The new era., 1909-05-13

With the birth of an heir to the
house of Orange Nassau. OF which
Queen Wilhelmina is representative,
1t is assured that the succession to
the throne of Holland will not pass
to one or other of the German prince
ly families. So long as there is rep
resentative of the house of Orange to
whom fealty can be paid, 1t is not be-
lieved that the Dutch will ever con-
sent to barter away their existence
as nation.
Queen Wilhelmina is perhaps to-
day the most interesting of royal per-
sonages to the world at large and the
public never tires of particulars as
to her daily life.
Like most sovereigns. Queen Will
helmina. when in her usual state of
health, is an early riser; as rule
she is up about seven, though in the
often out riding or walking much
earlier. Not long ago. when the royal
couple followed the maneuvers near
the Loo with great interest, they often
rode out at or a. m.
After typically Dutch breakfast of
different kinds of bread, eggs, cheese
in thin slices, cakes, honey and cof.
fee, the queen sets to work on affairs
of state. the different ministers are
received TO discuss impending meas
ures; letters are read and appoint
ments are signed; then the queen goes
out for walk or drive till lunch
time.
In winter the queen goes out again
Immediately after lunch, as those are
the finest hours OF the short winter
days. but in summer walks and rides
are often taken much later in the day.
The rest of the afternoon is spent,
when in normal health, in visiting hos
pitals. exhibitions, receiving ladies' in
private audience or hearing the ac-
count Of new discovery. distant trav-
els or feats of arms from any one in
evidence.
The queen lives most of the year
at her summer residence of Het Loo,
in Gelderland, near Apeldoorn. To
the palace belongs large park, be-
sides which vast woods and moors are
included in the royal domain, which
has been steadily enlarged by pur-
chases of land since the queens ma
jority.
The prince takes a keen interest in
fertilizing those grounds. He works
hard to improve the soil and to better
the condition of his laborers.
That part of Gelderland, the Velu-
we, used to be among the poorest
parts of the country, but under the
skillful management of the prince con-
sort it bids fair to become prosperous.
The four winter months are spent
at Tho Hague: there the queens life
is of necessity spent less in the air;
the evenings are in ordinary times oft
en- taken up by dinner parties, con-
certs and receptions.
Yet as often as possible the queen
and the prince dine together in their
apartments, the queen mother often
joining her children.
The young queen leads a very busy
life: from childhood a strong sense Of
duty has been implanted in her.
Even during her serious illness in
1902 she wanted to deal with the most
pressing affairs OF stete; she insisted
so much that the doctors allowed her
to sign few letters every day SO as
to give their patient rest.
Again. in November last year. when
her health demanded all possible pre-
cautions. she Travelled to The Hague
lying on couch, going on foot from
the station to the palace, because for
eigu complications made it necessary
for the sovereign to remain in closer
touch with the government than she
could Re at the Loo.