Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-04-18


known and least known OF sovereigps'
Her subjects understood her because
che was never out of touch with them,
but trusted them as they trusted her.
Her real character and manner a
speech and life were not known, be-
cause there could be no intrusion upon
the privacy OF a sovereign SO sincerely
honortd. Biographies of the Queen
were either made up Of anecdotes told
at second or third hand by people VINO
knew nothing about her, or we're official
records submitted for her revision that
was critical or independent in judg'
ment.
"The Quarterly Review" which un-
der the aole editorship Of Mr.. Proihero
has repaiped its old time character and
prestige. contains remarkable article
90 the Queen, evidently written from
precise and intimate knowledge during
a period OF fl ty years. The article is
not signed, but it occupies
leading place In the current
num Der, and is, perhaps, the first char
scter study of the Queen made by any
competent writer VINO had the advan-
tsge OF personal aoqusintance with her,
and could reproduce her own words 10
daily conversation and form impartial
and critical judgments, based on pro-
lopQed observation and rtti ctiop.
The article is discriminating, while
euloeistic, and is remarkable for the
.so fG r.
deDce OF judgment and even the sever-
ity OF it's criticism. 1t throws new
light upon many secret passages In the
history Of the reign, and contains o
series of ffG anecdotes illustrating the
Oleen's characteristic traits OF trench
ant humor and racy talk, and has
throughout strong note OF personality.
The authorship of this great article
will probably remain literary secret,
and will pique public curiosity. j.
The author attempts, without blind
or sy phantic laudation, to ascertain
what we're the elements apd processes
Of the evolution of the Queens charac.
| ter. He e lds few traces OF heredity,
| ind coLteb6s that there was no irresis-
title trend towsI d personal greatness,
| out that che YVES rather an ordinary
mortal with foe Instincts, considerable
mental capacity and certain vital per-
sisience which served her well, and
hat qualities not in themselves extra
ordinary were trained by circu instances
90 as TO provide basis upon which an
| excellence not innate could be built up.
The explanation given of the Qneen's
or. judice against Mr.. Gladstone Is that
| IL started in the suspicion that he gave
| her too muoh work to do, until she
\ was, as che put It, "dead beat" He
tried 10 his eagerness to press her to do
what she considered her work, and
when she resented 1t and he re-
newed the attempt she formed q
pertinscious prejudice against bin
which never was removed. The au
thor states that it was always an ele
men. 10 her reticeDce with regard tt
Mr.. Gladstone that he was TOO Higf
Church aud had the mind Of Jesuit.
The @ leen's own stliIuds toward re
| ligion Is discussed judiciously. Th'
headship OF the Anglican Church or th'
Scotch PresbyterIanism she considered
to be pait of the business CT state
craft, and did not trouble her conscience
about it.. Probably the form of servic'
which she prsf,rred was that of tn
Presbyterian Church, but she was
Broad Church woman, with no curios
ity about creeds. She liked Romal
Catholics much better than Anglican
rilualists, but possibly because che fel
no responsibility for their opinions. Th
article clts 8 with this reparksbl
sentence: "And gradually she hyppc
l tizsd public imagination so that st Las
in d,f ,Dce of theories, historians
philosophers and the nation accepte
the Queens view of her own functions
and tscitly concluded with ber that sh
ruled a consecrated monarch by righ
divine.