A DEAD KING.

Mataura Ensign, 16 May 1912, Page 4

A DEAD KING.

Itelativo to the death of Ktriji Fro derik VII I. of Denmark an artio'i wJiieit appeared in the 'Daily Mai]' u\ the time of tho death of hm "brother-m lan, King Edward VII., is of interest. King Frederik, like our lamented ♦ Sovereign, came late U> his throne. lj«, ' was born in IHI.'J, and mi-reeded Kiinf Christian in iiXMJ, when he had entered upon his 03rd year. Hut, again like King Kduard, he was npi without experience of the duties and responsibilities of the purple oven before he assumed it. During the latter y viin of King Christian his eldest son and successor relieved him of much of the business oi Suite and confirmed the impression which his subj. <-ts ha.] formed of his wisdom. A King as Private Soldier. Denmark is a small and a democratic country, and the members of its JUryal Family have shown themselves in complete sympathy with tlte people. When King Frederik was at the university in UojK'iihagen he lived not in Lit father's palace, but in .■•indent's lodgings, and had no iti. ile; ■ s other than those of his fellows, lie began his juilj. tary training as a simple soldier in the ranks. He is, in fact, the only monarch who can claim the distinction of having worm the uniform of a private soldier, of having eaten tb« soldier's coarse rations, used the tin plate and cup and the iron knife and fork, shouldered the heavy rifle, and trudged on foot the long marches of Tommy Atkins. In due time Private Christian Frederik was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Simplicity Ims always been the note in the life of the Danish Koyal House, whore in early days the strictest economy was necessary. It is th» J boast of our Queen-mother Alexandra and of her sister the Fnipross-Dowager of Hussia that they used to make their own dresses, and both the King of Denmark and his brother the King of tho Hellenes take pride in the fact that an boys they used to black their own boots. This probation of narrow circumstances was not without effect upon character. it formed and strengthened those sterling qualities and homely affections that distinguiHhod I every member of the family. Moreover, I it gave the Danish Court an attraction | to which no other Court could pretend I —the attraetion of simple and intimate life and patriarchal hospitality that drew to Copenhagen the heirs to Mliiones anxious to ally themselves with I the beautiful and occoinnlb>hed daugh--1 ti•;■.-. of King Christian. Outdoor Life and Sports. King Frederik was 2(5 years of ag<* ! when he led to the altar Princes* ; Louise of Sweden, daughter of Chiirle* .XV. and great-grand-daughti r oi the lawyer's famous son who enlisted a« a , private in the French Army, rose to the rank of fi< ld-marvhal, and finally ; established himself on the throne of : Sweden. Prince, s Louise brought to her Danish home iiii m. rely great pon- . ■;, but a reputation for amiability, sound intelligence, and sparkling ,\,'.\. That teouiiitioii she has more than 'i.et'ii.d. Like Kin, 1 ' Fred; rib, her lumbal'.'!, the (Jucen of Donm-iil. is deeply ■r-ligious and tales a I. en and active . iiiteri-.l in ever thing that < neenm m :■'..- uel.are ,n the ' o'de. Although * ,v. , liu brought ..i' ■, it. de! not el :nge the lil'e ol the !,ani--!i Court. Tiie Ci'e'.vn Prince was allotted rooms in the Amalieiiborg Pe'-'-e, when 1 he continued to serve l.'-, i: tier tiud hi* ;eoiiULi'y and to ierie'l l.ims.elf in the dntie* of kingship. Hut his favoritfl Inline was at ( harlottenlniid, a few miles from the eai)ital. There, lietwceii the Sound and a v:et. deer !■>;•< st. King j'. .'derik and his faiede were .able to : gratify their pa ion for oi;ldoor life and snorts am! to !;, •■ the siii'i '<■ lil'fl ; :ii"y love. ! iiis M.'i'et-.". ii't't'-'f ii! education :■• especially keen, and many are the Tories toll of Ids s : .vn;athy with the : •iiider.st-.u.ling ol elil.i'e-i. One of •llcse aeecdot'.s mav lr repeated. Duriii}'; one of his vl-',i< I<> a school while en ex;.e.ina;'on v. e. •. in progress a little '■drl, confuse 1 bv his pr.-sonoe, was unable to atisv, r the ~ll' 'f'ons tut to h-r. Ti:e ('own I'rineo took h ■ ■:■ upon his knee, and lie- child pnuiiiitly a«~eddied her e' e-,-"::,;. , by tin wering every ipKstion eorre'-tly and without hesitation. Sir- VH to eon less to her •., ondering i ie nioes that the Prhieu had whispered the answers in her ear. rather of Hcya! Families. Another s!orv is toll of him. and it* : iillili \.'ill not 'oe di-puted bv those who have M'l-n Kir..". Fn k>. rik when a stud; at »»«' a private, soldier hanging Ho to the sleep ot a eeowih,) (rauiway- ' ear. Sot.ie to'.irisU wandei'ii'g ii"ar th«* '!oyal palaee, taeting :: ouic and dis-tingui.she.l-hioliing gent ieni in, asked whoiFer ii was p. ri.iitti*! to see tho ,e M ders. "C.e'.r.i'dv." h- re].!ie.l. ■"Coin" with !.!•• and ! will shoe you ■* over them." Wlun he had taken leave his unconscious guests he n :n«rk- ,,•!, "If vou would Hie' to -el' the Kovil .'fables also, just say that you have tho K 'eg's ]<* rmi siou." Vou have only to m e Kiug Fr. de: : k to be sure that thete am .-kites a<" at i any rate illustrative, of his charade" 'fer gent I 'lies, ;.re! amiability. Tall :■:':! hand.-.omo a spleiidi'! soeei-n 'ti of i .nhood deiete his three-core year* end more—ho is neiiiifestlv the enliodi:'T"it of tpia'.itii'i that inspire coniji d<'ii«» and affectionate regard. Hi* i carriage is that of the soldier, vet hit [ • . tnpathies, like those of King Edward, jure with ponce and progress rather ; t!-iu with militant ambit io-s. Pbila>''loappie movements inteia-t him more t'an politics.