New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-18
Literary yNesvs and Criticism.

VINO succeeded his father as the last Of Han
oEeIlah soVerelgns In 1901. Had Queen Victoria
died before the birth of the present KIN, ord
mad her baby daughter not survived thers ,ro,,1d
thus have been but one step between pr,nco
George and the English throne In this casa q
IS nara 10 believe that he would have been ab,e
TO remain steadfast TO his early MARRIAGE 1,,o~
as 1t was. enormous pressure was put unon hin,
10 rennquiSh Mrs, FitzGeorge and to marry into
one or other Of the roval famiIiee 90 -
But fortunately for his fidelity and for the han
plhess of the little family in Queen straat tho
early years of the Dukes married life saw the
arrival of baby after baby In the palace AT
WINDSOR and long before the death of Mrs Fitz-
george the Duke of Cambridge was separated
" any poSslole succession 10 the English
throne by the long array Of princes and nrn-
cesses who made up the list of Queen Victoria,s
ChlIdren' grandchildren and ereat-gra ndchildren
Inc fltzGeorges have always been treated with
courtesy and consideration by the English royal
FAMILY. or the sons. one Is an admiral and the
other two are colonies In the British army. the
elder having been closely associated with his
Iather as his equerry and the younger as his
private secretary. In public life the Duke of
Cdmordse always appeared in the role of a
pachelor On ceremonial occasions or in the
royal family gatherings Mrs. FitzGeorge put In
no appearance. and the home life of the duke
was something wholly apart from his incessant
activities as commander in chief of the British
army or representative of the English royal fam
lily In the courts Of Europe
AS illustrating the use which England makes
Of the royal family and the services which its
members render TO the nation in return for their
salaries. their pensions and their privileged
positions. a glance over the dukes diaries is most
enlightening. When the duke was fifteen years
old he entered in his diary-a diary which, by
the way, was written for the eye of his tutor and
therefore lacks something of spontaneity-his
opinion of ;he position of a king. What
very dsagreeable thing" he writes lit must
be to be a king. May I never be one" 1t may
be thought that this was a superfuous prayer;
but II must be remembered that the prince was
step nearer TO the throne of Hanover than 10
that OF Great Britain. and that therefore the
chance of his being king was not really remote
Although the dukes prayer was granted and
he never became king, he had all his life TO
perform many of the kingly duties which, as a
boy. he thought so disagreeable He was particu-
larly in demand on all occasions when money was
needed for some charitable purpose. and his
diary is full of entries such as these MAY .
1850 Was in the chair at the London Tavern
for the London Hospital. Had a most excel
lent meeting and collected the unprecedented
sum Of f23. 700 May II, 1871 Dined at the
was not successful meeting. as regards money.
for get only $500 though many people dined
there We knew" The amount Of money col
iected is always noted by the duke and evil
IDENTIFY he took great pleasure in his success In
this respect.
Funerals marriages christenings, hazaars,
public dinners. military reviews and other cere-
monial occasions fill most Of the pages Of the
dukes diary. These entries tend to become a
little monotonous, does also the somewhat
discriminating praise which is heaped on al
most every member Of every royal court OF
Europe. There are however, many little
glmpses of the life and character of these ex-
allied personages to reward the persevering
reader. Queen Victoria is go well known
that little really light can be thrown on
her character Toward the Duke OF Cambridge
she showed always her most amiable side-loyal.
affectionate sincere and always anxious 10
please and crafty. For the army she had a
special tenderness-"a true soldiers daughter"
she calls herself in OF her letters TO her
mander in chief-and her sympathy extended
even to the horses OF the troops. The poor
horses" she wrote when the British were fight
ing in the Soudan, Il pity so much, they
cannot complain. hope the are kind and
take care of them
The royal family is supposed to have no party,
but 1t is easy that when a Liberal adj
ministraton was In office there was no love
lost between the commander in chief of the
army and the British government. LAS mem
Der OF the royal family" writes DR.. Sheppard
and as head Of the army. the Duke Of Cam
bridge stood. of course. outside all political par
ties and honOrably gave his support TO the gov
eminent of the day. whatever its complexion. I.
But it would be idle TO deny that by'traning
by conviction and by sympathy, he inclined
toward that party in the state which for want /
u better definition may be called tho Impe- /
rial party" In other words the duke was a /
Tory. and, a Tory, ohstinately opposed TO ,
changes and reforms. whether in politics in |
he army. During his tenure commander in /
chief all reforms in the constitution and dis /
r10ution Of the forces had be carried against /
lis opposition: and il evidently not a mat /
er Of choice when the Rosebery Cabinet of /
s94-'95 undertook tho difficult and delicate
ask Of removing him from his position COM
nander in chief. In order to do this, the office /
was abolished and it fell to Mr.. Campbell Ban
herman. the present Prime Minister. to com
nunicate the decision of the Cabinet TO the .
luke THE decision has filled me with the .
yery deepest sorrow" writes the old duke on
Way - 1895, "as ] feel quite equal to the per
ormance Of my duties and never anticipated
UGH a decision being come to without my will
ng consent | must submit as best l can 10
he inevitable. but I own that | am disguised .
win this to my mind, most unjustifable pro-
eedIng though Mr.. CD. most amiabe in
III he said" Lord Rosebery had to give place
o Lord Salisbury before the retirement of the
luke mad become accomplished fact But
he Conservatives were glad to acquiesce in the
cton Of their predecessors and to enjoy free
and in the management Of the army without
aving incurred the odium Of forcing the resiG-
ation Of the Queens cousin.