It is with deep regret that we record the death
by an acci- dental fall from a window in Newhaven, Connecticut, of Mr. Adalbert Hay, the son of the American Secretary of State. Mr. Adalbert Hay was a young man of high promise. As American Consul in Pretoria he won the confidence and good opinion of both sides, and though he showed himself invariably kind and helpful to the British prisoners, he never for a moment departed from the position of strict neutrality which it was his duty to maintain. That he would in time have proved, like his father, a great and useful public servant we do not doubt for a moment. Unlike too many of his younger countrymen, he was able to withstand the temptations offered by the excitements of an American business career, and had determined that he would serve the State rather than strive to make a great fortune. He had just been appointed one of the President's private secretaries, and at the White House he would have learnt at first hand how the great affairs of the world are managed,—following thus closely in the foot- steps of his father, who was private secretary to Mr. Lincoln. The deep sympathy felt in England for Mr. John Hay in his terrible loss has been most striking,—the King sending a
message of great warmth and kindliness, as did also Lord Roberts. The burden of public service, always a heavy one to a man of Mr. Hay's nature, must have been terribly in- creased by this sudden blow, but we sincerely trust it will not prove more than he can endure, for with the Philippine, Cuban, and Puerto Rican questions still only half settled, the United States needs the calm and moderating counsels of his wise and comprehensive mind.
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