Queen Victoria Girlhood

8/3/2019 Queen Victoria Girlhood

1/120

QUEENVICTORIA.HERGIRLHOODANDWOMANHOOD.

BYGRACEGREENWOOD

ADEDICATORYLETTER

TOCAMILLATOULMIN(MRS.NEWTONCROSLAND),LINTONLODGE,BLACKHEATHPARK:

Permitme,mydearfriend,toinscribetoyouthisveryimperfectLifeofyourbelovedQueen,inremembranceofthatdearoldtimewhentheworldwasbrighterandmorebeautifulthanitisnow(orsoitseemethtome)andthingsingeneralwerepleasanter;--whenbetterbookswerewritten,especiallybiographies,andtherewerefewerofthem;--whenthe"gentlereader"andthe"indulgentcritic"wereextant;--whenRealismhadnotshoulderedhiswayintoArt;--whenthereweregreatactorsandactressesofthefineoldschool,likeMacreadyandtheelderBooth--HelenFaucitandCharlotteCushman;andrealorators,likeDanielO'ConnellandDanielWebster;--whentherewasmorepoetryandmoreromanceinlifethannow;--

whenittooklesssilktomakeagown,butwhenabonnetwasabonnet;--whentherewaslesseast-windandfog,moremoonlighttothemonth,andmoresunlighttotheacre;--whenthescentoftheblossominghawthornwassweeterinthemorning,andthesongofthenightingalemoremelodiousinthetwilight;--when,inshort,youandI,andthegloriousVictorianera,wereyoung.

GRACEGREENWOOD.

PREFACE.

Isendthisbookouttotheworldwithmanymisgivings,feelingthatitisnotwhatIwouldlikeittobe--notwhatIcouldhavemadeitwithmoretime.IhavefounditespeciallydifficulttoprocurefactsandincidentsoftheearlylifeoftheQueen--justthatperiodwhichIfeltwasofmostinteresttomyyoungerreaders.SomuchwasIdelayedthatfortheactualarrangementandcullingofmymaterial,andthewritingofthevolume,Ihavehadlessthanthreemonths,andduringthattimemanyinterruptionsinmywork--themostdiscouragingcausedbyaserioustroubleoftheeyes.

Iamawarethatthebookiswritteninafreeandeasystyle,partly

natural,andpartlyformedbymanyyearsofjournalisticwork--astylenewforthegravebusinessofbiographicalwriting,andwhichmaybestartlinginaroyalbiography,--tomyEnglishreaders,atleast.Iaimedtomakeapleasant,simplefiresidestoryofthelifeandreignofQueenVictoria--andIhopeIhavenotaltogetherfailed.Unluckily,Ihadnofriendnearthethronetofurnishmewithreliable,unpublishedpersonalanecdotesofHerMajesty.

IhavemadeuseofthelaborofseveralEnglishauthors;first,ofthatoftheQueenherself,inthebooksentitled,"LeavesfromtheJournalof


2/120

OurLifeintheHighlands,"and"TheEarlyYearsofHisRoyalHighnessthePrince-Consort";next,ofthatofSirTheodoreMartin,K.C.B.,inhis"LifeofthePrince-Consort."ForthislastappropriationIhaveSirTheodoreMartin'sgraciouspermission.IammuchindebtedtoHon.JustinMcCarthy,inhis"HistoryofOurOwnTimes."Ihavealsobeenaidedbyvariouscompilations,andbyLordRonaldGower's"Reminiscences."

IhavelongfeltthatthewonderfulstoryofthelifeoftheQueenofEngland--ofherexampleasadaughter,wifeandmother,andasthehonoredheadofEnglishsocietycouldbuthave,iftoldsimply,yetsympathetically,ahappyandennoblinginfluenceontheheartsandmindsofmyyoungcountrywomen.Ihavedonemywork,iflightly,withentirerespect,thoughalwaysasanAmericanandarepublican.Icouldnotdootherwise;for,thoughithasmademeinlovewithafewroyalpeople,ithasnotmademeinlovewithroyalty.Icannotbutthinkthat,sofarfromitsbeingaconditionofitselfennoblingtohumancharacter,thosebornintoithaveoftentofighttomaintainanativenobility,--asQueenVictoriahasfought,asPrinceAlbertfought,--forIfindthe"blamelessPrince"saying:"Tomymindtheexaltationofroyaltyisonlypossiblethroughthepersonalcharacterofthesovereign."

ItsuitsEngland,however,"excellentwell,"initsrestrictedconstitutionalform;shehasallthevenerable,splendidaccessories--andIhope"AlberttheGood"mayhavefoundedalongraceofgoodkings;but

itwouldnotdoforus;--aracecradledinrevolution,andnurturedonirreverenceandunbelief,asregardsthedivinerightofkingsandthelawofprimogeniture.Tousitseems,thoughaprimitive,anunnaturalinstitution.Wefindnoanalogiesforit,eveninthewildestventureoftheNewWorld.Itistruethebuffaloherdhasitskinglycommander,whogoesplungingalongahead,likeaflesh-and-bloodlocomotive;thedroveofwildhorseshasitschieftain,tossinghislongmane,likeabanner,inadvanceofhisfellows;eventhemigratorymultitudesofwild-fowl,darkeningtheautumnheavens,havetheirgeneralandengineer,--butnoneoftheseleaderswasborn,orhatchedintohisproudposition.Theyareundoubtedlychosen,elected,orelectthemselvesbysuperiorwillorwisdom.Entomologydoes,indeed,furnishsomeanalogies.Thesagaciousbees,thevaliantwasps,aremonarchists,--butthen,theyhaveonly

queens.

G.G.

LONDON,_October20th_,1883.

CONTENTS.

PARTI.CHILDHOODANDGIRLHOOD

PARTII.WOMANHOODANDQUEENHOOD

PARTIII.WIFEHOODANDMOTHERHOOD

PARTIV.WIDOWHOOD


3/120

ILLUSTRATIONS

1.THEPRINCESSVICTORIA.2.QUEENVICTORIAATTHEAGEOF18.3.THEDUCHESSOFKENT,MOTHEROFTHEQUEEN.4.THEQUEENATTHEAGEOF64.5.PRINCEALBERT,HUSBANDOFTHEQUEEN.

PARTI.

CHILDHOODANDGIRLHOOD.

CHAPTERI.

SketchofthePrincessCharlotte--HerLoveforherMother--Anecdotes--Her

HappyGirlhood--HerMarriagewithPrinceLeopold--HerBeautifulLifeatClaremont--BaronStockmar,theCoburgMentor--DeathofthePrincessCharlotte.

ItseemstomethatthelifeofQueenVictoriacannotwellbetoldwithoutaprefacingsketchofhercousin,thePrincessCharlotte,who,hadshelived,wouldhavebeenherQueen,andwhowasinmanyrespectsherprototype.Itiscertain,Ithink,thatCharlotteAugustaofWales,thatlovelymiracle-flowerofalovelessmarriage,bloomingintoanobleandgraciouswomanhood,amidthepettystrifesanddisgracefulintriguesofacorruptCourt,byhervirtuesandgraces,byherhighspiritandfrankandfearlesscharacter,preparedthewayintheloyalheartsofthe

Britishpeople,forthefairyoungkinswoman,who,twenty-oneyearsafterherownsaddeath,reignedinherstead.

ThroughallthebrightlifeofthePrincessCharlotte--fromherbeautifulchildhoodtohernolessbeautifulmaturity--theEnglishpeoplehadregardedherproudlyandlovinglyastheirsovereign,whowastobe;theyhadpatiencewiththemelancholymadnessofthepooroldKing,hergrandfather,andwiththescandalousirregularitiesofthePrinceRegent,herfather,inlookingforwardtohappierandbetterthingsunderagoodwoman'sreign;andafterallthosefairhopeshadbeencoffinedwithher,andburiedindarknessandsilence,theirheartsnaturallyturnedtotheroyallittlegirl,whomightpossiblyfilltheplaceleftsodrearilyvacant.EnglandhadalwaysbeenhappyandprosperousunderQueens,anda

Queen,pleaseGod,theywouldyethave.

ThePrincessCharlottewastheonlychildofthemarriageofthePrinceRegent,afterwardsGeorgeIV.,withthePrincessCarolineofBrunswick,Herchildhoodwasovershadowedbythehopelessestrangementofherparents.Sheseemstohaveespeciallylovedhermother,andbythecourageandindependenceshedisplayedinherchampionshipofthatgood-heartedbutmosteccentricandimprudentwoman,endearedherselftotheEnglishpeople,whoequallyadmiredherpluckandherfilialpiety--onthematernalside.Theytookafonddelightinrelatingstoriesof


4/120

rebellionagainstheraugustpapa,andevenagainstherawfulgrandmamma,QueenCharlotte.Theytoldhowonce,whenamereslipofagirl,beingforbiddentopayherusualvisittoherpoormother,sheinsistedongoing,andontheQueenundertakingtodetainherbyforce,resisted,strugglingrightvaliantly,andafterdamagingandsettingcomicallyawrytheroyalmob-cap,brokeaway,ranoutofthepalace,sprangintoahackney-coach,andpromisingthedriveraguinea,wassoonathermother'shouseandinhermother'sarms.Thereisanother--aCourtversionofthishackney-coachstory--whichstatesthatitwasnottheQueen,butthePrinceRegentthatthePrincessranawayfrom--sothattherecouldhavebeennoassaultonamob-cap.ButthecommonpeopleofthatdaypreferredtheversionIhavegiven,asmorepiquant,especiallyasoldQueenCharlottewasknowntobethemostsolemnlygrandofgrandmammas,andapersonageofsuchprodigiousdignitythatitwaspopularlysupposedthatonlyKingsandQueens,withtheircrownsactuallyontheirheads,werepermittedtositinherpresence.

Asayounggirl,thePrincessCharlottewasbynomeanswithoutfaultsoftemperandmanner.Shewasattimesself-willed,passionate,capricious,andimperious,thoughordinarilygood-humored,kindly,andsympathetic.ACourtladyofthetime,speakingofher,says:"Sheisveryclever,butatpresenthasthemannersofahoydenschool-girl.Shetalkedallsortsofnonsensetome,butcanputondignitywhenshechooses."Thiswriteralsorelatesthattheroyallittleladylovedtoshockherattendantsby

runningtofetchforherselfarticlessherequired--herhat,abook,orachair--andthatonesummer,whenshestayedatacountry-house,shewouldevenruntoopenthegatetovisitors,curtsyingtothemlikeacountrylassie.TheEarlofAlbemarle,whowasherplaymateinchildhood,hisgrandmotherbeinghergoverness,relatesthatonetimewhentheyhadthePrinceRegenttolunch,thechopcameupspoiled,anditwasfoundthatHerRoyalHighnesshaddescendedintothekitchen,and,tothedismayofthecook,insistedonbroilingit.Albemarleaddsthathe,boy-like,tauntedherwithherculinaryfailure,saying:"_You_wouldmakeaprettyQueen,wouldn'tyou?"Atanothertime,someyearslater,shecameinhercarriagetomakeamorning-callathisgrandmother's,andseeingacrowdgatheredbeforethedoor,attractedbytheroyalliveries,sheranoutaback-way,cameround,andmingledwiththecuriousthrong

unrecognized,andaseagertoseethePrincessasanyofthem.

Notbeingallowedthesocietyofhermother,andthatofherfathernotbeingconsideredwholesomeforher,thePrincesswasearlyadvisedandurgedtotakeacompanionandcounsellorintheshapeofahusband.ThePrinceofOrange,afterwardsKingoftheNetherlands,wasfixeduponasagood_parti_byherroyalrelatives,andhecamecourtingtotheEnglishCourt.ButthePrincessdidhotaltogetherfancythisaspirant,so,afterherindependentfashion,shedeclinedthealliance,and"theyoungmanwentawaysorrowing."

OneoftheladiesofthePrincessusedtotellhowforafewminutesafterthePrincehadcalledtomakehissad_adieux_,shehopedthat

HerRoyalHighnesshadrelentedbecauseshewalkedthoughtfullytothewindowtoseethelastofhimashedescendedthepalacestepsandsprangintohiscarriage,lookingverygrandinhisreduniform,withatuftofgreenfeathersinhishat.ButwhenthePrincessturnedawaywithagaylaugh,saying,"Howlikearadishhelooks,"sheknewthatallwasover.Itisanoddlittlecoincidence,thatalaterPrinceofOrange,afterwardsKingoftheNetherlands,hadthesamebadluckasasuitortothePrincessorQueenVictoria.

Charlotte'snextlover,Leopold,ofSaxe-Coburg,anamiableandable


5/120

Prince,wasmorefortunate.HewonthelightbutconstantheartofthePrincess,inspiringhernotonlywithtenderlove,butwithprofoundrespect.Herhighspiritandimperiouswillweresoontamedtohisfirmbutgentlehand;sheherselfbecamemoregentleandreasonable,contenttorulethekingdomofhisheartatleast,byherwomanlycharms,ratherthanbythepowerofherregalnameandloftyposition.Thisroyallove-marriagetookplaceinMay,1816,andsoonafterthePrinceandPrincess,whohadlittletasteforCourtgaieties,wenttoliveatClaremont,thebeautifulcountryresidencenowoccupiedbytheyoungDukeofAlbany,anamesakeofPrinceLeopold.Heretheyoungcouplelivedalifeofmuchdomesticprivacyandsimplicity,practicingthemselvesinhabitsofstudy,methodicalapplicationtobusiness,andwiseeconomy.Theywerealwaystogether,spendinghappyhoursinworkandrecreation,passingfromlawandpoliticstomusicandsketching,fromthestudyoftheBritishConstitutiontohorticulture.ThePrincessespeciallydelightedingardening,inwateringwithherownhandsherfavoriteplants.

ThishappypairhadaninvaluableaidandallyinthelearnedBaronStockmar,earlyattachedtoPrinceLeopoldasprivatephysician,arare,goodmanonwhomtheybothleanedmuch,asafterwardsdidVictoriaandAlbertandtheirchildren.IndeedtheBaronseemstohavebeenapermanentpillarforprincestoleanupon.Fromyouthtooldagehewastotwoorthreeroyalhouseholdsthechief"guide,philosopher,andfriend"--aCoburgmentor,aGuelphicoracle.

SotheseroyalloversofClaremontlivedtranquillyon,winningtheloveandrespectofallaboutthem,andgrowingdeareranddearertoeachothertilltheendcame,thesuddendeathoftheyoungwifeandmother,--aneventwhich,onasaddayinNovember,1817,plungedthewholerealmintomourning.Thegriefofthepeople,eventhosefarthestremovedfromtheCourt,wasreal,intense,almostpersonalandpassionate.Itwasadoubletragedy,forthechildtoowasdead.TheaccountsofthelastmomentsofthePrincessareexceedinglytouching.Whentoldthatherbabyboywasnotliving,shesaid:"Iamgrieved,formyself,fortheEnglishpeople,butO,aboveall,Ifeelitformydearhusband!"TakinganopportunitywhenthePrincewasawayfromherbedside,sheaskedifshetoomustdie.Thephysiciandidnotdirectlyreply,butsaid,"Praybe

calm."

"Iknowwhat_that_means,"shereplied,thenadded,"Tellittomyhusband,--tellitwithcautionandtenderness,andbesuretosaytohim,fromme,thatIamstillthehappiestwifeinEngland."

Itseems,accordingtotheQueen,thatitwasStockmarthattookthislastmessagetothePrince,wholackedthefortitudetoremainbythebedsideofhisdyingwife--thatitwasStockmarwhoheldherhandtillitgrewpulselessandcold,tillthelightfadedfromhersweetblueeyesashergreatlifeandhergreatlovepassedforeverfromtheearth.Yetitseemsthatthroughamysteryoftransmigration,thatlightandlifeandloveweredestinedsoontobereincarnatedinababycousin,borninMay,

1819,calledatfirst"thelittleMay-flower,"andthroughherearliestyearswatchedandtendedasafrailanddelicateblossomofhope.

CHAPTERII.

BirthofthePrincessVictoria--CharacterofherFather--QuestionoftheSuccessiontotheThrone--DeathoftheDukeofKent--BaptismofVictoria


6/120

--RemovaltoWoolbrookGlen--HerfirstEscapefromSuddenDeath--PictureofDomesticLife--Anecdotes.

Afterthelossofhiswife,PrinceLeopoldleftforatimehissadhomeofClaremont,andreturnedtotheContinent,butcamebacksometimein1819,tovisitabelovedsister,marriedsincehisownbereavement,andbecomethemotherofalittleEnglishgirl,andforthesecondtimeawidow.Lovingly,thoughwithapangathisheart,thePrincebentoverthecradleofthiseight-months-oldbaby,whoinherunconsciousorphanagesmiledintohiskindlyface,andthoughhethoughtsorrowfullyofthelittleonewhoseeyeshadneversmiledintohis,hadneverevenopeneduponlife,hevowedthenandtheretothechildofhisbereavedsister,thedevotedlove,thehelp,sympathy,andguidancewhichneverfailedherwhilehelived.

ThisbabygirlwasthedaughteroftheDukeofKentandofthePrincessVictoireMarieLouiseofSaxe-CoburgSaalfield,widowofPrinceCharlesofLeiningen.Edward,DukeofKent,wasthefourthandaltogetherthebestsonofGeorgeIII.Makingallallowancefortheexaggerationofloyalbiographers,Ishouldsayhewasanamiable,able,anduprightman,generousandcharitabletoaremarkabledegree,foraroyalPrinceofthattime--perhapstoomuchso,forhekepthimselfpooranddiedpoor.Hewasnotafavoritewithhisroyalparents,whoseemtohavedeniedhim

reasonableassistance,whilelavishinglargesumsonhisspendthriftbrother,thePrinceofWales.GeorgewasliketheprodigalsonofScripture,exceptthatheneverrepented--Edwardlikethevirtuousson,exceptthathenevercomplained.

OnthedeathofthePrincessCharlottetheDukeofYorkhadbecomeheir-presumptivetothethrone.Hehadnochildren,andtheDukeofClarence,thirdsonofGeorgeIII.,wasthereforenextinsuccession.HemarriedinthesameyearashisbrotherofKent,andtohimalsoalittledaughterwasborn,who,hadshelived,wouldhavefinallysucceededtothethroneinsteadofVictoria.ButthepoorlittlePrincessstayedbutalittlewhiletoflatterordisappointroyalhopes.Shelookedtimidlyoutuponlife,withallitsregalpossibilities,andwentawayuntempted.Still

theDuchessofClarence(afterwardsQueenAdelaide)mightyetbethehappymotherofaPrince,orPrincessRoyal,andthereweresomanyprobabilitiesagainsttheaccessionoftheDukeofKent'sbabytothethronethatpeoplesmiledwhen,holdingherinhisarms,theproudfatherwouldsay,inaspiritofprophecy,"Lookatherwell!--shewillyetbeQueenofEngland."

OnerainyafternoontheDukestayedoutlate,walkinginthegrounds,andcameinwithwetfeet.Hewasurgedtochangehisbootsandstockings,buthisprettybaby,laughingandcrowingonhermother'sknee,wastoomuchforhim;hetookherinhisarmsandplayedwithhertillthefatalchillstruckhim.Hesoontooktohisbed,whichheneverleft.Hehadinflammationofthelungs,andacountrydoctor,whichlasttookfromhim

onehundredandtwentyouncesofblood.Then,ashegrewnobetter,agreatLondonphysicianwascalledin,buthesaiditwastoolatetosavetheillustriouspatient;thatifhehadhadchargeofthecaseatfirst,hewouldhave"bledmorefreely."Suchwasthemedicalsystemofsixtyyearsago.

TheDukeofKent'sdeathbroughthisunconsciousbaby'sfeetastep--justhisgrave'swidth--nearerthethrone;butitwasnottillmanyyearslater--tillafterthedeathofherkindlyuncleofYork,andher"finegentleman"uncle,GeorgeIV.,andtheaccessionofherroughsailor-


7/120

uncle,theDukeofClarence,WilliamIV.,anoldman,andlegallyconsideredchildless--thatthePrincessVictoriawasconfidentlyregardedasthecomingsovereign,andthatthemomentoustruthwasrevealedtoher.Shewastwelveyearsoldbeforeanyclearintimationhadbeenallowedtoreachheroftheexceptionalgrandeurofherdestiny.Tillthenshedidnotknowthatshewasespeciallyanobjectofnationalloveandhope,orespeciallygreatorfortunate.Sheknewthatshewasa"RoyalHighness,"butsheknewalso,thewisechild!--thatsincetheGuelphscameovertoruletheEnglish,RoyalHighnesseshadbeenmoreplentifulthanpopular;sheknewthatshewasobligedtowear,mostofthetime,veryplaincottongownsandstrawhats,andtolearnalotoftiresomethings,andthatshewaskeptonshortallowanceofpin-moneyandponies.

ThewiseDuchessofKentcertainlyguardedherwiththemostjealouscarefromallprematurerealizationofthesplendidpartshemighthavetoplayintheworld'shistory,asahopetoointoxicating,oraresponsibilitytooheavy,fortheheartandmindofasensitivechild.

IwonderifherSereneHighnesskeptfondmotherlyrecordsofthebabyhoodandchildhoodoftheQueen?Ifso,whatarichmineitwouldbeforapoorbewilderedbiographerlikeme,requiredtomakemyfoundationbrickswithonlyafewgoldenbitsofstraw.Ihavesearchedthechroniclesofthewritersofthattime;Ihavequestionedloyalold

people,buthavefoundorgainedlittlethatisnovel,orpeculiarlyinteresting.

VictoriawasborninthesombrebutpicturesqueoldpalaceofKensington,onMay24,1819,andonthe24thofthefollowingJunewasbaptizedwithgreatpompoutofthesplendidgoldfont,broughtfromtheTower,bytheArchbishopofCanterbury,assistedbytheBishopofLondon.HersponsorswerethePrinceRegentandtheEmperorofRussia(thelastrepresentedbytheDukeofYork),theQueenDowagerofWuertemburg(representedbythePrincessAugusta)andtheDuchessDowagerofCoburg(representedbytheDuchessDowagerofGloucester),andhernameswere_AlexandrinaVictoria_,thefirstinhonoroftheEmperorAlexanderofRussia.ShecameawfullynearbeingAlexandrinaGeorgiana,butthePrinceRegent,at

thelastmoment,declaredthatthenameofGeorgianashouldbesecondtonoother;thenadded,"Giveherhermother'sname--afterthatoftheEmperor."TheQueenafterwardsdecidedthathermother'snameshouldbesecondtonoother.Yetasachildshewasoftencalled"littleDrina."

Thebaby'sfirstmovefromherstatelybirthplacewastoalovelycountryresidencecalledWoolbrookGlen,nearSidmouth.HereVictoriahadthefirstofthoseremarkablenarrowescapesfromsuddenandviolentdeathwhichhavealmostseemedtoprovethatshebearsa"charmedlife."Aboywasshootingsparrowsinvicinityofthehouse,andachargefromhiscarelessly-handledgunpiercedthewindowbywhichthenursewassitting,withthelittlePrincessinherarms.Itisstatedthattheshotpassedfrightfullyneartheheadofthechild.Butshewasashappily

unconsciousofthedeadlyperilshehadbeeninas,afewmonthslater,shewasofthesadlossshesustainedinthedeathofherfather,whowaslaidawaywiththeotherGuelphsintheWindsorRoyalVault,neveragaintothronehislittle"Queen"inhisloyal,lovingarms.

ThePrincessVictoriaseemstohavebeenalwaysreadyforplay,dearlylovingaromp.OneoftheearliestmentionsIfindofherisinthecorrespondenceofBishopWilberforce.AfterstatingthathehadbeensummonedtothepresenceoftheDuchessofKent,hesays:"Shereceivedmewithherfine,animatedchildonthefloorbyhersidebusywithits


8/120

playthings,ofwhichIsoonbecameone."

Thislittledomesticpicturegivesaglimpseofthetenderintimacy,theconstantcompanionshipofthisnoblemotherwithherchild.Itisstatedthat,unlikemostmothersinhighlife,theDuchessnursedthisillustriouschildatherownbreast,andsomingledherlifewithitslifethatnothingthenceforthcoulddividethem.TheweePrincesspassedhappilythroughtheperilsofinfantileailments.Shecutherteethaseasilyasmostchildren,withthehelpofhergold-mountedcoral--andveryniceteeththeywere,thoughalittletooprominentaccordingtotheearlypictures.IftheinfantPrinceAlbertremindedhisgrandmammaofa"weasel,"his"prettycousin"mighthavesuggestedtoherasquirrelby"alittlesomethingaboutthemouth."

AnoldnewspaperwritergavearatherrapturousandpompousaccountofthePrincessVictoriawhenshewasaboutthreeyearsold.Hesays:"PassingthroughKensingtonGardensafewdayssince,Iobservedatsomedistanceapartyconsistingofseveralladies,ayoungchild,andtwomen-servants,havinginchargeadonkey,gaylycaparisonedwithblueribbons,andaccoutredfortheuseoftheinfant."HesoonascertainedthatthepartywastheDuchessofKentandherdaughter,thePrincessFeodoreofLeiningen,andthePrincessAlexandrinaVictoria.Onhisapproachingthemthelittleonerepliedtohis"respectfulrecognition"withapleasant"good-morning,"andhenotedthatshewasequallypolite

toallwhopolitelygreetedher--trulyone"tothemannerborn."Thiswriteradds:"HerRoyalHighnessisremarkablybeautiful,andhergayandanimatedcountenancebespeaksperfecthealthandgoodtemper.Hercomplexionisexcessivelyfair,hereyeslargeandexpressive,andhercheeksblooming.Shebearsastrikingresemblancetoherroyalfather."

AglimpsewhichLeighHuntgivesofhislittleliegelady,assheappearedtohimforthefirsttimeinKensingtonGardens,isinteresting,asrevealingthechild'saffectionatedisposition."Shewascomingupacross-pathfromtheBayswaterGate,withalittlegirlofherownagebyherside,whosehandshewasholdingasthoughshelovedher."Andwhynot,Mr.Poet?Princesses,especiallyPrincessesofthebread-and-butterage,areassusceptibletojoysofsympathyandcompanionshipasanyof

us--untitledpoetsandtitle-contemningRepublicans.

LordAlbemarle,inhisautobiography,speaksofwatching,inanidlehour,fromthewindowsoftheoldpalace,"themovementsofabright,prettylittlegirl,sevenyearsofage,engagedinwateringtheplantsimmediatelyunderthewindow.Itwasamusingtoseehowimpartiallyshedividedthecontentsofthewatering-potbetweentheflowersandherownlittlefeet.Hersimplebutbecomingdress--alargestrawhatandawhitecottongown--contrastedfavorablywiththegorgeousapparelnowwornbythelittledamselsoftherisinggeneration.Acoloredfichuroundtheneckwastheonlyornamentshewore.TheyoungladyIamdescribingwasthePrincessVictoria,nowourGraciousSovereign."

QueenVictoriadressedherownchildreninthesamesimplestyle,votedquaintandold-fashionedbyalatergeneration.IheardlongagoastoryofafashionableladyfromsomeprovincialtowntakingamorningwalkinWindsorPark,inthewildhopeofaglimpseofroyalty,andmeetingaladyandgentleman,accompaniedonlybytwoorthreechildren,andallsoplainlydressedthatshemerelyglancedatthemastheypassed.Somedistancefurthershewalkedinhereagerquest,whenshemetanoldScotchgardener,ofwhomsheaskediftherewasanychanceofherencounteringtheQueenanywhereonthedomain."Weel,yemaun,turnbackandrinagoodbit,foryou'vepassedher_Mawjesty_,thePrince,andthe


9/120

Royalbairns."

Ah,wasn'tshespitedasshelookedbackandsawthejoyousfamilypartyinthedimdistance,andrealizedwhatshehadlostinnotindulgingherselfinagoodlongBritishstare,andwhatasinshehadcommittedinnotmakingaloyalBritishobeisance.

CHAPTERIII.

Victoria'searlyEducation--Anecdote--RoutineofLifeatKensingtonPalace--CharacterandCircumstancesoftheDuchessofKent--Anecdote--SimpleModeofLife--Visits.

QueenVictoriatellslittleofherchildhood,butspeaksofitasrather"dull."Itseems,however,tohaveneverbeenemptyoridle.Allhermomentsweregolden--forstudy,orforwork,orhealthfulexerciseandplay.Shewastaught,andperhapswasinclined,towastenotime,andtobecarefulnottocauseotherstowasteit.AdearEnglishfriendcontributesthefollowinganecdote,slight,butverysignificant,obtainedlongagofromaladywhoseyoungdaughters,thenatschoolat

Hammersmith,hadthesamewriting-masterasthePrincessVictoria:"Ofcourse,"saysmyfriend,"everyincidentconnectedwiththelittlePrincesswasinterestingtotheschool-girls,andallthatthismaster(IthinkhisnamewasSteward)hadtotellwenttoproveherakind-heartedandconsideratechild.

"Shealwaysmentionedtohiminadvancethedaysonwhichshewouldnotrequirealesson,saying:'Ithought,perhaps,youwouldliketoknow.'Sometimesshewouldsay,'WearegoingtoWindsortoseeUncleKing,'orshewouldnamesomeotherimportantengagement.By'UncleKing'shemeantGeorgeIV.Mr.Steward,ofcourse,availedhimselfofthelibertysuggestedbythelittlePrincess,thenabouteightyearsold,bywhosethoughtfulkindnesshewassavedmuchtimeandtrouble."

LordCampbell,speakingofthePrincessasalittlegirl,says:"Sheseemsingoodhealth,andappearslivelyandgood-humored."Itmaybethatthegood-humorwas,ingreatpart,theresultofthegoodhealth.

ThePrincesswasbroughtupafterthewisest,becausemostsimple,systemofhealthfulliving:perfectregularityinthehoursofeating,sleeping,andexercise;muchlifeintheopenair,andtheleastpossibleexcitement.

ShewastaughttorespectherownconstitutionaswellasthatoftheBritishGovernment,andtoreverencethelawsofhealthasthelawsofGod.

AnaccountwhichIjudgetobeauthoritativeofthedailyroutineofthefamilylifeinKensington,runsthus:"Breakfastat8o'clockinsummer,thePrincessVictoriahavingherbreadandmilkandfruitputonalittletablebyhermother'sside.AfterbreakfastthePrincessFeodorestudiedwithhergoverness,andthePrincessVictoriawentoutforanhour'swalkordrive.From10to12hermotherinstructedher,afterwhichshecouldamuseherselfbyrunningthroughthesuiteofroomswhichextendedroundtwosidesofthepalace,andinwhichweremanyofhertoys.At2aplaindinner,whilehermothertookherluncheon.Lessonsagaintill4;then


10/120

wouldcomeavisitordrive,andafterthatawalkordonkeyrideinthegardens.Atthetimeofhermother'sdinnerthePrincesshadhersupper,stillatthesideoftheDuchess;then,afterplayingwithhernurse(Mrs.Brock,whomshecalled'dear,dearBoppy'),shewouldjointhepartyatdessert,andat9shewouldretiretoherbed,whichwasplacedatthesideofhermother's."

Weseeregularstudy,regularexercise,simplefood,plentyofoutdoorair,plentyofplay,plentyofsleep.Itseemsthatwhenthisadmirablemotherlaidherchildawayfromherownbreast,itwasonlytolayitonthatofNature,andveryclosehasVictoria,withallherstateandgrandeur,kepttotheheartofthegreatall-mothereversince.

TheDuchessofKentwasleftnotonlywithverylimitedmeansforaladyofherstation,butalsoburdenedbyherhusband'sdebts,which,beingawomanwithafinesenseofhonor,shefeltherselfobligedtodischarge,oratleasttoreduceasfarandfastaspossible.Haditnotbeenforhelpfromhergenerousbrother,Leopold,shecouldhardlyhaveaffordedforherdaughterthefullandfittingeducationshereceived.So,hadnothertasteandhersenseofdutytowardsherchildinclinedhertoalifeofquietandretirement,thelackoffortunewouldhaveconstrainedhertolivesimplyandmodestly.Asitwas,privacywastheruleinthelifeoftheaccomplishedDuchess,stillyoungandbeautiful,andinthatofherlittleshadow;veryseldomdidtheyappearatCourt,orinanygay

Courtcircle;so,atthetimeofheraccessiontothethrone,Victoriamightalmosthavebeenafairy-princess,emergingfromsomeenchanteddellinWindsorforest,orawater-nymphevokedfromtheSerpentineinKensingtonGardensbysomemodernMerlin,foralltheworldatlarge--theworldbeyondherkingdomatleast--knewofheryoungyears,ofhercharacteranddisposition.Nowfewwitnessesareleftanywhereofherfairhappychildhood,orevenofhergirlhood,whichwaslikeasilverycrescent,holdingthedimpromiseoffull-orbedwomanhoodandQueenhood.

AsthePrincessgrewolder,shefoundlovingandhelpfulcompanionshipinherhalf-brotherandsister,PrinceCharlesandthePrincessFeodoreofLeiningen,thethreechildrenandtheirmotherformingaclosefamilyunion,whichyearsandseparationsandchangesoffortunenever

destroyed.Theyareallgonefromhernow;theQueen,asdaughterandsister,standsalone.

Akindfriendandawell-knownEnglishwriter,F.AikenKortright,formanyyearsaresidentofKensington,tellssomepleasantlittlelocalstoriesofthePrincessVictoria.Shesays:"InherchildhoodthePrincessVictoriawasfrequentlyseeninalittlecarriage,drawnoverthegravel-walksofthethenruralKensingtonGardens,accompaniedbyherelderandhalf-sister,thePrincessFeodore,andattendedbyasingleservant.Manyelderlypeoplestillremembertheextremesimplicityofthechild'sattire,andthequietandunpretentiousappearanceandmannersofhersister,whowasonedayseentostopthetinycarriagetoindulgethefancyofanunknownlittlegirlbyallowinghertokissherfuture

Queen."

That"unknownlittlegirl"wasaneldersisterofMissKortright.MyfriendalsosaysthattheDuchessofKentandherdaughtersfrequentlyonsummerafternoonstookteaonthelawn,"insightofadmiringpromenaders,withadegreeofpublicitywhichnowsoundsfabulous."

Itwasthensafeandagreeableforthatquiet,refinedfamily,onlybecausetheLondon"Rough"--thatugly,unwholesome,fungousgrowthonthefineoldoakofEnglishcharacter--hadnotmadehisunwelcomeappearance


11/120

inallthepublicparksofthemetropolis.Ourfriendalsostatesthatsosimpleandlittle-girlishwasthePrincessinherwaysthat,lateron,shewasknowntogowithhermotherorsistertoaKensingtonmilliner'stobuyahat,staytohaveittrimmed,andthencarryit(ormorelikelytheoldone)homeinherhand.IshouldliketoseealittleMissVanderbiltdoathingofthatkind!

TheKentsandLeiningens--ifImayspeaksofamiliarlyofRoyalandSereneHighnesses--whenawayfromthequiethomeinKensington,spentmuchtimeatlovelyClaremontasguestsofthedearbrotherandUncleLeopold.TheyseemalsotohavetravelledagooddealinEngland,visitingwatering-placesandinhousesofthenobility,butnevertohavegoneovertotheContinent.TheDuchessprobablyfeltthatthepreciouslifewhichsheheldintrustforthepeopleofEnglandmightpossiblybeendangeredbytoolongjourneys,orbychangesofclimate;butwhatitcosttothetrueGermanwomantosolongexileherselffromheroldhomeandherkindrednoneeverknew--atleastnoneamongherhusband'sunsympatheticfamily--forshewas,asaPrincess,tooproudtocomplain;asamother,cheerfulinherdevotionandself-abnegation.

CHAPTERIV.

Queen-makingnotaLightTask--AdmirableDisciplineoftheDuchessofKent--FoundationoftheCharacterandHabitsofthefutureQueen--CuriousExtractfromaLetterbyherGrandmamma--AChildren'sBallgivenbyGeorgeIV.tothelittleQueenofPortugal--AFunnyMishap--DeathofGeorgeIV.--CharacterofhisSuccessor--Victoria'sfirstappearanceataDrawing-room--HerabsencefromtheCoronationofWilliamIV.

Queen-makingisnotalighttask.Itisnofancyworkforidlehours.Itisthefirstdifficultdraftofachapter,perhapsawholevolume,ofnationalhistory.

NowomaneverundertookamoreimportantlaborthandidthewidowedDuchessofKent,orcarrieditoutwithmorefaithfulness,ifwemayjudgebyresults.

Thelackoffortuneinthefamilywasnotanunmixedevil;perhapsitwasevenoneofthosedisagreeable"blessingsindisguise,"whichnobodywelcomes,butwhichthewiseprofitby,asitcausedtheDuchesstoimpressuponherchildren,especiallythechildVictoria,thenecessityofeconomy,andthesafetyanddignitywhichonealwaysfindsinlivingwithinone'sincome.Frugality,exactitudeinbusiness,faithfulnesstoallengagements,greatorsmall,punctuality,thateconomyoftime,areusuallysetdownamongtheminormoralitiesoflife,morehumdrumthanheroic;butunderhowmanycircumstancesandconditionsdotheyreveal

themselvesascardinalvirtues,asthingsonwhichdependthecomfortanddignityoflife!ItseemsthatthesethingsweresoimpressedonthemindandheartoftheyoungVictoriabyhercareful,methodicalGermanmother,thattheybecameapartofherconscience,enteredsodeeplyintotheruleofherlifethatnoafter-conditionofwealth,orluxury,orsovereignindependence;nonaturaldesireforeaseorpleasure;nopassionofloveorgrief;nopossibleexigenciesofimperialstatehavebeenabletoovercomeorsetthemaside.Thedangeristhatsuchrigidprinciples,suchsystematichabits,adoptedinyouth,mayinagebecome,frombeingtheministersofone'swill,thetyrantsofone'slife.


12/120

ItseemstobesomewhatsointhecaseoftheQueen,forIhearitsaidthatthesun,themoon,andthetidesarescarcelymorepunctualandregularintheirroundsandmightyoffices,intheircomingandgoing,thansheinthedailyroutineofherdomesticandstatedutiesandfrequentjourneyings;andthatthelawsoftheMedesandPersiansareasnaughtininexorablenessandinflexibilitytotherulesandregulationsofWindsorandBalmoral.

ButtheEnglishpeople,eventhosedirectlyinconveniencedattimesbythoseunbendinghabitsandirrevocablerules,havenorighttofindfault,forthesebetherightroyalresultsoftheadmirablebutsomewhatunyouthfulqualitiestheyadoredintheyoungQueen.TheyhavenorighttosneerbecauseaplaceofhonorisgiveninHerMajesty'shouseholdtothatmeddlesome,old-fashionedGermancountrycousin,Economy;fordidnottheyallrejoiceintheearlyyearsofthereigntohearofthissamedamebeingintroducedbythoseclevermanagers,PrinceAlbertandBaronStockmar,intotheroyalpalaces,whereinshehadnotbeenseenformanyayear?

ButtoreturntothelittlePrincess.TheDuchess,hermother,seemstohavegivenherallneedfulchangeofairandscene,thoughalwaysmaintaining;habitsofstudy,andanadmirablesystemofmentalandmoraltraining;forthechild'sconstitutionseemstohavestrengthenedyearby

year,andinspiteofoneortwoseriousattacksofillness,thefoundationwaslaidoftherobusthealthwhich,accompaniedbyrarecourageandnerve,hassincesomarkedandblessedherlife.AwriterofthetimespeaksofavisitpaidbyherandhermothertoWindsorin1829,whenthechildwasaboutsevenyearsold,andstatesthatGeorgeIV.,her"UncleKing,"wasdelightedwithher"charmingmanners."

ItwasaboutthisvisitthathermaternalgrandmammaatCoburgwrotetohermamma:"IseebytheEnglishpapersthatHerRoyalHighnesstheDuchessofKentwentonVirginiawaterwithHisMajesty.Thelittlemonkeymusthavepleasedandamusedhim,sheissuchapretty,cleverchild."

TothinkofthegreatVictoria,QueenofGreatBritainandIreland,andEmpressofIndia,beingcalled"alittlemonkey"!Grandmammaswilltakesuchliberties.Threeorfouryearslater,accordingtothatspicyandirreverentchronicler,CharlesGreville,thelittlePrincesswasnotpretty.Butshewasjustenteringonthatungraciousperiodinwhichfewlittlegirlsarecomelytolookupon,orcomfortabletothemselves.Grevillesawheratachildren'sball,givenbytheKinginhonorofhislittleguest,thechild-QueenofPortugal,DonnaMariaII.,daGloria,whomtheKingseatedathisrighthand,andwasveryattentiveto.Grevillesaysshewasfine-lookingandveryfinelydressed,"witharibbonandorderoverhershoulder,"andshemusthaveseemedverygrandtotheotherchildrenwhileshesatbytheKing,butwhenshecametodanceshe"felldownandhurtherface,wasfrightenedandbruised,and

wentaway."Thenheadds:"OurlittlePrincessisashort,plainchild,notsogood-lookingasthePortuguese.However,ifNaturehasnotdonesomuch,Fortuneislikelytodoagreatdealmoreforher."

Victoriadidnotknowthat,butlikeanyotherlittlegirlshemay,perhaps,havecomfortedherselfbythinking,"Well,ifI'mnotsohandsomeandgrandandsmartlydressedasthatMaria,I'mlessawkward.Iwasabletokeepmyheadandnotlosemyfeet."

AsforhersmallMajestyofPortugal,shewasatthattimeaQueen


13/120

withoutacrownandwithoutakingdom.ShehadcomeallthewayfromBraziltotakehergrandfather'sthrone,alittlepresentfromherfather,DomPedroI.,therightfulheir,butonlytofindtheplacefilledbyawickeduncle,DonMiguel.Shehadalongfightwiththeusurper,herfathercomingovertohelpher,andfinallyoustedMiguelandgotintothatbig,uneasyarm-chair,calledathrone,whereshecontinuedtosit,thoughmuchshakenandheavedupandaboutbypoliticalconvulsions,forsomedozenyears,whenshefounditbesttostepdownandout.

Itissaidshedidnotgain,butlostinbeautyasshegrewtowomanhood;sofinallytheEnglishPrincesshadtheadvantageofherinthematterofgoodlookseven.

KingGeorgeIV.,thoughhewasfondofhisamusinglittleniece,didnotliketothinkofherasdestinedtoruleinhisplace.Heissaidtohavebeenmuchoffendedwhen,ashewasproposingtogivethatball,hischieffavorite,agay,Courtlady,exclaimed:"Oh,do!itwillbesonicetoseethe_twolittleQueens_dancingtogether."YethedislikedtheDuchessofKentforkeepingthechildasmuchaspossibleawayfromhisdisreputableCourt,andeducatingherafterherownideas,andoftenthreatenedtousehispowerasKingtodepriveherofthelittlegirl.Thecountrywouldnothavestoodthis,yettheDuchessmusthavesufferedcruellyfromfearofhavingherdarlingchildtakenfromherbythis

crownedogre,andshutupinthegloomykeepofhisCastleatWindsor.ButitwastheOgre-Kingwhowastaken,alittlemorethanayearafterthechildren'sball--andnotadaytoosoonforhiscountry'sgood--andhisbrother,theDukeofClarence,reignedinhisstead.

WilliamIV.hadsomeheart,somefranknessandhonesty,buthewasabluff,roughsailor,andwhenexcited,oathsofthehottestsortflewfromhislips,likesparksfromananvil.Becauseofhisroughnessandprofanity,andbecause,perhaps,ofthefactofhissurroundinghimselfwithalotofnaturalchildren,theDuchesswasdeterminedtopersevereinherretirementfromtheCourtcircle,andinkeepingherinnocentlittledaughteroutofitsunwholesomeatmosphere,asmuchaspossible.Shewas,however,mostfriendlywithQueenAdelaide,who,whenherlast

childdied,hadwrittentoher:"Mychildrenaredead,butyourslives,andsheisminetoo."Thegoodwomanmeantthis,andherfondnesswasreturnedbyVictoria,whomanifestedforhertothelast,filialaffectionandconsideration.

ThefirstDrawing-roomwhichthePrincessattendedwasonegiveninhonorofHerMajesty'sbirthday.ShewentwithhermotherandasuiteofladiesandgentlemeninStatecarriages,escortedbyapartyofLifeGuards.ThePrincesswasonthatoccasiondressedentirelyinmaterialsofBritishmanufacture,herfrockbeingofEnglishblonde,verysimpleandbecoming.Shestoodattheleftofheraunt,theQueen,andwatchedthesplendidceremonywithgreatinterest,whileeverybodywatchedherwithgreaterinterest.Butifthepresenceofthe"heir-presumptivetothethrone"

createdasensationattheQueen'sDrawing-room,herabsencefromtheKing'scoronationcreatedmore.Somesaiditwasbecauseaproperplaceintheprocession--onenexttotheKingandQueen--hadnotbeenassignedtoher;others,thattheDuchesshadkeptherawayonaccountofherdelicatehealth,andnobodyknewexactlythetruthofthematter.Perhapsthegreatstatesecretwillberevealedsomedaywiththeidentityof"Junius"andthe"ManintheIronMask."


14/120

CHAPTERV.

KingWilliamjealousofPublicHonorstoVictoria--Anecdote--TheunusualStudiesofthePrincess--HerVisitstotheIsleofWight--LaughableIncidentatWentworthHouse--AnecdoterelatedbyherMusic-teacher--UnwholesomeadulationofthePrincess--ReflectionsuponthecuriousisolationofherSocialPosition--ExtractfromoneofherlaterLetters.

TheindifferenceoftheDuchessofKenttotheheavypompsandheaviergayetiesofhisCourtsooffendedhisunmajesticMajesty,thathefinallybecamedecidedlyinimicaltotheDuchess.ThoughheinsistedonseeingthelittlePrincessoften,hedidnotliketheEnglishpeopletoseetoomuchofher,ortopayherandhermothertoomuchhonor.Heobjectedtotheirlittlejourneys,callingthem"royalprogresses,"andbyaspecialorderputastoptothe"poppings,"inthewayofsalutes,tothevesselwhichborethemtoandfromtheIsleofWight--asmallpieceofstate-businessforaKingandhisCounciltobeengagedin.TheKing'sunpopularbrother,theDukeofCumberland,wasalsosupposedtobeunfriendlytothewidowofabrotherwhomhehadnotloved,andtothechildwhom,accordingtothatbrother,heregardedfromthefirstasan"intruder,"andwhocertainlyatthelast,stoodbetweenHisRoyalGrossnessandthethrone--thethronewhichwouldhavegonedownunder

him.Yet,inspiteofenmityandoppositionfromhighquarters,andjealousyandharshcriticismfromCourtministersandminions,theDuchessofKent,whoseemstohavebeenawomanofimmensefirmnessandresolution,keptonherway,rearingherdaughterasshethoughtbest,comingandgoingasshefeltinclined.

Victoria'sgovernesswasformanyyearstheaccomplishedBaronessLehzen,whohadalsobeenthechiefinstructressofhersister,Feodore.Untilshewastwelveyearsold,hermasterswerealsoGerman,andsheissaidtohavespokenEnglishwithaGermanaccent.Afterthattimeherteachers,innearlyallbranches,wereEnglish.MissKortrighttellsmealittleanecdoteofthePrincesswhenabouttwelveyearsold,relatedbyoneoftheseteachers.Shehadbeenreadinginherclassicalhistorythe

storyofCornelia,themotheroftheGracchi--howsheproudlypresentedhersonstotheostentatiousandmuch-bediamondedRomandame,withthewords,"Theseare_my_jewels.""Sheshouldhavesaidmy_Cornelians_,"saidthequick-wittedlittlegirl.

Victoriawasinstructedinsomethingsnotinthosedaysthoughtproperforyoungladiestolearn,butdeemednecessaryforapoorgirlwhowasexpectedtodoaman'swork.Shewaswellgroundedinhistory,instructedinLatin--thoughshedidnotfancyit,andlater,intheBritishConstitution,andinlawandpolitics.Norwerelightaccomplishmentsneglected:inmodernlanguages,inpaintingandmusic,shefinallybecamesingularlyproficient.Giftedwitharemarkablysweetvoiceandacorrectear,shecouldnotwellhelpbeingacharmingsinger,underhergreat

master,Lablache.Shedancedwell,rodewell,andexcelledinarchery.

AsIsaid,thebraveDuchess,asconscientiousasindependent,keptupthelifeofretirementfromCourtpompsandgayeties,andofalternatehardstudyandsocialrecreation,whichshethoughtbestforherchild.

Shequietlyperseveredinthe"progresses"whichannoyedtheirascibleandunreasonableoldKing,evenvisitingtheIsleofWight,thoughtheroyalbiggunswereforbiddento"pop"atsightoftheroyalstandard,whichwavedoverher,andtheyounghopeofEngland.Perhaps


15/120

recollectionsofthosepleasantvisitswithhermotheratNorrisCastlehavehelpedtorendersodeartheQueen'sownbeautifulsea-sidehome,OsborneHouse.Irememberaprettylittlestory,toldbyatourist,whohappenedtobestoppingatthevillageofBradingduringoneofthosevisitstothelovelyisland.Oneafternoonhestrolledintotheoldchurch-yardtosearchoutthegraveofElizabethWallbridge,thesweetheroineofLeighRichmond'sbeautifulreligiousstory,"TheDairyman'sDaughter."Hefoundseatedbesidethemoundaladyandayounggirl,thelatterreadingaloud,inafull,melodiousvoice,thetouchingtaleoftheChristianmaiden.Thetouristturnedaway,andsoonafterwastoldbythesextonthatthosepilgrimstothathumblegraveweretheDuchessofKentandthePrincessVictoria.

IamtoldbyaYorkshireladyanotherstoryofthePrincess,ofnotquitesoseriousacharacter.Shewasvisitingwithhermother,ofcourse,atWentworthHouse,theseatofEarlFitzwilliaminYorkshire,andwhileatthatpleasantplacedelightedinrunningaboutbyherselfinthegardensandshrubberies.Onewetmorning,soonafterherarrival,shewasthusdisportingherself,flittingfrompointtopoint,light-heartedandlight-footed,whentheoldgardener,whodidnotthenknowher,seeingherabouttodescendatreacherousbitofgroundfromtheterrace,calledout,"Becareful,Miss;it'sslape!"--aYorkshirewordforslippery.Theincautious,butever-curiousPrincess,turningherhead,asked,"What'sslape?"andthesameinstantherfeetflewfromunderher,andshecame

down.Theoldgardenerrantolifther,saying,ashedidso,"_That's_slape,Miss."

Thereisnothingremarkable,muchlessincredible,inthesestoriesoftheyoungVictoria,norintheonerelatedbyhermusic-teacher,ofhowsheoncerebelledagainstsomuchpractice,andhow,onhistellingherthattherewasno"royalroad"inart,andthatonlybymuchpracticecouldshebecome"mistressofthepiano,"sheclosedandlockedtheobnoxiousinstrumentandputthekeyinherpocket,sayingplayfully,"Nowyouseethere_is_aroyalwayofbecoming`mistressofthepiano.'"ButnotsosimpleandnaturalandgirlishareallthethingstoldoftheQueen'syoungdays.LoyalEnglishpeoplehavesaidtome,"YouwillfindfewstoriesofHerMajesty'schildhood,butthosefewwill

allbegood."

Yes,toogood.Thechroniclersoffortyandfiftyyearsago--thesameinwhoseloyaleyesthefifteenchildrenofGeorgeIII.wereall"childrenoflight"--couldfindnowordsinwhichtopainttheirworshipforthisrisingstarofsovereignty.Accordingtothem,shewasnotonlythepearlofPrincessesforpietyandpropriety,forgoodnessandgraciousness,butamarvelofunchildlikewisdom,aprodigyofclevernessandlearning;inshort,apurelyperfectcreature,lovedoftheangelstoadegreeperiloustothesuccession.Thesimplestlittleeventsofherdailylifeweretwistedintosomethingunnaturallysignificant,orunhealthilyvirtuous.Ifshewastakenthroughacotton-millatManchester,andaskedascoreortwoofquestionsaboutthemachineryandthestrangeprocesses

ofspinningandweaving,itwasnotchildishcuriosity--itwasaloveofknowledge,andapatrioticdesiretoencourageBritishmanufactures.

IfshegaveafewpenniestoablindbeggaratMargate,theamiableactwasheraldedasone,ofalmostdivinebeneficence,andthebeggarpitied,asneverbefore,forhisblindness.Thepoormanhadnotbeheldthefaceofthe"littleangel"whodroppedthecoinintohisgreasyhat!If,fullof"highspirits,"shetooklongridesonadonkeyatRamsgate,andranraceswithotherchildrenonthesands,itwasaproofofthesweetesthumancondescension--thedonkey'sopinionnotbeingtaken.


16/120

Ofcourseallthisisfalse,unwholesomesentiment,quiteincomprehensibletonineteenthcenturyAmericans,thoughourgreat-grandfathersunderstoodthissortofpersonalloyaltyverywell,andgloriedinit,tillGeorgetheThirddrovethemtothewall;andourgreat-grandmotherscherisheditasasacredreligiousprincipletilltheirteawastaxed.Idaresaythatifthetruthcouldbegotat,weshouldfindthatlittleVictoriawasattimestryingenoughtomother,masters,andattendants;thatshewasoccasionallypassionate,perverse,and"pestering,"likeallchildrenwhohaveanygreatandpositiveelementsinthem.Idaresayshewasdisposed,likeanyother"onlychild,"tobeself-willedandselfish,andthatsherequiredafairamountofwholesomediscipline,andthatshegotit.Hadshebeentheprimandpiouslittleprecocitywhichsomebiographershavepaintedher,shewouldhavediedyoung,likethe"Dairyman'sDaughter";wemighthavehadanedifyingtract,andEnglandarevolution.

OneofherbiographersspeakswithasortofecstaticsurpriseofthefactthatthePrincesswas"affable--evengay,"andthatshe"laughedandchattedlikeotherlittlegirls."Andyetshemustearlyhaveperceivedthatshewasnotquitelikeotherlittlegirls,butsetupandapart.ThoughrearedwithallthesimplicitypracticableforaPrincessRoyal,shemusthavebeenconsciousofamagiccircledrawnroundher,ofabarrierimpalpable,butmostreal,whichotherchildrencouldnot

voluntarilyoverpass.Shemusthaveseenthattheycouldnotcallouttoherto"comeandplay!"thathowevershyshemightfeel,shemustproposethegame,ortheromp,aslatershehadtoproposemarriage.Sheevenwasobligedtoquarrel,ifquarrelshedid,allalonebyherself.Anyresistanceonthepartofherplaymateswouldhavebeenasmallvarietyofhightreason.Shemustsometimes,withheradmirablegoodsense,havebeenweariedanddisgustedbysomuchconcession,conciliation,andconsideration,andmayhaveenviedlessfortunateorunfortunatemortalswhocangiveandtakehardknocks,forwhomlessisdemanded,andofwhomlessisexpected.

Shemayhavetiredofherveryname,withitsgrandprefixesandnoaffix,andlongedtobeVictoriaKent,or_Something_--Jones,Brown,

orRobinson.

Sheseemstohavebeenachildofsimple,homelytastes,forin1842,whenQueen,shewritestoherUncleLeopoldfromClaremont,wheresheisvisiting,withherhusbandandlittledaughter:"Thisplacebringsbackrecollectionsofthehappiestdaysofmyotherwisedullchildhood--dayswhenIexperiencedsuchkindnessfromyou,dearestuncle;Victoriaplayswithmyoldbricks,andIseeherrunningandjumpingintheflower-garden,asold(thoughIfeelstill_little_)Victoriaofformerdaysusedtodo."

CHAPTERVI.

ThePrincessopenstheVictoriaParkatBath--BecomingusedtoPublicCuriosity--SecretofherDestinyrevealedtoher--RoyalBallonherThirteenthBirthday--AttheAscotRaces--PicturebyN.P.Willis--Anecdotes--PainfulSceneattheKing'slastBirthdayDinner.

Whenshewaselevenyearsold,thePrincessopenedtheVictoriaParkat


17/120

Bath.Shebegantheopeningbusinessthusearly,andhaskeptitupprettydiligentlyforfiftyyears--parks,expositions,colleges,exchanges,lawcourts,bridges,docks,artschools,andhospitals.Hersonsanddaughtersarealsokeptbusyatthesamesortofwork.Indeedthesearealmosttheonlyopeningsforyoungmenoftheroyalfamilyforactiveservice,nowthatcrusadesandinvasionsofFrancehavegoneoutoffashion.ItseemstomethattheEnglishpeoplegetupallsortsofopeningandunveilingoccasionsinordertosupplyemploymenttotheirPrincesandPrincesses,who,Imustsay,nevershirksuchmonotonousduties,howevermuchtheymaybebotheredandboredbythem.

OccasionallytheDuchessofKentandherdaughtervisitedBrighton,andstoppedinthatgrotesquepalaceofGeorgeIV.,calledthePavilion.IhaveseenapictureofthedemurelittlePrincess,walkingontheesplanade,withhermother,governesses,andgentlemenattendants,thewholeelegantpartyandthegreatcrowdofBrightoniansfollowingandstaringatthem,wearingtheabsurdcostumesofhalfacenturyago--theladies,bigbonnets,bigmutton-legsleeves,bigcollars,heellessslippers,lacedovertheinstep;thegentlemen,short-waistedcoats,enormouscollars,preposterousneckties,andindescribablyclumsyhats.

BythistimethePrincesshadlearnedtobearquietlyandserenely,ifnotunconsciously,thegazeofhundredsofeyes,admiringorcriticising.Sheknewthatthetimewasprobablycomingwhenthehundredswould

increasetothousands,andevenmillions--whentheworldwouldforherseemtobemadeupofeyes,likeapeacock'stail.Smallwonderthatinherlateryears,especiallysinceshehasmissedfromhersidethesplendidfigurewhichdividedandjustifiedthemightymultitudinousstare,thiseternalobservation,thisinsatiablecuriosityhasbecomeinfinitelywearisometoher.

SeveralaccountshavebeengivenofthemannerinwhichthegreatsecretofherdestinywasrevealedtothePrincessVictoria,andthemannerinwhichitwasreceived,butonlyonehastheQueen'sindorsement.Thiswascontainedinaletter,writtenlongafterwardstoHerMajestybyherdearoldgoverness,theBaronessLehzen,whostatesthatwhentheRegencyBill(anactnamingtheDuchessofKentasRegent,incaseoftheKingdying

beforehisnieceobtainedhermajority)wasbeforeParliament,itwasthoughtthatthetimehadcometomakeknowntothePrincesshertrueposition.SoafterconsultingwiththeDuchess,theBaronessplacedagenealogicaltableinahistoricalbook,whichherpupilwasreading.WhenthePrincesscameuponthispaper,shesaid:"Why,Ineversawthatbefore.""Itwasnotthoughtnecessaryyoushouldseeit,"theBaronessreplied.Thentheyounggirl,examiningthepaper,saidthoughtfully:"IseeIamnearerthethronethanIsupposed."Aftersomemomentssheresumed,withasortofquaintsolemnity:"Nowmanyachildwouldboast,notknowingthedifficulty.Thereismuchsplendor,butthereisalsomuchresponsibility.""ThePrincess,"saystheBaroness,"havinglifteduptheforefingerofherrighthandwhileshespoke,nowgavemethatlittlehand,saying:'Iwillbegood.Iunderstandnowwhyyouurgedme

somuchtolearn,evenLatin.Myaunts,AugustaandMary,neverdid,butyoutoldmeLatinwasthefoundationofEnglishgrammar,andalltheelegantexpressions,andIlearnedit,asyouwishedit;butIunderstandallbetternow,'andthePrincessagaingavemeherhand,repeating,'Iwillbegood.'"

Godheardthepromiseofthechildoftwelveyearsandheldhertoit,andhasgivenherstrength"asherday"toredeemit,allthroughthedazzlingbrightnessandthedepressingshadows,throughthegloryandthesorrowofherlife,asaQueenandawoman.


18/120

TheQueensaysthatshe"criedmuch"overthemagnificentbutdifficultproblemofherdestiny,butthetearsmusthavebeenAprilshowers,forinthosedaysshewasaccountedabright,care-freelittledamsel,andwaseverwelcomeasasunbeaminthenoblesthousesofEngland--suchasEatonHall,theseatoftheDukeofWestminster;WentworthHouse,belongingtoEarlFitzwilliam;AltonTowers,thecountryhouseoftheEarlofShrewsbury;andChatsworth,thepalaceoftheDukeofDevonshire,wheresuchroyalloyalhonorswerepaidtoherthatshehadaforetasteofthe"splendor,"withoutthe"responsibility,"ofQueenhood.

TheKingandQueengaveabrilliantballinhonorof"thethirteenthbirthdayoftheirbelovedniece,thePrincessVictoria,"andsomewhatlater,thelittleroyalladyappearedataDrawing-room,whensheissaidtohavecharmedeverybodybyhersweet,childishdignity--asortofquaintqueenlinessofmannerandexpression.Shewaslikewisemostsatisfactorytothemostreligiouslyinclinedofhersubjectswhoweretobe,inhermienandbehaviorwhenintheRoyalChapelofSt.James,ontheinterestingoccasionofherconfirmation.Sheissaidtohavegonethroughtheceremonywith"profoundthoughtfulnessanddevoutsolemnity."

ThenextglimpseIhaveofherisataverydifferentscene--theAscotraces.AbrilliantAmericanauthor,N.P.Willis,whothensawherforthefirsttime,wrote:"Inoneoftheintervals,Iwalkedunderthe

King'sstand,andsawHerMajestytheQueen,andtheyoungPrincessVictoria,verydistinctly.Theywereleaningovertherailinglisteningtoaballad-singer,andseemingasmuchinterestedandamusedasanysimplecountry-folkcouldbe.TheQueenisundoubtedlytheplainestwomaninherdominions,butthePrincessismuchbetter-lookingthananypictureofherintheshops,andfortheheirtosuchacrownasthatofEngland,quiteunnecessarily,prettyandinteresting.Shewillbesold,poorthing!barteredawaybythosegreat-dealersinroyalhearts,whosegrandcalculationswillnotbemuchconsolationtoherifshehappenstohaveatasteofherown."

LittledidthewiseAmericanpoetguessthat,awayinalittlefairyprincipalityofDeutschland,therewasabeautifulyoungfairyprince,

beingrearedbybenevolentfairygodmother-grandmothers,especiallytodisproveallsuchdolefulprophecies,andreversetheusualfateofprettyyoungPrincessesinthecaseofthe"littleEnglishmayflower."

GrevillerelatesalittleincidentwhichshowsthatthePrincess,whenbetweensixteenandseventeen,andalmostinsightofthethrone,wasstillamenabletodiscipline.Hedescribesareceptionofmuchpompandceremony,giventotheDuchessandthePrincessbytheMayorandotherofficersofthetownofBurghley,followedbyagreatdinner,which"wentoffwell,"exceptthatanawkwardwaiter,inaspasmofloyalexcitement,emptiedthecontentsofapailoficeinthelapoftheDuchess,which,thoughshetookitcoolly,"madeagreatbustle."IamafraidthePrincesslaughed.Thenfollowedamagnificentball,whichwasopenedby

thePrincess,withLordExeterforapartner.Afterthatonedanceshe"wenttobed."Doubtlesshergoodmotherthoughtshehadhadfatigueandexcitementenoughforoneday;butitmusthavebeenhardforsuchadance-lovinggirltotakeherquiveringfeetoutoftheball-roomsoearly,andforsuchagrandpersonageasshealreadywas,justreferredtointheMayor'sspeech,as"destinedtomountthethroneoftheserealms,"tobesentawaylikeachild,tomountasolemn,beplumedfour-poster,andtotrytosleep,withthatdeliciousdance-musicstillringinginherears.


19/120

GrevillealsorelatesasadCourtstoryconnectedwiththeyoungPrincess,anddescribesascenewhichwouldbetoopainfulformetoreproduce,exceptthatitreveals,inastrikingmanner,Victoria'stenderloveforandclosesympathywithhermother.ItseemsthattheKing'sjealoushostilitytotheDuchessofKenthadgrownwithhisdecay,andstrengthenedwithhissenility,tillatlastitculminatedinasortofdeclarationofwarathisowntable.TheaccountisgivenbyGreville_second-hand_,andso,verylikely,over-colored,thoughdoubtlesstrueinthemain.TheKinginvitedtheDuchessandPrincesstoWindsortojoininthecelebrationofhisbirthday,whichprovedtobehislast.Therewasadinner-party,called"private,"butahundredguestssatdowntothetable.TheDuchessofKentwasgivenaplaceofhonorononesideoftheKing,andoppositehersatthePrincessVictoria.AfterdinnerQueenAdelaideproposed"HisMajesty'shealthandlonglifetohim,"towhichthatamiablemonarchrepliedbyaveryremarkablespeech.HebeganbysayingthathehopedinGodhemightliveninemonthslonger,whenthePrincesswouldbeofage,andhecouldleavetheroyalauthorityinherhandsandnotinthoseofaRegent,inthepersonofaladysittingnearhim,etc.Afterwardshesaid:"Ihaveparticularlytocomplainofthemannerinwhichthatyounglady(thePrincessVictoria)hasbeenkeptfrommyCourt.ShehasbeenrepeatedlykeptfrommyDrawing-rooms,atwhichsheoughtalwaystohavebeenpresent,butIamresolvedthatthisshallnothappenagain.Iwouldhave_her_knowthatIam_King_,andamdeterminedtomakemyauthorityrespected,andforthefutureIshall

insistandcommandthatthePrincessdo,uponalloccasions,appearatmyCourt,asitisherdutytodo."

Thispleasantandhospitableharangue,utteredinaloudvoiceandanexcitedmanner,"producedadecidedsensation."Thewholecompany"wereaghast."QueenAdelaide,whowasamiableandwell-bred,"lookedindeepdistress";theyoungPrincessburstintotearsattheinsultofferedtohermother;butthatmothersatcalmandsilent,verypale,butproudanderect--DuchessofDuchesses!

CHAPTERVII.

Victoria'sfirstmeetingwithPrinceAlbert--ShecomesofAge--Ballinhonorthereof--IllnessofKingWilliam--HisDeath--HisHabitsandCharacter--TheArchbishopofCanterburyandtheLordChancellorinformVictoriathatsheisQueen--Herbeautifulbearingundertheordeal.

InMay,1836,thePrincesssaw,forthefirsttime,hercousins,ErnestandAlbert,ofSaxe-Coburg.Thesebrothers,oneeighteenandtheotherseventeen,aredescribedascharmingyoungfellows,well-bredandcarefullyeducated,withhighaims,good,truehearts,andfrank,naturalmanners.

Inpersonalappearancetheywereveryprepossessing.Ernestwashandsome,andAlbertmorethanhandsome.TheyweremuchbelovedbytheirUncleLeopold,thenKingofBelgium,andsoonendearedthemselvestotheirAuntKentandtheirCousinVictoria.TheyspentthreeweeksatKensingtonindailyintercoursewiththeirrelatives,andwiththeirfather,theDukeofCoburg,weremuch_feted_bytheroyalfamily.TheykeenlyenjoyedEnglishsocietyandsights,andlearnedsomethingofEnglishlifeandcharacter,whichtooneofthem,atleast,provedafterwardsuseful.IndeedthisadmirableyoungPrince,Albert,seemedalwayslearningand


20/120

assimilatingnewfactsandideas.Hehadasoulathirstforknowledge.

OnMay24,1837,thePrincessVictoriacameofage.Shewasawakenedearlybyamatutinalserenade--abandofmusicianspipingandharpingmerrilyunderherbedroomwindows.Shereceivedmanypresentsandcongratulatoryvisits,andhadthepleasureofknowingthatthedaywasobservedasagrandholidayinLondonandthroughoutEngland.Boyswereletoutofschool,andM.P.'soutofParliament.Atnightthemetropoliswas"brilliantlyilluminated"--atleastsothoughtthosepoor,benighted,ante-electrical-lightLondoners--andagrandstateballwasgiveninSt.James'Palace.Here,forthefirsttime,thePrincesstookprecedenceofhermother,andwemaybelieveshefeltshyandawkwardatsuchareversalofthelawsofnatureandthehabitsofyears.ButdoubtlessthestatelyDuchessfellbackwithoutasigh,exceptitwereoneofjoyandgratitudethatshehadbroughtherdarlingonsofarsafely.

Thiscouldhardlyhavebeenaverygaystateball,fortheirMajestieswerebothabsent.TheKinghadthatverydaybeenattackedwithhayfever,andtheQueenhaddutifullystayedathometonursehim.Heralliedfromthisattacksomewhat,butneverwaswellagain,andinthesmallhoursofJune2dthesailorKingdiedatRoyalWindsor,royallyenough,Ibelieve,thoughhehadneverbeenaveryroyalfigureorspirit.Ofcourseafterhewasgonefromhisearthlykingdom,themostglowingeulogieswerepronounceduponhiminParliament,inthenewspapers,andinhundredsof

pulpits.Evenayearlater,theBishopofLondon,inhissermonattheQueen'scoronation,laudedthelateKingforhis"unfeignedreligion,"andexhortedhis"youthfulsuccessor"to"followinhisfootsteps."Ah,ifshehaddoneso,IshouldnotnowbewritingHerMajesty'sLife!

ItmustbethatinaKingalittlereligiongoesalongway.ThegoodBishopandotherloyalprelatesmusthaveknownallabouttheFitz-Clarences--thosewild"olivebranchesaboutthetable"ofHisMajesty;andtheyweredoubtlessawareofthatlittleunfortunatehabitofprofanity,acquiredonthehigh-seas,andscarcelybecomingtotheHeadoftheChurch;butthey,perhaps,consideredthatHisMajestysworeasthesailor,notasthesovereign.Hecertainlymadeagoodend,hearingmanyprayers,andjoininginthemaslongashewasable,anddevoutly

receivingthecommunion;andwhatisbetter,manifestingsometenderanxietylesthisfaithfulwifeandpatientnurseshoulddotoomuchandgrievetoomuchforhim.Whenhesawherliketobreakdown,hewouldsay:"Bearup;bearup,Adelaide!"justlikeanyothergoodhusband.WilliamwasnotabadKing,asKingswentinthosedays;hewas,doubtless,anorthodoxchurchman,andwemaybelievehewasagoodChristian,fromhischargetothenewBishopofElywhenhecameto"kisshands"onhispreferment:"Mylord,IdonotwishtointerfereinanywaywithyourvoteinParliament,exceptononesubject--theJews.ItrustImaydependonyouralwaysvotingagainstthem!"

WhenthesolemnwordwentthroughtheoldCastleofWindsor,"TheKingisdead!"hismostloyalministers,civilandreligious,addedundertheir

breath:"LonglivetheQueen!"andalmostimmediatelytheArchbishopofCanterburyandtheLordChamberlainleftWindsorandtravelledasfastaspost-horsescouldcarrythem,toKensingtonPalace,whichtheyreachedinthegrayoftheearlydawn.Everybodywasasleep,andtheyknockedandrangalongtimebeforetheycouldrousetheporteratthegate,whoatlastgrumblinglyadmittedthem.Thentheyhadanothersiegeinthecourt-yard;butatlengththepalacedooryielded,andtheywereletintooneofthelowerrooms,"where,"saysMissWynn'saccount,"theyseemedforgottenbyeverybody."Theyrangthebell,calledasleepyservant,andrequestedthatthespecialattendantofthePrincessVictoriashould


21/120

informherRoyalHighnessthattheydesiredanaudienceon"veryimportantbusiness."Moredelay,moreringing,moreinquiriesanddirections.AtlasttheattendantofthePrincesscame,andcoollystatedthatherRoyalMistresswas"insuchasweetsleepshecouldnotventuretodisturbher."ThensolemnlyspokeuptheArchbishop:"WearecomeonbusinessofState,to_theQueen_,andevenhersleepmustgiveway."Loitwasout!Thestartledmaidflewonhererrand,andsoeffectuallyperformedit,thatVictoria,notdaringtokeephervisitorswaitinglonger,hurriedintotheroomwithonlyashawlthrownoverhernight-gown,andherfeetinslippers.Shehadflungoffhernight-cap(youngladiesworenight-capsinthosequeeroldtimes),andherlong,light-brownhairwastumblingoverhershoulders.SoshecametoreceivethefirsthomageoftheChurchandtheState,andtobehailed"Queen!"andshewasQueenofGreatBritainandIreland,ofIndiaandthemightyColonies!Itseemstomethattheyounggirlmusthavebelievedherselfatthatmomentonlyhalfawake,andstilldreaming.Thegrand,newtitle,"YourMajesty,"musthavehadanewsound,asaddressedtoher,--somethingstrangeandstartling,thoughverylikelyshemayhaveoftensaiditovertoherself,silently,togetusedtoit.Thefirstkissofabsolutefealtyonherlittlehandmusthavethrilledthroughherwholeframe.Someaccountssaythatasfullrealizationwasforceduponher,sheburstintotears;othersdwellonhermarvellouscalmandself-possession.Iprefertobelieveinthetears,notonlybecausetheassumptionofthe"dangerousgrandeurofsovereignty"wasasolemnand

tremendousmatterforonesoyoung,butbecausesomethingofaweandsorrowonhearingoftheeternalabdicationofthatsovereignty,byherroughbutnottoherunlovingolduncle,wasnaturalandwomanly,andfitting.IbelievethatithasnotbeenquestionedthatthefirstwordsoftheQUEENwereaddressedtothePrimate,andthattheyweresimply,"IbegyourGracetoprayforme,"whichtheArchbishopdid,thenandthere.Doubtless,also,asrelated,thefirstactofherqueenlylifewasthewritingofaletterofcondolencetoQueenAdelaide,inwhich,afterexpressinghertendersympathy,shebeggedher"dearaunt"toremainatWindsorjustaslongasshemightfeelinclined.Thislettersheaddressedto"HerMajesty,theQueen."SomeoneathandremindedherthattheKing'swidowwasnowonlyQueenDowager."Iamquiteawareofthat,"repliedVictoria,"butIwillnotbethefirstpersontoremindherof

it."IcannotsayhowmuchIlikethat.WonderfulisthestorytoldbymanywitnessesofthecalmnessandgentledignityofHerMajesty,whenafewhourslatershemetthehighofficersoftheChurchandState,PrincesandPeers,receivedtheiroathsofallegianceandreadherfirstspeechfromanimprovisedthrone.TheRoyalPrinces,theDukesofCumberlandandSussex,HerMajesty'suncles,werethefirsttobesworn,andGrevillesays:"Astheykneltbeforeher,swearingallegianceandkissingherhand,Isawherblushuptotheeyes,asifshefeltthecontrastbetweentheircivilandtheirnaturalrelations;andthiswastheonlysignofemotionwhichsheevinced."

Whenshefirstenteredtheroomshehadkissedtheseoldunclesaffectionately,walkingtowardtheDukeofSussex,whowasveryfeeble.

Grevillesaysthatsheseemedratherbewilderedatthemultitudeofmenwhocametokissherhandandkneeltoher,amongthemtheconquerorofNapoleon--soldierofsoldiers--_the_Duke!--butthatshedidnotmakeanydifferenceinhermanner,orshowanyespecialrespect,orcondescensioninhercountenancetoanyindividual,noteventothePremier,LordMelbourne,forwhomshewasknowntohaveagreatliking,andwhowaslonghertrustedfriendandfavoriteMinister.

TheQueenwasalsocalledupontotakeanoath,whichwasfor"the


22/120

securityoftheChurchofScotland."Thisshehasmostfaithfullykept;indeed,shehasnowandthenbeenreproachedbyjealouschampionsoftheEnglishEstablishmentforunduegraciousnesstowardstheKirkanditsministers.

ForthisgrandbutsolemnceremonyatKensington--renderedthemoresolemnbythefactthatwhileitwasgoingonthegreatbellofSt.Paul'swastollingforthedeadKing,--theyoungQueenwasdressedverysimply,inmourning.

Sheseemstohavethoughtofeverything,forshesentforLordAlbemarle,andafterremindinghimthataccordingtolawandprecedentshemustbeproclaimedthenextmorningat10o'clock,fromacertainwindowofSt.James'Palace,requestedhimtoprovideforherasuitableconveyanceandescort.ShethenbowedgravelyandgraciouslytothePrinces,ArchbishopsandCabinetMinisters,andlefttheroom,asshehadenteredit--alone.

CHAPTERVIII.

ThelastdayofVictoria'srealgirlhood--ProclaimedQueenfromSt.James'Palace--SheholdsherfirstPrivyCouncil--Commentsuponher

deportmentbyeye-witnesses--Fruitsofhermother'scareandtraining.

ItseemstomethatthemomentousdayjustdescribedwasthelastofVictoria'srealgirlhood;thatprematurewomanhoodwasthrustuponherwithallthepower,grandeur,andstateofaQueenRegnant.Iwonderif,wearyandnervouslyexhaustedasshemusthavebeen,shesleptmuch,whenatlastshewenttobed,probablynolongerinhermother'sroom.Iwonderifshedidnotthink,withasortoffearsomethrillthatwhenthesummersunfadedfromhersight,itwasonlytotravelallnight,lightinghervastdominionsandheruncountedmillionsofsubjects;andthat,likethesplendorofthatsun,hadbecomeherlife--hers,thelittlemaiden's,butjustemergingfromtheshadowofseclusion,andfrom

hermother'sprotectingcareandwiseauthority,andsteppingoutintotheworldbyherself!

ThenextdayshewentinstatetoSt.JamesPalace,accompaniedbygreatlordsandladies,andescortedbysquadronsoftheLifeGuardsandBlues,andwasformallyproclaimedfromthewindowofthePresenceChamber,lookingoutonthecourt-yard.ACourtchroniclestatesthatHerMajestyworeablacksilkdressandalittleblackchipbonnet,andthatshelookedpalerthanusual.MissMartineau,speakingofthescene,says:"Therestoodtheyoungcreature,insimplestmourning,hersleekbandsofbrownhairasplainasherdress.Thetearsrandownhercheeks,asLordMelbourne,standingbyherside,presentedhertothepeopleastheirSovereign....Intheupperpartofthefacesheisreallypretty,and

withaningenuous,sincereairwhichseemsfullofpromise."

Aftertheceremonyofproclamationwasover,the"littleQueen"remainedforafewmomentsatthewindow,bowingandsmilingthroughhertearsatthatfriendlyandenthusiasticcrowdofhersubjects,andlisteningtotheNationalAnthemplayedforthefirsttimeforher,thenretired,withhermother,whohadnotbeen"prominent"duringthescene,butwhohadbeenobserved"towatchherdaughterwithgreatanxiety."

AtnoontheQueenheldaPrivyCouncil,atwhichitwassaid,"She


23/120

presidedwithasmucheaseasthoughshehadbeendoingnothingelseallherlife."At1P.M.shereturnedtoKensingtonPalace,theretoremaininretirementtillafterthefuneralofKingWilliam.

Itiscertainthatthebehaviorofthisgirl-queenonthesefirsttwodaysofherreign"confoundedthedoctors"oftheChurchandState.Greville,whoneverpraisesexceptwhenpraiseiswrungoutofhim,canhardlysayenoughofhergraceandgraciousness,calmnessandself-possession.Hesays,also,thather"agreeableexpression,withheryouth,inspireanexcessiveinterestinallwhoapproachher,andwhich,"heiscondescendingenoughtoadd,"Ican'thelpfeelingmyself."HequotesPeelassayinghewas"amazedathermannerandbehavior;atherapparentdeepsenseofhersituation,hermodesty,andatthesametimeherfirmness.Sheappearedtobeawed,butnotdaunted."

TheDukeofWellingtonpaidasimilartributetohercourage.

Now,ifthesegreatmendidnotgreatlyidealizeher,underthedoubleglamourofgallantryandloyalty,Victoriawasamostextraordinaryyoungwoman.AfewdaysbeforethedeathoftheKing,Grevillewrote:"Whatrendersspeculationsoeasyandeventssouncertainistheabsoluteignoranceofeverybodyofthecharacter,disposition,andcapacityofthePrincess.Shehasbeenkeptinsuchjealousseclusionbyhermother(neverhavingsleptoutofherbedroom,norbeenalonewithanybodybut

herselfand,theBaronessLehzen),thatnotoneofheracquaintance,noneoftheattendantsatKensington,noteventheDuchessofNorthumberland,hergoverness,canhaveanyideawhatsheis,orwhatshepromisestobe."ThefirstdayofVictoria'saccessionhewrites:"Sheappearstoactwitheverysortofgoodtasteandgoodfeeling,aswellasgoodsense,andnothingcanbemorefavorablethantheimpressionshehasmade,andnothingcanpromisebetterthanhermannerandconductdo...WilliamIV.comingtothethroneatthematureageofsixty-five,wassoexcitedbytheexaltationthathenearlywentmad...TheyoungQueen,whomightwellbeeitherdazzledorconfoundedwiththegrandeurandnoveltyofhersituation,seemsneithertheonenortheother,andbehaveswithaproprietyanddecorumbeyondheryears."

DoubtlessnaturewaskindtoVictoriaintheelementsofcharacter,butshemusthaveowedverymuchofthiscourage,calmness,modesty,simplicity,candor,andsterlinggoodsensetothepeculiar,systematictraining,thepreceptandexampleofhermother,themuch-criticisedDuchessofKent,sounpopularattheCourtofthelateKing,andwhomMr.Grevillehadbynomeansdelightedtohonor.Ah,thegood,braveDuchesshadherrewardforallheryearsofpatientexile,allherlovinglaborandwatchfulcare,andrichcompensationforallcriticisms,misrepresentations,andfault-finding,thatJuneafternoon,thedayoftheProclamation,whensherodefromthePalaceofSt.JamestoKensingtonwithherdaughter,whohadbehavedsowell--herdaughterandher_Queen!_

PARTII.

WOMANHOODANDQUEENHOOD.


24/120

CHAPTERIX.

ThesovereigntyofEnglandandHanoverseveredforever--FuneralofKingWilliamIV.atWindsor--TheQueenandherhouseholdremovetoBuckinghamPalace--ShedissolvesParliament--GlowingaccountofthescenebyacontemporaryJournal--CharlesSumneraspectator--HiseulogyoftheQueen'sreading.

EversincetheaccessiontothethroneofGreatBritainoftheHouseofBrunswick,theKingsofEnglandhadalsobeenKingsofHanover.Tocarryonthetwobranchesoftheroyalbusinesssimultaneouslymusthavebeenalittledifficult,atleastperplexing.Itwaslikeridinga"two-horseact,"withawidespacebetweenthehorses,andawidedifferenceintheirsize.ButtheSaliclawprevailedinthatlittlekingdomoverthere;soitsCrownnowgentlydevolvedontheheadofthemaleheir-apparent,theDukeofCumberland,andthequaintoldprincipalitypartedcompanywithEnglandforever.ThatiswhatHerMajesty,Victoria,got,orratherlost,bybeingawoman.Adayortwoafterheraccession,KingErnestcalledatKensingtonPalacetotakeleaveoftheQueen,andshedutifullykissedheruncleandbrother-sovereign,andwishedhimGod-speedandtheHanoveriansjoy.

ThereisnoKingandnokingdomofHanovernow.WhenKaiserWilliamwas

consolidatingsomanyGermanprincipalitiesintohisgrandempire,gailysingingtherefrainofthesongoftheoldsexton,"_Igatherthemin!Igatherthemin!_"hetookHanover,andithasremainedunderthewingofthegreatPrussianeagleeversince.ItissaidthatthelastKingmadeagallantresistance,ridingintobattleattheheadofhistroops,althoughhewasblind--tooblind,perhaps,toseehisownweakness.Whenhisthronewastakenoutfromunderhim,hestillclungtotheroyaltitle,buthissonisknownonlyastheDukeofCumberland.ThisPrince,likeothersmallGermanPrinces,madeagreatoutcryagainsttheKaiser'sconfiscations,buttheinexorableoldmanstillwentonpiecinganimperialtable-coveroutofpocket-handkerchiefs.

TheyoungQueen'snewHouseholdwasconsideredaverymagnificentand

unexceptionableone--principallyfortherankandcharacterandpersonalattractionsoftheladiesinattendance,chiefamongwhom,forbeautyandstateliness,wasthefamousDuchessofSutherland--certainlyoneofthemostsuperbwomeninEngland,oranywhereelse,evenatanagewhenmostwomenare"fallingoff,"andwhensheherselfwasagrandmother.

ThefuneralofKingWilliamtookplaceatWindsorinduetime,andwithallduepompandceremony.AfterlyinginstateinthesplendidWaterloochamber,underagorgeouspurplepall,severalcrowns,andotherroyalinsignia,hewasbornetoSt.George'sChapel,followedbyPrelates,Peers,andalltheMinistersofState,andasolemnfuneralservicewasperformed.ButwhatspokebetterforhimthanallthesethingswasthequietweepingofagoodwomanupintheRoyalCloset,halfhiddenbythe

sombrecurtains,wholookedandlistenedtothelast,andsawherhusbandletdownintotheRoyalVault,where,inthedarkness,his--theirbaby-girlawaitedhim,thatPrincesswiththeshortlifeandthelongname--poorlittleElizabethGeorginaAdelando,whomthechildlessQueenoncehopedtohearhailed"ElizabethSecondofEngland."

InmidsummertheQueen,theDuchessofKent,andtheirgrandHouseholdmovedfromKensingtontoBuckinghamPalace,thennew,andanelegantandluxuriousroyalresidenceinternally,butexternallyneitherbeautifulnorimposing.ButwiththeexceptionofWindsorCastle,noneofthe


25/120

EnglishRoyalPalacescanbepointedtoasmodelsofarchitecturalbeauty,orevensumptuousappointments.ThepalacesofsomeofourRailwayKingsmorethanrivaltheminsomerespects,whilethoseofmanyoftheEnglishnobilityarericherinart-treasuresandgranderinappearance.KensingtonPalacewasnotbeautiful,butitwaspicturesqueandhistoric,whichwasmorethancouldbesaidofanyoftheGeorgianstructures;therewasaboutitanodorofoldroyalty,ofpoetryandromance.TheliteratureandthebeautyofQueenAnne'sreignwereespeciallyassociatedwithit.QueenVictoriawas,whensheleftit,atanagewhenmemoriescountforlittle,anddoubtlesstheflitting"_outoftheoldhouseintothenew_"waseffectedmerrilyenough;butlongafterwardsherorphanedandwidowedheartmustoftenhavegonebacktenderlyandyearninglytothesceneofmanytranquillyhappyyearswithhermother,andofthatfirstlittleseasonofcompanionshipwithhercousinAlbert.

Hardlyhadshegotunpackedandsettledinhernewhomewhenshehadtogothroughagreatparadeandceremony.ShewentinstatetodissolveParliament.TheweatherwasfineandthewholeroutefromBuckinghamPalacetotheParliamentHousewaslinedwithpeople,shoutingandcheeringasthemagnificentprocessionandthatbrilliantyoungfigurepassedslowlyalong.ALondonjournalofthetimegavethefollowingglowingaccountofherassheappearedintheHouseofLords:"At20minutesto3precisely,HerMajesty,precededbytheheraldsandattended

bythegreatofficersofstate,enteredtheHouse--allthePeersandPeeresses,whohadrisenattheflourishofthetrumpets,remainingstanding.HerMajestywasattiredinasplendidwhitesatinrobe,withtheribbonoftheGartercrossinghershoulderandamagnificenttiaraofdiamondsonherhead,andworeanecklaceandastomacheroflargeandcostlybrilliants.Havingascendedthethrone,theroyalmantleofcrimsonvelvetwasplacedonHerMajesty'sshouldersbytheLordsinwaiting."Andthiswasthesamelittlegirlwho,sixyearsbefore,hadboughtherownstrawhatandcarriedithomeinherhand!IwonderifherownmotherdidnotatthatmomenthavedifficultyinbelievingthatradiantandroyalcreaturewasindeedherlittleVictoria!

Theaccountcontinues:"HerMajesty,ontakingherseat,appearedtobe

deeplymovedatthenovelandimportantpositioninwhichshewasplaced,theeyesoftheassemblednobility,bothmaleandfemale,beingrivetedonherperson."Iwouldhavewageredagooddealthatitwasthe'female'eyesthatshefeltmostpiercingly.Thenitgoeson:"Heremotionwasplainlydiscernibleintheheavingsofherbosom,andthebrilliancyofherdiamondstomacher,whichsparkledoutlikethesunontheswelloftheoceanasthebillowsriseandfall."Sodisconcertedwasshe,itseems,byallthissilent,intenseobservation,thatsheforgot,nicelyseatedasshewas,thatallthosePeersandPeeresseswerestanding,tillshewasremindedofitbyLordMelbourne,whostoodcloseatherside.Thenshegraciouslyinclinedherhead,andsaidinratheralowtone,'MyLords,beseated!'andtheysat,andeketheirwivesanddaughters.

"Shehadregainedherself-possessionwhenshecametoreadherspeech,andhervoicealso,foritwasheardalloverthegreatchamber."Anditisadded:"Herdemeanorwascharacterizedbymuchgraceandmodestself-possession."

AmongthespectatorsofthisrareroyalpageantwasanAmerican,andastiffrepublican,ayoungmanfromBoston,calledCharlesSumner.Hewasascholar,andscholar-like,undazzledbydiamonds,admiredmostHerMajesty'sreading.Inalettertoafriendhewrote:"Iwasastonishedanddelighted.Hervoiceissweetandfinelymodulated,andshe


26/120

pronouncedeveryworddistinctly,andwithajustregardtoitsmeaning.IthinkIneverheardanythingbetterreadinmylifethanherspeech,andIcouldbutrespondtoLordFitz-William'sremarktomewhentheceremonywasover,'Howbeautifullysheperforms!'"Howstrangeitnowseemstothinkofthatslightgirlofeighteencominginuponthatgreatassemblyoflegislators,manyofthemgrayandbald,andpompousandportly,andgravelytellingthemthattheymightgohome!

CHAPTERX.

CommentsupontheyoungQueenbyacontemporaneouswriterin_Blackwood_--AnewThroneerectedforherinBuckinghamPalace--AtouchingAnecdoterelatedbytheDukeofWellington--TheQueeninsistsonpayingherFather'sDebts--Theromanticandpassionateinterestsheevoked--Hermadlover--Attemptsuponherlife--ShetakespossessionofWindsorCastle.

Awriterin_Blackwood_,speakingoftheQueenaboutthistime,said:"Sheis'winninggoldenopinionsfromallsortsofpeople'byheraffability,thegraceofhermanners,andherprettiness.Sheis

excessivelyliketheBrunswicksandnotliketheCoburgs.Somuchthemoreinherfavor.ThememoryofGeorgeIII.isnotyetpassedaway,andthepeoplearegladtoseehiscalm,honest,andEnglishphysiognomyrenewedinhisgranddaughter."

HerMajesty'slikenesstotheobstinatebutconscientiousoldking,whosehonestfaceisfastfadingquiteawayfromoldEnglishhalf-crownsandgoldenguineas,hasgrownwithheryears.

Thesamewriter,speakingofherpersonalappearance,says:"Sheislowofstature,butwellformed;herhairthedarkestshadeofflaxen,andhereyeslargeandlight-blue."Afriendwhosawherfrequentlyatthetimeofheraccession,saidtometheotherday:"Itisagreatmistake

tosupposethattheQueenowedallthecharmingportraitswhichweredrawnofheratthistime,tothefortunateaccidentofherbirthanddestiny.Shewasreallyaverylovelygirl,withafine,delicate,rose-bloomcomplexion,largeblueeyes,afair,broadbrow,andanexpressionofpeculiarcandorandinnocence."

AfewdayslatertherewasasensationinBuckinghamPalace,atthesettingupintheThrone-roomofaverymagnificentnewpieceoffurniture--athroneofthelatestEnglishfashion,butgorgeousenoughtohaveservedfortheQueenofSheba,Zenobia,Cleopatra,orSemiramis.Itwasallcrimsonvelvetandsilk,withanyamountofgoldembroideries,goldlace,goldfringe,ropes,andtassels.ThegayyoungQueentriedit,andsaiditwoulddo;thatshehadneversatonamorecomfortablethrone

inallherlife.

TwostoriesoftheyoungQueenhavetouchedmeespecially--onewasrelatedbytheDukeofWellington.Acourt-martialdeathsentencewaspresentedbyhimtoher,tobesigned.Sheshrankfromthedreadfultask,andwithtearsinhereyes,asked:"Haveyounothingtosayinbehalfofthisman?"

"Nothing;hehasdesertedthreetimes,"repliedtheIronDuke.


27/120

"O,yourGrace,thinkagain!"

"Well,yourMajesty,hecertainlyisabadsoldier,buttherewassomebodywhospokeastohisgoodcharacter.Hemaybeagoodfellowincivillife."

"O,thankyou!"exclaimedtheQueen,asshedashedofftheword,"Pardoned,"ontheawfulparchment,andwrotebeneathitherbeautifulsignature.

Thiswasnotherlastactofthekind,andatlengthParliamentsoarrangedmattersthatthisfatalsigningbusinesscouldbedonebyroyalcommission,ostensiblyto"relieveHerMajestyofapainfulduty,"butreallybecausetheycouldnottrusthersoftheart.Shemighthavesuddencapricesofcommiserationwhichwouldinterferewithsternmilitarydiscipline,andthehonesttradeofMr.Marwood.

TheotherincidentwastoldbyLordMelbourne.Soonafterheraccession,inallthedizzywhirlofthenewlifeofsplendorandexcitement,theyoungQueen,inaninterviewwithherPrimeMinister,said:"Iwanttopayallthatremainofmyfather'sdebts.I_must_doit.Iconsideritasacredduty."Thiswas,ofcourse,done--theQueenalsosendingvaluablepiecesofplatetothelargestcreditors,asatokenofhergratitude.LordMelbournesaidthatthechildlikedirectnessand

earnestnessofthatgooddaughter'smannerwhenshethusexpressedherroyalwillandpleasure,broughtthetearstohiseyes.Itseemstomeitwasalmostmissionenoughforanyyoungwoman,tomovetheheartsofhardoldsoldierslikeWellington,and_blase_statesmenlikeMelbourne--mightydealersindeathanddiplomacy,andtobringsomethinglikeasecondyouthofromanceandchivalrousfeelingintowornandworldlyheartseverywhere.

Isupposeitisimpossibleforyoungpeopleofthisday,especiallyAmericans,torealizetheintense,enthusiasticinterestfeltforty-sixyearsagobyallclasses,andinnearlyallcountries,intheyoungEnglishQueen.Theoldwonderedandshooktheirheadsoverthemightyresponsibilityimposeduponher--theyoungdreamedofher.Shealmost

maderealtoyounggirlsthewildestromancesoffairylore.Shecalledoutsuchchivalrousfeelingsinyoungmenthattheylongedtochampionheronsomefieldofbattle,orinsomeperilousknightlyadventure.Shestirredtheheartsandinspiredtheimaginationsoforatorsandpoets.--ThegreatO'Connell,whentherewassomewildtalkofdeposing"theallbutinfantQueen,"andputtingtheDukeofCumberlandinherplace,saidinhistrumpet-liketones,whichgavedignitytobrogue:"Ifnecessary,Icanget500,000braveIrishmentodefendthelife,thehonor,andthepersonofthebelovedyoungladybywhomEngland'sthroneisnowfilled."Ah,thedifferencebetweenthenandnow."BraveIrishmen"ofthisday,menwhoknownotO'Connell,aremoredisposedtoblowuptheEnglishQueen'spalaces,throneandall.

CharlesDickens,whowasthenfullofromanceandfancy,was,itissaid,possessedbysuchunresting,wonderingthoughtsofthefairmaidensovereign,andhermagnificentdestiny,thatforatimehismoreprosaicfriendsregardedhisenthusiasmasasortofmonomania.Otherimaginativeyoungmenwithheadsless"level"(touseanAmericanexpression)thanthatofthegreatnovelist,actuallywentmad--"cleandaft"--thenoblepassionoflovingloyaltyendinginaninfatuationasabsurdasitwasunhappy.BeforetheQueenleftKensingtonPalaceshewasmuchannoyedbythepersistentattentionsofaprovincialadmirer,arespectablegentleman,wholaboredunderthehallucinationthatitwashisdestiny


28/120

andhisdutytoespousetheQueen.Hemayhavefeltapreferenceforprivatelifeandruralpleasures,butasaloyalpatriothewasreadytomakethesacrifice.HedroveinastylishphaetoneverymorningtothePalacetoinquireafterHerMajesty'shealth;andonseveraldayshebribedthemenwhohadchargeofthegardenstoallowhimtoassisttheminweedingaboutthepieceofwateroppositeherapartments,inthefondhopeofseeingheratthewindows,andofherseeinghim.Everyevening,however,heputonthegentlemanoffortuneandphaetons,andfollowedtheQueenandtheDuchessintheirairings.Drovetheyfastordrovetheyslow,hewasjustbehindthem.OntheirlastdrivebeforeremovingfromKensington,theyalightedintheHarrowRoadforalittlewalk,andweredismayedatseeingthisMr.----springfromhisphaeton,andcomeeagerlyforward.TheDuchesssentapagetomeethimandbegofhimnottoannoyHerMajestybyaccostingher;butthepagewas"nolet"tohim--awholevolumeofremonstrancewouldnothaveavailed.Hepressedon,andtheaugustladieswereobligedtore-entertheircarriage,andreturntoKensington.Whenonthenextmorningtheyremovedfromtheoldhome,Mr.----wasatthegateinhisphaeton,anddrovebeforethemtoBuckinghamPalace,andwastheretogivethemagraciouswelcome.HehauntedPimlicoforatime,buthisfriendsfinallygotpossessionofhimandsuppressedhim,andsoendedhis"love'syoungdream."

ItislikelythatthemerryyoungQueenlaughedattheabsurddemonstrationsandamatoryeffusionsofherdementedadmirers;butwhen,

afterhermarriage,andherappearingalwaysinpublicwiththehandsomestPrinceinChristendomatherside,suchmonomaniacsgrewdesperateandtooktoshooting,thematterbecameserious.Thennomoregentlemeninphaetonsmenacedherpeace;herdementedfollowerswerepoorwretches--sopoorthatsometimes,afterinvestinginpistols,theyhadnotasix-penceleftforammunition.One,adistraughtFenian,pointedatherabroken,harmlessweapon,chargedwithascrapofredrag.Another,ahumpbackedlad,namedBean,loadedhiswithpaperandafewbitsofanoldclaypipe.Beanescapedforatime,anditissaidthatforseveraldaystherewere"hardlines"forallthepoorhumpbacksofLondon.Scoresofthemwerearrested.Nounfortunatethusdeformed,couldappearinthestreetswithoutdangerofapolicemansmitinghimontheshoulders,rightinthetenderspot,witharough,"Youaremyprisoner."Lifebecamea

doubleburdentothepoorfellowstillBeanwascaught.ButtoreturntotheyoungQueen,inherhappy,untroubleddays.

InAugustshetookpossessionofWindsorCastle,amidgreatrejoicing.TheDuchess,hermother,camealso;thistimenottobereproachedorinsulted.Theysoonhadcompany--alotofKingsandQueens,amongthem"UncleLeopold"andhissecondwife,adaughterofLouisPhilippeofFrance.

Theroyalyounghouse-keeperseemskeenlytohaveenjoyedshowingtohervisitorshernewhome,herlittlecountryplaceuptheThames.Sheconductedthemeverywhere,

"Up-stairs,down-stairs,andinmylady'schamber,"

peepingintochinaandsilverclosets,spicystore-rooms,andhugelinenchestssmellingoflavender.

SoonaftercameatriumphalprogresstoBrighton,duringwhichtheroyalcarriagepassedunderanendlesssuccessionoftriumphalarches,andbetweenranksonranksofschoolchildren,strewingrosesandsingingpaeans.AtBrightontherewasanimmensesacrificeofthethenfashionableandcostlyflower,thedahlia,nofewerthantwentythousandbeingused


29/120

fordecorativepurposes.Butasadderbecauseavainsacrificeonthisoccasion,wasofflowersofrhetoric.Anaddress,theresultofmuchclassicalresearchandthroesofpoeticlabor,andmarkedbythemosteffusiveloyalty,wastohavebeenpresentedtoHerMajestyatthegatesofthePavilion,butbysomemistakeshepassedinwithoutwaitingforit.

AboutthistimetheLunaticAsylumsbegantofillup.Withinoneweektwomadmenwerearrested,provedinsane,andshutupforthreateningthelifeoftheQueenandtheDuchessofKent.SoVictoria'slifewasnotallarchedoverwithdahlia-garlands,andstrewnwithroses,norwerehersubjectsallSunday-schoolscholars.

CHAPTERXI.

BanquetinGuildhall--Victoria'sfirstChristmasatWindsorCastleasQueen--Mrs.NewtonCrosland'sreminiscences--CoolnessofActorsandQuakersamidthegeneralenthusiasm--IssueofthefirstgoldSovereignsbearingVictoria'shead.

OnLordMayor'sDay,theQueenwentinstatetodinewithherbrother-monarch,theKingof"GreatLondonTown."Itwasamemorable,magnificentoccasion.TheQueenwasattendedbyallthegreatladiesandgentlemenofherCourt,andfollowedbyanimmensetrainofmembersoftheroyalfamily,ambassadors,cabinetministersandnobilitygenerally--inall,twohundredcarriagesofthem.Thedaywasageneralholiday,andthestreetsallalongthelineofthesplendidprocessionwerelinedwithpeoplehalfwildwithloyalexcitement,shoutingandwavinghatsandhandkerchiefs.ItmayhavebeenonthisdaythatLordAlbemarlegotoffhisfamouspun.OntheQueensayingtohim,"IwonderifmygoodpeopleofLondonareasgladtoseemeasIamtoseethem?"herepliedbypointingtotheletters"V.R.""YourMajestycanseetheirloyalcockneyanswer-'_Veare_.'"

Oneaccountstatesthat,"theyoungsovereignwasquiteovercomebytheenthusiasticoutburstsofloyaltywhichgreetedherallalongtheroute,"butadescriptionofthescenesentmebyafriend,Mrs.NewtonCrosland,thecharmingEnglishnovelistandpoet,paintsherasperfectlycomposed.Myfriendsays:"IwellrememberseeingtheyoungQueenonherwaytodinewiththeLordMayor,onthe9thofNovember,1837,theyearofheraccession.Thecrowdwassogreatthattherewereconstantstoppages,and,luckilyforme,oneofthemoccurredjustunderthewindowofahouseintheStrand,whereIwasaspectator.Ishallneverforgettheappearanceofthemaiden-sovereign.Youthfulasshewas,shelookedeveryinchaQueen.Seatedwiththeirbackstothehorseswerealadyandgentleman,infullCourt-dress--(theDuchessofSutherland,Mistressof

theRobes--andtheEarlofAlbemarle,MasteroftheHorse),andinthecentreoftheoppositeseat,alittleraised,wastheQueen.AllIsawofherdresswasamassofpinksatinandswan's-down.Ithinksheworealargecapeorwrapofthesematerials.Theswan's-downencircledherthroat,fromwhichrosethefairyoungface--theblueeyesbeamingwithgoodnessandintelligence--therose-bloomofgirlhoodonhercheeks,andhersoft,lightbrownhair,onwhichgleamedacircletofdiamonds,braidedasitisseenintheearlyportraits.Hersmall,white-glovedhandswerereposingeasilyinherlap.


30/120

"Onthisoccasionnotonlywerethestreetsthronged,buteverywindowinthelonglineoftheprocessionwasliterallyfilled,whilemenandboyswereseeninperilouspositionsonroofsandlamp-posts,treesandrailings.Loudandheartycheers,sounanimoustheywerelikeoneimmensemultitudinousshout,heraldedtheroyalcarriage.

"Alittlebeforethisdate,astorywastoldofthelamentationsoftheQueen'scoachman.HedeclaredthathehaddrivenHerMajestyforsixweeks,withoutoncebeingabletoseeher.Ofcoursehecouldnotturnhisheadorhiseyesfromhishorses."

AtTempleBar--poor,oldTempleBar,nowathingofthepast!--theQueenwasmetbytheLordMayor,whohandedherthecitykeysandsword,whichshereturnedtohiskeeping--alittlefurtheron,thescholarsofChrist'sHospital--the"Blue-CoatBoys,"offeredheranaddressofcongratulation,sayinghowgladtheyweretohaveawomantoruleoverthem,whichwasagooddealforboystosay,andalsosungtheNationalAnthemwithawill.

Thedrawing-roomofGuildhallwasfittedupmostgorgeously.Heretheaddressofthecitymagnateswasreadandrepliedto,--andhereinthemidstofPrincesandnobles,HerMajestyperformedabraveandmemorableact.SheknightedSheriffMontefiore,thefirstmanofhisracetoreceivesuchanhonorfromaBritishsovereign,andSirMosesMontefiore,

nownearlyacentenarian,haseversince,byanoblelifeandgoodworks,reflectedonlyhonoronhisQueen.Butah,whatwouldheruncle,thelateKing,havesaid,hadheseenherprofaningaChristianswordbylayingitontheshouldersofaJew!Hewouldratherhaveuseditontheunbeliever'sears,afterPeter'sfashion.

Afterthisceremony,theyallpassedintotheGreatHall,whichhadbeenmarvellouslymetamorphosed,byhangingsandgildings,andallsortsofmagnificentdecorations,bymirrorsandlusters,andthedisplayofvastquantitiesofgoldandsilverplate--muchofitlentfortheoccasionbynoblemenandprivategentlemen,butrivalledinsplendorandvaluebytheplateoftheCorporationandtheCityCompanies.Fromtheroofhungtwoimmensechandeliersofstainedglassandprisms,whichwiththeflashing

ofinnumerablegas-jets,lightingupgorgeousCourt-dresses,andthemostsuperbolddiamondsoftherealm,madeupasceneofdazzlingsplendor,ofenchantment,whichpeoplewhoweretheregowildovertothisday.Poetssayitwaslikeavisionoffairyland,amongthehighestcirclesofthatmostpoetickingdom--andtheyknow.Ithinkapoetmusthavemanagedthemusicalportionoftheentertainment,forwhenVictoriaappearedsweetvoicessang--

"AtOriana'spresenceallthingssmile!"

andpresently--

"Ohhappyfair!

Youreyesarelode-starsandyourtongue'ssweetair,Moretunablethanlarktoshepherd'sear,Whenwheatisgreen,whenhawthornbudsappear."

Therewasaraisedplatformattheeastendofthehall,andonitthethrone,abeautifulstate-chair,ofdaintyproportions,madeexpresslyforthatfairyPrincess,whotookherseatthereonamidthemostjoyousacclamations.Ontheplatformbeforeher,wasplacedtheroyaltable,decoratedwithexquisiteflowers,andcoveredwithacostly,gold-fringeddamaskcloth,onwhichwereservedthemostdelicateviandsanddelicious


31/120

fruits,inseasonandoutofseason.Ah,astheyoungQueen,seatedupthere,receivedthehomageoftherichly-robedAldermen,andtheresplendentSheriffs,andthateffulgentLordMayor,shemusthavefanciedherselfsomethingmorethanafairyPrincess,--say,anOrientalgoddessbeingadoredandsacrificedtobygorgeousOrientalPrinces,SultansandSatraps,Pashas,Padishas,andtheGrand-Panjandrumhimself.

Afterthedinner,animposingpersonage,calledtheCommonCrier,strodeintothemiddleofthehall,andsolemnlycriedout:"TheRightHonorabletheLordMayorgivesthehealthofourMostGraciousSovereign,QueenVictoria!"This,ofcourse,wasdrunkwithallthehonors,andextrashoutsthatmadetheoldhallring.TheQueenroseandbowedherthanks,andthentheCommonCrierannounced--HerMajesty'stoast:"TheLordMayor,andprosperitytotheCityofLo

Date post:	06-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	marc-a-fellman
View:	215 times
Download:	0 times

Queen Victoria Girlhood

Documents