cognition of "exceptional service, heroism or
devotion to duty" was also applied to Canada and all the British
Dominions. During the year His Majesty presented a gift of money to T.
L. Wood, a blacksmith at Port Elgin, N. S., and accepted a horse-shoe of
exquisite workmanship which had been wrought by him while lying on a
sick-bed; visited and praised the exhibition of British Columbia fruit
at Islington on December 6th.

On October 21, 1909, a Tuberculosis Institute, established at Montreal
by Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Burland, was opened by the King through
special electric communication between the Library of West Dean Park,
Colchester, where he was staying, and the Institute at Montreal, with a
cablegram which read as follows: "I have much pleasure in declaring the
Royal Edward Institute at Montreal now open. The means by which I make
this declaration testifies to the power of modern science and I am
confident that the future history of the Institute will afford equally
striking testimony to the beneficent results of that power when applied
to the conquest of disease and the relief of human suffering. I shall
always take a lively interest in the Institute and I pray that the
blessing of the Almighty may rest upon all those who work in and for it
and also upon those for whom it works. Edward R. & I." On November 20th
His Majesty sent a personal despatch to Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the
following terms: "Let me express my hearty congratulations to you on the
anniversary of your birthday. I hope you will be spared for many years
to come to serve the Crown and Empire, Edward." The Premier replied with
an expression of "humble duty and deep gratitude."

CHAPTER XXV.

The King as a Diplomatist and Peace-Maker.

In the olden days Kings used to very often be their own Generals; in
these modern times King Edward has set an example by means of which they
may well be their own Ambassadors. He had every qualification of
capacity, intellect and trained experience to serve him in such
conditions. If Queen Victoria, remaining very largely at home, could
wield an immense and undoubted personal influence in Europe, partly
because of an ability which made the late Lord Tennyson describe her as
"the greatest statesman in Europe" and the Earl of Rosebery say that in
matters of foreign policy she advised her Minister of Foreign Affairs
more then he advised her,[7] how much more was King Edward entitled to
personal _prestige_ in