AMERICA DISCOVERS THE KING.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1927, Page 4

AMERICA DISCOVERS THE KING.

(Auckland Star). “When you say. sir.” said Central ( iioke to Martin Cbuzzlowii. "that your (Jiii'i’ii dots not reside in the Tower of London, you fall into an error, not urnomiiiun to your lountrymi'ii. even when their abilities and moral elements air such as to command tespe.it.” The (leneral bad not been to England, but he observed to Martin, when Martin tried to correct hint about the home of the Queen, “that the knowledge of Britishers themselves on such paints inot to he compared with that possessed ’by our intelligent and locomotive citizens.” It is many years since “Martin Clmzzlewit” was written, but apparently America has not entirely emancipated itself from the peculiar ideas about the English Royal Kainilj\that Dickens satirised. It is only lately that the mayoral election in Chicago was won on the cry of “Keep King nGorge out of the schools,” though Mottling was furtlier from His Majesty’s desire than to enter them.. It is pleasant to turn from this to the reception ol the American Legionaries at Buckingham Paine', yet ll". i uminents of the visitors illustrates another phase ol American misconception. “The entir: company were amazed to find the King ‘just a human being.' . ■ • 'll is a revelation to us fellows that a human being sits on a throne.’ . . . It is amazing that a King e add be s> democratic as to talk to us.’ ’ Me can form from this a rough idea ol w bat King Ceorge looked like to these Americans before this visit. Ilk ur. ' a comp;,-it.’ ot (- cargo 111. In-: Kaiser, and that king ol Spain who died of thirst keiat.se there was no •:n :to hand him a cup. He wore the crown even i.t meals, habitually ■:r.id "What bo. there, varlet!” and i unversed with nobody tvhe had less limn ninety-five quarterings. Children ha it a similar idea ol kings and (iitceiis, and in some respects grown-up Aniericans are like children. However, eda< :it,..n will not be .■ ntiivly denied, rad those impressed legionaries wiil tube back t:.c ti'lllll America.