THE KING'S RURAL HOME.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12766, 7 February 1910, Page 4

THE KING'S RURAL HOME.

"The King as a Country Gent.eman " is the title of an illustrated article in the "Country Home for December. The King (wo learn), clad in a knickerbocker suit and stout boots, which is his usual mode of morning attire at Sandringham. and smoking a big cigar, moves about from point. to. point on one or other of his two favourite ponies. Of other exercises he nowadays takes little. Croquet is practically the only outdoor game in which he actively participates, but hei is still very fond of bowls, nd at Sandringham possesses what s without doubt the finest bowling alley in the kingdom. His Majesty's daily life in Norfolk is simplicity itself. Breakfasting early as a rule in his own room, and long before his guests, he occupies himself with his correspondence and in business concerning, his estate, in interviewing the responsible retainers and discussing every dgtail of management with them. Then with the morning well advanced ha joins his guests in whatever enterprise is afoot. Luncheon is generally served in his own private, apartments, but tea, which is quite a substantial affair at Sandringham, and of course, dinner — not 'by .any means an overelaborate meal— the King takes with his guests. Sunday at Sandringham is a day widely differing from the rest ; instead of the busy hum of activity, a quiet peacefulness reigns, a delightful calm steals over the estate. Religious worship is a great feature of the Sabbath at "The House." The ladies of the house party generally drive down to Sandringham's beautifully decorated church of St. Mary Magdalene, but the King, after a quiet smoke, walks over with the men of the party. It is a beautiful sight this, the King, as squire, worshipping among his own retainers ; typical, too, of many a village church on this the ideal day of an English country gentleman. In the evening, too, many of the party usually drive to St. Peter and St. Paul; West Norton, or to St. Margaret's, King's Lynn.