KINGS AND PRINCES I HAVE MET.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 26, 10 September 1920, Page 6

KINGS AND PRINCES I HAVE MET.

H.M. TINTGAT.T, J.O.N.. B.U.L,, Etc. It w&s with most pleasurable anticipations, arising out of a livcly recollection of his aforetime hospitality, that I accepted the invitation of His Majesty to visit him at his beautiful country seat of Waianiwaberg, whither, as is well known, he had been compelled by failing health, to retire some time ago. Darkness was closing in as I alighted from the Lightning Western Express within easy distance of the castle, to which I walked, since, through my neglect to wire my royal host, he had not expected me so soon, and, therefore, had not sent his carriage to meet me. The walk was a pleasant one, and, except that I was now and then hung up in a barbed wire fence, stumbled over a few aleeping cows, fell into an occasional ditch, and was finally worried, on my arrival at the castle gates by His Majesty's favourito multibred hound, was withoufc incident. But how can I describe my shocked feelings when I gazed once more on the face and form of my friend of other, happier days ? What a

chang, Aw.t == U1 tis mina or Hcaven ; these still retained a ^ charm and sweetness H,u ? P^stia, genial, his voice as soft and * « ever and his kindly hospitl^ M paired by tune. (I had tL mside of ten minutes) But th ^ very close to my eyes as I note^u! ful ravages tlie years and c ^ ^ made in his person. That n, (seventy-six inches around T"* ^ and forty-two inches across the's^ his undress measurements it ^',7, Wet» membered), whose magnificent pL^ were so admirably clisplayed bv ^ coat, knee breeches, and gaitorT £* most affected in those day. . hs shrunk to the point of was something starthngly fragi]e^ ethereal m h13 appearance; it vJ,w4 though the lightest zephyr Would I /" him about. On hi, own now rather under than over twenh i stone. It was pitiful. His which, in the good old times Wa °W' heavy as to leave a distinct impresq * ^ the mind, is now slender enough to l through a wire hole in a fence post fiT with his cheerful spirit and indomitabla courage, he refuses to abandon hope u still cherishes the belief that he may restore his shattered health and rebij] his wasted frame by ihe liberal use oi Oio Special Liqueur Cod Liver Oil aD(i moderate indulgence in teat pullin'g, and other simple athletic exercises. His Majesty invited me to taste the Wmer which I did several times, fmding it veJ palatable, mingled with a little watoT) and comforting taken any way. I earmtiy hope that he will continue to derbt benefit from its use, and that he will never be witbout it. His Majesty's present life is almost Spartan in its severe simplicity. He risej early (says he can't sleep after 10 o'clock), and has Ihe merest wisp c| brealcfast ; just a couple of plates oi porridge, half a dozen eggs, and a pound or so of bacon, a few buttered muffins and some toast and oatcakes, and he is finished. Then he gCes outside aud rests for half-an-hour, after which he visits Ihe pigs and scratches their earg. Then he goes inside and rests some more, perhaps taking a dose of the afortmentioned oil. And so on until lunch — which is a very simple repast — two or three pounds of roast beef or salt pork, with any othei odds and ends about the pWe. lVu Majesty's appetite is very fickle ato, as he himself says, requires a lot oi coaxmg. In the afternoon he scratches Ihe pigf ears again has some more rests and oil, and then engages in his daily teat puhinj and other recreations. These done with he dines. Dinner with him is a daiitj little affair; a couple of dozen oysten, soup, a chicken or two, a roast leg oi mutton (not too large), a couple of pounds of pudding and a few other trifies and nick-nacks are quite sufficient. Then, during the evening, a few more doees oi oil with a friend or two, and "then fo bed''' as Pepys would say. Such is the aus. tere simplicity of tlra daily round oi Hh Majesty's life. Yet, simple as it is, it is beset Vrth vexations. For instance, as is well known, he has a fondness for "tripping the ligW fantastic toe," provided the floor h smooth and strong. But he is now almost afraid to engage in this innocent and exhilarating pastime owing t-o the carelessness with which other dancers persist, le spite his frantic expostulations, .in jostling him. He naturally fears that sucli ioug' nOss may result in serious injury to one in his present fragile condition. Ikis ac in itself, shows what a falling off he 188 experienced since those glorious days his prowess in the football field theme of every tongue. Then, mere y play against him required V.C. ourae , while to collide with him was tantarnoun^ to suicide. As a sporting critic o time remarked: "To play with Tiny distinction; to play against him 'r ■ extinction." It was said that the ' takers waxed weaithy, and the >( 'u became very populous during J1'5 a footballer. Still to-day his v boast is that thero was no ma ic ^ ^ it; he never killed a man excep friendly way. T jnenti°n During our conversation ^ ^ the current rumour that King 1 rtl,rbei turned wowser. He was much Pc ^ ^ at learning of the report, ^ uc ^ ^ nounced as an infamous libe > ar oachtardly attempt to besmirch an 1 j proable character. At our Par J1'" mised to publicly contradict ^ for which His Majesty expr ^ ^ heartfelt gratitude, aQd PreS^rite' ceptance a bottle of h18 wjrn&rking Special Liqueur Cod Liver to , ' t ia that like th.t could uot ^ „ Invercargill." I ^ ' all, and »Uh the b»»,e M bigger one.