The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

KING GEORGE'S REIGN AFFECTING ADDRESS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL. From midnight on Friday, when King Edward VII. breathed his jast, a new reign began. The new Monarch was proclaimed on Monday as King George the Fifth by the Grace of God, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Spas, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of c India. The Proclamation ceremony took place in London at 9 o'clock, and a few hours later in the provincial towns. King George held the first meeting of his Privy towns. King George held the first meeting of his Privy Council at St. James's Palace on Saturday, when His Majesty made a gracious declaration. He ex- pressed his sorrow at the loss not only of a father, but of a. friend and adviser. His Majesty also intimated his desire to follow in the footsteps of the late King. A Royal Family service was held at the chapel a Buckingham Palace on Sunday, at which the King and Queen and Queen Alexandra were present. Later in the day his Majesty held a conference with the Household officials to decide on the funeral arrange- ments. The new King and Queen did not leave Marl- borough House until close upon two o'clock on Saturday, when they drove with one of the young princes to Buckingham Palace to inquire after the welfare of Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria; This was the first appearance of the new Sovereign and his Consort in public since they left the Palace ;n the early hours of the morning after leaving the dead KI ng's chamber. Their Majesties were readily recognised by the public assembled outside the Palace and in the Mall outside Marlborough House, and they were respectfully saluted as they drove by, both the new King and Queen bowing their acknow- ledgments frequently. LOSS OF KING, FATHER, AND FRIEND. The new King held his first ceremonial function ts Monarch at four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, when, attended by Lord Annalv and Sir Charles Cust, he drove to St. James's Palace to hold the Privy Council which always marks the beginning of a new reign. His Majesty wore the uniform of an admiral, and everybody attending the Privv Council was required to appear in Levee dress. In spite of the short notice it had been found possible to get many Councillors together, and there was a rich collection of bright uniforms, orders, and decora- tions. The Ea-1 of Crewe (in dark blue Levee dress) acted is Lord President in the absence of Viscount Wolver- hampton. and among his colleagues of the Cabinet jresent (most of them similarly dressed) were Mr. John Burns, Mr. Winston Churchill, the Lord Chan- cellor (in full-buttoned wig and gown), Viscount Morlev. Sir E. Grey, Lord Pentland, Mr. Jack Pease, Earl Carrington, Mr. Harcourt, and Mr. Buxton. The official Opposit ion was represented by Mr. Balfour (in dark blue Levee dress), the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Halsbury. Lord Waleran, the )uko of Marlborough, the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Ashbourne, the Earl of Derby, Mr. Akers Douglas, Lord James of Hereford, aiufethc Marquess of Londonderry. Prince Christian (in general's uniform), the Duke of Argyll, and the Duke of Fife were among the connections of the Roya-1 Family present. The Church representatives included the Arch- bishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London in episcopal robes. The City was represented by the Lord Mayor. Sheriffs, and many aldermen and other civic digni- taries and officers. The list of those present in- cluded +hf' Earl of Granard, Lord Arthur Hill, the Lord Chief Justice, Viscount Cross. Sir Charles M'Laren, Sir G. F. Phillips, Lord MacDonnpll, Sir A. Scott Gatty (Garter King.at-Arms). Viscount Knutsford, Lord Gorell, the Master rof the Roll, Earl Waldegrave. the Earl of Pembroke, the Earl of Plymouth. Lord Aveburv. the Earl of Derby. Lord Ashbourne, the Earl of Kintore, Sir S. T. Evans. fhe EaH of Rosebery, Lord Belper, the Earl of f'hest<>rfipld, Lord Denman, Loro Rhaw. Alderman So- W. Vaughan Morgan, Lord Courtney of Pen- with, etc. The Premier could not be present, but s hurrying back to London from Spain with all speed. The Council lasted an hour. The business pend- ing the publication of the official record, was nartly of a confidential nature, but it is understood that "crv Councillor present signed a declaration tha Hi. Majesty has succeeded his father on the Throne, ind tint King George V. signed the usual proclama- tion confirming in their offices and appointments thos" serving the late King down to the time o his death. The new King made the followint-, declaration :— My Lords and Gentlemen,— My heart is too full for me to address you to-day in more than a few words. It is my sorrowful duty to announce to you the death of mv dearly- loved father, the King. In this irreparable loss which has so suddenly fallen upon me and the whole Empire, I am comforted by the feeling that I have the sympathy of my future subjects, who will mourn with me for their beloved Rove reign, whose own happiness was found in sharing and promoting theirs. I have lost, not only a father's love, but the affectionate and intimat relation of a dear friend and admirer. No less confident am I in the universal loving sympathy to my dearest mother in her over- wKelming grief* »; ,i '.<nFW Standing here a little more than nine years ago our beloved King declared that as long as there was breath in his body he would work for the good and amelioration of his people. I am sure that the opinion of the whole nation will be that this declaration has been fully carried out. To endeavour to follow in his footsteps, and, at the same time, to uphold the Constitutional Govern- ment of these realms, will be the earnest object of my life. I am deeply sensible of the heavy responsibilities which have fallen upon me. I know that I can rely upon Parliament and upon the people of these islands, and of my Dominions beyond the seas, for their help in the discharge of their arduous duties and for their prayers that God will grant me strength and guidance. I am en- couraged by the knowledge that I have in my dear wife one who will be a constant helpmate in every endeavour for our people's good. A great crowd waited near St. James's Palace to see the new King go to and from the Council, and gave him a cordial reception. Sir S. T. Evans was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council on Saturday on his appointment as President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division. He was not sworn in before. owing to the absence abroad of the late King.

THE PROCLAMATION KING GEORGE V., EMPEROR OF INDIA. A supplement to the "London Gazette Extra- ordinary" was issued early on Sunday morning containing the terms of the Proclamation of the new King and the Declaration by His Majesty. The announcement is as follows:— Whitehall, May 7, 1910. On Friday night, the sixth day of May instant, at a quarter Do twelve o'clock, our late Most Gracious Sovereign King Edward the Seventh expired at. Buckingham Palace, in the sixty-ninth year of his ag. and the tenth ot his reign. This event has caused one universal feel- ing of regret and sorrow to his late Majesty's faithful and attached subjects, to whom he was endeared by the deep interest in their welfare which he invariably manifested, as well as bj the eminent and impressive virtues which illus- trated and adorned his character. "Upon the intimation of this distressing event the Lords of the Privy Council assembled this day at St. James's Palace and gave orders for pro- claiming his present Majesty, who made a most gracious Declaration to them and caused all the Lords and others of th late King's Privy Council who were then present to be sworn of his Majesty's Privy Council. "Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His mercy our late Sovereign Lord, King Edward the Seventh, of Biessed and Glorious Memory, by whose decease the Imperial Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince George. Frederick Ernest Albert: We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Tem- poral of this Realm, being here assisted with those of his late Majesty's Privy Council, with numbers of other Principal Gentlemen of Quality, with t J Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of London, do now hereby, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the High and Mighty Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord George the Fifth by the Grace o £ God, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India: To whom we do acknowledge all Faith and constant Obedience, with all hearty and humble Affection, beseeching God, by Whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless the Roval Prince George the Fifth with long and happy years to reign over us. Given at the Court of Saint James's this seventh day of May. in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ten." Here follow the signatures of Prince Christian, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Loreburn, the Dukes of Argyll and Fife, Lord Crewe, Lord Morley of Blackburn, Mr; Winston Churchill, Lord Hals- bury, Lord Rosebery, Mr. John Burns, Sir Edward Grey, and a large number of other Privy Councillors, with the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London. < GOD SAVE THE KING.

PARLIAMENT MEETS M.P.'S TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. Formal meetings of both Houses of Parliament, hastily summoned in consequence of the death of King Edward, were held on Saturday afternoon. The Lord Chancellor, in the absence of all the bishops, read the prayers at the opening of the House of Lords. His lordship immediately after- wards took the oath of allegiance to King George and signed the roil. Other peers, numbering about fifty, then followed in line round the Clerk's table, took the oath and signed the roll, and shook hands with the Lord Chancellor. Amongst, those sworn in were Earl Carrington, Lord Pentland, the Duke of Rutland, Lord Kinnaird Lord Chevlesmore, Lord Milner, and Lord Fitz- mau^ice. On the motion of Earl Carrington, their lordships adjourned until Monday, when other peers took the oath. In the House of Commons Mr. J. F. Remnant was the hrst member to enter. Mr. Rees, Lord Hugh Cecil, and. Mr. L. Sanderson followed, <jnd later Sir E. A. Cornwall, Sir F. Low, Mr. Lloyd' Morgan, Sir F. Chalining, and Sir William Bull joined the group. The first member of either Front Bench to arrive was Sir Rufus Isaacs, who, with Mr. Stuart Wort- ley, Mr. Hemmerde. and others, was engaged appar- ently in discussing precedents. Others present were Mr. Burns, Sir W S Robson Colonel Seely, Mr. L. Harcourt, and Mr. Dudley Ward (who sat on the Government Front Bench), Mr. Scott Dickson, and Mr. Courtney NVarner. The Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms (1r. W H. Erskine) brought in the mace, and Sir Courtenay lbert, the Clerk of the House, said: "I have to inform the House of the unavoidab'e absence of Mr. Speaker and Mr. Deputy-Speaker." rriMruChurchiU theu said: "Sir Courtney IIbprt- he House has assembled this afternoon' in pursu- ance of the statute of Anne which regulates the proceedings consequent upon the demise of the Crown, and there beiag no business before us. and in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Sneaker, it is my business to move this House do now adjourn Sir Courtenay llbert put the question, and the House, agreeing thereto, adjourned.

A MONARCH OF THE PEOPLE SKETCH OF HIS LIFE. It may be said. of King Edward, whose lamented death it is our pajnful duty to record to-day, that from his youth upwards he was enthroned in the hearts of his people, for as Prince of Wales he en- joyed a measure of popularity among all classes which has never been equalled by any former heir apparent to the throne. From his birth, on the ytn November, 1841, when the Lord Mayor's Show of the day was turned into a joyous carnival in his honour, every important event in his life was marked by an exhibition of loyalty and enthusiasm which few of his predecessors were able to inspire. Owing to the untimely death of the Prince Consort it. fell to his lot, as heir apparent, to be called upon to fill a much more prominent part in the functions of the State than is usually the case with a Prince of Wales. He was, indeed, exposed to the "fierce light which beats upon a throne" long before he filled the throne itself, and if he did not always escape criticism ..Lv was no more than was to be expected. I-Ie showed by his conduct how great a support a Prince of Wales could be to the throne, and how important a part he could play in the life of the nation without interfering in any way in party politics. The English people fully" recognised in the popular Prince of Wales a man after their own heart, fond of sport and amusement, but unflinching in his devotion to the duties of his state, and possessed of a deep tt-Iigious conviction which showed itself rather in practical works of bene- volence than in the mere conformity with the out- ward forms of religion. EARLY LIFE. Of the King's early life it is not necessary to say much. It seems to have followed the usual course of children born in his high position, and was not distinguished by any incdent of an exceptonal charac- ter. As a boy he appears to have been of an ami- able disposition, though, perhaps, somewhat quiet and reflective. There is a picture showing him at the age of six, dressed in a sailor's suit, and one a little later, where he is in a kilt with Prince Alfred, at Balmoral. Another depicts him in theatrical cos- tume at the time he took part in some private thea- tricals in 1853. History records that lie was present at the reception of Louis Philippe. that he accom- panied his parents to Ireland, to France, and from time to time to Osborne and Scotland, that he was taken to Astlev's Circus in the Westminster Bridge road, and to the opening of the Great. Exhibition in Hyde Park, in 1851. that lie received a visit from Tom Thumb and the like. The Countess of Lyttel- ton acted the part of governess, and we are told that the young Prince was brought up in the habits of "strict discipline and obedience." Metternieh, who saw hillf in these early years, describes him curiously enough as "sad and abstracted," but Lyeli the geologist, on the other hand, considered him a "pleasant lively boy." As soon as hp was old enough the Prince was placed under the tutorship of Mr. Birch, an old Eton schoolmaster, who later was succeeded by Mr. Gibbs. In 1849 the Prince was made Earl of Dublin. He was already Earl of Chester, a title bestowed on the eldest son of the King of England since the days of Henry III., and Duke of Cornwall, a title borne by every heir ap- narent since 1337. His youth, prior to going to the r niversities, was spent alternately at Osborne and Balmoral. HIS TASTE FOR THE DRAMA. The King early imbibed a taste for the drama. of which he was throughout his life a warm patron. When only 12 years of age he took the part of Abner in a performancp of some scenes from Racine's tragedy "Athalie," and there is a record -J by the late Duchess of Teck of the performance of I "Box and Cox" in the Rubens Room at Windsor Castle, in which the Prince, in a kilt, played a part in spite of having two black eyes, the result of fall- ing on an iron gate. The Prince's first acquaintance with the drama took place at Windsor Castle in January, 1849, when he witnessed a performance of Boucicault's comedy "Used Up." In 1858 he was confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the prjvate chapel at Windsor, and in the same year was gazetted a colonel in the Army. UNIVERSITY LIFE. We next see him as an undergraduate successively at Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh. It was while attending a course of lectures in chemistry at the latter University by Professor Playfair that an oft- related incident occurred, which gave evidence of the cool nerve which the King often displayed in after years. Playfair, so runs the story, after mak- ing the Prince wash his hands in ammonia, said to him, "Now, sir, if you have faith in science you will plunge your right hand into that cauldron of boiling lead and ladle it into the cold water standing by." "Are you serious?" asked the Prince. "per- fectly," was the reply. The Prince immediatel ladled out the boiling metal with his hand, with, of course, perfect impunity. Referring to his visit to Newfoundland and Canada in 1860, the wife of the then Archdeacon of St. John's wrote:—"His appear- ance is much in his favour, and his youth and digni- fied manners and bearing seem to have touched all hearts, for there is scarcely a man or woman who can speak of him without tears." In the following year the death of the Prince Consort came as a terrible blow alike to the Queen and to the nation and to the young Prince, who idolised his father, and whose public life may be said to date from this time. HIS MARRIAGE. The next notable event in the life of the King, and one which, perhaps, did more than anything else to influence his after-career, was his betrothal to Princess Alexandra of Denmark, which was an- nounced in 1862. In the following year they were married in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Many stories, more or less imaginative, are told of how the Prince first made the acquaintance of his future Consort. The true facts, however, are that the Prince went to Germany in the autumn of 1861 to see the German military manoeuvres, but with the ulterior object of meeting the Princess Alexandra, it having been arranged that the couple should marry if mutual attachment resulted. The Prince was staying with the Prince and Prince of Prussia at Heidelburg, and it was in the Cathedral of Worms, where he had gone to see ttie famous frescoes, that he first. saw the Princess. There is no doubt that he fell very much in love with the young Princess, and that, his affection was warmly reciprocated. The public entry into London of the Prince of Wales and his bride-elect was celebrated with the wildes enthusiasm, never to be forgotten by those who wit- nessed it. The Princess won all hearts, and Tenny- son well expressed the popular sentiment when he wrote. "We are each all Dane in our welcome of thee." A SERIOUS ILLNESS. ■ Towards the end of November, 1871, the wholeH nation was stirred to its depths by the news that the Prince of Wales was suffering from typhoid. The disease was contracted after a visit to Lord Carring- ton at Gayhurst. For a time the Prince's life hung by a thread, and everything else was forgotten in the general anxiety as to the fate of the heir ap- parent. Special prayers were offered in all the churches for his recovery, and the latesty bulletins formed the one topic of conversation. The Princess of Wales was a devoted nurse, bur in spite of all that medical skill and careful nursing could do the disease ran its course, and it was not until Christ- mas that all danger was passed. The illness, full of anxiety as it had been, was not without its good results, for it gave birth to such an expression of loyalty and enthusiasm among every cla- s of the community, that the republican ideas which had previously been rife, and were gaining ground ow- ing to labour troubles, were completely abandoned, and have never since been revived. This was aptly expressed by the London correspondent of the "Gaulois, who wrote during the Prince's illness:— "This England, which we were told was ready to become republic, which was accused of despising its princes, and of having got rid of its old-fashioned ideas of loyalty—come and see it to-day and note its grief and be instructed." As another writer put it: "A new bond was formed between Prince and people, and the heart of the nation responded gloriously. On the 27th February following, the Prince and Princess and the Queen attended a thanksgiving service in St. Paul's, and similar ser- vices were held throughout the country. TOUR IN INDIA. The year 1875 was notable on account of a tour which the Prince made in India-an epoch-making event, inasmuch as it led up to the assumption by the Queen in the following year of the title o. Empress of India. In the course of his visit, which extended from the October of 1875 to the following January, the Prince travelled nearly 8,000 miles by land and 2,500 miles -by sea, and saw more of the country titan any living Englishman. Everywhere he was received with the utmost enthusiasm, the nativ Princes being charmed with his tact and affability. In 1885 he paid a visit to Ireland, and was given a very good reception, although at the time much poli- tical excitement prevaned. The death from influenz and pneumonia of Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, after only five days' illness, came as a terrible blow in 1892, and the wliole nation mourned one whom they had learned to love on account of his amiable qualities. Only six weeks before his death his engagement to Princess Victoria, Mary (May) of Teck had been annoanced. He was buried with military honours at Windsor. The other chil- dren of the King and Queen were Prince George (present King George V.), Princess Louise (Duchess of Fife), Princess Victoria, Princess Maud (Queen of Norway), and another child that died in infancy and was buried at Sandringham. ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE. While passing fTiYo^* gh Brussels on his way to St. Petersburg in 1899, the Prince of Wales luckily es- caped falling a victim to the designs of an assassin. He was fired at by a crazy youth named Sipido, whose mind apparently had become unhinged through the reading of Anarchist literature. For- tunately the shot went wide of its mark, and the Prince not only escaped injury, but was actually un- aware of the attempt which had been made until told of it afterwards. WINNING THE DERBY. Perhaps the popularity of the King as Prince of Wales was never more in evidence than when in 1896 his horse Persimmon won the Derby. No one was more delighted than the Prince himself, who al- ways took the greatest interest in horse racing, and had never before achieved the distinction of carry- ing off the blue riband of the turf. This success was repeated in 1900 with Diamond Jubilee, which was another popular win, and in 1909 he created a new record as the first Sovereign to win the Derby, which he did with Minoru. The King's horse was the favourite, and its success caused an immense outburst of enthusiasm. As has been before re- marked, the King was not a believer in "all work and no play," but nevertheless was ever mindful of the suffering and afflicted. He gave a signal proof of this when in 1897 he founded the Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's reign. He himself acted as Pre- sident of the General Council, while Lord Rothschild was treasurer, and subscriptions were invited of Is. or more per annum. The appeal met with a large response during the year, including a generou donation of £200,000 by Lord Mount Stephen. The result was to put many struggling hospitals on a firm footing and enable them to meet the growing In demands made upon them. Among the different branches of sport in which the King took a keen interest was yacht racing, and in the Britannia he possessed one of the best racing yachts of her day. The interest he took in Sir Thomas Lipton's efforts to win the American Cup once very nearly led to disaster. He was on board Sir Thomas Lipto.i'sH yacht, Shamrock II., in Southampton Water, in May, 1901, when through a sudden squall the yacht had her masts, spars and entire spread of canvas carried away. Fortunately the King suffered no injury, which, in the circumstances, was almost miraculous. THE DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. On the 22nd January, 1901, the Empire was plunged in mourning for the death of the Queen. The King was overwhelmed with grief, but in the midst of his sorrow, as a son, he did not forget his duties as a King, and nobly responded to the call made upon him. A Council was convened at 8t" James's Palace on the day following, when the King declared that "it would be his constant endeavour to walk in his mother's footsteps." How faithfully he has carried out this pledge all the world knows. After the funeral the King issued messages to his people at home and beyond the seas, and to the people and princes of India, thanking them for their loyalty and affection, which "inspired him with courage and hope solemnly to work for the promo- tion and security of the great Empire over which he had been called to reign." The Coronation was fixed to take place on the 26th June of the following year, but on the 24th June, when all arrangements had been finally made, and people had come from all parts of the world to take part in the festivities, it was announced in "The Globe" (the first paper to give the news)) that His Majesty was suffering from v perityphlitis, and that an immediate operation was necessary to save his life. The operation, which was performed by Sir Frederick Treves, was successful, and the first words the King uttered on recovering consciousness, were "Will my people ever forgive me showing how much he was concerned for th popular disappointment which his illness had unavoid- ably caused The Coronation took place on the 9th Ausrust following, and was attended by many Colonial statesmen and Indian princes and visitors from every quarter of the globe. The event was celebrated with great rejoicings and celebrations throughout every portion of the King's dominions. In the following August a finishing touch was given to the Coronation celebrations by a Naval Review at Spithead, in which over 100 vessels took part. In the evening the whole fleet was brilliantly illu minated-a magnificent sight witnessed by thousand- of spectators. .r!f¡.:$'.(-

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AS LANDOWNER. Although the King's life was for the most part necessarily made up of a round of social functions and visits to foreign countries. His Majesty was never happier than when acting the role of a simple country gentleman on his estate at Sandringham. and it was in this capacity that his kindness of heart and sterling qualities shone most conspicuously. Many a humble villager could tell of a cheering visit paid by the King or Queen, of a kind word spoken, or help given in distress. He was a model landowner, and as such set a noble example to country squires throughout the land. Agriculture owes much to the encouragement he gave it and to the interest he took in the breeding of cattle. He was a frequent exhibitor at national and local cattle shows, and rarely missed paying a visit to the Smithfield Show at Islington. He realised as not many farmers do that the surest way to make a profit in these days is by the use of all the newest, appli- i ances and by keeping only the very best stock. He took the deepest interest in horse breeding, and )■_ seeing the demand for horses from abroad, he started at Sandringham thoroughbred, half-bred, and shire horse studs, and let out the services of the horses t at a nominal cost. For such services as these lie I deserved the gratitude of his country, apart from *» his untiring and successful efforts in the cause of | peace and in improving our relations with Con- s tinental Powers. &

I EDWARD THE PEACEMAKER AS A 1 STATESMAN jj By the historian of the future King Edward VII. ? will be adjudged the first great British statesman of | the twentieth century. Who the next, will be an i anxious and sorrowing nation may well wonder, as i it passes reverently by the bier of tiie dead: never J was the tact and courage of a great statesman more f demanded than 111 these times of stress: never was | there a man who combined both qualities better j than the King we have lost. g HIS INFLUENCE IN HOME POLM'ICS. | The place which a constitutional sovereign is i called upon to occupy is in many ways one ot s peculiar difficulty but Edward VII. filled the posi- S tion as splendidly as his ancestor, Edward III., filled'i that of a personal monarch in other day». It was! once said, indeed, that his late Majesty never made* a mistake in his political life; and the statements was so true that its justice was at once, and uni-f versally, admitred. Four Prime Ministers—Sails- jj bury, Arthur Balfour, Campbell-Bannerman, andj Mr. Asquith—served King Edward during his reigna of nine years and three months; two new Parlia-j ments Were elected in that time, of which the 1 second is still not. a ^session old. Under the two* first Ministries home affairs engaged little atteri-| tion;-but since the election of 1S06 they have gradu-* ally come into the foreground, until they now? nearly blot out the rest, of the political horizon. While in the early part of his reign, therefore, the King was not called upon to give much time to in- j ternal -questIons; he has had, especially during the f last twelvemonths, to exercise all his judgment in ? dealing with a situation of iacreasing gravity at home. He has had frequent and long consultations. with his Ministers, both last autumn at Balmoral and again this year in London; but although his wise and nfoderating influence was never obtruded beyond the inner circles of politics, and he never, as Sir Edward Grey assured the House of Commons last year in another connection, departed from con- stitutional usage in the slightest degree, it is well- known that he examined very closely the proposals submitted to him. The one occasion on which the late King departed from precedent was in his speech at the opening of the present. Parliament, when the expression, "In the opinion of my advisors," evoked much comment in political circles. The interpreta- tion was so obvious that it was probably the ground for those attacks on the Crown which a few ill- advised speakers have made during the l^st few weeks. It has been very evident that the attempt to drag the Crown into party politics has recoiled upon those who made It; but that the King justly resented it was shown by the letter from Lord Knollys, which was published a few days ago. and which deprecated any such connection between his name and the parties between whom lie was an impartial umpire. Practically the last. act of King Edward in home politics was to give his assent to the belated Fnance Bill of 1909. I HIS REIGN AND IMPERIAL AFFAIRS. The King-Emperor took a deep interest in thel fortunes of every part of his Empire. He was thel first monarch of these realms who had ever visited j the outlying territories that acknowledge the Union' Jack; and some at least of his sympathy with every I section of his people at home and abroad was cer-j tamly due to the fact that he had visited them personally earlier in his life. In the year 1859 he travelled in New foundland and Canada; in 1875 he made a prolonged tour through India. More re- p 11 cently he sent his son on various missions through- out the Empire; and the present King has been an even greater traveller than his father. The coins of Edward VII. bear witness to his Imperial rule. As Queen Victoria was the first Sovereign on whose coins the word "Ind. Emy." appear, so her son was the_ first who took the title of "King of All the Britains" "Britt. Omn. Rex," is now permanently tdded to the historic "Fidei Defensor" and "Dei Gratia." One of the first acts of the late King after his accession was to greet his colonial'subjects in a special letter addressed to them; and he decided that the visit of the Duke of Cornwall—as the present < King was then called-to Australia to take part in the inauguration of the new Commonwealth, was j to proceed, as had been originally arranged before the < death of Queen Victoria. The Commonwealth itself began its existence in the very last weeks of Queen ] Victoria's reign, on January 1Q01: but it was] opened by Prince George, who had already vsited Australia as a mjdshipman, in the name of his father, Edward \II. About the same time King J Edward had been proclaimed '•Supreme Lord of the| Transvaal": and the long-drawn out South African I W ar came to a dramatic close shortly before his | Coronation in the following year. When that cere-1 mony took place there was peace throughout the | dominions of the King-Emperor. That, peace hasf happily no £ been interrupted by any serious conflict J in the King's Dominions during the last nine years. 1 There has been, indeed, occasional trouble on thel Indian frontier, when warrior tribes have becomes restive, and have rebelled against the authority of Britain. There have been some minor military operations in Somaliland, which have now drawn jg to a not very satisfactory conclusion. But no struggles of first-rate or even of second-rate importance has, marred the prevailing quiet of the enormous terri-J tories ruled by Edward VIT. By far the most 1111- portant Imperial event of the reign has been the consummation of the Union of South Africa, after the prolonged negotiations a year ago. King Ed- ward expressed his high satisfaction at the happy I outcome of the deliberations of the Union Conven- tion, and as a token of his appreciation he presented to South Africa the table and pen on and with which the Act of Union was signed. He had also commanded his son to visit South Africa later in the present year to open the first. Union Parliament but this visit must now be regarded as abandoned. It may perhaps become the duty of the Duke of Connaught to officiate at that function in place of his present Majesty. Other notable events in this category were the elevation of the colony of New- Zealand to the status of a Dominion the unrest in8 India, which has caused grave disquiet, both in Ual-1 cutta and London and the formation of local bv AustraJia and Canada, a step which will un- doubteHly have an important effect on the future 1 of Imperial policy and on the general defence system of the whole Empire. f HIS WORK IN FOREIGN POLITICS. I It was, however, in foreign politics that the late King's influence was most widely and beneficentiyl exercised. In his constant visits to the Courts of Europe, his tact and discretion were readily -cog- nised; and he may be called the greatest Foreign Minister whom Britain has possessed since the lavs of Canning. He was on terms of close iitm.UH! friendship with many of the great Sovereigns of Europe: but perhaps the country in which his popu- larity was greatest was in the neighbouring Frtrch Republic. A constant visitor to Paris in his earlier end middle life. King Edward was frequently tVre after his Accession to the Throne: and it is to him we may ascribe the fact that, our relation wlth Frr. ce are more cordial now than they have "-f-" been before. The old-standing dispute as to the N* v foundland fisheries, which had been an wre since the Peace of Utrecht in 1713, was settled amicably, along with many other matters, by the conclusion of the entente cordiale. Since tl.t act, which was sealed by the visit of French officers and men to Portsmouth and London in the sti,x.-ni-cr of 1905, France and Britain have co-operate, to tiie benefit of both Powers, and without any l'JgS to -he pride and prestige of either nation. As regards Italy, our traditional friendship with Ahat count rv has been heartily preserved; and the matr-aicmal alliance of the Royal House of Spain with ai» ngash I lincess has done much to cement our rela- tions with the people of the Iberian Peninsula. The late A Ring s personal affection for the aged Emperor of Austria lia-s also been of value in maintaining P 1 eh,Jg the Court of Vienna: while the Czars visit to King Edward VII. in 4ueust la«t year was a visible sign that our relationsInfh RussS were fiiendh It would be absurd to denv that friction existed between England and Germany dur- ine the greater j^irr of the late reign; and on one occasion King Edward passed through Germany vwthout meeting the Kaiser—a sign that the friction S>! aS T a"VIltelnatlorial- Some improve- subsequently took place in the relations of the the l?tnTmeS: but ttK; Talry has ^creased durin- GeniaS FlcetT^ f t Steady exP^ion of the uerman t Jeet, the feverish armaments and the pro- • tT*Z:>T' S» «'■)• system of de- if.T v, hardly made for the cordiality which md been expected in some quarters from the 1901 The^ ne r dea,th'^ed ,of Queon Victoria in [ therefore, remainsTs a°legac^for^he^Len^reS' Japan remains one aBy: but while tlw £ » S- *# 1-oNc, of Eastern cV .ln" increasingly doubtful 1 feu vearsr' £ d- "Tr W1?e renewin £ alliance a f Jear* 'f1- Ir may or mav not have served .its puipose: but. at any rate it has proved that there u the L mted states our relation* \out thi "S ih^fft1: 't iTme1'Jwhothe r06"81'n u the thirteen Monies er and L be but his charac- clatwl than in A™* I foreign affairs that Edward VII. earned the splendid ttle of Edward the Peacenialer; and It IS by that that his will live in history. a8 one of the greatest monarchs of. a country whih | Edw ard in our annals ruled over Saxon I wisely, firmly^and well. oaxon England

I A ROYAL SPORTSMAN I for The KmTas^for1 theTI^ T"6 fascinar)' (SssSr-. w&s&is lit sur-ed over rh Possession of everything. | Club ftand On* cou.rs<? front of the Jockey I King unhesitatingly^passed ^The^r °f p6°ple th" I I<*ss tn q u"" ii?. police were power- I He knewVull wfiV i\Ut ingr not hesitate. passage Thi t l 1 the PeoP]* clear a. bodvrru-ird an]"'? constituted themselves ins n?rVll K, Pr bavCC the crowd behind them. iSSK ^cFn"da-VahSt- 4 "SlSin^ Snd the C rt™ '5 SK,"S» «P woJifst 'rl- "i,ds,l5sa2; ^ould the number be removed? Xo 1 Witch of Air T V race rd «ppe.«nc; mediately -1 e Jijrc"-h the crowd. Im- arwp Tl» ascended a murmur of cheers aro_e. The murmur grew m volume as Witch of Air came on. and the crowd realised the probability of her success. But the remarkable featam of the Nea^rnbefore\dl?StlnCt "°te °f ^"P^etic sadness. to the h a, l1, rac<:coarsp crcwd been so stirred Se Pm l "'1! h,eart|- M^oru was to bear tfie Koyal colours in the Jubilee to-day. but. of course, even the race has been abandoned.

KING GEORGE V. < <wle 77- K:|nf l:°rn °,n Jul-V 3, 1865, and the 18# h J"Si <;1' broth1e1'. Duke of Clarence n, 7n the fo 1 m ,rlle direct llne of succession. v j w,ig 7'aj' iK\ I,jai'ned Princes? Victoria gMaiy, i.uugliter of the late Duchess of Teck. Uf 6 Pwrnia pla=e al'» five sons and a daughter •. Piinee Edward Albert, born June 23, 1894 bein^ r'hirv0 'i'r7 e; His • observe- h ^'eatly: indeed, as the -Times" fan claim without question to be the most trav elled of monarchs. Few, moreover of hi* in 1908 can h said to the Royal Colonial Institute tions nf K r 1 aljd^ °" many different por- ? Ills Tlavel? at an early age, as his education was entirely a naval one. He l^er' h } ?, ri:ann,a, in 18?8' and on^ two vears w tV, Up0'}a °ng ^'Ulse in the ""Bacchante" S 7s b™ther' !ate D"ke of Clarence, which r ,™" t0 «e X7 St |ndles> a«d thence ,o V 77" tLe, Australian ports. Fiji Yokohama, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Returnii7- « by the huez ( anal, their Royal Highnesses made a fr,om Ja,ffa ti'roL'J«,i the Holy Land. The King i uas educated and brought up under the direct supervision ot hs parents until he reached the ace of twelve In 18/7 he entered with his brother as a i na\al cadet in the •'Britannia" and two years later 1 -v?ung' went- to sea in the "Bacchante." » 11 ic stoiy of that cruise has been told by the Princes in a simp e and attractive volume of reminiscences p I 17, llie Mediterranean, the Wes- Indies,, South j Atnca, ( lima, Japan, South America, Egvpr, Pale^- i: tine and Greece. Returning to England in 1862 they spent the- greater part of the following year ar, jj Lausanne .studying French. In 1883 the King as a i midshipman m the "Canada" visited Newfoundland and the Dominion. Promoted lieutenant in 1885, he I served two year* m the Mediterranean Squadron • under his uncle, the late Duke of Edinburgh. Prince { foige vvas treated like the rest of his comrades, *and in this respect the -'Daily Mail' 'publishes the following story :-The squadron was coaling in | lurkish waters and the representative of the Sultan. i learning that the grandson of Queen Victoria was on board the "Alexandra," came to pay his respects He was received with the usual honours by the ad- a!ld b7ore leavInS asked to see the Prince 7 i r, he comes7 said the admiral, as His Royal Highness approached, covered with coal-dus Ihe Turkish official made a profound bow and de- parted. doubtless under the impression that he had -been made the victim of a practical joke. Prince- George s first independent command was the gun- boat Thrush on the North American and We«t Indian station. In 1891 he was promoted com- mander and jn the following year his active career as a sailor was interrupted by the death of his elder brother, He became captain in 1893, vioe-admiral ten years later, and admiral in 1907. In the year following the death of Queen Victoria, the "new King undertook, as Duke of Cornwall and York, the great Imperial mission through which he is chiefly- known to his subjects in the overseas Dominions of the Crown. Sailing from Portsmouth in the 4 "Ophir" on March 15. 'JJe went first to Australia, where he opened the first Parliament of the Common- wealth, thence to New Zealand, thence to South Africa, and finally to Canada and Newfoundland. It was after his return from this historic voyatre that His Majesty, speaking at the Guildhall, on ih" evening of the day when he was created Prince of \ales. delivered his famous message from the Em- pire to the Motherland, and called upon his country- men 10 "W tike UP," Only two years ago he one* more visited the East of Canada in order to attend the celebrations of the Tercentenary of Quebec, and he was this year to have renewed his acquaint- ance with South Africa in order to open in King J Edward's name the first, Parliament of the Union, as he had opened that of the Commonwealth nine years l>efore. In 1905 His Majesty, with the Prin- cess of Wales, visited India. The magnificence of their reception at Bombay, where the King laid dJlp foundation-stone of the vast, new docks, formed a fitting prelude to a series of remarkable pageants in the erroat cities and in the principal native States. Within the space of four and a half months, they saw more of Inda than most people are privileged t(-ontin-ued on Page 8.)