King Nicholas of Montenegro died at Antibes on Tuesday. He
was eighty years of age. He succeeded his uncle as Prince of Montenegro in 1860 and assumed the title of King on the fiftieth anniversary of his accession. He was a shrewd mediaeval despot—a good fighting man in his youth and a most skilful politician in his later years. He joined the Balkan League in 1912 and started the war against Turkey. He coveted Scutari, but was forbidden to retain it. In the late war he joined with Serbia against Austria, but was unable or unwilling to make any serious effort. King Nicholas is remembered for his success as a match-maker. When he- was once asked what were the exports of Montenegro, he replied, " My daughters." One of his daughters, now dead, married the present King of Serbia. His fourth daughter, Elena, is the Queen of Italy. Two other daughters married Russian Grand Dukes. King Nicholas was a picturesque figure, but it would have been well for his reputation if he had abdicated when the late war began.
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