Good Old King Edward.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 July 1912, Page 3

Good Old King Edward.

The " Dictionary of National Biography " has a reputation and a backbone to maintain it with. Therefore it has not hesitated to tell the truth about the late King. Journalism and politics combined some time before his death and for a long time after to represent him as the greatest genius that ever sat on the throne. Julius Caesar, Alexander, Napoleon, Charlemagne, the late Mr Solonand, the great King Solomon all rolled into one, formed the compound which ruled Britain, governed India and pacified Europe, astonishing the most learned statesmen with his marvellous knowledge of facts, figures and principles. Nobody said anything because everybody was too loyal to interfere when there was no need, for there is never any necessity for interfering with hysterics of either journalism or poli- j tics, for neither matter a fig. But j when the historian comes on the stage with his responsible tablet, the world listens with grave approval when he does his work! rightly.. The adulation of the j past made it difficult to take the right line. A " reverse " is al- ! ways a queer looking thing, cs- ! pecially when sudden. But the author in question has got over that difficulty very well. He has simply contented himself with the obvious facts of the case, giving! posterity a picture of the old j King just as he was--a kindly j well-mannered gentleman of in- i finite tact and very little know- ! ledge of anything, who absorbed j information on things he ought j to be acquainted with in a sur- j prising and most dutiful manner, i and was very badly used by his ; own mother who refused to let ! him have any opportunities for j looking into matters which were i one day to be his daily work. Most of his subjects were glad that I King Edward was an ideal con\stitutional monarch, that he had, \n other words, character and gX)od principle enough to rale sdciety by his leading and to let the constitution lead him in his political capacity. Society still •courts for much, and as it will go - ;on for all time counting at least as much as it does now, we can ~: ■all continue to cherish the mem- ■'■> ory of the good old gentleman >.who graced the throne in the ;; right way to the surprise of all '■ "■ who knew his wild youth and his 'lack of political training.