The New York herald., 1871-11-24
THE BRITISH THRONE.

The cable news which we publish this morning
gives an account OF the present critical condition
OF the health OF the Prince Of Wales the ner appa-
rent to the English throne. 1t Is curious to observe
that he Is suffering from q malady OF probably
much the same type as that which carried on his
father while still comparatively . young man.
Prince Albert, 1t will be remembered died after an
illness Of Q few hours duration OF gastric fever.
Inheriting Q constitution which, though strength
ened by new ana healthy blood, is stnl feeble and
subjected, according 70 common report to the
enervatlng influences which are incident to
tho life Of . free living patrician, there
would be nothing very surprising IN the news OF
his premature death. And judging from the
tone even Of the conservative English Journals and
still more from the franker reports OF tho HEsALD
correspondent In London, his demise would not he
greeted with exlrayagant regrets by the English
people. His lie, though still brief, has had Q iul
measure Of unseemly scandal, and he has given
no promise either or the great virtue or talents
which would make him beloved occupant Of the
throne. OF the sick, as well as OF the dead, It Is
hard thing be forced TO speak sterny but In this
case 1t would be Idle to ignore the truth. The
Prince would be inferred with splendid ceremonies,
but few tears would perhaps DO shed before his
tomb. Nay, some might even say that his death
would probably deter to later period the full con-
summation OF that peaceful revolution which now
converting Great Britain rom Q monarchy into q
republic, for many, even among reputable English
newspapers and reviews, have limited at the relac-
tance with which the British people would accept
representative whose PR vate character Is said to
be stained with many lapses from ordinary decency.
the Prince dies the hcirshp to the throne would.
Of course descend to his eldest sen, Prince Albert
Victor Christian Edward. who was born ct Frog.
more Lodge, Windsor, on the 9Th OF January, 1861
and is consequently now nearly eight years old.
The law OF succession to the British throne provides
that the crown shall descend to the direct lineal
male heir. The chances OF the brothers OF the
Prince OF Wales TO inherit the throne are, there
fore, very slender. Between Prince Alfred,
the Queens second son, ana the crown there stand
ve lives only OF the Prince OF Wales six chill
dren having died, and the chance OF male children
to Prince Albert Edward the younger. TWO sons
and three girls are still alive to the Prince OF
Wales and It Is hardly probable that they will all
die prematurcly.
The immediate erect OF the death OF tho Prince Of
Wales would probably be to still further postpone
the execution Of the Queens reported wish to abdl-
cate the throne. But for the unpOpularity OF the
heir apparent sho would, It Is said. have already
resigned into his hands the reins Of power. As It
is she mas transferred to him some OF the more
iatguing duties Of royalty and he has held ievees
and given receptions in her stead. His death would
most likely induce her 10 keep the throne
until the infant heir apparent should
reach manhood Should she, however,
persist in her purpose 70 resign the cares OF state
or should she herself die, regency would nave to
be established. Such regency, however. could
scarcely be very popular. The Duke OF Cambridge,
who enjoys on unenviaOle reputation, or Prince AL.
fred whose visit to Australia developed many very
unpopular traits OF character, would probably be
appointed regent. Either selection would De very
unacceptable to the English people.
We have thus briefly reviewed the consequences
or the Princes death, not that we believe he Is
already in ertrenats, although the telegram bue-
tins are somewhat omnibus, and the words Of the
attending physicians particularly cautious in their
expression, but because many Americans, unskilied
in the mysteries OF hereditary succession. might
fairly be puzzled over the possible results Of such
contingency.