New-York tribune., 1901-02-17


necessarily passes through the hands OF the
private secretary it is indispensable that the
latter be bound 10y the same solemn oath and
obligation TO secrecy as the members OF the
Privy Council OF which body the Cabinet is
merely committee The King. too is certain,
like his predecessors. 10 use his private secre-
tary 10 convey messages 10 Ministers which IL rs
considered best 10 leave Lnwritten, and in mo-
ments Of political crisis Sir Francis, sometimes
IN his own name and sometimes in that OF HIS
royal master. hut always in the interests Of His
Majesty, may be called upon 10 act as a me-
diator between conflicting interests and rival
political parties Indeed. the position Of private
secretary 10 a sovereign is one OF such inn
portance that II may be compared 20 that Of
Minister ~ state without a portfolio OF Conti-
mental governments.
Sir Francis is one of the most perfect Of private
secretaries The personihcation OF discretion
loyalty and disinterestedness he is untirfng in
his devotion his royal master. and his one
object in life seems 10 be 10 spare King Edward
all worry. annoyance and anxiety and 10 shield
him from harm
The King trusts him implicitly. and the result
is that Sir Francis is able 10 fulfil in an excep-
tionaly comprehensive and able manner the
duties OF private secretary. constituting the
memory and sometimes too. the conscience Of
-llis royal chief.
MAN OF INFLUENCE
ALWAYS al King Edwards side. unobtruslvely
4 guiding and drecting'h his thoughts and his acts
discussing everything with him, il is easy 10
understand the eNtent.of the influence OF which
I he is able 20 dispose. and which IL may safely
q be said he has newer eXerted save with a single
minded regard for the interests OF His Majesty
Although insidioUH slander. intrigue and Jeal-
ousy are inherent TO life al court where place
and promotion deT.and entirely upon royal favor
10 obtain which at the expense OF those already
in possession thereof is the aim OF the ambi-
tous no one has ever ventured 20 insinuate
that the services of'sir Francis 20 the MASTER
have been otherwise than disinterested, or that
he has msuEsed the influence resulting
from more than thirty years close and intimate
association with King Edward. II is because
Sir Francis possesses-this experience that he is
able 20 be Of so muchsuse 20 the King. He has
learned 10 appreciate, men and things from a
similar point of view. and is thus able 20 IN
many cases spare His Majesty the labor Of CIV
ing specific Instructions. save I'm questions OF
importance. In many affairs, indeed, ne may
be said 20 do the thinking for King Edward in
this respect, that before submitting any particu-
lar affair he has the various aspects thereof
carefully considered in all their phases leaving
That Sir Francis should be so free from cal
umny and safe from intrigue is due less 20
his personal popularity than 10 the universal
conviction that ne is Indispensable 20 the King
that il is useless 10 attempt 10 oust him from
his place. and that he has no other object IN
view than the interests, Of his royal chief For
a would be going too far 10 assert that Sir
Francis has no enemies He is an object OF dis
like 10 large number OF people. being called
ments. He is held responsible for each request
that Is refused for every omission from royal
parties. well as'fo9 the failure OF the projects
of those who had hoped 20 take advantage OF
'the masters" good nature and generosity. I'm
popularity OF that kind Is, however a tribute
10 the merits OF Sir Francis rather than a draw
back. and cannot fan further 20 increase the
confidence repOsed in his sound judgment dis
cretion and honesty OF purpose by King Ed
ward.
The memory of Sir Francis is something phe-
nomenal. and is often a subject OF Jokes among
the royal family. Princess Charles OF Denmark
declared that n he suddenly awakened IN
the middle OF the night and asked what were
King Edwards engagements for the following
fortnight he would be able TO recite the entire
list without a mistake. How ne ever x.ts
through his work is a mystery. He writes every
important letter with his own hand and Vet ne
finds time 10 attend King Edward everywhere
besides being a popular and welcome figure an
society.
THE KNoLIYs FAMILY
Sir Francis comes from ancient and dts
tinguished family. the founder OF which, Sir
Robert Knollys, one OF the earliest Knights
of the Garter A Lady Knoliys was in attend
anoe on Queen Anne Boleyn when she met her
death on the scsffold. In 1896. On the aeoes
oion 10 fbe thrOne OF king James the chief %
the Knollys family was created Lord Knolys
being advanced 10 the dignities OF Yiscoun'
WaIlingford and Earl OF Banbury by Charles ]
This first Earl 81 Banbury was survived nj hi'
death by a widow and two little boys. concern
ing whose paternity a question was raised In
the House OF Lords. on the affair being brought
before the Committee on Privileges Of the dis