The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-11
ALEXANDRA OF ENGLAND.
Something of the Personality of Brit
aims Queen.
New York Tribune.

new 1OTh tribune
Alexandra of England has always held
her own place in the regard of the British
public, place not infringed upon by any
other person whomsoever. From the day
when a girl of nineteen, in her quaint, lit
tie, old-fashioned poplin frock and shawl,
mauve because of the English mourning
for the prince consort. she landed at
Gravesend as their future Queen, the Eng
lish people have always loved Alexandra.
That grave historian, Justin Mccarthy,
says of her: ION a certain day in March.
1863. L stood on platform in Trafalgar
square, and saw a bright, beautiful young
face, smiling and bending to a crowd on
either side, and L, like everybody else, was
literally stricken with admiration of the
beauty, the sweetness and the grace of the
Princess Alexandra of Denmark. In
truth, 1 am not in general an enthusiast
about princes or Processes; L do not be-
lieve that the Kings face usually gives
grace. In this instance the beauty Of the
Princess Alexandra had been so noisily
trumpeted that ones natural instinct was
to feel disappointed and TO say so. when
the princess herself came in sight But
it was impossible to feel disappointment
or anything but admiration at the sight Of
that bright, fair face, so transparent in
and refined in its outlines, so sweet and
gracious in its expression. l think some
thing like the old-fashioned chivalric.
chimerical feeling of personal loyalty must
have famed up for moment in the hearts
of many men, who, perhaps. would have
been ashamed to confess that their first
experience or such an emotion was due
to the passing glimpse of the face of
pretty, tremulous girl
For years Alexandra has been the acting
Queen of England in all social functions.
rooms. 1t was she who stood at the head
OF English society. Few of all those Amer
leans presented al court for years past
ever saw Victoria. 1t was Alexandra whose
hand they kissed.
Alexandra has laid corner-stones, dedi-
Gated orphan asylums and presented d.
plomas, year after year, in her patient,
Woodworking way. Some one counted up
the other day and found that since she
came to England she has been instrumental
in raising, or causing to be raised, $3.50 Co.,,
600 for charity. She has always cared most
for children's charities. The little folk
have a warm spot in her Majestys heart,
and orphan asylums and childrens hos
pitfalls have been her special care.
The new Queen has the kindest of hearts
One December afternoon. passing through
hall of Marlborough House, she noticed
a tired looking young girl, and paused to
talk with her. She found that Ii was a
little seamstress, who supported an in
valid mother, and had come to deliver some
ch'ldren's garments made for the royal
household. Talking on. the princess found
out the wish of the sewing girls heart-to
buy a sewing machine. On Christmas DAY
the machine was sent her. "a Christmas
gift from Alexandra"
1t was after the death of the Duke of
Clarence, Eddy" her firstborn, that she
met old women in the lane her
country nome, Durdened with load which
she carried on her back. Again the great
lady stopped to talk, and found that the
old woman'S son used 10 carry the pack
but now he was dead. Il never carried it
when Jack here" said the carrier
woman. The Princess of Wales turned
away, the hot tears in her eyes, and the
next day sent donkey and cart to Jacks
mother.
Women. ii is said owe to Queen Alex
andra two things which have become an
integral part of the feminine wardrobe
the tailor-made gown and the high collar
The Queen has a long neck. whence l e
high collar. AS for the tailor-made frock
IL was exactly in line with the severe, we'll
groomed elegance which the Queen likes
Alexandra's proficiency at needlework Is
well known. Not only can she trim a hat
and turn the heel of a stocking but she
can handle the loom and the spinning
wheel. This is not strange in a Danish
woman. for the loom has never gone out
of Denmark. and there are to-day in art
stores in New York beautiful pieces of
fancy work and woven fabrics the hSndi-
work of Danish women. Her housewifery
is also notable, and Sandringham has al
ways been the model of an English coun-
try home. In her model dairy with its
blue tiles from India. and its silver milk
pans marble shelves the Queen used
TO like 70 make butter when her daughters
were girls. She has always been fond Of
animals, especially dogs, and her kennels
well known in the world of bench