KING EDWARD'S GIFT TO THE TURKISH SULTAN.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 286, 7 June 1909, Page 6

KING EDWARD'S GIFT TO THE TURKISH SULTAN.

At Buckingham Palace j\r\>ws a privileged i'ew have been allowed to watch the training of a charger which Kinjf Edward will send as a present to the Sultan of Turkey.' The history of the gift makes a very pretty story quite in the "Arabian Nights" style, ■ Sonic- weeks ago the Sultan was. aski'd by certain of his high ■officials to proceed sometimes to the 1 Sehnnlik (the Friday weekly visit to the mosque) on horseback, instead of in his carriage, in order' that his subjects might have a better chance of beholding him. The' monarch hesitated a fow moments, then said with a smile: "Yes, if a bay horse could be found with three white spots on his feet, <mo on each hind foot, a white spot between the eyes, and a. tail reaching to the ground." The answer was whispered among the Diplomatists in Constantinople and each "chef de mission" telegraphed it to his Government, suggesting the possibility of a national compliment.King Edward, upon hearing of it, dispatched sixty telegrams throughout the United Kingdom, inquiring at- the best studs if such a horse were procurable. One answering the description in every respect was found in Dublin, in the stud of Lord llibblesdale, and the beautiful animal, once the property of Mr ("Boss") Crokor, which has taken* the first prize at the horse show., was secured as a Royal gift to the Eastern potentate. The necessary formalities have passed between the British Ambassador in Constantinople and- theTurkish Ambassador in London, and the. costly charger will be dispatched to Constantinople in a few weeks. As his destined master will mount him amid acclaiming crowds to. the sound of martial music, and amid scenes of Oriental glitter and display, the animal (now Under the charge of ji well-known "general) is being trained to surprises and disquieting sounds. Groups of school children are made to rush about in his vicinity, shouting and playing, waving banners, and so forth; drums are rolled, the big drum beaten, and trumpet calls blown. Indeed, eA'ery kind of noise is made in order that when the horse reaches the Eastern city he may carry his Imperial masIpy with wnynffled dignity and imperturbability through, the acclaiming crowds. The King has been pleased to christen the charger with his own title- — Rex Inrperator (King Emperor). • •