A ROYAL LINGUIST.
I have laid stress over and over again, (writes "T.P." in "M.A.P.") on the factj that the King's extraordinary success ta a diplomatist is due largely to his perfect mastery of several Continental tongues. I heard a very remarkable little story recently which confirms this theory, and' which I do not think I am coimnitting an indiscretion in repeating. At one of the private dinners in Palis there were a couple of toasts. Th«- Press was not admitted, but nevertheless the toasts were given, and there was an opportunity for the King of England and for the President of the French Republic to exchange greetings of cordiality between themselves " and their j countries.' Now this is the ourioua thing ! that happened./ M. Loubet caaw to the dinner with his little speech written out, and read it. The King of England got up| immediately after, and delivered without a note an admiraibl© little speech in French. Everybody was surprised, and saw in the spectacle a curious sign of the times 2 ' when the native ruler spoke in Me own tonguej with elaborate preparation, and the English sovereign spoke in the tongue of the Frenchman impromptu. It was one of the little incidents which made the most, profound impression in official circles.
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Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Issue 7701, 8 July 1903, Page 2
Word Count
213A ROYAL LINGUIST. Star (Christchurch), Issue 7701, 8 July 1903, Page 2
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