else, she bent over him
and whispered, "It is your own little wife," he knew her and kissed her.

After her husband's death the queen withdrew largely from public
affairs, and her place was most admirably taken on all social occasions
by her daughter-in-law, Alexandra of Denmark, whom the Prince of Wales
married in 1863. When, however, the queen felt that her presence was
necessary on any public occasion, she was always ready and willing to
set aside her personal feelings, and let herself be seen by her
subjects. To the last, too, she maintained her hold on affairs,
directing business, political and domestic matters, with the same
excellent judgment that she had shown all her life.

A most notable event in the queen's life occurred in 1897. This was the
celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of her reign, and it was
commemorated throughout her dominions with an enthusiasm which was
without parallel. Processions, illuminations, and speech-making took
place in every town in Great Britain, and city vied with city in
erecting memorials of the occasion. The queen's strength was greatly
taxed during the Jubilee period, but she speedily regained her customary
vigor.

Somewhat less than four years later, however, in January of 1901, the
entire nation was made anxious by the news that the queen was ill. She
grew steadily worse, and late in the afternoon of January 22nd, she
died, to the intense grief, not only of her own subjects, but of all
peoples in the world.

In this brief sketch of the life of England's great queen, practically
no reference has been made to political affairs; her life has been
treated merely from the personal, or domestic, side. However, it is not
to be for a moment supposed that the queen was so absorbed in her family
and her friends, dear as these always were to her, that she neglected
matters of state. Every important project that was attempted during her
reign had her consideration, and all of her ministers united in
regarding her opinion as valuable beyond words. The influence of this
wonderful woman on the history of her times was incalculable, and
further study of her life and character will only deepen and intensify
the respect and love which all must hold for her memory.

THE RECESSIONAL

_By_ RUDYARD KIPLING

NOTE.--_The Recessional_ is one of the most delicate and graceful
poems in the language, yet it has such strength and virility, is so
easily understood and h