CHAPTER XXI

The coming of King Carol--Roumanians dislike the Germans and _hate_ the Hungarians--King Carol a reticent, self-contained, lonely man--His only public appearances--A ball for the _hoi polloi_--King Carol’s father his sole adviser--His desire to abdicate--Roumania owes much to the late King.

The circumstances attending King Carol’s coming to Roumania were undoubtedly of a romantic character. The leading Liberal statesman at the time of the deposition of Prince Cuza (the last native ruler of Roumania) was Jean Bratiano, whose son--similarly named--was Premier during the early part of the war. Bratiano had completed his education at the University of Bonn, and this circumstance, unimportant in itself, was fraught with great consequences for his country. The Liberal statesman, comparing German methods with those to which he had been accustomed in Roumania, fell under the Teutonic spell, and when a new ruler was required for his country it was toward the Hohenzollern family he turned his eyes. The choice ultimately fell upon Prince Carol, a scion of the Roman Catholic branch of that family.

As it was well known that Austria would object to any such arrangement, obvious difficulties lay in the way of conveying the prospective king through that country. Bratiano hit upon a somewhat theatrical plan. Inducing Prince Carol to enact the rôle of valet, he travelled with him from Vienna. There were no railways available in those days, and the whole journey to the Roumanian frontier was made by steamboat. At the last stopping-place on Austro-Hungarian soil passports were demanded, and the German valet, “Anton Küchner,” strangely forgot his name. There was consternation for a few minutes, and official suspicion was aroused that all was not as it should be, but Bratiano retained his presence of mind, and, making it appear that “Küchner” was a stupid country lad, gave the names himself. The danger was averted, and Roumania was reached in safety. The Prince met with a very good reception from his future subjects, whose respect he certainly commanded throughout his subsequent career. From his accession in 1866, he reigned for some time as “Prince of Roumania,” and it was not, indeed, until after the battle of Plevna, when the Roumanians succeeded in completely throwing off the yoke of the Turks, that he assumed the title of King. His crown was made of iron obtained from a cannon captured at Plevna.

How the country developed under the rule of the late King Carol is generally known. Methods of transport had hitherto been of an archaic character, but soon the country was intersected by an efficient railway system. This opened the way for industrial enterprise, and factories were established for the manufacture of furniture, glass, cloth, cheese, etc. These undertakings were chiefly conducted by Germans, and it is an open secret that the King had substantial interest in all or nearly all of them. The comment is frequently heard that the personal fortunes of King Carol became vastly improved after his accession to the throne.

The late King Carol, as has already been indicated, was very German in his ideas and tastes.

As a Latin race the sympathies of the Roumanians are naturally inclined to the French. French is the prevailing language in Roumania, or perhaps I had better say was, for, as I remark elsewhere, English is now gaining ground rapidly. French fashions are followed, French literature is the most widely read, and it is to Paris that the majority of young Roumanians are sent to finish their studies.

In no class of society does one find a feeling favourable to the Germans. Nothing in the German character appeals to the finer feelings of the Roumanians. German is spoken, after a fashion, but no interest is shown in the study of it, as is the case where French and English are concerned.

King Carol was a reticent, self-contained man. In all those long years spent in Roumania he was never known to have a personal friend. There was an aloofness about him which was one of his distinguishing characteristics, and he never seemed to unbend. I have been frequently told that when he accorded an audience he never sat down during the interview, even although it might last an hour. The visitor was therefore obliged to stand also. It was very seldom that the King was seen at any public gathering or entertainment--indeed, never save when his presence was absolutely necessary.

During the winter three public balls were given at the Court, besides more informal dances and soirées. The first ball of the season was given on New Year’s Day, and to it anyone could go. It was only necessary to write one’s name in the “Congratulations Book” provided at the entrance of the Palace, and an invitation was at once forwarded. These gatherings were most amusing, the wives of butchers and bakers wearing the most extravagant toilets. The crush was tremendous, and reached its culminating point when supper was announced. Then each one’s aim was to get downstairs as quickly as possible in order to get a good place at table. Elbows were freely used to force a passage; common courtesy was not even thought of. What the King’s thoughts were at such a sight it would be interesting to know, but they were never divulged. The Court of course had a table apart. The crush was so great that dancing was well-nigh impossible, and, as all the available seats in the ballroom were quickly occupied, it speedily became very tiresome for those who were obliged to stand.

An acquaintance of mine told me that as she was very tired on one of these occasions her husband asked a lackey to fetch a chair. To their astonishment he replied that it was impossible to do so, as the King had given strict orders that chairs were not to be moved from one room to another. It seems strange that a King should trouble himself with such details.

Although the King was a splendid horseman, he was rarely seen on horseback, except on the 10th of May, when the great review was held; then he always rode from the Métropole (Cathedral) surrounded by a brilliant suite, to the Boulevard, where the marchpast took place. As for walking, the King was never seen on foot, in the town at any rate. All such exercise was, I believe, taken in the park at Cotroceni, the residence of the Crown Prince and Princess, situated about two miles distant from the capital.

In truth the King lived a lonely life, only being seen by the public when some function required his presence. He was a born soldier, and brought the army up to its present state of efficiency. The government of Roumania was by no means an easy task, and so the King must have found, as has been seen by some letters of his to his father which were published a year or two ago. His father seems to have been his constant friend and adviser in all difficult moments, and that his advice was always good has been seen in the light of later events.

Several times King Carol thought of abdicating, but, his father strongly opposing such a step, he practised patience, and luckily for the country remained at the head of affairs till the last. Roumania owes much to King Carol--its progress, prosperity, and present position as an advanced and enlightened country.