The Earl of Wemyss, who, though an octogenarian, is one of the most fiery
members of the Upper House, may boast of being the only man who has ever
struck the King in public. It occurred when his majesty was Prince of
Wales, and in the House of Lords during a debate.
The prince, as Duke of Cornwall, attended, and sat immediately before Lord
Wemyss. The noble lord made a speech, during which he, as usual, became
heated, and, in the course of a gesture, brought his fist down bang on His
Royal Highness's hat.
The prince, appreciating the force of the earl's argument, retired to a
place farther from him. Lord Wemyss was well known, before succeeding to
the earldom, as Lord Elcho, an enthusiast of volunteering and
rifle-shooting.--_Pearson's Weekly._