KING WILLIAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 987, 29 October 1870, Page 9

KING WILLIAM.

The correspondent of the London Scotsman writes from Marange, a village between Metz and St. Avoid, on August 12th, as follows :—: —

For two hours or more this morning King William stood in the market place of St. Avoid. By his side was Yon Moltke — gaunt, thin, shaggy, wiry. Clese behind stood Bismarck, seemingly as ready to fight as to make a fool of Benedetti in diplomacy. A few general officers stood around, but there was no semblance of a staff, nor anything like a yuard or escort The Father of his People is a homely man. Interspersed among the generals were the gamins of St. Avoid, staring up with eyes of wonder at "le Roi Prussien." A privaie soldier, in his shirt-sleeves, carrying a loaf in his hand, all but floured hi» Majesty's elbow, and others stood around, forming a close circle behind the generals. But. if King William was homely in his immediate surroundings, those who stood by him were spectators with him of a sight that well might make his cheek flush with pride and emo'ion. For during the two hours that the King stood on this market-place there ceased not to stream past him the a?my of which he is the chief. Now it was a regiment of white-coated, steelbreasted cuirassiers that came on stately, the ground shaking under the tramp of the great horses as the air vibrated to the sound of the mighty cheer from the deep-chestt d men. Then a regiment of infantry, three battalions strong, each, with its band playing at its head, the men marching eight abreast. The cheering of the passing troops was always hearty, but it rose to a shout of proud joy as the 40th, Bfch, and the 39th came by, with ranks already thinned by the desperate storm of Spicheren, and when the King with a wave of his hand saluted them. With all the field-officers the King shook hands and exchanged a few words, but he seemed best pleased to look into the enthusiastic faces of the men— his " kinder"— as they passed. King as he is, ha is none the less the soldier. It amused me greatly tohear him reprove a man for being out of step, and another for having his zundnadel on the wrong shoulder. No one to see him would imagine that the upright form and square shoulders carried the load of seventy-three winters. This old age is frosty truly, for his hair and whiskers are white as snow ; but that it is kindly also is evinced by the brightness of the eye and the warm glow on the yet unwithered cheek.

The formation of an artillery company baa been, mooted at the Thames, and the Provincial Government is to be asked for assistance ia the matter.