How a Prince was Spanked.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XII, Issue 87, 1 November 1892, Page 4

How a Prince was Spanked.

The Duke of Edinburgh, when he was a midshipman, bore one of the chief parts in a very curious episode. (Le night a fellow-middy who had just finished his watch went below to “ turn in,’’ and noticed that the prince had not “ turned out,” as he should have done, for his own watch. Accordingly lie trie! to aiouse Ins Royal Highness, who, af'er receiving two or three

shakings, suddenly opened his eyes, swore a big oath, and let drive his fist at his fellow middy’s right eve. “ I said nothing,” so the naval officer told the story many years later, “ but returned to my post, resumed mv watch, and thus did the prince’s duty for him. But the next morning I state'd my case and showed my eye. My comrades held a drum-head court-martial, found my assailant guilty, and sentenced him to be spanked by me. The royal culprit was seized by four stout fellows and held face downwards on a table, and I, with my sleeves rolled up to the elbow’ carried out the sentence of the middy’s court until my own hand smarted. Then he was released, furious with rage, and threatening vengeance. But in a day or two he thought better of it, and came to me like a man and begged my pardon for the blow he had given me. I accepted his apolog’y and tendered my own in turn. It was a good thing for him after all, for during the rest of the cruise he put on no airs, but was as agreeable as a young fellow could be. I doubt if the prince ever complained of his treatment to the officers of the ship. Whether be did or not, nothing came of it. Ihe officers probably heard of the affair, but deemed it the best course to let the matter drop. But I venture to think the prince has never forgotten that spanking. I have not.’