THE QUEEN’S ILLNESS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 22 January 1901, Page 4

THE QUEEN’S ILLNESS.

(by ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT.)

(per press association.)

(Received 7 40 p.m.) London, January 21. The Duke of Albany lias started for Osborne. A service was held at Whippingliam Church on Sunday afternoon in memory of Prince Henry of Battenburg. The Princess of Wales, Princess of Battenburg and Princesses Christian and Louise were able to quit the Queen’s side and attend the prebendary. Rev. Whitworth, preaching at St Paxil’s in the 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 at the Abbey, said that no such anxiety as now through the length and breadth of the Empire and the whole civilised world was ever manifested at any previous period in English history. Dr Parker, T. S. Spurgeon, and many others paid eloquent tributes to the Queen. The churches, chapels, missions and clubs were unusually thronged. The despondency and alarm during the evening and night were gradually intensified. An unofficial announcement was made at 11 p.m. that the Queen was weaker and unable to take nourishment. Her Majesty illness caused a great shock at Capetown. Preaching at the Cathedral Dean Clarke said that it was the worst news of the past unhappy 12 months. This indeed was a moment of national crisis. (Received at 11 p.m.)

On Wednesday morning the Queen took a drive in her donkey carriage. In the afternoon Her Majesty dismissed a pair of horses tandem without the customary airing. She rallied on Friday night, but at noon on Saturday suffered a relapse. Her strong constitution apparently reasserted itself. During the night Princess Victoria and the Princess of Wales arrived at Osborne. The Dowagar Lady Ampthill, Lady of the Bedchamber, was in attendance on the Queen. An anxious crowd waited throughout Saturday night at Princess Gate, Osborne. Many of all classes assembled at the Mansion House, and Buckingham Palace Unofficial —This morning a message that hopes were fainter created a painful impression. The Prince of Wales journeyed to London to meet the Kaiser, which created a gleam of hope in London that the condition of the Queen could not bo so serious

The Kaiser’a journey to England is interpreted in Paris that the worst may be expected, but the residents of Berlin take a leas pessimistic view. On Sunday morning Princess Beatrice telegraphed that the Queen’s condition was very grave, but not entirely without hope. The feeling in London, as throughout the Kingdom, is one of profound anxiety and suspense. Innumerable telegrams of sympathy and enquiry come from all parts of Britain, Ireland, Canada, India and South Africa. Prayers are Uuiversal in Anglo-Saxon-dom and in the mosques and temples of India. Received, Jan 21, at 112 am. Sydney, January 21. Lord Hopetoun wired to Mr. Chamberlain that Ministers desire me to assure you that the people of the Commonwealth will participate with their fellow subjects in the United Kingdom in their national anxiety and distress caused by the lamented illness of the Queen. The Governor-General hns no official messages in reference to the Queen, The subject is the engrossing topic of the city. Knots of people are continuously round the newspaper offices, seeking the latet t bulletins. Brisbane, January 21. Lord Laningion telegraphed to Mr Chamberlain that self and the Government arc deeply concerned at the news of the Queen’s illness and anxious for further news, and earnestly pray for her recovery. Received January 32, at 157 am, London, January 21.

Tho Prince of Wales, in replying to Court officials in London yesterday, implied that there was no unfavourable turn in the Queen. ‘'You sec,” he said, “ they allowed me to come to London.” The Prince of Wales, and Duke of York warmly greeted the Kaiser on his arrival at Charing Cross. He stayed at Buchingham Palace for the night, and will proceed by early train to-day to Osborne. The delay is partly intended to spare the Queen excitement. The Kaiser sent Prince Henry and tho hereditary Princess of Meinengen to console his mother. The Kaiser on starting for England remarked, “ I am the eldest grandson. My mother is unable through illness to hasten to the Queen’s bedside.” The Times Berlin correspondent says that 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, fitting, and ri’rht, inasmuch as filial duty, is one of oAhe traditions of palace ann cottage. The London crowd greeted the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and the Kaiser with silence and hushed respect. Received at 2 5 a ra The Telegraph states that there is sinpeje sorrow in every capital,

Kings Victor Emanuel, Franz Joseph Christian, and President M’Kinley arc much concerned. The Pope evinces great sorrow, and prays irncstly for the Queen’s recovery. “ God Save the Queen ” was sung with fervour at all military places of worship and many churches. The Princess of Wales and Christian with their invaluable experience are constant in their devotion to the Queen. There is great reticence at Osborne regarding the character of the relapse. Insomnia is admittedly a great trouble. Drowsiness in the day is an ominous sign. Her Majesty was sleeping at G in the evening, but" at midnight a bulletin deepened the public misgiving. The Times says that no bulletin can convey the precise impression in the minds of skilled observers on the spot. All onr hopes and fears are based on imperfect knowledge. The Chronicle states that the Rector of Whippingliam was summoned at midnight. The Daily Mail says that the silent prayers in a number of churches were broken hy half-stifled sobs. There are crowds in the streets. Old friends arc speechless, and make a strong effort to hope for the host. Received this day at 12 40 a.m. London, January 21. (Despatched at 10 25 a.m.) The Queen is sinking fast.