Evening star., 1901-02-04

upon to do. Heralds have died without ever
having exercised the duties of their office
and others have taken their places, but DO
not now know exactly what is eX, *
died the heralds, clad in the livery
of their office, rode to the Market Cross
in Edinburgh, Temple Bar in London and
to the central places of other great cit
les in the kingdom and after a fanfare
of trumpets announced the death of the
king-"The king is dead; long live Victoria
the queenI' This before the days or
railways and the telegraph, and some such
notice was necessary. VIII 1t be done now?
The college of heralds does not know, the
home office has no idea. No sovereign has
died here within the official memory, ana
modern ways and means have perhaps put
aside customs of a bygone age. No one
knows yet what kind of a funeral she Will
have, and thousands believe that the queen
will be buried in Westminster Abbey.
This is the state of the public and official
mind at this sudden event, for which 10
one was prepared. 1t will all be settled In
a few days, but at present all IS IN doubt.
There are rumors, too, that the Prince or
Wales or king does not incline toward rui-
ing: that a man of his free habits would
find himself too much restricted as king.
These may be put aside. He has waited
long for his kingdom and IS not likely to
resign IT to another until he must. He Is
sixty now. People are asking what title he
will take. But this was practically settled
long ago as Edward VII. Albert l would
German name, after his father. There are
speculations, however, to whether he
may not take the title of Emperor Albert
Edward I. But this. doubtless; would not
though they love to talk Of the wonderful
British empire, do not fancy an emperor.
1t will be remembered too, that DiSraen
promised when he added the title of En-
press of India to that of Queen Of England
that the word empress" would never be
publicly used. OF course, that promise was
broken but she was only Empress of India.
Kaiser Makes Favorable Impression.
The effect of the kaisers thoughtful and
kind behavior toward his grandmother On
the popular mind here is something wonder
full The power of the family tie in Eng
land is as great as it Is in Germany, and
acts like that shown by the German emperor
made a profound impression on both peo-
Piles. One circumstance which causes the
kaiser's present visit to be all the more
appreciated Is the serious condition of his
own mother, the dowager empress, who is
the queens eldest daughter. She has been
seriously i'll for many months, and 1t was
her condition as well as the loss of near
relatives and friends and the prolongatlon
Of the war that combined to break down
the queens nervous system. In view OF
the dowager empress illness the katsers
presence in Osborne gathers additional sig
nificance, and his chivalrous respect to the
queen will be an episode that will live
longer in the mind Of the British public
than Is almost forgotten telegram to kru-
ger. .
The gloom that everywhere prevailed IN
the metropolis yesterday was reflected on
the stock exchange to an extent that was
scarcely looked for even by the bears
themselves. Consols fell lower than mad
been known for years past and other shares
dropped in sympathy. The downward move
ment was checked to some slight extent by
investors, who bought in anticipation Of an
early recovery, but these counter operations
did not wholly suffice to dispel the pes
simism that was felt small ring in the
city got news of the queens illness earlier
than the general public, and am told that
some have amassed fortunes by anticipating
the fall in prices that has taken place. The
slump that has occurred, however. is not
wholly due to the sad news from Osborne.
1t Is expected that another government loan
will very shortly be issued, and the float
ing debt incurred by the war is already so
large that the prospect Of further de-
mand for ten or twelve millions is natural
ly being discounted to considerable extent.
There is considerable uncertainty as to
whether the chancellor Of the exchequer
will seek to raise the money by further
issue Of exchequer bonds or Of ''khakis..
In some quarters 1t seems to be expected
that recourse will be had to both expedi-
entS. Il. n. MOOf1i..