ILLNESS OF THE QUEEN

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1508, 24 January 1901, Page 30

ILLNESS OF THE QUEEN

THE ROYAL. FAMILY AT OSBORNE. THE KAISER VISITING ENGLAND. LONDON, January 19. A Court Circular announces that the Queen has not lately been in her usual health, and is unablo to take her customary drives. The great strain ef the past year has rather told upon her nervous system. The Court Physicians think it advisable that Her Majesty should be kept quiet indoors, and should abstain for the present from transacting business. Unofficial advices state that there is no immediate cause for alarm. The Queen gave an audience to Lord Roberts on Monday last, and has had intermittent drives since Tuesday. Her health has shown signs of failure since the deaths of her son the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and the Dowager Lady Churchill, and the divorce of her granddaughter Princess Victoria of Edinburgh (formerly the Grand Duchess of Hesse). OMINOUS NEWS. LONDON, January 19. The Queen is worse. MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY SUMMONED. LONDON, January 20. The Prince of Wales has gone to Osborne, and' the members of the Royal Family have been summoned. The Kaiser has started for England. The latest bulletin issued to-night is more reassuring. PROSTRATION OF HER MAJESTY. LONDON, January 20. On Saturday the Queen suffered great physical prostration. 'The symptoms are causing anxiety. The Prince of Wales and Princess Louise have started from London for Osborne. The Princess of Wales and the Duke of York left Sandringham a little later. Abandoning the bi-centary celebrations at Berlin, the Kaiser and the Duke of Connaught proceeded to Flushing, where they have been met by the cruiser Minerva, which will convey them to England. The evening bulletin states that Her Majesty’s strength has been fairly maintained, the symptoms indicating a slight improvement. THE LATEST INTELLIGENCE. LONDON, January 20. It is unofficially announced that the Queen’s condition is unchanged. Sir Richard Douglas Powell and Sir James Reid, Physicians-in-Ordinary, are in attendance. [This message was despatched from London at 6.45 o’clock yesterday morning.] FIRST SYMPTOMS OF FAILING. WORLD WIDE SORROW. ANXIOUS INQUIRIES FROM EUROPE. I LONDON, January 20. - It transpires that the Queen recently suffered from nervous excitability and an occasional attack of faintness. The chief failure of power took place on Thursday. Princesses Christian and Beatrice, the Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg, and the Bishop of Winchester, are now at Osborne. . Most profound sympathy is being manifested throughout Europe, America, and Canada. All the European Sovereigns have made repeated and anxious inquiries. The Royal household has been less despondent since the rally which took place on Saturday. HER MAJESTY’S CONDITION ON SUNDAY. GREATER WEAKNESS EVIDENT. LONDON, January 21. A bulletin issued at midnight on Sunday states that late in the evening the Queen’s condition was more serious. Greater weakness was - evident, while the power of taking nourishment was diminished. An unofficial announcement was made at 11 p.m. that 'the Queen was weaker and unable to take nourishment. SERVICES IN THE CHURCHES. LONDON, January 21. The Duke of Albany has started for Osborne. .

A service was held at Whippingham Church on Sunday afternoon in memory of Prince Henry of Battenburg. The Princess of Wales, Princess Henry of Battenburg, Princess Chris tian and Princess Louise were able to quit the Queen’s side to attend. Prebendary 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 for the Queen’s restoration to health. The Rev B. R. Wilson, preaching at Westminster Abbey, said no such anxiety as now existed throughout the length and breadth cf the Empire and of the civilised world had ever been manifested at any previous period m English history. Dr Parker, the Her T. Spurgeon and many others paid eloquent tributes to the Queen. The churches, chapels, missions and clubs were unusually thronged, and the despondency and alarm during the evening and night gradually intensified. The news of Her Majesty’s illness caused a great shock at Capetown. Preaching at the Cathedral, Dean Clarke said it was the worst news of the past unhappy twelve months. This indeed' was a moment of national crisis. Sir Alfred Milner and staff: were present at the Cathedral. ANXIETY AND SUSPENSE IN ENGLAND. LONDON, January 21. On Wednesday morning the Queen took a drive in her donkey carriage, but in the afternoon dismissed her horses without taking her customary airing. Tier Majesty rallied on Friday night, but at noon on Saturday suffered a re lapse, though her strong constitution apparently reasserted itself during the right.. The Princess Victoria and the Princess of Wales have arrived at Osborne. The Dowager Lady Ampthill, Lady of the Bedchamber, is in attendance on the Queen. An anxious crowd waited throughout Saturday night at the Prince’s- gate at Osborne, and many of all classes assembled at the Mansion House and Buckingham Palace; An unofficial morning message that hopes wore fainter, created a painful impression. 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 that the worst may he expected, but residents in Berlin take a less 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 and throughout the Kingdom is one of profound anxiety and suspense. Innumerable telegrams of sympathy and inquiry come from all parts of Britain, Ireland, Canada, India and South Africa. Prayers are universal in Anglo-Saxon-dom and in the mosques and temples of India. THE END APPROACHING. LONDON, January 21. The Queen is sinking fast. [This message was despatched from London at 10.25 a.m. yesterday.] SYMPATHY FROM THE COMMONWEALTH. SYDNEY, January 21. Lord Hopetoun has cabled to the Secretary of State for the Colonies as fellows : —Ministers desire me to assure you that the people of the Commonwealth participate with their fellow subjects in the United Kingdom in the na tional anxiety and distress caused by the lamented illness of the Queen. FEELING IN THE COLONIES. SYDNEY. January 21. The Governor-General has received no official messages with reference to the Queen.. The subject is the engrossing topic in the city. Knots of people are continuously round tlio( newspaper offices seeking the latest bulletins. BRISBANE, January 21. Lord Lamington has telegraphed to Mr Chamberlain:—Self and Government are deeply concerned at the news of the Queen’s illness, and anxious for further news. We earnestly pray for hek - recovery. AN EMPIRES GREAT SORROW. SYMPTOMS OF HER MAJESTY. SILENT PRAYER IN CHURCH AND CHAPEL. PUBLIC APPREHENSION. GATHERING OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. LONDON, January 21. There is great reticence at Osborne regarding the character of the relapse which her Majesty suffered. Insomnia is admittedly a great trouble, and drowsiness in the dav time is an ominous sign..

Her Majesty was sleeping at 6 o’clock in the evening, but a bulletin issued at midnight has deepened the public misgivings. “The Times” says that no bulletin can convey the precise impression in the minds of the skilled observers on rhe spot. “All our hopes and fetors,” it adds, “are based on very imperfect knowledge.’’ The “Daily Chronicle” states that the Rector of Whippingham, the parish church of Osborne, adjoining the estate, was summoned at midnight. The “Daily Mail” says that silent prayer is being offered in a number of churches and cli an els, but is broken by half-stifled sobs. In the streets friends meet and are speechless, but make a strong effort to hope for the best. LONDON, January 21 (12.45 p.m.\ The latest bulletin issued by tne Court physicians states that her Majesty has bad some sleep, after which she rallied slightly. The symptoms that are occasioning most anxiety point to a local obstruction of the circulation of the blood through the brain. It is now admitted that the Queen’s health has caused anxiety among her entourage for the last three months. Her Majesty has slowly succumbed to the strain of the past year. Renewed tension was caused by the loss of her relations, and the illness of the Empress Frederick, who is lying ill at Friedrichshcf. Some weeks ago the Queen began to retire to rest earlier than usual, and was often sleepless. Her appetite failed her, but it improved slightly at Osborne. About two o’clock this morning the Queen became comatose, and fearing the worst the family surrounded the bedside. However, the patient rallied at 5 o’clock and partook of food. The Emperor William, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and the Duke of Connaught left Victoria Station lor Osborne at eight o’clock. Her Majesty is being nursed by the Queen’s dressers, not by trained nurses. The departure of the Duke of Albany, who succeeded to the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Ooburg on the death of his uncle, Prince Alfred, has been countermanded. The Duke of York was shooting when he was summoned. On arriving in London he postponed his departure till his father’s return to Osborne. The Princess of Wales and Princess Christian of Denmark (her Majesty’s second surviving daughter, Princess Helena), with their invaluable experience, are constant in their devotion to the QueenH’.R.H. the Prince of Wales was in London yesterday to welcome his nephew the German Emperor. In replying to the Court officials he made a statement implying that no unfavourable turn had taken place in the Queen’s condition. “You see,” he said, by way of reassurance, “they have allowed me ' o come to London.” LORD SALISBURY AT OSBORNE. ANXIETY IN LONDON. LONDON, January 21 (1.45 p.m.) The Prime Minister (Lord Salisbury) and the Right Hon. C. T. Ritchie, Home Secretary, have been summoned, to Osborne House, Isle of Wight, where Her Majesty lies. Dr Thomas Barlow, Physician-Extra-ordinary to the Queen, has also arrived at Osborne. Scores of pressmen, representing the journals of Great Britain, are waiting in the vicinity of the gates of Osborne House for news as to the Royal patient’s progress. In London, the anxiety is so great that business is virtually at a standstill, and crow 7 ds are continually waiting about the Mansion House (the Lord Mayor’s official residence) to scan the bulletins as they are issued. MANIFESTATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY; MESSAGE FROM LORD RANFURLY. SYDNEY, January 22Mr Sudden informed an interviewed' that lie was ■ depressed and saddened by tho grave nows concerning the Queen’s health. He prayed Divine Providence, whom we alone can trust, that our beloved Monarch may bo spared a few years. All the preparations connected with the visit of the Duke of York mbt the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York have been suspended, and the festivities in connection with tho visit of the Imperial troops cancelled. MELBOURNE, January 22. The Hon J. Carroll has cabled to the Agent-General on behalf of liiinself and Maori landers, expressing the deepest sorrow at tho serious illness ef “Our White Mother.” LONDON, January 21. The Bishop of Winchester remained throughout Sunday night at Osborne. Hundreds of nstabilities have inscribed their names in the callers’ book at Buckingham Palace. Many City men participated in an ordinary morning service at St. Paul’s. The collect was “For all Sorts and Conditions of Men,” introducing mention of the Queen. Mr Kruger has seint a message of sympathy with the Queen. The Pope, through Cardinal Vaughan, has expressed his earnest .Vifn/rt

MELBOURNE, January 22. Mr Seddon has received a reply to his message of sympathy stating that thei "Secretary of State for the Colonies has been desired to express the gratitude of the Prince and Princess of Wales for the kind message!. THE KAISER AT OSBORNE. LONDON, January 22. Yesterday afternoon the Kaiser and the JJffike of Connaught, in company with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, visited the Seamen’s Home at East Cowes, containing invalided soldiers from the front, whom the Queen visited on New Year’s Day. The Kaiser sleeps at Osborne to-night, and the family of the Duke of Connaught at Osborne Lodge. In view of the Queen’s grave condition, officials are preparing the Royal apartments at Windsor and also at St. James’s Palace in readiness for any sudden return of the Court. The crowds at Osborne at respectfully silent and unobtrusive. THE LATEST BULLETIN. A GLIMMER OF HOPE. LONDON, January 21. A bulletin issued at 5 o’clock states that the slight improvement in the Queen’s condition has been, maintained. [This message was despatched from London at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.] (Received January 22, 5.29 p.m A LONDON, January 22. A bulletin issued at midnight states that there is no material change. The improvement of the morning has been maintained throughout the day. Food was taken fairly well, and some tranquil sleep secured. LONDON, January 22. There is a slight improvement in theQuoen’s condition this afternoon. She awoke from a refreshing sleep at four o’clock, and took some champagne and slight nourishment. She saw and spoke feebly to the naiser and the Duke of Connaught, both on leaving being visibly touched. At five o’clock her Majesty fell asleep in the arms of the Princess of Wales, and enjoyed further sleep. It was unofficially stated at ten o’clock that the! Queen was, if anything, a little better, justifying a glimmer of hope. She suffers little pain. LONDON, January 22. The doctors in attendance on the Queen pumped ox3”gen into the room occupied by he? Majesty, with refreshing results. Dr Barrow, an authority on cerebral affections has signed a bulletin declaring that no further loss of strength has been apparent in Royal patient, but an announcement that there is a brain lesion has intensified! the alarm. According to an outside medical man, her (Majesty’s illness is due to thrombosis—a clot on.the brain. THE ASPECT SERIOUS. ■ LONDON, January 22. It was announced from Osborne at 8 o’clock this morning that the Queen’s strength is diminishing, and that the aspect is serious. LONDON, January 22 (11 a.m.) The Bishop of Winchester and the rector of Whippingham have been sum imoned to the Queen’s bedside. A PRAYER FOR THE QUEEN. (By John Young.; Almighty and Eternal God, We bow beneath Thy chastening rod And low before Thee fall. , In answer to Thy people’s prayer, Our gracious Sovereign spare, oh, spare! In mercy unto all. ~f ;i Give her Thine utmost grace to know,’ And turn aside the fatal blow. Thy power, triumnhant wield. Divert the fell dart’s hurtling force. Place in the grim Destroyer’s course Thine adamantine shield. But if, rc at Thy effective nod.” She needs must tread the fatal road,Upbear her, through the sullen flbody Where Death’s dark waters roll. Sustained by Thy inspiring ray, Through realms of purer light, she may On angels’ pinions cleave her way And gain the immortal goal.