THE KING AND OTTAWA
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—No one could take exception to the tone of the dutiful message sent from the Imperial Conference to His Majesty last Saturday. But who can have drafted it so unhappily? The Conference prays that Divine Providence may continue to Their Majesties, the King and the Queen, health and strength to "preside over the destinies of all the nations of the Common- wealth." It is unusual to put our destinies in human hands, but apart from that the King-Emperor does not " preside," but rules. The Sovereign's Consort, however gracious her influence, neither presides nor rules.
President Wilson sent a shudder round the Empire by making a similar mistake at a State banquet in 1919. Address- ing the King he spoke of the great nations over which " You, Sir, and I preside." But he, poor man, might be excused for knowing no better, because he came from a country bare of any royal or imperial dignity.—I am, Sir, &c., THE HUMBLEST OF HIS MAJESTY'S SUBJECTS.
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