Long Live The King

By 1910, big changes were coming as “Friend” readers found themselves no longer Edwardians, but instead entering a Georgian era.

I Nthe short years of Edward VII’S reign, great things would happen and great events unfold. In 1908, the “Friend” marvelled at man’s conquest of the skies by men such as the Wright brothers and Bleriot, and wondered who would first use and enjoy man’s new power:

“Will it be the rich? Will it be the adventurous and the daring?”

In fact, France led the field, and was training up military men as aeronauts.

That same year came the news that Parliament had approved old age pensions.

“The first day of the coming year marks the dawn of a new era for the old and the poor in the United Kingdom, for on that day something like half a million aged persons of both sexes will be entitled to a weekly allowance from the Government, which, small though it may be, will at least keep hunger from their doors and a roof over their heads for the balance of their days.”

Readers were able to find out who was eligible, how to claim, and how much they could receive.

Another important Act came into force in April of this year – the Children’s Act, which would sweep away 22 old Acts and amend another 17.

One of the first clauses referred to “overlaying”.

“By the new Act a tipsy or careless mother will find herself in a Court of Law to answer for her child’s life should she suffocate in bed an infant below the age of three years.”

Other clauses dealt with dangers from fire, particularly from an unprotected gate; the abolition of baby farms, and a ban on “tobacconists selling cigarettes to any boy who looks under 16.”

“It is to be noted that only boys are dealt with in the Act. There is no word of girls.

“But it is usually long after that age that women take to tobacco; and one hardly, if ever, sees a gutter child sharing his cigarette with a sister.”

A sombre note was reached in 1910 with the unexpected death of the monarch, King Edward the Peacemaker.

“The nation’s memories of King Edward will ever be kindly and affectionate. He will stand out as a good man, as well as a good ruler.”

Looking forward, as ever,

the “Friend” welcomed a new King:

“King George the Fifth! Already we have taken kindly to the title.

“The Georgian days were days of adventure and romance, when smugglers abounded on our coasts, when if citizens did not sleep so soundly in their beds as they do now, there was a spice of adventure which has departed from our more prosaic days.”

The Editor expressed his hope that the new Georgian era would be better than the old.

One thing which remained constant at this time was the column for would-be civil service correspondents.

This excellent scheme had already been running for over a decade, and there is no doubt that many a young man – and later, woman – achieved a place in their desired profession through the guidance of

the “Friend”.

It was run by one William Thompson, who said:

“It is my fixed belief that there are many intelligent and industrious young men who are ignorant of the main facts that regulate the civil service, or who find out only when they are too old to take advantage of the opportunities they missed.”

Under the old system, he attested, candidates were drawn from the younger sons of the upper classes.

“Who probably had no startling amount of book-learning but usually possessed an excellent physique and gentlemanly manners.

“And these, combined with skill in horsemanship, are for such a service as that of India, perhaps quite as useful as a mere mass of undigested facts.”

Thompson was set on focusing on different branches – Customs, Excise, and Boy and Female Clerkships, among others.

What were the advantages of these?

“In the first place, everyone has an equal chance. No accident of birth stands in the way of success.”

He prepared would-be candidates on proficiency in writing, spelling, arithmetic and composition.

He also provided test papers of French for translation.

But the task before them would not be an easy one, as those who took up the challenge were warned.

“I shall endeavour to set sure stepping-stones for willing feet, but if you know yourself to be of a flighty, fickle temperament think seriously before you begin.”