The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-12-23
THE WILSON'S HOSTS IN ROME.

a very good fellow. lie is democratic IN MS man
ners, amiable in disposition, generous with his
| money, tolerant of opposition, and liberal in
politics While he is not brilliant intellectually
| he is all-round good man, with only one small
fad, and that, the collection of unique coins, he
began when quite youngster. He has succeeded
| in getting together one of the best numismatic
cabinets in Europe. He is neither penurious
nor extravagant; he spends money freely for
purposes that are necessary and useful, and
gives literally to charity and to such objects
as king is expected to contribute to. He is
not wasteful, like his grandfather, and has
shown no disposition toward ostentation or dis
play.
The story of Victor Emanuels early life is
one of the Spartan training, hard study and
struggles against physical weakness. AS child
he suffered from ricketts,, and the plain living
and constant application to study, which were
his daily portion, undermined his health to an
alarming degree, but fortunately for his subse-
quent career his father, King Humbert, changed
his mode of living just in time, and sent him
travelling about the world, with the result that
he returned in great measure restored to
health.
His early studies were mainly directed by his
mother, Queen Margherita, who was always ex-
tremely intellectual. Modern languages with
several of which he is thoroughly conversant)
the dead languages, mathematics military his
tory and philosophy formed the most important
part if his curriculum Yet, in spite of these
scholarly attainments, Victor Emanuel is a
thorough and enthusiastic soldier and sailor
into the bargain.
In addition to coin collecting his majesty has
one other hobby, if such it may be termed. He
is an electrician of no mean merit. Indeed, he
has been called "the only real electrician among
all the royalty of Europe" He is well versed in
all that concerns the application of electricity
to light, motive power, sould and photography,
and he was one of the earliest and most sue
cessful experimenters with the X-rays Soon
after that famous discovery he turned his apart
ments in the Quirinal into something like
chemical laboratory, much to the disgust of
other members of the royal family.
Although weakling in his youth, the king
is now almost impervious to fatigue Testimony
to this fact be borne by the officers and SOL
diers who were with him during the many weeks
and months that he spent at the front in the
recent war. He remain on horseback for
many hours without firing, he can go a long time
without food, and in military marches and
maneuvers he has displayed unceasing energy
and untiring ZEAL
Though much physical activity, much study,
great deal Of politics and considerable warfare
have been crammed into the kings short life,
he has yet found time to write sentimental
novel.
The kings family relations are, and always
have been, of the happiest nature. Queen
Helena, to whom he was married in 1896, was a
princess of Montenegro, daughter of King
Nicholas whose throne has been left more or
less "up in the air" as one of the results of the
war Her majesty is very popular with the Ital-
ian people, although it is unlikely she will ever
be as popular as her mother-in-law, the beauti-
full Queen Margherita, who has both mental and
physical attractions, and is admired quite as
much she is beloved
Queen Helena is brunette, with drak eyes,
jet black hair and very fair complexion She
plays both the piano and the violin, is devoted
to sport and is fond of the sea, as is her hus-
band. She speaks four languages, including
Russian. The queens love of children is a popu-
lar tradition in Italy.
Apart from the official glamour that sur
rounds them, the king and queen have always
been more of "a happy couple than most SOW
eregns, simple in their home life and as unos-
tentatious the rigors of court etiquette will
permit.