The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-23

Soon after these minor wars for empire
came that which might almost be consid-
cred England's first great war for self
preservation-the Crilnean war. The first
fifteen years of Victc=ias rule had been
compared with those preceding her ac-
cession TO the throne. peaceful and with
out great problems of war or diplomacy:
but with the year 1854 there began an
other epoch. The proclamation Of war ap-
pesred on March %; during the year there
came in quick succession Sebastopol. Bala-
ciava, Inkerman, the Tchernaya-names
which mean little to the present genera
tion, but TO those who waited for news of
the war in 1916 were full of dreadful
significance. Finally came the Peace Jubi-
lee. in the new wonder of the Crystal Pal
aces and there was time once r,ore TO con-
slider the peaceful, though hardly less peri
lous, affairs of scieI 2. News of the ILL
fated Franklin expedition arrived; Liv-
ingstone returned from Africa and was
feied and welcomed: there was a farewell
concert by the Swedish Nightingale"
Jenny Lind. whose magical power over the
hearts of those who heard her is now only
q memory and name.
But this brief peaceful interval was not
to last. In February, 1857, came the news
OF the Indian mutiny and the sinister
udings OF revolt, massacre. fruitless brav-
cry, secret assassination. came with
every ship from the East. Curiously
enough with the coincidence which may
be observed in such times of tension,
agency are to be noted about this time
There was an earthquake along the coast
of the Mediterranean in which ten thou
sand lives were lost: there was ter
rlble mine explosion: there were fires and
shipwrecks. Along with the mutiny came
attempts by European assassins to take
the lives Of kings. An emigrant steamer
was burned at sea. with fearful loss of
life, and a troopship having on board
some Madras regiments mysteriously dis
appeared.
The events OF the war in America did
not directly concern England, except In
SO far as the closing of the cotton mills
caused suffering among the workingmen
OF the factory towns. The abolition of
slavery in the United States, the eman-
cipation of the serfs in Russia. and the
treaty between Great Britain and the
United States for the abolition OF the
African slave trade. all came about with
In three eventful years. During these
years, too, the Queen was visited by the
deepest personal sorrow which ever dark
ened her life. The death of the Prince
consort cast a gloom not only over the
royal household, but over all England,
and the fact that his personal character
caused him to be SO universally mourned
is perhaps the strongest proof of the
success with which he filled his very diff
cult position. The husband of queen
must perforce be man of rare tact and
strength Of character. and when the
queen is the idol of her people the re-
quirements of that position are still
greater.
Following the death of the Prince Con-
sort. and the marriage, some two years
later, of the Prince of Wales and the
Princess Alexandra of Denmark, come
several uneyentful years France was CO.
ing through its experience with the Com
mune and with Bismarck, but England
was strictly neutral. Almost every year
marked some progressive step In Vie
toria's realm. In 1871 religious tests at