CROWNS THAT BRING ONLY MISERY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 41, 28 May 1910, Page 12

CROWNS THAT BRING ONLY MISERY.

THE TWO UXHAPPTEST KINGS IX THE WORLD. What will their fate be? The question naturally arises to the mind as one reads the daily life of Pu-yi. the seven-year-old reign ins: P.'-peroi' of China, and Sultan Ahmed "Mifza, Shalt of Perdu, who is'now twelve years of age. "-'"v. of Heaven" the former is termed; but there are few delights for thi- b.v>y Emperor, who can boast of nearl; 400,0110,000 subjects. When, just o l "Hve months ago. as nephew of the ± or Hsnan - Tung, Pu-yi' was nominated successor by the terrible Dowager Empress Txe-llsi, and was enveloped in the imperial yellow, emblazoned with the time-honored dragon, the period when he was regarded as a common baby, a nephew of the Emperor, was at an end. Two thousand statesmen of the realm bowed down beneath his artless gaze as he waddled up thes teps alone, resplendent in his gay robes, wonderment in his innocent expression, and stood upon the throne platferm.

The pathos of the scene and the comedy of it had no place in the minds.ol the staid Orientals. The cruelty of the system, which takes away from the •baby all the joys of babyhood and leaves his life formal, cold and barren, is the least apparent feature of all to the powers that rule the Court. Pu-yi wept and pleaded in disheartening accents at the very moment when the reins of government were placed in his fingers. With the firing of cannon and crackers, the solemn prostration of the courtiers before the throne, the display of bright pageants and gorgeous decorations without and within, the infant Emperor bewailed his outraged infanthood and cried out his natural instinctive disapproval of the whole curriculum of absurdities.

His mother may not visit now. lie must do the formal duties of an Emperor at the sacrifices and at the annual worship m the temple—and all at the age of seven. . Equally sad is the lot of the little Shah of' Persia, who every day is having the fact brought home to him tnut he is at the liead of 8,000,000 souls. A r o longer is he allowed to play with his five brothers and sisters, who, before he was entiironed at Teheran, in July last, were his constant playmates. Now, instead of playing with them, he must sit on the PeacoclC Throne of Persia—a swarthy little figure, arrayed in all the accoutrements of a Sftali, pathetic in hjs- loneliness.

But he is a "brave little chap, this infant Shah; and when he saw what a life of responsibility and heavy care in the company of severe statesmen, exacting tutors, and shrewd diplomats was to be his portion, the story goes that he said bravely, "Insliallnh! I shall be a good ruler."

What a contrast to the Crown Princes of Italy, Russia and Xorway—happy, healthy youngsters, who are growing up under the care of wise and affectionate parents. Their education is simple, and their exalted rank is not allowed to cast a single shadow on their childish pleasures. They are" a:bl'e to indulge in games and sports to' their hearts' content, and will undoubtedly make better rulers for it when their turn comes.