85 when he became a Midshipman, he had delighted in the Naval service,
imbibed the free air of the seas of the world and become instinct with
pride in England's naval record and achievements. He had been attached
to and served in several great battleships; in 1888 he commanded a
torpedo boat and in 1890 the gunboat _Thrush_; in succeeding years he
held more important commands and finally in 1897 had become an Admiral.
To his Navy King George spoke as follows:

"It is my earnest wish on succeeding to the Throne to make known to
the Navy how deeply grateful I am for its faithful and
distinguished services rendered to the late King, my beloved
Father, who ever showed great solicitude for its welfare and
efficiency. Educated and trained in that profession which I love so
dearly my retirement from active duty has in no sense diminished my
feelings of affection for it. For thirty-three years I had the
honour of serving in the Navy, and such intimate participation in
its life and work enables me to know how thoroughly I can depend
upon that spirit of loyalty and zealous devotion to duty of which
the glorious history of our Navy is the outcome. That you will ever
continue to be, as in the past, the foremost defenders of your
country's honour I know full well, and your fortunes will always be
followed by me with deep feelings of pride and affectionate
interest."

Parliament met in special Session on May 11th to tender its combined
condolences and congratulations to the new Sovereign. The Addresses from
both Houses were identical in terms and referred eulogistically to the
great work of the late King in building up and maintaining friendly
Foreign relations. To them His Majesty replied briefly as to his
personal grief and the national sorrow and then added: "King Edward's
care for the welfare of his people, his skill and prudent guidance of
the nation's affairs, his unwavering devotion to public duty during his
illustrious reign, his simple courage under pain, will long be held in
honour by his subjects both at home and beyond the Seas." Meanwhile an
infinite variety of articles were being written about the new King. In
Canada and the United States the same despatches, practically, came to
the leading papers; in Canada were reproduced many of the attractive
articles written by special American correspondents in England. Some of
them could hardly have come