The Washington herald., 1906-12-10
DIARY MADE PUBLIC
Memoirs of Duke of Cam
bridge Interesting,
MANY LETTERS FROM QUEEN
Record of His Life Covers the MILF
taFy History OF England for Nearly
Three-quarters Of a Century-SVas
the COmmander-in-chi for Al
most Forty Years-Crimean Veteran

London, Dec. 9.-His royal highness.
George, Duke Of Cambridge. who died in
1904, had the excellent habit Of keeping
a diary. From March 26, 1893, when
little boy Of nine, until November 5. 1906
by happy coincidence, Inkerman Day
he entered daily his doings, interspersed
with reflections Of a more or less i'm
portant description.
He died March t. 1904, so that his diary
covers nearly the whole Of his life. three
quarters of a century, a period of in
tense activity not only in respect Of his
own personal dOings but Of European his
tory, in which he played a leading and,
in some respects, a momentous part.
The record Of his life, as set down by
him, constitutes a practically exhaustive
chronicle Of England during the Vic
torian era, for he was an observer. as
his diary indicates. who was intimately
connected with the court, affairs Of state,
the functions of numerous philanthropic
institutions In which he was interested.
and the peoples life in general
The memoir of his life. edited by Dr.
Edgar Sheppard, subdean of the Chapel
Royal, and a close friend Of the late
duke, which is just published, gives con
elusive proof Of two outstanding features
in the strenuous character Of the dukes
daily life. and the high regard, which let
ters testify. in which Queen Victoria held
her cousin throughout her life
Veteran of the Crimea.
The duke was a true soldier. a veteran
Of the Crimea. and subsequently for many
years commander-in-chief Of the army
It is in this capacity that he is best re-
membered, He was appointed TO this post
on the death Of Lord Hardinge, in 1s56,
and retained that office until 1885. II then
became the painful duty Of Sir II. Camp
bell-Bannerman. the present premier.
then secretary Of war, TO intimate that in
the interests Of the nation. new blood
was needed at the head OF affairs. The
duke was very much hurt. but event
ually was persuaded 10 tender his resig-
nation
Queen Victoria sent the duke a letter
Of warm thanks from BalmoraI Castle,
dated November ,. 1895. in which she said:
Believe me that feel deeply for you.
and this severance Of a tie which existed
so long between you and the army I
need not say that I shall be glad to have
your opinion on affairs Of Importance con-
nected with the army"
The Queen signed herself. Your very
affectiOuate cousin and friend
Writing 10 his mother on September p.
1854, the duke gave q graphic description
of the battle of Alma
On November s. 1854. the duke wrote
telling about the battle Of Inkerman.
Queen sends Gift.
A typical letter Of the Queen was sent
from Windsor Castle on December ..
1854, in which she said:
MY Dear George: Let me wish you. in
both our names. "a happy Christmas and "a
happy and. let us hope, a glorious New
Year At last I can send you my com
foTter, which is less romantic than the
scarf embroidered by the ladies for the
knights Of Old but equally useful. If not
more so. 1 hope you viii wear il often II
has given me much pleasure to knit IT,
The whole female part Of this castle, be-
ginning with the girls and myself, and
ending with our maids, are all busily
knitting for the army
4 letter from Prince Albert written at
the same period 10 the cake stated:
We are in terrible anxiety concern
ing all you dear ones, you can imagine
one IS thousand times calmer when
in the presence Of danger than at a dis
tance Added 60 that the D D. D. tele-
graph three times a day brings the most
contradictory news. tell-He-gTaphiC-as
Lady Morley calls them"
Respecting the Franco-Pruss:an war,
the diary contains a reference on October
-. 1870. 1t runs:
Am hearing more OF the details OF
the surrender Of Metz and it becomes
more and more extraordinary 90 my
mind" A little later the duke writes:
THE terms OF peace are fearfUlly exact
ing, and ON another date he says: I
jhink those terms are really fearful
As for the uprising I'm Egypt and the
Sudan, it is interesting TO note that the
Duke Of Cambridge approved Of the mis-
sion of Gen. Gordon, although he was of
the opinion that it should have been I'M
dertaken AT a much earlier date