MEN OF THE DAY.

No. 114.

PRINCE EDWARD OF SAXE-WEIMAR.

PRINCE EDWARD is a remarkable instance of the success which may be achieved by steady devotion to and decent and popular conduct in the profession of arms even by a person of exalted rank. In Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach he would have held but an indifferently good position, and would probably not have made for himself any great military name. But although he has been called a foreign general, he was born fifty-one years ago at Bushy Park, and went to Sandhurst, where "gentleman-cadet Saxe-Weimar" soon became known to his comrades as a good fellow, giving himself no airs and not more devoted to the science of the shop than is held to be desirable. In his studies he achieved no very brilliant success, but on entering the Grenadier Guards and becoming morganatically married to a Lennox, his merits were at once recognised. He had an early opportunity of seeing service in the Crimea, where he showed courage and coolness, and was wounded in the trenches. So that he was promoted with all due rapidity, and four years ago was made a Major-General and appointed to the command of the London district. Since then he has continually been employed as the commander of Brigades or of Divisions at reviews and manœuvres not prevented by providential weather, and the remarks he makes upon such occasions are treasured up as the best things in the traditions of the British army. He is popular among Guardsmen who appreciate his good comradeship, and are thankful to have over them a chief neither of devouring activity nor wedded to the severer views of smart soldiership. He always appears to be frank and straightforward; his nickname bears testimony to the appreciation in which he is held by his fellow-soldiers; he is on the best of terms with the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief; and his rapid rise in his profession shows how much better judges of ability there are at the Horse Guards than are to be found among those who, being less fortunate than the Prince, are disposed to criticise his success.