King Leopold II.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43086, 30 April 1907, Page 3

King Leopold 11.

The pleasantest things to tell about King Leopold are not connected with the Congo. One would prefer to discuss his well known affability. One .day he was out on a long walking excursion with a favourite companion, his English gardener. Feeling thirsty, he stopped at a peasant’s cottage to ask for a glass of milk and was much entertained by the canny old Flemish’ woman who served him. The King and his companion discussed the old lady in English; were rewarded by hearing her mutter in her own tongue as she passed them : “Now, I wonder how much the longnosed Englishman is going to pay me for my milk ?” The King laughed, and, speaking in turn in the broadest Vlams, made reply : Madam, do me the favour of accepting this portrait of the long nosed Englishman.” And, with this, he banded her a five franc piece* . Another story concerns an incognito visit to a French watering place, where the King often bathed without ceremony or attendants Coming out from the water one morning he collided with a Frenchman, who let loose a volley of abuse, ending with : Don’t you know I’m member of the Paris Municipal Coun* ®' l / ~ ear me •” replied his Majesty. In that case 1 must offer you my humble apologies, for lam only the King of the Belgians!”