GEORGE I
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GEORGE I
rapidly send new leaves or shoots to the surface. The underground structures are known variously as bulbs, corms, root-stocks etc., Not only does the geophilous habit serve to bridge over an unfavorable period, but it chiefly enables the plants to develop its working parts with great rapidity during the favorable season. This is a favorite habit with the so-called spring flowers, which usually grow in ravines or forests. These spring-plants must do their work between the first coming of spring-conditions and the coming of the shade produced by the forest foliage. Their working-season, therefore, is very short, and such plants appear above the ground with great rapidity, and their leaves and flowers are to be seen on every hand while the trees are only coming into foliage. The same result is seen when such plants live in dry regions, where the wet season is very short, and where the underground structures enable such plants to do all their work within a few weeks.
George I, son of Ernest Augustus, elector of Hannover, and great-grandson of James I of England, was born at Hannover, May 28, 1660. Immediately after the death of Queen Anne in 1714, he was proclaimed king of Great Britain and Ireland. Several risings on the part of the partisans of the Stuarts were put down in the early part of his reign. The king's personal part in the reign was slight, Sir Robert Wai-pole being the actual ruler. He was simply a figurehead and did little harm, mainly because of his lack of ability. He died on June 10, 1727. In this reign occurred the rise and fall of the celebrated South Sea Company. See histories of England by Stanhope, Hallam and Lecky.
George II was born on Oct. 10, 1683, and succeeded his father as elector of Hannover and king of Great Britain and of Ireland. Though he interfered more than his father had done in the government, yet the policy pursued during his reign was simply that of his ministers, Walpole and Pitt. During Pitt's rule important wars were fought and much glory gained. Among the memorable victories were that of Clive at Plassey and that of Wolfe at Quebec. George II died on Oct. 26, 1760. See histories of England by Stanhope and Lecky; also Thackeray's History of the Four Georges and McCarthy's.
George III was born at London, June 4, 1738, and ascended the English throne on the death of his grandfather, George II. Though at the outset very popular, his obstinacy caused him later to lose this popularity, but he regained it in the later years of his reign. He was well-meaning and patriotic, and his long reign of over 60 years was one of the most noteworthy in English history. His obstinacy, however, and the determined spirit of the American colonists
lost England the 13 colonies. Notable battles were fought during his reign in America, India and Europe. Great statesmen, such as Chatham, Pitt, Burke and Fox flourished; and great captains, naval and military, such as Nelson and Wellington, made their names immortal. During the last years of his life he was hopelessly insane. He died Jan. 29, 1820.
George V, King of Great Britain and Ireland, was born June 5, 1865, the second son of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, afterward King Edward VII. He entered the navy as cadet in 1877, passed through the different grades and was promoted to Commander in 1891. He was created Prince of Wales in 1901, after the death of his elder brother. In 1893 he married Princess Victoria Mary, daughter of the Duke of Teck. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his father, Edward VII, May 6, 1910.
George IV, the oldest son of George III, was born on Aug. 12, 1762. He became prince-regent when his father became insane, and was crowned king of England on his father's death. Little of importance took place during his reign. Besides his many vices and failings, George IV is remembered for his taste for music and literature. He died on June 26, 1830. See Thackeray's History of the Four Georges.
George I (Christian William Ferdinand Adolphus George), king of Greece, was the ~" second son of
the late King Christian IX of Denmark and brother of the dowager-empress of Russia and of Queen Alexandra of England. H e was born at Copenhagen, Dec. 24, 1845, and served for some time in the Danish navy. On the abdication, in 1863, of King Otho I of Greece, the vacant throne was offered by the national assembly at Athens to Prince Christian of Denmark, who, accepting the crown, became king of the Hellenes with the title of George I. In 1867 King George married Princess Olga, daughter of Grandduke Constantine of Russia, brother of the late Emperor Alexander II. In 1898 an attempt, which happily failed, was made to assassinate him. On March 18,1913, he was assassinated by an anarchist while walking in the streets of Salonica. His eldest son succeeded him as Constantine I.
GEORGE I
