The Bourbon news., 1901-01-25

Cowes, Isle of Wight, Jan. 23.-
Queen Victoria is dead and Edward
MI. reigns.
The greatest event in the memory
OF this generation, the most stupen-
dous change in existing conditions
that could possibly be imagined, has
taken place quietly, almost gently,
upon the anniversary Of the death of
Queen VictOria's 5 father, the duke Of
Kent
The end Of this career. never
equaled by any woman in the worlds
history, came in a simply furnished
room in Osborne house. This most
respected of all women, living or
dead. lay in great four-pOsted bed
and made 4 shrunllen atom whose
aged face and figure were Il cruel
mockery of the fair'girl who in 1887
began to rule over England.
Around her were gathered almost
every descendant OF her line. Well
within view Of her dying eyes there
hung portrait Of the prince con-
sort. 1t was he who designed the
room and every part of the castle.
In scarcely audible words the white
haired bishop of Winchester prayed
beside her as he had often prayed
with his sovereign, for he was her
chaplain at Windsor. With bowed
heads the imperiOus ruler Of the Ger
man empire and the man who is now
King OF England, the woman who
has succeeded TO the title of queen,
the princes and princcsses. and those
of less than royal designation list
ened TO the bishops ceaseless prayer.
The queen passed away quite peace
fully. She suffered no pain. Those
who were now mourners went to
thcir rooms. a few minutes later
the inevitable element of naterialism
stepped into this pathetic chapter of
international history, for the court
ladies went busily to work ordering
their mourning from London.
The body of Queen Victoria was
enthalmed and will probably be taken
to Windsor Saturday. The coffin ar
rived Tuesday evening from London.
IL was thought that the queen was
dying about 1 in the afternoon, and
carriages were sent to Osborne cot
tage and the rectOry TO bring all the
princes and princesses and the bishop
OF Winchester to her bedside.
Four o'clock marked the beginning
OF the end. Again the family were
summoned, and this time the relapse
was not followed by recovery.
The prince of Wales was very much
affected when the doctors at last in
formed him that his mother had
breatlled her last. Emperor William,
himself deeply affected. did his best
to minister comfort to his sorrow
stricken uncle, whose new dignity he
was the first to acknowledge.
The queen had been ailing for sew
eral days and was confined TO her
room. Sunday she received a para
lytic stroke, which confined her to
bed, and Sunday night she lay in a
coIuatose condition most Of the time.
From all parts of the world there
are still pouring into COwes messages
of coincidence. They come from
crowned heads, milliouaires. trades
men and paupers. and are variousiy
addressed TO the prince of Wales and
the king OF England.
London. Jan. 93.-Tccgrams have
been dispatched to all members of
the house Of commons urging them
TO attend at St. Stephens Wednesday.
4 special order has been issued by
the war office disseminating all bu-
gle and drum calls until further no.
tice.
Absolute silence rcigned Tuesday
night in the vicinity Of buckingham
palace and Marlborough house. a
small bill signed "BaIfour,' was post
Ell outside, announcing thc demise OF
the monarch. Everywhere Tuesday
night the one topic Of conversation
was what would happen under the
new reign. Much interest was evlnced
in the way in which the enormous
fortune Of the dead queen would be
distributed, the general notion being
that Osborne house would go to Prin-
cess Beatrice and that she and Prin-
cess OhrISJlam WOuld CoIlio iiitO q NOi'
siderable portion Of Victoria s wealth.
London, Jan 2l.= Edward VII was
proclaimed king of Great Britain and
emperor of India in the st. James
palace at 0 O'Clock Thursday morn
ing.
London, Jan 24.-King Edward re-
ceived the privy council al , o'clock
Wednesday. The councillors. who IN
clude the royal dukes and distIn-
yuished mobiles OF the kingdom, await
ed the king in the throne room The
king entered an adjoining room' and
then the duke of Deyohshire, lord
president OF the council went
through the formaIity OF acquaint-
ing the councillors that the queen