ABOUT KING EDWARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 112, 2 May 1908, Page 4

ABOUT KING EDWARD

It may interest those who still have a sneaking fondues for the old-fashioned closed windows of niid-Victoriiiu life, to learn that our Sovereign, especially when 011 a holiday, may be said to lake an open-air cure in the Very strictest sense of the word. During his holidays at liiarril/. his Majesty makes it 1111 invariable rule 011 line mornings to breakfast out-of-doors, in a tent pifche I close to the. windows of hi- apartments; and it is there, when his breakfast is linished, that his (secretary brings liiiu his formidable mass of correspondence. Once the more important of the Royal lette's have bneii deall with, and flu* telegraphic news of (lie night perused, the King goes out, generally attended by one genlleimni-in-waitiiig, for a. walk. The bright, cheerful streets of Biarritz are delightful to so keen a student of human nature li,< is our Sovereign. It may also be hinted that I'.asque politeness is equal lo the strain put. upon i!, ami his Majesty runs no fear of being mobbed wti'lc he goes ill and out of 111'-pi-.-ity little simps, buying toys and the products of local industries, many of which are despiitehed. oil the moment to. friend- anil relations in England. During the King's holidays, he V"inaiiis in constant touch with his grandchildren, and especially with I'rince Edward of Wales. Scarce a day goes by but llie King gives some sign of bis thoughtful elevation lo his grandson; and to each of his nine grandchildren.-; for King Edward is particularly fond of little Prince Olaf—his Majesty despatches quaint -and original postcards, to be added in due course to the wonderful collection already possessed by the lioval children. The King also patronises the local tlower-sellcrs, and often a splendid bouquet is sent with his compliments to the hostess who has entoitained him, or who is about to entertain liini, at luncheon or dinner. The King makes use of a suite consist in" of fourteen apartments, and it is interesting lo aote that, the beautiful furniture in the lted-chaniber and sit-tin»-room was on '' ( ' ' n tlie V '" 11 , f-eiiie, being that specially made to the order of Napoleon' 111, llis Majesty pi" fcrs that everything about him should he plain and serviceable, rather than showv and meretricious in design, and he has always shown-a liking for the (in,, solid furniture which was made during the period of the First Empire when Napoleon was bent 011 the con(inest of Egypt, and which was. out ol compliment io the great, conqueror,_ generally ornamented with bronze si»l» nx ' s and other Egyptian emblems. -M.A.I.