New-York tribune., 1901-02-04

;. .-sining his sons 20 a proper sense OF their
-.s,ousibilities; but unless all signs fail he
,rfn never occupy the unique position which his
,,rber has held in the social England Of the
smart sets
The King. naturally cannot he as free here
s,ter to disport himself as the Prince OF Wales
bss been wont TO do. How he viii dispose Of his
,urf interests and his racing stock ii is prer,a-
,yre 10 discuss. Turfrnen hold tlat i, vroula no
. popular thing for him 70 continue racing undar
.he royal colors. They are not disinterested wit
nesses and II seems more probable that the
King will either draw out altogether from, the
racing track or put the Duke Of Cornwall and
York I'm possession cf his stables His career
as a yschtsman is probably ended. and his in
serest IN sport of all kinds which he has done
much 10 render fashionable. will naturally de-
cline. His social engagements viii also undergo
complete revision He has been a constant visit
or at country houses. and has beeu nattarod ana
fairly worshipped by the richest. smartes. and
most ambitious set IN English society. Edward
VII viii have less time for social recreation than
the Prince of Wales commanded. and q more
rigorous etiquette at Court will cut him off fro
many of the associations Of recent wears. The
dignity OF his exalted station win render hin,
more conservative and less flexible than he has
been in the choice OF intimate acauaintanoes. FOR
ne has mind not only for what NAV he roughly
described as the tailoring Of Court functions
but also for the niceties and refnements of ROYAL
distinction II is not likely that the Prince ~
Wales's set VIII constitute the new Court and
be the power behind the throne Probable, il viii
have less influence and prestige than It has en-
5oyed during recent years
II may be as true of well trained English
princes as 1t is OF American Pres dents that they
are sobered by sense Of increased responsible
Ety. and invariably rise to the fun height Of
supreme occasion. Certainly they are not dis
posed 10 diminish or minimize the social prestige
Of royalty. Under constitutional monarchy
this is the chief resource Of royalty. and IL has
been msgnihed during the Queens reign Even
during her long period OF seclusion she con-
trived 10 keep the Court and the royal family
under the eyes OF her subjects. and she never
seemed 10 be far removed from the daily life
Of the English people. Good and great sovereign
as she was. she loved power and clung with
tenacity to every privilege of her exalted rank
Although she was deeply interested in every
thing affecting the welfare of her subjects. she
was jealous OF the honor ana dignity OF her
children and grandchildren. She not only
reigned. but governed her realm. personally d.
rected foreign policies. ruled her own family
with strong win in the bonds Of love. and Kept
il united and free from pickering ana rivalry
The King may lack her constancy and force OF
character. but he VIII be apt to magnify rather
than belittle everything connected with royal
privilege and not TO impair and fritter away
his influence and prestige by establishing an
easygOng Court, with lax standards OF etiquette
and low ideas Of moral responsibility. He will
have moreover, as his chief adviser the ablest
49,. -.
OF Connaught. and he viii be aided and
strengthened by the new Queen. who while lack
ing the intellectual force OF her mother has
ever been the most popular princess in England.
There is a multiplicity OF minor changes when
a reign opens One decree in Council follows
another. and there are innumerable variations
IN form and phrasng. BY a single act OF royal
supremacy lturgies and collects Of the Estab-
lshed Church altered without reference 20
the rights Of the historic Convocatious. and an
amended Prayer Book IS licensed The oaths Of
Privy Councillors. Members OF Parliament.
spdges and AL classes Of minor officials are
changed Every judicial procedure, every col
lection OF revenue, every probate OF a viii and
every important detail Of business contracts
needs 10 be rephrased by the exchange OF royal
prunouns. BarT1sters taking silk viii henceforth
be Kings. instead OF Queens. Counsel The
sovereisns OF the mint and the postage stamps
OF the realm VIII require new dies ana plates.
The Empire is in a transition state from a
queens 10 kings realm; and az every turn the
new sovereign viii be reminded Of the vast
access OF sovereignty and responsibility which
has fallen to him, and OF his unique rank
successor OF Victoria. the good and great Queen
and Empress. He can hardly fan 70 be keenly
in his new work. FOR Il Is no crdinlry
estate 10 which he has fallen heir. but crown
ing privilege for enrolling his name among he
most honored English sovereigns. Optmsts are
fully justified in believing that he viii take a
sober view Of his opportunities and not disap-
point the expectations of his subjects Another
volume of Greville memoirs. with revelations
similar 10 those respecting George ~ and VIII
lam " is not 70 be looked for in consequence
OF the change Of reign !. y. F.
III