The King of Siam, who has just been visiting Europe to attend the
Jubilee celebrations, appears to be a clever and progressive monarch.
He has been visiting Rome, and has of course been taken to see the
wonderful art treasures that this very ancient city contains. His guides
were much impressed by the correct taste the King displayed in matters
of art. They declare that no artist could have made better comments on
the various pictures and statues shown him than this King of Siam, to
whom examples of Greek art were new.
The history of Italy and the deeds of its great men were also familiar
to this far-away King. In passing through one of the galleries he saw
the statues of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy and of Garibaldi, the two
men who had worked so bravely for the liberty of Italy.
The King of Siam stopped before these statues, uncovered his head, and
paid silent homage to the noble deeds of these two great heroes. His
suite followed his example, all the gentlemen in his train bowing with
uncovered heads and passing silently on.
The King also appears to have a keen sense of humor.
He was invited by one of the scientific societies of Rome to attend a
lecture on some very deep subject, in which he was not at all
interested.
He did not want to attend, but confided to King Humbert that he feared
the professors would call him a barbarian if he stayed away. So to the
lecture he went.
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