THE QUEEN AS A WOMAN.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 52, 11 February 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE QUEEN AS A WOMAN.

INTIMATE WTURE OF* HER ' DAIUY'.'JFE. “The Queen of England” is the title of an article in the “North American Review,” by Sir Clement Kinloch-Cooke, M.P. And it would be difficult to find a more typical picture of an Englishwoman than is contained in the 12 pages wheh he has written. From the time of her Majesty’s birth until her marriage her life was just that of the fairly well-to-do English girl, hardly that of the modern English girl, perhaps, but nearer the old-fashioned ideal, the ’oss of which many parents deplore. This was her mother’s plan:— “A child,” she said, “has quite enough to do to learn obedience and attenid to her lessons and to grow, without many parties and late hours, which take the freshness of childhood away and the brightness and beauty from girlhood—and then children become intolerable. There are too many grownup children in the present day.” The article tells how the* Queen’s many high qualities were develo’[>ed — her interest in charity by the frequent visits made in her mother’s company to the poor around her Richmond home at White Lodge; her religious convictions, bred by the daily life of her home; her musical accomplishments and artistic talents, fostered by her stay in Florence, where her parents Ijved for two years. ROYAL ARTIST.

“ The Queen has a sweet voice,” says Sir Clement Kinloch-Cooke, “ a soft soprano, which greatly matured under the skilful guidance of Signor (now Sir Paolo) Tosti. . . She is a good judge of a picture and an excellent critic, and while at Florence made several pretty sketches of landscape scenery. She rarely misses any good exhibition of pictures in London, is particularly fond of tlio old masters, and prefers their moie finiahed style of painting to the impressionist school. “ Dramatic art of every kind appeals to her, and there are few plays of importance or that have attracted public attention* during the last two dccaaes she has not seen. Like her mother, she quickly seizes upon the humorous side of a question. Thus she has a keen appreciation for a sparkling comedy or a farce.

“ The Queen is greatly attached to the historical past of her country. Ancient monuments of every kind have* « fascination for her, and her acquaintance with different kinds of architecture must have entailed much study and close observance. “She is particularly fond of visiting cathedrals, and knows the interiors of most of the old City churches, besides being well versed in the countless treasures contained in the other _ historic buildings of our great metropolis. “ Her Majesty follows events attentively. She reads the newspapers daily, and as Princess of Wales attended th© more important Parliamentary debates. “Punctuality is a household word in the Royal establishment, and when the Queen makes an appointment it is al-

ive vs kept. BUSINESS METHODS. “In business matters'her "Majesty is clear and expeditious, methodical, and systematic. Her., motnings are genctf- ’• ally 'taken up with attending to. th©, voluminous correspondence that arrive®! by every pest. ' ' ' . 1 ■ “ Her secretary and. lady-in-waitH>s ; submit their Letters, 'and th® Queen gives instructions concerning them. She quickly grasps the main issue of a question, and soon makes up -her mind, and lias never been known to lay aside a matter on the ground that to etxpress ■ an opinion thereon is irksome or diffi- i cult. \ , “Every consideration is shown to t those privileged to serve the Queen, : and before signifying her pleasure as to i the personal attendance of members of her household her Majesty will often inquire whether they may not have some other engagement, the. breaking of which would be inconvenient to them.” The Queen as a mother is a picture ever present to the minds of her people. One need only quota this passage:— “That the Queen’s niarried life has more than fulfilled all expectations needs no demonstration. The education and daily occupations of the Royal children are under the direct supervision of their Majesties, and they are frequently with them during the day. The King joins with his sons in their amusements and sports and closely concerns himself with their school, work, while the Queen personally superintends the education of her daughter and that of the younger Princes.” The details of the Queen’s charitable works are shorter than one might expect. Only a’ tithe of her work for her people is described, for the simple reason that only a tithe of it is known, save to the recipients. But one sketch shows how, despite all other calls on her time, her Majesty ensures that charity shall never be forgotten. “ The Queen < makes crochet woollen garments for poor children at the rate* of 60 a year, and on being asked how she could possibily make so large a number, replied:—‘l have always one of the little petticoats on hand in each of my sitting-rooms, and I take it up whenever I have a few spare minutes; then in the evenings my husband reads, to me, and I work and get through *a great deal.” “No Queen of England,” says Sir Clement Kinloch-Cooke, “ever entered upon her queenly estate better qualified to fill that exalted jy>sition than Queen Mary. No Queen ever had a greater hold on the affection of the people.”