New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-08
LONDON NOTES
Tributes to Observation-Disclosures
to Edward VII-NeW Reign.
Innflon Iulr .

and uncritIcaI article on the upbringiny
of her eldest son and his personal dis
tinction and destinations as LIE Roi
Cbarmeur," as Lord Rosebery has styled
him with more felicitous phrasing than
the heralds or king of-arms at the grave
The writer is not named, but he has
lacked both the secret material at Mr.
Gosse's disposal and the brilliant quail
ties of style requisite for painting SOW
erefgn from life with outspoken realism
When the article on Queen Victoria
was published the biographer was amazed
by his own courage in setting aside the
fetch and revealing the woman behind
the sovereign, and he was not treasured
until the rumor reached him that King
Edward had read it and expressed the
hope that his own character might some
day be analysed with equal subtlety ana
candor. The task has been confided to
a practfsed hand, but to a less discrlmi-
mating mind, and there is an ACADEMIC
portrait without bold brushwork or pre-
cision Of treatment Of the evolution Of
character, or striking denotement OF the
real greatness of the subject.
The author has had access to private
papers in the royal archives at Windsor
and to a series of letters from Sarah
Lady IytteIton, which was privately
printed thirty-seven years ago. and vet
there are no revelations of INTRINSIC
value. The story Of the boyhood Of Ed
ward VII has been repeatedly told, and
the effect of the Prince Consort's doc
trinaire views Of the education OF
prince and of Queen VictOria's conscien-
tfous and painstaking care is a familiar
theme. There are no novel details. and
even the confidential memorandum for
ito attend on the Prince of Wales" does
not reward curiosity
A youthful recoil against the high
pressure of the fathers system Of educa-
ton is limited at. and the human side OK
the sovereign, who served protracted
apprenticeship for the business of reign
ing. is brought out distinctly. and YET
there are only meagre additions to the
common stock of knowledge about King
Edwards character. His fenbility Of
method, his resources of attack and pa
thence. his sterling common sense, his
dislike of the drudgery of corresponding
and preference for personal interviews
and conferences. his high-minded devo-
ton to duty and his natural love u
bright talk and gayety are explained in
detail; but these are commonplace
which have been anticipated by hun
dreds of pens. Little will be found IN
The Quarterly" which has not been al
ready OWNED by intelligent observers.
British sovereigns in death as in life.
are screened from critical observation
and searching criticism. While they live
Z. Is bad form" for smart people TO talk
q bout them unnecessarily. and nevspa-
pers are content with reproducing tbs
court circular and never affect intimate
knowledge of their lives and characters
and when they die there is tndiscrinni-
nate laudation in conversation, and in
print. with many indications OF supsrsu-
tfous idoIatry. we shall never havs
any more intelligent criticism or the
lives of our kings exclaimed a prori-
nent man of letters the other day. What
he meant was that diarists like Pepys
ana CTCeN4ll6 HO ICiiSCA Jul 0O'rH 49,,
Dental details respecting great person
ages at court, and that books about roy
aIty written with a free hand ard with
out restraint OF formal respect for char
acter are not wanted
One of the soundest judgments in Tine
Quarterly Reviews" article abort King
Edward is this: Like Queen Victoria.
P91GaTv7O0-
gers. and never accepted rumor as a de-
cisive factor in estimating the character
of others. but first required proof. That
is the characteristic attitude of English
men respecting members of the royal
family. They dislike irresponsible Sos-
sip about kings and princes. know that
proof can never be supplied and are not
grateful when overzealous mischief max
ers like Mr. stead have the bad TASTE
to revive scandalous tattle and to coz
ira dict II with strident voice.
While the conditions do not favor
critical estimates of a great career Has
King Edwards. the living sovereign IS
able to work TO better advantage in SON
sequence of his exemption from vulgar
CURIOSITY ana close pDSSI dtlCii-
uuette and good manners protect him
sainst thoughtless discussion HIS
privacy is never invaded by iTnpertinent
the court circular con-
tains all that ought to be knoWa about
his daily life. and there is wise ana
discreet reticence in the press respeet-
ing his relations to ministers and pOlltf
cal parties. Instead of being constantly
yossiped about and misunderstood. as ID
the fate of an American President in the
Ia zzling glare of publicity, he is screened
from captious comment and partisan
He remains in the back
ground as a force in reserve. and eNer'S
A most important influence whenever
fresh initiative is opportune or che sus-
pension of barren controversies Is
required
There has been marked change since
the reign of George III, who was yirtu-
ally a party leader. bent upon playing
off the Tories against the Wings and en-
Iarging the prerogatives in the direction
Of absolutism. wise and discreet
is now an arbiter between
! rites and a champion of constitutions
order. There is no trend toward an
: lutism. and vet monarchy is steddi!
acquiring increased power and prestige
The sovereign does his work in silence
and ont Of sight ar1 his afFeiar.,N as