There is a more lovable side to their character under misfortune, though," added the young clergyman.

"Deep down in their hearts there was a very real affection for the old dynasty.

Future historians will perhaps be able to explain how and why the Royal Family of Great Britain captured the imaginations of its subjects in so genuine and lasting a fashion.

Among the poorest and the most matter-of-fact, for whom the name of no public man, politician or philanthropist, stands out with any especial significance, the old Queen, and the dead King, the dethroned monarch and the young prince live in a sort of domestic Pantheon, a recollection that is a proud and wistful personal possession when so little remains to be proud of or to possess.

There is no favour that I am so often asked for among my poorer parishioners as the gift of the picture of this or that member of the old dynasty.