KING MANUEL II.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 140, 15 June 1908, Page 3

KING MANUEL 11.

PORTUGAL'S YOUTHFUL ■ .* . MONARCH. INTERESTING PERSONAL ■' SKETCH. ; "There's no doubt that the task the j young monarch has before him is full j of difficulties," wrote A. M. Oram in the Daily Mail recently, in the course of an interesting personal .sketch of ; the young King of Portugal., His observation gains force in the light or the "stormy scenes" which the cables recently told us had taken place in the Portuguese Parliament, consequent upon the discovery that the Queen Dowager owed the State £200,000; and further of the plot to assassinate the" King and members of the Royal family,/as described m today's cables. '-..'." If young King Manuel continues as he has begun,' nowever, the stability of the Portuguese monarchy should be assured for some time to come, wrote Mr'Orami The article continued: —It is an undoubted fact that the unskilful policy and retrograde measures j taken during che Dictatorship had i aroused widespread irritation and produced a considerable increase in Republican ideas in the most cultivated centres of his country, especially Lisbon and Oporto. On the other hand, however, the extreme youth of the new King, the terrible misfortune which has fallen on him, the excellent intentions manifested by him since the very first days of his reign, have attracted towards him the good will and spmpathies of his people, without exception of class or opinion. The results of the recent elections tend to prove that the present liberal and tolerant monarchy has regained the strength and prestige it had unfortunately lost during the last reign through the errors and imprudence of, many successive Ministries. A TASK FULL OF DIFFICULTIES. There is no doubt that the_ task the young monarch has before him is full of difficulties. He has no group of new statesmen to' substitute for the old; but good sense, patriotism, and a constant study of public affairs, allied to a well-balanced and. cultivated mind, should stand him in good stead and carry him through the difficulties of a reign at present full of complications and grave historical responsibilities. King Manuel possesses these qualities. His cultivated mind he owes to the great care and attention bestowed by King Carlos and Queen Amelie on the education of their sons. ORLEANS AND SAVOY BLOOD. Dom Manuel, the present King, on the contrary, <shows the blood of the Houses of Orleans and Savoy. His boyish features bear the. unmistakable stamp of the two old families to which belong the historic personalities of Louis Phillippe, King of France, and Victor Emmanuel, the creator of Italia TJnita. These two famous men were the great-grandfathers of the present King of Portugal, and in the features of the youthful Sovereign can plainly be distinguished the eyes and brow of his mother, a Princess of Orleans, and th curving lips, square jaw, and determined chin of the House of Savoy. It is natural that the characteristics of these two races should exist in their descendant: the keen and cultivated spirit, the diplomatic tactfulness and affability of Louis Phillippe, with the liberal ideas and almost heroic strength of will of II Re Galantuomo, whom Italy still reveres. Dom Manuel is a bright, good-look-ing lad, his graceful manners and brilliance of repartee making him a great acquisition to the rather dull Court life. He is intelligent and studious, much devoted to those he considers his loyal friends; and his innate amiability of character endears him to all. These qualities have been improved by a methodical and strict education. As Infante, up to thei day on which he inherited the throne in Portugal, he daily began his studies at 6 a.m., continuing them until 7 p.m., and only interrupting them for meals and a short walk or ride. He is principally interested in literature and history. At the age of. thirteen he wrote a diary of his voyage with the Queen to the Mediterranean, full of picturesque details, showing a quick and observant mind. Latterly he was collecting notes and documents to enable him to write a history of the palace of Villa Vicosa and the House of Braganza. LOVE OF THE ARTS. He is also enthusiastic on all matters concerning art. Like his grandfather Louis the First of Portugal, he adores music, and is himself an excellent musician, playing the piano with remarkable execution and feeling. From his great-grandfather King Ferdinand 11., called the Artist King, he inherits his love for works of art, especially sculpture and painting. In spite of this he does not despise scientific pursuits. Latterly he was ivorking with' great enthusiasm in

order to enter, as a simple midshipman, the naval college, and, when at Villa Vicosa, he begged his mother to allow him to return sooner to Lisbon that he might continue his mathematics, not to be behindhand with his future schoolfellows and comrades. This request; was made on the occasion of the visit to Villa Vicosa of the Duke of the Abruzzi, and the Infante remarked to the Queen that when he became a naval officer he would like j>oople to say of him what is said of the Duke and his services to science. These studious tendencies were always greatly encouraged by his mother, the Queen, . whose words to him. when a little boy he has never forgotten: "My son, it does not suffice to be an Infante of Portugal-; that, in itself, is worth nothing. Work and study, that you may require a per,sonal value, and thus win the respect 'of all and be useful to your country." The young King is skilled in all sports, but has no special liking for any. Last summer, during an" informal fete at the Pena Castle, in Cintra, a gay group from the palace, among which were his brother arid other companions of his own age, came upon the Infante Dom Manuel reading a scientific work in a shady corner !of the park. In answer to the laiighing remarks of his extremely studious mood he replied: "You see, I do not want people- to say of me what is generally said of the second sons, of reigning houses/ PRESENCE OF MIND AND COURAGE. Although of a nervous temperament, he has great- presence of mind and courage when occasion demands them. Two or three years ago his brother, the late Crown Prince, while at the riding school, was violently thrown from his horse and stunned by the fall. i Dom Manuel leapt upon the horse and 1 galloped off to the palace, where, his 1 parents being absent, he gave rapid and sensible orders. Then he awaited ~the Queen, who was expected from her afternoon drive, and broke to her the news of the accident with great care so that she should not be alarmed. During the recent terrible events I which placed him on the throne, he j also showed astonishing serenity and j courage, throughout endeavouring to ! give support to his mother, whom he ! adores. ■ The horror, however, of the tragedy and the consciousness of the deep jresponsibilities that have fallen on him to unexpectedly appear to have utterly transformed his boyish nature. '•■ Those who are in contact with him say i that the King has aged ten years in appearance and &n. . mind since Ist

February, and that he gives the impression that it is no longer a boy who is speaking, but a man. His dignified manner, his words, showing careful thought, his grave, pre-occupied expression denotes a deep anxiety to - meet successfully the serious difficulties of the position which has fallen to him. Every day he orders all the daily newspapers of every colour to be brought to him, and, shutting himself in his study, he pores over them for hours in the endeavours —as he himself explains—to judge of the situation of the country he governs and to find out the wishes of his people. Only a few days ago someone at the palace, noting the fatigue which is only too visible in the young King, due" to excess of "''work and continual audiences and Ministerial conferences, gently remonstrated with his Majesty, urging him to' entrust some of the matters of secondary interest to others. Thus he suggested that perusal of the newspapers might be avoided by a daily report. The young monarch answered quietly: "No; while I have life and strength left me to do so I will read them myself. One of my chief duties as King is to; have perfect knowledge of the condition of public opinion in all. matters day by day, and that I can only obtain directly from the newspapers." ;