The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-21
BY La MARaUIsE DE FoNrENoY.

~ conclusion that 1t is due TO the
- n memory of his father that ar
authorized biography" OF Edward VII
should be- written; something in tho
same line as Sir Theodore Martins
Life of the Prince Consort." and OF
Lord Esher's Letters and Correspond.
ence OF Queen Victoria" In this view
he is supported by Queen Alexandra
who very Justly assumes that the out.
or world knows far too little OF the
important and useful role played BY
her consort- in affairs OF domestic pol
icy. of International relations and OF
social life. not only subsequent to his
/ accession to the throne. but likewise
during his near forty years OF married
life as Prince OF Wales
In spite OF the extreme jealousy o,
Queen Victoria on tho subject OF any
Interference on the part OF her eldest
son and heir In the affairs OF state,
her ministers quietly made It a prac-
tice TO keep the prince promptly post
ed about all that was going on. fire.
quently consulting him while every
Secretary OF State for Foreign Affairs
made point OF sending TO Mar!-
borough House a copy OF every i'm.
portant dispatch or letter received
from abroad at the same time that hc
transmitted copy thereof TO Queen
Victoria.
ne ministers were prompted 10
brave the displeasure of Queen Vic
toria in this matter by the feeling
that IL was an official as we'll as u
patriotic duty on their part to keep no
secrets from & prince who might a,
any moment. IT an hours notice. in
fact, be called upon to assume the
reins OF governments. as sovereign o..
the vast British Empire Lord Rose
berry. Lord Lansdowne. Lord K!mher-
ley, old Mr.. Gladstone, Lord Beacons.
field and the Duke OF Devonshire all
made il a point TO keep the prince in
touch with the affairs Of the day.
There was only one statesman who
forebore to do so. namely. the late
Marquis of Salisbury. This was strik-
ingly shown when his secret conven-
ton with Turkey, about the Island OF
Cyprus. in 1878. which was a distinct
breach OF faith with the other great
powers and more especially with
France. caught the heir apparent
thoroughly unprepared for anything OF
the kind while In Paris. causing him
Intense irritation and furious out
burst Of thoroughly characteristic
temper at the Hotel Bristol. Aside
from all considerations of international
honor. he considered that IL was ridi-
culous to believe for one moment that
the leasehold acquisition of the Is
the sacrifice OF Frances good will and
friendship. and the utter uselessness
of the island from a strategIcal and
commercial point OF view ever since.
as admitted by both political parties.
has borne out the views to which he
gave uttcrance on that occa sion.
An authorized biography may like
wise convey some idea to the world at
large OF the services of King Edward
while Prince of Wales. as peace
maker, not only among people of every
class at home. but also among his
royal and imperial relatives abroad;
OF the role which he played In Russia
al the time of the accession Of his ne
phew. the present Car, in 1894. and
of his influence upon Sunday church
going. of temperance in drinking and
In food. and in the abandonment OF
coarse language at home. There have
been plenty of biographies published
about the late King. dealing with his
home life at Sandringham. giving us a
description of TIE kitchens at 1Iarl-
borough House and at Buckingham
Palace; of his shooting parties at Sand
bingham. in Norfolkshire, and in Wind
sor Forest; of his visit to the United
States over half n century ago. and OF
his memorable tour through India in
1876. But thus far there has been no
real, authorized account of the role
which he played. both as heir appar
ent and as King. in the various
branches of activity which I have
enumerated above.
a biography of this kind backed up
by plenty of letters, memoranda and
correspondence. Will prove not only
of extraordinary interest. but Of great
value to the historian Of the last half
OF the nineteenth century, and OF the
first decade of the twentieth. IT is
only then that the public Will be able
to realize what a very useful man in
deed was this monarch. who was de-
nounced by so many as mere selfish
votary of pleasure.
King Edwards papers are for the
most part in the possession Of his son,
King George. who took charge Of them
at his fathers death But there are
number which Queen Alexandra still
retains at Sandringham. She has been
going carefully through sthcm there.
and King George has taken several
large cases OF his fathers papers with
him to Balmoral, to look through them
there at his convenience.
The question remains, to whom the
delicate work OF editing and compiling
the biography will be intrustcd. and
the names mentioned In connection
with the matter are those of the Duke
OF Argyll, of Lord Esher and of Lord
Farquhar. The first two would con-