Remembrance and Resemblance.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VII, 17 August 1901, Page 318

Remembrance and Resemblance.

Living near a monarch does not necessarily make a man a courtier, as we may see by a story which the London “Chronicle” prints of King Edward YU. Every Christmas for a number of years His Majesty has given to an old tenant on his Sandringham estate a pair of boots.

The old man's feet are just the size of those of the King, who always tries on the boots before presenting them. This adds, of course, to the old man’s ■pride in his gift.

On one occasion some months after the regular gift had been made, the Prince of Wales, as he then was, met the tenant, and noticing that his boots showed palpable signs of wear and neglect, advised him to polish

them. “Ah,” replied the old man, “I never look at those boots, dirty and worn as they are, without being reminded of Your Royal Highness!” In relating this incident at home—for a prince tells his family funny things as readily as the plainest citizen—'His Royal Highness said: “A well-meant compliment, I dare say, but a very doubtful one!”