The Detroit times., 1910-05-07

needs, and he had a large and inter
eating family The prince of Wales
/ fret meeting with Princess Alexan.
dra occurred at the cathedral oil
Spires Sept "a 1861. She Was then
II years OF age. the prince 90 The
wedding, a gorgeous affair, occurred
March 10. 1853. Six children were
born. two OF whom have died. The
duke Of Clarence. the oldest son. died
on the eve Of his marriage in 1891. An
other child died In infancy.
Twice the KING was attacked by dis
ease that threatened his life In 1872
he suffered from typhoid fever It
appeared for time that he would
not survive and prayers were offered
in churches throughout the kingdom
for his recovery He was stricken
again ON the eve or his cornation Ap-
pendicitis attacked him and when an
nOuncemeut was made OF the opera
ton that would have to'be performed.
there were thousands who predicted
that he would not be able to- withstand
It. Rul he recovered and the cornation
ceremonies although postponed, were
carried out on a magnificent scale IN
August. 1902
= For more than 20 years before his
accession 10 the throne. King Edward
was much in the public eve. He gain
cd high degree OF popularity and
became the targe for much criticism.
His public duties were simple
enough They required mainly, his
royal presence at public celebrations.
Tie presided at the opening Of great
exhibitions, the launching Of a NUN
her Of hattleships. the dedication Of
great buildings and the opening Of a
, number OF public institutions.
: In his private life the king. while
h was prince Of Wales. afforded ma
tciial for much gossip and uncounted
pages of newspaper space. He was a
thorough-Coing sportsman and de
voted patron Of the theater He was
very fond, too, Of the society Of charm
ing and clever women Some OF his
early affairs we're not free from sean
dai. but In later years he exhibited
greater discretion. at least.
lie developed a great racing stable
aud his colors were at the front In
scores of notable races He was a
leader I'm Yachting affairs and the
owner of some of the fastest vessels
OF that class in the world. Upton :
efforts to capture the American cup
Were % intense interest to the king
re usually Inspected the ShamrockS
and in test race OF one of them the
| king narrowly escaped death through
the breaking Of a mast.
lie often took part i'm hunting par
, ties on the estates OF rich English
men card games usually figured
prominently In the evening entertain
ment at these house parties in the
country. The baccarat scandal was
! the outcome of one of these games
The king made many trips 20 tn.
continent There were annual pill
+ grimages 20 noted health resorts anC
less frequent visits To the courts %
/ rulers These trims won for Edward
( popularity among people of al
classes
Among the pu,itanic IL was charg
! ed that his career was marked too
much by frivolity and high living. snC
I they shook their heads solemnlN
when they thought of the day whcI
! be should ascend 10 the throne Evi
days. they were certain, were in stor,
for the nation.
These prophecies were far wrong
! As prince, he had no serious work L
do and devoted himself To a life q
( pleasure. As king, a heavy responsible
ity was placed upon him and he pro
ceeded with dignity and ability TO dis
charge his obligations Many Of hi
+, olG associates were cast aside. I'm
mediate provision was made for thu
payment OF his debts and il was re
ported two or three years after th'
( beginning OF his reign that he ha,
wiped out all these claims agains
him
Military operations during his roigI
wore limited Ia the expedition agains
/ Tibet and lighting with natives IL
South Africa and on the frontier o
India Otherwise England has beel
AZ peace with all the world
In the field of world politics hi
influence was steadily cast on the sid,
OF neace. lie held the nation In chccl
during the storm of public sentimen
that followed the action of the Rus
sian fleet W firing on the fishermen
IN the English channel. II was through
his diplomacy that friendly relation
were established with France an
were maintained with all the othe
nations OF the world.
I Familiarity nj Sill