Year: 1875

London Letter in New York Times.l


A most unfortunate letter, which
everybody condemns, or at least regrets
has been written by General Ponsonby
the Queens private secretary, to the
Marquis of Exeter, Commodore of the
Victoria Yacht Club, in reference to the
recent disaster in the Solent, The col
lision between the Alberta and the Mis-
tletoe ia not, indeed, specifically men,
toned, but the letter opens with refer
ence 10 the inquiry at Gosport," which
was, Of course, the Coroners inquest on
the subject and is plainly intended to
fasten upon the owner and crew Of the
Mistletoe the whole blame of the acci
dent. Itis pointed out that the practice
Of private yachts approaching the royal
yacht when the Queen is on board, from
motives Of loyalty or curiosity" is very
dangerous, especially in summer, when
the Solent is crowded, and General Pom
sonby adds that the Queen begs Lord
Exeter kindly to make known to the
owners of yachts her anxious desire
that the practice should be disconiin
ued, or it may lead to lamentable results
All thisis OF course, aimed at the Mistle
toe, and assumes her guilt as a foregont
conclusion, in the teeth of evidence
which points strongly the other way, bul
of which no notice is taken. Only two
members Of the first jury held out
against verdict of manslaughtei
against the officers of the royal yacht
and though the other jury found ''acci.
dental death, they coupled it with a
distinct charge Of inefficient watching
and excessive speed on the part of the
Alberta. Yet General Ponsonbys let
ter takes it for granted that the case has
been proved against the Mistletoe, anC
utterly ignores the recklessness Of the
real culprit.


What is, perhaps, strangest Of all il
that there is not syllable OF sympathy
or commisseration for the sufferers. The
hooting of Prince Leiningen and Capt
Welch, both at Portsmouth and Ryde
showed the excited public feeling which
has already been produced and the
gross unfairness Of General Ponsoby' 8
letter is certain to fan the flame, especi
ally as there are other Indications of @
design, if possible, to quash all further
proceediDgs.t The Queen has, through
out her whole life, shown 80 much kind
ness and consideration for every one
and has been 80 scrupulous in keeping
clear of public controversies, that it is
difficult to believe that this extraordinary
letter is her own spontaneous act. Un
fortunately she is surrounded by toe
many Of those by whom, as Shakespeare
makes another English sovereign com
plain 1t is the curse of kings to be at
tended" and who are always ready tC
flatter and indulge the humors Of royalty
at any hazard, ard to swell their own
selfimportance by the exhibition oI
courtly contempt for the common world
beneath. Ever since the collision oc.
CURED the word has been passed about
that too much must not be made use oi
it, lest the Queen sensitive and excita
BILE temperament should be unduly
strained and no doubt this letter is in.
tended to leave the impression that it is
only the private yachts are in fault, and
that no more need be said on the subject
if they will be better behaved for the fu.
ture. Instead, however, of putting an
end to controversy, it is more likely
TO embitter it. 1t is quite impossible
that the Queen can have a so much fire..
quented thoroughfare as the Solent
all TO herself when she wants il; and the
bad example set by the Alberta has
already been too much initiated. A few
days ago even a government steam-tug
at Queenstown, ordered sailing yacht
out of its way and vhsn the yacht re.
fused the Aeam-tug, too high and mighty
to change its course, all but ran her
down.