Arizona daily citizen., 1901-01-23
The Beginning
Of a New Reign,

CowEs, Isle Of Wight, Jan. 23.-Queen !
Victoria il dead and Edward VII reigns. |
The greatest event i'll the memory of !
this generation, the most stupendous
change IN existing conditions that could |
possibly be imagined has taken place |
quietly, almost gently, upon the anni- |
Eersary of the queens father, the Duke |
Of Kent. The end OF this career never |
eqaalled by any woman in the worlds
history came ina simply furnished room
in Osborne House. This most respected
OF women lying now dead lies in great
four-posted bed aud made skrunken
atom whose aged face and figure we're
cruel mockery OF the fair girl who In
1889 began torule over England. Around
her we're gathered almost every descend
ant OF her line. Well within view OF her
lying eyes there hung portrait Of the
prince consort. II MAS he who designed
the room and every part oi the castle.
IN scarcely audible words the white
! haired Bishop Of Winchester prayed be-
! Side her as he had often prayed With his
sovereign for he was chaplain at Wind
sor. With bowed head the imperious
ruler oi the German empire and the man
who is now king Of England, the woman
who haa succeeded TO the title Of queen, y
the prince and princess and those OF less
than royal designation, listened to the
bishops ceaseless prayer.
Six O'Clock passed and the bishop
continued his intercession. One Of the
younger children asked 3 question in
shrili, cat-like treble aud was imue.
diately silenced. The women OF the
royal family scbbed faintiy and the
men shaiiied uneasiiy.
At exactly half-past six Sir James
Reid held up his hand, and the people
then knew that England had lost her
queen. The bishop pronounced the
benediciion.
The queen passed away quito peace
fully. She suffered no pain. Those
who were now mourning went to their
rooms. r few minutes later the in.
eyitable element of materialism stepped
into this pathetic chapter Of interna-
tional history, for the court DANES vent
busily to work ordering their mourning
from London. The wheels OF the world
we're Jared when the announcement
came, but in the palace at Osborne
everything pursued the usual course.
Down in the kitchen they were cooking
q huge dinner for an assemblage the
like OF which has seldom been known in
England, and dinner preparations pro-
ceeded iust as II nothing had happened.
The body OF the queen was emhalmed
and win probably be taken to Windsor
on Saturday. The coffin arrived last
evening from London. The Prince OF
Wales was verv much affected when the
doctors at last informed him that his
mother had breathed her last. Emperor
William himself was deeply affected,
but did his best to minister comfort to
his sorrow-stricken uncle, whose new
dignity he was the first to acknowledge.
From all parts OF the world there are
still pouring into Cowes messages OF
coincidence. 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 couch will arrive here
today wednesday,, but it is believed
that he will not depart until after the
| funeral.
Several other royal personages are
likely to be present at the funeral.
The record ofthe last days OF the reign
OF Victoria is not easy to tell. The cor
respondent of the Associated Press was
the only correspondent admitted to Os-
borne House and his interview with Sir
Arthur John Bigge, private secretary to
the late queen, was the only official state
ment that had been given out. For sew
eral weeks the queen had been failing.
On Monday week she summoned Lord
Roberts and asked him some very search.
ing questions regarding the war in South