Queen's Birthday.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3869, 24 May 1881, Page 2

Queen's Birthday.

To day being the 62nd anniversary of the natal day of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, was observed as a general holiday, nearly all the business establishments on the Thames being closed. In honor of the great efent,. the Navals fired the customary royal salute, the band, under Mr Batohelor, playing " God SaTe the Queen" meanwhile. We are considerably surprised that the Volunteers did not parade, and fire a rolley with their small arms, and it would appear as though more respect were paid to the Heir-Apparent than to that of his maternal parent. The probable truth of the matter however, is, that many of the members of the various volunteer corps are absent holiday making. During the long reign of Her Majesty, science and art (fosterf d and cared for by the late lamented Consort) have made rapid strides. During the Queen's reign, steamboats, railways, and the electric telegraph (together with hundreds of other appliances for the promotion of.'traffic, business, and comfort) hare been introduced; and since the- ascension to the throne a great march has been effected in education. Her reign has not been so peaceful as might bare been desired, and the Crimea, Indian Mutiny, Ashantee, and the late Afghan and Zulu wars, have caused sorrow in many a happy English home. However, her reign may be said to have been as peaceful as that of almost any other sovereign who held the sceptre for any length of time. Her Majesty is of decided Conservative views, and the late Earl Beaconsfield, whose magnificent oratory and clever literary works, have adorned the present century, was held in great esteem by her. We can only express the same wish that every loyal Englishman does to-day—that many years will pass ere that Sing of Terrors (Death) will deprive our nation of a queen at once so true,*, so noble, and so eminently anxious of the welfare of her people, as