast with this
country instead of his being born TO the
English throne I first learned Of the
danger Of King Edwards illness in Wash
ington on Friday evening before I started
for Atlantic City, When l reached this
city and read in the late editions Of the
papers that the King was dead was
both shocked and grieved."
Friendly 10 Americans.
Throughout his commentary on the late
King. Senator Depew continually drew
attention 20 the openly expressed friend
illness OF King Edward toward America
and American institutions. one OF his
best stories was on this point.
LAS the Prince OF Wales, and long be
fore his ascension TO the throne, the late
King always insisted ~ showing his
friendship toward Americans" said Sen
ator Depew.
zone incident that particularly i'm
pressed me was that which took place
at a dinner 10 which James G.. Blaine
had been invited as the guest of the
prince, during the formers visit 20 Eng
candidate for President
knowing that the Prince Of Wales
took especial delight in honoring Ameri-
cans. others az the dinner were generally
most gracious 10 Mr.. Blaine The one
exception was a duke OF the royal house
who had made a reputation for boorish-
ness and lack OF tact, During a lull IN
the conversation after the coffee, this
nobleman blurtcd out; The greatest out
rage I'm history was the revolt OF your
people against King George III. There
was no Justification for 1t then, and
there is no excuse now.
Lack Of Diplomacy.
Il believe that was the only time 7
ever saw the prince embarrassed. Per
haps no man but Blaine could have
carried of the situation. While the en-
tire gathering sat in silence, Blaine re-
piled In his carefully modulated voice.
Perhaps. my dear sir, II George III had
as much diplomacy and had as wide a
knowledge OF his people as his great
grandson possesses. America might still
be English
The prince at once turned the subject
TO the great relief OF all present. but
saw him grasp Blaines hand with a
twinkle OF admiration in his eye at the
end of the function"
Among the recoIlections Of Senator
Depew are several stories Of meetings
between the Prince OF Wales and the
lamented Mark Twain. Twain once at
tended a dinner given by q nobIeman
who rather wished 20 patronize the great
American humor!st who retaliated by
appearing in an old suit Of ancient cut
and noticeably shiny az the elbows.
II fear that the English sense Of humor
did not grasp the meaning Of Twain's
act" said Senator Depew. but I realize
that the prince fully understood when. a
few nights after, he again met Twain at
dinner Of his own and smilinEly in
formed the humonst that he had been
afraid 10 ask him until his clothes ar
rived
Gets Even With Him.
Twain returned the thrust later in the
evening. when cigars Of the fancy brand
made for the prince and his friends were
passed. Twain refused TO accept one OF
the cigars and launched forth in story
Of how he once bought cigars which ne
claimed cost L cents a barrel from a
country peddler 10 serve IT a dinner given
in his American home. Those cigars were
fine, said Twain. They broke up the
party without single after-dinner speech
being made. and the affair was the sue
cess Of the season.
"Twains minute description Of the
cigars was So like 10 those served by the
prince that several more nervous guests
allowed their weeds 10 flicker out rather
than chance the fate which the humorist
declared met several Of those who had
INDUCED at his own party
My first remembrance OF King Edward
was when he was Prince Of Wales and
visited this country in 1860" the Senator
went on. He was then a slight-built
young man Of about twenty, and my
strongest recollection of his visit was
his escape from the watchfUl eye Of the
Duke Of Newcastle, who accompanied
him as guardian. TO make a night OF it
with a select party Of West Point Cadets.
The visit Of the prince to West Point was
supposed 10 be an official inspection, but
the young prince insisted on joining with
the cadets in the most democratic fash
ion, and friendships made at that time
have never been broken.
Always Was TactfuI.
NV next meeting with the prince was
at Homburc, when he invited me to
luncheon. What impressed me most at
that time and afterward was his talent
in bringing out his guests by taCtfully
developing the subject on which his guest
was most interested. and this trait made
him one OF the great diplomats Of his
time Even at our earliest meetings
found that his first idea of diplomacy was
to keep on the most cordial terms with
the United States and its people He
sought continually 10 secure views OF
Americans on Irish home rule. then con-
sidered by most Englishmen to be a
dangerous move, and one likely to dis
rupt the British empire.
after he became assured of my inten-
ton to respect his confidence, the prince
talked continually of the relations be-
tween his country and mine, even ask