The Dutch believe, perhaps rightly, that the failure of the
house of Orange would be the signal for an attack on their independence. They are, therefore, almost morbidly anxious that the young Queen, who is the last of her great race, should marry, and a new report that her Majesty has agreed to do so is circulated every week. Last week it was held to be certain that a Prince of Wied would be the lucky bride- groom ; this week it is Duke Adolf of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Either is probable, and so is an unknown third, the only thing certain being that the Queen will choose for herself. Her choice, however, is rather limited by the conditions, as the Prince Consort of Holland must not be an English- man, because we have conquered the Boers, or a Russian, because Russians are too devoted to prerogative, or a Catholic, because Holland is still fiercely Protestant. He must, there- fore, be a German Prince, and though German Princes are numerous, they are not all likely to find favour with a young Queen who has aesthetic tastes, and intends to govern her dominions for herself. That last clause shuts out the Hohenzollerns, as otherwise William II. would seize the opportunity to acquire " ships, colonies, and commerce" at a blow.
Previous page
