The King of the Belgians.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 5952, 23 May 1894, Page 3

The King of the Belgians.

The mysterious movements of the King of the Belgians during the last day or two have caused more surprise in this country than in his own. For a lame monarch, the activity of LeoDold II is unparalleled. He has been known to bathe in the morning at Ostend, sign despatches in Brussels at noon, and be shooting in the Ardennes before nightfall. His arrangements are frequently made without premeditation. He is an enthusiast in railway matters, hates horse riding, is never seen in his own capital except in a closed English brougham, and would appear to have now added a tricycle to his means of locomotion. It may be interesting in this connection to state that, under the Belgian Constitution, the King's valet is responsible to Parliament for the safety of the Royal person. At night, therefore, when the Belgian monarch has retired to his salle a coucher, the valet turns the key of the door upon him, and locks himself in the ante-chamber, where he himself sleeps, by turning the key also of the outer door. If, therefore, a miscreant had any designs upon the person of the King, he would first of all have to force the door of the ante-chamber, overcome the armed resistance of the valet, and then unlock the door of the lloyal chamber. Treachery on the part of the King's bodyguard is punishable with death.