The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-03-09

Victoria Receives Royal Ovation in
the Metropolis, and Is Even Dearer
to the Hearts Of Her Loyal People
Than When the Diamond Jubilee
Was Celebrated.
LONDON. March s-oueen Victoria
ana the people OF the greatest city in
her empire to-day celebrated the vic
tories which they believe have trans
formed the campaign in South Africa
from one OF reverse into one Of success.
That is the only explanation Of the
unbounded, the unparalleled enthusi-
asm with which hundreds Of thou-
sands hailed their sovereign.
In many ways these demohstrat tlons
outdId those OF the diamond Jubilee,
although there were no Slittering pa
geants. no trlumphal arches, no pro-
cesslon Of prince. but only a dozen life
guards, followed by a little old lady in
the pIafnest black costume who had
come for a few days stay at Buclsing-
ham palace. as she has done many a
time before. Yet her hold upon the
hearts Of her people was probably new
er more striltingly manifested. Unlike
that of the diamond jubilee, to-days
popular outburst was almost impromp-
tu. The fierce pride in the strength Of
a mighty empire that pervaded Lon
don's exultation when the queen last
drove through the streets In 1897 had
vanished and in its place thereweregen-
uIne thanlsulness and rejoicing for the
victories which had succeeded months
of gloom. The depth of feeling which
these demonstrations represented could
only be gauged by those who mingled
mourning for sons killed on the far-oft
veldt, struggled bravely with the
most hilarious to catch g glimpse Of
the queen, whose WOmanly sympathy
and thoughtfulness Of the soldiers had
touched their hearts.
Often the long, cold vigiiS were rem
dered futile by tears that dimmed the
eyes and blurred the vision as the royal
carriage passed. AS one very old wo-
man said: 1--WE seen her many time,
but she said she was sorry for my boy.
and must see her again before ] die"
Thousands braved raw east wind and
stood for hours waiting patiently, who
have often seen the queen, and who In
ordinary circumstances would scarcely
bulge to watch her pass. Among
these were many personal friends OF
the sovereign. for instance, the Count
ess OF Browtlow, a great friend Of Vic
toria and n favOrite ut court, who sat
on the curb shiverlng for hours with
the crowd outside Buckingham Place.
In short, 1t was not so much desire TO
see the monarch as II was an over
whelming need for an outlet for jublIa-
ton over the war and nn inclination to
let the queen see and share the glad.
ness OF her people, thqt prompted
London spontaneously to make to-day
one OF the most memorable celebra-
tions Of Victorih's reign.
It was quite different from the mad
rejoicings that marked the relief of
Ladysmith. Rowdylsm was conspicuous
by It's absence. although the crowds
reached such proportions that the
number OF police would have been
quite inadequate had the people been
obstreperous.
Moreover, Intermingled with the re-
toicings OF patriotism. there was a
particularly keen appreciation of the
queens personality, her womanliness,
her great age. This little touch OF rev.
erence for sex rather than for sover-
eighty rendered the huge crowds per-
fectly tractable in the hands Of good
natured police. and It was not hard
task to induce them to surge back and
to make way for the royal carriage.
When the queen Of Great Britain and
Ireland and the Empress Of India did
pass, noddlng as II to many friends In
stead Of bowling with royal restraint,
God bless her" Good keep her." my,
but she's q brave woman" and scores
more like them.
It was small wonder that now and
again tears Of Joy rolled down the
cheeks OF the aged sovereign.