The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-11
A ROYAL HIRTuDAY.


rondav was tho fftieth anniversary Of the
b;,,h If the Prince Of Wales. and the occasion
was appropriately commemorsted IN Eng
land. There were seyeral features OK tie
celebration which were not without signih-
canoe in the light which they threw upon
the character OF the heir apparent. Inc ohiv
persons who made an organized effort 70 be-
stow upon the Prince present suitable 10
his rank were members Of the dramatic pro-
fession men whose duty and whose prohe "
is, as DR.. Samuel Johnson said, to add 10 the
stock Of harmless public amusements and 10
promote tina eayety Of nations. II is not 10
tho discredit Of the Prince that ne shouiu
have won the good will Of the actors on' II 10
q reflection upon the variety OF MS tastes
that the only body Of men IN England VINO
had special reason to be grateful 10 MN iOi
Kindness received belonged to profession
which only enters into the lives OF men VINO
are engaged in serious business in their hours
Of relaxation.
So far the Prince Of Wales has been a mere
nleesure seeker a man who has found IN
frirolites the chief employment Of his time
and who has succeeded in driving away ennui.
not by pursuing objects which are worthy OF
his exalted station but by cultivstins yanou'
arnusements which earnest men only resort
10 when they wish to obtain temporary rellei
from the tension upon their minds
The Standard passes a glowing eulogv upon
the Prince because he has had the good sense
TO refrain from interfering in political an"
constitutional controversies. compliment
which would be equally deserved II the
Standard had said that he had refrained from
showing any interest in any controversy
whatsoever which has enlisted the attention OF
the thoughtful men Of his times. The Prince
has left all political and constitutional ques-
tons 70 others for the same reason that he has
lofe all other questions OF equal importance
that 10, he is unable 10 bring his mind to bear
upon anything that requires very elevated
feeling or very careful thought. This can be
said without uniustly rejecting upon the
warmth Of bis heart or his intelligence. Tie
testimony Of all who have had an opportunity
of studying him very closely is that he Is
man Of kind impulses, and that no is not de-
void Of good sense.
The fact is that for an ordinary person the
position occupied by the Prince is morally
ruinous one. He is surrounded By tempta-
tons and seductions which man Of strong
character would often find it difficult TO re-
sist. His social power is immense, but social
power without intellectual or political power
is rarely employed with dignity. In his most
impressive aspect the Prince is mere social
dictator a role which is regarded with little
respect BY mankind at large because incon-
sistent with a perfect mastery Of what are
considered TO be the most important forces
that govern the general relations Of men. The
role would be false one for a man Of real
ability and energy. and would be thrown of
by him with impatient disgust.
With some weaknesses of character, which
arose in measure from his education, Prince
Albert played the part which his eldest son IS
called upon to play TO perfection Whienot
great man, he was yet man Of many high
qualities who honored what was really worthy
OF respect in life. and who made his actions
conform to the highest standard in all things.
With a decided trace of the prig in his COM
position, and rather too eager to assume bur
dens which he did not have the intellectual
strength or the constitutional right to carry,
nevertheless he performed the duties of his
great station like the good and honorable man
that he was and left an example which all who
shall be similarly placed hereafter can follow
to their own glory and to the benefit Of the
world at large.