THE QUEEN'S ILLNESS.

Evening Star, Issue 11453, 22 January 1901, Page 3

THE QUEEN'S ILLNESS.

CONDITION STILL GRAVE. NO DEFINITE NEWS. THE PUBLIC ANXIETY. TFORLD-WIDE SYMPATHY. "Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 21. On Wednesday morning the Queen took » drive in her donkey carriage, and in the afternoon dismissed the pair of horses and the tandem without her customary airing. Her Majesty rallied on Friday night, but at noon on Saturday suffered a relapse. Her strong constitution apparently reasserted itself during the night.

Great reticence is observed at Osborne rregarding the character of the relapse experienced by the Queen. Insomnia is admittedly % great tremble, •and drowsiness during the day is an ominous sign.

Her Majesty was sleeping afc-six o'clock on '■ Sunday evening, but the midnight bulletin ideepened the public misgivings. ' The Times' says: —" No bulletin can con•vey the precise impression in the minds of ■the skilled observers on the spot. All our hopes and fears are based on very imperfect knowledge."

The ' Chronicle ' states that the Rector of "Whippinghem was summoned at midnight. The 'Daily Mail' says:—"Silent prayer in a number of churches and chapels was broken by half-stifled sobs. The crowds on the streets and old friends of Her Majesty are speechless, but make a strong effort to 'tope for the best. The despondency and alarm of the evening >and night have been gradually intensified.

An unofficial announcement was made at ! 11 p.m. that the Queen was weaker and uniahle to take nourishment.

A bulletin issued at midnight states: •" Late in the evening the Queen's condition was more serious. Greater weakness was evident, while the powers of taking nourishment diminished."

A later message says:—"The Queen is sinking fast." THE EMPIRE MOURNS. AND THE WORLD SYMPATHISES. LONDON, January 21. The Prince of Wales's journey to London to meet the Kaiser created a gleam of hope in London that the condition of the Queen could not be so serious. The Kaiser's journey to England is interpreted in Paris to mean that the worst may be expected, but the residents of Berlin take a less pessimistic view. Before starting for England he remarked : "I am the eldest grandson. My mother is unable, through illness, to hasten to the Queen's bedside." ' The Times's' Berlin correspondent says the Kaiser's prompt decision created a profound impression, and is regarded as fresh evidence of his intense personal devotion to the Queen. All Germans agree that it is natural and fitting and right, inasmuch as the filial duty is one of tradition in palace and cottage. A London crowd greeted the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and the Kaiser in •silence and hushed respect. The Prince of Wales, replying to the Court officials in London yesterday, implied that there was no unfavorable turn in the health of the Queen. "You see," he said, "they allowed me to come to London." The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York warmly greeted the Kaiser on his arrival at Charing Cross. They stayed ab Buckingham Palace for the night, and proceed by an early train to-day to Osborne. The delay is partly intended to spare the Queen excitement.

The Kaiser sent the hereditary Princess of. Uleiningen to console his mother (the Queen's eldest daughter).

Archbishop Whitworth. preaching at St. Paul's on Sunday morning, asked the congregation to join in the prayers of Christendom, which were ascending from men and •women of every creed and nationality

The Rev. B. R. Wilson, preaching in Westminster Abbey, said that there had never been such anxiety as there was now throughout the. length and breadth of the : Empire. The whole civilised world had : never manifested such a, feeling at any prei vious period of English history.

Dr Joseph Parker, the Rev. Thomas Spnrgeon, and maay others paid eloquent tributes to Her Majesty the Queen.

All the churches, chapels, missions, and clubs are. unusually thronged.

An anxious crowd waited throughout '..Saturday night at Prince's Gate, Osborne. Many persons of all classes assembled outside the Mansion ißonse and Buckingham Palace to hear the unofficial: morning news, and the message that hopes were fainter created a painful impression. The feeling in London, as throughout the Tungdom, is one of profound anxiety and suspense.

Innumerable telegrams of sympathy and inquiry have been received from all parts of Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, India, and South Africa.

Prayers are universal in Anglo-Saxondom, ' and in the mosques and temples of India. The Pope evinces the greatest sorrow, and prays earnestly for the Queen's recovery.

' God save the Queen' is sung with fervor in all military circles and places-of worship. The Princess of Wales and Princess Christian are constant in their devotion to the Queem Her Majesty's ilmess has caused intense distress in Cape Town. Preaching in the Cathedral, Dean Clark uaid that this was the worst news of the past unhappy twelve months. It was indeed a moment of hatdonal crisis.

Sir A. Milner and his staff were present in the Cathedral.

SYDNEY, January 21. The Governor-General has no official messages in reference to the Queen. The subject is the engrossing topic in the city, and Troots hover continuously round the newspaper offices, seeking the latest bulletins. Lord Hopetoun wired to Mr Chamberlain: .—"Ministers desire me to assure vou that ; the people of the Commonwealth participate -with therr fellow-subjecte of the United Kingdom m the national ansiety and distress caused by the lamented illness of Her Majesty the Queen."

BRISBANE, January 21. Lord Lamington has telegraphed to Mr Chamberlain: -"Self and Government deeply concerned about news of the Queen's illness; are anxious for further news • earnestly pray for Her Majesty's recovery." THE LATEST BULLETIN. A SLIGHT RALLY. LONDON, January 21. CReceived January 22, at 4.15 a.m. despatched at 12.45 p.m.) ' The latest bulletin states that Hp r Wv .iesty had slightly rallied after.a sleep. The

symptoms occasioning the most anxiety point to-some local obstruction in the brain, circulation. MINISTERS SUMMONED. LONDON, January 21. (Received January 22, at 7.49 a.m., despatched at 1.45 p.m.) Lord Salisbury and Mr Ritchie have been summoned to Osborne. Dr Thomas Barlow, the Queen's physi-. cian, has arrived there. WATTING FOR NEWS. BUSINESS AtTsTANDSTILL. . LONDON, January 21. Scores of pressmen are waiting at the gates at Osborne. Immense crowds are outside the Mansion House awaiting the bulletins. Business is at a standstill. THE TRUTH COMING OUT. THE QUEEN'S HEALTH BAD FOR MONTHS. LONDON, January 21. (Received January 22, at 7.59 am.) It is now admitted that the Queen's health had caused anxiety among her immediate attendants for the last three months, and that she had slowly succumbed to the strain of the past year. There was renewed tension over the loss of her relations and the illness of the Empress Frederick, who is lying ill at Friedrichshof. Some weeks ago the Queen began to retire to rest earlier than usual, and she was often sleepless. Her appetite also failed, but it had improved slightly during her stay at Osborne. FAMILY AROUND THE BEDSIDE. THE QUEEN'S OWN ATTENDANTS NURSE HER. LONDON, January 21. About two-o'clock this morning the Queen became comatose. Fearing the worst, the family surrounded the bedside. The Queen, however, rallied, and at five o'clock partook of food. The Kaiser, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and the Duke of Connaught left Tictoria station for Osborne at eight in the morning. The Queen is being nursed by her dressers. There are no trained nurses. THE QUEEN'S GRANDCHILDREN. LONDON, January 21. (Received January 22, at 8.36 am.) The Duke of York was on a shooting expedition when summoned to London on account of his grandmother's illness. He has postponed his departure from the City, and will wait there until his father's return from Osborne. The departure of the Duke of Saxe Coburg (Prince Arthur of Albany) from the Continent has been countermanded. MR SEDDON IN SYDNEY. ALL FESTIVE PREPARATIONS ABANDONED. SYDNEY, January 22. (Received January 22, at 9.5 a.m.) Mr 'Seddon has informed an interviewer that he is depressed and saddened by the grave news from Osborne, and he prayed to that Divine Providence whom we alone can trust that our beloved monarch may Ic spared a few years. All preparations connected with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York have been suspended, and the festivities in connection with the Imperial troops cancelled. AUSTRALIAN SYMPATHY. SYDNEY. January 22. (Received January 22, at 9.5 a.m.) The National Anthem was sung by the Opera Company last ni~ht. There are profound expressions of sorrow throughout all the State. The Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria h;;s cabled on behalf of the Government and people homing that by God's help Her Majesty's health will be fully restored. OUR OWN GRIEF.

The Bishop of Wellington has requested that pravers for Her Majesty the Queen lie offered in all the Anglican churches in the diocese.

At the Ghristchurch City Council last night the Mayor referred to the illness of the Queen. He said that the life nf our beloved Sovereign was trembling in the balance, and it was to be sincerely trusted that tha Almighty Providence might see fit to sparo her to us. At a large meeting held last night a.t Tnvercargill in connection with the Imperial troops the following motion, moved by Mr Gilmour, and seconded by Mr Hanni, M.HR., was unanimously adopted :—" That this meeting express their profound regret at tho distressing news received of Her Majesty's condition, and their deep sympathv with the people of the Empire at the immediate prospect of the nation being deprived of so great and good a Sovereign." MEETING FOR PUBLIC PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION. A 'MEMORABLE OCCASION. The genuine love which the people of Dunedin have for their Sovereign lady, Queen Victoria, has been evidenced many times, especially during the last twelve months, but never before was it so markedly expressed as last night. It was but short notice that the public got of the meeting summoned by the mayor for the purpose of expressing sympathy and offering up prayer on behalf of the Queen. In times of popular excitement and jubilation hurriedly summoned meetings, and for religions purposes too, have been most successful, but it was not thought that these formed any precedent on which to gauge the public's response to a call for a meeting for prayer to God in a time of impending sorrow. The meeting, however, in every way—not in point of size alone—proved that the citizens in their hearts do care for their Queen, and that her serious illness touched them very nearly indeed. It also showed how deep and widespread will be the sorrow when the news of her death, which cannot apparently be long delayed, is flashed across the cables. It was a great meeting, and the memory of it will live long in the minds of those present. The hall was filled with a congregation of over 2,000 people of religions denomination in the City. On the platform were the choir (a large body made up from all churches, with Mr D. Cooke ab the piano), the Citizens' Band, His Worship the Mayor, the Revs. I. Jolly, W. Curzon-Siggers, W. Hewitson, P. W. Fairclough, R. Fairmaid. and Gordon, Rabbi Chodowski, Crs J. A. Park, T Wright, J. F. M. Fraser, C. R. Smith. J. W. Jago, N. H. Bell, and others. The announcement that the meeting was .to be conducted by the Council of Churches probably accounted for the Roman Catholic Church not being represented on the platform. In spite, however, of that notice, their presence would have been welcome, and, like Rabbi Chodowski, who is not connected with the Council, they would have been cordially invited to take part in the proceedings. From the start the service was of n, deeply spiritual nature. The prayers offered up by the Rev. Mr Hewitson and the Rev. Mr Fairclough awoke the chord responsive in every heart, and in giving thanks to God for His great goodness to the Queen and the nation in the past, in supplicating His tender mercy and compassion on Her Majesty in her declining hours, and in beseeching His consolation for the members of the Royal Family and the people of the nation in the time of trial and darkness, it was easily seen that they were speaking the wishes and uttering the sentiments of everyone in the vast congregation. The portions of Scripture read by the Revs. W. Ctrrzon-Siggers, I. Jolly, and Rabbi Chodowski were particularly appropriate, and the inspired words were listened to with

an attention that is not always accorded the reading of the Divine word. It was, how-' ever, in the singing that the greatest amount of congregational fervor was manifested. It can truly be said that the congregation put their whole heart and soul into the hymn \ Our God our help in ages past,' and again into Cardinal Newman's beautiful hvmnprayer ' Lead, kindly light.' In intimating the National Anthem, the Mayor said : " As this may be the last—l say the last—occasion on which, as a Dunedin audience, we will h<s privileged to sing that grand old hymn, made sacred bv memories of the past, I ask vou all to stand to your feet while you sing the National Anthem, 'God save'the Queen,' led by the Citizens' Band." ' The audience did stand, and they did sing, and the National Anthem was sung in that true prayerful spirit which its rendering so often acks It did what it seldom does —it brought tears to many eyes, and the appropriate and touching benediction, pronounced by the Rev. Mr Gordon on its conclusion, was its only possible sequence. The meeting was a memorable one, and in even- way did honor and credit to the City.