The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-25

GIVE Each One a whispered Farewell.
Her Forethought for Friends and Ser
wants at Almost the Last Moment.
The News Flashed Over the Kingdom.
A Gloom Over All Sectfons-The
News Announced to London by the
Tolling Of the Great Bell ofst. Paul's.
Preparations for ProoIaiming the
New Monarch = Speoulatfons as to
the Next Reign.
Cove, Isle of Wight, January 22.-
Queen Victoria is dead. and Edward
VII 1eignS The greatest event in TIE
memory Of this generation. ths most
stupt rdous change in existing condi-
tions that could possibly be imagined
has taken place quietly. almost gently,
upon the anniversary Of the death Of
Queen Victoria'S father, the luke Of
Kcnt
The end of this career. never equaled
by any woman in the worlds history
ca me in simply furnished room IL
Osborne house. This most respected
Of all women. living or dead, lay in a
shrunken atom, whose aged Iace and
figure were a cruel mockery OF the
fair sirl who in 1887 began to RUE over
England.
around her were gathered almost
every descendant Of her line. Well
within view of her dying eyes there
hung a portrait Of the prince consort.
1t was he who designed the room and
every part of the castle.
In scarcely audible words tn white
haired bishop of Winchester prayed be-
side her ,aS he had often prayed with
his sovereign, for he was her chaplain
at Windsor. With bowed heads the
imperious ruler of the German empire,
and the man who Is now the king OF
England, the woman who has succeed
ed to the title Of queen. the princes
and princeSSeS and those of less than
royal designation, listened to tine
bishops ceaseless prayer.
Six o'clock passed. The bisnop con-
tinued his intercession. One of the
younger children asked a question in
shrill, childish treble. and was inme-
diately silenced. The women of the
royal family sobbed family and the
men shuffled uneasily.
At exactly $50 o'clock Sir James
Reid held up his hand, and the peopi1
in the room knew that England had
lost her queen. The bishop pronoupc-
sq the OePsulctlon.
THE END WAS PAINLESS AND
PEACEFUL.
The o-deen passed away quite peace
fully. She suffered no pain. Those
who were now mourners went to their
rooms.
"A few minutes later the inevitable
element of materialism stepped into
this pathetic chapter of international
history. for the court ladies went busl-
ly to work ordering their mourning
from London.
The wheels of the world were Jared
when the announcement came, but In
this palace at Osborne everything pur-
sued the usual course. Down in the
Kitchen they were cooking a huge din
ner for an assemblage, the like OF
which has seldom been known in Eng
land, and the dinner preparations pro-
ceeded just as if nothing had happen
ed.
The body of Queen Victoria was en-
belmed and will probably be taken
to Windsor Saturday. The coffin ar
rived last evening from London.
An incident characteristic of ths
queens soiicItude for others occurred
two days ago when in one of the in
tervals of consciousness. she summon
who had been acting as nurses. &c
take the opportunity of getting some
fresh air.
Monday afternoon she asked that hei
little Pomeranian spaniel be brought Il
her bedside.
Tt was feared that the queen was
dying about So'clock in the morning
and carriages were sent to Osborne
cottage and the rectory ito bring al
the princes iand princestses land The
bishop of Winchester. to her bedside
It seemed then very near the end, but
when things looked the worst, thu
queen had One of the rallies due tf
her wonderful constitution, opened hel
eyes and recognized the prince o
Wales. the princess and Emperor WI
liam. She asked to see one of her faith
full servants, a member of the house
holdl He FASTENED ITO the room, bu
before he got there the queen had pass
ed into a fitful sleep.
BEGINNING OF THE END.
Four o'clock marked the beginning o
the end. Again the family were sum
moned and this time the relapse wa
not followed by recovery.
The prince of Wales was very mucl
affected when the doctors at last in
formed him that his mother hai
breathed her last. Emperor William
himself deeply affected, did his best t
minister comfort to his sorrow stricke
uncle, whose new dignity he was tn
first to acknowledge.
From all parts OF the world there ar
still pouring into Cowes messages O
coincidence. They came from crowne
heads, millionaires. tradesTnen an
paupers and are va-iouSly addresSe
to the prince OF Wales and the king @
England.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT