The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-09
The egerd-Cro1u11ed Capital of Bavaria

lfness which is far from being its dis
tinguishing attribute
Most of such ideals are obtained
from the perusal of semi historical
works of fiction treating of court
episodes and penned by many who were
never present at court function.
The fact Is that the state receptions
given by the President of the United
states compare most favorably in dig
nifty and etiquette with the most elab-
crate drawing rooms" and court func-
tions of foreign pOteptates. / once at
tended royal bali where an Austrian
count had placed his hat for safe keep
ing under his chair. When he desired
TO use his chapeau he found the seat
occupied by lady. Without addressing
the occupaDt he got down upon his
knees and began feeling under the chair
for his head gear, much to the embar-
rassment and surprise of the lady. This
was more domestic proceeding than 1
had ever witnessed under similar cir
cumstances in my own country.
The respective monarchs of Europe
are much more democratic in their SEN
timents and manners than we are aware
of, and this spirit of democracy and
freedom of action vary in the divers
governments which dot the map of the
continent.
1ho must Simple ana
crowned head in all Europe is the mon
arch of Denmark, where Frederick VIII
closely follows in the footsteps of his
father and predecessor, the late Chris
tian TX, whom | have often seen shop
ping in the streets of Copenhagen with
package of purchases upon his arm.
In his youth the late Christian TX was
not in the direct line of succession to
the throne and his circumstances were
81 70 ha ha
King of Denmark, and his daughter,
the powager Queen of England, were
not allowed to play upon the pebbled
driveway of the palace for fear of wear
ing their shoes out more rapidly.
The royal equipage of Denmark is
most ordinary looking affair and fails
to compare in Its trappings with many
of the handsome turnouts of which Bir-
mingham could boast at least prior to
the advent of the automobile. The liv-
cry is a duh red, innocent of any bizarre
ornamentation, and a single footman
Is perched beside the coachman, who
navigates the rumbling carriage con-
tanning his royal master.
A close second to this simplicity is
found at the court of Sweden, where the
present King has not varied an lv,a
in the court regulations of the late
Oscar III. In some unaccountable man.
ner the sovereigns of Sweden have man
ifested an extr0ne fondness for Ameri-
can diplomats for the past half century,
and 1t is said that this partiality has
been so marked as to arouse the jeal-
ousy and excite the comment of Euro
pean representatives. Oscar III was
every inch a king" but he was lil<eA
wise a true man "for all of that" Illus
trative of this noble trait tits recorded
that having entertained at state ban
quet the Arctic explorer. Nansen, Just
after a return from one of his polar
expeditions, cheering crowd thronged
the front of the palace, calling loudly
for the appearance of the royal pres
ence. Rising from his seat at the table.
Oscar Familiarity slapped Nansen upon
my brother; 1t is you that they wish
my brother, 1t is you that they wish
to see. not l." While this was doubt
lessiy true, Nansen had the bluntness
and bad grace to reply. Yes, that's SO,
Mr.. King" 1t should be noted that in
the Scandinavian countries the mon
arch Is Invariably addressed as Mr..
King
1 have often seen the late Edward
VII of Great Britain alone in ham
some, tilbury or cab. that being his
favorite mode of peregrination through
the crowded streets of London This
habit was relic of his Prince of Wales
nor even creditable for the public to
be cognizant of his comings and go-
ings from and to shady resorts, and