Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-01-24

celebration of his mothers Jubilee in
1897. He worked like slave.
1t is impossible not to mention two
notable things of recent years-the bac-
| carat scandal and the death of the
princes eldest son and his heir, the
Duke of Clarence. The card scandal
came up IN the winter of 1890 while
the prince was visiting Mrs. Arthur
Wilson at Tranby Croft. Sir William
Gordon-C umming, a cavalry officer of
good family. was charged with cheat
ing. 1t M said that he increased his
stake al seeing that the cards We're
| in his favor. 1t was Il famous trial:
the prince was a witness, and Sir VIII
liam Gordon Cumming lost. He mar
ried the daughter of an American mil
lfonaire, Miss Garner of New York, and
retired into private life.
Two years later the Duke of Clar-
ence fell victim to the grip. 1t was
great blow TO both the prince and
princess. bereavement from which
they have never fully recovered. After
the funeral the prince retired to the
deepest privacy. 1t was many months
before he could take up his public du-
ties.
OF late years Marlborough House has
become the center of the princes social
and official life. His study, where none
but his intimates is admitted. looks
like the room of a Woodworking man
of business. He works at an old fash
toned pedestal desk table. The desk
shuts with a spring and can be opened
only with golden key, which the
fnrinca fa y.,,foe, ON hiS watch chain
cry hour of his day is mapped out for
him. First comes his private CORE
spondence. which is very large From
10 till II each morning is spent in talk
ing over and debating replies to letters
that have been sorted over by his sec
rotary The remainder of his day is
governed by his appointment book.
The social feature of it is very large.
When the prince does have an idle
hour. he enjoys a new novel that he
has picked from the bookstall himself.
No political party has ever been able
to rightly claim the Prince of Wales
as an adherept. or even as an active
sympathizer. : lie has always managed
to keep cons. fuously clear of party or
sectional IL tests and still remain an
aggressive Engiishman.
In 1868 the late king of Sweden mi
tiated Albert Edward into the mystic
ries of Freemasonry. His father had
refused TO associate himself with the
craft. but the prince had views of his
own. In 1879 he was elected grand
master of England. At one Freemason
dinner. when the prince presided, the
list of subscriptions reached the enor-
nous sum of S25o,00o the largest
amount ever raised at festival dinner
in the history of the world.
Americans know the new king as
game sportsman. He began that ca
reer early. When he was only 10 years
old, accompanying his father on deer
stalking expeditions, he was the best
shot in his family. IN manhood the
royal colors-purple, gold band, scarlet
sleeves and black velvet cap with gold
fringe-have been a familiar sight ON all
British race courses of the sdrst class.
His name has often stood high in the
list of winning owners. He is general
ly agreed to be n capital judge of a
horse. His greatest triumph was the
winning of the Derby by Persimmonsin
1896.
During the past few years King Ed
ward VII has seldom been seen follow
Ing the hounds, but in the game season
he Is foremost in big shooting parties.
AS yachtsman he has been particular
ly fortunate. He is the owner of many
splendid prizes.
While no one can confidently say
what political changes the advent OF
the new king will make-and it is pos
sible that his rule may materially af
feet the course of British politics-it is
known that he has always had liberal
leanings. He detested Beaconsfield;
he felt warm admiration for Glad
stone. His most intimate friend among
the leading politicians of England is
Rosebery. 1t is already predicted that
the new king will work for Rosebery
for the premiership.
As for the new queen of England, she
is 4 daughter of the north who at 56
is still beautiful. She is splendid
type OF woman and was Princess Alex
andra of Denmark prior 10 her mar
riage TO the Prince of Wales So years
ago.
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