THE ROAD TO THE ALTAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1265, 15 November 1884, Page 3

THE ROAD TO THE ALTAR.

The fo.lowing amusing story appears ill a number of the German smial, Deutche Roman Bibliothek, under the title of “ The Road to the Altar

A younger son of the Duke of Argyll having become engaged to Lady as in duty bound, asked his lather's consent. The Duke, however, answered : “ Since my eldest son, the Marquis ot Lome, married the daughter of the Queen, our Sovereign, he has become the head of our house. You must obtain bis consent. If you get that you may rest assured mine will not be refused.” To the Marquis his brother according y betook himself; but from him he received the follov. ing answer : “As lam son-in-law to the Queen, duty and respect require that the matter should be referred to her for decision, and I will at once lay the matter before her.”

To th« Queen goes the Marquis immediately, and informs her of his brother’s withe*. The Monarch, however replied : “ heaven deprived mo o- my noble, ever-lamented husband, I have, made it an inflexible rule to take no step in the affairs of my bouse without first referring the matter to my brother-in-law, tbo Duke of Coburg. I will write to him.”

Teh Queen did as she promised, but from the (Juke she received the following answer, instead of the consent she expected:—“Your Majesty, my beloved sister, is well’ aware that during the last four years important political changes have taken place in jonnanv, in consequence of which, the centre of gravity has been shifted from Coburg to Berlin. I therefore consider it my duty to submit the matter to the Emperor William, for him to decide, I cannot take the responsibility on myself.’ To B *rliu accordingly goes the Duke, hags audience of the Emperor, and acquaints him with the object of his visit. After considering the matter within himself a short time, the Emperor said —“ What I have fought for and attained for my country is well known to the whole world. People, however, have no idea how my heart is tortured by discord and disagreements in the circles of my family and amongst my Ministers. However, 1 must honorably confess that the Pnnce Bismarck is the wisest and most clearsighted of my advisers. I give you the commission to refer the matter to him and let him decide.” Ihe Duke then directs his steps to the Wilhelmstrasse, and sends his card to the Minister. Being admitted, he reads the Queen’s letter, faithfully reports the words of the Emperor, and begs for a favorable decision. The Chancellor’s answer was given without hesitation: “ Why should the matter require any decision of mine ? What have we to do with the Duke of Argyll or with his son ? If the young fellow wishes to marry, let him do so, and be banged to him.”