The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-28

twenty-five minutes. Inc queen VIII not
be seen in public again. except at the re-
ceptions which will be given, until June "A,
when she returns to Windsor Castle.
NOTABLE FEATURES.
One of the notable features of the attend
ant observances of the sixtieth year of the
| Queens reign will be what is known as the
Victorian Era Exhibition. A particularly
noticeable feature of this exhibition will be
that of the drama section. where the
drama, during the Victorian era. will be
appropriately represented on the largest
stage in the world. that of the Empress
Theater having been set aside for the pur-
pose. What will be done by the theatrical
profession in this section is explained by
Mr.. Charles Wyndham, whose position as
regards the English drama is such as to
make his words of unusual interest. Said
he. in discussing the matter:
I'VE have the chance of illustrating in a
more tangible shape than ever before the
progress of the drama during the six glo-
rious decades Of her Majesty's reign and TO
show its gradually increased and ever in
creasing hold on public thought and senti-
ment. Sixty years is a long time in the
history of the drama. In sixty years it
rose from its infancy Of miracle plays and
problems to its zenith under Shakespeare.
In sixty years more it sank to its lowest
| depths in the degraded and degrading lit
erature of the restoration. What, however,
has Ii accomplished in the last sixty years?
Although we at the present time cannot
compete with the giants who lived in the
days of Queen Elizabeth, yet, in the wide
ness of its range, the complexity of its
problems, the refinement and fidelity of its
detail and variety of points on which it
~,-l,~- 4. ~-- iii ...@a. 49,.
bly, with any other. l need not remind
you." said Mr.. Wyndham. "how much OF
this is due TO our sovereign, who. before
the sad blow which left her throne a lonely
splendor, was one of the most ardent and
enthusiastic ~playgoers, and in this and
other capacities she has been nobly fol-
lowed by members of her royal house. We
must make this section of the exhibition a
success. We owe it to our Queen, our
country, our profession and ourselves"
There is another fact in connection with
the jubilee of which one is apt to lose sight
in the multiplexity OF matters which COM
mand public attention. That is, the numer-
Gus charities which are to be es-
| tablished in honor OF the time. For
instance, a subscription has been raised TO
construct the largest and finest seamen's
hospital which has ever existed. Then, in
the Merthyr General Hospital will be a new
accident receiving ward, known as the Dia-
mond Jubilee warG. AT Newark a magnifi-
cent new library is to come into existence
as well as a school of science and art and
a museum. AT Tiverton, a public library
building will be erected and a large number
Of books placed therein. In London there
will be created a Queens Jubilee Institute
for Nurses, which will have an endowment
OF ESQ, 600. Besides all these Ell. 1000 have
been raised with which will be founded the
Prince of Wales hospital fund for the pur-
pose of meeting the needs of hospitals
which are not provided for by funds now in
existence. These are but a few of the more
| Notable benefits with which the public is
concerned, that are directly the result of
the observance which will make 1897 one Of
the greatest years in English history.
EVENTS OF HER REIGN
Sixty years is within ten of the number
which constitute what is supposed TO be
the allotted span of the life of man. And
Victoria has reigned almost an ordinary
lifetime. The history which she has seen
made is of the mos vital interest. The
events which have transpired are among
the most notable in history. 1t is almost
a remarkable fact that, from the time she
assembled the throne until the present day,
her inteI est in the affairs not only of her
empire, but of the world itself. has been
of the keenest. Although entailing often
times a serious addition to the other cares
and labors of state, she has invariably de-
sired TO be made fully acquainted with the
nature and character of diplomatic dealings
of Importance with foreign powers, and it
is no more than an acknowledgment of
fact to say that no minister ever failed TO
find in his consultations with the Queen
ready and cordial sympathy in all that
pertained to the wants and wishes of the
people.
Perhaps no event during the Queens
reign illustrated the strength of her char
acter more than that most conspicuous enc
of 1889, her disagreement with Lord Pal
merston, whose headstrong rashness of
policy and mode of action nearly plunged
| England into a general war with Europe.
Palmerston was for war and the Queen for
| peace, as she always has been. At this
! time there existed the Austrian difficulty
which proved so great a menace TO the
peace of Europe. Kossuth was then gain
ing the victories that made him famous.
In November, 1851. came the famous coup
d'etat i'm Paris. The Queen considered that
the British government should remain pas
sive and neutral. Palmerston personally
| expressed his sympathy with Louis Ma
poleon 10 the French ambassador at the
Court of st. James. and this officially, as
England's foreign minister. Despite Pal
mestou's high standing and his popularity
with Parliament and the people, the Queen
| promptly dismissed him from Office, an ac-
ton which those best capable of judging
believe saved England from the horrors
of a long and serious war.
Following this came the Crimean war
period. in which the Queen showed won
drous tact and diplomacy, together with a
knowledge OF the affairs of nations which,
considering the multitude of affairs that
claimed her attention, seems more than
passing strange. Since then wars have
been prevented in Europe upon more than
one occasion by her advice and influence
over her own ministers. Diplomatic trou-
bles and friction which might have led to
war have been smoothed over by her per-
sonal and foreign influence upon far more
frequent occasions than history reveals 10
us. That war between England and the
United States has been averted by the
| Queen on several occasions there is no
doubt. There was the conflict over the
Trent affair. During the rebellion il was
| really the Queens influence which pre-
vented Great Britain taking up arms for
the Confederacy. In the struggle over the
Venezuelan question, only a few months
ago. the Queen took active interest and