In the Commons on Wednesday Mr. Balfour moved an address
of sympathy with the King in his great loss in a-speech which was not unworthy Of the occasion. He spoke of the deceased Em- Press as a lady "endowed with gifts of nature and of education which would have made her even in another station a remark- able and accomplished woman," who " perhaps suffered more bereaveinent and more 'pain than is common to the lot of Mankind." Born an Englishwoman; the lite .Ympress "was by adoption a ,German ; and all through hei life.she Strove to promote to' the best of her ability, with all the advantagesi her high station gave her, that mutual comprehension, that sym- Pak, between these two great nations, on which so flinch, in • my opinion at All'events, of the future of civilisation depends." Sir • Oampber-Bannernian seconded the Motion, and endorsed Mr. '..Balkarr'S 'praise, though he dwelt with. Perhaps over-much i;nsiistence upon the.fact that the 'Empress;. while discharging all the duties which fell to her in Germany,-. remained true to the land of her birth," which was precisely the Gennan charge against her. The address-was, otcourse, carried unanimously, and there can be no doubt will l?e wel- come to the King, who had a deep 'respect as well as is-warm regard-for his great sister. In the House of Lords on Friday Lord Salisbury moved the vote of condolence to the King in a speech which, though short and sthiple in expression, was in excellent taste and struck just the right note of feeling. Lord Spencer, who followed, pointed out how heavy have been the blows that have fallen on the King within little more than a year. "This is the third occasion within thirteen months on.which we have had to approach his Majesty the King to condole with him on' a grievous loss' in his family. Brother, 'Mother, sister, to all of whom he was devoted, have been taken from. that'family.circle.where we know all' the members 'are devoted to each other... We cannot find often in human life:such frequent. sorrows in such a shorttime." That is a thought which must doubtless have struck thousands of the Kines subjects, bet Lord Spencer expressed it with great, good feeling, and' without any of'that rhetorical overloading which is-often so painful in public speeches. of condolence.
