The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-10-14
ROYAL ETIQUETTE.
u England Il Assumes a Number
OF Curious Phases
THINGS THE KING CANNOT 90

II may sound little curious but
there nre quite q number Of Things
which. despite his exalted position as
sovereign Of the realm. King George
v. cannot do. These disabilities range
over al sorts Of matters and concern
stiQuette. politics religion and law
To begin with etiquette. IL Is an estab-
nahed practice that his majesty must
never call upon or grant an audience
90 u foreign monarch except I'm the.
presence OF responsible minister,
Etiquette also precludes him from ac-
cepting q 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 a 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-
tions TO dine or stop with q subject.
What he does when be wishes to pay
such Q visit is TO invite himself. An
other strictly observed point Of eti-
ccette II that on ascending the throne
q king shall withdraw from any clubs
70 which be has hitherto belonged.
Similarly he cannot become Free
Mason. and II he happens 10 be one at
the date Of bis ascension he must re-
sign from the craft. King George.
however. has not been initiated.
Even In affairs Of the he lrt sOver.
sign must bow to the vii Of others.
Although King Cophetua might have
loved and shared bis thrsne with a
beggar maid. the royal marriage act
would render the occurrence Of any
such romantic union impossible In Eng
hnd Members Of the blood royal
must have the sanction Of parliament
before they Gun 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.
rettcaIly he Is above the law. In prac-
dee. however. he has to obey II. Just
% have his subjects. He must OBJ
serve the established legal system OF
the country. Any royal proclamation
which he iss''es is only binding In so
rsr as II Is founded upon an existing
hw. IL cannot alter the common law
Or create new offense. nor can n
king set up private tribunals. such as
the Star chamber. or add to the turis.
0c0on Of court BY o special act OF
parliament II has also been decided
that II bis majesty were to lose an ac-
deo brought against him by the reve-
nue authorities be would be liable for
The payment Of costs
" the law Of the land the king can
n0t possibly commit an offense Any
injury or wrong suffered by a subject
at his hands has TO be attributed TO
tns mistake Of his advisers" hence
70 happens that King George is the
only person In Great Britain who can
not arrest a suspected felon. even II
such a one were to be seen by him en-
rsring Buckingham palace or Windsor
castle The reason for this In because
no action for wrongful arrest could
lie agnicst him. and therefore II the
person arrested by him were proved
innocent there would then be a wrong
without Q remedy. Another legal dis
ability Of the king Is that be is barred
OF all rights In matters relating TO land
after a lapse Of sixty years. He Is also
prohibited from serving on a Jury or
from giving evidence.
Until 90 comparatively recent q ne.
nod as 1870 II subject were convict
Cd OF treason or felony the king could
claim hts property. Another lapsed
preroeative OF the crown IL one known
a. "corody." During its existence q
king who wanted to advance the In
terer's Of a royal chaplain could COM
pol q bishop to support such a clergy.
man until benefse had been found
for him. Nowadays be has not even
the right OF founding a bishopric or
creating ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.
Similarly he must always be a mem
Der OF the Church Of England and
eannot change his religion.
The theory that the king 'reigns
but does not govern" Is amply borne
out by the political system Of the
country. While the members OF par
hament are his maJesty's faithful
commons" they have certain privi-
eg~ which he himself does not pos
se~s Thus King George can summon
Or prorogue parliament at viii. but he
cannot prolong II beyond a definite
period. Similarly he is absolutely de-
harr~d from imposing any sort of tax
alton whatever without first securing
the consent Of parliament so jeal
ously guarded Is this privilege that q
king cannot crcafe new officers with
new fees or annex new fees to exist
Ing off1cers, as such course would
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