Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1913 — BANDIED JOKES WITH KINGS [ARTICLE]

BANDIED JOKES WITH KINGS

Witty Sallies Which Royalty Haa Invoked, Sometimes Very Much at Their Own Expense. Thomas Carlyle observed that “kings are ill to joke wri’,” but there have nevertheless been plenty of jokers so audacious as to “josh” royalty with impunity. Indeed, there have been rulers with a well developed sense of humor, such as Charles 11., capable of enjoying a sally at their expense. - It is related that one day when Charles was inspecting a warship at Chatham he asked Killigrew: “Don’t you think that I should have made a. good shipwright?” Charles was proud ture, and, no doubt, by this query sought a compliment. But Killigrew, who was nothing of a courtier, replied instead: “I have always thought that your majesty would do better at any trade than your own.” A lively example of French retort to royalty is afforded by the story of Marshal Bassompierre and Louis isill. The marshal had given his majesty an account of his embassy to Spain, setting forth the manner in which he had entered the Spanish capital mounted on a mule. “An ass seated on a mule!" exclaimed Louis, with a laugh. “Yes, sir,” replied the marshal, “and the joke of It was I represented you!” Good old Queen Bess, it appears, had a pretty wit, which she was by no means loath to exercise upon her subjects. In one verbal duel, at least, Elizabeth got the worst of it. Observing in the gardens a courtier to whom she had promised promotion that had not materialized, her majesty thrust her head out of the window and called to him: “What does a man think of, Sir Edward, when he thinks of nothing?” "Of a woman’s promise, your majesty!” was the response. Among the neatest retortß to royalty whereof we have record was that alleged to have been made to the Prince of Wales, afterward King William IV., by the secretary of the admiralty. William had been bantering the secretary for some time at table. “When I am king,” said he, “you shall not be secretary to the admiralty. WTiat do you say to that?” “God save the king!” rejoined the witty secretary.