The herald., 1896-12-30
WILHELMINA OF HOLLAND

When Queen Victoria inherited the
British throne she was scarcely more
popular than is the young queen of Hol-
land at the present moment. The Dutch
simply adore their young sovereign, and
take much interest in her coming of age,
which takes place next August, and In
her possible marriage. Queen Wilhel-
nina is credited by her people with much
force of character. 1t is thought that
she will attempt to rule as well as reign,
and her choice of husband is therefore
q matter of the utmost Importance to
the Dutch. The Wochen Zeitung, AM
sterdam, says on this subject:
THE many rumors of the queens ap-
preaching marriage are premature. More
than once she has declared that she
would prefer to remain single as long as
possible. At any rate 1t Is certain that
the queen will choose for herself. She
will not be railroaded into marriage.
Only recently she said: L love my loyal
subjects and hope to please them in ev-
cry way, but if they believe they nave
a voice in the choice of my husbano
they are decidedly mistaken. If extreme
measures should be resorted to against
me. shall be more energetic than ever.
will not be married against my Will,
and l will not be married at all If am not
allowed to have a voice in the matter.
So far the Dutch people are rather
pleased with tneSe tApIcSSloiiS VI AHuC-
pendence. They are, however, anxious
to have certain legal formalities settled
before the queen comes of age. The Cou-'
rant, Rotterdam, writes as follows:
1T will be necessary to define the posi-
ton of the queen before the law, to re-
move the conflict between the queens
position as head of the state and as wife,
and it is best that this should be done
before she has chosen a husband. Ac-
cording to the civil code the wife Is
bound to obey her husband, and the lat
ter has a right to demand that his chill
dren should be called by his name.
More: The husband can compel his wife
to reside in whatever place ne thinks mt
to choose as his abode. The queen Is not
above the law. She must obey It as well
as her spbjects. The rights of the prince
consort would therefore clash with the
constitution, for the seat Of government
NAV not. constitutionally,s ,sbe transferred
to a foreign country. The queens ex-
ceptional position should be defined by
special legislation while she Is yet free.
Although there are many points of
similarity between the position OF the
queen of England and that Of the queen
of Holland, there has sprung up between
the two countries an estrangement since
Wilhelmina inherited the throne of Hol-
land. For some uraccountable reason
the young queen has a violent aversion
of everything English. The British press
returns this dislike with interest Her
figure is ungainly, her lips are bloodless.
she shows that she is the child OF an OLD
rake" ETC., are things we read OF her IN
Life and other English society papers.
These descriptions are reported TO ner
and do not assist her in overcoming her
dislike Of Englishmen. The Vaderland
relates the following incident:
During a recent tour abroad, the
queen expressed wish to the Dutch
ambassador accredited to foreign
court to meet his daughters. I do wish
to meet some Dutch girls she said. I
am just dying for some one to speak to
| in my own language. Do send your
| daughters to me- But my daughters
| do not speak Hollandish,' repliedthe un-
fortunate nobleman; my girls were not
born in Holland; they only speak Eng
llsh' Then, for heavens sake, don't
send them to me-, replied the Queen
| Wilhelmina, wrathfully will have
| nothing to do with Dutch girls who do
not understand their own language
The Literary Digest.