The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
THE DEAD AND LIVING KINGS
Gossip and Anecdotes of Interest About Edward VII
and George V.
by CHARLOTTE VI. CONGER.


would adequately describe him. An Eng
lish authoress Of note, who passed last
week at the capital had many interest
ing stories TO tell of the dead King. which
illustrated this quality and no one ever
came in touch with him without being
impressed by Il.
The writer happened TO be IN Paris at
a time when the King, then Prince of
Wales. was visiting that capital in
cognito He was extremely democratic
in going about. for his incognito was
strictly respected. and one heard on all
sides encomiums on the royal visitor
which was a matter for surprise. for the
French do not love Johnnie Bull any
more than do the Germans. yet in Ber-
lin as we'll as in Paris, King Edward
was always an acceptable guest. and
when the Berllners would denounce the
English. as is their wont. they would
make an exception IN favor of the King,
yet his sister. the Empress Frederick. was
never popular in her husbands kingdom.
lacking those qualities which her broth
er possessed in such an eminent degree.
Bright, Open-faced Lad.
Those who remember King Edward
when as Lord Renfrew. he visited the
United States and was the guest for sew
eral days OF President Buchanan. speak
of him as a bright open-eycd lad, ever
on the alert lest he miss something. and
the portrait which he sent to the Pres-
dent as a souvenir OF his visit confirms
this. for the face wears a bright. ear
nest expression and is fun Of vigor and
charm
This portrait IS a part OF the Harriet
Lane Johnston bequest to the National
Gallery and now hangs with the rest Of
the collection I'm the new building OF the
National Museum. In ii the prince wears
the handsome red coat Of a British Of
ficer. and the impression the painting
gives is that Of a dashing and brilliant
young man.
Ever alert was King Edward TO the
end alert and vigilapt even when the
hand Of death was upon him and he was
sinking into unconsciousness. but in
middle age his eyes grew heavy-Iidded
and his expression gave little evidence
OF the activity OF his brain.
The letter conveying the portrait read
as follows:
JaFa. March n 1852
Dear Mr. Buchanan: Permit me 20 request that
you viii accept the accompanying portrait q
slight mark of my grateful recollection of the hos
pitahle reception and agreeable visit az the White
House on the occasion Of my tour in the United
States.
Believe me that the cordial welcome which was
then vouchsafcd 90 me by the American people and
by you as their chief can never Sc ettaccd from ms
memory.
venture 10 ask you nt the sane time 10 rcmem-
bsr me to Miss Lane and believe me dear Mr.
ALBERT EDWARD.
That the memory OF his visit was never
effaced from his mind, Albert Edward
gave abundant evidence 40 one could
be more gracious TO Americans than he
was. no man OF his time better under
stood the American character or Ameri-
can institutions. and the cordiality and
amiabHity ne showed toward Americans
during his entire reign are directly trace
able TO his visit to this country I'm 1850.
Friendship Long Existed.
The friendship between Harriet Lane
Johnston and King Edward antcdatcd his
visit 20 this country. and began AT the
time her uncle. James Buchanan. was
American Minister at the Court OF ST.
James and she was the fair young chat
elaine Of his legation. The rigid laws
governing diplomatic etiquette allows 90
no unmarried woman the position accord
ed 20 the wife Of a minister or ambas-
sador, but IN the case OF Miss Lane.
Queen Victoria. who was captivated with
the little Americans Ioveliness and charm.
made an exception and gave her the
same rank and other prerogatiyes she
would have enjoyed as the wife of n
minister. thus the red-chcekcd. fun-lov-
Ing romp Of a few years before. the girl
who had led the nuns at the Visitation
Convent I'm Georgetown "a merry chase
because Of her mischief and pranks. be-
came one OF the leading women I'm the
diplomatic corps OF the greatest court
I'm the world. on the dav when Teuny-
son received the degree Of doctor OF civil
law at oxford. Mr.. Buchanan was also
honored. and when hts niece. who attend
cd the ceremony. made her appearance
IN the hall the students rose en- masse 10
receive her, and she was the toast OF the
dav
on Lord Renfrews arrival IN America
therefore. he was already on terms Of
friendship with the President and his
niece. and the few days he passed as their
guest at the White House cemented this
friendship which endured until Mrs.
Johnston's death, and was kept up by
correspondence and by visits. for Mrs.
Johnston never visited Europe-and for
many years she made an annual pilgrim
age there-that she was not entertained
by the King. This loyalty 10 his old
friends was one OF King Edwards most
delightful traits and no one ever lost his
friendship who was worthy 70 keep il. or
who had the tact the savoir faIre, rather.
30 keep it. for. despite his affabilitv and
approachableness. the King was a great
stickler for etiquette and never forgave
breach OF il. as witness Langtry's fall
from favor when she attempted undue
familiarity with her friend and protector
Mt the supper which became celebrated
the world over because Of this incident.
HOnored Men of Letters.
King Edward was much interested in
American literature. and never failed 10
do honor 10 the men Of letters from this
side Of the water who visited England
lie greatly admired james Russell Lowell
who was our minister at the court Of 81
James for a number OF years. and de-
lighted in Mark Twain. Mr. Clemens. in.
deed. was treated with such distinction
at the English court that he was unpre-
pared for the slight put upon him In
Berlin. II happened AT a royal dinner
Mark Twain was seated near the En-
peror. but below some court dignitaries
who occupied places on either side Of the
royal host
During the dinner one Of his neighbors
made statement, or related a circum-
stance. that Mr.. Clemens ventured IN