New-York tribune., 1901-02-04
A NEW REIGN.
NO CHANGES IN CONSTITUTIONS
DER-EFFEcTs ON ENGLISH socr,r
LIFE-A VAST ACCESS OF SOW
ERETGN POWER AND NOR
AL RESPONSIBILITY

London January "a
When Princess Victoria was proclaimed o.
at 81. James's Palace in 1887 there rsra -
acelamstions from the throng of spsctat,.@ amt
she appeared at the window over the b.r..
This week there has been no lack OF ba.r.,-s' bt-Hs'
in the greetings which her son has racai,,ss
KING and Emperor. She suffered from, -
strain to which loyalty had been subjected A..
ing the reign OF her uneles. and his heritaya =
the respect and affection inspired by the v,-.r's
ana PUBIC services OF wise and good sovsras~-
IL there We're evidences Of coolness and an.+s.
when Victoria was proclaimed. it was n.-t,.1
cause her mothers methea Of education w.
known. but mainly because two baal,, 4~a.'"- %
sons OF George III had exhausted public :,
uence oy their petulant caprices. their overbaar
ing ana autocratic manners. their duarrelsor,o
disposition and their glaring inmoralitiss :.
was reserved for the Queen to win bach No..
larity for the royal tcuse by demonstrating ~.
the business of reigning could he made usa4.,
and entirely reputable under constit,tiona,
system. and that there could he a unitAd -,
family linked together by the bonds Of a4fao.s.]
and the virtues Of home life The eanuirar"-I
and permanence Of that popularity have baa-
attested by the acclamations by which E5u-.-,
VII has been welcomed TO- London. This g.
vice the Queen rendered not only to her ou.
heir and family, but also to royalty tbrou,hon.
Europe. She made it easier for sovereigns :,
avoid criticism and to devote their lives ~ ~.
business OF the State without incurrins tho
odium Of unpopularity or exposing themsalvo.
10 the dangers of revolution
new reign involves innumerable votro-
changes in Church and state but no trausfo,r0.
ton in the fundamental relations betvasr
Crown and people. The King may lack tba
Queens patience and seIf-sacrffce in subrnittir,
cheerfully 10 the daily drudgery of exarnnog
official papers. and he may leave the direction
Of public affairs exclusively in the hands of bis
Ministers; but he is known to have conslnlrnats
tact and sound Judgment ana. whatever else
may happen. the interests Of constitutional gov
ernment will not suffer from his accession His
personal authority. especially in foreign affairs
may be less potent than hers and his name NAV
not inspire the same warmth Of affection
throughout the Empire: but there are no Disturb
ers of the worlds peace on European thrones
and the loyalty of the British colonies has not
been dependent upon a single life, revered and
beloved as the Queen has been She had done
her work SO we'll i'm England Europe and the
Empire that her successor and his subjects
when he came to the throne. could look forward
with confidence 70 a peaceful and happy reign
unclouded by constitutional conflict and rsvo-
lutiOnaTy change.
of the Kings capacity for State affairs han
PLY there has been as little doubt as Of his tact
1exibIty, distinction of manner and social
charm He has been sometimes suspected OF
having the indoIent habits of the Georges but
he has shown great energy in promoting public
charities and IN conducting the innumerable
functions which royalty is called upon to per-
form In laying cornerstones, in opening new
buildings and Institutions and in establishing
public works AS a public speaker he is frank
and effective. and he has the art Of setting
people at their ease by blending dignity with
cOrdiality the faculty OF recoIIecting names and
faces. and simplicity and bonhornie which
are captivating He has been a true non-par-
tisan in English politics. succeeding In this
spect where the Queen occasionally failed. He
was always on terms Of close friendship with
Mr.. Gladstone when the Queen was repeIed By
the Grand Old Man. either because he talked so
dogmaticaIly or from an inherent distrust Of
his opinions ard policies. The Prince OF Wales
got on equally well with Lord BeacOnsheld. and
invariably contrived 10 balance his social ae-
tivities and friendships nicely that his own
political view was never disclosed. Possibly
there was none. If there were antipathies or
preferences he concealed them. constitutional
sovereign requires fexibilty and Edward VII
has a.
The new reign will exert an important infu-
ence upon English social life. During the period
of mourning the King will be virtually in retire
nent But In due time there will be a coronation
ceremonial at Westminster Abbey and London
will become a gayer and more brilliant capital
than il has ever been. II ia currently believed
that Buckingham Palace will become the Kings
chief residence. This Will prolong the London
season and increase the renting value OF West
End property. This has been for a considerable
period a factor in the valuation OF houses BY
agents and there have been at times some
signs Of real estate speculation based upon the
probability Of higher rents during new reign
Not only house agents but tradesmen as VEL
have been convinced that there would he better
times and more profitable trade under ne"
king with more brilliant court. longer and
gayer season ana less dependence upon the
pleasures Of country house life. The Prince was
known 10 be fond of social gayety and luxury
and was believed 20 favor more splendid order
of Court festivities than the prudent and seelud-
ed Queen was willing TO sanction. West END
tradesmen assume that business will be dun
FOR a time and that the titled leisured and
rich classes will spend much Of their tine
abroad during the term Of mourning out
they console themselves with the reflection
that when the coronation comes on there VIII
be a marked revival Of social activity, and thar
the London season. instead OF shortening and
constantly breaking of. viii be lengthensd'
Where the King is society must centre. ana u
will be In London rather than in the country
houses
Another effect caused by the opening OF new
reign will be the disappearance OF the Prince OF
ha has the
leader of the smsrtest sets. II not the most ex-
elusive and conservative. There NAV be. or
course another Prince OF Wales. for the title