New Britain herald., 1929-01-18
BELGIAN KING ON
 SWITZERLAND TRIP
Will Soon Return to Native
 Country Again

Brussels, Jan. ls R - King AL bert of Belgium. sovereign of q country and good friend of people; democrat and sportsman. now is on his annual visit to the Alpine snows of Switzerland where he skis and to- boggans with all the enthusiasm of an American school boy.
 With the glow of health in his cheeks and his rugged foot inch frame vibrating with fresh energy. Albert soon will turn again to his daily tasks and simple pleasures.
 Although he will be 54 years old in April, King Albert is as keen sportsman as when he was 8 youth. Winter sports such as he indulges in in Switzerland help to maintain his vigor and the hardness of his fine physique. As a mountain climber he has exhibited great endurance, and has scaled some of the most dangerous peaks and points of the Swiss Alps.
 Works Hard
 Albert works as hard as he plays. He rises early. seldom getting the eight hours sleep that are com- mended as a minimum to people who live intense lives. Formerly his daily program started with horse back ride before breakfast, but he had several accidents, one of which might have been serious and he de- cided to give up this form of exer- else.
 King Albert cares less for garden ing than his uncle and predecessor, the late King Leopold II, but he supervises the maintenance of the famous hothouses which are among the finest in Europe. Three Sundays every spring they are open to the public.
 Down in the basement of Laeken castle is an unusual bit of equip ment for a royal residence-a ma chine shop, modern. fully equipped. where the king indulges his principal hobby, mechanics and engineering. The king used to say that if he ever lost his crown, he would establish himself as mechanical engineer.
 A way back in 1898 when the king visited the United States. as the Comte de Rethy, he studied rail- roads under the tutelage of the late James J. Hill. and while trav- cling through the state of Ohio he was thrilled with the experience of driving a locomotive. His enthusi- asm for machinery never wanes. Sometimes he dons overalls and stands at his lathes, handles tools and machines like a skilled work man. His second son. Prince Charles, has inherited his fathers love of mechanics.
 Motoring Hobby
 Motoring also is a hobby with the Belgian monarch. at least it was un- til recent years. Now the king bare ly drives his own car. Only about three years ago. while driving to Ciergnon castle. in the Ardennes for est. a policeman stopped the royal car for speeding and was severely reprimanding the occupant when to his surprise, as the driver removed his goggles. he recognized his king. An apology was offered but the king declined it.
 Tt is not you. but myself who is at fault. and I promise to drive mere slowly hereafter" said King Albert.
 Only last year while driving the queen near Laeken castle, King AL bert witnessed serious auto acci- dent. An automobile containing 8 Brussels family turned turtle. and the king and queen rushed two tn- tured persons to 8 nearby house, the queen herself attending to their in- 5uries while the king telephoned for . doctor.
 ' Good Linguist
 An accomplished linguist, King Albert speaks fluently French, Eng fish. German, Flemish and Dutch.
 When abroad his great ambition is to pass unnoticed among the people of the country. At . restaurant. AL bert eats a good. plain meal. He is keen connoisseur of wines. He is happy when his neighbors are served before him, for this means that his incognito is safe.
 King Albert spends part of every summer at Ostend, where the royal residence. the Chalet Royal, has in recent years been surrounded by new buildings. Owing to the rapid growth of this famous Belgian coast resort, the present chalet is to be demolish- ed and 8 new one built near Lom- bartzyde. This will enable the king who is . good swimmer to indulge more freely in sea bathing. a sport which he has almost entirely given