Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-14
Precarious State of Queen Victoria's
Health.
her RECENT DEPARTURE FROM LONDON
Opening Museums and Arl Ca
Ieries Sunday.
LATE TOPICS ABROAD

Copyright, 1896. by the Associated Press)
LONDON, March 14.-The departure Of
the queen on Monday for the south of France
has drawn forth pathetic account of the
increasing feebleness of her majesty. 1t is
said that she is evidently grieving greatly
at the loss of Prince Henry of Battenberg,
who was never tired of waiting upon his
other-iE-law. and who no doubt had sincere
lo-a for the aged sovereign. In view of the
state of her majesty's health much of the
usual state was abandoned, and sine was
carefully wheeled on board the royal yacht
II. specially constructed chair.
Upon arriving at Cherbourg, there was a
dense fog. which did not tend 10 improve
the condition. The gangway ways, it was
noticed, were decorated with black and
white flags, and by her majcsty's COM
mand all floral and other decorations were
removed. And SO she was escorted ashore,
q pathetic picture of woe. an almost heart
broken woman mourning her dead and
seeming to take bat little interest in her
surroundings, the funeral aspect OF which
added considerably to the depressing ma
ture of the sceEe.
AS special mark of respect to the
queen, the bandmaster of one of the
French infantry regiments in garrison at
Cherbourg composed a piece in her honor.
But she would not allow ii 10 be played,
though she did not forget the ba ndmaster's
thoughtfIiness, as nice little present
taken to him by one of the gentlemen in
waiting testified.
Sunday Opening.
The decision arrived at by parliament this
week to allow the opening of the museums
and art galleries on Sundays has afforded
delight to the majority of the people. and
indicates a rapid change in public senti-
ment on the subject. 1t was only ten years
ago that parliament rejected a similar mo-
tion by crushing majority, and its action
was upheld in most quarters. But the de-
termination to open the British and Ken
s.ngton museums, the national gallery, etc,
on Sundays, is low received with general
commendation, which would seem to indi-
cate passing away of the stern conserva-
tism which has been feature of the
British character for generations.
Plans of Bimetallfkts.
In speaking OF the proposed plan of the
Bimetallic League to bring a motion he
fore parliament fsvoring bimetallism. Sir
John Lubbock said to a representative Of
the Associated Press: "Bimetallists have
always declined to commit themselves to
any ratio. But IT is obvious that the results
OF charge would to a great extent depend
upon the ratio which was adopted. At
present, roughly speaking, gold is more
than thirty times the valve of silver.
There are some bi-metallists who would
insist ON ratio approaching the market
we may at once dismiss any such idea. In
France the legal ratio is still 151a 20 J.
ard no French authority has shown any
disposition to accept any material change
America would. 1 believe, take a similar
view.
Practically, then. bimetallism means a
ratio OF IL or 15ia to THAT is, foreign
countries should be permitted TO send us
any quantity OF silver at double its pres
ent price. B.metallists tell us that if there
was any practical probability of the adop-
ton of bimetallism the value of silver
whether this would be the result. We
should rather, think, see great stimulus
given to silver mines, a great increase in
production of silver, and all creditors
would do their best to call in their debts
while they could still claim payment in
gold.
Personal Notes.
1t is announced that the Princess Kaiu-
lani of Hawaii, who is now in northern
Italy, is to he married to an Italian noble-
man on Easter Monday
But the Hawaiians who are on intimate
terms with the princess, deny 1t, and say
she would jeopardize her chances OF the
throne CT Hawaii by marrying an Italian.
The system of privately educating the
princes of the royal family has been aban-
doned by the queen. who is supreme author
ity in such matters. Prince Arthur of Con-
naught is at a school near Farnborough,
and Princes Albany and Alexander of Bat
tenberg are going in LyIdhurst after Easter.
The funeral of Mrs. Marshall Field Of Chi
cago took place at Newbold-Pacey. War
wickshire, on Monday. Mr.. Marshall Field
arrived here on the Campania, and his sons.
and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tree were among
the mourners. The service was fully choral
and there were many wreaths OF flowers de-
sk.kl -