GOSSIP ABOUT ROYALTY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 190, 1 August 1908, Page 3

GOSSIP ABOUT ROYALTY

KING'S LIFE AT SEA. King Edward's day at sea commences at eight-thirty. Breakfast- i s over an hour later, and the vest of the morning is devoted to important State aifairs which must of necessity be dealt with. His Majesty appears on deck for fie first time at noon, and immediately selects a sheltered nook where he may enjoy his morning cigar. Luncheon if served at two, and the afternoon is devoted generally to reading a novel, for, of course, the King has his favourite authors. The dinner hour is at eight, unless it is a formal function, at whbh guests of high rank are present, such us during the visit to the Tsar. Afterwards the King joins the gentlemen of his suite in the smokeroom, and as a rule retires about midnight.

THE QUEEN'S KINDNESS. Queen Alexandra's fracious act of visiting a dying young girl at a London hospital the other day was typical of her Majesty's kind-heartedness. The Queen is never so happy as when going about among the poor and sick, and a complete record of her experiences, while acting the role of a good Samaritan would fill a good-sized volume. For I some years the Queen has takon a keen interest in a novel form of charity. She I has given instructions that news shall be sent to her of very old married couples who have lived together half a century or over, and, should circumstances warrant it, she herself sees to the comfort of their declining years. Her Majesty has quite a number of tho photographs of these '■ Darbys and Joans," and the collection is continually being increased.

AN AMUSING EXPERIENCE. Her Majesty is very fond of visiting the tenants at Sandringham, and some time ago she had an amusing conversation with a poor old woman who was busy darning stockings. Thinking to put the old lady at her ease, the Queen said: " I am sure you cannot heel a pair of stockings as quickly as I can." " Oil, so the King wears stockings, do '.e? ; ' asked tho dame in surprise. " Only you an' me, mum, who mends stockings, knows what terrible bad 'oles men Jo make in their 'eels."

THE SAILOR PRINCE. When the Prince of Wales, who entered upon his forty-fourth year recently, was in the Navy, the "warship 01. which his Royal Highness served went on a voyage to Nova Scotia. Naturally, there was great excitement in Halifax when the vessol entered the harbour, and the news that the Prince was on board spread like wildfire. A prominent American politician who was in town at the time, desirous of going over the ship, obtained an introduction to the captain. When tho visitor reached the vessel's side, coaling was in full swing, and the captain evidently had no time to spare. He therefore called to ;,n officer to show the American round, but at the mention of the latter's name a very grimy young officer, who happened to be passing, overheard, and offered to undertake the duty.

SORRY HE SPOKE. In the course of his inspection the American said to his guide: "Say, isn't tho Prince to be seen to-day?" "Well," replied the coal-begrimed officer, " I'm afraid his features will not be visible." "S'pose he's particular about his complexion, what?" exclaimed the visitor. "Have you laid him by in cotton wool till you get the dust swept away 1" The officer laughed heartily, and passed on to another topic. An'hour later, as he was leaving the ship, the American en-J countered the captain, and the officer who had acted as guide thereupon left! his side. " Have you seen everything V inquired the captain. " All but the man I wanted to see," responded the other; "and that's the Prince." "The Prince?" echoed the officer. "Why, you've been with him for the last hour." " Was that the Prince?" roared the American. "Here, captain, just give him my compliments presently, and tell him I've gone on shore to kick myself."

A POPULAR PRINCE. Prince Arthur of Connaught, who, it is rumoured, is engaged to be married to the beautiful daughter of a wellknown peer, is exceedingly popular whorever he goes, and is a great favourite with King Edward. Although lie is only twenty-live, Prince Arthur has already been entrusted with the carrying out of many important auissions. He went to Japan to invest the Mikado with the Order of the (jarlcr, and when he was in Rome attending the christening celebrations of the King of Italy's son, he was received in audience by tiie iPope. Some idea of his popularity abroad may be gained from the fact that at one time it was seriously hinted that ho would be asked to sit upon the Servian throne.

WIXDIXG THE CLOCKS. As a small boy Prince Arthur's great ambition in life was to be a clockniaker. The Duke of Connaught determined tj show his son the error of his choice, and pretended to take the matter quite seriously. A certain clockniaker used to at- I tend at the Duke's residence every week for the purpose of winding the clocks, and one morning his Royal Highness brought Prince Arthur to him as ho was engaged in his work, and said: " My son lias decided to be a clockniaker when he grows up. Will yon take him as an apprentice?" The clockniaker was niueh astonished, but stammered a hasty ;';sscnt. "Very well," said tho Duke, "that's settled. Now, Arthur, you can take your first lesosn by helping Mr. Blank wind up the clocks." For some time afterwards the little Prince made his weekly rounds with the clockinakcr, but after n few months he came to the conclusion that he had chosen a tame profession, and thenceforth his one desire was to follow in his father's footsteps and join the Army.

A NOVEL WELCOME. Prince Arthur is au enthusiastic soldier, and he has had a thorough military training. On one occasion when he was travelling by stoamer along a Canadian river, he saw a man standing on the bank who was waving a pocket-hand-kerchief tied to a stick. The Prince immediately pulled out his own handkerchief and waved back again. " Why did you do that?" asked one of his suite.

•'The man signalled the words, 'Welcome to Canada,'" replied Prince Arthur, "and 1 signalled back again, 'Thank you.'" It is worthy of note that although there were a number of officers on board, the Princo was the only person who was able to read the stranger's mesasge. It may be remarked in passing that Prince Arthur was some tme ago awarded a certificate of proficiency as an instructor from the Aldershot School of Signalling.

PRINCE AS IMPERSONATOR. Prince Alexander of Battenbevg, whose early retirement from the Navy is rumoured, is the favourite brother of the Queen of Spain, and many were the mischievous pranks that the two indulged in when the dignity of their exalted position conveyed very little meaning to them. Prince Alexander takes after his mother. He has the same robust build, and, like her, is exceptionally talented. A clever musician, excellent singer, and splendid dancer, he forms a link between the members of the royal family and the variety theatres, and keeps his relatives well posted on the latest popular comic songs, which he renders as well as any of the professionals.

AN EYE TO BUSINESS. One of the best stories of Prince Alexander relates to his school days. lie ran short of money, and wrote to his grandmother asking for more. Queen Victoria ascertained that lie had received his usual supply a few weeks earlier, and at once wrote and lectured liim on (he desirability of exercising economy. He should have more money, her Majesty stated, when the proper time arrived; but not before. The Queen could not restrain her amusement when the following letter arrived soon afterwards from her grandson: "Dear Orandmama, —Pray do not bother ab T.t the money. Do you remember that signed photo of yourself which you gave me when I was home on my holidays? Well, I raffled that and the' letter, and trot a lot of money for them, which will last quite well until mamma sends my noxt allowance."