The Washington herald., 1913-01-19


of several peace pacts, some Of which
have had a great influence upon the
| destiny OF the British Empire. This re-
| mark applies with force to the agree
| ment which brought the war to a close
In lI65. In the course Of this war, in
which the English and the French were
the chief combatants, England acquired
Canada, and by Lord Gives victory at
Plassey established her position in India.
Twenty years later Britain signed fur
ther treaty in Paris whereby was ac-
knowledged the independence of the
United States. At the same time peace
was made with France. Holland, and
Spain. with each Of whom. in turn, Eng
land had become involved in war through
her futile attempt to conquer the Ameri-
can colonies. Paris also was the scene
of the treaty which. in 1856. marked the
conclusion of the Crimean war.
At a period when The Hague has be-
come the synonym OF world peace il is
interesting to remember that at Ryswick,
| a village two miles from the Dutch capi-
tai, was drawn up the treaty which
ended the eight years war between
William III Of England and Louis XIV
OF France. In the course OF this war
England achieved one of her greatest
naval victories, that off Cape La Hogue
in 1872 Holland was destined to be the
scene few years later Of another treaty
much more important in its bearing upon
( British history. Utrecht. the famous
Dutch University town. was the place
at which England reaped the fruit of
Nariborough's great victories over the
army of Louis XIV. There. in I7l3,
passed into British possession New
ioundland. Nova Scotia. Hudson Bay
Territory. and Gibraltar.
Aix-la-ChapelIe Cdachen), the German
city chosen as his capital by Charlie
magne, is intimately associated with
the close of more than one great con-
| fict. Beautifully situated near the
! frontiers of Holland and Belgium. its
/ waters attract thousands of visitors
every year from many parts of Europe
A notable treaty signed there in I74S
was that which concluded the war OF
the Austrian succession. In this war
England successfully took the part of
Maria Theresa, who. on succeeding TO
the dominions OF her father. the EN-
peror OF Austria, was attacked by
France and Bavaria, but mainly by
Frederick the Great, of Prussia.
More famous in the history of Aix-la-
/ Chapelle is the congress of 1878. This
Congress met to arrange the withdraw
al from France Of the allies army Of
| occupation, which had entered that
country on the downfall OF Napoleon l.
| II was brilliant assembly of sovereigns
and statesmen. Emperor Alexander / OF
Russia. Emperor Franz Of Austria.
and King Frederick William III of
Prussia. attended in person. The Duke
Of Wellington and Lord Castlereagh rep
resented Great Britain.
Three years earlier a congress had as
sembled at Vienna. Never before had
diplomacy. and talent. The four al
lies-Great Britain, Austria. Russia and
Prussia-who had united to secure the
overthrow of Napoleon, We're represent
ed at this conference. together with the
minor powers of Europe. The object of
the assembly was TO readjust the map
in view of the abdication of the first
Napoleon, but the escape Of the latter
from Elba and the subsequent battle
Of Waterloo largely neutraiized the de-
cisions OF that congress. Nowadays we
hear hardly anything OF Tilsit. vet every
schoolboy knows the name Of this town
In East Prussia. situated on the banks
Of the Memel near the Russian bound
airy. 1t is famous as the scene of the
treaty concluded between Emperor
Alexander / of Russia and Napoleon l.
who met for the purpose on raft
moored in the middle of the stream.
That treaty, which created the king
dom Of Westphalia and a throne for
Napoleon's brother. is notable as at
testing Napoleon's supremacy over the
German princes.
OF treaties which have concluded
great modern wars, Zurich. in Switzer-
land, witnessed that which effected the
expulsion of the Austrians from Italy.
crowning the labors OF Cavour and the
deeds OF Garibaldi.
The following passage from the diaries
Of the late Queen Victoria once more
proves the time-honored saying that love
levels ali. and that a Queen like beggar
maid, If she falls victim TO cupid. is
very human after all:
AT half-past twelve | sent for Albert
he came to the closet where was alone,
and after few minutes | said to him
that l thought he must be aware why
wished him to come here. and that II
would make me too happy il he would
consent to what l wished ito marry mel.
We embraced each other. and he was
so kind. so affectionate. | told him 1
was quite unworthy of him and he said
that he would be very happy-l really
felt that it was the happiest moment
OF my life
There can be no doubt that Queen
Victoria's marriage was the outcome OF
genuine love. Who can doubt 1t after
reading her Impressions of her nrst meet |
ing with Prince Albert of saxe-Coburg?
The Queen had been prepared, to GER
tain extent for a possible marriage with
Prince Albert by her uncle, King Leo
pold 1 of Belgium. for whom she had
deep veneration. and apparently she
liked him immensely the moment they
first met. in 1896. when she was seventeen
years of age.
Albert" she records In her diary, rs
extremely handsome. His hair, is about |
the same color as mine. His ey=s are |
large and blue, and he mas beautiful