The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-08-19
ROYAL ETIQUETTE.
In England II Assumes a Number
of Curious Phases.
THINGS THE KING CANNOT DO

He ls Barred From Accepting cifts
From individuals, He Must Not Be-
long to 9 Club and May Not Marry
Without Parliament's Consent.
1t may sound a little curious. but
there are quite number Of things
which, despite his exalted position as
sovereign of the realm, King George
V. cannot do. These disabilities range
over all sorts Of matters and concern
etiquette, politics, religion and law.
To begin with etiquette. 1t is an estab-
lished practice that his majesty must
never call upon or grant an audience
to a foreign monarch except In the
presence of a responsible minister.
Etiquette also precludes him from ac-
cepting a gift which loyal subject
may wish to make him, Should, how
ever. the gift be a joint offering the
prohibition does not apply. This en-
ables King George to accept gifts
which are subscribed for by number
of people together.
A king never writes letter to any
body outside his family circle. All
other correspondence has to be con-
Quoted through one of his secretaries
Nor does King George accept invita-
tons to dine or stop with a subject
What he does when he wishes to pay
such a visit is to invite himself An
other strictly observed point Of eti-
quette Is that on ascending the throne
a king shall withdraw from any clubs
to which he has hitherto belonged
Similarly he cannot become Free
Mason, and II he happens to be one at
the date Of his ascension he must re-
sign from the craft King George,
however, has not been initiated.
Even In affairs OF the heart a sover'
eign must bow to the will Of Others.
Although King Cophetua might have
loved and shared his throne with
beggar maid, the royal marriage act
would render the occurrence OF any
such romantic union impossible in Eng
land. Members Of the blood royal
must have the sanction OF parliament
before they can marry, and this would
certainly not be accorded unless the
birth and position Of the lady were
beyond reproach.
An English kings position toward
the law is somewhat peculiar. Theo-
redcally be is above the law. In prac-
tice, however, he has to obey II, just
as have his subjects. He must OBJ
serve the established legal system Of
the country. Any royal proclamation
which he issues is only binding in so
far as II is founded upon an existing
law. II cannot alter the common law
or create new offense, nor can a
king set up private tribunals, such as
the star chamber. or add to the juris.
diction Of court By special act OF
parliament II has also been decided
that II his majesty were TO lose an ac-
ton brought against him by the reve-
nue. authorities he would be liable for
the payment of costs.
| bl lnt INV Vi lut lullu lu6 NIB Cdn-
not possibly commit an offense Any
injury or wrong suffered by a subject
at his hands has to be attributed to
the mistake Of his advisers" hence
It happens that King George is the
only person In Great Britain who can
not arrest n suspected felon, even II
such one were to be seen by him en-
tering Buckingham palace or Windsor
castle. The reason for this is because
no action for wrongful arrest could
lie against him, and therefore II the
person arrested by him were proved
Innocent there would then be a wrong
without remedy. Another legal dis
ability OF the king is that he is barred
OF all rights In matters relating to land
after lnpse Of sixty years. He is alse
prohibited from serving on a jury OF
from giving evidence
! Until so comparatively recent q pc
Rod as 1870 II a subject were convict
ed OF treason or felony the king could
! claim his property. Another lapsed
prerogative Of the crown is one known
, as "corody." During fits existence 9
king who wanted to advance the In
= terests of royal chaplain could com
pei a bishop to support such a clergy
man until benehce had been founC
for him. Nowadays he has not ever
; the right OF founding a bishopric OIL
creating ecclesiastical jurisdiction
, Similarly he must always be n mem
: Der OF the Church Of England an(
l cannot change his religion.
The theory that the king ''reigns
but does not govern" is amply born,
out by the political system OF tn,
country. While the members OF par
lament are his majesty's faithful
commons" they have certain priv
leges which he himself does not pos
sess. Thus King George can summon
or prorogue parliament at will, but b.
cannot prolong II beyond a dennit
y period. Similarly he Is absolutely dc
barred from imposing any sort OF tar
: alton whatever without nrst securing
r the consent OF parliament So jeal
ously guarded is this privilege that
king cannot create new officers wit
new fees or annex new fees 20 exist
Ing officers, as such course woul'
be considered as imposing a fresh tar
In bygone times. however, when a
4 English monarch was in want Of fund
- he would levy taxes right and left an