May 12, Today the thoughts of Britons throughout the world will go back to a' couple, who, four years ago in Westminster Abbey, were consecrated to the service of their people—the King and Queen. King George VI, and his consort, Queen Elizabeth, will go down in history as' the two who during this great crisis in the life of an Empire were in themselves the embodiment of all those qualities which Britons hold so dear. It is no light task to fill the role of a monarch, and when the King came to the throne, ungroomed for the heavy responsibilities involved, there was some speculation as to the manner he would perform his functions. There was not, however, much anxiety on the score, for he was recognized to be the son of his father, and ina short while he, and his Queen were able to show their people that Destiny.had played. them no mean trick by calling on the Royal pair to assume such high office. Looking back over these last four years, nearly half of which has now been spent in war it can now be realized that Their Majesties have played and are playing a wonderful part in the history of the Empire, Perhaps one of the most important things they did' was to embark on the tour to Canada and the United States, The wonder ful demonstration of loyalty to the Throne which was given in the Dominion was but a promise which is now being fulfilled by the splendid manner in which the Canadians have responded to the call of a menaced Empire. In the United States where the couple, and especially Her Majesty, captured the imagination of the people of the United States, there were laid the foundations of the growing cooperation which that great country is giving to the democracies in their struggle for freedom. It may be that that tour will yet prove to be one of the most important factors in the future history of the world, for the Empire was greatly touched by the manifestations of affection for the King and Queen which the Americans so spontaneously gave. There was established a bond of sympathy which is now making itself felt, His father had only come to the throne a little over four years when he saw his Empire plunged into the World War.. The staunch leadership of King George V throughout that anxious period was such as to stamp him for the great man he really was. His son is following in his footsteps. His devotion to duty is well known, With ceaseless energy he busies himself in caring for his people, and they because of this Second great war make greater demands upon him than would normally be the Long before Hitler made the mistake of bombing Buckingham Palace, thus demonstrating that the monarchs stood in equal danger with their subjects, the King and Queen had commenced visiting the bomb-stricken districts, sharing the perils of the victims of Hunnish ruthlessness. Their courage, their sympathy their ready understanding aroused the greatest loyalty in the hearts of those who were suffering.
There is something very royal in an exchange of compliments which took place during one such visit. As the King and Queen passed amongst their people, a man shouted "You are a great King." His Majesty replied "You are a great people." And no matter how they are looked at those two sentences may prove to be very much statements of cause and effect. For after all there is very much to be said for George Eliot's phrase—A man's a man, But when you see a king, you see the work Of many thousand men.
If ever there were a monarch gifted with "the king-becoming graces" that man is George VI, for surely he has shown all of them, especially those of "devotion, patience, courage, fortitude." In his work he has been sustained by the gracious charm of Her Majesty, ft helpmeet for a man "condemned to bear the burthen of the nation's care.". Tt is to be hoped that not many coronation anniversaries will pass before a victorious peace enables them both to continue their great service to the Empire in other and happier circumstances. When that time comes the loyalty of the British people...will. be. just as deep as it is now in their hour of travail.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.