STORIES OF KING EDWARD.

Mataura Ensign, 26 December 1913, Page 5

STORIES OF KING EDWARD.

OFFICIOUS OLUB OFFICIAL. In an age of memoirs the recollections of a man who has really been on intimate terms with princes and potentates are doubly welcome. Sueih. a volume is "My Memories/' by Lord Suffield (published by Herbert Jenkins, Ltd.). Lord Suffield was a Lord-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria aud the constant companion for 40 years of the late King Edward VII. Of the late King Lord Suffield writes: "He never forgot a friend nor refused any courtesy it was in his power to grant. . . . For all his bonhomie, however, the Prince (King Edward) would riot tolerate the slightest impertinence. I remember his leaving White's Club over something of tie sort. His Royal Highness happened to light a cigar or cigarette in a room which people did not usually smoke in. Some officious official came up and said so, and the Prince replied quite pleasantly that he was just going. The official retorted rather rudely that the club rules must be adhered to, no matter who t?ho member was, and the Prince without another word left the club and withdrew • name next day. The Marlborough Club owes its existence to that little lapse, or lack of tact, on the part of one of White's people." A good story is told of Lord Mark Kerr, who as he grew older beca&e very .forgetful: "It was a year or so before [King Edward died. They met in the street one day and stood chatting together for a few minutes. The King bad said good-bye and was moving away when Kerr stopped him and said, 'Excuse me, sir, but would you mind telling me your name? I know your face very well, but I cannot recollect who you are!' "