Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-01-26

markable land which claims with us
a common ancestry and in whose ex-
traordinary progress every Englishman
feels common interest"
In 1862. accompanied by Dean Stan
Guiding a visit to Jerusalem. The
young prince was now of a marriage
able age. Speculation was rife as to
who would be the lady of his choice.
The question was settled In the early
part of 1868, when his engagement was
announced to Princess Alexandra, the
eldest daughter of the king of Den
mark. She was three years younger
than the prince and, though compare
lively poor, was beautiful and accom-
pllshed. The marriage was celebrated
in st. Georges chapel. Windsor castle,
on March 10, 1868
All England rejoiced over the event.
Tennyson, who had just been made po-
ct laureate, wrote one of his fine poems,
"a Welcome to Alexandra" on this oc-
casion. The princess soon made her
self very popular with all classes of
the British public, not only by her out
ward grace of manner, but also by her
virtues and amiability. The prince
himself has always shared in this pop
ularty, although the sterner puritan
ism of his potential subjects has often
been shocked by stories of his dissipa-
ton.
AS a social factor in England the
prince has always been supreme. Ward
McAllister called him 1.-The great social
dictator" 1t was largely through his
influence that many Americans ma
ton whom he has always liked--have
received their entree into the inner
circles of the British aristocracy. Nev
ertheless the social and fashionable
side of his life has been more of duty
than a pleasure to him. He has always
been most content when surrounded by
a circle of his old friends at his palace.
in Sandringham. a small village in the
county Of Norfolk. There he has lived
the life Of an English country gentle
man.
The affection and esteem in which
the prince has been held were never
better exemplitied than in December,
1871. when he was attacked by typhoid
fever and for some weeks hung be-
tween life and death. The anxiety Of
the public was intense, and the news of
his recovery was greeted with great
joy On his first appearance in public
TO take part in the memorable thanks
giving service" in st. Paurs cathedral
on Feb. ~. 1872, tie streets along the
line of his route were crowded with a
cheering multitude.
Since then the prince has been put
ting In several years of quiet work. TAX
ing a great deal of the responsibility that
attaches to sovereignty off his mothers
hands. He visited India and Ireland
engaged IN soldifying the empire. He
started interc0lonial and International
exhibitions. He encouraged and liber
ally subscribed 10 public charities. He
has been liberal patron of art and Of
the drama. II is impossible to overes.
timate his power as social factor He
has dictated fashions and dominated
manners On him fell the full respou.
sibiiity Of the arrangements for the
celebration or mis- mothers jubilee in
1857. He worked like slave.
1t IL 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-Cumming a cavalry officer Of
good family, was charged with cheat
ing. 1t was said that he increased his
stake after seeing that the cards were
in his favor. 1t was a famous trial;
the prince was a witness. and Sir VIII
liam Gordon-Crpning lost. He mar
ried the daughter If aa American mill
lionaire. N,t-s a'.-'' a. " York. and
retired inlo p.ta,t l....
Two years later tine Due Of Clar-
ence fell victim to .. exp 1t was