New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-05

messed his conduct on that occasion. Inc acnleve-
ment was perhaps all the more noteworthy Is
rrncs George ike Nelson ana many Srn ses-
sickness and the behavior Of a torpedo boat IN
rough weather is not the most conducive TO quiet
ness of nerve or for comfortably collecting inc
thoughts.
As he had now Enthusiastically given evidence Of
exceptional capability as lieutenant, the Admi'
rally ordered him on 9Th May, $780, TO commission
the Thrush, large gunboat of sos tons burthen
and 200 horse power, at Chatham FOR service on
the North American and West Indian stations.
Such independent commands arc usually given to
senior lieutenans only, but 1t was distinction
which Prince George had well earned. lie had
further the tickish task assigned to him OF towing
q torpedo boat astern across the Atlantic TO Ber-
muda. This too he successfully accomplished.
Ills professional duties took him to various places
in the Canadian Dominion and to one or two on
the United States seaboard.
In the following autumn he was depnted by
the Queen as her representative to open the
Industrial Exhibition at Jamaica his was bis
third visit TO the West Indies, and his presence
awakened among the inhabitants of every degree
tven more than the usual fervent demonstrations
of loyalty TO the Crown, and attachment 10 tns
United Kingdom Except on state OCCASIONS such
this visit TO Jamaica, Prince george always
deprecated the necessity Of being received Win
royal honors.
real portion of his duty that he requested the
admiral in command OF the station, Sir Ueorge
Watson, that he might receive his sanction 10 40
treated simply ordinary naval officer. AS
soon as this wish became generally known ne was
enabled 10 see both the people and the places to
which his ship was dispatched more naturally,
and thus 10 obtain by direct personal intercourse
q probably truer and more adequate knowledge OF
their real condition than if they had been ex'
bihitcd to him in constant gala attire W.
The Thrush now required on the west
Coast of Africa, and her place was 10 he taken on
tie North American station by ship Of greater
power and tonnage She was therefore ordered
home to England On arriving there Prince George
was promoted to the rank OF commander on the
gath August. 1891. lie was then In his twenty:
81. 9 hta nlFaI
service
There are, among living naval officers, many
who when promoted TO be commanders were
younger in years and had less length Of service
than Prince George. Sir Thomas Symonds was o
commander before he was twenty-five, Sir Alex
ander Mime when he was twenty four, Sir Geohry
when he twcnty-three. The Duke OF Edn-
burgh became an admiral when he was thirty.
four lie was never suD-ileutenant at all, Dut
was promoted at once from mldshlpman5 rank 10
that of lieutenant lie also skipped over the
rank of commander altogether, and went straight
from lieutenant TO post-captain before he was
twenty-five. II is believed that the Duke now
regrets the rapidity of his early advance In the
service; though those who knew what an excel
lent officer he has ever shown himself, ana now
capable an organizer and tacticlan, must acknow-
edge that he has proved himself worthy Of the
honors conferred upon him.
After his return to England Prince George
went in the autumn of 1891 to stay with the
Duke Of Clarence at Dublin: and the two brothers
were once more happy in the mutual interchange
il believed that it was there that he contracted
the typhoid fever from the effects Of which
he has only recently recovered The one brother
was hardly convalescent when the other was
attacked by the fatal pneumonia TO which he
succumbed 1t can readily be imagined how the
sudden loss of his only brother fell upon hun
under these circumstances with overwhelming
force. Besides the blow TO his affections. his
whole future prospects were completely changed
in a moment. Up to that time bis naval career:
to which he had strcnuously applied himself as
his profession for life, had been the chief thought
that had filled his horizon. Though ne has
since then assured several naval friends that he
has no intention whatever of severn9 his con-
nection With the service, his love for which is as
sincere and intense as ever, yet other duties VIII
now inevitably demand large share of his tms
and attention. At present all eyes are directed
toward him, and curiosity is excited as TO whac
he will do, and whom he will marry. 1t is prob;
able however. that like his brother he WIN
through the exigencics of his position come 70 a
known by the people of these islands az large
only gradually and slowly. But Judging from the
impression which he has made upon all who have
had Intercourse with him, what that appreciation
will ultimately be there can be no manner of
In every single duty that has been hitherto
entrusted to him he has acquitted himself with
ability, and discharged it zealously and to the
satisfaction of all concerned whether superois or
at publ, functions the opening Of buildings, lay.
ing of foundation stones, and making short
speeches at charity dinners his port for tie next
few years will he chiefly TO stand by, 10 oberve
to study attentivey from every possible point or
vew all questions relating to the government and
prosperity of these realms, and the social WELL
being Of their peoples, in order that he may there.
by fit himself discharge hereafter the office II
head of the British Commonwealth AS he will
naturally be brought into direct personal contact
will all the leading men Of each party in the State
he will have unique opportunities for 50 qualify
ing himself His acquaintance with all portions
Of the British Empire is already very wide
India is the only portion Of the Queens territories
that he has not yet seen. His experience of men
and of human character, both ashore and afiOat.
has been already very varied, and he has used
it well
The undoubtcd brain power that he possesses
is inherited perhaps fr'<l the Prince Consort as
well a. from the Queen of Denmark. lie is known
to le a great reader, of active habits Of mind and
BODY punctua in the discharge of the smallest
appointments, warm and constant in his friend.
ships endowed with a large share Of practical
conlmon-scnse, simple in his tastes, and like his
late brother singuarly free from any trace OF
self esteem or cOnceit, most cOnslderate Tor the
feelings of Others. willing TO learn from ALL
generous and openhanded yet careful and frugal
on his own account, for his private allowance has
MP 10 now been moderate and never large. His
fellow countrymen may patiently await and watch
the further development Of such character with
strong faith and with large hope.