The Washington herald., 1912-08-25


It has only now come to light that the
Queen Of England 10 being completely
ignored In the matter Of the direction
OF her sons education. She 10 learning
that she 10 to have no influence upon the
future life Of the young FRINGE Of Wales-
All this came to Q climax when the lat
ter was sent to Paris last spring. II
appears that Queen Mary had made UP
her mind that King George was spoiling
the heir 10 the throne by too much
paternal care. and that q too complete
shielding OF the youth from the tempta-
tons Of the world has made him shy,
backward. and effeminate. But she was
defeated in her efforts to control the fu-
ture Kings education. and. strange to
say. by her son himself.
Under the conditions that exist In the
British royal family. the position Of
tutor to the Prince of Wales has .
greater influence upon the character OF
his charge than even his parents pos
sess. Spending every hour OF the day
with the youthful prince. his adviser. his
mentor, his instructor, the tutor molds
this royal boys character almost COM
pletely, The man chosen for this re-
sponsibie post Is Mr.. Hansell. upon the
Recommendation OF the Kings uncle. the
Duke Of Connaught. He was . graduate
Of Magdaiens College. Oxford. After
leaving there, he went to an exclusive
school for children Of the aristocracy,
where he soon became one Of the most
popular teachers.
Next, Mr.. Hansell became the private
tutor OF Lord Dalmeny, the son and
heir of the Earl OF Rosebery. and so
well did he accomplish his task that he
received the still more important posi-
tion Of mentor to Prince Arthur Of Con-
naught From there he went to MARI
borough House to the household Of the
King. then Prince Of Wales. 1t goes
without saying that he In q man OF
charming manners. The King and
Queen reposed all confidence In his reg
ulations for the teaching of the royal
children.
Mr.. HanseIrs powers as a conversa-
tionalst are remarkable. He Is also
fine athlete. and has instilled into the
young prince G similar love of outdoor
games. Many hours which. under an
ordinary tutor would have been spent
indoors poring over books. were spent by
Hansell and his oldest charge in the
grounds attached TO the royal residences.
practicing cricket, golf and tennis.
Hansell, however, did not allow his
charge to neglect his lessons. He was
strict disciplinarian. Most Of the
classes are held in a large room on the
looking Green Park. Against one wall
is an old bookcase. in which the children
keep their exercise hooks and other helps
to an education worthy the children OF
a king: and opposite - a row of shelves
on which are the school books of the
little class.
The children began work at o'clock
In the winter months and half an hour
earlier in the summer. thus getting in an
hraa a9f Twn and
half hours more work filled in the
morning. and then there was a long rest
for lunch and play, followed by two
hours of study. A special effort was
made by Hansell TO teach his pupils
French and German. A day every week
was given over to each of the foreign
languages. and nothing else was spoken
on these occasions. In addition. all the
conversation during meal hours was in
either German or French. But try as he
might, he could not make a good Ian
guage scholar OF the young Prince OF
Wales. and even to-day. with all the ad-
vantages he has had. he speaks Ger
man haltingly and French with broad
English accent During his stay in
Paris his hosts and those who have been
invited to meet him have found 1t diff
cult in following him in conversation.
As a matter of course. Prince Edward
became greatly devoted to his teacher,
and wants Hansell about him at all
times and everywhere. He consuits him
on all questions, and. what is still more,
he follows his advice regularly. But this
dependence upon another has resulted
in lessening his self-reliance. and this
is greatly deplored by his mother. When
he went to Osborne to undergo his train
ing for the navy. an attempt was made
to stand him on his own feet. and Han
sell remained at buckingham Palace.
But the young prince was not to be
denied the assistance of his friend, and
wrote him long letter daily asking
his advice on all manner OF subjects.
Finally came the time for his visit to
Paris and the Queen decided that Edward
should have a change OF influence. Han
sell was an ideal tutor, she declared.
possessed of all the qualities fitting a.
man for the position of mentor to a.
young prince but Edward was approach
ing the estate Of a man as adviser. Han
sell was the exact opposite of the man.
of-the- world who she now thought
would be an ideal companion for the fu-
ture King of England The tutor had
never rubbed shoulders with the expe-
riences that train a man to keep a sane.
level head in the giddy round OF social
diversion in which the young prince was
to move in later life.
But King George thought differently.
They viewed with concern the prospect
Of putting the unsophisticated youth in
the heart of gay Paris. King George
has always treated Edward as a boy, all
oblivious of the fact that he is growing
older. The Queen has often expostu-
lated. but the young prince does not
seem TO care. As matter OF fact he
his father.
Thus, with father and mother at va
at acknowledgements
their sons training, there threatened to
be a serious rupture between the royal
parents, when quite Unexpectedly the
youth decided the matter for himself
one evening, when the matter was under
discussion in the family circle. To the
surprise Of every one present, the Prince
Of Wales remarked quite determinedIy
that he was not going to Paris with Sir 4
Charles Gust as mentor and companion,
ENNNv