PRINCESS MARINA'S DESCENT

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] e presence Of Princess Marina of Greece in our midst as the fiancee of Prince George, the Sovereign's youngest son, recalls to mind the fact that when, seventy-one years ago, the kingdom of Greece was formed and the present dynasty elected, none of the Great POwers took so important a part. in the negotiations as this country, while the influence of Queen Victoria was the driving-force that led to the Crown of Greece being placed on the head. of Princess Marina's grandfather.

By the Treaty of Paris, signed on November 5th, 1815, the seven Ionian islands—Corfu, Cephalonia, Zante,, Sante Maura, Cerigo and Paxos—together with their dependeneiei, were placed as a separate State under the, protectorate of the British Crown. When it was proposed by the Greek nation that a constitutional monarchy should be established, the British Government was anxious that these seven islands should be added to it.

•

In December, 1863, the Hon. Henry Elliot, on a special mission to Athens, presented to the President of the Provisional Government of Greece a docuMent giving the consent of the British Government to the adoption of that course, but it was, neVertheless, couched in Very guarded language, as the

following extract shows •

" I am to take care in my communications upon this subject to make it understood that the election of a Prince who should be the symbol or precursor of revolutionary disturbance, as the adoption of an aggressive-policy' towards Turkey, would prevent any relin- quishment of her, .Majesty's Government's protectorate over the Ionian Islands.. Her,Majesty's Government trust that in the selec- tion-of a Sefirereigii to rule over Greece, the Greek Assembly will choose for a Xing a Prince from whOin they can'expect a regard for religious liberty, a respect for constitutional freedom, and a sincere love for. peace. A- Prince possessing these qualities will, be fitted to promote the happiness of Greece, and will be honoured with the friendship" and Confidence' of her Majesty the QUeen."

The last sentence was added at Queen Victoria's command.

A ballot was then taken (there was no list of candidates on the ballot papers, the voter writing any name he chose), and at the present time it is of interest to see what was the exact result; bringing back to mind, as it does, the names of many prominent, notabilities of the mid-Victorian period. The following table has been taken and translated by the writer from the Report of the Committee which was appointed by lot to count the votes. It will be observed that Prince

Alfred of England—afterwards Duke of Edinburgh—was almost unanimously chosen, but for obvious reasons (he was second in succession to the Throne of England at the time) he did not accept the proferred dignity. The voting resulted .

as follows :

Prince Alfred of England

230;016 Prince Leuchtenburg 2,400 An Orthodox King .. 1,917 Emperor of Russia , . 1,841 Grand Duke Nicholas 1,821

1,763 Prince Nicholas of Russia .. 1,741 Zeto the Three Powers. .. 482 Grand Duke Constantine .. 478 Prince Napoleon 345 An Imperial Prince of France 246 A Republic 93 A Russian Prince .. 14 An Imperial Prince of Russia 9 Romanoff: . 8 Comte de Flandres 7 Prince William of Denmark 6 Prince Ypsilanti .. 6 General. Garibaldi .. 3 Duke of Autnale 3 The Emperor Napoleon 2 A Prince of Sweden Prince Joinville General M'Mahon Eynard the Philhellene 2

1 1 1

Otho I

1

The terms " A King," " An Orthodox King," &c., imply that the voter had no particular individual in mind, provided he possessed those qualifications. •

Since it was impossible for Prince Alfred to accept, the election resulted in a deadlock, and Queen Victoria made the suggestion that a 'deptitation should leave Athens for Copen- hagen, 'and on behalf of the Greek nation offer the Crown to Prince William of Denmark. This advice was welcomed, and in the spring of 1868 the deputation departed on its mission

and Prince William accepted, and. took the title.. of King George.

It is interesting to recall the words which that wise old monarch, King Frederick yn of Denmark-4ho passed away very suddenly only five months later and was succeeded by King Christian IX, Queen Alexandra's father=sPoke to his youthful relative on the eve of his departure from Amalien- borg. " Before you leave this spot," said King Frederick at a farewell family banquet, " I give you this heartfelt and Bell-meant advice. Let it be your constant endeavour to gain and preserve the love of the people without boasting ; I speak from experience when I say that in this consists the true happiness of a King. Adhere firmly to the Constitution of the country ; strive constantly to procure its recognition watch that it be maintained intact. • If you make this rule, you and your people will prosper."—I am, Sir, &c., H. B.