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.) “Please greet your five thousand citizens for me,” the King interrupted him now, “but each one separately!” and drove on. Through Thick and Thin King Frederick William IV was always a most gay and amiable host. Once at a ball he stood in the ball-room talking to a very tall and very slender gentleman. Suddenly, an officer of the hussars, in the whirl of the dance, chased with his partner right between the two. The officer frightened to death, stops at once and excuses himself. “Never mind,” said the King, laughing; “don’t excuse yourself; a hussar must necessarily go through _thick_ and _thin_.” He Helped the Donkey One day, while Frederick William IV was taking a walk at an early morning hour, he noticed from a distance, a woman, who was beating the donkey drawing her milkcart. He went near and asked the cause of her violence. With tears in her eyes the woman said: “Oh, dear, I am in a great hurry, and this stupid donkey won’t go. If I don’t get to Potsdam at the usual time, I’ll lose all my customers. I know his tricks. If I only had somebody who would take him by the ears, while I beat him from behind—he would go all right.” The King soberly grabbed the donkey by his ears, the woman did her part, and the donkey began to trot, while his owner thanked her unknown helper heartily. At home the King told his wife of the service he had rendered. The Queen did not approve of the proceeding, and said: “As Crown Prince, my dear Fritz, you might have done that, but as King——” “My dear child,” interrupted the smiling monarch, “my sainted father helped many a donkey along.” Changed His Order