The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-12-26

/
and here all the children of George
and Mary were born.
Made to Feel at Home.
! A drive of about q mile through
winding ways and over an attractive
landscape brought the party to Sand
ringham. A functionary in a bright
red coat, decorated with many medals,
indicating worthy service in the Life
guards, ushered them into the waiting
room. There were other officials who
had no special insignia of rank or sta
| tion, and who, with well-bred ease, put
themselves so much at the disposal of
the guests that they soon felt quite at
home.
King George was attended by Queen
Mary, the Dowager Queen Alexandra.
Princess Mary (his daughter), Prin.
cess Victoria (his sister, and several
ladies-in-waiting. A very old man, Sir
Richard Probyn, hero of Indian war
fare and possessor of the Victoria
cross, was the personal attendant and
courtier Of Queen Alexandra. The
king was garbed in an ordinary bCsi-
ness suit, and all the court ladies' were
dressed much as one sees every day
the women OF America in any Amer
lean city, in admirably fitting tailored
suits. There was no ostentatiOn
or stiffness, and but little ceremony.
The party had been individually
warned not to offer to shake hands
with the king or queen unless they
first made the approach, which they
did in every instance. Address him
always as your majesty and the
queen in the same way, and the princess
your highness,'" it was said. Some
of the editors perhaps forgot the rules,
but no one attempted any familiarity,
and certainly none was invited; but
every one of the royal personages, af-
ter the introductions, descended into
easy conversation with someone or 9TH
er of the Americans.
Gets Laugh Out Of King.
The pictures of King George do not
do him justice. He is animated in ac-
ton, ready and distinct in speech, with
an inclination toward the humorous,
scensiOn. He is not afflicted with the
English habit of swallowing his words,
and he Is at a loss at no time for some
thing to say. He expressed to all the
editors, without constraint, his pleas
ure at their visit and showed an under
standing of American affairs and of the
purpose of their coming to England
which was quite surprising. 1t is not
permissible to quote him directly ON
any matter of politics or statecraft but
probably it will not be Objectionable to
repeat that he Is in accord with the
sentiment in England for a close union
with the great American republican,
binding agreement, no formal league,
no contract alliance, merely a rap
prOchement which would prevent
any vital disagreements and which
would mean harmony and unity among
all the English-speaking nations of the
world with resultant benefit to civili-
Zation and humanity. Someone had
the temerity to say that the Repub-
lican party In America sadly needs a
candidate for president, and asked If
the king might not come to America
and stand for the nomination with the
assurance of certain election. The king
merely responded to the novel sugges-
ton with loud "Ha-Ha." The laugh
of Epglands king is ready and con-
tagfous. He understands an American
joke He likes baseball, too. He was
immensely interested in his several re-
views of American troops, and he per-
mitted it to be understood that he
would like soon to see again the Ameri-
can soldiers in camp or on march.
King and Queen as Guides.
After many pleasantries with the
king and queen and their attendants,
the guests were asked if they might
not desire to go over Sandringham.
All were, of course, delighted to say
yes, and the whole company started,
under the guidance Of the king and
queen, over the grounds. The king
and queen walked rapidly. First there
was visit to York cottage, where
there was an intimate view of how the
royal family lives. Some one of the
kings encourage took charge OF GER
tain groups of the editors and each
appeared to be anxious to show the
advantages and attractions of the
great estate at Its best. One curious
journalist asked half-a-dozen lords
and ladies in turn what was the area
of Sandringham and all said they did
not know. But the king promptly set
tied all doubts by ruling that it is 49,
600 acres.
York cottage Is plain brick dwell
ling Of Is or 20 rooms, of only mod
crate size, with a workshop or study
for the king. If there were any spe-
cial courtiers or equerries there they
were not seen. The equipment In fur
niture and In modern conveniences was
complete and In some respects ele-
CANT, but there are many homes in
America which might be compared fa-
vorably with it.
There was a long tour afoot to the
gardens and to the stables, both the |
particular hobby OF King Edward A
pony cart driven by the faithful