The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-28

burst Of Religious Loyalty.
It is written that one touch Of nature makes
the whole world kin The magnificent demon
stration in England on the occasion of thanks
giving for the recovery of the Prince of Wales
from his recent illness will long be remem-
bered as an extraordinary manifestation of the
loyalty of England. Everything was propi-
tious. The skies were bright the air clear
and pleasant, and, what is rarely seen in Eng
land in February, there was a model spring
day. Every city in the United Kingdom
was represented. The streets were guarded
| by thousands Of soldiers and policemen. The
Queen and the royal family, both houses of
Parliament, the learned, religious and political
bodies, the guilds of trade and commerce, the
diplomatic legations-all classes, representa-
tive and constituent, were in line. The number
of people who took part in the pageant are
estimated at four million, and in every part Of
the British dominions the day seems to have
been observed as one of thanksgiving.
We give complete history of this national
festival. An event that can move the great
English people. as they seem to have been
moved by the recovery of the Prince OF
| Wales, cannot fail to make profound and
gratifying impression in America. But few
weeks have passed since the whole world stood
patiently watching and praying by the bed
side of the sick and apparently dying young
man at Sandringham. The electric telegraph
cables, the widespread communication
through the press, the facility with which
events are known instantaneously in all
parts of the globe, have brought the
nations of the earth 80 closely together
that no event in any way interesting
one people can fail to make an immediate
impression upon other nations. The Prince of
Wales was little known in America. We re-
membered him pleasantly as peach-cheeked,
modest lad, who spent few weeks with us some
years ago, and made a reputation for waltzing
and as profuse smoker of cigars. There has
been nothing in his career as the heir to
the throne to give him the individuality
or even pre-eminence accorded to the
first subject of the realm. Like all men
holding exalted positions he has been sub
jected to scandals and idle gossip in
England as we'll as in America. But the truth
seems to be that he has held his illustrious
place with honor and modesty that he has
avoided none of the arduous and monotonous
responsibilities devolving upon his station;
that he has shown singular amiability and gen.
crosby of character, and has been as much of
an Englishman and citizen as prince. The
world likes kindly, genial man, and will
L. ,so1.:, ,I,oI
forget that men are men, that there Is sunshine
in the world and merriment and content in the
world, and that no one is too humble for
kindly interest and recognition. So the Prince
came to be known as a generous, merry,
active gentleman, who went to sleep at the
opera, perhaps, and kept away from the
House of Lords, but rode we'll to the hounds,
and enjoyed the songs Of Schneider, and
liked to have run to Paris, and had ever
CHEEKY word for the humblest man around him.
Then, unlike other Princes of Wales, he kept
out Of politics and gave his loyalty to the
throne, instead of the Treasury Bench or the
opposition. Many Princes of Wales have
weighed heavily upon the royal heart. We
had one in exile from the Court and disgrace
ing the Grown by carrying away his wife
from the palace at the most critical moment
of a woman's life. We remember how Prince
Frederick was the leader Of an opposition to
the King, which was carried to the verge
of treason how ''Prince George the Magnif-
| cent" ''the first gentleman Of Europe" the
| grand uncle of this young man, lived in open
opposition to his father, aud was simply the
leader of the wings. The scandals attending
these exhibitions Of Illicit and impatient ambi-
ton always vexed Englishmen, who, what
ever they may have thought on political ques-
tions, never looked kindly upon son leading
opposition to his father.
Apart from the fact that this Prince was the
manner of man he has proved himself to be,
there was much in the circumstances Of his
illness to awaken sympathy. The millions
who thronged London city yesterday to cheer
the pale and smiling nobleman. in his scarlet
uniform had watched from day to day for many
weeks the brief bulletins that told of his
struggle with existence how the disease grew
upon him, until hope seemed madness, and
only miracle could save him; how all rel-
gions-Jew and Gentle, Catholic and Buddhist,
Mohammedan and Parsee-invoked the heav-
emily interposition to save his life; how it
seemed that an inscrutable Providence had
decreed otherwise; how science and skill had
abandoned him, and sorrowing family sur
rounded his bedside to see his death; how
suddenly life came to him again, and step by
step he returned from the verge Of the dark
valley. Those who believe in intercession
with Providence and in special dispensations
of the Divine Goodness saw thrilling con-
frmation of their faith in the recovery of the
Prince of Wales. And the people of England
are peculiarly a religious people. ''The grace
of God" ia RECOGNIZED in their laws and tradi-