EMBARRASSED BY ROYALTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2103, 14 June 1894, Page 42

EMBARRASSED BY ROYALTY.

It is curioue how all sorts and conditions of people become preturbed or wholly lose their presence of mind under the unusual ordeal of personal contaot with • royalty. Unlike good Qaeen Bess, who thought nothing not only of rating but of boxing the ears of those who displeased her, our modern •' royalties " are exceedingly gentle and courteous to all whom they meet, whether in private or public life ; but, all the same, there is something in the idea of regal power which affects most people, and a book could almost be written on the mistakes and blunders, diverting or almost pathetic, perpetrated by persons who, by the accident of their position, have been required to act — 41 for this occasion only " — the unfamiliar part of courtiers.

Bishops called upon to read a short prayer at a royal " function " have been so nervous tbat they could with difficulty articulate, and a living prelate has confessed that he would not rely on his memory for three sentences under such conditions.

Similarly, provincial mayors, to whose distinguished lot it occasionally falls to receive 11 royalty," sometimes go through nearly indescribable an,d nervous tortures for days in advance, and when the crucial moment at last arrives, it may be only the prospective knighthood that enables them to get through with any command over themselves at all. In some cases the influence of wives and daughters is very effective in assisting men to keep their heads. A man is easily upset on such occasions, bat a woman seldom. With the quick instinct of the sex, she sees the chance of social distinction, and very rarely is her courage unequal to it.

Some years ago her Majesty the Queen visited a provincial town for the purpose of inaugurating some public work. The mayor was a very respectable man, but at all times nervous and fussy. As a person of some wealth he had every reason to expect that the royal visit /would be followed by some mark of personal distinction for himself ; and his wife, an ambition woman, made up her mind that the thing should be " done " in a manner that would reflect credit upon them. She threw herself with great enthusiasm into the arrangements, and if she had had her way, each cne of her daughters would have presented a bouquet, and each of her eons would have been commended to the special consideration of her Majesty. But as the day approached the husband became more and more apprehensive, and finally, overcome with nervous despair, decided to " run away " from the honours of the occasion. The mayoress, however, was .equal to the occasion. She upbraided him for his cowardice, tore up the letter in which he had begun to formulate his plea of "indispqsition," and almost dragged him to the scene of duty. This conjugal violence acted as a tonic, and the knighthood was fairly earned. On another occasion a member of the Royal Family was visiting a provincial city, and it fell to the mayor, as usual, to welcome the illustrious guest. Though engaged in commerce, he was a man with considerable literary pretensions, and he made up his mind tbat he would distinguish himself on this ccoasion by delivering an ornate and elegant oration. All went well until the moment arrived for him to begin his speech, and then an unfortunate slip proved hia ruin. Intending to start with the usual words, " Your Royal Highness," he inadvertently said " My Royal Highness," and then bit his lips with vexation. A smile went round ths assembled company, the unhappy mayor saw it, and then his contusion was complete. Instead of the graceful address which had been so carefully prepared, the company listened to an inelegant jumble of words and ideas, and the mayor's discomposure during the remainder of the proceedings was distressing to witness.

A particularly diverting incident occurred on one occasion at the opening of a public institution. Holding a conspicuous official position was a doctor of high abilities and most estimable character. He was, however, a very nervous and awkward man, and as bis position demanded that he should take a leading part in the proceedings, some apprehension as to the result was entertained by thof c who knew him.

As it happened, their worst fears were realised. He had got hold of the idea that the proper thing to do was to walk backwards ia advance of the royal gaest, like a Lord Chamberlain, and he is still chaffed for having on that fatal occasion up«et two chairs and fallen over a third. Reference has already been made to the nervousness of such imposing dignitaries as prelates of the Church. In this connection it may be mentioned tbat a particularly trying ordeal for an ecclesiastic is to have to preach before the Court for the first time. Some really eminent men have appeared so

nervously distressed on such occasions that, out of consideration for them, no second invitation has ever been given. Of course, there are incidents on record of quite another kind. When a young member of the Royal Family is coming out into public life, the nervousness is often as much on the side of the illustrious guest as on the part of those who have to pay court. But in process of time •'royalty" bcoomes thoroughly familiar with the whole range of ceremonial duty, and know how to deal in the happiest and easiest possible way with those whom it encounters at such times.

Occasionally it is necessary to administer a well-deserved snub, and there is at least one member of the Royal Family who can do this sort of thing in a very ready and incisive way. Once, at a public function, " royalty " asked that a certain person present shonld be presented, and the suggestion was immediately complied with. The individual singled out for this distinction, who held strong political opinions, was rude enough to observe :

" I hope your Royal Highness understands that I did not seek this honour 1 "

Whereupon the royal visitor promptly retorted :

" No, Mr ; the obligation is entirely on my side," and turned upon his heel.