The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-26
The Gracious and Digni-
fled Queen Alexandra
of England.
Curious Legend Which
Surrounds the Throne
of the Gar.
Queen Victoria Had
Great Love of Music
and Played Herself

has learned 20 grasp at the real meaning
of human efforts and aims. +"
In every chapter are recorded cpl
sodes piquant, amusing, or charming.
Ore OF the prettiest Of the stories IS
that of Carmen Sylva's'' visit to Queen
Victoria. on which occasion a young
Irish girl was invited 10 sing for the
royal guest. After several foIk-songs
had been given Queen Vict'> a requested
the girl TO sing The Wearing Of the
Green somewhat TO the CONSERVATION
of the English part OF the company.
though the Roumanian guests naturally
saw nothing strange IN the request
This was the sequel:
with dignihed yet afrectionate aIac-
rity. the Queen Of Roumania came over
and knelt by the side Of Queen Victo-
ria's huge chair. and taking both her
hands caressingly between her own,
said:
g What a very great Queen you must
be, and how sure OF the affection OF
your subjects. TO be able TO hear such a
song sung in your presence, In fact.
were you not really a great Queen, no
one would have dared 10 obey you to-
day
=" But the song is splendid said queen
Victoria, and 1 wanted you TO hear il
Besides. am very fond of the irish
you may be sure OF that Then. turning
toward the young girl. I thank you
with all my heart Ny dear. you have
given me great pleasure and been the
occasion of my receiving from the Queen
Of Roumania q compliment which I shall
never forget
The glimpse Of Queen Victoria af-
, forded by the story Of this quiet even
ing spent IN her home Is charming. and
though for years this remarkable wo-
man has been in her grave. anecdotes
concerning her must continue 10 have
interest, so long as any are left to tell
hem. OF her conversation with the
Queen. the author says:
victoria's Love of Music.
Her majesty questioned me closely
/ as 70 my musical tastes and prefer
| Cnces When I mentioned that my Ia
vurite composers were Mozart and Wag-
ner:
q How wide apart lie your idealsg
she said I am so fond of music NY
self; and I love reading tho biography
OF the great musicians. They have all
had such sad and thrilling experiences.
l have till quite lately played on the
piano and even practiced whenever I
found time enough TO do SO, because I
always remember the happy days when
my darling husband used to open the
1 instrument himself and lead me to the
/ music stool and then find a book OF
Notwithstanding loved Mendelssohn-
and point out the passages he wanted
10 hear Now am rather ashamed 10
play, I am such an old woman. One
day one OF my youngest granddaugh-
ters caught me practicing and laughed
outright. Why, grandma she said.
how can you practice now, and what
for? Her remark struck me. I left on
playing for some time. But then you
see my dear husband taught me TO love
all things beautiful and good-I learnt
to seek them for his sake-now I return
to them often in memory Of him. IGu
cannot guess to what extent my life is
interviewer with the life OF the dead
NY prayers lead me toward them Their
spirits and the power guide me. I am
sure that the dead we have loved pray
| constantly on behalf OF the living
Similar bits of the everyday life OF
royalty may be found scattered through
the book. and republicans as we are,
these things interest most Of US. There
are numerous illustrations, all portraits
} New York: Harper & Bros)