The demise of Great Britain's best and greatest Sovereign, Queen Victoria, suggests some interesting reminiscences in connection with the Empire since her accession.
The duration of her reign was sixty-three and one half years. During this time the population of Great Britain has increased from 18,000,000 to 41,000,000, while the addition of India, portions of Africa, Hong Kong, most of Australia, and numerous islands of the sea, bring the total population of the British dominions up to approximately 388,000,000. This population inhabits 11,355,000 square miles, or about one sixth of the earth's surface—the largest empire in the world in area, and the greatest in population save China.
These sixty-three and one half years have seen the British fleets and British commerce hold almost supreme sway on the high seas, and British industries lead all other nations.
