St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-04-03

his action. From the day of Boadice
to the reign of the Queen who restsin tn
mausoleum at Froemore there have bee
women on European thrones whose per
sonality has been impressed deeply OF
the times in which they reigned. Eliza
beth. Anne, the two Marys, Catherine
II, Maria Theresa, Isabella of Spain
and Eugenia of France, were all remark
able women in their way, but England:
last Queen, while possessing more o
their weaknesses, possessed more thar
all their combined virtues and the Vic
torian era will in history stand for the
reign when the British throue was the
center of all that was good.
Iwell recall those days of 1S61.62-
the dark days Of the Trent affar-when
for the first time l slept at Gibraltar,
under the British flag, and amid all the
political excitement of that fortress, |
wondered whether war with England
was to be added to our civil war. If so
it seemed likely that IchaboG" would
soon be written across our field OF blue,
every star effaced. 1t was then that
Victoria so shaped the policy and di-
plomacy of her ministers that war
which would have given to the south
her triumph was avoided. France, with
her eye on Mexico, was ready to back up
any power which would shatter our re-
public, and all tory England was hop
ing for the success of the confederate
arms. Even Gladstone believed the south
would win, and that belief was at that
time his hope and prayer. Bright and
Golden stood firm for freedom and were
our friends in those darkest days, but
to Prince Albert and Victoria we owe
he happy termination of the Mason and
Shdell incident and the gradual change
n English political sentiment. From
hat time till Lees army surrendered
here was really no hope for the southern
,ause, and that flag at half mast over
The White House was fitting recogni-
ton of the services of one whose councils
and sympathy had long ago been the
turning point in the war tor universal
freedom. Peace to Victoria the Good,
and God bless the King.
1t has been a severe winter in southern
Europe, lin Malta exceptionally cold."
said an old resident to me this morning,
and yet the mercury at sunrise has not |
touched 400. Now the frightening days
are telling on the temperature and there
S prophecy of summer in our garden.
The almond trees are a mass of white
and pink, Strawberries are in blossom |
and camelias, roses, pansies, heliotrope,
narigold and fresas give fragrance and |
,olor to every foot of ground. On clear
lays, from our terrace, we look on Mt. |
9tna with its crown of snow-12O miles |
north, and this vision of winter recalls
school days at St. Johnsbury when used
% "skoot" and skate" with a certain
doctor of divinity whose family name is
associated with the industry which has
made your town famous.
The direct steamer service monthly be. |
;ween Malta and New York has already
developed quite trade with the United |
States, and Mr.. Grout, the able represen,
a five Of Ot1r Government NJ +L;e ,,or+ a,
seeing the tuItilment of his prediction
hat such line would pay. 1t is his
work which opened it.
On my own table notice the result of |
his direct communication with America:
Vermont maple syrup, New England
1der, peanuts, popcorn, Baldwin apples
md candy from HuyIers. An American
olony, too, has pitched its tent under
'ur orange trees, Plymouth Rocks and
born in the old century and
,etting their first glimpse of eastern life
ust as the new century was ushered in.
IS direct descendant of the Pilgrims |
Iuite enjoy having my morning nap dis
urbed by the Growing of Plymouth Rock
oosters. My old home seems nearer,
md my catechism memories are quick
ned. Up to this date our island has no
automobile curse resting on it, and there
IRE no electric trans, the horse and don
icy monopoizing the carrying trade
With the exception OF six-mile railway
'wned by the government. We greatly
iced frst-class hotel and lifts for our
Ugh buildings. If this was a Yankee
these wants would be quickly
upplied, and a fortune made.
While writing this the P. & O. steamer
1assilia from Marseiles has cast anchor
nder our window, stones throw from
ur garden gate. Two hours hence she
off for Alexandria, and then the St.
ohnsbury pilgrim, who has been seeing
he Nile.land, will join the ship and on
be 9th of March drop down on us at
1alta. We hope they will see this island
'r the first time under better auspices
han the patron saint whose statue on
he shore ten miles west, marks the site
his shipwreck. Your townspeople
I'LL be here to welcome the Duke of York
nd will enjoy the festivities which will
lark that occasion. The papers will in
ue time report the welcome given by
lalta to the heir of the British throne.
will be unique and most loyal.
H. L. CLAPP.