The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-14
GOOD QUEEN
AND HER PERSONALITY

From the New York Tribune.
Alexandra of England, who was CROWN
ed Saturday. has always held her own
place in the regard of the British public
"a place not infringed upon by any other
person whomsoever. From the day when
a girl of 10 In her quaint, little, old-fash-
toned poplin frock and shawl, mauve
because of the English mourning for the
Prince Consort, she landed at Gravesend
as their future Queen, the English peo-
pie have always loved Alexandra. That
grave historian. Justin Mccarthy, says
of her: ION a certain day In March, 1868,
I stood on a platform in Trafalgar
square, and saw a bright, beautiful
young face, smiling and bending to
crowd on either side, and I, like every
body else, was literally stricken with ad-
miration of the beauty, the sweetness
and the grace of the Princess Alexandra
of Denmark. In truth, 1 am not in gem
eral an enthusiast about princes or
Processes; 1 do not believe that the
Kings face usually gives grace. In this
instance the beauty of the Princess Alex
andra 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
the clearness of it's complexion, so deli
cate and refined in its outlines, SO sweet
and gracious in its expression. 1 think
something like the old-fashioned chiv-
aIric, chimerica1 feeling of personal 10y
atty must have famed up for a moment
In the hearts of many men, who, per-
haps, would have been ashamed to con-
TESS that their first experience of such
an emotion was due to the passing
glimpse of the face of pretty, tremulous
girl"
For years Alexandra has been the act
ing Queen of England in all social func-
tions 1t was she who held many of the
drawing-rooms. 1t was she who stood
at the head of English society. Few Of
all those Americans presented at court
for years past ever saw Victoria. 1t was
Alexandra whose hand they kissed
Alexandra has laid corner stones, ded-
icated orphan asylums and presented di-
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 in
strumental in raising or causing to be
raised $3.50. $1,000 for charity. She has
always cared most for children's chart
ties. The little folk have warm spot
in her majesty's heart, and orphan asy-
lums and children's hospitals have been
her special care.
The new queen has the kindest Of
hearts. One December afternoon, pass
ing through a hall of Marlborough
House, she noticed a tired-fooking young
girl, and paused to talk with her. She
found that 1t was a little seamstress
who supported an invalid mother, and
had come to deliver some children's gar
ments 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 an old woman IN the lane near
her country home, burdened with load
which she carried on her back. Again
the great lady stopped to talk. and she
found that the old woman's son used to
carry the pack, but now he was dead.
81 never carried 1t when Jack was
here" said the carrier woman. The
Princess of Wales turned away. the hot
tears in her eyes, and the next day sent
a donkey and cart to Jacks mother.
Women, 1t is said, owe to Alexandra
two things which have become an in
teeral part of the feminine wardrobe
the tailor made gown and the high col
lar. The queen has long neck, whence
the high collar. AS for the tailor-made
frock, 1t was exactly in line with the Sc
we're, well-groomed elegance which the
queen likes.
Alexandras 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
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 fancywork and woven fabrics
the handiwork of Danish women. Her