Queen Louise, the mother of Emperor William I, was once told that her sons ate their fruit with too much haste. The Queen at once gave the order that every piece of fruit for the Princes’ breakfast-table should be wrapped in thirty pieces of paper. The unwrapping proved a sure remedy against their eating too fast. Emperor William I often recalled this rule saying jokingly:
“From my youth up, nothing was ever made easy for me. Even to get a rosy-cheeked apple was considerable work.”
Too Hungry for Speeches
Frederick William IV, later Emperor William I, never liked to listen to long speeches when he was received into a city. One day, after having traveled for many hours in a post-chaise, he reached the gates of a small town about noon, tired and hungry. Here the King was received by the officials, and the burgomaster began a long-winded speech with:
“Most high and most gracious King! When Hannibal stood before the gates of Carthage——”
“He was probably as hungry as I am. Come, my dear burgomaster, get into my carriage and be my guest.”
Too Much for Him
On a certain occasion when Frederick William IV had reached a small town, the burgomaster began his speech:
“Five thousand citizens——” (here he stopped). “Five thousand citizens——” (he began again). “Five thousand citizens——” (No, he couldn’t do it.)