. Edward VII
|
39. George V

There is plenty of room for compromise in this, and there is every
possibility that something will be done along the lines of, perhaps,
restricting the financial veto of the Lords, leaving the other questions
open, and, meantime, reforming the structure of the House. Whatever the
developments of the future, the new King may be depended upon to
preserve the general principle of a second chamber; to conserve the
legitimate interests and influence of the aristocracy and landed classes
in the state--when, of course, they do not conflict with the well-being
of the people as a whole; to stand for stability and gradual reform
rather than change for the sake of change; to prefer and enforce
evolution rather than revolution. In all this His Majesty will voice the
deliberate and well-known opinions--instinct it may almost be said--of
his people in general. Be it also said, in conclusion, that these
thoughts are generalizations; that the King's opinions are his own and
are not known to the people; that newspaper writers in England, the
United States, or Canada, who proclaim an intimate acquaintance with his
views, and hidden qualities, and private conversations, only betray
their absolute ignorance of actual conditions. King George is an honest,
honourable and patriotic Englishman, guarding the greatest birthright
that a man can have, watching over the evolution of the greatest of
world-empires, sitting at the heart of vital and powerful political
movements. The steps he takes, or does not take, will be carefully
considered, and all public knowledge of the new King's character and
life leads one to believe that they will be wisely taken--in this
respect following the precedents left by his august father and
grandmother and realizing the principles and training and looming
responsibilities of a lifetime.

Transcriber's Note:

The scan of page 287 is unclear, but it makes sense for the text to be:
"The King was accompanied by Sir Frank Lascelles, Ambassador at Berlin,
and by his physician, Sir Francis Laking."

End of Project Gutenberg's The Life of King Edward VII, by J. Castell Hopkins

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