The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-05-12

ialFs. he was an able diplomat, and
in all the important questions of
I foreign policy he made himself felt.
In domestic politics he was less active,
but succeeded in strengthening the
position of the monarchy with the
masses, effectually killing whatever
anti-royalist sentiment existed at the
time OF his accession
Edward VII assumed the throne on
the death of Queen Victoria, January
22, 1901, so that be was King less
than ten years.
1t was as sportsman that the Brit
ish people loved most to think of him.
HE was an enthusiastic patron of
horseracing, and was fond OF yacht
racing, cricket, athletics and shoot
ing. His love of cards was almost a
passion in his earlier days, and his
gambling for high stakes got him in
trouble several times
In personal appearance the King
was the typical Englishman. He was
rather below the average stature, of
strong and heavy build. His ruddy
face betokened 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 and he was quite
bald. Even in his latter days he con-
| tinued to be one of the best dressed
men in Europe and was regarded as
a model for quiet refinement of dress
and bearing.
| At the State functions in which he
participated King Edward revived all
the pomp and circumstance of madei-
val ways.
Tactfulness, which he possessed to
marked degree, was q conspicuous
characteristic of the late King, al
though he was frank, loyal and warm
hearted always. Those who associ-
ated with him have said that he was
emphatically the "good fellow" sim
pie and courteous, but stickler for
the Difference which his rank de-
manded.
He was born at Buckingham Palace
on November 8, 1841, the son of
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Educated
by private tutors on a plane outlined
by his father, he later studied at
Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge.
4 long period of travel followed, dur
ing which he went over Europe and
the East. In 1860 he made a trium-
phal tour through the United States
and Canada.
The Prince was married on March
10, 1863, to Princess Alexandra,
oldest daughter of the Danish Prince,
who became some months later King
Christian TX. Six children were horn,
two of whom-the Duke of Clarence
and Prince Alexander-died. The
surviving children are George Fred
erick, Prince of Wales, Duke Of Corn
wall and York, who now becomes
King; Princess Louise, who was mar
ried to the Duke of Fife; Princess
Victoria Alexandra and Princess
Maud Charlotte, who was married to
Prince Carl, of Denmark, now King
Haakon VII. of Norway. The King
was of the House of Hanover, which
dates from the accession to the throne
of King George |, in 1714.
Twice before ascending the throne
| Edwards life was despaired of. In
1871 he was so seriously i'll with ty'
phoid fever that for weeks his death
was expected. In 1898 he fell on the
stairs during visit to Baron Ferdi
nand de Rothschild at Waddesden
Manor and fractured a knee cap
Complications ensued, and for time
his condition was dangerous.
His coronation, originally set fol
June 26. 1902, and postponed unit
August 8, on account of illness, was
a pageant OF almost unparalleled
splendor.
, His reign was peaceful one after
the conclusion of the Boer war, which
was in progress when he became
King. Several times the Kings life
! has been in danger from anarchists
or cranks.
The King was always agreat trav
eler and was nearly as we'll known or
the Boulevards of Paris and in the
Casinos of Biarritz and Hamburg al
, he was along Picadilly. He alway!
,, exhibited a marked preference for th'
! society of Americans.