NEWS OF THE WEEK.
AN absurd rumour having got into the papers that the Duke of York was married, the Court Circular on Tuesday announced his betrothal to the Princess Victoria Mary (Princess May) of Teck. It is added that the Queen has given her consent "gladly." The marriage has probably been arranged for some time past; but it was felt to be graceful that a public announcement should be delayed almost as long as if the Princess had been a widow. The Duke's choice, for reasons given elsewhere, will undoubtedly be popular, and there are grave reasons why he should be married soon. By a curious fatality, if he died childless, the 'Crown must ultimately pass to another family ; and though the succession which has lasted so long, and passed through so many families, the Norman, the Angevin, York, Lan- caster, Tudor, Stuart, and Guelph would not be broken, any change in the name of a dynasty makes a certain impres- sion on the imagination. The Princess May has hitherto been singularly unfortunate; but there are lives in which the necessary share of unhappiness is all concentrated in one great blow, and we may hope this will be her lot.
