The Washington herald., 1912-09-23
COURT GOSSIP OF INTEREST
FROM LANDSACROSS THE SEA

During the residence OF the British
| court at Balmoral the younger princes
will stay part Of the time at one Of
the royal cottages near Loeb Muck, the
Glassalt shiel, where Queen Victoria
often spent a few days in retirement
or at the so-called 'Hut." at Alt-na-
Guisach, which first was occupied by
Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince
Albert, In August 1s49. After the Glas-
salt shiel had been built, the Hut
| was occupied by members Of the suite
and soma servants whenever Queen Vic.
toria was at the new cottage. This ar
rangement was quite inconvenient tc
| those concerned, and It excited annoy
! ance and anxiety in other quarters. al
the Hut" Is more than two miles dis.
tant from the Glassalt Shiel. Gen. Grey
did everything possible to induce the
Queen to give up the residence at that
remote and solitary spot, and he was
| backed by Lord Palmerston and Sir
| George Grey. but Queen Victoria was
! immovably obstinate in such matters.
The general public to-day knows little
or nothing of the character and person
ality OF the Prince Of Wales, who reached
his majority this summer. By the law
of the British royal house. as well as
by long established precedent, this event
takes place when the heir to the throne
attains the age OF eighteen. In ruling
dynastes where the Sale law obtains all
royal princes attain their majority at
that age.
By special desire Of his mother. the
young prince has kept very much in
the background thus far. She had no
wish that he should be pushed forward
early or unduly. She rather preferred
that he should enjoy the freedom and IT.
responsibility OF boy as long as pos
sible, but as this tended to leave his
character uniformed to large degree.
Queen Mary. TO her chagrln. saw herself
outvoted as to the princes future edu-
cation, in which she has no voice since
his trip to France.
Those who have come in contact with
Albert Edward say that despite his I'M
assuming and retiring manner and form
of speech he has quite a will of his own
So far as disposition goes. he is a blend
OF his mother and his late grandfather
and I believe this to be a correct esti-
mate.
The prince is not particularly studious
book learning. But, like the late King
Edward. he shows a remarkable aptitude
for getting at the root of a subject and
for the thrashing out a question 70 his
own complete satisfaction. Needless 10
say, he is not always right in his deduc-
tons or the conclusions he arrives at
This hardly is to be expected Of one OF
his youthful age and little worldly expe-
rience. He would a great deal rather
discuss question with one who is &C.
Quainted with 1t than read a dozen books
on the subject. He has an intensely
practical nature and is already quite
convinced that an ounce of practice is
worth tons of theory.
As one would expect from his essen
TALLY British upbringing. the Prince of
Wales is extremely fond OF outdoor
sports. riding and shooting being per-
haps his favorites. Lawn tennis, how
ever. in particular. appeals to him, while
he greatly enjoys a game of cricket.
He is landlord OF the famous home OF
the Surrey County Club. and. having
been born at White Lodge in Richmond
Park, is qualified to play for Surrey II
he so desired. One of tine ambitions OF
the young prince at the moment Is to
see something OF the British empire be-
yond the seas, and 1t was with consid-
cradle disappointment that he learned
the Kings decision that he should first
pass couple of years at oxford before
this desire could be gratified. However.
he has been in some measure consoled
by the fact that he is to pay a short
visit TO the Duke and Duchess of Con-
naught in Canada during the summer
vacation next year. Upon this occasion
he is likely TO be accompanied by his
brother. Prince Albert.
The Prince of Wales leads thorough
~ healthy life. He is subject to a more
severe regimen than are many youths
OF his own age in the regular walks of
life. King George always has taken
personal interest in the raising Of his
self as far as lay in his power. The
prince rises early and goes to bed early.
His day is divided between his studies
and such recreation as is best suited TO
his years. This takes the form of some
physical exercise for half an hour or so
the moment he has left his morning
bath. and then outdoor exercise in some
form or other. 1t has often been said
that the Prince of Wales is rather deli
cate for his years. There is. however,
the authority of one of the royal physi-
clans for stating that this is nonsense.
He has grown rather rapidly during the
past three years-too rapidly for his age:
but he has always been strong and wiry.
His throat has occasioned him a little