The Life of King Edward VII
rather than change for the sake of change; to prefer and enforce
evolution rather than revolution. In all this His Majesty will voice the
deliberate and well-known opinions--instinct it may almost be said--of
his people in general. Be it also said, in conclusion, that these
thoughts are generalizations; that the King's opinions are his own and
are not known to the people; that newspaper writers in England, the
United States, or Canada, who proclaim an intimate acquaintance with his
views, and hidden qualities, and private conversations, only betray
their absolute ignorance of actual conditions. King George is an honest,
honourable and patriotic Englishman, guarding the greatest birthright
that a man can have, watching over the evolution of the greatest of
world-empires, sitting at the heart of vital and powerful political
movements. The steps he takes, or does not take, will be carefully
considered, and all public knowledge of the new King's character and
life leads one to believe that they will be wisely taken--in this
respect following the precedents left by his august father and
grandmother and realizing the principles and training and looming
responsibilities of a lifetime.
Transcriber's Note:
The scan of page 287 is unclear, but it makes sense for the text to be:
"The King was accompanied by Sir Frank Lascelles, Ambassador at Berlin,
and by his physician, Sir Francis Laking."