Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/45

xxi JOSEPH KNIGHT. gazed. The reign has been longer as it has been more brilliant than that of any previous sovereign. At present Britain may say with Queen Constance.
 * To me and to the state of my great grief
 * Let kings assemble.

All rivalries and jealousies are forgotten, the rulers of the whole world of civilization bring homage and tribute. No chronicle attests a state of affairs so solemn, so sorrowful. Our thoughts are wholly occupied with the illustrious dead. Yet even when so absorbed what temptation to swelling pride presents itself! What, beside Victoria, are Semiramis and Cleopatra? What even is our own Elizabeth, who presided over the birth of empire, compared with the Queen who has borne its full state and burden?

"That the tragedy of recent days has shortened and clouded her life there is cause to fear. Her personal empire has, however, been that of peace. Conspicuous and exceptional as in all respects has been her career, its chief glory is that it has maintained, in a time when licence prevails, the purity of womanhood, the sanctity of the family. On the wisdom of Victoria, her recognition of the principles of constitutional rule, the gain to her councils of her personal sway, history will speak. The meanest of her subjects know, however, how her personal life has been worthy and pure, how it has been founded on morality and established in righteousness, an example of the principles on which national greatness is founded and safe-guarded. As queen, as wife, as mother, in all that is typical of England at its best, she claims and receives our homage, our admiration, our tears."

'THE DAILY GRAPHIC.'

For twelve years (1894 to 1906) Knight was the dramatic of The Daily Graphic, and I am indebted to Mr. Hammond Hall, who was editor during the whole of that period, and to Mr. Lionel F. Gowing, the present editor, for the following reminiscences. Mr. Hammond Hall speaks of Knight's extreme conscientiousness in his work, and the affection which he inspired in everybody with whom he came in contact:

"His duties on The Daily Graphic were very trying because, owing to the exigencies of morning newspaper production, it was necessary that his copy should be in the hands of the printers at an hour little later than that of the fall of the curtain; but his criticism was never scamped; it was always scholarly and thoughtful. Whenever it was possible to do so, he would attend the dress rehearsal of a new play. Then he would be present at the public