The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-03-13
YOUNG HEIRS TO kINCSHiP.
Children Who May Become Monarchs at
Very Tender Ages.

Every European nation-with the
two exceptions of Russia and Turkey
has adopted some kind of constitu-
tional system of government, says the
Youths Companion. In some of them.
as in England, this system approaches
nearly, in its essential features. to a
democratic regime. In others, like
Germany, some constitutional features
are combined with distinctly despotic
element.
But, whatever the form of govern
ment, it is still matter of Importance
in each of the monarchies what sort of
person occupies the throne. A bad
king, even in England, where the royal
power is reduced to its lowest point.
might yet do a good deal of mischief,
while good one would make the ma
chinery of the government move more
smoothly.
Who, then, are to be the emperors,
kings, and queens of the future? Who
are the persons in the several countries
who are destined in the ordinary
course of events. to sit on the thrones
and to rule with lesser or greater
authority?
1t is striking fact that many of the
heirs to kingship are young people;
some, indeed, are very young.
The heir apparent, for instance, OF
the great German empire and the
Prussian kingdom is the little Fred.
erick William, who is only years of
age. Should he die before reaching
maturity his younger brother Prince
William, now aged e, would become the
| heir.
! The heir to the Portuguese throne,
to which Don Carlos has just succeeded,
is Louis Philippe. the prince of Beira
who is only years old The future
queen of Holland, Princess Wilhelmina,
has recently completed her ninth year.
and is likely to succeed her aged and
decrepit father ere very long.
The present king of Spain, Alfonso
Kill, is not 3 years old and came to
| the throne at his birth, his father hay.
ing died before the little king came in
to the world Should he die before
marrying his eldest sister. the Infanta
Dona Maria de las Mercedes. now
years of age, would succeed to the
Spanish throne.
Some heirs to European thrones have
| just arrived at young manhood. The
| Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia and the
duke of Sparta in Greece have recently
celebrated the completion of their
twenty-first year. Young Victor EN-.
manuel, prince of Naples, the heir to
the throne of Italy, was 20 years old
last November. Thus it appears that
with the exception of Great Britain and
Austria-Hungary, the heir to every inn
portant European throne is younger
than the constitution of the United
States requires member of congress
to be, and Prince Otto, the heir pre-
sumptive to the Austrian throne, is
only 26 years old.
Moreover the succession in England
belongs to the prince of Wales, who is
4S years old. But it is said that the
prince of Wales health is precarious
and it is not improbable that his
mother, Queen Victoria, although she
is 20 years old, may outlive him. In
that case the heir to the throne would
be Albert Victor, the prince of Wales
eldest son. who is now % years old.
A few years older is Gustaf, duke OF
Wermland. who is the heir to the
throne of Sweden and Norway and who
is 81.
There are of course, several heirs to
thrones who are past middle life, but
the large proportion of young people at
this time is remarkable.