Queen Victoria Girlhood
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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--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-
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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."
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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"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
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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
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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.
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"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
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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