The Washington herald., 1912-10-02
COURT GOSSIP OF INTEREST
FROM LANDS ACROSS THE SEA

dare say that there Is no couple in
the whole of England who enjoy their
vacation more thoroughly than the
King and Queen. They are only too
glad, when the noise and stress of the
London season Is over, and the time
comes when they, too, can slip away
and pass their days as suits them best.
Since King George ascended the throne
he and the Queen have adhered to the
plan adopted by the late King Edward
and have begun their summer holidays
on board the royal yacht Victria and
Albert at Cowes for regatta week.
During that time their children are at
Barton Manor. overlooking the Solent
River. and the Queen pays them daily
visits. The King, as a result of his
service in the navy. is a firm believer
In the virtues of a morning dip in the
sea and he never omits this while at
Cowes. insisting that his sons shall do
the same.
1t is al Balmoral however, that the
royal pair pass their real summer hoii-
day. Here they remain several weeks
until autumn. practically their entire
time being spent in the open. King
George Is a very early riser (even
while at Buckingham Palace), and 1t
Is no uncommon thing to see him up
and about his Highland estate at 6
o'clock in the morning. usually ac-
companied by the Prince of Wales and
Prince Albert.
Often all three can be seen astride
some Of the shaggy but surefooted HI gh-
land ponies. which are raised on the
Balmoral estate, but as a rule they are
afoot. saving a long. sharp walk In
the bracing Highland air before they
return for breakfast.
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and the king insists that there shall be
plenty OF variety and that especially
fruit shall be served in abundance.
1t always takes the King an hour or
two to attend to those matters of state
that will not brook delay and then he
sets Off for the remainder OF the day
either grouse-shooting or deer-stalking-
his two favorite pastimes Much has
been written concerning his majestys
prowess as a shot. His two elder sons
bid fair to follow In their fathers foot
steps in this direction, and are already
quite expert with both gun and rifle. This
year Prince Henry, the third son, is to
be allowed to carry a light gun for the
first time and to accompany his father
and brothers in the field His majesty
Is an excellent walker, and thinks moth
ing of covering thirty miles in a day
when in pursuit of deer. II 1t can be con-
veniently managed. the Queen and
Princess Mary either drive or motor out
TO take lunch with the guns. This is an
informal meal. the heaters and gillies
taking their food but short distance
away from the royal party.
1t is upon these occasions alone that
the King Is to be seen smoking a pipe,
since as a rule he confines himself to
cigarettes. with an occasional cigar. The
late King Edward, on the other hand,
smoked nothing but cigars when out
shooting. and the number OF these he
consumed in day was quite surprising.
Not only did he himself carry two large
full cases. but is equerry had always re-
serve supplies at hand.
OF late years the King has lost some
thing OF that keen interest in salmon
and trout fishing that formerly character
lied him when in the Highlands. He
usually contrives. however. to get a few
days sport among the salmon before
leaving Scotland. and this year is going
to visit the Duke Of Richmond and Cor
don at Gordon Castle in order to enjoy
the salmOn-fshing on the Spey-probably
the finest in the world.
As n rule. II is quite late in the after
noon before the King returns to Bal
moral Castle. barely in time for a short
rest before he has TO dress for dinner.
and he confesses that he never feels such
compete enjoyment as "nen Thoroughly
tired out with his pleasurable exertions
of the day. After dinner. to which there
most always are some invited guests.
and which is the only ceremonial occa-
sion Of the day. the King retires to his
library. devotinE some time TO going
through such letters as have arrived dur
ing the day. or rather since his morning
hour OF business. He makes It a rule
never to leave any of these unatten nded
.n Ia, ha h.F
he retires for the night.
The Queen finds her enjoyment in much
more restful fashion. She is as great
an enthusiast for the open air as is the
King. but she prefers TO slt-when the
weather is sufficiently favorable-in the
gardens of Balmoral with a basket Of
needlework within her reach and a book
by her side TO which she can turn for
relaxation when she is tired of work.
ing She is an excellent correspondent.
and writes many Of her letters out in the
open, using a specially-made writing
pad on her knee.
Her daughter is her constant Compan-
ion. II II is too chilly to sit In the gar
dens. Queen Mary and the young prin-
cess indulge in motoring through the viii
lagos surrounding the royal estate. Here
the Queen is a veritable Lady Bountiful,
and makes frequent halts to inquire after
the welfare of the sick and aged and
to distribute little gifts among the chill
dren.
Some years ago the dashing and no.
torious Russian Countess Tarnewska
was sentenced for completely in the
murder Of Count Komorowski at Milan
and society at Kieff. her former resi-
dence. is shocked at the treatment the
brilliant woman. formerly a shining light
In the highest circles Of that city and
OF the Russian capital Is receiving at
an Italian prison. Protests are being
prepared. to be sent TO the foreign Office
at St. Petersburg. by the aristocracy OF
her home province. consisting for the
most part of old friends OF the countess.
Kept in solitary confinement in the
Milan prison. she lives in a gloomy cell
where the window Is never allowed to
be opened and vermin have collected. |
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