Tennyson and Sightseers

1901

Tennyson's well known aversion to sightseers and their ways gave rise to many an odd experience. Once, it is said, he complained to Queen Victoria, saying that he could no longer stay in the Isle of Wight owing to the tourists who came to stare at him.

The queen, with a kindly irony, said that she herself did not suffer much from that grievance. But Tennyson, taking her literally, replied in the same strain.

"No, madam," said he, "and if I could clap a sentinel wherever I liked I should not be troubled either."

Queen Victoria Dead

1901

Passes Peacefully Away, Surrounded by Her Family

London, Jan. 22. — 7:03 p.m. — A telegram from the Prince of Wales to the Lord Mayor, timed at Osborne, 6:45 p.m., says the queen has passed away. The text of the Prince of Wales' dispatch to the Lord Mayor is as follows:

Osborne House, Jan. 22, 6:45 p.m. — My beloved mother has just passed away, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. ALBERT EDWARD.

Cowes, Isle of Wight, Jan. 23. — Queen Victoria is dead and Edward VII. reigns.

The greatest event in the memory of this generation, the most stupendous changes in existing conditions that could possibly be imagined, has taken place quietly, almost gently, upon the anniversary of the death of Queen Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent.

The end of this career, never equalled by any woman in the world's history, came in a simply furnished room in Osborne house. The most respected of all women, living or dead, lay in a great four-posted bed and made a shrunken atom, whose aged face and figure were a cruel mockery of the fair girl who in 1837 began to rule over England.

Around her were gathered almost every descendant of her line. Well within view of her dying eyes there hung a portrait of the prince consort. It was he who designed the room and every part of the castle.

In scarcely audible words, the white-haired bishop of Winchester prayed beside her, as he had often prayed beside her sovereign, for he was her chaplain at Windsor. With bowed heads the imperious ruler of the German empire and the man who is now King of England, the woman who has succeeded to the title of queen, the princes and princesses, and those of less than royal designation listened to the bishop's ceaseless prayer.

Six o'clock passed. The bishop continued his intercession. One of the younger children asked a question in shrill, childish treble, and was immediately silenced. The women of this royal family sobbed faintly and the men shuffled uneasily.

At exactly half past 6 Sir James Reid held up his hand, and the people in the room knew that England had lost her queen. The bishop pronounced the benediction.

The queen passed away quite peacefully. She suffered no pain. Those who were now mourners went to their rooms.

The body of Queen Victoria was embalmed and will probably be taken to Windsor on Saturday. The coffin arrived last evening from London.

It was thought that the queen was dying about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and carriages were sent to Osborne cottage and the rectory to bring all the princes and princesses and the bishop of Winchester to her bedside. It seemed then very near the end, but when things looked the worst the queen had one of her rallies, due to her wonderful constitution, opened her eyes, and recognized the Prince of Wales, the princes and Emperor William. She asked to see one of her faithful servants, a member of the royal household. He hastened to the room, but before he got there the queen had passed into a fitful sleep.

The Prince of Wales was very much affected when the doctors at last informed him that his mother had breathed her last. Emperor William, himself deeply affected, did his best to minister comfort to his sorrow-stricken uncle, whose new dignity he was the first to acknowledge.

For several weeks the queen had been failing. On Monday last she summoned Lord Roberts and asked him some very searching questions regarding the war in South Africa. On Tuesday she went for a drive, but was visibly affected. On Wednesday she suffered a paralytic stroke, accompanied by intense physical weakness. It was her first illness in 81 years, and she would not admit it. Then her condition grew so serious that, against her wishes, the family were summoned. When they arrived her reason had partially succumbed to paralysis and weakness.


President's Message of Condolence

Washington, Jan. 23 — President McKinley sent the following message of condolence to King Edward VII:

Washington, Jan. 22. — His Majesty, the King, Osborne House, Isle of Wight: I have received with profound sorrow the lamentable tidings of the death of her majesty, the queen. Allow me, sir, to offer my sincere sympathy and that of the American people in your personal bereavement and the loss Great Britain has suffered in the death of its venerable and illustrious sovereign whose noble life and beneficent influence has promoted the peace and won the affection of the world. WILLIAM M'KINLEY.

The Queen of Romance

1904

An English lady tells a story of Queen Victoria which she believes has not before appeared in print, and which she knows is true. Three children were walking along the road between Windsor and Stoke Poges. They heard the sound of carriage wheels. It was the queen's carriage, and she was in it.

The oldest child, a little boy, had been reading Oriental stories and fairy lore. He knew what was due to a queen, and cried to the others: "Get down flat in the dust before the carriage, and we'll all call out at once, 'O queen, live forever!'"

Down went the three little bodies flat in the dust, much to the mystification of the coachman, who reined up sharply.

The queen leaned forward and asked, "What in the world is the matter, children? Are you frightened?"

Three voices came out of the dust in a smothered treble: "Yes; O queen!"

Then there was a pause, and one reproachful voice said, "There, we forgot the 'live forever' part!"

The queen grasped the situation and laughed aloud, as her coachman afterward said, "more heartily than she had laughed for years."

The Ghost of the Tower

1901

Superstitious people in merry England are busy prophesying many gloomy events because it has been declared that the ghost of Mary, queen of Scots, has again made itself evident.

The story was that an officer of the guard on duty in the constables' quarters in the Tower of London on Christmas eve heard a long wail from the top of the tower. He stopped to listen and heard it again. Footsteps followed, and a third time the wail rang out over the fog bound river and the sleeping city. He went to search for a cause. but found none.

According to tradition the ghost of the unhappy Queen Mary has frequently made itself manifest in the Tower of London. Mary, queen of Scots, was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth in the constables' tower and was led from it to execution in the tower quadrangle. Before the death of every king or queen of England since her day her spirit has been reported as having appeared.

All of this is very unpleasant for those to whom the welfare of Queen Victoria is dear and who believe in appearances after death. But apart from any supernatural auguries it would not be surprising to hear at any time of the demise of the Queen of England. It is well known that her health is far from satisfactory and that she is daily growing more and more feeble. The death of the Dowager Lady Churchill threw her majesty into a condition which is alarming to court circles. Lady Churchill was the queen's oldest and closest companion, and Victoria's grief is extreme.

Should England be unfortunate enough to lose its august ruler there would not be lacking those who would sagely wag their heads and recall the appearance of Mary's ghost. But their "I told you so" would be far from satisfactory to more materially inclined individuals.