The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-31
CORONATION OF A QUEEN.
WILHELMINA OF HOLLAND BE-
COMES or AGE TODAY.

CourteSy-The Coronation Occurs
Later-The Ceremonies.
From the Kansas City Journal.
Wednesday will be proud day for the
people of Holland, for on that day Will
helmina, the girl queen. will be girl
queen no longer, but sovereign in real
itv as well as in name. She will be IS
wears old Aug. 81, and being IS and con-
seauently a woman, she will succeed to
the title which has heretofore been hers
only by courtesy.
Her coronation will be unique in the his
tory of Europe. Grandeur and simplicity
will be curiously blended in this celebra-
ton. There will be such display of jew
els as the world has seldom seen.
The priceless gems of Hollands treas
ury viii be augmented by precious stones
of marvellous brilliancyy ordered to the
mother country from the various colonies
under the Dutch flag. Such a crown and
scepter would dazzle the eyes of an
alchemist. Their value can only be
guessed at
There will be 5000 pigeons-whlte wing
ed messengers of joy. After the young
Queen takes the oath of Office the birds
will be liberated as she is driven through
the square, and will carry the tidings to
every part of the low countries.
For in many respects Wilhelmina is
still child Her mother the Queen Re
gent has personally superintendent her
education, and has striven to the utmost
to inculcate the principles of simplicity
and dignity. Wilhelmina has BOTH and a
charming combination ID is. She never
forgets the dignity that is her birthright
as Queen, nor has she forgotten the sweet
simplicity of childhood.
Although the festivities will begin Aug
81, the coronation will not take place
until Sept. g. The week intervening will
he given over to feasting and merry-mak-
ing and all Holland, from the most dig
nfied court officer to the most lowly peas
ant, will indulge in merry making. The
young Queen herself will not miss it,
She is too democratic not TO have a good
time at her own coronation.
Around this little woman more romance
is centered than falls to the lot of even
a maiden Queen She is the last surviv-
ing bond that unites the Dutch nation
small in area, great in renown-to the
famous and truly noble ancient house of
Nassau, in past time the valiant and con-
slant champion of political and religious
freedom, both against Philip II of Spain,
and Louis XIV of France. The Queen
mother and present regent, Emma of Wal
uCNh-E NlUiOLli - a uCSC6lludnL OF one OIL
the most faithful of the allies of the Dutch
republic two centuries ago, and was only
19 years of age at the time of her mar
Tiage to William III when he was g.
The late King, after the death of his
two sons by his first wife, Queen Sophia,
set aside the Salic law of the Netherlands
and caused the Senate and Chamber of
Deputies to confirm the title of his only
living child, the baby princess, Wilhel-
nina Helena Pauline Maria, to the throne
of Holland, and name her mother as
Queen Regent. This was a few years be-
fore the death of William III, in 1890, and
little Wilhelmina became the pet of her
people.
Wilhelmina has been educated so as to
feel herself a true Dutchwoman and will
ingly puts on the quaint old-fashioned
dress of the provincial farmers wives,
with their golden frontlets and lace caps,
so wonderful to see in many a market
town.
AS child Wilhelmlna's first governess
was French woman, Mile. Siotard, and
she spoke entirely in the French language
until she was years old. Then she learn
ed other languages, but strangely enough
never German, her father having a horror
OF all Germans. Miss Winter an English
lady, then replaced Nile. Siotard, and all
lssons given by the various professors
were always delivered in the presence of
Miss Winter, who had absolute authority.
1t was this English governess who told
the girl Queen, in order to punish her, to
draw large map of Europe. Wilhemina
oDeyed orders and stuck to her task brave
ly. Miss Winter then sent for her ward
and told her to bring the map along with
her.
but where is England" asked the En-
ghsh governess, ''and why have you made
Holland SO Extraordinarily large, COM
pared with the other countries of Eu-
rope?"
Queen Wihelmina did not answer. She
mad extended Holland away out into the
herman ocean, so as to make her own
country as big as Prussia while Great
Britain was represented by little black
speck or two in the midst of yellow
London fog. The governess laughed, and
the map is undoubtedly held by her as a
priceless treasure
But, all the same Wilhelmina has a
great admiration for England, and thinks
the United States of America quite al
great power, especially since our war
with Spain. She is greatly interested in
lhe a1alrs of nations, and, despite her
tender years, has ideas of her own in re-
sard to such matters, as indeed she has
on all matters. Her ideas may not be
startling for their farsighCedness, but
they are all her own. She forms them
Influenced.
She is now a fair-haired pretty young
woman, well formed, robust in health
ana with preponderance of animal spir-
us Mentally she is active quick Of
speech and keen Of insight and observa-
ton.
Like all famous personages. WiEhelmina
mas been industriously exploited, and has
been kept in the public eye to an extent
winch seems little short Of marvellous.
but the matchmakers have been most busy
ana, although she win not be IS years old
uhui the Slst Of this month, her affairs of
We neart, II ohe may place any credence
a. an IN that garrulous old lady, Dame
Aumor, have been most varied.
ia May, 1892, when u years old she was
taKen 10 Berlin, where IL was reported she
was TO be beuothed to Prince Frederick,
eacst son of Albrecht regent of Bruins
wick This engagement was broken of.
ana at the age OF is il was rumored that
sue was to be betrothed to the young
io"n Prince of Prussia. This match also
lai.ed TO materlalize. In 1886 she was an
bounced 10 Ne engaged 10 Prince Bernard