"A Deplorable Profession."

Hastings Standard, Issue 146, 15 October 1896, Page 4

"A Deplorable Profession."

The report that King George of Greece has determined upon abdicating 'lis throne is not likely to convulse worlds afar, though were his alleged threat carried out the result might cause a slight commotion in Europe. Most certainly bis abdication will grieve his people, for in the little kingdom no m;m is more popular than llis Royal Highness. It may lie well said that he is the Father of his People, llis existence is very different from that of other sovereigns. The Court of Athens has not the solemn majesty of the Courts of England, Russia, and Austria, or the curious mixture of etiquette and /»/,/- hfi.thiir which characterises the small Courts of Cerman principalities. King George has the manners and customs of a high functionary, llis palace is like a barrack outride and an office inside. He is given no other tiile than that of " k'yrie Vasilefs,,' or ilis Majer-ty the King ; while his sons are calhd -• Princes.'' The scheme is e"! !'■ mely accessible, both hv character and in virtue of the manners of the couiiiry. Not only does he receive everybody in private audience, hut he is alio accosted in the streets by persons in search of news. One morning His M'j.-: v. who isagr at pedestrian, was on his way to the Pira-us smoking a, cigar. An ot'licer passed by, and, not recognising him. asked him for a light. The King shook oil' the ashes of his cigar and presented it to him. The officer then recognised him, and drew back confused. " Look .-harp," the King exclaimed, "I am in a hurry to-night." It is easily Lo understand that such acts as thi< soon conquered the hearts of tin; people like the Greeks. King George and Queen Olga give few great fetes, but many dinners. Functionaries of all classes, merchants and students are received therein the most cordial manner. Tourists are admitted to these royal feasts without any letter of introduction. His Majesty wears European costumes of English fashion but at times he will don a kind of royal jacket made of velvet and embroidered with gold. Greek and French are spoken at court, but rarely Danish. The J {oval Family, however, is essentially polyglot, and it may be said of it that no language in civilised Europe is unknown to it.

The King works with his Ministers from 9 to 1 o'clock. At 2 o'clock he makes his principal meal with his family. From ■> to 7 he strolls about town, takes a ride on horseback, or mounts a bicycle, of all of which exercises he is passionately fond. The walks of Jiis Majesty recall those of Louis Phillippe. He goes to and fro with a cane or umbrella in his hand, is respectfully saluted by all whom he comes across, and if he feels desirous of drinking o glass of beer he will not hesitate to enter a cafe. The heir presumptive, Prince Constantine, is 28 years old. He is tall and vigorous like liis father, but rather cold in manner. In reality lie is more Slav than Danish, and has much of the Muscovite melancholy in liis character. Prince George, the second son, is a veritable Hercules. Everybody in Athens is full of his muscular exploits. One day, on ascending the Acropolis, he heard in a poor house the cries of a child being beaten by its father. He entered the dwelling and said : " What are you doing The father, who did not recognise the Prince, replied: " What is that to you '?" and resumed beating the child. His Royal Highness quickly put the child under bis left arm and the father under his right, and carried both before the magistrate, who sent the brutal parent to prison for several days. The four other children of the King also enjoyed robust constitutions. Never was family more united or more bourgeois than that which reigns over Greece. Music is greatly in vogue at the Court of Athens, and everybody representing an art or a science is sure to be well received by the King and Queen. A-year or two ago there died at the Royal Palace an English governess who had educated the children of their Majesties. All the lioyal Family attended her funeral, and at the end of the religious ceremony King George, escorted by his sons, bore the coffin from the church to the hearse. Such is a brief sketch of the Royal Family of Greece. Of the King's political life, suffice it to say that it has been sorely disturbed, and that nobody can be astonished at the melancholy , words said to have been addressed j by His Majesty to one of his interviewers, who remarked : " Really it is pleasant to be King here."' To which the King responded •'J.Tiat is an opinion which you would do well not to repeat. I have bow reigned thirty years. It is

an august but deplorable profession to bo a King. I speak to you with full knowledge of the fact." This, however, does not prevent him from being a good man, an excellent father, and a model Sovereign.