The true northerner., 1901-01-25
THE World MOURNS |
Death Of Englands Beloved Queen
Causes Universal Sorrow.
MANY MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY
Majesty Passed Away Surrounded by
Her Children and Grandchildren
How the News Was Received at
Washington and New York.

How the News Was Received at
Washington and New York.
Cowes, Isle of Wight, Jan. 23.-
Queen Victoria is dead and Edward
VII. reigns. The greatest event in the
memory of this generation, the most
stupendous change in existing condi-
tions that could possibly be imagined,
has taken place quietly, almost gently.
upon the anniversary of the death or
Queen Victoria's father, Duke of Kent.
The end of this career, never equalled
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
shrunken atom whose aged face and
figure were a cruel mockery of the fair
girl who in 1887 began 20 rule over
England.
Around her were gathered almost
every descendant of her line. Well
within view of her dyirT eyes there
hung a portrait of the prince consort.
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,
as he was her chaplain at Windsor.
With bowed heads, the imperious ruler
of the German empire and the man
who is now king of England, the wom-
an who has succeeded TO the title of
queen, the princes and princesses, and
those of less than royal designation
listened to the bishops ceaseless
prayer.
Six o'clock passed The bishop con-
tinued his intercession. One of the
younger children asked a question III
shrill, childish treble and was immedi-
ately silenced. The women of this
royal family sobbed family and the
men shufFled uneasily.
At exactly half-past Sir James
Reid held up his hand, and the people
in the room knew that England had
lost her queen. The bishop pro-
nounced the benediction.
The queen passed away quite peace
fully. She suffered no pain. Those
who were now mourners went to their
rooms. A few minutes later the in
evitable element of materialism
stepped into this pathetic chapter of
international history, for the court la
dies went busily to work ordering
their mourning from London.
II i To-.
when the announcement came; but in
this palace at Osborne everything pur
sued the usual course. Down in the
kitchen they were cooking a huge din
ner for an assemblage the like OF
which has seldom been known in Eng
land, and the dinner preparations
passed just as if nothing had hap.
pened.
The body of Queen Victoria was en-
balmed and will probably be taken TO
Windsor Saturday. The coffin arrived
last evening from London.
An incident characteristic of the
queens solicitude for others occurred
two days ago when, in one of the in
tervals of consciousness she sum-
moned strength to suggest to her
dressers, who had been acting as
nurses, to take the opportunity of get
ting some fresh air.
Monday afternoon she asked that
her little Pomeranian spaniel be
brought to her bedside
1t was feared that the queen was dy-
ing about 9 in the morning, and car
riages were sent to Osborne cottage
and the rectory to bring all the princes
ov,I t.,.fY I'll n
chester to her bedside. 1t seemed
then very near the end; but when
things looked the worst the queen had
one of the rallies due to her wonderful
constitution, opened her eyes and rec
ognized the Prince of Wales, the
princess and Emperor William. She
asked to see one of her faithful serv.
ants, member of the household. He
fastened to the room, but before he
got there the queen had passed into a
fitful sleep.
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
breathed her last. Emperor William,
himself deeply affected, did his best to
minister comfort to his sorrow-strick-
en- uncle, whose new dignity he was
the first to acknowledge. From all
parts of the world there were still
pouring into Cowes messages of con.
dolence. They come from crowned
heads, milionaires, tradesmen and
paupers, and are variously addressed
to the Prince of Wales and the king
of England.
Emperor Williams arrangements
are not settled. His yacht will arrive
here to-day "wednesday, but il is be-
lieved that he will not depart until
after the funeral. Several other royal
personages are likely to be present at
the function, which will probably be a
ceremony never to be equalled in this
century.
The record of the last days of the
reign of Victoria is not easy to tell.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press was the only correspondent ad-
mitted to Osborne house, and his In
terview with Sir Arthur John Rigge,
nrivate secretary IN tha late ouaap