Royal Nicknames.
Tbe Berliners and the Germaus in general del ; ght in giving nicknames to their popular idols or antipathies. These nicknames are not alwajs flattering to their ownerp, and there have been Hfhetzollerns less fortunate than tha Emperor William, who is not afraid to ask for his popular sobriquet. He proved this at a regimental dinner at which .the Duke of Connaugbb and Prince Henry were present. In the course of conversation ihe Kaiser said :
" They call me the • Travelling Kaiser,' don't they ?- I wonder if that's the only nickname I've got?"
Prince Henry laughed, and Major Yon Ples- ~ eon, unablo to control himself, joined hitm •'What is it?" asked the Emperor. "Do you know of any other nicknanfe ? If bo, out with it "
The major mumbled something abont his respect, but the Emperor said :
" Will, if you don't want to do it to please me, I command yon to speak ! "
The major then confessed that the Emperor was knowa among the common soldiers as •'Alarm Fri'.z," on account of his habit of suddenly, in the middle el the night, rousing the garrisons of the town in which he might; be staying. The Emperor laughed heart'ly at this, and Prince Henry remarked to his brother :
" Well, you have a similar name in the uavy. The boys call you • Gondola B>lly,' for 'gondgling' about, as they, call it, on your ships constantly during the summer, and being anywhere and everywhere on the boats."
" Well," said the Emperor, " those are three fine nicknames ; but inaimuch as all of them paint me as a busy man, I rather like them."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18971209.2.190.8
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2284, 9 December 1897, Page 53
Word Count
268Royal Nicknames. Otago Witness, Issue 2284, 9 December 1897, Page 53
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