31 MAY 1902, Page 17

SOVEREIGNS BORN KINGS.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—When you say in the Spectator of May 24th that Alfonso XIII. is the only instance of a ruler who was born a King you overlook certain instances recorded in history. There were others, such as Charilaus, King of Sparta; Alex- ander, King of Macedon, son of Alexander the Great, B.C. 323; and Sapor, King of Persia, A.D. 310, who was crowned before his birth, the crown being placed on the body of his mother ; John I., King of France, 1316, son of Louis X., only survived his birth a few days ; and there was yet another instance in Ladislas V., King of Hungary, 1439.—I am, Sir, &c.,