The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-05-09


fore owe the dead king more than
they know.
Loyal to His Friends.
One Of the most admirable traits of
the king was his loyalty to his friends.
1t mattered not what fate overlook
them, his hand was open to them still.
There is the well known case Of the
officer in the Boer war who came home
practically disgraced, but who found
no change in his former crony and
then royal master. AS Prince Of Wales
Edward had not access to state Sc
crets, but this was more than made
up to him by his freedom to form
friendships with leading men all over
Europe. One of the strangest and
closest of these associations was with
Gambetta, the republican leader Of
France. II was one Of the most con-
splcuous intimacies Of the princes life,
but was by no means the only indica-
ton Of his liberal tendencies.
There must have been peculiar
charm about the person and manners
Of this king that gave him such sus-
tanned popularity throughout life, a
popularity that enabled him to set the
fashions for the English speaking
world. So universal was the liking for
him that even the scandals blazoned
abroad were unable to shake It. To-
day about all the world remembers Of
the most notorious one Of these cpl
sodes is the phrase coined concerning
his efforts TO protect the name Of a
woman, "He perjured himself like a
gentleman"
Another charming trait Of his char
acter was his loyalty to his mother.
Before his accession he uniformly for
babe the drinking Of his health stand
ing, remarking that he was only a
subject He went often to the theater.
but refused 10 have his coming or go
ing noticed or announced. He also In
sisted on paying for his boxes and or
dered that II he were late the play
should not wait for him. The same
thoughtfulness for others was shown
In other ways. Lord Savile, who often
entertained the king, was once asked
about his royal guest.
"My dear sir" be replied. you
would never know that he is other
than an ordinary guest He has the
utmost consideration for every one.
down to the servants. and nothing an
noys him more than to think he has
put any one out Of the way. He falls
In with any suggestions made for his
entertainment and have in my time
had many guests who occasioned me
considerably more trouble"
His Marriage a Love Match.
The marriage Of the Prince Of Wales
10 Alexandra Of Denmark was due to
a hove match. One OF the incidents
still remembered was the presentation
OF a ring 10 the bride. the setting Of
which was made Of precious stones
whose initial letters spelled his home
name. "Bortle" They were n beryl.
an emerald. a ruby. turquoise. ia
cinth aud second emerald In his
public treatment OF his wife and sons
the king always showed the same nice
observance Of the proprleties and con-
ventlons that marked all the other az
fairs OF his life.
That this courtesy was natura. and
not assumed Is revealed by an old
story OF fire and reporter. The
/ Prince OF Wales one day went TO Ere
with the Duke Of Sutherland. Want
Ing to know the details. he asked them
Of newspaper man. AT the end Of
the interview he handed the scribe
cigar Tearing n sheet out OF his note
book. the reporter carefully wrapped
this up and put Il in his pocket. Don't
you smoker asked the prince. "0h.
yes. your royal hlghncss." answered
the reporter. but am not likely ever
TO get another cigar from the Prince OF
Wales" The prince laughed and. once
more producing his cigar case. said.
"You had better have another one
this time to smoke"
King Edward was about Eve feet
eight inches tall and weighed In the
ncirhborhood Of 200 pounds. He was
not especially devoted to athletics or
exercise but did more or less hunting
aud spent as much time as possible on
his farm at Sandrlngham. He was an
inveterntc smoker. was fond OF mid
night dinners and liked the pleasures
and comforts OF life.
In the field Of craftsmanship his
most conspicuous activity was IN the
line OF composing difficulties. He was
ever patching up quarrcls among his
friends and after he came 10 the
throne enlarged his pacific efforts 10
the courts Of Europe. In future. there
fore, he viii probably be best remem.
bcred rs the peacemaker.