ROYALTY IN THE SENTINEL'S BOX.

Kumara Times, Issue 1116, 28 April 1880, Page 3

ROYALTY IN THE SENTINEL'S BOX.

In Bavaria a quaint custom remains, rendering it obligatory upon every Prince of the reigning House to perform at least one day's active duty as a private soldier in the Royal Army. This practice, the London Daily Telegraph remarks, owes its origin to what, in Germany, is called a Hausgesetz or family statute of the.Wittelsbachs, who, like the Hohenzollerns, are all bound to serve in. their own armies, thereby setting to all classes of the community a wholesome example of patriotism and submission to discipline. On Jau. 24 Prince Alphonso of .Bavaria, first cousin to the musical King, ; completed his eighteenth year,, and attained his majority. Greatly to the entertainment cf the Munich public, which crowded the Marienplatz to conteniplate his performance, he celebrated his birthday by doing duty as sentry in front of the principal guard-house of-the capital. Although he had received his lieutenaut's commission in the morning, he took up. his post-as a simple sentinel, duly great-coated, and armed with sword bayonet and rifle, which latter he shouldered at the correct angle as he marched to and fro on his beat, or stood ' &t ease' be£rt"e his sentry-box, giving the prescribed salutes in ail their subtle nuances te every officer that passed by. Being an \incommonly good-looking youth, he was gazed at with admiration and approval, during his "spell" on guard, by great numbers of Munich dames and damsels, who gave utterance to their feelings by plaudits when he was relieved from his post in the usual manner, and marched off to barracks, rifle on shoulder, with the relief party.