ANOTHER LITTLE KING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 210, 9 October 1909, Page 3

ANOTHER LITTLE KING.

SOME STORIES OF NICOLAS OF MONTENEGRO. It appears that Nicolas of Montenegro is forsaking the simple life. He is to follow the example of Ferdinand of Bulgaria and doff the title of "Prince" for that of "King" (says Pearson's Weekly). There have been various descriptions given of Montenegro and its people, but "the Hornets' Nest of Europe" most successfully combines their reputation as the descendants of brigands and their own claim to be a nation of heroes. Somebody said that the modern Montenegrin would be a brigand himsc't if it were worth while. They go about fully armed, with tows of pistols and daggers in their belts, and Nicolas ha 1 all his work cut out this spring to prevent them from provoking a war with Austria. An English lady who visited Montenegro recently explained to a group of scinolboys that English people were very much interested in the Montenegrins, and asked if they knew Avhy. 15 "Because we are heroes;' one little chap replied promptly. Every male Montenegrin is a hero, and if he isn't he ought to be; a maxim that Nicolas sought to "drive home when, one very hot day, lie met one of his subjects parrying an umbrella. "Art thou a hero, to carry a woman's Minshade?" lie demanded indignantly.

end, snatching it away, he broke it over ihe offender's head. Certainly the Montenegrins can claim a most heroic descent, for Montenegro j. the one country in the whole Balkan U'iiou that tho Turks never succeeded in'conquering. There has never been a mosque in the capital. Cettinje, they will tell you proudly; for although the Turks forced their way into tho town fltrain and again, they were always driven out before they had time to

build one. Prince (or King) Nicolas is a splendid specimen of his race, with the physical attributes of a giant. And, as often happens wlien liig men rule little kingdoms, his method of governance is highly paternal. ' A frivolous attache once remarked that "a sparrow cannot fall from a roof without the Prince issuing an order in council for its restoration."' The statement that lie knows every one of his subjects by name may be a l exagzeration, but it is quite probable that he knows personally all tlioso who fought under him in the last war. He is regarded by his people as a sort of benevolent old grandfather, and they always prefer to go straight to him with their grievances instead of letting the matter go through tile law courts. lie is very careful also of the welfare and comfort of the few tourists who visit his countfy, and has established an hotel for their entertainment.

All Englishman staying in the hotel was greatly disturbed aliout the badness of the water. He complained that it was unfit to drink, lint the manager wais deuf to hie grumbling. The Englishman laid his grievance before Nicolas, who instantly summoned the manager and ordered ail investigation to be made. There was very little difficulty in discovering the cause of the trouble. The manager had hung a mouldy Monte, negrin liam over the well in order to keep it. eool. aiid it had got into such .1 terrible state tint it hud tainted the water • underneath. Xicolas severely reprimanded the manager and cautioned him that it had better not happen again.

The royal palace at C'cttiuje in about as •imposing as a substantial country Inn; indeed, the whole country lias an air of primitive simplicity. If Nicolas is out walking, 110 one is too humble_ for him to speak to or to ask how thing* fare with him. He has stopped his carriage in the iui(M. of a Court procession when lie liaw.the postman in the distance, and insisted on getting his letters and papers on the spot. He was a great admirer of the late Queen Victoria, who. in her turn, had a profound respect for. Xicolas. Tt wa'j she who arranged the marriage between his daughter Anna and Prince Francis Joseph of llattcnlierg. She also invited Nicolas to come to England, anil he was deeply impressed with what lie saw hen 1 . 'There are more omnibuses in one | big London thoroughfare," he said, ''than | in al| fans."