Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-07

typical Englishman. He was rather
below average stature. of strong and
heavy build. His ruddy face betok-
ened good health and good spirits up
to a short time ago. He wore his gray
beard trimmed to a sharp point His
thin circle of gray hair diminished
until he was quite bald. Even in his
latter days he continued one of the
best dressed men in Europe, and was
regarded as a model for quiet refine
ment of dress and bearing.
REVIVED PONIP AND CEREMONY
At the state functions in which he
participated King Edward revived all
the pomp and ceremony of medieval
days. He drove to Westminster on
the opening of parliament in one of
the sumptuous royal coaches, attended
by heralds, equerrieS. outriders and a
vast retinue, forming a pageant of
royal splendor. On those occasions
the king wore the full robes of ma
jesty
Tactfulness, which he possessed to
marked degree, was a conspicuous
characteristic of the king, although he
was always loyal, frank and warm
hearted. Those who associated with
him have said he was emphatically a
good fellow" simple and courteous,
but a stickler for the Difference his
rank demanded.
He was born at Buckingham palace
November 9. 1S41, the son Of Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert of Sake
Coburg and Gotha. Educated by pri-
vate tutors on a plan outlined by his
father, he later studied at Edinburgh,
Oxford and Cambridge. A long period
of travel followed, during which he
went over Europe and the east. In
1860 he made a triumphant tour
through the United States and Canada.
The prince was married March 10,
1863, to Princess Alexandra, oldest
daughter of the Danish prince, who
some months later became King Chris
tian TX.
Six children were born, two of whom
the duke of Clarence and Prince AL
exander-died. The surviving children
are George Frederick, prince of Wales
and duke of Cornwall and York, who
will now become king; Princess Louise,
who was married to the duke of Fife;
Princess Victoria Alexandra, and
Princess Maud Charlotte, who was
married to Prince Karl of Denmark,
now King Haakon VII Of Norway.
WAS OF HOUSE OF HANOVER
The king was of the house of Hano-
yer, which dates from the succession to
the throne of George L in 1714.
Twice before ascending the throne
Edwards life was deSpaired of. In
1871 he was so i'll of typhoid fever that
for weeks his death was expected. In
1898 he fell on the stairs during a visit
to Baron Ferdinand de Rothschilds at
Waddesdon manor and fractured q
knee cap. Complications ensued and
for q time his condition was dangerous.
His coronation, originally set for
June 26, 1902, was postponed until Aug
ust 9 by illness. 1t was a pageant of
almost unparalleled splendor and the
occasion for celebration throughout the
world.
His short reign was peaceful, after
the conclusion Of the Boer war, which
was in progress when he became king.
Several times the kings life was in
danger from anarchists or cranks. On
| April 4, 1900, when as crown prince he
was in Brussels, Jean Sihido, 15-year-
old boy, fired at him as he was seated
in a railway coach. The shot did no
harm. The boy was held mentally ire
sponsible.
A plot to assassinate him and King
Carlos, of Portugal, while he was in
Lisbon in 1908, was discovered and
frustrated.
The king was a great traveller, and
was nearly as we'll known on the bou-
levards of Paris and in the casinos Of
Biarritz and Homburg as he was along
Piccadilly.
He always exhibited a marked pref
erence for the society OF Americans.