Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-11
Chapter XIV.
The Prince as a Patron
BY w. T. MARSDON.

written Exclusively for The Star and the
= North American Newspaper Alliance.
Part of the duties of the heir to the
English throne is to encourage, by
patronage, various activities in the way
OF benevolent, charitable and social
undertakings, and also to encourage the
development of literature, music and art
in general.
The Prince of Wales cannot be said
to have given much encouragement, as
a patron, to literature, music or art.
He is not much interested in such
things
Among his intimate friends there are
few, if any, really distinguished in
literature, art or music. The Prince
has admitted in public speeches that
great music does not appeal to him,
because he does not understand it. He
rarely, if ever, goes to Coyent Garden
Theater during the season of German
and italian operas.
In his indifference to great music and
grand opera, the Prince differs from his
grandfather and father.
King Edward, with Queen Alexandra,
was a regular attendant at Covent
Garden Theater during the opera sea-
son, and he did much to encourage the
production of opera in London. King
Edward, moreover, made point OF
meeting all the great singers who came
to London. Caruso and Dame Melba
were frequently engaged to sing at
Buckingham Palace.
King George and Queen Mary also
regarded the encouragement and
patronage of opera in London as part
of their public duties, and they nave
always attended Covent Garden Theater
regularly during the opera season.
Opera Bores the Prince.
Grand opera bores the Prince. He
prefers musical comedy, and a good
sshow" of this kind is always sure OF
his patronage. The highbrowS deplore
the kind of theatrical entertainment
that seems to attract the Prince. He
seldom goes to see a good play. 1t is
doubtful if he has ever attended a.
Shaw play.
The Prince goes to the theater for
much the same reason as the tired
man of business, to be amused.
Literary events have little interest
for the Prince He has a considerable
knowledge of men and affairs. and can
talk intelligently on many subjects.
but his knowledge has been derived
from contacts with all kinds and con-
ditions of people in different parts OF
the world, rather than from books.
The Princes library at York House
consists of three or four hundred books, |
Many a city clerk has one as good.
If the Prince is not great reader, |
he may plead that he has little time for |
reading, and he certainly much prefers
to pass his off -duty time m the saddle |
or on the golf course.
He has, however, managed to do a |
certain amount Of reading. AS lar as
modern fiction is concerned, Gals |
worthy and Kipling are his favorite
English authors, and he has read
certain amount of French and German
advice Lord Balfour gave the students
of st. Andrews University years ago.
Starts a Book in the Middle.
Don't be afraid" said Lord Balfour.
'of skipping pages when you are reading
for pleasure"
The Princes method of reading a
book is to begin somewhere in the mid
die. and if he gets interested he will
read it through, though skipping all
the pages that bore him. He likes
memoirs of well known people. such as
Lord Oxford or Lord Curzon. But
memoirs. to interest him, must be that |
Of somebody he has met and known, |
and who has taken an active part IN
public life. Memoirs by people OF no |
distinction other than that of being |
socially celebrated, have no interest Tor |
him.
But il the Prince is not good patron |
of art or literature, he has played |
patron in other directions earnestly ana |
efficiently. /
All great national philanthropic and
charitable movements IN England owe
tatc frnrl n
the Prince for any really deserving |
cause never fails to bring In large flow
of money Witness his appeal for funds
for the distressed miners. The money
for the fund was coming in slowly;
then the Prince made an appeal and
the money poured IN.
Although the Prince is not patron
of art and literature. he has done much
to advance the cause of learning. His
patronage of the movement in England
for the extension of university educa-
ton has helped it greatly, and medi-
cine also owes good deal to his pat
ronage.
Interested in Racing.
The Prince of Wales follows the ex-
ample of his grandfather and father
by being patron of the turf. But, Gu
riously, fine sportsman though the
Prince is, he Is a less enthusiastic patron
of the turf than his grandfather or even
his father.
The Prince usually attends the classic
race meetings, such as EPSON, Ascot
and Goodwood, but there are many
race meetings he never goes near. King
George attends all the Newmarket
meetings regularly, but the Prince does
not
The Prince is not greatly attracted by
horse racing as a spectacle, unless it
is very good racing He would prefer
to ride a point-to-point race himself
or spend an afternoon schooling some
of his own horses.
Yachtsmen regard the Prince as
y,o0r ,,afro,1 of +L,a;v c,,orf Rino Coorua