KING EDWARD VII

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22060, 16 September 1933, Page 4

KING EDWARD VII

Great Lives: " Edward VII," by H. E. Wortham; " Thackeray,” by G. XL Ellis; “ Sheridan," by W. A. Darlington. London: Duckworth. (Each 3s net.)

King Edward has Had several biographers besides Sir Sidney Lee, including recently Mr E. F. Benson and Mr Wortham, who previously published “ The Delightful Profession.” In his brief biography for the “ Great Lives ” series, “ Edward VII ” from Whitcombe and Tombs)), Mr Wortham _ has retained the suggestion that the King found much satisfaction in his position as the leading monarch of the world and the arbiter of Europe. It happens to be a true suggestion, and Mr Wortham does not allow his interest, which readers must share, in King Edward’s vanities and youthful peccadilloes to prejudice his final judgment on the character and achievements of a great ruler and accomplished statesman. He came to the Throne at an age when the majority of men have completed their work in the world, and during the last three years of his brief reign his health was not good, but, nevertheless, “he made a place for himself in Europe such _ as no English Sovereign had occupied since Henry 11. He was at once, Mr Wortham says, a personage and a character, the first King of England for centuries to be both popular and fashionable: “Edward VII is as much the hero of the Edwardian era as Louis XIV is that of the ‘ grand siecle.’ He identified himself with its freer social technique, its tolerance, and its cosmopolitanism, which made Edwardian London the capital of polite Europe. He stood for the very extravagance, and restlessness of an age intent upon the pursuit of snort and pleasure. Yet he combined tins ‘chic’ with a very real concern for the welfare of the masses . . , ” This biography is skilfully handled, and, while,there must have been tremendous compression involved in reducing the life portrait of a significant figure to suitable limits for inclusion in this series, no ruthless condensation is evident. Mr Wortham sketches in adequately the history of the King from birth, and shows that, amid the diversions whifih occupied him in his hey-days as Prince of Wales, he was always anxious and ready to embrace opportunities for national service when they offered. Two further additions to this excellent series are Mr Darlington’s “ Sheridan ” and Mr Ellis’s “Thackeray.” Mr Darlington is best known to readers as a writer of humorous novels, and it is pleasant to receive in this volume proof that he is also a sympathetic biographer. Though Sheridan’s life was neither uneventful nor colourless it does not provide, except wdien studied against a wider contemporary background than is possible in this book, much arresting material for the historian. However, Mr Darlington has given us a competent sketch, embracing principally his earlier significant years, which should prove useful to all who mav from time to time return to the plays. It is hoped to refer more fully to “ Thackeray ” at a later date. MG.

Link with George Eliot A seventy-six-year-old descendant of George Eliot is now completing a task which will fulfil one of his great ancestor’s dearest wishes (says the Observer). George Eliot grew to love a famous English mansion, “Wootton Hall,” in the Izaak Walton country, and she immortalised it as Donnithorn Chase in her brilliant novel “Adam Bede.” .Recently the hall was pulled down, and a Staffordshire relative of George, Eliot, Mr Samuel Green, of Waterhouses, near Leek, has transferred the building to his own district and is having it The hall will become the residence of bis son, and is to stand as a permanent memorial to the novelist.

Lord Rosebery’s Books Light on the reasons for the sale by so wealthy a family as the Roseberys of some of the books of the famous Liberal Prime Minister of England has been thrown by a letter to The Times by the present Lord Rosebery. As was suspected, the crushing British death duties were responsible. Lord Rosebery writes; “ I understand that some misapprehension exists regarding the sale of my late father’s books at Messrs Sotbeby s rooms during this week and later. It has unfortunately been necessary for my sister, Lady Sybil Grant, to part with a portion of the library, as some assistance in meeting the very heavy duties payable on her succession to my father’s property at Epsom. That part of his library which he left to myself at Barnbonglc Castle, in Scotland, is not included in the sale.”