THE DEAD KING.

Mataura Ensign, 19 March 1913, Page 4

THE DEAD KING.

One of the illustrious company a*, wmbled round tho bier of the late King Edward was his lato Majesty's brother-in-law, tho King of the Hellenes, who has fallen at tho hand of the assassin, in an appreciative article on the occasion of his visit 'I ho Daily Mail' srtatod: Few incidents appeal moro to the imagination than tno story of how the aged King of Denmark hi 18U3 summoned tho sailor Prince George to the ("hronc-rooin in Copenhagen, and motioning him to his side saluted him a« King of tho Hellenes and peer of reigning nionarchs. A few weeks later, this alien Prince, ignorant alike of the Greeks and their languages, set foot in his turbulent kingdom with a solitary companion, of whom tho jealousy of his subpocto promptly robbed him. _ Alone, unaided, watch <1 with suspicion, and ovwn with hostility, iving George was confronted with a task that to most men would have seemed hopeless. But youth and enthusiasm are not easily frighted, and behind the young Dan* was tho* instincts and tho traditions of a race of conquerors. "My strength lies in the love of my people," was the motto ho chose, and his lirst proclamation was an appeal to their ambition. "I will make Qreeo* a model for tho kingdoms of Eastern Buropo." No words could have been hotter chosen. They voiced tho burning sentiment ol a race but lately emancipated from Ottoman tyranny and in- ' spired with all tho passionate longing for the return of their ancient glory. * How King George has striven to re--1 deem that pledge of his youth is writ- * ten in the chronicles of nearly half a 1 century. The pages are sombre, it U truo, but they are occasionally brightl onod by records of personal heroism 1 and na/orilico.

This is not the occasion on which to dincuss the conflicts that have won for (Ireeco the name of the volcano among nations. Trisils i>nd tribulations were waiting for Kin;.: George at tho threshold of his sovereign career when he cut Iho knot of contention and framed a democratic Constitution, and they threaten to loll'.a him relentlessly to tho end. Kvcn nt this hour of personal wnrotv, when the grief of a beloved sister oommnnds his presence at th# grave-side of a brother, the King of the Hellenes cannot Ixi free nou junxiity lor iiis kingdom, over whidi have lately passed the waves of a revolution. Tnrofighout this crisis King (J-eorgo has manifested the courage ana wisdom that have always distinguished his attitude as ;t constitutional Soreroign.

Count each a . flirt ion, whether light or grave, (Jod's messenger sent down to thee; do thou With courtesy receive him: rise and bovf.

Tho King ot the Hellenes has risci and bowed and the shadows have passed over nearly half a century, leaving him unharmed aixl firm on his throne. Tho mail who has ridden safely s© many storms must have great qualities. Above all, he must have qualities that take hold on the imagination njyl the sympathy of the people. These qualities King George has in no common degree. His unrui'tjed serenity, his genial humor, the smile, and the warm hand-clasp are powerful solvents for popular discontent. It has been well said that the most contagious thing in Greece, except tho fever, is King George's good humor. A Sovereign cf Simple Life.

Tho modest- and simply life to uiiich he was accustomed in early days has never lose its attractions for the •Sovereign. '1 ourists who havo happened U|x>n him in a i-e.staurant in Athens, fcippii.g his coffee or watching a game ot diaughts, may iind it difficult to loaliso th" "divinity that doth hedge a Kir;*;." Hut tin* Hellenes"are under no l on that .score. They know ti' ir ' :-n as men know their intimate i fiends, a; "i salute liii.i with the (•reek equivalent "How <!o vou do, Kill).-:''

Kiiijf («eorge has retained also bin early lovo ot the sea—a Taste shared i'V his Quei n, •! v< iasi 11 of the late C Mr, who conteiTi (I o:? her Majesty tie unie.iio d'stinet.on of adn.iral of the Russian Navy. Like the late King of tl.o Ro!j.;i;u:>; lie is fond of traveiling unfettered by tlie trammels of state. His favorite resort is Aix-los-Bains, and his companion is a dog, without whieii he ictuses to enter a restaurant.

Iho King oi tlio Hellenes may lack the .i»u;;'iiiatson which make.* a politi- < i;;n ui Greece; Ik, may ( . ijn , more for irid!vi<!u il than {or tho citizen. h<» oure said—and the saying lias Lecorno a proverb—"The Greeks are not Danes." And he is still » llano with the characteristics of th« raoj*—-clearness of vision and simplicity and directness of method. To these attributes of their ;v>vereign the Greeks lriu.st ascribe their e if ape from many of tho oonsoqiicnccs of their own impulses and vioiemv. Ingratitude asserts that immunity v.'as tho gift of royal relatives. This influence no doubt was powerful, but it could never have been oxerted with any prospect of permanent success had jt not l»een moved and frnstninod by universal confidence in the capacity of King George. To this confr.lenco 3tid to this capacity the Greelm owo not nierelv their independence and their democratic Constitution, but their progress in material prosperity. For ," s pri-sonco gave stability and* credii to tho kingdom. When he came to the throne there was not a mile of railway in tho country; [ho Piraeus was almost a d<*ort; brigand.-, took toll unchecked, and tho people were oppressed withdirs poverty. King George s reign has witness«l tho end of most of these evils and tho mitigation of others.