The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-06-26
Mr.. ROBERT LINCOLN
PRAISES KING EDWARD
Recites the Good Qualities
of the Royal Patient.
WAS ALWAYS A GENTLEMAN
Ex-Minister From America to London
Gives His RecoIIections Of the Pros
trate Sovereign Of EngIand-His Gen
ial and Kind Character

CHICAGO. Ill, June 26.-Probably no
person in Chicago IS more grieved over
the Illness Of King Edward than is Mr..
Robert T Lincoln, who was Minister TO
England under President Harrison
1T is very sad that a man of King
Edwards good qualities should be strick-
en- on the eve of his coronation. said
Mr.. Lincoln. During my four years
residence in London I became acquainted
with him. He was then Prince Of
Wales. and I met him often, rather in
social than Official ways. As Prince Of
Wales nc had practically nothing to do
with the affairs Of the government. and
consequently he was known to ambassa-
doris and others in a social capacity
purely He was at that time 4 happy,
clever man in every way. He knew
about everybody and everything, He has
Travelled extensively and is exceedingly
well informed
Well Known i This Country.
The King. usirg this title row in
stead OF Prince. is well known person
ally all over England. He is 4 gentle
man always. At social gathering he usu-
ally attracts mora attention than any
body else He is genial and a bright
conyersationaIist. One Of his features is
his smile. Though he is not what We
would call democratic in the narrow
sense. he IS not Teclusive.
Not a Statesman.
I would not say that King Edward is
a statesman. Members Of the royal fam
lily may not be considered IN that light.
This is not for the reason that they do
not possess the ability. but because
their position does not require them to
be adopts in statecraft. nor is it expect
ed that they shall participate actively in
affairs OF the government. King Edward
is, Of course, member Of the House Of
Lords many times ever. by right of his
various titles. but h, never took an act
i've part I have seen him in the House
number Of times, but he always occu-
pied one Of the cross seats. which are
the seats reserved for disinterested per
sons. I have no doubt, however, that
he has voted OF different measures
The Prince Of Wales has absolutely
no official duties He may, perhaps,
read over state documents before they
are signed, but II he does II is in an
unofficial. or, rather, disilterested, ca
pacity. As King he Is the head Of the
government operated or managed by The
ministers. The phrase that the King
can do no wrong does hot mean that
the King perESnalIy Is incapable Of
wrongdoing, but that, inasmuch as al
documents or state papers must be sign
ed for the King by enc or another Of
the ministers, whatever wrong might
be committed would be by the minister
and not by the monarch
When He Visited America.
= remember the King when, as Prince
Of Wales. he visited the United States.
I was then student in Harvard. He
visited the university. He and my father
never met
While I was ambassador q little incl
dent happened that showed the ceiling
he entertained toward anybody whom
he had met favoTabIy. Mr. James Spen-
Ger. now q resident of Milwaukee, owned
z large farm near Dwight. III. in 1860
That farm was IN the center OF q fine
quail district. and it was there that the
Prince was taken to shoot The pTize
game. He STAYED at Mr.. Spencer's
place. When I was in London Mr. Spen-
Ger visited ne. I had ny secretary, Mr.
White write note 10 the Princes sec
Rotary telling him Of Mr.. Spencer's pres
ence in London. The Prince replied i'm
mediateIy and requested Mr.. Spencer to
visit him without delay.
Strong Physically and Mentally.
ITO NE King Edward always appeared
TO be very strong man mentally and
physically His life and age. however,
are against him in his present Illness.
IN his capacity as 4 social leader his