KING EDWARD'S TACT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 493, 28 April 1909, Page 3

KING EDWARD'S TACT.

::Thfr : King's visit to Biarritz recalls (says an exchange) an episode which' occurred during, a -previous Mediterranean "holiday, 'when 'His. Majesty had, occasion unexpectedly to land iit.one'.of. the Italian- seaports. The weather" was .wet,: 'the roads '-were' extremely dirty,, 'arid as the'carpet laid, from the '.'landing-place., to. the; carriage-was too snort,: the. local, officials' had completed: the' pathway best they'could;' 'They laid down an/Italian flag, the only fabrio-upon which \they could at-the] moment lay their hands. , ■ The "'King' duly' landed, but, having:traversed thelength. of the carpet,' he ■ reached the' flag, and noticed , it aVonce;'-, He. hesitatednot-an/instant/'but; stepphigipast. it'into'the roadway 'he raised his hat" in respect "to the national emblem of/ theisoiihe'.was bnv Tho tact.here : shown,was'., exquisite, and the-effect upon , .the/native onlookers magical,- /They became delirious with onthusiasm, and , the story is "told; in many ■parts'.of Italy; to this day.. This ■ jis .'well enough, but if.was one of -these/ situations where there is no middle way between courtesy., and...'tbb worst •blundering./.'.'vffould the King: have" ever/ been forgiven had he stepped on the Italian flag? >"■ ■; ••.•:;<'■." ./ •;"■■.■ . ';"■' •'