The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-05-23
FOURSCORE.


Fourscore 1t is a ripe old age, and
few reach it. Among monarchs it is a
rare thing to. pass the eigth decade in
years, and the sixth decade in active
rule. As the world ways now, it is not
likely many more monarchs will cele-
brate their ,eightieth birthdays.
The remarkable part of the. celebra-
ton of Queen Victoria's birthday is that
il rises outside and above the mere Off
cial celebration, the regular function.
into a day when personal regard for the
woman rather than the sovereign is
shown. The accident of birth makes the
sovereign, the good use of the gifts
which God has put at her disposal, the
determination to be noble and honest.
kindly and true, make the woman VINO
is honored from East to West, from
South to North.
In looking back, as one must do now.
over the life of Queen Victoria, one does
not so much contemplate the mighty
dominion which is under the rule of the
English system, one does not think of
the many nations and tribes which owe
allegiance to the English sovereign,
from the naughty princes of Hindustan,
who trace their warrior ancestors into
the dim mists of antiquity, to the petty
and barbarous chiefs of the Fijian ISL
ands. Nor does one think of the great
advances in science and mechanical
arts. the humiliation of time and dis
tance-nor yet of the inspiring litera-
ture which has graced the reign-Nor
indeed of all the magnificent attributes
of a mighty empire, and an energetic
people, highly educated and of sturdy
blood. All these might be as grand and
as striking as they are now, and the
monarChs at the head might be not
worth a passing thought
What those who owe allegiance by
birth, what those who owe no allegiance
at ALL admire and respect is the true
womanhood of the Queen. She has Civ
en- an example to be remembered for
centuries of a noble gentlewoman, and
the homely phrase paints her attributes
as they should be portrayed. She stands
as a model wife, mother, and woman.
Out of the long line of her ancestry,
who is there that is her equal in the
sweetest and best attributes which
grace the human life, whether sover-
eigns or peasants
When one 'cOntemplates the Queens
immediate ancestors, one wonders
where the virtue and gentleness, where
the diplomatic skill and the gracious
manner came from. If you happen TO
be a reader of memoirs of the latter
part of last century and the earlier part
of this you will have a pretty picture of
the sovereigns Immediately preceding
Victoria. If you want an epitome, read
that biting satire, written by the gent
lest of men, the Four Georges, by Will
liam Makepeace Thackeray. There must
have been some decent strain in the
race to produce material which has
nodded itself upon such high ideals.
The American and the Britisher, can
alike celebrate the birthday of a good
woman. For good woman is of no
country and of no time. She is the
country woman of all good and all pure
thinking peoples, without regard to race
or to political division. In making mucn
of this day, though it naturally inspires
feeling of patriotism in those of British
birth, it affords opportunity to others
to express their appreciation of a good
woman, totally apart from any political
feeling whatever
1t must be a satisfaction to Queen
Victoria in this the twilight of her life,
to see the two streams of the Anglo
Saxon race mingling together as they
do now, promising. through they very
strength and power to establish an era
of peace and progress. This feeling
makes this oath of May, 1899, a more
notable and more memorable day than
perhaps any of its predecessors. AS the
gorgeous rays fleck the evening sky with
gold, and flush the fleecy clouds with the
most exquisite tints and shades to be
found ON natures palette with brushes
dipped in the glowing prisms of Iris
bow making the sunset light the most
exquisite of the day, so in Queen Vic
toria's waning years, her sky is tinted
with the beauteous rays of a good life
well spent, and the bright glow of "a
glorious future of her race sheds bril-
lance upon the fading moments which
will burst forth into the glistening eff
fulgence of the endless hereafter.
There is no need to ask anyone to Join
in the sentiment. 1t will spring spon-
taneous to countless lips tomorrow, and
ii will be a heartfelt sentiment,
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!