The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-31

| notable.
Remembering all this, can any one
doubt that the interest which America
feels in the coronation OF the young
queen of the Dutch Is a very personal
one?
Queen Wilhelmina when she receives
her full name is Wilhelmina Helena
Paulina Maria. and her birthday on
Aug. 81 will make her 1s years old. In
Holland a woman is not OF age until
she is 23, but as Wilhelmina is a queen
and her country requires her services
an exception is made in her case.
Queen Emma. WilheImina's mother
and the real ruler since the death OF
her husband. the young queens father.
King William III, which occurred in
1890. is very good woman, but she Is a
German, and the Hollanders do not like
Germans. They have an idea that the
German nation is always reaching out
to extend its territories and would like
to absorb the Netherlands. since II is
through Holland that the river Rhine
finally reaches the sea.
Queen Emma Is a daughter of Prince
George Victor of waldeck- -Pyrmont,
one of the vassals of the German crown.
The people OF Holland therefore think
1t is natural that she should have q
special liking for Germany. and they
fear that she may influence her daugh-
ter to marry some one OF the German
princelings who are under Emperor
Williams thumb. 1t was once gossiped
that she and the German emperor had
in view the Crown Prince Frederick.
who is now 16 years Of age.
In order to avoid any appearance OF
favoring the Germans. Wilhelmina has
been brought up with as little knowl-
edge of the German language and the
excellences OF the nation as was possi-
bic. II is qedte likely that German is
the only language OF Europe that she
cannot speak. French. English, Span
ish and Italian she uses fluently
England is, next to Holland, Will
helmina's favorite country: She her
self says that when she marries. which
she very Independently asserts she has
no notion Of doing until she Is quite
well suited, she will select an English
man.
Her liking for the English Is possibly
due to the fact that she has been edu-
Gated by a very charming and accom-
plished English woman. a Miss Saxton
Winter. This lady was wisely given en-
tire charge of the little girls education.
Under the general direction OF the queen
she decided what the little girl should
study and was present when the mas
ters gave their instruction to see that
Wilhelmina was attentive and did not
frolic. as she had great tendency to do
when given an Opportunity.
In the afternoons Miss Winter accom-
panied her young charge on her drives
or walks and saw that she went to bed
early and did not eat unwholesome food.
In fact. this English woman in a meas
ure took the place Of mother to the
little girl. Queen Emma's official duties
occupied much OF her time, and she was
glad to think that during the long. busy
days so wise and so excellent woman
as Miss Winter looked after her daugh-
ter.
Queen Wilhelmlna has been brought |
UP more simply perhaps than most |
girls. even than the daughters OF the |
we'll to do burghers whom She has often |
openly envied. because OF their less re-
stricted lives. A little story is told OF |
her that shows how early she had learn |
ed the truth OF the saying. Uneasy lies |
the head that wears a crown"
She had great number OF dolls, and |
after any court ceremony in which she !
took part she was wont TO put them |
through the same performance. To them |
she also recited her lessons every day.
One afternoon one OF the dolls would
not sit up quite 10 please her. and after
placing II as she wanted IL she shook
her finger threaterlngly and said, BE
careful now. or ] will make you prin-
cess. and then you will have to sit up
and smile az the people whenever you
go OUT until your poor head aches and
your back is nearly broken" Being
n princess seemed 10 her the worst
thing that could possibly happen to
anyone.
wilhelmina has never had any friends
or her own age. Sometimes when she Is
at the country palace. Het Loo, the |
Of the neighborine aristocra-
cy are invited to spend an afternoon
with her. but before leaving home the |
children have been so iectured about |
their manners that they are frightened |
and stand In such awe OF the little /
queen that they make poor playmates.
One day during tedious court cerc.
mony I'm which the little girl was a cen
trail figure she noticed peeping through
- eoop Of an upper ,uNlkry tne head