TO-DAY IN HISTORY

Southland Times, Issue 20791, 4 June 1929, Page 6

TO-DAY IN HISTORY

JUNE 4. Born: George HI., of Great Britain, London, 1738; John Scott, Earl of Eldon; Chancellor of England, Newcastle, 1751; James Penncthorne, architect, Worchester, 1801. Died: M. A. Muret, commentator on classics, Rome, 1585; Archbishop Juxon, Oxford, 1663; Admiral Sir Charles Wager, 1743; Marshal Davoust, 1823; Marguerite, Countess of Blessington, novelist, Paris, 1849. KING GEORGE THE THIRD’S BIRTHDAY. In tlie volume of the Gentlemen’s Magazine for 1738, under the sub-title, “Wednesday 24” (May), occurs the following little paragraph: "This morning, between six and seven, the Princess of Wales gave birth to a son at Norfolk House St. James’s Square, the Archbishop of Canterbury being present.” This prince was he who afterwards reigned sixty years over England as George 111. The 4th of June which, was assumed as the prince’s birthday on the change of style was for many years remembered on account of the interest felt in the old king’s reign. The reverence felt for this monarch by the generality of his subjects was remarkable He was spoken of "as the best of characters,” and "the good old king.” And surely, though he had his faults as a ruler, and they were not of an innocuous character, it is something, as showing the power of personal worth, that King George was thus held in general regard.

The 4th of June was observed as a holiday over the empire. In Edinburgh a "Fourth of June Club” continued for many years after the King’s death. A very old poem by Norman Nicholson, a shepherd of the Grampian Hills entitled “Jubilee for Jubilee” is still extant, relating to this national event.