The record-union., 1891-03-10
HOLLAND AND LuxEMBuRG.
The Kingdom of Holland was EStab-
liShed in 1S13-Ihe First King.

lished in IS13-The First King.
After an illness extending over several
years, William Ill, King of the Neither
lands, died on November 3D. at the age OF
I3 years. In point of duration of reign he
was one of the oldest sovercigns of En-
rope, having succeeded his father forty
one Years ago.
The Kingdom of Holland-or, as it is
more properly called, of the Netherlands
was established in 1913, the country
having previously been republic under
the hereditary rule of the Princes OF the
House of Orange. Belgium was at the
same time annexed to it, but was separ-
ated from it again, and became an indie
pendent Kingdom in 1890.
The first king was William l., the
grandfather OF the sovereign who has just
died. 1t may be added that the late king,
on his mothers side, was a grandson Of
the Emperor Paul, and nephew of the
Emperor Nicholas of Russia.
William RI. ruled, on the whole, as a
liberal and patriotic king, permitting his
people the free exercise of their conStitu-
tional rights. His personal habits were
irregular and eccentric, especially in the
earlier period Of his reign.
lie WAS twice married; first to prin-
cess OF the royal family of Wurtemburg,
who bore him two sons, both of whom
died, and who died herselfin 1877.
His second marriage was with the Prin-
cess Emma, Il daughter of the Prince OF
Waldecl1, whom King William led to the
altar i'll 1879. Queen Emma is forty years
younger than her late husband, being
now only - years Of age.
The only issue of his second union was
the little Princess Wilhemina, who has
Just been proclaimed Queen Of the Meth
erlanals, though she is only 10 years OF
age. Until she reaches the legal age OF
reigning the kingdom will be governed
by her mother, Queen Emma, as regent
Happily, Queen Emma, though for
eigner, has succeeded in winning the
affections and confidence OF the Ditch,
and she has therefore a prospect before
her of Il peaceful rule.
Attached to the crown Of Holland as an
appanage, has long been the little Duchy
of Luxenlburg, situated in snug chr
ner between France, Germany and Bel
gium. The military importance OF
LuNem burg has long made it a bone OF
contention between the French and the
Germans. Once, the Emperor Napoleon
tried to add it to his dominions, but Ger
many objected so strongly that he was
obliged 10 give up his design.
Luxembourg is now to be separated
from Holland, and to become an indie
pendent DEchy. The reason of this is
that, while II woman may occupy the
throne OF Holland, the ancient law OF
Luxembourg forbldS woman to become
its ruler. The Duchy, therefore, passes
to the next heir, who is the Grand Duke
Adolphus, the deposed sovereign of Mas
sau, who, indeed, has already assumed
the government OF LuXemburg.
1t has been suspected by many that
Germany has for some time looked to-
ward Holland with Il covetous eve. The
annexation of that thrifty little kingdom
to the empire would, no doubt, be of sig
nal advantage to the latter. lis broad
seacoast, its many good harbors, the in
dustrious and orderly character of its
people would be of material benefit to the
larger State.
Luxembourg, too. may readily become
an object desired by the Germans; Sbr its
possession would add greatly to their
military strength, in either defending
themselves from or attacking France.
The Grand Duke Adolphus, though ex-
pelied by the German Emperor from
Nassau, is on friendly terms with the
Court at Berlin, and might, possibly, at
a favorable opportunity, be bribed into
delivering LuXemburg into German
hands.
AT all events, the change in the SOW
ereignty of Holland and the Grand Duchy
is an interesting one, and is not unlikely
to give rise to important consequences in
Europe.