Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1902. The Illness of the King.

Manawatu Herald, 26 June 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1902. The Illness of the King.

Yesterday morning the whole world was thrown into consternation and grief by the news from London that owing to the King’s health the Coronation bad to bo postponed. The disappointment to trillions will be great, but We believe that the chiefest expression Will be one of sincere regret that the stats of the health of our Gracious King is so serious as to necessitate an operation. Once before, when the King was Prince of Wales, the subjects of the Empire were exercised at a malady that was feared would be fatal, and the rejoicings made at his recovery showed full well the strong hold the King then held on the hearts of the people. Since then, the Prince and King has appeared to have striven to live the life more in accordance with his high destiny, and by doing so secured the esteem of everyone. It is a sad conclusion to what was intended to be one*ol the most gorgeous pageants ever seen, which woulcl have been celebrated all over the world with an enthusiasm never previously shown, for sickness to claim the highest in the land aa its victim. We know that the King is not a strong man, but has exhibited heroic qualities in going through necessary ceremonies whilst enduring much suffering, arid the kindness of his heart and his thoughtfulness for others would have forced him, at any sacrifice to personal feelings, to have attended the Coronation on the date fixed if it had been at all possible, and from the Coronation being postponed we become assured that the illness announced must be of the most grave nature. Parents will, perhaps, better feel 5 the sorrow which must be afflicting the Royal Family, than those who are not so situated, as the King was a man of the most kindly feelings, and was attached to our Queen and his children and grandchildren, as much as any commoner of the land is attached to his nearest relatives. Wo recollect the fatherly and cheering remark he made to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall on their leaving England’s shores on their tour round the world, “ never mind, we will look after the children.” We know that he right well did. The Queen (God bless her) since her marriage has had her share of troubles, but has always faced her duty with a pleasant manner and earnest desire to do what was right. The present occasion again shows that we are all but common clay, notwithstanding the titles we possess, and a King can suffer, and can be ordered and disposed of, by the Almighty, just the same as the poorest of the land. This touch of nature, as Shakespeare has it, makes the whole world kin, and our best duty as loyal and loving subjects will be to pray for mercy to that same Power we all should do if one of our own beloved ones laid on a bed of sickness. Our prayer today is May God Says thb King,