NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE death of the Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse- Darmstadt, which occurred at 7.30 a.m. last Saturday morning, has thrown a gloom over all English society. The Princess was extremely popular in England, where her devotion to her father had been observed and appreciated, and where deep pity had been felt for her anxieties and sufferings during the recent out- break of diphtheria in the Grand Ducal household. Great sym- pathy was felt for the Queen, who becomes more lonely as the years pass on ; and for the deceased lady herself, of whom no one in England or Germany has ever heard aught but good. A general mourning for three weeks has been or- dered, and will be universally observed, while regrets and condolences arrive from every part of the world. The Houses were unable, from press of business, to adjourn ; but Lord Beaconsfield in the Upper, and Sir Stafford Northcote in the Lower House, moved an address of condolence to her Majesty, which was warmly received by the chiefs of Opposition, and passed, of course, unanimously. The speech of Lord Beacons- field was marred by the artificiality and histrionic tone from which, on such occasions, he is never free ; and there was excessive adulation in the language of a portion of the Press ; but the national feeling of regret was simple and sincere. One of the household of England has died, too young.
