An Intimate Glimpse of the Court Life of Italy.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 13, 27 March 1912, Page 2

An Intimate Glimpse of the Court Life of Italy.

The heroic act of Queen Helena in throwing herself between the King of Italy and the assassin’s bullets the other dag when an unsuccessful attempt lias mads bn the Royal life, is just one more instance of the nobility of a very fine character, and her demotion, to her husband. They arc both singularly popular among their people, a fact which was evidenced by the remarkable public demonstration of t satisfaction at their escape from assassination.

y VTNG VICTOR fell in love with his wife when he first saw her at a play in a theatre in Venice. On I that occasion Princess Helen of Montenegro and her sisters were seated in a box almost facing that into whieh the Crown Prince of Italy strolled by accident. He was but passing through the romantic city on- his way to Germany, where rumours of a possible alliance preceded him; but he got the coup de foudre so violently that he cancelled the arrangements for his further journey, and next morning went straight back to Rome. In one wakeful night he had discovered that, an alliance with the ancient House, of Montenegro would- be metre

desirable for Italy than one with any mediatised German family. There could be no doubt that it would also be more popular with Italians. Prince Victor hastened to expound his new political views to his parents, pointing out that two of Prince Nicola’S daughters were Grand-Duchesses of Russia, and that a connection with the family of the Tsar could have the best results for independent Italy. Queen Margaret did not quite follow this reasoning at first, but King Humbert was much impressed by his son’s clever exposition of international policy, and his new found interest in weighty matters of State. He agreed to lay the question before his Ministers, and a.

Cabinet Council was summoned to consider and pronounce upon it. The Prince’s views found favour; and, owing to his insistence, it was decided at onco to approach the Tsar. Pending the reply from Russia, rumours of a contemplated marriage between the most beautiful of Ih-inee Nicola’s beautiful daughters and a young Austrian Archduke came to disturb Prince Victor. He wrote by special courier to the Sovereign of Montenegro, proposing to pay hint a visit, ami was assured of a hearty welcome. On reaching Cettinje, however, he found the bird had flown. Prince Nicola, in constant deference and fealty to his great northern brother, ha t sent Princess Helen to Russia, wh ther he advised Prinee Victor to follow her; and it was at Great Winter Palaeo that the first >• e .ing between ttyg. young couple took place. It was on this ocea-

sion the heir of Italy made his solei breach of etiquette in whieh he was so carefully trained by his royal mother. Namely, after kissing the hand of the Empress Alexandra, who received him, surrounded by the ladies of the Court, he turned without waiting for the usual order of presentation, and made a profound bow to the Montenegrin Princess, who stood a little in the background. This made the object of his arrival plain enough, and the Empress smiled indulgently on the young pair. Their courtfillip was brief, and Beauty was soon installed in the eastle of the Prince Charming-. I*. is in She lovely palace of Raccouigi,

one of the most enchanting sites caressed by the river Po, with snow-capped Monte Vise on one side and a stretch of undulating hills on the other, that the royal family of Italy pass the summer months. Miles of even wall encircle the sumptuous park, which holds secluded in its centre a spacious, stately residence. Here Queen Helena, is happiest, in the company of her children and a few chosen friends. She is by inclination and training averse to the ceremonious observances and' Court display whicW her predecessor consid 1 indispensable adjuncts to royal dignity. In spite of, or, perhaps, because of, her great personal beauty, Queen Helena is somewhat indifferent to modes and styles, and she aroused a perfect storm of censure some years ago for appearing at a race meeting in the same costume she had worn the previous year. Simple fashions suit her, and she looks well in almost every colour; but her preference is for green, certain shades of which harmonise marvellously with the dark wells of her eyes and the sombre masses of her luxuriant hair. Queen Helena is a lover of the arts, two of whieh she cultivates unostentatiously. Besides her taste for poetry and painting, she is also interested in architecture, and the graceful pillars of the “Belvedere” that overlooks Cettinje are of her designing. During her schooldays in Petersburg her talent for painting was eapefully developed, and she still executes I and-capes in pastel. The fame

Ous Naples artist, Kasevero, was tier master in technical drawing, and he encouraged tier to undertake portraiture blso. The sketches of her children are particularly good and delight the King, for whom they are often a Christmas or birthday present. Several attempts have been made to induce the Queen to lend her work to public exhibitions, but she has hitherto refused to entertain the idea.

She is less exclusive with regard to her verses. Most of these appear from time to time in Russian literary magazines. Horror of the spectre of war, with which isbe was too familiar in childhood, has inspired her finest allegorical poems. 3?his daughter of a race of heroes has (shown, nevertheless, on manifold occasions that she possesses her father’s fearlessness and self-reliance. Her devoted help to the sufferers of the earthquake disaster in Messina is still fresh in everybody’s mind, but many traits of courage and presence of mind remain to be told by her intimates.

The Queen is an excellent shot, having often accompanied her father and brothers to the chase in Montenegro. She delights in going on hunting expe-

di t ions with her husband, and supports the fatigues and privations of a day in the woods better than many male members of the suite. She has aleo more resourcefulness, as was proved in a memorable trip through the forest of Parziano, when the party got 'wet some miles from the nearest place of shelter. At the Queen’s initiative they set about kindling a fire of bracken, and soon had a comforting blaze, around Vhich they all gathered. But one of the Company approached too near, and his flothes became suddenly a mass of flames. Queen Helena was the first to rush to his aid, and extinguished the fire by enveloping the incautious victim in the folds of her wrap. In doing so she got some severe burns on her hands. By nobody are the Queen’s' sterling Qualities more appreciated than by her husband. Iler fresh, undaunted spirit, and her sound judgment reinvigorate him after those moments of lassitude inevitable from the dreary round of presiding over business of State.

King Victor suffers from the restrict (M role assigned to him in the guidance of Italian politics. He is well versed and deeply interested in all questions of the day without- power to voice his opinions or trv to influence the trend of legislation. King Victor was carefully taught and trained. He often expressed his obligationa to the stern mentor of his youthful dava. but nc vert het ss he does not follow the same severe discipline in dealing with bis own son. Gpn •r*l Oseia. his first tutor. was ao re

lentlesa towards the slightest infraction of obedience that the Prince constantly trembled in his presence. “The cobbler who neglects to learn liis trade is'a donkey,” said the General, “and a Prince is no better.” Prince Victor’s teachers were warned not to lift a book or pencil that had fallen on the floor during the leeson, nor to serve their pupil in any way, but rather to let themselves be served by him. According to Dr. Luigi Moranda, his Professor of Literature, they stood as much in awe of Ossia as the Prince himself. Many were of opinion that the Draconian system to which he was subjected was put of place when. dealing with such a highly-strung temperament. “I did not grudge the bodily hardships,” said the Prince once, “such as being roused to ride on a chill, misty morning when I already suffered from a heavy cold; but the public blame and the long hours of enforced inaction inflicted as penance for some slight negligence in the fulfilment of my tasks — these weighed heavily on my heart.” Prince Victor was extremely sensitive. When his Latin exercises were tom up, and he was ordered to re-write them, he first put the shreds carefully away, lest his disgrace should become known to the servants. He was also ambitious and resented his mother's successful rivalry in the studies they undertook together. Queen Margaret began to learn Latin at the same time as her son, and

made rapid progress; but, as lie took care to point out, she was not obliged to work at mathematics, and this explained why she made more headway. Only when she acknowledged that it was unfair;to judge them from the same standpoint was the boy satisfied. King Victor is not poor, as kings go, but his expenses surpass in proportion to his income those of any other Sovereign. When the small Italian States were incorporated with Modern Italy, the Government took over the various royal residences and made a present of them to the ruler of United Italy. They are a weighty burden on his purse, while being praetieallw useless. He cannot possibly inhabit them all—they are wr twenty in number—and he is obliged to maintain them in proper condition. Moreover, the present King has not yet paid off the debts of his grandfather, Victor Emmanuel I. His private fortune amounts to no more than £BOO,OOO, and his Civil List is <-£660,000. Both he and the Queen are frugal and anxious to keep their expenditure within lawful bounds. Their economy, however, never takes a selfish form, as can be seen by the following:—■ King Viktor declines <to djsntisu a eingle one of the two hundred men employed, more 1»V tradition than necessity. on his Alpine preserves, whereas he forebore to compete with Mr. Pierpont Morgan for the Strozzl collection of gold coin* he had long coveted. The Sovereign of Italy, who is so keen, a niunismat, coiiM not afford £9OO to

gratify his hobby! Luckily, a Sicilian gentleman, 'Baron Pennisi, outbid the American financier and kept the treasure at home. The King intends to leave his “corpus nummorum italicoruin” to the Italian nation. The extent of this famous collection may be judged by the fact that it contains specimens of no fewer than 250 mints, all of which worked until the eighth century. Among the most treasured are 3500 coins of the House of Savoy. Queen Helena hoc furnished a good number of old Shiv coins to her husband's collection and has worked with him on the catalogues, for the greater exactitude of which the assistance of all private and public collectors is invited.

The Queen of Italy, who threw herself In front of the King to save him from the assas. slu’s bullet.