are the qualities
of unselfishness, and indomitable and uncomplaining pluck." He had
struggled long and earnestly against the malady--not for his own sake,
because safety and ease would have early been found in surrender to its
natural course. When that became finally necessary, and recovery then
succeeded the period of suspense, his whole desire seemed to be the
re-assuring of the popular mind and the relieving of public
inconvenience. On August 6th the King and Queen Alexandra had landed at
Portsmouth from the Royal yacht and proceeded to London. The stations
were profusely decorated, and dense crowds were awaiting their arrival
in the capital. At the Metropolitan station the King walked easily to
the end of the platform and to his carriage, helped the Queen to enter,
and followed himself without any apparent difficulty. The route to
Buckingham Palace was lined with great throngs of people, and His
Majesty acknowledged the continuous cheering with a most cheerful
expression and by frequently raising his hat. He was described as
looking better than for a long time past--while the Queen appeared
positively radiant. On the evening of August 8th, the King issued an
autograph message of thanks and appreciation to the nation, through the
Home Secretary, couched in the following terms:

"To My People:--On the eve of my Coronation, an event which I look
upon as one of the most solemn and most important in my life, I am
anxious to express to my people at home and in the Colonies and
India, my heartfelt appreciation of the deep sympathy they have
manifested towards me during the time my life was in such imminent
danger.

"The postponement of the ceremony, owing to my illness, caused, I
fear, much inconvenience and trouble to all those who intended to
celebrate it, but their disappointment was borne by them with
admirable patience and temper.

"The prayers of my people for my recovery were heard, and I now
offer up my deepest gratitude to Divine Providence for having
preserved my life and given me strength to fulfil the important
duties which devolve upon me as Sovereign of this great Empire.

EDWARD R. I."

While this tactful and sympathetic letter was being written by the
Sovereign, his people in London were preparing for the great event of
the morrow. The streets were crowded with moving masses of people; the
decorations, though not as numerous