THE AFTERMATH

Evening Star, Issue 14413, 8 July 1910, Page 7

THE AFTERMATH

[From Our Special Correspondent.] LONDON, Mat 27.

After tho strain of the past fortnight, culminating in the day of national mourning which marked King Edward’s funeral London has returned this week to its normal life. But not with its normal vigor. There is a distinct lull in its activities, a sense of reaction in its atmosphere. The thoughtful consideration! of the King and Queen in shortening the period of mourning on tho part of tho people has been welcomed by manufacturers and shopkeepers. To these'a long period of what is known as half mourning would have meant a ve»y nor ions loss. The reduction by a full month of the term for half mourning, from June 29 to July 30, is of enormous value and importance to trade generally, and King George’s popularity will bo enhanced by the regard be has thus early shown for tho interests of tho people. No sooner was the reduction announced this wee!; than beautiful greys and heliotropes appeared in the West End shop windows, where a. day before there was only unrelieved black. Given bright summer weather in Juno the prospects for shopkeepers will now be much more hopeful. After the middle of the mouth fixtures postponed by the death of King Edwaid are to take place, including the army pageant and various garden parties, two or three charity totes at the Koval Botanic Society's grounds, and many regattas up the Thames. One way and another the season is not likely to p'rove nearly so disastrous to trade as was at first expected when the news of the King’s death brought Loudon to a standstill. —What Impressed Colonials. —■ Quito a number of Antipodean visitors, by tho way, especially New Zealanders, have expressed surprise to me at the wealth of color which marked tho obusqu’cr, of King EcUva'l. Some of them seemed really shocked at the splendor of the pageantry associated with the solemn rites of - 'death. "I have been more impressed,” said one lady to me. "by a simple hearse with one carriage following it than I was by all that display of magnificence.” That may well be. but it docs not- follow that she would have been impnawd if _ the funeral cortege of tho ruler of the British. Empire had consisted of a hearse and one carriage. King Edward was a great figure in the world, and it watt fitting that Ins last home-coming should be attended with every mark of circumstance and stately ceremonial. No healthy-minded person cares to see a morbid attitude displayed towards death. The days of black plumes for hearses and hired mourners paid to wad out lamentations are happily past, 'there was something really line about the ! tiim.phant note struck by last Fridays splendid jiageant. A great career had come to its natural dose in peace, honor, and contentment. The magnificent funeral procession w<ii> a tribute to the greatness of the honored dead, and it may well have symbolised that faith in immortality which robs tho grave of its victory and death of its sting. —“ln My Father's Footsteps.”—

Though passionately fond of shooting, and addicted to many’other forms of sport, King George has never evinced any particular bent towards horse racing, the sport that, undoubtedly, his father loved above all others. Many people consequently feared that the new King might decide’ to disperse the Koval racing stable at Newmarket, and possibly the breeding stud at Sandringham also, both having been bequeathed to him by King Edward. Now, however, these fears have been removed by an official notification that it is King George's intention to carry on both establishments on the same lines as in the past. This announcement has been received with joy in racing circles, hut in certain other quarters the King's decision to follow in his fathers footsteps has given the reverse of satisfaction, and it is said that His Majesty is being bombarded with reproaches and remonstrances for becoming a patron of such a wicked sport. King Edward had a similar experience when he ascended the Throne. Hundreds of letters were sent to him beseeching him to withdraw the light of hLs countenance fromjho turf and all its wickedness. The King answered by dot'd, not words. If anything he became a more ardent follower of "'the great- game,” seldom missing any important meeting at Newmarket, Epsom. Ascot, Goodwood, or Doncaster. A\ hnihe died be loft twenty-seven horses In naming at Egertou House, Newmarket, under the care of Mr-"Richard Marsh, and a choice collection of thirteen brood mares and numerous highly-bred yearlings at the Sandringham slu’d farm, which he established in 1887. —Tho New Dispensation.—

! The accession of a neve Sovereign entails a vast number of changes, not only in the Royal household and in tho appointments'of the Court, hut in connection with things seen and handled by the general public in the course of everyday life. One of the earliest things to bo dona is for tho King to declare Ides Royal Anns, as until he has decided on those and on his cipher tho new Great Seal cannot ho made, and King Edward's Seal will continue to bo used until, tiny now Seal being ready, the old one is technically “ broken ” and becomes tho perquisite of tho Lord Chancellor for tho time being. As soon as King George approves the particular design of the letters G.R.. we shall see them on the mail vans, prison vans, tho park keepers’ uniforms, on the King's Company . Colors, and on many buttons of different military and other uniforms. The design of the coinage will be changed, but it will bo about twelve months before any issue of tho new coins is mr.de to the general public. It is one of the traditions of the mint that the

‘'new” coins of any year shall not be general available until about Christmas. Of course, no further Edward YU. coins will be struck. The head of King George on Iris coinage will look to the left, for it is the ndo that tho position shall ba alternated every reign, and King Edward’s coins looked to. tho right. This practice has been followed since the times of the Stuarts. Tho ludian coiu-

age will show the head crowned, as tho Uncovered head is not a sign of majesty cast of Suez. Then new stamps must bo issued, and in view of King George’s wellknown philatelic leanings their design is awaited with considerable interest. The coinage rule does not hold good for stamps, for both those of Queen Victoria and King Edward faced the loft. —Tho King's Income.—

Financial provision for Queen Alexandra has already been made by statute, and, in addition to her private moans and any provision King Edward may have made from Ids personal estate, the Queen Mother now enjoys an income of £70,000 per annum.

The Civil List provision for King Edward lapsed with his death, and King George now enters into possession of the Crown revenues. Ho can retain them if ho likes, and under the legal powers of a life-tenant he would bo quite within his rights in granting building leases over the whole of the Royal parks. There is, of course, no fear of the King even entertaining for a fraction of a second such an idea. Ho will no doubt follow the example of his immediate predecessors, and relinquish his own personal life interest in these revenues in return for the grant of a Civil List during the rest of his life. Provision will also need to be made for the children of the King and Queen. This may be done immediately, or the matter may be postponed in view of the fact that the Duke of Cornwall is provided for to a certain extent by the revenues of his duchy, and that his brothers and sisters will not need any special provision for some yearn to come.