The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-07
KINGLY DESCENDANT
OF A HUNDRED KINGS
England Late Ruler Could Trace His Ancestry
Back to Alfred the Great-Was First
Son of Queen Victoria.

Dean Stanley, OF Westminster He
visited the Holy Land and Egypt and
was initiated into the world of ORR
entail literature, but he was not given
any detailed acquaintance at the time
with the government of india, and was
not called upon to learn now lessons
in rulership
1t was not until February, 1853.
when the prince was twenty-five. that
he was formally heralded as heir APP
parent to the throne and took his seat.
as Prince of Wales. in the House OF
Lords. With this formal introduction
to the affairs of government. came In
the same year his marriage to Princess
Alexandra Caroline Mary Charlotte
Louisa Julia, daughter of King Chris
tian tx. of Denmark. The marriage
was a memorable one, and was cele-
brated with all the pomp OF medic
val court,
The resulting union was happy one.
blessed with six children, of whom the
oldest. Prince Albert Victor Christian
Edward Duke of Connaught. was duly
declared heir apparent after the prince
himself Following the early death OF
this child. the present Prince OF Wales,
George Frederick, was declared next
in order OF succession.
The next ten years were uneventful
In the life OF the prince. His mothers
ministers held firm grasp on the
affairs of state and seemed rather In
clined to resent any attempts on the
part OF the Queen to introduce the
prince into public affairs. AS a result,
Prince Albert Edward became more OF
a social lion than a political leader,
and was more famous for his social
cnnauests than for his political sagac-
ity. That he was immensely popular.
however was shown by the demonstra-
ton which followed his recovery from
a severe illness in 1872. In that year
he contracted typhoid fever in a very
severe form. and for weeks his life was
despared of. Skilful physicians finally
restored him to health. and when at
length the published bulletins an
nounced that he was out OF danger all
the empire rejoiced. Holidays were de-
clared in many Of the colonies and
celebrations were held all over Eng
land.
Grand Master of Freemnsons.
Two years later, with unusual GER
emory. the prince was installed as
grand master of the Freemasons. a po-
sition which he held with dignity. In
this capacity he made many friends by
his democratic conduct, and 1t was
generally said that the prince was the
most popular Freemason in the world.
With the exception OF trip to India
in 1856, the prince was not greatly
in the public eye except through his
social exploits. His duties were SIM
pie but most exacting. He was re-
CURED to appear as England's repre-
sentative at all great gatherings. and
as such was expected to show the dig
nifty OF his royal blood as we'll as the
character OF his people. In this way he
visited every European court, was re-
ceived with great honors, and was gem
orally regarded as the most polished
the most diplomatic and the most pop
ular future ruler Of England.
The prince was great lover OF
sports, and is perhaps best remembered
in this country as the owner of a
splendid stable which won many prizes
in the great races of England. In adj
dition he was a friend of the theatres
a liberal patron of the arts. and was
reckoned among the most public spir'
| tied men of England.
| The prince during all this time was
careful not to appear too consplcu'
ously in politics. His mother, the
Queen, was known Conservative
! while the prince was suspected of be-
| ing a Liberal at heart. Had he asso'
| ciated very freely with the men who
opposed the politics which the Queer
generally advocated he would have
embarrassed the government and woulc
perhaps have hindered the reforms o.
the Cabinet. AS it was he took gooe
care to mingle freely with men OF al
political attlliations, and would discuss
public affairs as we'll with Mr.. Glad
stone as with the most austere of the
Queens old advisers When the Con
servative ministry fell into disreputt
during the late years of the Queen:
life tho princes friendship for Mr.
Gladstone did much to reassure the
public mind and to calm the threatened
political uprisings of the Liberals.
Becomes King.
Prince Edward became King whel
his mother died on January 90. 1901
AT once there was a marked change II
his manner Of life. He was still
4 friendly with his former political ac
4 quaintances and he did not reduce hi
i contributions to all good causes. bu
1.-THE conduct which had hailed him q
the "prince Of good fellows was alto
\ gether laid aside. He was from tn
day OF his accession tothe throne tn
i King of England, a model for his ma
Il ton. a strict nloralist and careful