The sun., 1919-07-06

vites any unpleasant attention on the
part Of the press. It is they who are
blamed.
In the Middle Ages the persons OF
Princes of the blood were held sacred,
especially Of those in the immediate
line Of succession to the crown. When,
therefore, these sprigs of royalty rem
dered themselves guilty of any short
coming their favorite boy companion
was delegated to receive the personal
chastisement which they were con-
sidered to have merited. These young
sters were known in England as royal
whipping boys" and in France as
"menins." Some of the grandest
houses of the British and Continental
aristocracy OF Europe are descended
from whipping boys, who were over
whelmed with nobiliary honors on the
accession to the throne OF their royal
playmates by way OF compensation
for the fioggings which they had been
called upon to endure in their behalf.
The members Of q royal household In
this twentieth century have much in
common with the whipping boys OF
old. True, they are not required TO
undergo any personal chastisement.
But they are held to account and
called upon to bear the entire brunt
OF responsibility for anything untoward
that may happen to their royal charge
and for every one OF his indiscretions
or mistakes.
The Prince Is venturesome.
In the case OF the present Prince OF
Wales the responsibilities have been
particularly great; not because he
was prone to mischief or that he is Of
a character described by the French
as "difficile." but in consequence OF
his absolute fearlessness and his de-
termination to share not only the
fatigues but also the perils OF his
fellow officers and of his soldiers at
the front II has been no easy task
for Lord Claud Hamilton and for Capt.
Piers Leigh to keep the Prince from
too reckless exposure Of his own life.
They realized that his courage and his
eagerness to undertake every task, no
matter how perilous, endeared him to
his future subjects and strengthened
his hold upon their good will and even
affection. And yet II he had lost hts
life and they had survived they would
always have been regarded as having
failed In their duty and In the trust
reposed in them by the whole nation.
Sir Sidney Greville. II Is true, was
not at the front with the Prince. But
he looked after his affairs in London
ana acted as his mentor on the oc-
casion OF his visits to Paris and his
furloughs IN England during the last
five years, giving him in a quiet I'M
obtrusive way the benefit Of his vast
experience OF men and of things and
OF his exceptional knowledge OF the
world. Sidney Grcville was one OF
the members of the household of Ed
ward VII. both prior and subsequent
to his accession to the throne, and
whenever the late King went TO Ma
rienbad for what he was wont to de-
scribe as his annual holiday at the
close OF the London season he would
always insist upon Sidney Grevllle be-
ing in attendance as the most agree
able and interesting companion and as
the one OF all his other gentlemen best
qualified to protect him from his prin-
cipal enemy. namely ennui II was
on these occasions that he came into
NNiiS0Nt Win SO many NlSltOTB from
this side OF the Atlantic and 1t used
to be said Of him that there was no
member OF the royal household who
enjoyed so extensive an acquaintance
with America-which may also be said
OF him to-day.
At Court 400 Years.
The Grevlles. of whom Sir Sldney's
elder brother. Lord Warwick, is the
chief, have played role at court for
the last 400 years. Sir Sidney's sister
Lady Eva Dugdale. has been the fav-
orite lady in waiting OF Queen Mary
and the latter's most intimate friend
and confidante since their respective
Etrlhood and marriage. Sidney Grew
lille may be said to have started on
his official career as private secretary
TO old Sir John Gorst when the latter
was Under Secretary OF State for
india, and twelve months afterward,
having attracted the favorable atten-
ton OF the late Lord Salisbury. then
Premier, was invited to become one