New-York tribune., 1901-01-23
of the period and nothing has yet been def
initely decided IN regard to this matter

of the period and nothing has yet been def
initely decided IN regard to this matter.
The opening of the new reign will involve
many changes in social England 1t is expected
that the King will reside at Windsor during
the early months of his reign. and that the Duke
OF York will occupy Sandringham. but that ulti-
mately their chief residences will be Bucking-
ham Palace and Marlborough House. All royal
functions will be suspended during the next six
months. and there will be no London season.
Country house pleasures will be suspended. and
the English upper classes will go to the Cont
nent until the period of gloom has ended. Ulti-
mately London will be a gayer capital than ever
before. for the King after his coronation is ex-
pected to live at Buckingham Palace and con-
duct Court functions with unwonted splendor.
The tradesmen's view is that titled and rich
people will spend more time in town. and that
country house gayeties and recreations will de-
cline.
Many inaccurate accounts OF the Queens Ill
ness are now appearing in print, and there
many contradictory and irresponsible explana-
tons. Old time f1ctions have been revived about
her being nearly blind and her dependence upon
Princess Beatrice for the transaction of public
business and the afixing Of her signature to
state papers, and TO these are added a series of
Balmoral and her own conviction well as the
feeling of the Highlanders about the castle that
she would never Scotland again. Not only
are members Of the royal family exclusive, but
1t is also considered bad form for people in the
highest social circles 10 talk about them. and
consequently most of these revelations must be
accepted with reserve. There are. however. sew
eral statements which have received from high
sources and consider trustworthy.
There was no marked change in the Queens
health during her last stay at Balmoral nor
were the members of the royal family alarmed
about her until a short time before she left
Windsor for Osborne. She had what has been
described either fainting fit a slight
stroke OF paralysis, and this followed by
loss of appetite and increased feebleness.
Whether her symptoms were those OF apopexy
or paralysis may be open to question, but th'
significance Of them was concealed from her and
she was encouraged to make the effort required
for her journey to Osborne. The royal family
were, however greatly alarmed, and the ladies
at Court were convinced that she would not be
able to go to the Riviera. The Queen herself
clung persistently to the idea that II she could
once reach the Riviera she would improve. and
as late as Tuesday Of last week was still hoping
to go. Meanwhile insomnia had been added to
loss Of appetite and her strength diminish
the first announcement from the royal family Of
the Queens real condition was made last Thurs
day night at a dinner given to Lord Roberts,
and attended by the Duke of Cambridge and
small group OF military men. The Prince of
Wales had been unusually reticent. but at the
close Of the dinner he frankly stated that the
Queen was falling rapidly, and that the mem
bers of her family were greatly alarmed about
her The Court Circular" with the first refer
ence to the Queens health. appeared twenty
four hours afterward. Medical bulletins have
recorded the symptoms from that night, but
there has been real improvement nor ground
for hope.
There has been deliberate. attempt in some
quarters to prove that the Queens illness was
due to anxieties caused by the in South
Africa This suggestion has been inspired by
nartisan prejudice rather than precise knowledge.
The Queen was reported at one time to have said
that Mr.. Krtger expected to kill her with men
tai worry, but he would not succeed. Whether
she made this remark not, II is safe to assume
that family anxieties rather than public cares
added to the burdens OF old age. have hastened
her end There has been a remarkable COM
bination of tragic events in her own family circle
during the last year. Not only had she lost her
son and grandson. and other near relatives but
she was also terribly anxious over the condition
OF Empress Frederick, who was i'll with pain
full and incurable malady. namely. cancer. The
Queen had taken almost a morbid interest in the
medical details of this case, and had insisted
unon having constant reports of IL. There had
also been distressing accounts Of various family
matters which the Grand Duchess of Saxe-Co-
Gotha brought from Germany. and the
sudden death of Lady Churchill at Osborne. at
Christmas, was a serious shock TO the Queens
nerves.
There has been a general belief that the Queen
was one Of the richest of sovereigns. and that