MEET THE FIRST HANOVERIAN KING

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1934, Page 21 (Supplement)

MEET THE FIRST HANOVERIAN KING

Now we have to meet King George J, who ascended the throne of England in the year 1714, at the age of 54. George I wasn’t a bad fellow taking him all round, but his besetting sin was selfishness. Oh dear, how selfish that man was! He was also slow-minded and fixed in his ideas and prejudices, so that if you had met him you would probably have thought him a very dull king indeed. But he was economical, as are most Germans, quite good-tempered when he wasn't cynical, a brave soldier, and a faithful friend. Yes, indeed, once King George became a friend he could be relied upon to remain a friend. His right to the throne of England came through his mother the Electress Sophia of Hanover, who was granddaughter of James I. Although he tried to do his duty by his new country, the old one—Hanover—was always his first love. The reign of King George I saw the growth of the present system of government in England with its Cabinet and its premier, and, whilst George had his troubles at home, Great Britain was really well ruled when he was king, although he could not speak the language. This king died in 1727, when travelling in his beloved state of Hanover.