The Paducah evening sun., 1910-05-07
THE KING

Inc king Is dead; long live the
king,
Thus does cold world proclaim
the mortality of the incumbent. and
the perpetuity of the institution; and
as the lifeless clay that for a season
disported in fatuous finery upon an
effete throne, is carried pompously
to its last receptacle, the minds of
the people already are speculaung
upon the nature of the next puppet
to swing the foolish scepteT.
George v. by the grace OF God
of the United Kingdom Of Great Brit
ain and Ireland and of the British
dominions beyond the seas, King.
Defender OF the Faith, Emperor Of
India"i
Back in the days of the Hanovar-
ian Georges who couldn't speak the
English language, that sounded ON
inous; but the fourth George of the
line lost the substance of royal pow
er. and since him no British mon
arch has tested the strength OF the
fiction by which he or she wears the
purple
II England now hasn't a George
like the licentious princes, who in
troduced continental depravity into
England, and George III, whose
name is 80 closely linked with the
early history of our country, neither
has she a Walpole or a Pitt; nor does
she need either.
The new king has been absolutely
colorless. which is very we'll in a
king these days. A monkey could
play the part.
His father, the late King Edward,
had more individuality than is gen
orally found among decadent royalty.
He was compelled to remain in the
conspicuous but inconsequential part.
Of heir apparent for many years, and
like most active youths, who have no
work to do, he made himself name
as something of a rounder.
His first serious undertaking was
to become the arbiter OF styles In
clothing. and so speedily earned for
himself the distinctive title of "Col-
lars and Guns. His liaisons with
noted women gave him still more
fame. and one scandal, with which
his name was associated, made the
occasion for his most famous saying.
that he would perjure himself like
a gentleman" Though this remark,
like most royal bonmots may have
been accomplished by proxy.
Fortunately, the reverence for the
royal Office had worn of before Ed
wards time. and the honor Of the EN-
pire had taken its place in the hearts
of the country. So the example OF
the wild prince did not debauch so
ciety. but only shocked the British !
sense of propriety, which demanded |
that the throne should in all things
be subseryient to the requirements |
OF government Fortunately, too, |
Victoria reigned until Edward was
on the shady side OF life. and he as
cended the throne sobered by his |
years. He has occupied the Office |
with becoming dignity these nine
years.
Since his ascension, OF course. his |
doings have been more or less hedged |
about by respect for the Office, and
II he has continued his excesses he
has done 1t unostentatiously. Prin-
cipally. however, he has posed as a |
patron OF sports, especially horse
racing, punctilliously performing the
formal courtesies of king between |
whiles. He was reputed to be Dem
ocratic, and enjoyed going to conti-
mental watering resorts. where he
could live like a private citizen for
a time.
After all, he was just a man, and |
he played his part well as king How
he lived his private life. he must |
answer for. May he rest in peace.