WHEN ROYALTY REPRIMANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 343, 19 March 1910, Page 9

WHEN ROYALTY REPRIMANDS.

._ It is seldom that King Edward finds it necessary to rebuke one of his own subjects, but such an occasion took .place a short time back. A London election candidate, unmindful of the fact .that the Royal Standard is the personal .emblem of the King, and its use by private individuals is illegal, issued a number of election cards on which the .Royal Standard was lavishly displayed, thereby giving the impression that' his candidature was supported by his Majesty.

The Kiugfs attention, however, was drawn to this infringement, and an official document despatched from Sandringham had the effect of causing the cards to be immediately withdrawn from .publication.

No one is less ready to take offence than the King, or more ready to pardon one when the offence is unintentional; .but his Majesty never permits to liberty to be taken with him, and if people do so, they must suffer the' consequences which their offence entails. In Court circles it is a -serious matter ' to incur Royal displeasure. The man ■or woman who does so intentionally ceases to be recognised by his Majesty —which means social extinction. The offender's name is struck out of the visiting list of every person who is anybody in Society, and should the offender be a man, he is politely informed that his rcognition from his club or clubs would not be out of place. No man or woman, of social repute will in future know him, and, if he be ' in the Army and Navy, he has no option but to resign, for he will find himself cut dead by every one of his brother' officers.

In fact, a few years back a retired naval officer, who was a notorious bully, i flatly contradicted a statement made by | King Edward, then Prince of Wales. 'The King passed over the officer's I rudeness at the time, but some days | later an equerry presented himself at | the officer's residence, and politely in- , formied him that his Royal Highness I was not desirous of his acquaintance in the future.

From that moment the officer was cut by everybody in Society, and, although he tried to brazen the matter out, he eventually left England altogether and took up his residence abroad. There he sank lower and lower -in the social scale, until not long agio the news of his death in a New York street brawl came as a fitting ending to a notorious career.

He: I'm siek and tired of being bossed around all day by the shop-walker, ..I've got some money saved up, and I'm going to be independent by starting in business for myself. I propose " She: Now, I like the stand you've taken, Harry; it certainly shows your manliness in striking out for yourself. As for your proposals, I accept. When are we to be married T

The editor suddenly became suspicious -that somebody was standing behind him. Looking round, his glance fell upon a seedy-looking individual with the eyes of a crank.

"I beg your pardon," said the newcomer, "but is there an openin' here for a first-class intellectual writer?"

- "Yes," grimly responded the editor. ."An ingenious carpenter, foreseeing your visit, has provided an excellent opening. Turn to the knob to the right, and do not slam the door as you go out."

The' Smiths had invited a guest to dinner. As the last course was reached little Willie, who had been closely watching the guest almost continually during the mea'i. looked over at him once and said:

"Yon haven't changed a bit since you started eating, have yom. Mr. Curtis?" "Why, no," laughed the visitor. "Why do vou ask that question 1" "Because," blurted out Willie, coafused by the pairs of eyes focussed on him, "because I heard pa say you'd make a big hog of yourself as soon as you got your eyes on the beef.''

The Boy: 'Ere's the eggs you ordered <or the puddin' ma'am. The cook: Thank you; just lay them on the table, please. The boy: Excuse me, ma'am, I ain't •i hen; I'm the grocer's boy.

A Queensland clergyman tile other dav was taken to task by a temperance orator for daring to drink a glass of sherry at dinner. The divine rather flabergastedTriin. however, when he said lie was only following the Scriptures, which said, "Wine maketh glad the heart of man, but with water do the ■wild asses quench their thirst.