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W Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-eight, by John Lotsll, in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture. p;S: '--'U ■#"■-* PREFATORY NOTE. The following Sketches and Anecdotes have been chiefly taken from the miscellaneous selections which have appeared, from time to time, in the Journal of Education for Upper Canada (now On- tario). The object of their original publication in that periodical was two-fold — first,- to furnish appro- priate selections for Friday readings in the School- room — and secondly, to famiUarize the youth of the country with the admirable personal quali- |ties of our beloved Soyereig|p|i her late lamented vonsort, and the other members of the Koyal [Family. The Sketches and Anecdotes (as they originally appeared), being scattered through twenty volumes )f the Journal, the editor has deemed it advisable bo collect and arrange them in a separate form, ^o as to render them easily accessible to th" 9 who lave not already seen them, or who may 4Q OONTKNTS. WfkOH S8. The Queen's Promise to aSootoh Lassie 77 69. The Queen and the Duke of Athole 77 60. The Queen's Visit to the Duchess of Athole. 78 61. Royal Uejoioings at the Fall of Sebastopol 80 62. Building the Cairn on Craig Gowan 62 VI. THE QUEEN IN ENGLAND, &o. 63. Ceremony of Locking up the Tower of London 63 64. Queen Victoria in her own Capital 84 65. Popularity of the Queen and Royal Family 85 66. Loyalty to the Queen in England 87 67. Canadian Loyalty for the Queen 68 68. The Queen and3. N. American Confederation 89 69. Hurrah ! Hurrah ! for Canada ! ( Poetry) 89 I Vn. FUBLIC ESTIMATE OF THE Q17EEN AS A BUi;.£B. 70. Stability of the Queen's Throne y. &0 71. Training of the Royal Children 91 72. Loveof the Queen for Domestic Life 92 73. Christianity the Secret of England's Stability J94 74. French appreciation of Qneen Victoria 95 75. The secret of England's greatness. ( Poetry ) 97 76. American Reriew of Queen Victoria's Reign 99 77. Lord Morpeth on the Career of Queen Victoria. ... . . 100 78. Mr. Shiel on the Queen's Visit to Public Institutions. . 101 79. Lord Brougham's Estimate of the Queen 102 80. The Queen's sorrow for Sir Robert Peel 102 81. The Queen's lament for the Duke of Wellington 103 82. The Qv.een's Devotion to Public Aflbirs 105 ym. THE FBINCECONSOBT. 183. Sketch of Prince Albert's Early LifQ }C6 84. Prince Albert's Childhood.... 108 85. Personal appearance of the Prince 109 86. Mental character of the Prince Consort 110 1 87. Prince Albert's Reverence for the BitAe 112 The Prince and the Royal Library at Windsor 113 1 89. Tytler, the Historian of Scotland and the Royal Family 114 |90. Baron Bunsen and the Royal Family 316 ii 8- CONTENTS. i PAOE 91, Sagacity of the Frince in Public Aflkira 119 9*2; Prudence and Personal Activity of the Queen and Prince Consort 120 99. The Prince's Good Sense and Nobleness of Character. 122 9-Sik The Queen a rare Example of a Constitutional Sove- reign 123 99. Prince Albert the Queen's Counsellor 125 IX. ILLNESS ANB DEATH OF THE FBINCE CONSOBT. 96. The Prince's last Sunday 126 i»7. Touching Fortitude of the Princess Alice 126 9a. The Fatal Crisis IZT 99. Aifoctionate Solicitude of the Queen and her Children 128 100. Touching and Noble Conduct of the Queen 129 101. Grief of the Young Prince Leopold 129 102. The Prince's Last Uours and Keligious Preparation... 130 103. The Queen on her Bereavement 131 104 Keligious Influence on the Prince of the Princess Boyal 183 105. The Queen's bitter regret at leaving Windsor 134 X. INCIDENTS OF THE FBINCE'S FUNEBAL. lOa. Touching Grief of the Bereaved Princes 136 107. Impressive Scene at the Funeral 136 108. Reading of the Burial Service 188 109. The Body lowered into the Vault 187 110. Grief of the Mourners Present 138 111. Concluding Incidents of the Touching Ceremony 189 112. The "Wreaths from Osborne on the Prince's Coffin 140 113. Frince Albert as a study for young men 142 XI. THE QXJEEN IN HEB WIDOWHOOD. 114. Prince Albert's Mausoleum at Frograore 144 1 113. Windsor Memorial Statue of Prince Albert 146 110. The Queen's Gratitude for the Albert Memorial 147 117. Ballast Heaviera' Address to the Queen 148 118. The Queen at Frince Albert's Birthplace 149 119. The Queen and the Canadian Libraries. , 151 120. The Prince's Well at Glenesk 152| 121,1 The Queen's Apology for her Seohuion 155 1 CONTENTS. 9 FAOE • • ■ • 119 aud . . • • 120 er. 122 ove- • • • • 128 • • • • • 125 NSOBT. t •-« • t 126 126 12T Idren 128 129 129 on... 130 131 Koyal 163 . 184 AL. . 135 . 136 • ••••• . 186 . 187 . 138 189 la • • • . 140 14?! D. 144 146 14S . 149 . 151 . 152 . 155 TAOB 122. Personal Appearance of the Queen 157 123. The Queen at the Opening of her seventh Parliament .. 150 124. Tlie Queen in the By Streets of London 164 125. Rev. Newman Hall on the Queen at Aldershott 166 126. The Queen and Koyal Family at a Review 168 XU. THE FBINCESS BOTAL (CBOWN FBINCES8 OF FBUSSIA.) 127. The Princess Royal as an Artist 168 128. Betrothal of the Princess Royal 170 129. Incidents at the Marriage of the Princess Royal 170 130. The Princees at a Berlin Fair— her generous kindness.. 178 131. The Princess in Prussia— the Queen her unfailing Authority 174 182. The Princess Royal's first born 177 183. The Princess and the Municipal Authorities of Berlin 178 134. Domestic Life of the Crown Princess of Prussia 179 135. The Crown Princess and the Empress Eugenie 188 Xm. THE FBINCE OF WALES. 136. King Edward YI, and the Prince of Wales 184 137. Early training of the Prince of Wales v ... 184 188. The Prince of Wales and Canada 187 189. Character and Acquirements of the Prince of Wales. . 188 140. Touching Letter from the Prince of Wales 189 141. The Prince of Wales in the House of Lords 190 142. The Prince of Wales at Jerusalem 191 148. The Prince witnesses the Samaritan Passover 192 144. The Prince at the Mosque of Hebron 193 145. The Prince of Wales at the Canadian Court of tbe Ex- hibition of 1862 197 XIV. THE FBINCESS ALEXANDBA. 146. The Princess Alexandra's Welcome to England 198 147. Reception of the Princess Alexandra in England 199 148. The Princess' progress through liondon 200 149. Personal Appearance of the Princess 208 IfiO. Marriage of the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alexandra 204 10 dlOefTENTS; PAOK. 161. The Friboess Alexandra at Cambridge 209 162. The Prince and Princess of Wales in Denmark 210 168. The Princess Alexandra's Christmas Gift 211 164. Present from the Qaeen to her Grandson Victor 218 156. Appearance of the Princess of Wales, 186S 216 156. Popularity of the Princess of Wales 216 XY. FBINCE ALFRED (DUKE OF EDINBUBOH.) 167. Prince Alfred under Naval Discipline 217 168. Prince Alfred's Visit to the Cape of Good Hope 217 169. Prince Alfred's Respect for the Sabbath 218 160. Shoothig at Prince Alfred at Sydney 220 161. Prince Alfred's visit to Canada 23» 162. Prince Alfred's farewell to Australia 224 XVI.— THE FBINCESS ALICE. 163. The Princess Alice and the Prince of Wales 226 164. Marriage of the Princess Alice 227 166. The Princess and the Matrons and Maidens of England 229 a. ■ '' XVn. THE TOTJNOEB FBINGES AND FBINCESSES. 166. A domestio scene on an Aniversary 229 167. Prince Arthur— His nurse's tribute to the Queen...... 231 168. The Boyal Children's love for the Prince Consort. .... 231 169. Prince Arthur's Maiden Speech in public 232 XVm.-HISCELLAinSOUS. 170. Widows' Address to t \e Queen 284 171. Prince Albert's last gift to the Queen 234 172. The Queen's regularity at Church 234 178. The Queen in Switzerland 285 174. The Boyal Yacht Osborne 237 176. Her Majesty's horses 288 I.— ANECDOTES OF THE QUEEN'S EARLY LIFE. 1.— BISHOP FULFORD'S REMINISCENCES OF THE PRINCESS VICTORIA.* The lamented Bishop Fulford, in a speech at Montreal, thus referred to the Queen's early life : Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, (he said), was bom at Kensington, in 1819, and he still remem- bered, that, in the autumn of that year, when the Queen was about four months old, he met the nurse carrying the Royal infant, and she was good enough to allow him and the friend that accompanied him to see the baby in her arms. There were then many chances against that infant ever wearing the Crown. Besides the possibility of her dying young, there were others between her and the throne. But these had died, leaving tlie Crown to devolve upon Victoria. He could not, when he looke4.upon the infant, foresee, nor could he venture to predict, the future which was in store for herj but might • From a speech, delivered at Montreal, by the Mo8t Rev. Dr. Fulford, Bishop of Montreal, and Metropolitan of Canada, at a meetirg for the erection of a statue of the Queen. 12 ANECDOTES OF THE not very mach of that prophetic eulogy in Shak- speare have been applied to her : K' 'I " And the words 1 utter Let none think flattery for they'll find them truth. This Koyal infknt, (heaven still move about her!) ' Though in her cradle, yet now promises Upon this Iftnd a thousand thousand blessings, Which time shall bring to ripeness : She shall be (But few now living can behold that goodness) A pattern to all princes living with her, And all that shall succeed : Sheba was never More covetous of wisdom, and fair virtue. Than this pure soul shall be : all princely graces, That mould up such a mighty piece as this is, With all the virtues that attend the good. Shall still be doubled on her : truth shall nurse her, Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her; She shall belov'd and fear'd: Her own shall bless her: Her foes shake like a field of beaten com, And hang their heads with sorrow : good grows with her : In her days every man shall eat in safety, Under his own vine, what he plants ; and Bing The merry songs of peace to all his neighbors : God shall be truly known ; and those about her From herihall read the perfect ways of honor, ; And by those claim their greatness, not by blood." Such were some of the many things bound up in that infant. She was then being trained up with all that care which was to fit her for the perform- ance of that work which was so soon to devolve upon her. The Bishop further said that eighteen years after, he passed on the road William D/"., on his way to London to hold a levee. It was the last he ever held. On his return, he was taken ill, and soon afterwards died at Windsor. At the same place (Kensington), where eighteen year? ago she first saw the light, Victoria now received the intelli- QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 13 gence that she was the possessor of the Crown of one of the most inqaortant nations that had a place m history. The first words she said to the Arch- bishop who brought her the intelligence were to request his Grace to pray for her. The Prime Minister, Lord Melville, arrived at 9 o'clock, and had an interview, and immediately after sum- monses were issued for a Privy Council to meet at Kensington Palace at eleven. We saw here a mighty empire passing down without a word of discontent from the hands of a vigorous man into the hands of a young and tender female, and the British Empire with its dependencies moved on without a check. A proclamation was issued by the new Queen to her subjects-, and he would recall to their memory a few words which she th^n utter- ed, very remarkable when viewed in connection with the experience of the past. After announcing the fact of her accession to the Crown, Her Majesty went on to the following effect : " This awful responsibi- lity is imposed upon me at so early a period that I would be oppressed with it, were it not for the con- fident expectation that the Divine Providence which has called me to the work, will give me strength to perform it 5 and that I shall find my zeal in the ser- vice a recompense for the ability which usually be- longs to a longer experience. Educated in England, under the tender care of a most affectionate mother, I have learned to respect the constitution of my native country." These were the words uttered in her first legal communication with her subjects. And had she not nobly redeemed them ? They did not expect to see Her Majesty person- ally among them, but they should do something by I f^. 14 ANECDOTES OF THE way cf erecting a lasting memorial to the Queen as a token to their children and children's children, of the loyal respect they cherished for the good name of good Queen Victoria. 2.-THE QUEEN'S CHILDnOOD. In the second volume of the ' ' Passages of a Work- ing Life," the following little reminiscence of the year 1827, while Mr. Knight lived at Brompton, occurs : — I delighted to walk in Kensington GkirdenS, some- times on a holiday afternoon, with my elder girls — more frequently in the early morning, on my way to towM. Glancing in the intervals of my present task of reviving old memories, at the work of a poet, who ought to be more widely known, I find these lines : " Once as I strayed, a student happiest then. What time the summer garniture was on, Beneath the princely bhades of Kensington A girl I spied, whose years might number ten, With full round eyes and fair soft English face." BMiuch a season when the sun was scarcely high enoUgh to have dried up the dews of Kensington's green alleys, as I passed along the broad central 'Walk, I saw a group on the lawn before the Palace, which to my mind was a vision of exquisite loveli- ness. The Duchess of Kent and her daughter, whose years then numbered nine, are breakfasting in the open air — ^a single page attending on them at a re- spectable distance, the matron looking on with eyes of love, while the fair soft English face is bright with smiles. The world of fasMon is not yet astir. Clerks and jnechanios passing onward to their ooonpations )| QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 15 ,Work- of the tnpton, I, some- girls— way to jnt task •et, who ) lines : are few ; and they exhibit nothing of that vulgar curiosity which I think is more commonly found in the class of the merely rich than in the ranks below them in the world's estiiration. What a beautiful characteristic it seems to me of the training of this royal girl that she should not have been taught to shrink from the public eye, that she should rnjoy the freedom and simplicity of a child's nature — that she should not be restrained when she starts up from the breakfast table and runs to gather a flower in the adjoining pasture — that her merry laugh should be as fearless as the notes of thrushes round her. I passed on and blessed her ; and thank God I bare lived to see the golden fruits of such training. 3.— THE PBINCESS VICTORIA'S GENEROUS KINDNESS TO A YOUNG LADY. The following admirable trait in the character of the Queen may not be generally known : — ^When Princess Victoria, she is said frequently to have amused herself by going, incogniioj in a carriage, to different shops, and derived great entertainment, when divested of the appendages attendant upon I royalty, in observing as a passive spectator the infi- jnite variety of incidents and occupations with which London abounds. Being one day at a jeweller's among many other objects that attracted her atten- tion, was one that fixed it. This was a young and intelligent lady, who was most sedulously employed in Loking over different gold chains for the neck, which were alternately presented to Jjer for inspec- Ition. After she had admired iseverajl, Bhe asked the price of one whioh seemed to have peculiarly llfeieiiqlE 16 ANECDOTES OP THE m # l^-JS her fancy. The price was more than she imagined it would have been. ^' Could it not be offered cheaper V' she asked. ^'Impossible," was the reply. The young lady seemed disconcerted, examined the chain again, took it up and finally laid it down again, appearing to part from it with reluctance. However, she at length admitted that the price was far too high, chose a much cheaper one, which she I ordered to be sent home, and went away. The young | Princess Victoria, who had silently observed the dif- ferent workings of the mind of the lady as displayed I in her countenance, enquired who she was and upon receiving satisfactory information, ordered the firm to pack up the gold chain which had so attracted her attention with the one she had purchased, and send it with a card, signifying that the Princess Vic-I toria was so well pleased with observing that thel young lady who had been so much taken with the! beauty and workmanship of the chain, had yet sol much command of her passions as not to sufferl these to t)vercome her prudence, that she, therefore,! m token of her approval, desired her to accept thel chain which she so much admired, in the hope thati she would always persevere in that laudable line off conduct upon which female happiness so much| depended. 4.-.THE PRINCESS VICTOEIA'S KINDNESS OF HEART.»| While the Queen's father, the Duke of j^ent, we at Gibraltar, the regiment which he command< * This anecdote was related to the editor by the late Rev. DrJ Vaugban, (a dlstiaguished Congregational minister) while on i Tisit to Ganftda in 1861. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 17 r HEART.' was discontented and inclined to mutiny ; he had one servant named Hillman, who remained faithful to him. When the Duke returned home from Gibral- jtar he brought this servant with him, and assigned him a cottage near his palace at Kensington. Be- fore his death the Duke charged his wife to look after Hillman and his family. This she faithfully Idid 5 and often brought the Princess Victoria with Iher to see them. At length, Hillman died, leaving )ne son and a daughter ; the son was a little fellow, md was very sicklj , The Princess Victoria (who Was a young girl at that time) used often to come md see this little boy until his death. The daughter was also very ill, she had a complication of diseases, [er pastor, the Kev. Dr. Vaughan, who was lately [n Canada, used to visit her about once a fortnight.* 'wo days after the accession of the Queen to the :hrone, her pastor visited her as usual, and foxmd ler looking unusually bright ; he asked her the 'eason : she put her hand under the pillow, and Irewfortha book of Psalms, "Look there," she jaid. "Look what the new Queen has sent me to. lay by one of her ladies, with the message, that though now Queen of England, as she had to leave Kensington, she did not forget me.' " The lady who ►rouglit the book told her that the lines and figures the margin were the dates of the days on which [he Queen herself used to read them, and that -^he larker with the little peacock on it Tisas worked by ti Princess' own hand. The yotm^^l burst into ears, and said, "was it not beautiful^ sir?" t * The death of the venerable Dr. Vaughan in EngUuid has scently been announced. B I*' li' "1 18 ANECDOTES OF THE 5.--THE YOUNG QUEEN-A BEAUTIFUL IN'DIDENT. William IV. expired about midnight; u.fc Windsor Pal ace. The Archbishop of Canterbury, with other peers aM hj^h functionaries of the kingdom were in .attendance. As soon as the '' sceptre had departed" with the last breath of the King, the Archbishop quitted Windsor Castle, and made his way, with all possible speed to Kensington Palace, the residence i at the time of the Princess — already by the law of succession, Queen Victoria. He arrived long before | daylight, announced himself and requested an im- mediate interview with the Princess. She hastily! attired herself, and met the venerable prelate in her I ante-room. He informed her of the demise of King William IV, and formally announced to her that she] was, in law and right, successor to the deceased mo- narch. " The sovereignty of the most powerful na- tion of the earth lay at the feet of a girl of eighteen." She was, de jurcj queen of the only i^alm, in fact of history, <'on which the sun never sets." She wasl deeply a^tated at the " formidable words, so fraughtl with blessings or calamity." The first words she| was able to utter were these, "I ask your prayers ii my behalf.'' They knelt down together ; and Viol toria inaugurated her feign, Kke the young King off Israel in the olden time, by asking from the Mostl High, who ruleth in the kingdoms of men, "an un| derstanding heart to judge so great a people, who could not be numbered nor counted for multitude."* The sequel of the Queen's reign has been worthj of such a beginning. Every throne of Europe tottered since that day. Most of them have for time overturned. That of England was never so QUEEN AND UOYAL FAMILY. 19 fiitnly seated in the loyalty and love of the people as at this hour. Queen Victoiiu. ei\joys a personal influence, too — the heartfelt homage as a wife, a mother, a friend and benefactor to the poor, a OUr is- tian woman — incomparably wiser and greater than any monarch now reigning. She is loved at hom^ and admired abroad. Throughout America there exists a more profound and abiding respect for Victoria than perhaps for any other living person. 6,-DELICACY OF THE XOUTHFUL QUEEN TO THE QUEEN DOWAGER. Mr. S. F. B. Morse relates in the New York Jour- nal of Commei'ce this anecdote of Queen Victoria of England : — ''I was in London in 1838, and was pre- sent with my excellent friend the late Charles E. Leslie, R.A., at the imposing ceremonies of the co- ronation of the Queen in Westminster Abbey. He then related to me the following incident, which I think may truly be said to have been the first act of her reign : When her predecessor, William IV, died, a messenger was immediately dispatched by his Que-n (then become by his death Queen Dowager), to Victoria apprising her of the event. She imme- diately called for paper, and indited a letter of con- dolence to the widow. Folding it;, sh^ directed it < To the Queen of England.' Her nuod of honour in attendance, noticing the inBcription, Sfidd : 'Your I Majesty, you are Queen of England.' ' Yes,' she rer plied, < but the widowed Queen is not to be remind- ed of the fact first by me.' This, indeed, in but Oikie I of the many incidents illustrative of tlukt. delicate 20 ANECDOTES OF THE consideration for tho feelings of others for which she is personally distinguished. We can no longer wonder at that manifestation of enthusiasm which the mere mention of the name of their Queen excites in the breast of her subjects. It is not so much the throne as the personal character of its incumbent which gives to English loyalty its strength and beau-' ty, although in the present case both position and character, doubtless, imite to intensify the senti- ment." m 7.— THE QUEEN'S OATH AT HER CORONATION. It is now more than a quarter of a century since Queen Victoria, then a fair-haired, blue-eyed girl, took the oath at her coronation in Westminster Abbey. She stood forth with calm self-reliance in that proud and imposing assembly of all the nobility, learning, genius and beauty of her realm, under the towering arches of that most majestic cathedral, and swore to govern them according to their ancient laws. The Archbishop of Canterbury advanced to- wards the Queen, and addressed Her Majesty thus : " Madam, is your Majesty wiUing to take the oath?" The Queen; answered "I am willing." Then said the Archbishop : " Will you solemnly I promise and swear to govern the people of this United* Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dominions thereto belonging, according toj the Statutes in Parliament agreed on and the re- spective laws and customs of the same ?" The Queen : "I solemnly promise so to do." The Archbishop:. ^ Will you, to the utmost of I QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 21 your power, cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgments?" The Queen: "I will." The Archbishop : " Will you to the utmost of your power, maintain the laws of God, the true profession of the Gospel and the Protestant Reformed religion established by law? — and will you maintain and pre- serve inviolable the settlement of the United Church of England and Ireland, and the doctrine, worship, discipline and government thereof, as by law estab- lished within England and Ireland, and the territo- ries thereunto belonging 1 And will you preserve unto the bishops and clergy of England and Ireland, and to the churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as by law* do or shall appertain to them, or any of them ?" The Queen : <' All this I promise to do." ? Then the Queen, arising out of her diair, attended by her supporters, and assisted by the Lord Great Chamberlain, the sword of State alone being carried before Her Majesty, proceeded to the altar, where, kneeling on the cushion placed on the steps, and lajring her right hand on the Holy Gospel in the Great Bible which had been carried in the proces- sion, she took the coronation oath, saying these words: — '* The things which I have herebefore pro- mised I will perform and keep, so help me God." Then the Queen kissed the book, and to a tran- script of the oath set her royal sign manual. Such were the obli.t;ations to which Queen Victoria solemnly pledged herself at her coror ition, in 1838» and who shall say that they have not been performed ? It is to this sacred performance of her duties that she owes her present firm position on the throne. hi IK a ANECDOTES OF THE 8.-THE QUEEN'S EABLY TRAINING. The following passages are from a sketch of Queeti Victoria, written by Mrs. S. J. Hale, for the Woman^s Record. The interesting view in which the mother of the Queen appears will be readily appreciated j a noble woman truly, to whose wisdom and fidelity the virtue* of Victaria are a lasting tribute of honor : Victoria, the reigning Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, was bom at Kensington Palace, May 24 1819. Her father was Edward, Duke of Kent fourth son of George HI, and her mother was Vic toria Maria Louisa, daughter of the Duke of Saxe Coburg. Left a widow when her delicate infant was about eight months old, the Duchess of Kent devo ted herself to the great purpose of training her daughter to be worthy of the crown which it seemed probable that she might wear. Queen Victoria is, therefore, the exponent of female nature rightly cultivated for the highest station a mortal can in- herit by birth. The means by which this instruction was perfected, and the results to humanity, are studies for the statesman, philosopher and Christian. In our brief sketch we shall only allude to some of the smail circumstances, yet really great events, because influencing a mind that was to have a vast influence on other minds. The ordering and train- ing of Queen Victoria was entirely the work of her wise-hearted mother, and chiefly accomplished by female agencies. That her education was of the highest and most perfect order for her station, there are ample proofs; it has given to the greatest monarchy in the world, the best sovereign the world contains j the best of her royal line ; the best, mor- i'ti QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 23 ally speaking, that ever sat on England's throne. More than this, Victoria was trained to perform all her duties ; she is an accomplished lady, as perfect in her feminine, as in her queenly character; a duti- ful daughter ; a loving wife ; a watchful mother ; a kind mistress; a generous benefactor; an exem- plary Chi Istian. There are no startling contrasts, no weak inconsistencies in her conduct. Such uniform adherci o the right and proper, under circum- Btancet: ^vfish propensities are so often stim- ulated aiivi so easily gratified, must be the result of the conscientious principle early and unceasingly cultivated. In this lies the germ of all moral good- ness, and the element of all true greatness. Let us see how the teachings of a mother could thus lead her child in the way of righteousness, whose end is always happy. Before the birth of this precious child, the Duchess of Kent had shown — in the previous circumstances of her life, and particu- larly in the personal sacrifices and risks she endured when, leaving her own home in Germany, she hast- ened to England, so that her offspring might be British born — her deep devotion to duty, and that innate wisdom which has guided her through every task and trial. The Duchess of Kent nursed her infant at her own bosom ; always attended on the bathing and dressing ; and as soon as the little gir^ could sit alone, she was placed at a small table beside her mother's at her meals, yet never indulged in any except the prescribed simple kind of food. Thus were the sentiments of obedience, temperance and self-control early inculcated and brought into daily exercise. 24 ANECDOTES OP THE 9.—THE QUEEN AND HER FATHER'S CREDITORS. The Duke of Kent died in debt for money borrowed of his friends. The Duchess instructed the little Princess concerning these debts, and encouraged her to lay aside portions of money which might have been expended in the purchase of toys, as a fund to pay these demands against her deceased father. Thus were awakened and cultivated those noble virtues, justice, fortitude, fidelity, prudence, with that filial devotion which is the germ of patriotism, And thus throughout all the arrangements during the first seven years, the order, tho simplicity, the conscientiousness of the teacher were moulding the ductile and impressible mind and heart of the pupil to follow after wisdom and to do the right. Love, in her mother's form, was ever round the little Princess j the councils and examples of that faithful monitor, like an inspiration, served to lift up the young soul to have hopes in God and faith in the Lore Tesus Christ. The scrupulousness with which Victoria paid the debts of her father (who was at one time so poor as. I to be unable to afford to transport his family from | Germany to England), is not so well known as it deserves to be. The author of the <^ Woman of| Beauty" thus alludes to this trait in the Queen's character:—*' One of the first measures of Victoria was to pay from her own private purse the remain- ing debts of her father — those which she and her mother had been unable, by th^ imited economy, to liquidate. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 25 10.— THE QUEEN'S EARLY INSTRUCTORS. Well was it that the Duke of Kent left his wife sole guardian over his child. The Duchess could arrange the whole manner of Victoria's education and sup- erintend it. She did do this. From the day of her lusband'sdeath till Victoria was proclaimed Queen, the Duchess of Kent never separated herself from ler daughter. They slept in the same apartment ; ^he first lessons were given by maternal: lips, and i^hen careful teachers were employed, still the lother was present, sharing the amusements and mcouraging the exercises and innocent gaiety of the child. Thus was Victoria trained. Her intel- ectual education was as thorough as her physical ind moral. From her cradle she was taught to speak fhree languages- — English, German and French. In ler fifth yeai, her mother chose as perceptor for the Vincess, the Kev. George Davys, now, through the gratitude of his pupil. Bishop of Peierboro' . In the ^o-operotion afforded by this gentleman with the rise plans of the Duchess for her daughter's instruc- tion, he evinced great excellence of moral character, jind his faithfulness was well rewarded. The Duch- bss confided in him fully. On his authority we learn ihe Duchess made it a rule that the Bible should )e daily read to the young princess. When the Princess became heir-presumptive to [he throne, and it was intimated to her mother that |ome distinguished prelate should be appointed striictor, and Earl Grey named the Bishop of Ancoln, then was the conscientious and truly noble lind of the Duchess displayed. She expressed her erfect approval of Dr. Davys as her daughter's ■":fe.'5r-v 26 ANECDOTES OP THE 1 tutor, and declined any change; but hinted that, if a dignified clergyman were indispensable to fill this | important oflBce, there would be no objection if Dr. Davys received the preferment he had always well I merited. He was soon afterwards made Dean of| Chester. Such traits deserve notice, because illus- trative of the good influences which surrounded thel young Princess, and also because they exhibit al constancy of woman's esteem when gained by worthy) conduct. Besides her preceptor, Victoria had an excellent! instructress, the Baroness Lehzen, whose serviceg| were likewise retained through the whole term of her education; and the long harmony so happilyj maintained between the mother and her auxiliaries in this important work of preparing a Sovereign tol be worthy of a throne, is an example worth considel ration by those who would seek the ber-t models foij private education. 11.— JUDICIOUS TRAINING OF THE DUCHESS 0FKENT| It has been stated repeatedly and never contradict ed, that the Princess Victoria was not aware of heJ claims on the succession till a little before the death oi her uncle, George IV. The Duchess had thus carefuUjj guarded her child from the pernicious flattery inferiors, and kept her young heart free from hopt or wishes which the future might have disappointed] When the accession of King William placed herne^ the throne, she had completed her eleventh yeaij ''and evinced abilities and possessed accomplisl ments very rare for that tender age in any rank QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 27 ffe," says an English author. "She spoke French id German with fluency, and was acquainted with kalian ; she had made some progress in Latin, being )le to read Virgil and Horace with ease ; she had )mmenced Greek, and studied mathematics, and winced peculiar aptness for that science of reality ; ^deed, in all the sciences connected with numbers, le royal pupil showed great skill and powers of kason." She had also made good proficiency in [usic and drawing; in both of which arts she after- irds became accomplished. JSOFKENTl 12.-THE PRINCESS VICTORLA COMING OF AGE. ■ [Thus happily engaged in acquiring knowledge of fery kind necessary for her royal station — among lich the knowledge of the people was not neglect- I, nor the arts, sciences, and employments which [ost conduce to the prosperity and advancement of lation — this young Princess passed the interven- |g years till her majority, May 24, 1837. The day kept as a general holiday throughout the king- )m. The city of London voted addresses of con- itulation to the Princess Victoria and the Duchess Kent on that occasion, which we notice in order give a few sentiments from the reply of the Duch- \8. She said : " The Princess has arrived at that ^e which justifies me in expressing my confident tpectation that she will be found competent to cecute the sacred trust which may be reposed in jr; for, communicating as she does, with all classes society, she cannot but perceive that the greater ie diffusion of religious knowledge and the love of 28 ANECDOTES OP THE freedom in a country, the more orderly, indiistriousl and wealthy is its population ; and that the desirej to preserve the constitutional prerogatives of the crown ought to be co-ordinate with the protectioi of the liberties of the people." 13.— INCIDENTS OF THE QUEEN'S ACCESSION. In four weeks from that day, the sudden death oj William IV gave the sovereignty of the Britislf Empire to this young maiden of eighteen. Beautil fully has she fulfilled the expectations of her mother and the hopes of the nation. The manner in whicll the Duchess relinquished her power over her daugl ter, was a fitting sequel to the faithfulness witj which she had exercised it. The great officers state and privy councillors, a hundred or more the nobles of the land, assembled on the morning i June 20, at Kensington Palace. They wereushere into the grand saloon. Soon Victoria appeared, ad companied by the officers of her household. Aftcf the Puchess had seen her royal daughter enthrone on a seat of state prepared for the occasion, si withdrew and left the young Queen with her Counci| From that hour the Duchess treated her augi daughter with the respectful observance which h^ station, according to court etiquette, demands, more advice, no further instructions, not even suJ gestions, were ever offered. Doubtless, if the Quee[ seeks her mother's council in private, it is alwaj given in love and truth; but the good seed been sown at the right time ; it put forth, by tl| blessing of God, spontaneously. The soul, like soil, mut,t bear its own harvest. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 29 |4.— THE QUEEN'S EARLY CAREER— HER MARRIAGE. On the 17th of June, 1837, the young Queen made ler first public appearance as sovereign over her Jealm ; she prorogued parliament in person | never i^as .the act done more royally. On the 28th July, 1838, she was crowned in West- linster Abbey. Never wer the long and tedious [eremonies more gracefully endured. From that ime onward there has been no diminution in iter Zeal. Every duty devolving on her, every form Prescribed, every custom held important in the old |nd cumbrous British Government, Victoria has per- >rmed, observed and cherished. She has been the lodel of female royalty. But this is a trifling mat- jr, compared with the salutary influence her high principles, refined taste, and graceful propriety of lanners have wielded over those who gave the tone fashionable society in England. Vice and folly |etire abashed from her presence. Great Britain is governed by laws, but the ruler not amenable to these laws. Hence the impor- mce that the sovereign should show obedience to le laws of God, from which the morality of all thristian codes is educed. The great blessing of a imale reign is in its purity of court morals, and in decorum of manners. These strengthen the jligious elements of human nature, and give the )ul the supremacy over sense. This example of strict virtue on the British throne one of its chief glories ; hence the great blessing >nferred by the reign of Victoria, who is, in her [rivate life, a model for her people. She was mar- iexi on the lOth of February, 1840, to her cousin, 30 ANECDOTES OP THE Prince Albert, of Saxe-Coburg, who had been foJ a time her associate in childhood} and whose devel] opment of character and talents has fully justified tha wisdom of her choice and the worth of her influence! The imion was me of mutual affection, and has been remarkably happ^ and fortmiate. The royal paiJ have eight childre/i. All these children are care] fully trained under the supervision of their royal parents, and the family of the Queen is one of th( best governed and guided in^England. 15.--EXCELLENT SOCIAL INFLUENCE OF THE QUEEN| Under the heading of "good queen vie." the Nen York Mail thus speaks of Her Majesty: — ''So much of the Queen's private journal as hs thus far been given to the public only serves increase our admiration for the lady who sits upoJ the British throne. Royalty has been stripped o| all the bariiers and ceremonies by which it is suj rounded, and we are permitted to look in upon that happy family circle, of which the Queen is thj bright and shining centre. Upon every page wf see the simplicity, and therein, the greatness her nature, the goodness of her heart, and thJ purity of her soul. The English people have nothinj to fear from such a ruler as this. If there is distresf among the poor of that land, it is owing to circ stances over which the Queen can have no ocmirc W€ feel that she sympathizes with each one of thei and that if sacrifices on her part could be of anj avail, they would willingly be made. QUEEN AND BOTAL FAMILY. 31 < ' The Queen's book is highly moral and instructive \u its tendency. Upon every page we see how she rorshipped her husband — "her dearly beloved Libert." A forty-eight hours' separation from him vas painful to her. She loved and adored him.' 'his is a good example for all the women of the sivilized world to follow. "But how can a wife love her husband unless he worthy of that love — V4nless he strives to win and Leep it? The influeifse this book will exert upon le English masses as regards the cultivation of the iocial relations will be highly beneficial. It even leaches across the Atlantic, and in America we )ok upon her as the mother of us all. "The good Queen of England treats h€r servants dth a kindness and consideration which may well le imitated in many republican families. The least let of kindness on their part wins her gratitude ind esteem. By such acts as those she wins thib love of all the lower classes, and no one in her kingdom would hesitate to do her a service." II.— THE QUEEN'S DOMESTIC LIFE. 16.-TEACHERS AND NURSES l^ IjpS QUEEN'S HOUSEHOLD. *>^ One of the speakers at a missiojoftry meeting in lieicester, England, gave some information concem- ig the teachers and nurses to whom is entrusted Ihe training of the children of the Royal Family. The monthly nurse in the Queen's household, he 32 ANECDOTES OP THE stated, was a member of Dr. Steane's (Baptist) Chm-ch, at Camberwell. The Princess Royal, now the Princess Frederick WiUiam, received her first serious religious impressions through reading a sfer- mon of Adolphe Monod, and became thoroughly religious. When the last child was born, a Wesleyan was selected for nurse. The teacher of the Prince of Wales, Mr. Gibbs, was a Nonconformist. Pre- vious to appointment he was sent for twice, and for two hours was subjected to a severe questioning by the Prince Consort and Her Majesty, to test his knowledge. All the heads of the department about Her Majesty were pious people. Every child that was born in the Royal Family was born amid many prayers. The pious members of the household as- sembled themselves together, and continued praying for the Queen until the child was bom, when they gave God thanks. He then thanked God for such a Queen and such a Court, and that under her, God was prospering Britain as he had never prospered it before. 17.— TEE QUEEN'S TWO DAUGHTERS, AND THE HOUSE- MAID. Two of the little English Princesses once went into a room where a servant was polishing a stove- grate, and insisted on helping her. After getting possession of the brushes, they pohshed the woman's face instead of the grate. The servant was ready to sink with confusion, for she could not leave the apartment without encountering Prince Albeiit. He was astonished to se# ilkdirty an object em^gmg from his rooms, and inquired tine meaning ;i»f i%. QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILT. - 83 The servant reluctantly told him. It soon reached the ears of the Queen, and she was seen crossing the court, leading the two Princesses by the hand, to- wards the servant's quarters. Her Majesty sought out the woman, made her daughters ask her pardon, and sent them at once to the nearest millinery and dress establishment, to purchase a complete outfit — dress, bonnet, shawl, gloves, &c., and pre- sent them to the servant in lieu of the dress they had soiled upon her. The articles were purchased with their own money, and consequently their sup- ply of it was curtailed materially ; but this they said they didn't care for in the least — in fact, it rather pleased thei than otherwise — it was only asking the woman's |)ardon they didn't like. yr pi 18.— INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION OF THE QUEEN'S CHILDREN. At the sea-side residence of Queen Victoria, in the Isle of Wight, a large portion of pleasure grounds is appropriated to the young Princes and Princesses, who iiave each a flower and vegetable garden, greenhouses, hothouses, and forcing frames, nurseries, toolhousee, and even a carpenter's shop. Here the royal children pass much of their time. Each is sTipplied with a set of tools, marked with the name of the owner J and here they work with the enthusi- I agm of an amateur anr*, ibe zeal of an Anglo-Saxon. There is no branch of gardening in which the royal children are not au fait Moreover, on this juvenile I property is a building, the ground-floor of which is tittodup as a kitchen, with pantries, closet^ jlairy, 34 ANEODOTIS OF THE larder, all complete in their arrangements ; and here may be seen the young Princesses, arrayed d la cuisinihre^ floured to the elbows, deep in the mys- teries of pastry making, like a rosy English girl, cooking the vegetables from their own gardens, pre- serving, pickling, baking, sometimes to partake among themselves, or to distribute to the poor of the neighbourhood, the result of their handiwork. The Queen is determined that nothing shall re- main unlearned by her children ; nor are the young people ever happier than during their sojourn at Osborne. I 19.— EDUCATION IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES. In the Queen's establishment is a museum otl natural history, furnished with curiosities collected by the royal party in their rambles and researches — geological and botanical specimens, stuffed birds and animals, articles of their own construction, and | whatever is cmious or interesting, classified and ar- ranged by themselves. Here the most exalted and I purifying tastes are cultivated. Here nature, com- mon to us all, is studied and admired ; while beyond this, a capabihty of entering into the condition of the people, and a sympathy for their labours, is aoquiredi by a practical knowledge of what laboiu' is 3 and I though we need scarcely suppose that the royall children weary themselves as those who toil by the( sweat of their brow, yet, even in their modera:te dig- ging and working, they must learn the better to] appreciate the resu^s of labour in the luxmies sur- rounding tham. Not plants alone are cultivated J I'Ut health vigour, and liberality— every quality. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 35 ; and lyed d jmyB- hgirl, LB, pre- artake Doorof iiwork. lall re- I young ourn at fact, that must tend to make them better men and women, and better fitted to fill the stations Providence has allotted to them. — Home Journal. 20.— THE BIRDS AND THE LITTLE PRINCES. DES. leum oil Prince Albert was intensely fond of animals, and especially of birds. Few grounds have been so densely peopled by the feathered songsters as those attached to the Palace at Pimlico, for it was a pri- vilege to them ; not a nest was ever knowingly dis- turbed, and it was the constant aim of the h>yal father to teach his children to show tenderness to helpless creatures. The prince and princess had ollected Beach their little garden 5 nests were often watched searches ■ — not to terrify the parent birds, but to guard them jd birds ■fyom accidental disturbance, so that every family of ion, andBfledglingshad from the moment of their birth a and ar-B guarded home on sacred ground. On one occasion ted and Hone of the children found in the garden a blind e, com- ■sparrow; This member of a great pugilistic comlnu- beyondBnity had had its eyes scratched out in a fight, and moi thel^hen found was completely helpless. The child was uiredBmuch concerned about its fate, and secured the good ervices of Mrs. Wynnes, the gardener's wife, beg- g of her to nurse it while the family were away at sbome. On their return to Pimlico, the child, who never foi*gotten the blind sparrow, hastened to |ett^ toBBnqQii.e of j^ijg. Wynnes, respecting it, and was iB Bur-Heeply grieved to heai* that it had died in spite of jtivatedjMnost careful tending.— fl?66ar(r« Gardener's Maga- ity, u^ine. lis ; and! ^e royall by thel ijbe dig- ■1 .5 36 ANECDOTES OP THE n.— TOBACCO rROHlBlTED AT WINDSOR CASTLE. The use of tobacco for smoking purposes within, the precincts of Windsor Castle has been prohibited by the express command of Her Majesty the Queen. Cards, neatly framed and glazed, requesting that gentlemen will not smoke in the castle, have been hung in the private rooms of the lords in waiting, and the equeries of the royal suite, and even in the rooms of the York tower, which were fitted for Hie Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The servants and workmen of the castle are also prohibited from smoking within the castle, by command of Hcr| Majesty. 22.-THE QUEEN'S DAILY LIFE, A former tutor in the royal household in a recentl lecture thus depicted a day in the Queen's life. She! rose (he said), at half-past six in summer, seven in| winter, and always walked abroad, returning tc morning prayers and breakfast, at which she ate heartily, and subsequently spent half an hour in the nursery. She next received the Master of the Household, and decided what invitations should be accorded for the day, and then visited heil aviary, menagerie, aquarium, or stables. She waa passionately fond of horses, and a good rider. Ai feleven o'clock she accorded audience to the Secre tary of War, the Home and Foreign Secretaries | at twelve she lunched. At three she entered he carnage or rode on horseback, either visiting, or some errand of charity. An anecdote was related QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 37 her kindness and liberality towards Mrs. Warner, the actress. The Queen also gave a medal to Florence Nightingale. Betuming from her drive or ride, her Majesty dined in state. But that over, etiquette was dismissed : in the drawing room the Queen played on the piano and indulged in German games. At eleven she retired to rest. III.— THE QUEEN'S GOODNESS OF HEART AS A SOVEREIGN. 28.— AN EARLY INCIDENT OF THE QUEEK^S CLEMENCY. It is related that during the first few days of the reign of Queen Victoria, then a girl between nine- teen and twenty years of age, some sentences of a Crce between England and Madagascar, there occurred in the margin these remarkable words: '' Queen Victoria asks o*' a personal favour to herself tJiat the Queen of Madagascar will allow no persecution of the Christians.^ ^ In the treaty which was signed a month before he came over there, occurred these words: "In accordance with the wish of Queen Victoria, the Queen of Madagascar engages there shall be no persecution of the Christians in Mada- gascar." How remarkable an exemplification of the truth of the divine declaration that Queens <' shall be nursing mothers." QUEEN AND BOTAL FAMILY. 43 28.— THE QUEEN CONFERS KNIGHTHOOD ON A COLOURED MAN. The Queen of England has recently conferred an unexpected honour upon one of the officers of the Colonial Government j an honour such as never before was given by any British sovereign to such a British subject. In the Island of Jamaica, there has lived during the last sixty years a man whose life both in private and public has been singularly disinterested, unselfish, and heroic; who in the I e- ginning of his career, gave evidence of fine literary abilities ; but who earned his first title to the grati- tude of good men, not by these, but by advocating, at the hazard of his life, a great and noble cause, in behalf of which, in the days of its early struggles, he brought upon himself an indictment for high treason, and narrowly escaped the scaflfold ; and in behalf of which, in the more prosperous years which have succeeded, he has laboured incessantly for a more complete recognition t)efore the world of the social and civil rights of his own race. He is an old man who has seen much service, and on whose grey head has now graciously fallen, from the Queen's hand, the honour of knighthood. We only add here that he is a negro ; but at the same time one whom the Queen of the first empire of the globe has found fit to welcome to one of the orders in her circle of her nobility, and whom* the peers of her realm — styled " the first gentlemen of Europe " — are made to recognize hereafter as Sir Edward Jor- don, Knight of the Order of the Bath. Mr. Samuel Cockbum, a gentleman of colour, and a Creole, of the Island of Granada, has been appointed Admin- IfflllJI 44 ANECDOTES OF THE istrator of the Government of Montserrat. — Ameri- can Paper. IV.— THE QUEEN'S ACTIVE BENEVO- LENCE AND SYMPATHY. mW'L I li J'ill ^ !■ 1 .m; ^.-SYMPATHY OP THE QUEEN FOR THE HARTLEY COLLIERY SUFFERERS. In a letter dated "Osborne, January 23," Sir C. B. Phipps, by command of Her Majesty, writes as follows : "The Queen, in the midst of her own over- whelming grief, has taken the deepest interest in the dreadful accident at Hartley, and up to the last had hoped that at least a considerable number of | the poor people might have been recovered alive. The appalling news since received has affected the Queen very much. Her Majesty commands me to say, that her tenderest sympathy is with the poor widows and mothers} and that her own misery only makes her feel the more for them. Her Majesty hopes that everything will be done, as far as pos- sible, to alleviate their distress; and Her Majesty will feel a sad satisfaction in assisting in such measures." A cheque for £200 accompanied this letter. 30.— THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO THE NETLEY VICTORIA HOSPITAL. The first public act of the Queen after her bereave- ment has been a characteristic one. In May, 1S63, she paid a long visit to the military hospital at Netley, QUEEN ASD royal FAMILY. 45 the foundation stone of which she and the Prince Consort laid nearly seven years ago. The Prince Consort always took a great interest in this hospital, and frequently visited it. He was very anxious tc have a military hospital worthy of the nation, and fitted for the brave soldiers whose health had failed in foreign service. Her Majesty participated in these wishes, and her visit so soon after the opening of the hospital shows how much she has at heart the carrying out of the Prince's views for the welfare of the soldier. Her Majesty expressed a wish to visit first the foundation stone. She stayed here a few minutes, but it was a painful reminiscence. She bore it, however, firmly, and then entered the hospital. In the first ward into which she went, a Victoria Cross man from India was lying very ill in bed. She immediately went up to him, addressed him most kindly, and sent for the officer in charge of the division to tell her about his state. She con- tinued this in every ward into which she entered. Whenever she saw a man very ill, she walked up to his bed side, spoke to him, inquired about hfm, and showed the greatest interest in his case. In one ward an incident occurred which affected those who were present. An old Irish soldier from India lay nearly at the point of death. After the Queen had spoken to him, he said : << I thank God that he has allowed me to live long enough to see your Majesty with my own eyes." The Queen and the Princess Alice were both touched by this speech, which came from the very heart of the djmig man. The aspect of the whole hospital was extremely touching. It is now almost filled with Indian inva- lids, splendid old soldiers^ bearded and bronzed; i 46 ANECDOTES OF THE many of them magnificent men of the ante-Crimean I class. They throng* e corridors, drawn up in lines, and absolute ;Voured their Queen with their eyes. She . bowing to them kindly as] she walked alon After looking at the chapel, bath-room, and kit- chen, she expressed a wish to see the rooms of the! Army Medical School, and accordingly visited the library, museum, lecture-room, laboratory, and mi- croscopical room. At each place the professors were sent for to explain the arrangements. She then went into the quarters of the married soldiers. The Queen and Princess Alice spoke to several of the women, and enquired after their comfort. The Queen then re-embarked, after spending nearly two hours in the hospital. 1 The day was beautiful, the sky cloudless, and nothing could be more cheerful than the look of | the hospital grounds. Everybody connected with the institution was, of course, most highly gratified, not merely with the honour of the visit, but with the way, at once so thoroughly royal and womanly, in which she had shown her interest in her sick soldiers. The Queen's appearance was deeply interesting. When she is silent, her face is sad, and bears the marks of a heartfelt and abiding sorrow. Her smile is, however, as gracious as ever, and her voice, though low and very gentle, has all its old sweetness a;nd clearness. She did not seem fatigued with her long walk through the hospital, though she must have gone over several miles of ground, and had many stairs to mount. So carefully had the news of her visit been concealed, that there was scarcely any QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 47 me to see her except the inmates of the hospital md the workmen Btill engaged there, and their dves and children. — The Lancet 31.— THE QUEEK'S VISIT TO A WOKKllOUSE. Her Majesty lately paid a visit of inspection to |the Windsor Union Workhouse. Her Majesty ard juite, on alighting, were received by the very rever- lend Dr. Wellesley, the Dean of Windsor — who is a constant visitor to the invalids and infirm poor of the house. Her Majesty commenced her inspection with an examination of the men's dining hall, and old men's ward, whence the illustrious visitors passed (to the boys' school-room, where the boys were at work under the superintendence of the schoolmas-' I ter, and after an examination of this portion of the house, her Majesty was pleased to express her ap- { probation of the discipline and appearance of the children. The boys' dormitory, the old men's and able-bodied men's wards and store-rooms, were then inspected, the Queen appearing surprised and I dehghted with the arrangement of the latter depart- ment. Her Majesty then passed through the wo- men's sleeping wards and the girls' dormitory, and afterwards proceeded to the girls' school-room, where the girls of the union were engaged in school and needle- work. The Queen examined the girls' work, and spoke kindly and encQi^ngingly to several of them. On leaving the school the royal party proceeded to the girls' industrial department^ where washing and laundry work were b^g carried on, thus pre- 49 ANECDOTES OF THE paring the girls for their future labours in life. Herl Majesty did not forget to visit the aged and infinni in the house, and spoke many a kind word to the! poor inmates. Having inspected the rest of thel wards, bread-room, scullery, kitchen, tailoring andl shoemaking shop, the Queen entered the chapel J concluding her examination of the establishment! by a visit to the board-room, where Her Majesty! left her signatiwe on one of the books, "Victoria| R." with the day and date attached. I 'J 82.-THE QUEEN AS A CATECHI8ER. Queen Victoria, when at home, regularly teaches Sunday-school and Bible-class for the benefit of those residing in the palace and its vicinity. The Archdeacon of London, on one occasion, was cate- chising the young princes, and, being surprised at the accuracy of their answers, said to the youngest prince: ''Your governess deserves great credit for instructing you so thoroughly in the catechism." ' ' Oh, but it is mamma who teaches us the catechism. ' ' — Hamilton Spectatm\ 33. -THE QUEEN AS A SCRIPTURE READER. At a recent meeting at Cambridge, on behalf of the Army Scripture Readers and Soldier's Friend Society, the Rev. H. Huleatt, chaplain of the forces at Aldershott, narrated the following anecdote, which he had received, he said, from one of the actors in the scene: "The incumbent of Osborne had occasion to visit an a^^ parishioner.' Upon On I throug ive anc rial fro] his skil attends Dr. Casi at Cow( the Roy twenty become biindne prime a at Osbo professii well-ear a matte] the wid tended J QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 49 his arrival at the house, as he entered the door where the invalid was, he found sitting by the bedside a lady in deep mourning reading the word of God. He was about to retire, when the lady remarked, " Pray remain. I should not wish the invalid to lose the comfort which a clergyman might afford." The lady retired, and the clergyman found lying on the bed a book with texts of Scripture adapted to the I sick ; and he found that out of that book portions of Scripture had been read by the lady in black. That lady was the Queen of England 1' ' !34,-THE QUEElN 8 SYMPATHY FOR HER PHYSICIAN. On New- Year' 8 Day, Br. Cass, of Cowes, received [through the hands of Sir Charles B. Phipps, a mass- ive and magnificent silver inkstand, '< as a Memo- rial from the Queen, of Her Majesty' appreciation of his skill and attention during the many years he [attended in his professional capacity at Osborne." [Dr. Cass, who has long been held in very high esteem at Cowes, had been the medical attendant upon Ithe Royal Family and household at Osborne for nearly I twenty years; but finding of late that his sight had Ibecome so seriously impaired as to threaten absolute [blindness, he felt constrained (though still in the [prime and vigour of life) to resign his appointment lat Osborne, and to withdraw altogether from the Iprofession in which he had established a high and ?ell-eamed reputation. This circumstance has been |a matter of universal regret throughout the whole of the wide district over which Dr. Cass's practice ex. [tended J but amongst the many expressions of sym- D 50 ANECDOTES OP THE patliy which have reached him from all quarters none have been so warm, and none, of course so deeply gratifying, as those which have been con^ veyed to him from the Queen. *'Her Majesty," says Sir Charles Phipps, in the letter which accompanied the costly memorial, ' ' hears with great regret that she shall no longer be able to avail herself of your valuable medical servi- ces, and the Queen still more laments the sad cause which has thus forced you to abandon your profession at an age when your usefulness should be greatest." Again Sir Charles says, " I am directed to express Her Majesty's sincere sjnnpathy for the affliction which has obliged you to discontinue your valuable services." These are queenly words, and well cal- culated to convey to Dr. Cass the highest solace he can possibly receive under the calamity which has fallen as a fatal bhght upon the professional career, and marred the fairest hopes and promise of an honourable and laborious life. — Morning Post. 36. THE QUEEN'S SYMPATHY FOR HEK CHILDREN'S GOVERNESS. The following, anecdotes of Queen. Victoria from the Chicago Advancej are from the pen of Grace Greenwood, (Mrs. Lippencott) : — " When I was in England I heard several pleasant anecdotes of the Queen and hei family from a lady who had received them from her friend, the gover- ness of the Royal children. This governess, a very interesting yoimg lady, was the orphan daughter of a Scottifih clergyman. During the first y«ar oil QUEEN AND KOYAL FAMILY. 61 her residence at Windsor her mother died. When she first received the news of her serious illness, she applied to the Queen to resign her situation, feeling that to her mother she owed even a more sacred duty than to her Sovereign. The Queen, who had been much pleased with her, would not hear of her making this sacrifice, but said, in a tone of the most gentle sympathy, ' Go at once to your mother, child ; stay with her as long as she needs you, and then come back to us. I will keep your place for you. Prince Albert and I will hear the children's lessons 5 so in any event let your mind be at rest in regard to your pupils.' ''The goVemes8 went, and had several ^veeks of sweet mournful communion with her dymg mother j then, when she had seen that dear form laid to sleep under the daisies in the old kirk yard, she i returned to the palace, where the loneliness of royal grandeur would have oppressed her sorrow- ing heart beyond endurance, liad it not been for the gracious womanly sympathy of the Queen — who came every day to her school-room — and the considerate kindness of her young pupils. A year went byj the first anniversary of her great loss dawned upon her, and she was overwhelmed as never before by the utter loneliness of her grief. She felt that no one in all that great household knew how much goodness and sweetness passed put of mortal life that day a year ago — or could give her one tear, one thought to that grave under the Scottish daisies. Every morning before break- fast, which the elder children took with their father and mother, in the pleasant crimson par- lour, looking out on the terrace at Windsor, her 52 ANECDOTES OP THE pupils came to the school-room for a brief reUgious exercise. This morning the voice of the governess trembled in reading the scripture for the day; some words of divine tenderness were too much for her poor, lonely, grieving heart — her strength gave way, and, laying her head on the desk before her, she burst into tears — murmuring, < Oh, mother, mother!' One after another, the children stole I out of the room and went to their mother, to tell her how sadly their governess was feehng; and that kind-hearted monarch, f -claiming, 'Oh, poor girl I it is the anniversary of her mother's death,' hurried to the school-room, where she found Miss — struggling to regain her composure. 'My| poor child,' she said, ' I am sorry the children dis- turbed you this morning. I meant to have given! orders that you should have this day entirely to yourself. Take it as a sad and sacred holiday — 1 1 will hear the lessons of the children.' And then she added, ' To show you that I have not forgotten | this mournful anniversary, I bring you this gift,' clasping on her arm a beautiful mourning bracelet! with a locket for her mother's hair, marked with! the date of that mo" er's death. What wonder! that the orphan kissed, with tears, this gift and| the more than royal hand that bestowed it I 88.— THE QUEEN'S EESPECT FOB THE MEMOET 0F| HER DRESSING MAID. The Queen, while lately in Edinburgh, attends by an equerry and a lady in waiting, di'ove to Kos« land cemetery in the neighbourhood of the Soottif QUEEN AND LOYAL FAMILY. 53 capital, to visit the grave of a young Italian dress- ing maid, over which she had erected a chaste and simple monument, and who seems to have won, to a remarkable degree, the affection of her royal mis- tress. Her Majesty visits the cemetery every time the court is in Edinburgh. Whereupon an English paper says: ''England's Queen paying the heart's homage at the tomb of a humble domestic, and call- ing to remembrance the affectionate servant which she had lost ! thus exercising her own heart with th® I solemn realities oi eternity. The spectacle was one of affecting interest, and will strike into the deepest recesses of the loyal hearts of Victoria's subjects. " 37.— THE QUEEN AS A SANITARY EEFORMER. At a meeting of the Aberdeen Ladies' Sanitary I Association, held a short time ago, Dr. Kilgour, who presided, made the following remarks regarding the Queen at Balmoral : — ''The highest lady in the land (as well as her late lamented husband) is an ardent sanitary reformer. Those who visited London dur- ing the season of the Great Exhibition will remem- ber the two cottages which the Prince erected near the Exhibition buildings as models of dwellings for promoting the health and comfort of the humbler classes. Wherever the Queen or Prince has erected cottages on the Scotch property they may not have adhered to the style alluded to, (which mainly con- templated the English style and mode of life) but they have built the cottages more in accordance 54 ANECDOTES OP THE with the tastes and feelings of the Scottish peasantry, but yet with an undeviating eye to ventilation and pure air. They have never harshly interfered with the domestic habits of their tenantry by dictating to them that this or that change must be made, but they have given encouragement wherever improve- ments in sanitary arrangements were adopted. Last year scarlet fever broke out with great viru- lence in the district, and many lives were lost by the spreading of the infection. It became necessary to take measures to arrest the extension of the dis- ease, and orders were given to sweep away every ' ' boxed in ' ' bed on the estates. An order was also given to substitute a sufficient number of iron bed- steads for each family at the cost of the Queen." 88.-THE QUEEN AND HER SPINNING WHEEL. The Paris correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, after announcing Queen Victoria's departure for Germany, relates this anecdote. ''Before leaving, she took a fancy to spinning, and ordered a mechanic of Spitalfields to make her a spinning wheel. He finished one of so exquisite workmanship, that she ordered one for each of her palaces and castles. The good royal matron resumes the occupation of the simple ladies of old and uns^ected times, and, be sure, her example will not be lost on the fashionable and jewelled ladies of our age. The in- clinatiorl and fancies of queens dictate the fashion at the spinning wheel as well as the court toilet." QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 55 39.-THE QUEEN'S SCHOOL IN WINDSOR FOREST. At a public meeting, in celebration of the re- opening of the Church Schools in Padiham, Lanca- shire, Sir James K. Shuttleworth in his address, said —He had been long silent upon one point, which would be of considerable interest 5 but he did not see now why he should continue silent. He was about to speak to them of some acis of royal muni- ficence that had come under his "knowledge, which formed a bright example to the community. He was several years ago called on byTier Majesty to organize for her and the Prince some schools in the royal forest of Windsor. The view the Queen took was, that a very large portion of the popula- tion resident in that district being dependent on the crown, and employed as labourers ea the farms, or in the forest, or in the household duties connected with the royal farms, and so forth, she had therefore a personal responsibility in their well-being. The peo- ple were scattered over the districts between one town and another, in which there were no schools or means of education, and the children were brought up in ahalf-wild manner, very much in the same condi- tion as in remote portions of the country in the south of England. Her Majesty resolved that an efficient school should be established, and it seemed desirable that the school should be typical of the act of royal . munificence which was about to be accomplished, and not only worthy of the Crown but an example to the countiy at Wge. Her Majesty made no stipulation whatever as t© Ahe cost, and he drew out a scheme which involved 56 ANECDOTES OP THE an expenditure of £1,000 a-year. It provided for the instruction of the children not merely in the ordinary secular and religious knowledge, but also supplied the best form of instruction, in common things, such as in gardening, in household economy, cooking, washing, making up clothes, &c. ; in pre- paring dishes suitable for, and otherwise enhancing! the comfort of cottagers, which latter were taught [ in kitchens and washhouses, prepared for the pur- pose. Her Majesty not only assented to this plan | being carried out (and the plan has been in op- eration ever since), but she had promoted its success! in every way, and all the linen worn by the royal children, and a very great part of that used in the] royal apartments, was the work of this establish- ment. The Queen was in the habit of inspecting the I place in person, and took a deep interest in its operations. The boyB had a garden of several acres, in which they cultivated all that was necessary for I cottage use. They had a plot which they jointly cultivated, and in addition they had small separate plots, which they cultivated upon the plan of the common cottage gardeners. They were employed also in workshops, but they were chiefly occupied | in gardening. He ould assure them that this es- tab?ishment did not simply exist as a sort of outside | show, but was a subject of personal interest to Her Majesty ; was regularly inspected by her, and often by the different visitoi-s at the court ; and the Prince of Wales was in the habit of examining the scholars in certain branches of their studies. He pointed to this as an example to the families of our gentry and aristocracy. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 67 40-INCIDENTS OF THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO LORD ELLESMERE'St SCHOOL AT MANCHESTER.* The children of the schools on Lord EUesmere's I estate were invited to meet the Queen, in the pri- vate grounds of his lordship. The procession was headed by a juvenile band from the Worsley School -little fellows from twelve to fourteen years of age. [There were six schools in all, comprising about 1,400 children. To add to the interest of the scene, I the mothers of the children — their fathers for the most part were doing duty as special constables on the canal bank — were ranged on a terrrace imme- diately behind their little ones, and commanding a full view of the spectacle. When all was arranged, the Queen, attended by Lady EUesmere, and ac- companied by the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, came to the door of the entrance hall, when the whole party sang very sweetly the National I Anthem. Cheers followed the presentation of the address, in the midst of which, after graciously bow- ing her acknowledgments, the Queen and royal children retired ; but soon after the Princegs Royal, I as if wishing to have a nearer view of so many chil- dren of her own age, returned with Lady EUesmere and walked close up to the line, while the noble little band already mentioned played several inspir- iting airs. Afterwards, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, the superintendents of a blind school in the neighbour- hood of Manchester, were admitted to Her Majesty's * Incidents like tliese b ere mentioned frequently occur. They are merely selected to ehow how the Queen identifies herself with the education of her people, and the manner of her doing 80.— See No. 49 on page 66. 58 ANECDOTES OF THE presence to explain the operation of a machinel invented by Mr. Hughes for enabling the blind tol print — a machine which, it appears, had attracted! Her Majesty's notice in the Exhibition, and which she was anxious to have further explained. Thi^ was done at much length, and one of Mr. Hughes's pupils, a blind girl, named Mary Pearson, was als(j introduced, and printed off the inscription, '^Gc save the Queen," and ^' May God bless our Queen,'] on slips of silk, which Her Majesty was highly pleased to accept. 41. -QUEEN VICTOEIA AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN. On the occasion of a visit of Queen Victoria Birmingham, the public grounds at Aston wer^ opened by Iter. On leaving Gosta-Green, and enter] ing the Aston Road, a very touching spectacle attracted Her Majesty's notice. Some 40,000 little children, boys and girls, belonging to the schools oj all denominations of Christians, and also to those of the Jews, lined the road for some distance on both sides, and as Her Majesty passed, thej' sang in| a low gentle Dianner : Now priy we for our country, That England long may be The holy and the happy, And the gloriously free. The Rev. J. L. Poore, (who died lately in Am\ tralia), while in Oanada, mentioned that the Quoei was deeply touched by this most impressive sceni QUEEN AND llOYAL FAMILY. 59 42.— THE QUEEN AND JENNY LIND. The kindness of heart and womanly sjrmpathy of [the Queen is thus brought to light in the following lanecdote : When Jenny Lind first sang in private before the I Queen, she was accompanied by the Queen's pianist, Iwho, being connected with a rival theatre, played [some tricks which annoyed Jenny exceedingly, frhis the quick ear of Her Majesty, who is an excel- llent musician, instantly detected-, and as Jenny (stood up for the second song, she motioned the Ipianist aside, saying quietly, " I will accompany JMiss Lind," which she did to perfection. How [perfectly does this little incident accord with the Icharacteristics of kindness, benevolence and tact for [which Her Majesty is remarkable. 43.-THE QUEEN AND THE WORK PEOPLE AT CHRISTMAS. Queen Victoria had the .children of the workmen Ion the Osborne estate, assembled on Christmas, [where a Christmas tree loaded with presents was irranged. Assisted by members of the Koyal Family, jthe Queen spent the afternoon in distributing the [presents to the children, consisting of wearing [apparel, books, toys, &c. Afterwards she gave great- [coats, blankets, &c., to the labouring men and women. [A few days before, the Queen dispensed liberally to [the blind and paralytic in and around London. The [English people are accustomed to the bestowment [of charity during the Christmas holidays, and their w^ 60 ANECDOTES OP THE amiable Queen is giving strength and beauty to thel fashion by her bright example. Her sad heart findsl comfort in the relief of sorrow and poverty. — N. Y] Commercial Advertiser. 44— THE QUEEN'S rORTllAIT FOR THE PEOPLE. The following anecdote of the Queen illustrates! her good sense and real desire to promote the well fare of her subjects. She had agreed to have hej photograph taken for the gratification of such of hen subjects as might desire to possess the counterfeit! presentment of their ruler. She presented herself in a plain black silk, without a particle of ornament] The photographer ventured to suggest that she should send for some jewels. *< No, ' ' said the Queenl »' this photograph is to go among my people, and ll wish to do all in my power to discourage extraval gance." It is such little anecdotes as these that! have secured the Queen a high place in the regard] of the people. 45.— THE QUEEN'S PORTRAIT FOR MR. PEABODY. Mr. Peabody, the American banker in London,l so noted for his princely munificence, lately gave al large sum for the erection of model lodging housesl for the poor in London. Her Majesty, to mark herl appreciation of his noble generosity, presented himl with her own portrait on gold enamel. The picture| itself is interesting and curious, both as a work of art and as showing to what a high pitch miniati painting can be carried. The painting is only fourj QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 61 teen inches long by ten inches wide. At the taking )f the likeness (for the first time for the presenta- tion of her portrait to a private individual), the ^ueen sat in the only robes of state she has worn kince the death of the Prince Consort — the costume |n which she opened Parliament. It is a black silk Iress trimmed with ermine, and a long black velet train similarly adorned. Over her Mary Stuart's cap Is the demicrown, while the Kohi-noor and one jich jewelled cross, presented by Prince Albert, form her only ornaments. To complete the por- trait, she gave the artist many and long sittings. — It is said that in fidelity of portraiture, the likeness, irhich is done in enamel, on a panel of pure gold, [s not to be surpassed, and the Queen has expressed ler unqualified approval of it. The picture is lounted in a most elaborate and massive chased frame of pure gold, surmounted with the royal jrown enamelled on the same metal in colours. 46.— TBE QUEEN AND ME. PEABODY. The following letter has been written by the iueen to Mr. Peabody:' *' Windsor Castle, March i, 1866 — ^The Queen hears that Mr. Peabody in- tends shr.rtly to return to America, and she would )e sorry that he should leave England without )eing assured by herself how deeply she appreciates the noble act of more than princely munificence by irhich he has sought to relieve the wants of ^e )orer classes of her subjects residing in London, [t is an act, as the Queen believes, wholly without jarallel, and which will carry its best reward in the ¥ ; :■'! t 62 ANECDOTES OF THE I M ', If Uiiid consciousness of having contributed so largely to the assistance of those who can little help them- selves. The Queen would not, however, have been satisfied without giving Mr. Peabody some public mark of her sense of his munificence, and she would gladly have conferred upon him either a Baronetcy or the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, but that she understands Mr. Peabody to feel himself debarred from accepting such distinctions. It only remains, therefore, for the Queen to give Mr. Pea- body this assurance of her personal feelings, which she would further wish to mark by asking him to accept a maniature portrait of herself, which she will desire to have painted for him, and which, when finished, can either be sent to him to America, or given to him on his return, which, she rejoices to hear, he meditates, to the country that owes him so much." Mr. Peabody sent the following reply to the Queen's letter, ''Madam, — ^I feel sensibly my inability to express in adequate terms the gratification with which I have read the letter which your Kajesty has done me the high honour of transmitting by the hands of Earl Russell on the occasion which has at- tracted your Majesty's attention of setting apart a portion of my property to ameliorate the condition and augment the comforts of the poor of London. I have be«n actuated by a deep sense of gratitude to God ^ho has blessed m§ with prosperity, and of attachment to this great country, where under your Majesty's benign rule, I have received so mvh. personal kindness and enjoyed so many years of happiness. ' Next to the approval of jny own con> QUEEN Ai^D ROYAL FAMILY. G3 science, I shall always prize the assurance which your letter conveys to me of the approbation of the Queen of England, whose whole life has attested that her exalted station has in no degree diminished her sympathy with the humblest of her subjects. "The portrait which your Majesty is graciously pleased to bestow on me I shall value as the most precious heir loom that I can leave in the land of my birth, where, together with the letter which your Majesty has addressed to me, it will ever be regarded as evidence of the kindly feeling of the Queen of the United Kingdom toward a citizen of the United States.'* 47.-THE QUEEN AND ST. THOMAS' HOSPITAL. In May, 1868, Her Majesty laid the foundation stone of St. Thomas' Hospital on its new site. The account of the ceremony is well worthy of record, not only on account of the well-nigh imsurpassed splendour of the ceremony and the auspicious character of the. whole proceedings, but as encour- aging the hope that the long-continued seclusion of the Queen is over. The Hospital of St. Thomas was founded and endowed by Edward the Sixth, more than three centuries ago, and has proved during these centu- ries of incalculable advantages in the relidf of suf- fering. In the procesiB of Metropolitan* improve- ment the old Hospital has been demolished; and the governors havitig acquired a strip of land ex- actly facing the Houses of Parliament, on' the Sur- rey side of the river, have selected it as a suitable ■ l'' it: 64 ANECDOTES OP THE site for this ancient charitable institution. The I building will be a magnificent one, constructed inl accordance with the experience of the most skillfull physicians and eanitary reformers, and will also I provide largely increased accommodation for thej sick and the maimed. The Queen was accompanied by a large numbe?| of the members of the Royal family to the site ofl the new Hospital, and the streets were crowded byl her loyal and enthusiastic subjects, who receivcdl her with the most hearty cheers. The Queen, wliol looked cheerful and happy, smilingly responded tol these greetings. The scene in the temporary pa-l vilion was imusually grand and imposing, and whenl Her Majesty took her seat en the temporary throne,! a choir sang the National Anthem, and the wholel of the company sprang to their feet and joinedj enthusiastically in the chorus. In reply to an ad- dress from the President and Governors of the! Hospital, the Queen made a graceful speech, inl which she ndverted to the facta that the Hospital! was founded by her predecessor, Edward the Sixth, and that the late Prince Consort had taken a deep interest in it. With that touching faithfulness ofl memory which characterizes her widowhood, she! expressed her gratification at performing an act by which she was associated with her deceased hus- 1 band. She also feelingly referred to the late at- tempt on the life of Prince Alfred, and expressed I her gratitude for the sympathy which this event] had called forth. tf QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY, 65 |48.-rERSONAL AFFECTION FOR THE QUEEN BY HEB SUBJECTS. The meeting which took place between the ^ueen and a sufficiently reprcaentative section of Iher subjects, on the occasion of Her Majesty laying [the foundation stone of St. Thomas' Hospital, on jthe Lambeth side of the Thames embankment, is la matter for congratulation, and will be a theme |for pleasant memory. The sight of Her Majesty surrounded by the various members of her family, revived the image of that simple and happy home- life of which the record is contained in the volumes Ithat have revealed the innocent secrets of the Iroyal privacy. The living sympathy of the present lage anticipates the judgment which will be passed |by the historic conscience of posterity. The sub-"' 3ct8 of the Queen have respected her sorrow, and Ihave felt no desire to force upon her to return to Ithose pageantries of royalty which are as songs to la heavy heart. They have given her grief verge land scope, and have seen in it simply the shadow lof that brightness which made her Court pure and Iher life serene. The reception which her Majesty let yesterday had more than loyalty in it. It jreathed a pei"Sonal affection and regard. The oc- ision of her public appearance among her sub- lets expressed the compassionate and womanly jsympathy for suffering wliich she had never failed Ito exhibit. The duties of sovereignty imply many loffices of a stem and rigorous character,and it is well Ithat the Head of the State should represent and Isanction its voluntary benevolence and its organiza- |tions of disinterested charity. The faith among E M «■ ijPil; iMi 66 ANECDOTES OP THE .».-* I i whose earnest works was the healing of the sick, and which places among its first injunctions the obliga- tion to visit the afilicved, may recognise in St. Thomas' Hospital a building as truly religious as | the Abbey of Westminster or the Cathedral of Can- terbury. Public spirit will discern in it the sign of I a national life as healthy and vigorous as Liverpool [ Docks and Eoyi|l Exchanges. The Queen was sur- rounded by the most prominent representatives of I the nation in Church and State, in letters and art. [ The Archbishop of Canterbuiy was there, and the| Roman Catholic Archbishop, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Dick- ens, and Sir Edward Landseer. But the Queen was! the cynosure of all eyes, and the object of n ^arly all the applause. The recognition tendered to the official position and personal eminence of her First f Minister was absorbed in the regard for the Sove- reign and the thought of the task of alleviating I human suffering, of which the noble Hospital of St.f Thomas has for more than three centuries been the instrument. The new building, of Trhich the! foundation stone was laid by the Queen, consecrates I the great work of city improvement, which has made its erection possible. It is an offering of its firstl fruits at once to man and to God. — London Dai/yj News, 49.— THE QUEEN'S CHARITY TO NOVA SCOTIA IMMl- GRANTS. The London Times of a recent date says : — ^Tlw wives of two Cornish miners, named respeotivelyl Mary Dudds aiid Jane Tremewen, anxioas to j(md| pp QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 67 their husbands in Nova Scotia, but unable to pro. vide that portion of money necessary to secure an emigration grant from the Cornwall Central Relief Committee, wrote to Her Majesty and acquainted her with their poverty and their great desire. Inquiries were at once made as to the accuracy of their statements, the result being ^at Her Majesty, with that kindness of heart whicaBlas always cha- racterized her, commanded £10, the sum needed, to be forwarded to the Rev. J. G. Wulf, Rector of Illogan, for the use of the two humble applicants." 50.— OUR COUNTRY AND OUR QUEEN.* In other lands the bright simbeam With richer glow is known, But none, however fair they seem, Are fairer than our own j And none a monarch can possess As on our throne is seen: Still then we'll pray to Heaven to bless Our Country and our Queen I * For an instance of the love of the Qanadian people for the { Queen, we may mention the following incident at a School Pic-Nic at Kingston. The Local Superintendent had called the I children together, and, after a few observationp, asked them to Ijoin in singing God save the Queen, which they didi^i a manner Ito cause the tears to start in the eyes of many of their parents litanding around ; one of those at our elbow exclaimed : " Aye iGod bless her (the Queen), and when she dies we'll never get the lliice of her again."— C^on(o/« and Xevs. (See also No. 67, ■page 88.) 68 im fmmv. . ANECDOTES OP THE In song let cliildren hail her name, For she our love hath won. By deeds of more enduring fame Than manhood's might hath done. And long as language can express What in the heart's unseen, We'll pra^o Heaven above to bless cMti Our try and our Queen! From lordly tower and princely hall, And peasant's lowly home, Where'er her gentle sway doth fall, Her heartfelt praises come. Our mountains their delight express, Our cliffs and valleys green : And still we pray to Heaven to bless Our Country and our Queen I Though great her glory and renown. Theme of her people's prayers, May she yet win a nobler crown Than that on earth she wears : And long may future times confess ""he virtues we have seen ; But Heaven, in thy great love, still bless Our Country and our Queen 1 v.— THE QUEEN IN HER SCOTTISH HOME*. i ■th of November, the day of the battle of Inker- ^nan, the wind upset it, strange to say ; and now igain, most strangely, it only seemed to wait for our return to l)e lit. ■ The new house (at Balmoral) seems to be lucky, Indeed ; for, from the first moment of our arrival, re have had good news. In a few minutes, Albert, iind all the gentlemen, in every species of attire, sal- lied forth, followed by all the servants, and gradu- ally by all the population of the village — keepers, fillies, workmen — up to the top of the cairn. We raited and saw them light it, accompanied by gen- Iral cheering. The bonfire blazed fort|^ brilliantly, |nd we could see the numerous figures surrounding some dancing, all shouting, Ross playing his Jipes, and Grant and Macdonald firing oflf guns. Lbout three quarters of an hour after, Albert came [own, and said the scene had been wild and excit- ig beyond everything. The people had been [finking healths and were in great ecstacy. The [hole house seemed to be in a wonderful state of tcitement. The boys (princes) were with diflBcul- awakened, and when at last this was the case, ley begged leave to f(,o up to the top of the cairn. " We remained tiu a v^uarter to twelve, and just p M que»:n and rotal family. 81 — Sebastopol is in the hands of the Allies.^ God be praised for it. Our delight was great ; but we could hardly believe the good news, and from having so long, so anxiously expected it, one could not rea- lize the actual fact. i Albert said they should go at once and light the bonfire which had been prepared whe*> the false •eport of the fall of the town arrived last year, and had remained ever since waiting to be lit. On the >th of November, the day of the battle of Inker- man, the wind upset it, strange to say •, and now igain, most strangely, it only seemed to wait for our •eturn to be lit. The new house (at Balmoral) seems to be lucky, [ndeed j for, from the first moment of our arrival, e have had good news. In a few minutes, Albert, md all the gentlemen, in every species of attire, sal- lied forth, followed by all the servants, and gradu- lUy by all the population of the village — keepers, ;illies, workmen — up to the top of the cairn. We raited and saw them light it, accompanied by gen- |ral cheering. The bonfire blazed fortb brilliantly, |nd we could see the numerous figures surrounding :, some dancing, all shouting, Eoss playing his ►ipes, and Grant and Macdonald firing off guns. Lbout three quarters of an hour after, Albert came [own, and said the scene had been wild and excit- ig beyond everything. The people had been Irinking healths and were in great ecstacy. The Jhole house seemed to be in a wonderful state of tcitement. The boys (princes) were with diflBcul- awakened, and when at last this was the case, ley begged leave to f{0 up to the top of the cairn. I »!' I|iiu'.,!i.-:,,:ii| ifiSiJ^'l'ii III 82 ANECDOTES OF THE as I was undressing, the people came down der the windows, the pipes playing, the peopl singing, firing off guns, and cheering first for iue|| then for Albert, and then for the Emperor of French, and the downfall of SebastopoL" e2.-BUILDING THE CAIRN ON CRAIO GOWAN. The nth of October, 1862, was, as the Queen saji in her Journal^ " a very happy, lucky and remark able day," and she gives the following account the building of the cairn "which was to comi morate" their "taking possession of this dear ol| place" : — " We set off with all the childi^en, ladie gentlemen, and a few of the servants * * the highest point of Craig Gowan, where were assei bled all the servants and tenants, with their wivfj and children and old relations. All our litt friends were there : Mary S3rmons, eta * then placed the first stone, after which Albert l&| one, then the childi'en according to Ihelr ages, the ladies and gentlemen placed one; and thuj every one came forward at once, each person ca ing a stone and placing it on the cairn. * * took, I am sure, an hour building ; and while it ' going on some merry reels were danced on a si opposite. All the old people, even the gardenc wife, &c., danced, and many of the children. At last, when the cairn, which is, I think, seven! eight feet high, was neariy completed, Alt climbed to the top of it and placed the last st after which, three cheers were given. It was a pretty and touching sight ] and I felt almost iac to cry.'* QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. B3 vn peopleH VI—THE QUEEN IN ENGLAND, &c. :or me^" of uM,^ 63.-CEREMONY OF LOCKING UP THE TOWER OF LONDON. Few persons are aware of the strictness with which [the Tower of London is guarded from foes without and treachery within. The ceremony of shutting it up every night continues to be as solemn and as Irigidly precautionary as if an invasion was actually Ion foot. Immediately after "tattoo" all strangers lare excluded ; and the gates once closed, nothing lehort of such imperative necessity as fire or sudden less can procure their being re-opened till the appointed hour the next morning. The ceremony of locking up is very ancient, curi- ous and stately. A few minutes before the clock strikes the hour of eleven at night~on Tuesdays and Fridays twelve — the head Warden (Yeoman Porter), clothed in a long red cloak, bearing in his land a huge bunch of keys, and attended by a brother warden, can-ying a gigantic lantern, appear?) front of the main guard-house, and ctlls out in a |oud voice, "Escort keysl" At these words the ergeant of the guard, with five or six men, turns [>ut and follows him to the "Spur," or outer gate 5 ch sentry challenging, as they pass his post. I' Who goes there?" "Keys." The gates being carefully locked and barred, the procession returns, and the sentries exacting the le explanation, and receiving the same answer as BfOre. Arrived once more in front of the vcMm- 84 ANECDOTES OF THE guard-house the sentry there gives a loud stamp with his foot, and the following conversation takes] place between him and the approaching party : "Who goes there?" ^'Keys." "Whose keys?" "Queen Victoria's keys." " Advance Queen Victoria's keys and all is well."| The Yeoman Porter then exclaims, "God bles Queen Victoria. ' ' The main guard devoutly respoiK^ "Amen." The oflBcer on duty gives the word "Presei armsl" the firelocks rattle^ the officer kisses tl hilt of his sword ; the escort fall in among their cor panions j and the Yeoman Porter marches majest cally across the parade alone to deposit the keys iij the officers' lodgings. The ceremony over, notonI| is all egress and ingress totally precluded, but thoa within being furnished with the countersign, ar who, unhappily forgetful, ventures from his quarten unprovided with his talisman, is sure to be stoppe by the first sentinel whose post he crosses. — Engli Paper. 64.-QUEEN VICTORIA IN HER OWN CAPITAL. BT JOHN B. GOUOH. One sight is often to be seen in Hyde Park whic strikes a republican as rather strange. You leaning against the rrila, idly watching the ceasele flow, when all at once, as suddenly as by the wor of command, though not by word of conmu every one of the carnages pulls up on one sid th^ equestrians do the same, and the two scat groomsmen gallop by. Immediately behind, in i 3> I QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 85 plain carriage, is a lady, rather stout, with a good coloui', with a baby, or daughter, or female attend- ant. There is nothing particularly remarkable about her ; yet every hat is Ufted, every head is bared, and towards that matron lady every eye is turned j and no wonder ; for that is Victoria, England's Queen ! She reigns for her virtues supreme in the affections [of Englishmen. An EngUshman is proud of his [country ; but above all of his Queen. Wherever ho lis, however remote from his own island home, '' The [Queen 1" is the first toast given at all public fes- Itivities where Englishmen are congregated — ^' The I Queen, God bless her I" In England there is an immense respect to rank land wealth. In this case, the highest rank in the [land is filled by a woman, and that woman a wife land mother, and, in all relations of life, a pattern Ito her people. No wonder that John Bull gets red ]in the face as he shouts with might and main : "Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save tlie Queen !" |fl5. POPULARITY OF THE QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. "Of all conceivable spectacles of a ceremonial ■character, I think the sight of the Queen opening IFarliament is one of the finest England has to show. Il am, of course, referrmg to what takes place in. iBide, and not outside, the Royal Palace at West- Iminster. In spite of the fact that Hor Majesty has llong since passed the time when her girlish beauty 86 ANECDOTES 01* THE iHili ly r'! touched the hearts and aroused the admiration of her spectators ; in spite of the fact that she has ceased to wear the Bojral robes, and to read, with her characteristic clearness and precision, the Eoyal Speech, the ceremony may be truly described as grand. It is a sight that transports you from the! present to the past. Seated on the throne so care-l fully guarded by her nobles is the Queen. Around! her, with all the insignia of office, are her leadingj ministers and members of the household. Thi^ one bears the Royal crown, that the sword of State^j and others other symbols of office. On her righf are the reverend bishops, and the ambassadors glit tering with the orders and crosses of their respc tive countries. The members of the Royal family one by one have taken their seats. The House getting very full ; the galleries are filled with thd loveliest of England's daughters in full evenin| costume, with coronets of pearls and diamonds tl dazzle and bewilder. In the body of the chambe are the peers, with their red cloaks and ermine tif pets, and coronets, all of the olden time. Wit the strains of music coming nearer and nearer, He Majesty has entered, and received the profoi homage of the House, which she most gracefully] turns. As the hum ceases, and the rustle of sill satins and brocades is hushed, the Lord Chancello turns to Her Majesty, and bowing low, begins read the Royal Speech. At each paragraph makes another reverence, and at length, with impressive bow, closes the address. Soon Queen rises, bows, and, amidst cheers and demoa fotr&tions of loyalty. Her Majesty returns to tl Falace. She is followed by the Prince of Wale QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 87 Uiho is al«o very loudly cheered, as is also his young land lovely wife, and the youthful princesses. The [Duke of Edinburgh comes next, and he also meets rith a large share of popular applause.'* — Corret- nondentjTom London. 66.— LOYALTY TO THE QUEEN IN ENGLAND. In the Royal Academy of Arts, I saw lately two laughters and a younger son of the Queen. They rere busily engaged looking at the paintings in com- )any with some noble gentlemen. They carried themselves very quietly and charmingly. They rero, of course, the observed of all observers, while ^hey acted as if they did not know it. There is something very pleasing in the devotion >f the English to the Queen and her family. It is a feeling stronger than loyalty. It is affection. Royal alood is sacred in their eyes, and they throw around ^he Royal Family all the reverence and admiration yhich they are capable of feeling. I confess to being , very stiudy and incorrigible republican. I almost Quailed the other day when I read that " His Royal [ighness the Prince of Wales had been graciously [)lea8ed to send fifty guineas to help a charity |" but ^et let it be considered that this is a feeling which Includes at once beauty and solidity. I am not izzledwith the gUtter of royalty j but I am forced fo feel a sympathizing appreciation of those senti- lents which underlie the most fiixed and unfalter- ig loyalty. When I was in a vast assembly recently, lot less tlian ten thousand being present, the choir ang '< God Save the Queen." It was in the Crys> 88 ANEODOTBS OF THE tal Palace, where hats were worn, and at the first j sound of the tune, every man rose and uncovered, j I could not help doing the same thing. — An Ame- rican in England, 67. CANADIAN LOYALTY FOR THE QUEEN. A very extraordinary manifestation of feelingj took place in Toronto, at the very successful clol sing meeting of the Sabbath School Convention, inl October, 1867. A gentleman from New York de-l livered a parting address, on behalf of the Ameri| can visitors who had attended the Convention ; at| the conclusion of which he referred to our Queen as ''a model woman," and said that, from the ful-j ness of his heart he could say, " Long live Her Ma] jesty Queen Victoria 1" When he gave expression to this sentiment there was such an outburst oQ enthusiastic loyalty that every one seemed carrie completely away. The immense audience imme-l diately commenced such q, cheering and clapping of hands as is seldom seen, and kept it up until] there was an accidental ' change of exercise.' Un| der the powerful excitement of the moment a genj tleman near the platform commenced singingl ' God save the Queen,' when the entire audience! rose to their feet ,and joined in singing it through.] That was singing with a will ! Several person were quite overpowered, and even wept freely. K was siiliply an unpremeditated expression of th»| warm devotion of the Canadian heart to the best| Queen that ever sat on the British throne. QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILT. S9 68.-IIEE MAJESTY AND CONFEDERATION OF THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCES. The following is an extract from the Bpeech of [the Hon. Dr. Tupper, C.B., in the Provincial Par- liament of Nova Scotia: — ''An honourable gentle- man has taunted me with having made use of the Queen's name, and he and his friends had stated in a state paper which they sent to the Colonial Office that this measure had been carried by the abuse of our Sovereign's name. The refer- ence was clearly within the constitution and such as is made within the Parliament of England. From the lips of our Royal Sovereign I have heard the warmest approval of union. The Province I represented, had the great honour and distinction of my receiving her Majesty's command to wait upon her at Buckingham Palace, and upon that occasion Her Majesty congratulated me upon the success which had attended our efforts; and when 1 1 expressed the gratification with which her loyal subjects would learn the deep interest which she had evinced in this medSsure, she replied: <' I take I the deepest interest in it, for I believe it will make them great and prosperous." 69— HURRAH ! HURRAH FOR CANADA ! Hurrah ! hurrah I for Canada ! Her woods and valleys green, Hurrah for dear Old England, Hurrah for England's Queen ! Good ships be on her waters, Firm friends upon her shores ; Peace, peace, within her borders, And plenty in h&c stores. 90 ANECDOTES OF THK Bight loyally we're singing To all nations make it known, That we lore the land we live in. And our Queen upon her throne j Long may the sons of Canada, Continue as they've been, True to their native country, And faithful to their Queen 1 VII.—PUBLIO ESTIMATE OF THE QUEEN AS A KULER. 70.— STABILITY OF THE QUEEN'S THRONE. it would have been far better for the other Sove- reigns of Europe had they kept their pUghtedword as well as the Queen of England. How great are the perils they have passed thi'ough during her reign I Bourbon, Hapsburg, and Brandenburg alike have been forced to yield tb the turbulent elements which their own despotic misgovemment has evoked from their oppressed people. Not a few of them have sunk beneath the waves of the raging sea of anarchy around them, while she has rested securely on her throne, dispensing to her people liberty and law, and offering to perishing kings a safe asylum. While most other coimtries have been convulsed by civil commotions, England has been entirely un- disturbed, and the throne of Victoria is more firmly fixed than ever. — While the rery foundations of societ]^ have been menaced elsewhere, not eyen the sligl^esi^ feeling of disloyalty has been noticed in QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 91 England, and the Queen is as dearly loved as at the first. The confidence of her people has everjrwhere extended broad and deep, and she is now personally dear to all classes — ^The English can point to her with pride and satisfaction, and the more so that her conduct has been in all respects consistent. Her personal character and public conduct have always been above reproach. She has restored to loyalty its old prestige. She has once more surrounded it with the reverential affection which makes obedience so easy, patriotism so hearty, and constitutional government so strong and stable. She has revived and given a new lease of life to sentiments which have slumbered since the Stuart days, and which some had moamed over as altogether dead. She has done this by a combina- tion of qualities which is rare in any rank ; rarest, perhaps, of all, upon a throne. But most of all has she affected it by setting an example in her house- hold life of private and domestic virtue, which Brit- ons appreciate so much, and by never in a single instance belying the confidence of the nation. — Boston Watchman and Recorder. 71.— TEAIN1N(} OP THE EOTAL CHILDEEN. Perhaps in nothing has that deep and ever pres- ent sense of grave responsibility imder which she has lived and acted been more signally displayed than in the sedulous care which she and her Consort bestowed on the education of their children; She [thus not only utrengthened her own hold upoa the [affections of her people, and increased the stability IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) I 1.0 I.I m 111^ i^ ■^' IM IIIIIZ2 11116 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 M 6" — ► V} ^ /}. A '<3 c^l 0% y ./ // s Photographic Sciences Corporation m V # \\ 4^^ iV 6^ ^> rv^ 'ii 'L^^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 i Qx. 3 92 ANECDOTES OP THE ;i! i! W lit of her throne, but laid deep and strong the founda- tions upon which her successors must r^ jt. Vic- toria well understood, when her young children were grown up around her, how much of the highest wel- fare of the country must depend upon the character of those who would hereafter be called upon to sway the sceptre and to form the Court of England. Hsnce few royal families have had the benefit of so eaicellent a training. No one in the least degree acquainted with the facts in the case will hesitate to pronounce that everything which the most conscien- tious effort and vigilance could effect has been done to secure her object. And not only is this true, but in a very remarkable degree this effort and this vigi- lance have been under the guidance of an imusually soimd judgment. — Ibid. 72.— LOVE OF THE QUEEN FOR DOMESTIC LIFE. If the historian of Queen Victoria's reign will have nothing brilliant to record, he will at least have the satisfaction of bearing testimony to this i truth, that her subjects were contented and happy. Conspiracies against her authority, he will have to j add, were things unknown — for with everybody con- tented with her mild sway, nobody has had any] provocation to, or pretence for, seeking to shake it off. The annalist of her times, however, will find little of the picturesque or the brilliant to illuminate his story. Stately Court receptions, grand levees, dazzling pageants will be rare — and there will be] scope therefore but for unostentatious delineations] of every-day life at Windsor Castle and Buckingham] QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 93 ign will at least to this' I happy. have to »ody con- had any I shake it! wiUfind luminate levees,! e will be] ineationsi 5kmgbtf»] palace. But if the annalists of such a reign will fail to captivate the senses or please the mere ad- mirer of earthly vanities, we suspect these will not be wanting in charms for those who can admire virtue in high places — or place a becoming value upon a noble example. To know the real character of such a Sovereign one must look away from the glittering palace life of Windsor and London to the secluded dales and mountain nooks of the highlands of Scotland — to the little village church of Crathie — to her numer- ous unostentatious charities — to her ardent attach- ment to home, her constant longing after domestic tranquillity, her motherly love for her offspring — with their counterparts — a dislike of ostentatious display, and a positive aversion to the pomp and pageantry of public life. These certainly are not qualities which respond to the popular conception of the regal magnificence, or the awe-inapiring splendours of the first Court in Christendom, but, nevertheless, they are something better and higher ; they are the inspirers of real love on the part of her subjects, and of respect of all the world else. These, we be- lieve, are possessed by the Queen of England to-day to a degree entirely unknown heretofore, to any, even the most beloved, of the long line of her '< illus- trious predecessors." In short, to be good rather than to be great — as the world esteemeth greatness —seems to have been, and to be, the aim of Victo- ria's Ufe, in public and in private. Hence, in speaking of her, one is inclined to think much less I of the Queen than the woman, the wife, and the moiher.^^—N', Y. Express. I f\r tfl" 94 ANECDOTES OP THE i 73.-CHRISTIANITY THE SECRET OF ENGLAND'S STABILITY. The proudest sovereign in the world is Queen Victoria. She dignifies womanhood and mother- hood, and she is fit to sit in empire. There is one reason why the English throne is the strongest also, because it is so many legged. -It stands on. thirty millions of people. It represents the interests of the masses of the subjects. Another reason why Eng- land is the strongest nation is because it is the most Christian nation, because it has the most moral power. It has more than we have. We like to talk about ourselves on the fourth of July — we love to fan ourselves with eulogies ; but we are not to be compared to-day with old England. I know her surlv faults — I know her stubborn conceit — but taking her up on one side, and down on the other, there is not another nation that represents so much Christianity as old England. If you do not like to hear it, I like to say it: and the strongest pOTfer on the globe to-day is that kingdom . It is the strongest kingdom, and the one that is the least likely to be shaken down. England has been destroyed every ten or fifteen years from the time of the Armada to the present day, in the prophecies of men. Every few years she has been about to be overthrown by sea; she has been about to be ploughed up by land I she has been about to be stripped of her re- sources in India, and in other pai'ts of the globe. Nations have formed alliances against her; the! armies and fleets of the civilized world have gone j about her; her interests, political and pecuniary, have been repeatedly and violently assailed, and yet I she has stood, as she now stands, mistress of the ^ueen )ther- Is one t also, thirty of the y Eng- lemost moral to talk love to tto be ow ter >it— but e otbier, 80 much ; like to o:fer on brongest Jy to be >d every madato , Every irowD by i up by ' f her re- le globe, ler-, the etve gone! ecuniary, 1, and yet! ss of the] QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 95 8ea&; and the strongest power on earth, because she has represented the Christian element. — Henry Ward Beecher. 74.-FBENCH APPRECIATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA. Th§ Petit Journal, the remarkable little half- penny paper which circulates in Paris and through- out France nearly a quarter of a million of copies daily, devoted a fourth part of its space recently to an editorial article on the "Queen's Book," making several extracts from these portions of it which relate to the youth of the Prince Consort. With reference to this portion of the work the editor says : — ''It is from the throne that this ex- ample of conjugal piety is handed down to us, and it would be unwise and unjust) in the interests of humanity, to pass over such an example in silence. The nineteenth century possesses its Artemesia, and who, like the bereft one in the Bible, wept and would not be comforted. Artemesia II., Queen of Halicarnassus, with a view to do honour to the me- mory of her deceased husband, caused a tomb to be erected, which was one of the seven wonders of the world. The Queen of England also ordered to be erected, in pious memory of Prince Albert, a mau- soleum, looked upon as one of the marvels of the Universal Exhibition, a chef d' ceuvre which a French sculptor, Baron de Trequeti, was charged to exe- cute. But it is not only in this gorgeous expres- sion of legitimate regret that Queen Victoria has imitated the sovereign of antiquity. For Arteme- sia was not contented alone with testimonies of her love to be seen in stone, marble and bronze ereo- M i- r!Hi|!"i 1 96 ANECDOTES OP THE ;yti |fj.,i:fli i'ili ■ ,;.! tions. To do honour to the memory of the de- ceased Prince, she had recourse to the most famous writers in Greece, who, both in prose and verse, related the meritorious life and actions of the be. loved husband who had fallen a prey to the icy hand of death. Thus it is again that the sovereign of Great Britain has followed the example «f the widow celebrated in ancient history. Lieutenant- General Gray has edited, by the commands of the Queen, a work entitled ' The Youth of Prince Al- bert,' the materials being furnished by the notes of her widowed Majesty." The French journalist thus concludes : — '' This work ought to be read by all women who love their husbands, by all who have to lament the loss of an affectionate partner in life : not because it comprises fragments of a jour- nal of a Queen, of a wife who had the power to confer the order of the Garter or the order of the Bath upon her husband, as a commoner might em- broider a pair of slippers for her spouse j but be- cause the good Victoria loved with all her heart, as an honest and devoted woman, that amiable friend who was her confidential secretary, and, to make use of the expression of a German poet, the ' inter- preter of her smiles.' A wife who honours the memory of her husband, a widow who is content with her mourning weeds, when she has every right to clothe herself in purple, and to be cro.vned with diamonds, undoubtedly presents an edifying exam- ple worthy of being cited." mW' QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 75.— THE SECRET OF ENGLAND'S GREATNESS. It was a noble and beautiful answer of our Queen, snys the Bntish Workman, that she gave to nn Afri- can Prince, who sent an embassy, with costly pres- ents, and asked her in return to tell him the secret of England's greatness, and England's glory; and our beloved Queen sent him, not the number of her fleet, not the number of her armies, not the amount of her boundless merchandise, not the details of her inexhaustible wealth. She did not, like Hezekiah in an evil hour, show the ambassador her diamonds, and her rich ornaments, but, handing him a beauti- fully bound copy of the Bible, she said, "Tell the Prince that this is the secret of England's great- ness. ?> Rich gifts were borne from o'er the wave, Where Afric's summer smiles; A t^sure rare the monarch gave The Queen of Britain's isles. He saw the stately palace walls, With pictured beauty rare. And stocd within the royal halls A wondering stranger there. ** Oh, tell me how our wealth may change To splendors such as these, And I will bear the secret strange To lands beyond the seas. ** Our skies are fair— our mountain streams In golden ripples flow; Oh, bright the crystal current gleams When diamonds flash below ! ** The sea breeze wins a breath of balm In summer's sultry hours. When sweeping o'er the fragrant palm Or floating 'mid the flowers— G 98 ANECDOTES OF THE '^f!v::: m\' ' .J " Tho cocoa shadows where wo rest — The acacia and tho vino— Oil, why ia not our land as blest As this fair realm of thine!" She counted not her armies o'er, Who, proud her rule to own, The English flag in triumph bore To honour and renown : Nor her proud ships whose spreading sails Swept ocean's farthest foam, While southern winds and northern gales Were wafting treasures home ;— She had a volume richly bound Its golden clasps between. And thought not of the wealth around That shone for England's queen. ' ' Take this ; these precious leaves unfold. And find what gems are there ; There's wealth beyond the purest gold Within its pages fair. " 'Tis this makes blest our English homes,. Where peace and quiet reign : This is the star to him who roams Upon the land or main, " This is the secret of our fame ; To praise the King of kings- Adoring His most holy name, Our land its homage brings.. " 'Tis He that gives the wealth we win, . This Word that makes us free- Cur life and blessing it hath been — Thus may it be to thee." QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 99 76. AMERICAN REVIEW OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. The New York Express never forgets to say a kind word of our beloved Queen. In a review of her reign, it says : — <' Yesterday, the 20th of June, 1867, was the thir- tieth anniversary of the accession of Queen Victo- ria to the throne of Great Britain. During this long interval, there can be no doubt that the power and prosperity of the kingdom have vastly in- creased, and that the Queen must be considered as the most fortunate of Sovereigns, so far as the de- termined loyalty of her subjects is concerned. She has been blessed in the welfare of her children, having known but the one great sorrow in her do- mestic relations — the loss of her husband. The people of England invest the Queen with all the most admirable qualities, and adhere to a loving admiration of her Majesty, with that obstinate re- solution so characteristic of the nation. In the settlement of her children the Queen has indeed been most fortunate, while she has seen her ene- mies forced to submit to her power. The revolted East Indians, the aroused Irish, all have been com- pelled to acknowledge the supremacy of the Queen, and the late successful peace negotiations with France and Prussia, prove that England is still in- fluential, still has her weight in the council of na- tions. The length of the Queen's reign, its un- broken prosperity, the vast increase of the com- mercial power and influences of the country, will place it in history, doubtless, as among the most 1 remarkable in the annals of Great Britain. The ! ■'■-!' '■ !; ri ny L'tl !'';!« if. M i ■ ' ■ :■ i I'll' '' ■■■ («;■:■'' Hi 100 ANECDOTES OP THE Queen is still comparatively young, is in the enjoy- ment of excellent health, and may continue upon the throne of England until her heir, the Prince of Wales, shall have grown gray. The longer she rules the less likely is it that serious political agi- tations will endanger the crown. The people vene- rate her as their Sovereign, and this sentiment will restrain even the most turbulent. This being the case, English patriots may well hope that Queen Victoria may be long spared — '' Happy and glorious, <' Long to reign over them, '' God bave the Queen." 77.— LORD 3I0RPETH ON THE CAREER OF QUEEN VICTORIA. The late Earl of Carlisle when Lord Morpeth, in one of his addresses to the electors of the West Biding of Yorkshire, England, uttered the* following passage: ''Reference ha^een frequetii ly made to the reigns of our female Sovereigns, and indeed every Englishman must fondly look back to the wisdom of Elizabeth, and the victo- ries of Anne. But in shaping the desired career of their fair and young successor, Victoria, we do not wish that her name should rise above the wrecks of an Armada j we do not seek to emblazon her throne with the trophies af such fields as Blenheim, or the yet more transcendent Waterloo. Let her have glories, but such as are not drained fi*om the treasury, or dimmed with the blood of her people. Let her's b3 the gl<^es of peace, of industry, QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 101 )oy- pon leof she agi- ene- , will ; the ueen JEEN >rpeth, ►f the id the I quetit- |reigns, ly look victo- career we do wrecks »n her inheim, pained of her idustry, of commerce, and of genius ; of justice made more accessible ; of education made more universal ; of virtue more honored ; of religion more beloved : of holding forth the earliest gospel light to tho unawakened nations; the glories that arise from gratitude for benefits conferred ; and the blessingt of a loyal and chivalrous, because a contented people. 78.— MR. SHIEL ON THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. The Right Hon. K. S. Shiel, in a recent speech in the British House of Commons, made a beautiful allusion to the Queen's visit to the National Schools, Dublin : "" Amongst the most remarkable incidents that oc- curred when the Queen was in Ireland, was her visit to the Schools of the National Board of Education — which took place (by accident of course) before she visited the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. It was a fine spectacle to see the consort so worthy of her, attended by the representatives of the Presbyterian Church, by the Protestant Arch- bishop of Dublin, and by the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin — with those venerable ecclesiastics at her side, differing in creed, but united by the common brotherhood of Christianity in the performance of one of the noblest duties which their common Christianity prescribed ; it was a fine thing to see the Sovereign of a great empire sur- rounded by groups of those little children who gazed on her with affectionate amazement, while she returned their looks with fondness almost ! : \ !■» i; , m 'm [ liil m mm 102 ANECDOTES OF THE maternal; and, better than all, it was noble and thrilling, indeed, to see the emotions by which that great lady was moved when her heart beat with a liigh an-.■: L h^. 81.— THE QUEEN'S LAMENT FOR THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. In her own ''Journal of Life in the Highlands," the Queen thus touchingly gives expression to her lament for the loss of the Duke of Wellington. She says: — ''September, 1852. — ^We were startled this morn- ing at seven o'clock by a letter from Col. Phipps, inclosing a telegraphic despatch with the report from the sixth edition of the " Sun,^^ of the Duke of Wellington's 4eath the day before yesterday, xiich report, however, we did not at all believe. 104 ANECDOTES OP THE f Ml ill i'l'Vi ■ii: ji'l'hi V:1 mi Would to God that we had been right, and thatthii; day had not been cruelly saddened in the after- noon." ♦ « » * ♦ jjater in the day, a letter from Lord Derby contained the confirmation of the fatal news, that England^ s, or rather Britain^ s pride, her glory, her hero, the greatest man she had ever produced, was no more 1 Sad day 1 Great and irreparable national loss. ''Lord Derby enclosed a few lines from Lord Charles Wellesley, saying that his dear, gi'eat father had died on Tuesday, at three o'clock, after a few hours' illness and no suffering. God's will be done! The day must have come : the Duke was eighty- three. It is well for him that he has been taken when still in the possession of his great mind and without a long illness — but what a loss ! one cannot think of this country without ''the Duke"— our immortal hero ! "In him was centred almost every eartlily honoiu" a subject could possess. His position was the high- est a subject ever had — above party— looked up to by all — ^revered by the whole nation — the friend of the sovereign; and Jiow simply he carried these honours ! With what singleness of purpose, what straightforwardne !s, what courage, were all the motives of his actions guided. The Crown never possessed — and I fear never toill — so devoted, loyal, and faithful a subject, so staunch a supporter ! To us (who, alas ! have lost so many of our va\ar or ti the deci- ►ne of 3erity, pure- f care, ^ccom- If, and othersj thought at hand, and all their knowledge readily- producible. In serious conversation he was perhaps the first man of this day. He was a very sincere person in his way of talking, so that, when he spoke at all upon any subject, he never played with it ; he never took one side of a question because the per- son he was conversing with had taken the other j yet, in fact, earnest discussion was one of his great- est enjoyments. K 3 was very patient in bearing criticism and contradiction; and, indeed, rather liked to be opposed, so that from opposition he might elicit truth, which was always his first object. He delighted in wit and humour, and, in his narra- tion of what was ludicrous, threw just so much of imitation into it as would enable you to bring the scene vividly before you, without at the same time making his imitation in the least degi'ee ungrace- ful. There have been few mer who have had a greater love of freedom, ir its widest sense, than the Prince Consort. Indeed, in this respect, he was even more English than tne English them- selves. A strong characteristic of the Prince's mind was its sense of duty. He was sure to go rigidly through anything he had undertaken to do ; and he was one of those few men into whose minds questions of self-interest never enter or are abso- lutely ignored when the paramount obligation of duty is presented to them. If he had been a sove- reign prince, and in a moment of peril had adopted a form of constitution which was opposed to his inclination or his judgment, he would still have abided by it strictly when quiet times came : and the change, if dhange there was to be, must have come from the other parties to the contract, and i Li V ill / m 112 ANECDOTES OF THE not from him. He was too great a man ' o .vish to rule, if the ijower was to be purchased by anything having thp> rcctlity, or even tJie semblance of dis- honour. ♦ « • There waf one very rare quality to be noticed in the Prince — that he had the great- est delight in anybody else saying a fine saying or doing a great deed. He would resjoice over it and talk about it, for days ; and whether it was a thing nobly said or done by a little child or by a veteran statesman it gave him equal pleasure. He delighted in humanity, doing well on any occasion and in any manner. This is surely very uncommon. We meet with people who can say fine sayings, and even do noble actions, but who are not very fond of dwell- ing upon the great sayings or noble deeds of other persons. But, indeed, throughout his career, the Prince was one of those who threw his life into other people's xives, and lived in them. And never was there an in>itance of more unselfish and chival- rous devotion than that of his to his Consort Sove- reign and to his adopted country. That her reign might be great and glorious; that his adopted country might excel in art, in science, in literature, and, what was dearer still to him, in social well- being, formed ever his chief hope and aim. And he would have been contented to have been very obscure, if these high aims and objects could in the least degree have thereby been furthered and secured." 87.— PRINCE ALBERT'S REVERENCE FOR THE BIBLE. When a student at Bonn, the Bible was the Prmce's daily companion. When he became the husband of the Queen, it was his daily rule of life. WiWE QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 113 I to ling dis- ality reat- Lg or ■j and bhing teran ghted nany (ineet en do dwell- ' other er, the fe into 1 never chival- Sove- r reign 4opted rature, al well- And en very d in the 3d and BIBLE. Iwas the ime the of life* And tills reverence for, and love of the Bible wero peculiar to the family. It is not generally known that the Prince Consort suggested the inscription, which thousands of Londoners and strangers see cut in enduring stone on the Royal Exchange "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof." He also suggested the scriptural mottoes in the interior of the great exhibition building in Hyde Park in 1851. Another instance of his estimation of the Bible maybe mentioned: An ingenious Yorkshire farmer invented a plough, and obtained permission to show the Prince Consort the model. The Prince not only allowed the good man to call his ■ invention the "Albert Plough," but in appreciation of his ingen- uity sent him a handsome Bible. Gratified, as well he might be, with this expression of Royal favour, the farmer went to the Palace with his Bible under his arm, and, being honoured with an interview, he requested that the Queen might place her name under that of the Prince Consort's, which was cheer- fully done — the book being of higher estimation tuan even his ''Albert Plough." 88.-THE PRINCE AND THE ROYAL LIBRARY AT WINDSOR. The interest which the late Prince Consort took I in the Royal Library at Windsor, so congenial to his I general character, tastes, and disposition, soon com- Imunicated itself to others. Under his influence the |library assumed, as a useful establishment, new life. There is something tOHchingly illustrative of the E>'ii> •> I 1W. ''■■ M "M - 1. ''¥"■' ^ " 114 ANECDOTES OP THE character and worth of the man, in the sort of rela- tion in which the royal patron of learning and the tine arts at large placed himself towards this more private object of his attention. Wlien he was residing at Windsor Castle, most of Ins leism-e hours were spent in the apartments of the Royal Library. There he delighted to look at. the curious works of art and literature with the keen and rapid glance of a real critic. And thither he was in the habit of conducting his chil- dren, in order to infuse into their minds part of his own love for what was accomplished, elegant, and refined. He likewise encouraged the various mem- bers of the household, as well as the guests staying at the Castle, to avail themselves of these resources, I for present recreation, and for the acquisition of useful knowledge ; and, by his care, they were made easily and agreeably accessible to all who felt inclined to profit by the difierent advantages they oflfered. 89.-TYTLER, THE HISTORIAN OF SCOTLAND, WITfi| THE QUEEN AND HER CHILDREN. P. F. Tytler, Esq., son of Lord Woodhouse, and the historian of Scotland, having been invited to I Windsor Castle, says in his memoir : — " Soon afterj luncheon, a message came from Mr. Murray to sayl that I must meet him immediately, to go and seej the Prince of Wales and the Princess Koyal, wl were coming into the corridor with the QueenJ Away I went, joined Mr. Murray, and got to corridor, where we found some of the ladies and l^lllf' QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 115 relii- ithe more ost of uts of look , with And ischil- , of his at, and s mem- staying ssources-j ition of >remade ■ho felt yes theyi D, WITH kuse, and I vited m Don aftetj ay to sayj andse ^yal, wl Quee )t to tl gentlemen of the household; and after a short time, the Queen, with the two little children play- ing round about her, and a maid with the Princess Alice ; Prince Albert, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Kent, Prince liohenlohe, and some of the ladies in waiting came up to us ; atid her Ma- jesty bowed most graciously, having the Prince of Wales in her hand, trotting on and looking happy and merry. When the Queen came to where I was, and on my bowing and looking very delightedly, which I could not help doing, at the little Prince and her, she bowed, and said to the little boy, ' Make a bow, sir !' When the Queen said this, the Duke of Cambridge and the rest stood still, and ' the little Prince, walking straight up to me, made a bow, smiling all the time and holding out his hand, Avhich I immediately took, and bowing low, kissed it. The Queen seemed much pleased, and smiled affectionately at the gracious way in which the little Prince deported himself. All then passed througli the corridor, and after an interval of about a quarter of an hour. Prince Albert, followed by a servant bearing two boxes, and having himself a large morocco box, came up to where I was, and told me he had brought the miniatures to show me, of which he had spoken last night. Then, in the sweetest possible way, he opened his treasures and employed more than half an hour in showing me the beautiful aucient miniatures of Holbein, OHver, Cooper and others ; most exi^uii^ite things I embracing a series of original portraits of the kings, queens, princesses, and eminent riien of Eng- land, and the continent also, from the time of lies an';! ll "Mil m m 116 ANECDOTES OF THE At dinner, all went on very happily, without any stiffness There was nobotly but a lady and Prince Ifohenloho between mo and the Queen. When wo camo into the drawing-room, Her Ma- jesty singled me out after a little time, and entered into conversation upon the miniatures. 1 expressed my high admiration of them, and of their great historical value, and praised the Prince for the ardour and knowledge he had shown in bringing them together and rescuing them from neglect. Her Majesty seemed pleased, and questioned me about the portraits of Bothwell. 1 expressed the doubts I had stated to the Prince, as to there being any authentic picture in existence, but added that I would make myself master of the fact immedi- ately on my return, which she seem.ed to like. 90.— BARON BUNSEN AND THE ROYAL FAMILY. In a letter to his wife, Baron Bunsen, Prussian Minister to England, in his memoirs, thus refers to his visits to Windsor and Osborne. Windsor, 1841. — I can assure you that I never passed a more quiet and truly satisfactory evening in London than the last in the Queen's house, in the midst of the excitement of the season. I think this is a circumstance for which we ought to be thankful. It is a striking, consoling and instructive proof that what is called the world, the great world, is not necessarily worldly in itself, but only by that inward worldliness which creeps into the cottage as well as into the palace, and against iviiich no putward form is any protection.. ^ QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 117 Palack of Bruhl, 1845. — Queen Victoria's apart- ment is the only tiling magnificent, and in that the only thing costly is her di-cssing table, with the cover of the finest Brabant laco. There is, later, tlio King's speech in proposing the health of the Quocn and Prince. The Queen bowed at the first word, ' ^ much lower at the second. Her eyes brig!/ 1 > "ough tears, and as the King was tak- ing hi. o-at again, she rose and bent t wards him and kissed him on the cheek. She took her seat again with a beaming countenance. \Vi\Dso)i, 1846. — I was invited to Windsor Castle to spend the birth-day of the Prince of Wales. The Queen looked well and rayonnante, with that expression which she always has when thoroughly pleased vpith all that occupies her mind, which you know I always observe with delight, as fraught with that truth and reality which so essentially belong to her character, and so strongly distinguish her countenance, in all its changes, irom the fixed mask, only too common in the royal rank of society. In the morning I accompanied the royal party to tlie terrace, to see the troops, who fired a feu de joie in honour of the Prince of Wales, who enjoyed it much, in extreme seriousness, and returned duly, by a military salute, the salutation he received as the colom-s passed. I enquired of Prince Albert whether he had formed any idea as yet of his posi- tion, at this early age (five years). He told me that last month in travelling through Cornwall, he had asked for an explanation of the cheers accom-> panying the cry of ''The Duke of Cornwall for everl" When Prince Albert informed him that there had been, long ago, a great and good Prince f li: X Sift l-'l 1:? '^1 118 ANECDOTES OF THE of Wales, called the Black Prince, who was also Duke of Cornwall, and he had been so beloved and admired, that the people had not forgotten him^ and the title being given to the eldest son of the Sovereign, together with that of Prince of Wales, it ought to teach him to emulate the merits of that great Prince, in order to be equally beloved and remembered. I had brought with me German books for the children, and received permission to present them. The Queen brought the Koyal Family into the cor. ridor after luncheon, on purpose to give me that opportunity. The Prince wanted to have the pic- tures explained, and I sat on the floor in the midst of the group ; we all spoke German, and the Princess Royal, by desiro of the Queen, read a fable out of one of the books perfectly well. The Queen often spoke to me about education, and in particular about religious instruction. Her views are \ ry serious, but at the same time liberal and comprehensive. She (as well as Prince Albert), hates all formalism. The Queen reads a great deal, and has done my book on the '* Church of the Fu- ture" the honour to read it, so attentively, that the other day when at Cashiobury seeing the book on the table, she looked out passages which she approved, in order to read them to the Queen Dowager. Osborne, 1846. — We drove between rows of laurel and myrtle, as in Italy, and, on arriving, found that the Queen herself had come toward us on the lawn, but had not been perceived by the party. * * • The Queen's own room has a beautiful prospect from a balcony towards tho sea. Spithead and the QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 119 [•ospect md the fleet : all decorations everjrwhere shew good sense and real taste. • * • Seeing Prince Albert and the Queen in their beautiful tranquillity in the isle of the south, overlooking the sea, rejoiced me. I am heartily devoted to them both, and they shewed me all their accustomed kindness. Osborne, 1849. — It is at Osborne House that the Queen more especially feels herself at home 5 she there enjoys her domestic life and family happiness to her heart's content. She walks out in the beau- tiful gardens and pleasure grounds to her heart's content, in the prospect of the sea and the prond men-of-war of Great Britain, in the midst of a quiet rural population. * * ♦ I sat near the Prince of Wales, and behind the two eldest Princesses ; they all spoke German like their native tongue, even to ore another. The heir-apparent has gained in appearance and strength, and has a pleasing countenance. Osborne, 1850. — After lunch I stayed in my room till half-past four, when the Queen kindly told Lord John to call me to walk out with her till ceven. The air was delicious, and the conversation such as I thoroughly enjoy, open and free, and treating of things important for head and heart. 91.' SAGACITY OF THE PRINCE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. The deceased Prince was young in years when he became the chosen husband of the Queen of these realms ; but the happy discrimination of the Sove- reign, and the amiable character and qualities of Her Majesty's late lamented Consort, are proved by 1 M . « ■ It"? ' 120 ANECDOTES OP THE twenty-one years of a union of perfect and unalloyed felicity, rare in private life, rarest of all on a throne. The position of Prince Consort is a most difficult and delicate one in a public sense ; delicate in reference to the Sovereign herself in her public capacity, and difficult and delicate in regard to her ministers, her subjects and occasionally with regard to foreign jjowers. Yet so admirably, so wisely, did the late Prince Albert demean himself in reference to his Consort in her public capacity, to her ministers, to her people, and to her allies and brother sovereigns, that there has never, for one-and-twenty years and more, been a dissentient voice at home or abroad as to his late Eoyal Highness' s merits, or as to his tact, temper, thoughtfulness, sagacity and absence from all j^rejudices. It is the jjeculiar praise of the late Prince, that though lie j)articipated in the anxious cares of Her ]\Iajesty, he never sought to share the credit of any measures of her reign or government. With admir- able good sense he held himself aloof from all party, and only appeared in a public capacity^ to encourage those measures connected with the arts, or with benevolence and utility, on which all men were agreed. — London Morning Post. ing 92.— PRUDENCE AND PERSONAL ACTIVITY OF THE QUEEN AND PRINCE CONSORT. No retrospect of the Prince Consort's life and character would be complete without some notice of a point of cardinal importance in all estimates of Koyalty. During a period of unparalleled private "f^TI QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 121 and public expenditure, when speculation had taken new wing, when luxury has run a race with pride, and the national Exchequer has been stormed and carried a dozen times for unheard-of require- ments, the Royal family has set a unique example of cheerful and dignified economy. Instead of com- ing before Parhament with a schedule of debts, or asking allowances for the education of children, or expecting the nation to pay for a new Palace, the Queen and Prince Albert have done all this them- selves, and more. When there came the cry of famine and pestilence, and then war, they freely paid their share of the public contributions. They have discharged the debts and obligations of several Royal personages both here and abroad. They have acquired two domains, and built two palaces, which mvy almost be said to be necessary under the altered circum- stances of the country. They have seen more of these isles and their inhabitants than any former Princes, since Kings wandered with a price en tlieir heads. They have shown themselves everywher^. They have not been wanting to the encouragement of art, and if outbid by an age of millionaires, they have accumulated no vast gallery of their own, thej have placed London at the head of national collec- tions and international exhibitions. Nor have Ihey neglected the future wants of their family. Thus have they passed for rich on an income which would have been penury by the Georges. Domestic hap- piness and the sense of duty have been their cheap luxuries >it*^." .^IJ I. I 'vT' It' 'I! s ■''! i iiWn r.TT 122 ANECDOTES OP THE 93.— THE miNCE'S GOOD SENSE AND NOBLENESS OF CHARACTER. It has been the misfortune of most Royal Person- ages that their education has been below the dig- nity of their position. Thanks to the cultivated mind and sterling good sense of the Prince Consort, no such charge will be brought against the present generation of the Royal family of England. Possess- ing talents of the first order, cultivated and refined by diligent and successful Study, the Prince has watched over the education of his children with an assiduity commensurate with the greatness of the trust, and destined, we doubt not, to bear fruit in the future stability of our reigning family and its firm hold on the affections of the people. It was a singular piece of fortune that the Queen should find in a young man of twenty years of age one whom a sudden and unlooked for elevation could not elate, nor all the temptations of a splendid Court and a luxurious Capital seduce; who kept the faith he had pledged with simple and unswerv- ing fidelity, and in the hey-day of youth ruled his own self and left no duty unperformed. But it is still more singular that in this untried youth the Queen should have found an adviser of the utmost sagacity, a statesman of the rarest ability and honesty of pur- pose. Perhaps all history cannot afford an instance of the performance of high and irresponsible but strictly limited duties, with a dignity and singleness of intention comparable to that which has made illustrious the reign of Queen Victoria. mm^ QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 123 94.-THE QUEEN A RARE EXAMPLE OF A CONSTITU- TIONAL SOVEREIGN. The Constitution of England has this defect, — that the powers intrusted to each of the Estates of the realm are so great and ample that it is difficult for their possessors to resist the obvious temptation of employing them to obtain mor . It has been the peculiar merit of this reign that the Crown has uniformly comprehended that its powers are held in trust for the people, and are the means, and not the end of government. For this enlightened policy, which has entitled the Queen to the glorious distinction of having been the most ConstitutionP kSovereign this country has ever seen, we are n* deb ted to the wise counsels, sterling good sense, nd thorough honesty of the Prince. Eecognizirg in him, not only a person united to her by the nearest and dearest of all earthly relations, but one on whom the happy fortune of this country had be- stowed extraordinary talents. Her Majesty found in her husband a wise and true counsellor. The result has been a period of progress and prosperity quite un- equalled even in what may fairly be called the happy and glorious history of England. The rancour of contending parties has never assailed the Crown, because all have felt alike that they were treated with the most loyal impartiality. If faction has almost died away among us, if the nation is united as it never was united before, it is because every shade of opinion has had full and fair play, and the powers of Government have not been perverted ta oppress onei side or unduly to elevate the other^ In the Prince, although a German, w^e have had as irrt ifr 124 ANECDOTES OP THE true an Englishman as the most patriotic native of these islands. And at no period has our foreign policy been less subject to the imputation of sub- servience to foreign intere^^.s and relations than during the last twenty years. 95.— PRINCE ALBERT THE QUEEN'S COUNSELLOR. In a Debate in the Imperial Parliament, Earl Russell thus referred to the aid which the Queen received on public questions from the Prince Con- sort : '' I am bound to state that the opinions the Prince gave, the temper he displayed, and the im- partiality with which he viewed subjects of State, were of great service to the Sovereign. I will say cne thing mol^e — and I think that those who have watched the position of the Sovereign during the last twenty years will agree With me — that there has been a great change in this respect, a most bene- ficial change from what prevailed in former reigns. Now I happen to know from the Prince himself the view he took of the duty of the Sovereign in certain cases. He stated to me, not many months ago, that it was a common opinion that there was only one occa- sion on which a Sovereign of this country could exer- cise a decided power, and that was in the choice of the First Minister of the Crown. The Prince went on to say that in his opinion that was not an occasion on which the Sovereign could exercise a control or pronounce a decision; that when a Minister had retired from being unable to carry on the govern- ment, there was at all times some other party pre- QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 125 pared to assume the responsibilities of office, and most likely to obtain the confidence of the country. But, he said, a transfer having been made, he thought that the Sovereign ought to communicate with him in the most confidential and unreserved manner with respect to the various measures to be brought forward. I attribute in a great measure to that opinion, which the k^jvereign held in com- mon with the Prince, the fact that there has been no feeling of bitterness among any party in this country arising from political exclusion, and that all parties during these twenty years have united in rendering that homage to the Sovereign which the conduct of Her Majesty has so well deserved • and the country still reaps the benefit of the good counsel which the Prince Consort gave to the- Crown." IX.- -THE ILLNESS AND DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT. ' ^.iml 96.-THE PRINCE'S LAST SUNDAY. In a letter from a member of the Queen's house- hold written shortly after the Prince Consort's death, the following passages occur: The last Sunday Prince Albert passed on earth was a very blessed one for the Princess Alice to look back upon., He was very ill and very weak, and she spent the after- noon alone with him, while the others were in churcii. He begged to have his sofa drawn to the window, that he might see the sky and the clouds sailing past. He then asked her to play to him, and she went through several of his favorite hymns and u,« m lll$i 1 f im i 126 ANECDOTES OF THE chorals. After she had played some time she looked round and saw him lying back, his hands folded as if in prayer, and his eyes shut. He lay so long without moving that she thought he had fallen asleep. Presently he looked up and smiled. She said, "Were you asleep, dear papa?" ''Oh, no," he answered, "only I have such sweet thoughts." During his illness his hands were often folded in prayer j and when he did not speak, his serene face showed that the ' happy thoughts ' were with him to the end. 97.-THE TOUCHING FORTITUDE OF THE PRINCESS ALICE. The Princess Alice's fortitude has amazed us all. She saw from the first that both her father's and mother's firmness depended on her firmness, and she set herself to the duty. He loved to speak openly of his condition, and had many wishes to express. He loved to hear hjrmns and prayers. He could not speak to the Queen of himself, for she could not bear to listen, and shut her eyes to the danger. His daughter saw that she must act differently, and she never let her voice falter, or shed a single tear in his presence. She sat by him, listened to all he said, repeated hynrns, and then when she could bear it no longer, would walk calmly to the door, and rush away to her room^ returning with the same calm and pale face without any appearance of the agitation she had gone through. Of the devotion and strength of mind shown by the Princess Alice all through these trying scenes it is impossible to speak too highly. Her Koyal Highness has, indeed, ooked decl as ) long fallen . She 1, no,' QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 127 felt that it was her place to be a comfort and sup- port to her mother in this affliction, and to her duti- ful care we may perhaps owe it that the Queen ha borne her loss with exemplary resignation, and a composure which under so sudden and so terrible a bereavement could not have been anticipated. 11= speak Lshes to >rs. He ae could danger, tly, and igle tear ;o all he le could le door, bhe same 56 of the devotion ess Alice )8sibleto' I, indeed, 98.— THE FATAL CRISIS. It is said that as early as Wednesday morning following, the Prince expressed his belief that he should not recover. On Thursday no material change took place in his condition, and on Friday morning the Queen took a drive, having at that time no suspicion of immediate dai^ger. When, however, Her Majesty returned to tho Castle the extremities of the patient were already cold^ so sudden had been the fresh access of the disorder. All night long the Prince continued very ill, but in the forenoon of Saturday a change for the better took place. Unhappily, it was only the rally which so often precedes dissolution. About four o'clock in the afternoon a relapse took place, he began gradually to sink, and from that time there was no hope. Congestion of the lungs, the result of complete exhaustion, set in; the Prince's breathing became continually shorter and feebler. Quietly and without suffering he continued slowly to fiiilr^ so slowly that the wrists were pulseless lo'g before the last moment had arrived, when, at a few minutes before eleven, he ceased to breathe, and all was over. He was sensible and kn^w the Queen to the last. An hojur after and 1 «*' ,i| lit- ! • 4? TH '■< > i .: 128 ANECDOTES OP THE the solemn tones of the great bell of St. Paul's told all tlie citizens how irreparable had been the loss of their beloved Queen, how great the loss to the country. A gentleman who has seen the corpse, states, that the features had more than the usual pallor of death. The face, always com- posed and statuesque in expression, was wonderfully calm, placid, and peaceful in death. It was as if the figure had been suddenly transmitted into the whitest alabaster. 99. AFFECTIONATE SOLICITUDE OF THE QUEEN AND HER CHILDKEN. It must have cheered the last moments of the illustrious patient to see his wife and children round his bed. Six of them were at home, and were ad- mitted, in the course of the evening, when all earthly hope had fled, to take a last farewell of their beloved father. The Princess Royal, at Ber- lin, was prevented, by recent severe indisposition, from travelling. Prince Alfred is serving on board his ship on the other side of the Atlantic ; but the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alice were by his side. The Queen's attention to her Royal Consort was unceasing. As Jiis disorder approached its crisis, the Prince could not bear her to leave the room, and was impatient for her return. The Queen and the Princess Alice sat up with him the whole of Friday night, having taken their places by xiis bed- side soon after eight o'clock, when his state had become critical. The Prince of Wales, having been summoned by the Princess Alice, of her own accord, by telegraph, arrived in the sad stillness of a dark winter's morning, and joined his mother and *>ister in their mournful vigil. ^mm QUEUN AUD ROYAL FAMILY. 129 Paul's m the e Iobs n the 1 than J com- erfuUy s if the to the of the n round vere ad- ' hen all jwell of at Ber- )Osition, >n board but the •e by his Consort shod its eave the le Queen whole of iiis bed- tate had angbeen her owtt -illness of )ther and 100. TOUCHING AND NOBLE CONDUCT OF THE QUEEN. The Queen had to summon all her strength to bear the agony of the closing scene ; but she, nevertheless, supported herself nobly, and, after the first passionate burst of grief was over, she called her children around her, and, with a calmness which gives proof of great natural energy, addressed them in solemn and affectionate terms, which may be considered as indicating the intentions of a sove- reign v^rho feels that the interests of a great nation depend on her firmness. And it must have been a most deeply touching and instructive, but heroic act, when, in the first moments of her widowhood, the Sovereign of the British Empire, and the mother of the deceased Prince's children, strong in the con- viction of past parental duties piously fulfilled, pressing back for the time the feelings of the wife and the woman into the depths of her bereaved heart, called, asvye have been told she did, ''her children around tier at that trying and awful moment, and, invoking a blessing on their heads, prayed that they might obtain strength and wisdom to assist her in doing her duty to them and the couniry over which it hath pleased Providence to place her as supreme mler." ■'■ ■ i t ' -, 1 101. GRIEF OF THE YOUNG PRINCE LEOPOLD. The news of the death of Prince Albert reached the young Prince Leopold, his son, at Cannes, in^^S^P the south of France, in the midst of circumstances so melancholy and sad that they could not faitto increase the horrors of the catastrophe. Taking 130 ANECDOTES OF THE ■1 :is;i=:n- advantage of a charming morning, the young princo ha.(l gone out to sea to indulge !n his favorite paw- time of fishing. In returning to his villa, he observed the countenance of his principal servant to be over- cast, and that there were tears in his eyes. The cause of this grief was the death of his governor. General Bovvater, who had just died in the chamber adjoining Prmce Leopold's. At the news of this loss the poor boy wept bitterly. Almost at the same moment there ajjpeared at the end of the hall a commissioner of the telegraph, bringing a tele- graphic despatch. It was addressed to the general, who was then lying dead. The envelope was opened — it contained the fatal news: '< Prince Albert is dead 1" His Royal Higliness was at once taken into his room, and I assure you that it is impossible to give any idea of the desolation of this young child, '^My mother 1 I must go to my. mother," he cried in sobs. '' My mother will bring him back again. Oh! I want my mother!" Shorw after- wards he was taken from the mournful and«esolate looking house to the Ilot^' de Bellevill. Soon after an English officer arrived to take the discon- solate orphan back to England. 102. THE PRINCE CONSORT'S LAST HOURS AND RELI- GIOUS PREPARATION. Most affecting and yet most cheering were the last hours of the Prince. When his last illness com- menced (says the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel in his sermon), one of the physicians said to liim, '.^Your Royal Highness will be better in a fewdays."^ .*■■• ;pnnco ito pas- )8erved )e over- s. The )vernor, chamber of this the same ,e hall a a tele- general, s opened Albert is aken into npossible lis young mother," him back tafter- esolate ae. Soon he discon- AND RELI- ere the last hiess com- ;^t Noel in Ld to himrj few days.''. QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 131 He replied, "No, I shall not recover ; but I am not taken by surprise ; / am not afraid ; I trust I mn yrepareiiy And so he died. Sustained as he was by the prayers and the noble efforts of the Princess Alice, whoso lovely character never shone more brightly than in this night of death, he was strong in the last struggle, and (as was stated by a nobleman who attended the Prince to the last) derived much comfort from the woll-known hymn by Toplady, which he often re. pcated on his death-bed : llock of agoa, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee ; Lot the water and the blood, From thy wounded side which flow'd, < I3e of sin the double cure. Save from wrath and make me pure. Could my tears for ever flow— ||mld my zeal no languor know^ Those for sin could not atone ; tThou must save, and Thou alone ; In my hand no price I bring, #^ Simply to thy cross I cling. While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death, When 1 rise to worlds unknown, And behold Thee on thy throne, NRock of ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee. 103. THE QUEEN ON HER BEREAVEMENT. In a letter from a lady in the Queen's household, she thus writes: I have frequently conversed with the Queen since her noble husband's deatlj^^ The first tune she said, "you can feel for m^i,SI|K^Uj have gone through this trial." Anotb^ h^ 132 ANECDOTES OP THE V. said liow strange it seemed, when she looked back, to see how much for the six months previous to the death of the Prince his mind had dwelt upon death and the future state ; their conversation was often turned upon these subjects, and they had read to- gether a book called *' Heaven our Home," which had interested him very much. He once said to hev, " we don't know in what state we shall meet again ; but that we shall recognize each other and be together in eternity I am perfectly certain." It seemed as if it had been intended to prepare her mind and comfort her — though, of course, it did not strike her then. She said she was a wonder to her- self, and she was sure it was in answer to the prayers of Iier people that she was so sustained. She feared it would not last, and that times of agony were be- fore her. She said, '' there's not the bitterness in this trial that I felt when I lost my*"fciother — I was so rel)elliou3 then ; but now I can see the mercy and love that are mixed in ^^v trial." To #ie who spoke to her of resignation, we are informed that hep Majesty replied through her tears, '' I suppose I must not fret too much ; many poor women have to go through the same trials." She felt then that she has no reason to expect that she should have any immunity assured to her: or that sov«^reigns we^re exempt from the sorrows and suffe ii gs i''- cident to human nature. For death can fi^iii an entrance as easily into the palace of the king as into the cottage of the peasant. — Bel/ant Northern Whig^ QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 133 ack, ) tlie leath often \d to- vhicli lid to meet jr and ." It ,re her iidnot to her- 104. RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE ON THE PBINCE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL. At what particular time, or under what particular circumstances, the religious views of the Prince Consort had taken the decided shape indicated above, we are not in a position to say. "But it is not improbable that the very decided religious change which the mind of the Princess Eoyal underwent very shortly before her marriage, may have largely contributed to it. This change of mind on the part of the Princess Royal was the result of reading a small publication by the late Adolphe Monod, of Paris, which had, been put into her hands by a lady; and the change so produced was decided as to be observable by all around her. What her religious views were after the happy transformation had taken place, may be inferred from the fact that during the last time she was at Balmoral, just before her marriage, she de- voted several hours every day to visiting the sick and the djdng among the poor of the neighborhood, and in distributing the highly evangelical tracts of the Eeligious Tract Society. But whatever may have been the agencies by which the late Prince Consort was led to adopt those deeply religious views which seem to have been to him the source of 80 much delight in his later years, and which were so dear to him when he was hourly exjjecting the closing scene, it must be the source of overflowing and unfailing consolation to his widowed Queen that his mind had been deeply occupied with the thoughts so solemn a,nd so suitable, in the contemplation of the new and untried state of being on which he was auout entering. — Morning Advertiser, IT: it! 134 ANECDOTES OP THE lOS^THE QUEEN'S BITTER EEGRET AT LEAVING WINDSOR.— THE COFFIN. "It is rejiorted," says the Court Journal, "that when it was first urged on our bereaved Queen that she should leave Windsor before the funeral, she wept bitterly, and said her subjects were never advised to leave their homes or the remains of those lost to them, and why should she have additional sorrow given her in tearing her away from all that was left ? The Queen did not con- sent till fbe safety of her children was. urged, as the fever that had deprived her of her husband might snatch away some other dear object." Ai, length Her Majesty left Windsor, attired in the deepest mourning and a widow's cap, and proceeded in the strictest privacy to the railway station. She was accompanied only by the Prince of Wales, Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena. Imme- diately after the Queen left Windsor, the Royal Standard was lowered, and the Union Jack hoisted half-mast high. The inscription on the Prince's coffin was as fol- lows: — Depositum Illustrissimi et Celsissimi Albert!, Friucipis Consortis, Duels Saxonise De Saxe-Coburg et Gotba Principis, Nobilissimi Ordinis Feriscelidis Equitis. Augustissimie et Potentissimae Yictoriae Reginas Coojugia percarissimi, Obiit die decimo quarto Deccmbris MDCCCLXI., Anno letatis suae xliii. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 135 X. U^CIDENTS OF THE PRINCE'S FUNERAL. 106. TOUCHING GRIEF OF THE BEREAVED PRINCES. Before the funeral procession began to move for- ward from the entrance into the choir of the Royal chapel (Windsor), the chief mourners remained at the head of the coffin, motionless. The Prince of Wales bore up with great fortitude ; and though he, like all the rest, at times gave way to irrepressible bursts of tears, he evidently tried to the utmost to restrain his feelings, though it could be seen some- times, from the working of his countenance, that the effort was too violent for long endurance. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg, brother to Prince Albert, who was devotedly attached to the deceased Prince, to whom he bears a strong resemblance, was deeply moved, and wept incessaiitly throughout the ceremony. The Crown Prince of Prussia, too, was equally aifected. Poor little Prince Arthur's grief was enough to move the sternest. He, of com*se, made no attempts to check or hide his feelings. His eyes were red and swollen, and the tears were running down his cheeks as he entered the chapel. As they stood at the head of their father's coffin, the Prince of Wales turned and spoke, apparently, a few soothing words, for after this Prince Arthur, for a minute or so, seemed to bear up better. And it was not until the procession began to move for- ward, and the long melancholy wail of the dirge went echoing through the building, that all the little fellow's fortitude gave way, and hiding his face in his handkerchief, he sobbed as if his very heart would break. I ^ i ill 1!> ■..' 136 ANECDOTES OP THE 107. lilPRESSIVE SCENE AT THE FUNERAL. As the jirocession advanced up the Church, the Burial Service, commencing with '^ I am the re- surrection and the Hfe, saith the Lord," was sung YfY the full choir. At the nave was commenced the passage — '' I know that my Redeemer liveth," still sung to Croft's melancholy dirge-like music, so touching, so inexpressibly mournful in its long, soft cadences. All the servants of the late Prince stood jn the nave as the bier passed ; they seemed deeply moved, and the grief of many was quite audible. With the concluding words of the passage, ^' We brought nothing into this world," the bier was moved up slowly into the choir, its gorgeous pall conceal- ing the bearers. As the bier neared the Commu- nion rails, it was slowly placed, amid solemn silence, on the spot whence it was to be lowered out of sight for ever. By the time these arrangements were com- pleted, the chant of the 39th Psalm, '^ I said I will take heed to my ways, that I offend not with my tongue," had concluded, and as the last faint tones of the music died away, the platform on which the bier stood was level with the floor. 108. READING OF THE BURIAL SERVICE. The Dean of Windsor then advanced to the Com. munion rails, and, in a faltering voice, read the lesson, ^' Now is Christ risen .from the dead, and be- come the first fruits of them that slept. ' ' Once or twice during this solemin portion of the service, the Prince of Wales, Prince Arthur, the Crown Prince of Prus- ^wwpjWJfr QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 137 sia, and the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, were totally- unable to restrain their tears, in which they were silently joined by nearly all present in the choir. At the end of the lesson the choir sang the German chorale, "I shall not in the grave remain," by the special request of the widowed Queen. It is impos- sible to imagine anything more exquisitely touching than the cadence to the lines, " So fall asleep in slumber deep, <» Slumber that knows no ending," which was chanted by the choir in whispered tones that seemed to moan through the buildir ^ with a plaintive solemnity as deep in its sorrow as the notes of the '' Dead March." 109. THE BODY LOWERED INTO THE VAULT. Again the Dean resumed the service in a broken voice — for all in the chapel now made no attempt to conceal their emotion — with the sublime passage, '' Man that is born of woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery." Then was sung, with exquisite pathos, Martin Luther's hymn, " Great God, what do I see and hear ?" As the last strains of this solemn chant ended, the personal attendants of His Royal Highness had slowly removed the heavy black velvet pall, leaving the crimson coffin, in all its mourning gorgeousness, uncovered, the one conspicuous centre in startling contrast, almost the only solitary object in all the chapel which was not covered with black and draped in solid mourning. As this last ceremony was being performed, the choir again sang the following hymn to an air composed by the Prince himself. (Gotha) :~ ■MMWHMg ''ShT'' ^P 'rnE''''^' :«S; i'(H 138 ANECDOTES OP THE Happy soul, thy days aro ended— All thy mourninj? days bolow ; Go, by angel guards attended, To the sight of Jeaus, go ! Waiting to receive thy spirit, Lo ! the Saviour stands above : Shows the purchase of His merit, Reach's out the crown ot love. Struggle through thy latest passion To thy dear Redeemer's breast. To His uttermost salvation, To His everlasting rest. For the joy He sets before thee. Bear the momentary pain ; Die, to live the life of glory Suffer with thy Lord lo reign. When it ended there was a silent pause, during which the quick, sharp rattle of troops outside reversing arms was plainly audible. Then came the mufiied toll of the bell, the boom of the minute guns, and the coffin slowly, and at first almost im- perceptibly, began to sink into the grave. 110.— GRIEF OF THE MOURNERS PRESENT. There was more than mourning at this most solemn time. The Princes hid their faces and sobbed deeply. All, not only the Royal train, but in the chapel, allowed their tears to flow almost unchecked, and some, such as the Crown Prince of Prussia, and the personal attendants of his late Royal Highness, among the pall-bearers, seemed not less deeply moved for a time than the Royal orphans them- selves. Still, the coffin continued to sink. It was but a few short months ago since the late Prince QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 139 stood at the head of the same sombre opening, and wept as the remains of the Duchess of Kent were in the • same manner slowly lowered to the Koyal mausoleum. Now it was difficult — it seemed ahnost impossible, to believe that the coffin then so slowly descending held all that was mortal of Prince Albert. It was a solemn period, and a most trying ofte for the mourn- ers, whose half-stifled sighs were audible from all parts of the choir. The silence within the chapel was intense ; every movement among those present could be clistinctly heard ; the wind moaning round the building sounded hoarsely, and the muffled knells from all the spires of Windsor seemed boom- ing above the Royal grave itself. Slowly fading from the sight the coffin gradually became level with the floor, then sank deeper and deeper, casting almost a glow of colour from its deep crimson sides upon the cloth-lined walls of the grave, till it was lost to view for ever. 111.— CONCLUDING INCIDENTS OF THE TOUCHING CEREMONY. w jfi': As the last trace of its gold and crimson crown on the coffin disappeared, the service was continued amid the deepest grief, with the passage, " Foras- much as it has pleaded Almighty God, of His great mercy, to take unto Himself the soul of our dear brother here departed. ^^ At the proper interval the earth was thi'own upon the coffin, and fell upon its orna. ments and plate with a sharp rattle that was heard throughout the building. Then was sung by the choir, "J Jieard a voice from Heaven, ^^ to Croft's 140 ANECDO /P THE plaintive music ; ar f the reading of the prayer '■'^ Almighty God, wi uom do live,''' was chaunted another of the late Prince s favorite chorales, was sung. The collect, ^' merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Ch'isi,^^ concluded the service, and Sip Charles Young, advancing to the head of the grave, proclaimed the style and titles of the deceased Prince. Then the organist began the solemn strains of the '^ Dead March^' in Saul, as the mourners advanced to take a last look into the deep grave. The Prince of Wales advanced first, and stood for a brief moment with hands clasped, looking down; and then all his fortitude seemed suddenly to desert him, and bursting into a flood of tears he hid liis face, and slowly left the chapel. Of the two, Prince Arthur seemed the more composed at the end of the ceremony, as if his unrestrained grief had worn itself out. All the mourners and those invited to the ceremony advanced in turn to take a farewell glance at the coffin, and not one looked into the deep black aperture unmoved — none quitted the chapel without traces of deep and heartfelt sorrow. 112.— THE WREATHS FROM OSBORNE ON THE PRINCE'S COFFIN. When all was over, and the last of the long, lin- gering train of mourners had departed, the attend- ants descended the entrance to the mausoleum with lights. It is a very plain, wide, lofty stone vault, with a groined roof. On either side are four tiers of marble shelves ; in the centre are three very QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 141 •HE massive and wide slabs of marble, destined for the coffins of monarchs only. As the light slowly pene- trates this dismal chamber, two purple coffins can be seen at the furthest end, brightly reilecting back the rays of light as the beams fall upon their richly gilded ornaments, wliich shine as though affixed but yesterday. These are the coffins of George III. And Queen Charlotte. Above their heads, but shining out warmly with a bright crimson glow, are the coffins of three of their children, who died young. At their feet, but some distance apart, and quite alone, lies the gorgeous coffin of George IV. On the centre slab, and nearest to the gates, the coffins of William IV. and Queen Adelaide rest side by side, the Queen being on the left. The light distinctly shows these coffins, and the velvet is as soft and rich and the silver plates and handles as bright, as on the day when they were first laid there, many years ago. On the left of the vault, are the coffins of the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, and the Duke of Cambridge. The coffin nearest to the gate is that of the Princess Charlotte. It is a crimson coffin, bright like the rest. At the gates of the Royal vault, was the coffin of the late Prince. On it some dear memorials of love and fond regret from the bereaved Queen and children were sorrowfully deposited by the Prince of Wales. Previous to the closing of the coffin, a wreath of flowers made by tho Princess Alice was placed on the bodj', and a minia- ture of her Majesty placed in his hands. A few days afterwards, a Queen's messenger brought from Osborne to Windsor three little wreaths and a bou- quet. The wi'eaths were simple chaplets of moss and violets, vyrreathed by the three elder princesses — the ^ajisfffl K 142 ANECDOTES OF THE bou(iuet of violets, with a white camelia in the centre, was sent by the widowed Queen. Between the her- aldic insignia these last tributes from his widow and orplian daughters were laid upon the coffin — me- mentoes of domestic love and worth above all heral- dry that ever was emblazoned. With this last act of grateful care the aperture to the Royal vault was closed, and thus was Prince Albert, who has lived in honor and died in fame, buried in the most i)rofound and deserved grief that has ever been evinced by any nation within the memory of living man. 113.— PKINCE ALBERT A STUDY FOR YOUNG MEN. Yesterday, when that household name was omit- ted from the prayers of an assembled nation, it was hard to believe that he was indeed gone. Only a fortnight ago few knew even that the Prince was out of his usual health, and none guessed that he was in danger. At the Christmas season, when fam- ilies re-unite, when the circle enlarg js, when old memories are revived and new hopes bloom afresh, and when, too, many a solemn muster-roll tells what the year has given or taken away, a name known to all has set quick as a winter's sun. Ex- cept one name only, none could be more mi-^sed. Prince Albert of the Queen's youth and our own- all who are not deep in the vale of years may say — is no more. It is not a mid-day glory that is gone ; it is that which we love better — it is the soft light that sometimes clothes earth and sky, that seems neither from sun nor moon, but a light of its own, neither day nor night, but a chance visit, and brief QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 143 lingering and softened radiance of that light which shall be for evermore. Let us be assured we shall long remember this sad Christmas, when the cypress mixed with the holly and the yew told its double tale. All the youth of England are now thronging homewards, or already telling of their school labors, and school friends, and school games, and opening their eyes to the great world beyond either school or home. At such a time the solemn omission in the Liturgy and to-day the tolling bell and unusual service, tell them that one but lately a youth and a student like themselves, and then all but the highest in this land has finished his noble and blameless career. His work is done. He is out of trial. He is rendering that account wliich, both above and below, a Mighty Power exacts of all reasonable beings. How is it with him? There are few of us who might not well wish to be w^here he lies, and stand as he stands. Let the youth of England know the reason why. It is, that the departed Prince, in all his simplicity and straight-forwardness, lived a life of duty, and he did the work to be done. He loved those he was bound to love ; he learnt his lesson and did his task ; he was true to person, time, and place, and found a heavenly ordinance in earthly rules. His was often a day of little things, but it was the way to his Queen's love, to a people's affections, and to approving time. Who shall distinguish be- tween small things and great when such are the common stake and issue ? — London Times. % «v'& I 144 ANECDOIES OF THE XI.— THE QUEEN IN IIEK WIDOWHOOD 114.-PRINCE ALliEllT'S MAUSOLEUM. | The Queen has built a superb mausoleum on the royal grounds at 1^'rogmore. The spot upon which it is built isveiy beautiful and secluded. The mau- soleum is thus described : — *' It consists of a central cell with four transepts branching north, south, east and west, with a porch adjoining the western tran- sept. Under the roof of the central cell will be the sarcophagus for the remains of the Prince Consort. The reclining statue of the Prince will be executed by Baron Marochetti. The four transepts are square, and lighted. The porch, which will be entered by a handsome flight of stone steps, will be lighted with circular-headed three-light windows, and the front will be supported by monolithic granite columns, similar to those already finished in the mausoleum of the Duchess of Kent. The inte- rior will be in different coloured marbles and stone. The building is in the Italian style, like one of the campanili at Pisa. The erection, which is sev .ty feet in length and the same in height, will be adorned by several statues. The foundation stone, which was laid by her Majesty the Queen, bears the following inscription: — ''The foundation stone of this building, erected by Queen Victoria in pious remembrance of her great and good husband, was laid by her on the 15th duy of March, A. D. 1862. ' Blessed are they that sleep in the Lord.' " The consecration of the Mausoleum took place in January 1863. After the Queen and other mem- bers of the Royal family entered the building, the icee ■ »' QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 145 )0D )n the which ! mau- jcntral h, east I tran- be the onsort. ecuted ts are vill be will be indows, nolithic ished in he inte- stone. of the se V . ity will be stone, ars the tone of pious ,nd, was . 1862. )lace in |r mem- ing, the Bishop of Oxford and the attendant clergy com- menced the consecration, by passing round the external walls of the building, with l)r. Elvey and the choir of yt. George's Chapel, singing (Tallis's Chant) Psalm 49, " O, hear ye this, all ye people." Earl Granville, Viscount Sydney, and the gentle- men of the household followed in procession. The psalm having been chanted, the Bishop, clergy and gentlemen entered the mausoleum, and the Bishop continued the ceremony. A hymn of four verses fromTennyJson's '^ In Memoriam" was sung (to Old Hundredth) by the choir : " O fond and loving spirit, thou Far, far away from me art now : I miss the hand of friendship true, The heart that all my feelings knew. " But while my grief thus Alls my heart, Thou in God's bosom lying art: Freed from the body's yoke at last. The gentle soul to life liath passed. " No, Spirit! not one moment e'en Would I recall thee to this scene; Thou wert full worthy of my love, And God hath quicken'd thee above. " God will in turn raise me, and then 1 shall rqjoin thee once ap'j.in Into thy loving arms I'll ily, Immortal thou, immortal I." The ceremony over the Queen with the members lof her family, quitted the mausoleum, and unat- [tended by the ladies and gentlemen m waiting, [walked back to the Frogmore. Her Majesty, (who [was unveiled) and the other members of the Royal Ifamily were deeply affected throughout the pro- [ceedings. The Prince Consort's body was 1.1,. K-M . \be Hace-bearer, entered and took his seat on the wool- sack, with his face towards the House and his back to the Throne. His Lordship's appearance was the signal for commencing the business of the day by the offering up of prayer by the Bishop of Ely. There was a rustling of silks and satins as the Peer- esses stood up, followed by a deep silence, which allowed every syllable of the prayers to be distinctly heard in all parts of the House. At a signal from the Usher of the Black Rod the whole assembly rose en masse, Peeresses, Peers, Bishops, Judges, and the Foreign Mmisters, to receive the Prince and Princess of Wales, who en- tered side by side. The Prince was in the full uni- fomi of a general officer, and the Princess was tastefully attired in a dress of white tulle, trimmed with black lace, wearing a tiara of diamonds and a long flowing veil of white gauze. The Princess was escorted to the place of honour on the woolsack, immediately fronting the Throne. At length, at two o'clock precisely, the Usher of the Black Rod made a signal to the Lord Chancellor, at which the whole assembly rose, with the same pleasant rust- ling of silks and satins as bef re. In a few minutes the door to the right of the Thi^one was flung open, and preceded by a long train of halberdiers, buf- fetiers, and other ofiicials, entered the Queen. Her Majesty was attired in half mourning, and walked with slow steps to the Throne, followed by the great officers of State. Her Majesty stopped for an instant at the foot of the steps to shake hands with the Princess of Wales, who, in common with the whole assemblage, had risen on her entrance. The Queen wore a deep purple velvet robe trimmed with whito L \ i:^ 162 ANECDOTES OF THE miniver, and a white lace cap d la Marie Stuart, to the portrait of which unfortunate lady she bore in this attire a remarkable similitude. Around her neck she wore a collar of brilliants, and over her breast the blue riband of the Order of the Garter. Other ornaments she had none, and looked in this simple and highly becoming costume " every inch a Queen," and far more picturesque and regal than if she had worn the royal robes. Her Majesty was accc : apanied by the two Princesses attired in half mourning, like their illustrious mother. The Lord Chancellor having notified the Queen's desire that the company should resume their seats, a message was sent by the Usher of the Black Rod, desiring the attendance of the Speaker and the House of Commons at the Bar of the Lords. Dur- ing the interval that elapsed between the summons of the Commons and the reply, the Queen sat silent and motionless, with her eyes fixed upon the ground. She seemed to take no heed of the bril- liant assemblage around her, but to be wholly ab- sorbed in melancholy meditation. Even during the commotion caused by the Commons rushing helter- skelter into the bar. Her Majesty took no notice of the interruption, and never once lifted her gaze from the ground. When silence had been restored the Lord Chancellor, standing to the right on the second step from the Throne, announced thtit Her Majesty had been graciously pleased to commtind him to read the Royal Speech, which he should pi-o- ceed to do in Her Majesty's own words. His Lord- ship then read the Speech amid the all but breath- less silence of the assembly, in part of which occurs the following passages : — ^'l^ QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 163 irt, to ore in irneck breast Other simple inch a al than sty was in lialf Queen's ir seats, ckRod, and the s. Dur- ummona leen sat ipon the the l)ril- lolly ab- iring the belter- LOtice of ler gaze [restored ^t on the ihat Her ►mniund .uhl pi'O- ;is Lord- broath- ih occur* *^I watch with interest the proceedings which are still in ';>rogres8 in British North America with a view to a closer union among the Provinces, and 1 continue to attach great importance to that object. ''In these and in all other deliberations I fer- vently pray that the blessing of Almighty God may guide your counsels to the promotion of the hap- piness of my people." The reading concluded, the Lord Chancellor bowed his obeisance to the Queen, who slightly, but courteously, returned the salute. Then rising from the Throne, the whole of the brilliant assemblage rising from their seats at the same time, Her Ma- jesty stepped slowly down, kissed the Prince of Wales, who sat almost at her feet, shook hands with Prince Christian, and, handed out by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, followed by the Princess of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, retired by the door at which she had entered, with the usual jBourish and following, in which heralds and Garter Kings of Arms delight. Thus ended the opening of the Seventh Parlia- ment of Queen Victoria. The Peers and Judges laid aside their scarlet robes and ermine ; and the Peeresses returned home„ to hear the faint echo in the streets of the hearty applause that was showered upon the Sovereign, by a people delighted to see her once again among them j to cherish the hope that many years of health and happiness were yet in store for her. — London Times. M W- \ f ■V'kamr 1614 ANECDOTES OF THE 124.-THE QUEEN IN THE BY-STREETS OF LONDON. The London correspondent of the Birmingham Post dewcribes the Queen's unexpected visit to the Surrey side of London : — On the day in question it appeared that her Majesty had lunched with the Prince and Princess of Wales at Marlborough House, and after lunch the Queen proposed to take the Princess for a drive. It is probable that Her Miijesty wished to see Mr. Spurgeon's vast taber- nacle J for the outriders proceeded to the Elephant and Castle, instead of taking the usual route down Walcot-place to Kensington Church. A lady, dressed in deep mourning, and wearing a Mary Queen of Scots cap, occupied the plaice of honour in one of the royal carriages, having on her left a young and charming lady, wearing a bonnet trim- med with light blue ribbons, and otherwise so cheerfully attired that it did not appear possible she could be nearly related to the elder and stouter lady. Opposite to them sat a young lady of about eleven or twelve years of age, with hair of golden hue wi^rn over her shoulders, as the graceful cus- tom is, and very much interested at the unwonted sights and sounds of the locality. The coachman -and footman wore the royal liveries, and in attendance upon the open carriage were a number of outriders, splendidly mounted and wearing liveries of scarlet and gold. As soon as the royal cortege had passed, and the spectators had recovered from their aston- ishment, they knew that they had seen the present and future queen of these islands. But the sur- prise was so great that not a hat was raised or a loyal cheer uttered as the carriage traversed the QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 165 busy quarter. The royal carriage having got into the Walworth-road soon came to a deacl stand, the road having been taken up by the deep tunnelling necessary for making the lower le^rel sewer. At this point the carriage was Ehunted into a number of low by-streets, in Walworth and Camberwell, where royalty has never been seen before, &iA where the sight of the royal cortege excited a prodigious flut- ter among the laundresses, working gardeners, cobblers, and other humble denizens of the quar- ter. Her Majesty and the Princesses heartily en- joyed the contretemps, laugliing and exchanging remarks at each new turn of the road. Even a stern and serious figure, wearing a Scotch cap, and seated in the ''dickey," condescended to smile nt the idea of royalty losing its way "up and down all manner of streets." ''John Brown," however, in due time felt relieved, for the royal carriage opened upon Camberwell-green, and the Princesses were shown for the first time, the tall and handsome r©d brick mansion, once tenanted by Prince George of Denmark (now a boarding-school,) and which gave its name to Denmark-hill. ■1 4 125.-REV. NEWMAN HALL ON THE QUEEN AT AL- DERSHOTI. In a letter to the Hew York Independent, the Rev. Newman Hall thus describes a review of the troops by the Queen : — Hearing the Queen was expected to review the troops at Aldershott, I left my home at Hampstead at eight, and at eleven was marching beside a column of infantry to the inspiring music of bugles w Wl i' FJrMJ> 166 ANECDOTES OF THE and drums. The long line of red coats sweeping across the moors, golden with the blossoms of the yellow gorse, had a charming effect, which was in- creased by a brilliant sun, in whose rays helmets, swords and bayonets uashed like brilliant stars. A walk of four miles brought me to the top of a hill called Cfesar's Camp— a post of the old Roman, which still bears traces of his military skill. Be- yond this, troops were drawn up, and during the interval before the Queen's arrival lay stretched on the heather, reposing after a long tramp in heavy marching order under a hot sun. I took up my post on a hillock commanding a wide prospect, so that I might see the direction of the Queen's ap- proach. By and by a salute of guns announced her arrival ftom Windsor Castle. Far away I see the flashing of helmets. Now the royal cavalcade is clearly distinguished. It is coming my way. First a few dragoon guards, with scarlet jackets and burnished black Grecian helmets ; then an open carriage drawn by four white horses. In it is a middle-aged lady, very plainly attired in deep mourning. What stranger would take her to be the Queen of Great Britain, Canada and Australia, and Empress of Iidia ? She looked very well, and cheerful too, though her countenance showed evi- dently the record of deep sorrow. At her side was the Princess Louisa, very quiet and lady-like in style. She has a thorough English prettiness. The little boy in Highland costume is the Prince Leo- pold. On the "dickey" behind is the famous "John Brown," the Queen's favorite Highland gillie, her constant attendant. With noble sim- plicity, innocence and kindness, the Queen speaks f^^ QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 167 of him in her "Life in the Highlands," as her most faithful and trustworthy servant. A brilliant staft of officers surround the carriage. One of them is a boy of about eighteen, in the uniform of an ar- tillery officer. He rides a magnificent horse, and rides it well. It is Prince Arthur, a student in the Military Academy at Woolwich. There were few persons where I stood; but I started a good "three times three," which Her Majesty very plea- santly acknowledged. She was soon at her post. And now, in one long red line, straight as a wall, the infantry were drawn up, with their bands, which played "God save the Queen," the troops salut- ing. Then the marching past. The mounted bands drew up opposite the Queen, and trumpets filled the air with music, as horse-artillery, dragoon- guards, heavy guns and military trains marched past. Then the infantry followed, each brigade ac ^npanied by its own band. Afterward the cav- alry came by at a trot and then at a gallop, causing clouds of dust. This was all. From an eminence I watched the columns, as in different directions they marched back over the undulating heath. Presently I came to a part of the road where post- illions and horses were standing, and a few women and children. I found the Queen was to " change horses here," so I halted. She soon arrived, and for a few minutes I had the opportunity of seemg her closely. How kindly she returned the respect- ful greeting of the little group ai-ound. And when Prince Arthur made his military salute, and gal- loped off with his staff to take the cars to return to Woolwich, with what pride and affection the mother and sister gazed after him. m 1 ■y, i' ['*. / 168 ANECDOTES OP THE 126— THE QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY AT A REVIEW. The following pleasant paragraph relating to the Queen and Royal Family at the review is from the Daily News: To see the Queen and Princess of Wales laughing together when anything moved their mirth, in hearty abandonment, instead of the regular simper which society prescribes ; to see the young Highlander, Prince Leopold, and Princess Beatrice, pointing out men and things to their sister's tiny child ; to see the Queen, when a soldier was borne out of the ranks faint from heat, stand up with motherly concern, turn her back upon the review, and not be content until informed it was not a serious accident. } to see the Queen, Prince and Princesses in turn bringing a blush into Prince Arthur's face by probable reference to his new plumes, were little instances that came unsought before many a one at the review, indicating the sub- stratum on which English loyalty is built. XTI. THE PRINCESS ROYAL (CROWN PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA.) 127.— THE PRINCESS ROYAL AS AN ARTIST. Whien the proposal was made to hold an Art Bazaar in aid of the funds for the widows and or- phans of the soldiers who fell in the Crimean war, the Princess Royal was asked if she intended to send in a contribution. Diffident of her own powers, she exclaimed, " What ! send a picture to the public exhibition. Of course not. But when it was explained that it would be productive QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 169 of great good to the cause if she did, since many people would go to see her work who, but for such an inducement, would not go near the place, and that the shillings so collected would add greatly to the sum for the charity, while the sale of the picture would realize enough to help some poor widow lady in her distress, she at once agreed, on condition that the Queen had no objection. The Queen gave her consent willingly, and the result was the picture of a dead guardsman, and the widow weeping «jver his body on the battle field. No one seemed to have an idea of the great talent for original design possessed by the Princess until this drawing sur- prised and deeply affected all who saw it. The story of the picture after it reached the Ex- hibition at Burlington is worth recording. The Princess had put a very modest sum on her work to dispose of it privately for a small sum, which she wished to enter as her subscription. She was sure that this would frustrate the aid of the fund and that the picture would fetch a handsome sum. The first offer made immediately as the doors of the exhibition were opened, was 80 guineas, followed by another of 100 guineas. The names were entered in the book, it having been previously arranged that the highest offer up to a certain day at noon, was to obtain the picture. At the appointed time two hundred guineas had been offered by a person who was present to hear the clock strike twelve. — Just before the hour he said, well, I am surprised that there is not more appreciation of so fine a work of art, and that it may not be said that it sold for 200 guineas, I offer 250, for which sum he wrote a cheque as the clock struck. — The result of mxi m ' mi 170 ANECDOTES OF THE the sale surprised the Princess, who had too much good sense, however, to be elated by any foolish vanity while rejoicing in the success of her otfort for the treasury fund. — Leisure Hour. 128.— BETROTHAL OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL. Of this important event the Queen herself thus speaks in her journal of Life in the Highlands:" ''September 25, 1855. — Our dear Victoria was this day engaged to Prince Frederick William of Prussia, who had been on a visit to us since t^^e the 14th. He had already spoken to us on the 20th, of his wishes : but we were uncertain, on ac- count of her extreme youth, whether he should speak to her himself, or wait till he came back again. However, we felt it was better that he should do so } and. during our ride up Craig-na-ban this afternoon, he picked up a piece of white heather — the emblem of 'good luck' — ^which he gave to her, and this enabled him to make an allu- sion to his hopes and wishes, as they rode down Glen Gimoch, which led to this happy conclusion." 129.— INCIDENTS AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL. Suddenly there is a little stir, after the pause caused by the last. As the Princess of Prussia, mother to the bridegroom, enters the chapel, the whole brilliant audience of the chapel rises en masse and bows as she passes on to the altar. A murmur of admiration, which neither time nor place could QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 171 altogether subdue, greets the Princess Mary of Cambridge, as she enters the chapel, bowing with stately elegance in return for the homage rendered her. But a deeper reverence awaits the Duchess of Kent, who smilingly returns the greeting. But as the Queen enters, preceded by the great officers of state, every one bows slowly and deeply as Her Majesty, leading in either hand Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold, enters the chapel. Of course, on these occasions there *s no applause, and nothing but the prolonged obeisance denote the depth of loyal welcome with which the royal mother of the bride is welcomed. The queen looks, as she always looks, kindly and amiable, but self-possessed and stately. On her head is a crown of jewels. Curt- seying in acknowledgment of the profound homage with which she is welcomed, her Majesty passes at once to her Chair of State on the left of the altar, and which is placed between the five embroidered settees occupied by the youngest royal children. From this time all remain standing in the presence of Majesty, even the Princess of Prussia, who stands on the opposite side of the altar. Again there is another pause of deep interest, and then comes the procession of the bridegroom. All eyes are fixed upon the Royal bridegroom, as he walks slowly, but with perfect ease and elegance, up the centre of the chapel. The Prussian uniform eIiows his tall figure to advantage, and sets off his frank, open countenance, and prepossessing bear- ing. Near the altar he stops before Her Majesty's Chair of State, and slowly bows with the most pro- found reverence, and, turning to his royal mother, he bows again with equal respect, but less deeply than to the Queen. : ■% i 1' ^ i:'»4' it;,; 172 ANECDOTES OP THE After a while as the procesHion of the bride approaches, a heavy silence of Buspense steals upon the assembled guests. The plumes cease to wave, and even the restless glitter of the diamonds seems almost (luenched as the noble assemblage sits mute and attentive, with their eyes turned in eager expectation towards the door. As the brido passes up to the altar she stops and makes a deep reverence to her mother, though with evident agi- tation, and again turning, slie renders the same homage to the Princess of Prussia. As she does so, the bridegroom elect advances, and kneeling on one knee presses her hand with an expression of fervent admiration that moved the august audience. Taking their places at the altar, surrounded by a group of unequalled brilliancy, the service com- mences with the choral, which peals through the build hig with the most solemn effect. The hymn over, the Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by three other Bishops, proceeds with the service. At its conclusion the usual prayer was offered up, and the Primate, joining the hands of the Bride and Bridegroom together, said, ''Whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder." The royal couple then knelt, with all the brides- maids, while the Bishop of London in a clear and distinct voice reading the exhortation. At the concluding words the Hallelujah Chorus — "Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. 'eople •ast of 311 was [nan to scl itself J. The ould be ;ly inti- eaching andants ivanced ked the I replied [ing lady cess had e Prince borrow- soon as lie of the uilder. aN HKB telegraph, Id at the which )le here. iPrincess Victoria. You mupt know that on state occasions there is comparatively little ceremony observed here, while the every day life of the royal family seems to be regulated more strictly on the principle of etiquette than that of Queen Victoria. A Prussian^ Princess, for instance, is not allowed by her mistress of the Robe to take up a chair, and, after having carried it through the whole breadth of the room, to put it down in another oomei . It was wliile committing such an act that the Princess Victoria was lately caught by Countess Perponcher. The venerable lady remonstrated, with a consider- able degree of earnestness. '< I'll tell you what," replied the royal heroine of this story, nothing daunted, "I'll tell you what, my dear Countess, you are probably aware of the fact of my mother being tbo Queen of England ? ' ' The Count ess bowed in as- sent. "Well," resumed the bold Princess, 'Hhen I must reveal to you another fact. Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland has not once, but very often, so far forgotten herself as to tJvke up a chau'. I speak from pei'sonal observation, I can assure you. Nay, if I am not greatly deceived, I noticed one day my mother carrying a chair in each hand, in order to set them for her children. Do yo"u really chink that my dignity forbids any- tliing which is frequently done by the Queen of England ? ' ' The Countess bowed again and retired, perhaps not without a little astonishment at the biographical information she had heard. However, she knew her office, and resolved to prove not loss Bta* "ich to her duties than the Princess to her principles. A scene similar to the one narrated recently |il!' I;' i ml 176 ANECDOTES OF THE happened, when the Countess Perponcher, on en- tering one of the remote < 'lambers, took the Princess by surprise, while b \y engaged in that homely occmpation of arrangiiig and stowing away a quantity of linen. But all objections the Countess could urge were again beaten back by another equally unanswerable argument, taken from the- every day life of the mistress of Windsor Castle, After having gained these two important victories, Princess Victoria, true to the auspicious omen of her name, carried the war into the enemy's camp. The chambermaids, whose proper business it is to clean the rooms, discharge the duties of their posi- tion in silk dresses. The daughter of the richest sovereign in the world decided to jjut a stop to tliis extravagance. One fine morning she had all the female servants summoned to her presence, and delivered what may be considered a highly success- ful maiden speech. She began by telling them the expense of their dresses must e\'idently exceed the rate of their wages. She added, that as their wages were not to be raised, it would be very fortunate for them if they were allowed to assume cotton articles of clothing. ''In order to prevent every misunderstanding," the Princess continued, "I shall not only permit but order you to do so. You must know that there ought to i>e a difference in the dress of mistress and servant. Don't think that I want to hurt your feelings ; you will under- stand my attention at once, if 1 tell you that " and now came the same imanswerable argument fi-om the Court of St. James. She told them briefly that at that Court people in their position perform, ed their duties in cotton, and that she liked to be ruled by her mother's practice. iw a en- : the 1 that Avay a jintess lother ai the- I tie. stories, tnen of I camp, it is to sir posi- 5 richest p to tlU3 I all the ace, and success- hem the ^ceed the leir wages 1) QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. *' 177 132 -THE miNCESS ROYALS FIBST-BOEN, AND THE QUEEN A GRANDMOTHER. Queen Victoria must be one of the yoimgest grand- mothers in England. To those who are accustomed to see her among her own young family, and still with an infant on her knees, it appears like a mistake that the venerable title of grandmother should belong to her. In her entrance on her new stage of her natural, honoured, and happy life, however, the Queen will have the hearty sympathy of her subjects, as on every prior one. Some of us still remember the day when she was in her mother's arms, as the widowed Duchess received the condo- lence of the many mourners of the Duke of Kent. During her entire childhood and youth her future people were preparing their admiration and loyal love, on the ground of her v'.gorous and most ap- propriate education. The fervour of loyalty on her accession was really dangerous, so far did the popu- lar expectation transcend any fulfilment that it was possible for a constitutional sovereign to afford. But in tliis, again, sympathy did not fail. When it appeared that the best sovereign that England has hal for generations could not cure all the evils of the State, and abolish the sufferings of human life in her dominions, she was not made to suffer i for the follies of the sanguine, but gratefully cred- ited with what she was able to do, and not asked for more. Her domestic life has been exemplarily respected — the popular feeling in regard to herself securing due recognition of the scholarly and busi- ness like qualities of her husband. As soon as she became a mother, her infants had the whole nation i 1 %m 178 ANECDOTES OF THE for sponsors. They have lived, and always will live, under a truly national guardianship, an enthtisiasm of protection which must cheer the twice-motherly heart which presides at once over the Iiome and the empire. The first marriage in her family was a national festival. Her eldest daughter was Eng- land's eldest daughter ; and we were all moved and melted together with the bridal joy and tenderness, when the first of the royal children left home. Death had never yet entered that threshold. All the sympathy has been joyful thus far : and now, within forty years of the day when we first heard of her, we are called upon to welcome the first of a third generation. — Daily News. ISa.— THE PRIXCESS AND THE MUNICIPAL AUTHORI- TIES OF BERLIN. '' For the sympathy you have expressed towards me after the heavy calamity which has befallen the Eoyal family and the people of England, and which has been the bitterest sori'ow of my life, I return to the magistrates and municipal council of Berlin my most sincere thanks. In such a calamity the mind lifts itself above earthly things, and. seeks for con- solation in sources which are imperishable. If any- thing earthly could diminish the weight of heavy] aflfliction, it would be the thought that the irre- parable loss is aclinowledged as such in every circlejl and that the high and rare qualifications of my dearl father, who ha* been so prematurely removed, willj be embalmed in an endurin g memory. "(Signed,) Viotokia, Crown Princess. ''Berlm." QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 179 frincess. 134.-DOMESTIC LIFE OF THE CROWN PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA. From one of the most trusted and trustworthy of the Physicians of the Royal family of Prussia, and from one of the Foreign Ministers resident of the Court of Berlin, who had recently been here, I learn that the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia are one of the happiest pair to be found in any station upon the earth the husband and wife outvying one another in their love for each other and for their two babies. This young people live in a pretty little palace, in a new street, called ths Victona Strasse in honour of the Princess ; and they are to be seen, two or three times a day, walking out, arm in arm, or in their favourite little low open carriage, which the Prince always drives himself, chatting and laugh- ing, evidently in the gayest spirits, and on the best possible terms with each other. Since the deatli of the Prince Consort, which has been a terrible blow to them, the young pair are, of course, much less gay in manner than formerly ; but their go. d un- derstanding is not likely to have been impairjed by the great sorrow which they have shared together. The Princess possesses a very clear and sound hea i, and excellent heart, and a very resolute will; she never interferes in matters not fairly c mmg within the sphere of her present position and duties, but, wherever she can act with effect, lier action is very decided. She has not introduced all manner of English ways into her own housekeeping arrange- ment, but has quietly got rid of several scores of Utile troublesome matters of detail in the stiff for- il ' !■ ■T't.p ;fi u 180 ANECDOTES OF THE malities of Court-etiquette hitherto hold sacred within the precincts of Prussoroyal rigidity. The Iving and Queen are extremely fond of her, and let her have her way, from sheer affection for her, on many points in regard to which it is probable that they would have preferred seeing her manifest more respect for their martinet ideas. The Queen, a goodhearted and intelligent, but rather haughty woman, loves her daughter-in-law with enthusiasm, and never speaks of her virithout some endearing epithet, ^*my beloved daughter," *'my darling Victoria," and so on. When the Princess first went to Berlin, she was very naturally the object of every sort of flattering attention at Court, and the praises of her grace, her goodness, her espntj and all the various quali- ties attributed to her, were dinned into her ears until she was tired of hearing of them, till, one day, when she had been informed of her perfections until she could stand it no longer, she rose from her chair, saying with a laugh, <^ Dear Ladies, you are certainly extremely kind, and my Royal High- ness is really very much obliged to you," bowed gaily to the astonished circle of courtly flatterers, and tripped merrily out of the room. Whenever the Prince and Princess give a State dinner in their little palace, the latter has the two babies brought in, as a matter of course, at the dessert ; a thing unheard of in the annals of Prussian royalty. My informant was present, with the rest of the elite of the diplomatic circle, at a diplomatic dinner given by them a couple of days before he left Berlin. lie says that the two children, charm- ingly dressed, fat, happy, and merry, were brought QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 181 in to the dining-room as soon as the cloth was re- moved, the baby being placed in the lap of it3 proud young mother, the elder child on its father's knee, and duly complimented, admired, and allowed to take a minute drop of wine, and a little fruit, with as little ceremony as though they were not a king's grandchildren. "The sight of the happy young couple, their de- light in their babies, and the pleasant domestic at- mosphere of their home, all struck me as constitut- ing one of the pleasantest sights I have ever seen in my diplomatic career; and I heard the same feeling exf 'essed by others of the guests," said the diplomate in question, in recounting the scene. " The amount of influence exercised by the Prin- cess," observed the same gentleman, ''is really most remarkable, when one considers how very young she is, and how extremely stiff are the Prus sian court and the people of Berlin in their notions. Her influence is felt in eveiy direction, and is al- ways most beneficial. With her common- sense English ideas and habits, her liberal and progressive sympathieSy her constitutional predilections, and above all, her frankness, simplicity, directness, and her genuine goodness and kindness, she is doing wonders among those slow German heads, and her presence in the Court of Prussia is a blessing alike to its princes and its people." The Princess is, as may well be imagined, a gene- ral favourite with all classes. My diplomatic friend, who has often witnessed the cordiaUty with which the young pair are received on all public occasions, happened to be passing along the Victoria-Strasse, not long since, on some public anniversary (the ;v'i m j||:v' /■■■■ ;i'r' W." FFiPS li 11! f; '■ 182 ANECDOTES OP THE King's birth-day, if I remember rightly), just as a crowd had assembled under the windows of the Crown I'rince's palace, and were cheering its in- mates in a lusty style. One of the windows soon opened, and the Prince and Princess came out upon the balcony, the latter leading out her little son and the former carrying in liis arms the baby, which he held up, with a smile, to the admiration of his future lieges, tossing it up and holding it up above his head, while the little creatui'e stuck its little fat thumb into its mouth, alternately sucking it and laughing, and crowing in a state of great do- light, cheered the Prince and his family more lusti- ly than ever. The Princess keeps up all her old habits and avo- cations. She paints very well, is a veiy good mu- sician, reads a great deal, and takes an active interest in her household. She is very fond of gardening ; and. in her letters to her family, gives careful directions for the training, pruning, and manuring of their favourite trees and plants, all planted with her own hands, in her gardens at Windsor and at Osborne. One lady, much at our own Court, tells me she has often seen her, before her marriage, coming in from an houi' or two's hard work among her pets, with her apron full of green peas, or early potatoes, which she was carrying to the kitchen, with an injunction that they were to be sent up in a dish by themselves to the Queen. Another tells me how she has often seen her busy among the pans of milk and cream, in her own pri- vate daily, or with her arms covered with flour up to the elbows, deep in the manufacture of cakes and pies, in the beautiful little kitchen set apart QUEEN AND ROYAl^ PAMILT. 183 for the houi-ekeepiiig experimont of the royal chil- dren, where they niixeak<;'d, boiled, stewed, nncl did just as they plesised : thei milk and butter, tlie eggs and the fi'uit, )j€ing all of their own raishig. 1S6.-THE CROWN TRINCESS AND THE ESIPRESS EUGICKIE. The Princess Victoiia, a favourite with all who knew her, nn»l said by those accjuainted with the membei's of the lioyal family of England, to be as good and chaiiuiug as she is clever, is an especial favourite with the Empress Eugenie. During the visit of the Emperor and Empress to England, the latter contrived to procm*e, from some one about the Princess, the most exact measures of her person and of the various articles of her toilette. From these measui"es, on her Majesty's return to Paris, she caused a doll to be made, exactly representing the Princess ; and, for this doll, a trousseaUy includ- ing every item of a most complete wardrobe, was prepai-ed, by the iii-st makers of the capital. Dress- es, bonnets, mantles, shawls, shoes, underclothes, everything that a young lady can be supposed to wear, were made for this doll, under the Empress's personal sui)erintendence, and all of the richest quality, and in the most exquisite taste, llie whole was then sent to the Piincess by the Empress, with a charming letter, begging her acceptance of the doll and her wai-drobe. The beautiful and costly gift, presented with such ingenious delicacy, was recei»red by the young Princess with very natm*al pleasure j and many of the articles of her doll's e- 111! <\. m Si? ' i !;■ 184 ANECDOTES OP THE wardrobe woro afterwards worn by hor whilo at the Tuillerios, when she came to Paris with the Queen, Prince Albert, and Prince of Wales, in 1855. — Ibid. XIII. THE PRINCE OF WALES. 186.— KING EDWAKD VI. AND THE PRINCE OF WALES. Before the Prince Consort's death, he became possessed of a beautiful marble statuette of the boy-King Edward VL, and had it stationetl some- what conspicuously at the top of one of the grand staircases, to present it to the Prince of Wales on his coming of age. In the hand of the Royal child is a scepti'e, so placed as to point to the representation of a Bible, and at that passage indicated as follows, 2 Chron. xxxiv., verses 1 and 2. The words, exquisite in their simplicity, and written by the finger of God Himself, are these : " Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one- aad- thirty years. And he did thai which was righ^ in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the watfs of David his father J and declined neither to the right hand nor to the left.^'' 187.— EARLY TRAINING OF THE PRINCE OF WAIJES. F. William, Esq., has prepared a full sketch of the early education and training of the Prince of Wales, and from which we make the following extract: After the birth ofQueen Victoria's first son, Albert Edward, the circumstances attending the education QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 185 it the ueen, -Ibid. ). y'ALES. ►ecame of the some- ) gmitd ssonhis lild is a ation of [lows, 2 xquisite of God \\d when emone- 7.S righ'' mijs of \iJit hand •AIJRS. [h of the [fWales, jxtract : Albert lucation and career of former Princes of Wales underwent special review. Tlie Queen, whose education under an admirable mother had fitted her to perform with equal grace her regal and domestic duties, appeared to feel the obligation imposed upon Iier by tliis important connection with the nation she haOT£S OF THE health of Queen Victoria, and with great fervency, that she might long con tinue to reign, and with wis- dom like unto that of Solomon. At the conclusion, all the deputation ejaculated "Amen, Amen." The prayer being interpreted to the prince, he was greatly moved, and even more so when the Chief Rabbi followed up this prayer with an invocation to the King of Kings that the soul of the Prince Con- sori might rest in peace in the realms of eternal bnss. The prince accompanied by the Chief Rabbi, then visited the synagogues, which were brilliantly lighted up and decorated as on a festival, and were crowded to excess. Prayers were there offered up for the Prince, Prince Alfred, and all the royal family. At the first synagogue which he visited, the Prince asked to see one of the scrolls of the law, and he examined the sacred volume with great earnestness. The Prince then went with the Chief Rabbi to view the two new synagogues and the Rothschild Hospital, and during this time they held almost uninterrupted conversation in the Italian language. The amiability of the Prince on this oc- casion was as conspicuoui3 as was the deep interest which he exhibited in all that took place ; and his most courteous demeanour throughout toward the Chief Rabbi and the whole Jewish community is creditable alike to his heart and to his enlightened mind. 148.— THE PRINCE WITNESSES THE SAMARITAN PASSOVER. The Prince of Wales and his suite left Jerusalem on the 19th of April, encamping at Bethel, and pro- QTJEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 193 jrvency, nth wis- iclusion, n." The he was he Chief 3atioh to nee Con- f eternal bbi, then rilliantly and were ffered up the royal le visited, Us of the vith great the Chief and the they held le Italian >n this oc- p interest and his Dward the imunity is lightened ABITAN Jerusalem 1, and pro- (eeding the following day by Shiloh to Nablous, arriving on the eve of the Samaritan Passover. After visiting Jacob's Well in the morning, the whole party ascended Mount Gerizim in the evening, and there witnessed this ancient ceremony, the only direct vestige of the Jewish Passover. The whole Samaritan community were assembled on a terrace just short of the summit. About an hour before sunset the prayers began, and six sheep tended by young men in white garments, appeared among the crowd. As the sun sunk behind the western ridge the young men burst into a wild chant, drew their long bright knives, and brandished them in the air. In a moment the sheep were thrown upon their backs and the knives drawn across their throats. In the stream of blood which poured from them the young men dipped their fingers, and marked the foreheads and noses of all the children. Next came the skinning and roasting —the first in a trough, the second in a hole pre- pare<| for the purpose. The Prince and most of his stiite returned to the tents, one or two remain- ing through the night on the moimtain-top to wit- ness the ''feast," which was eaten in haste in the early morning by the Samaritans, girded and shod, md with staves in their hands. 144.— THE PRINCE AT THE MOSQUE OP HEBRON. The Times publishes a letter from one of the j Prince of Wales' suite at Jerusalem, describing a i visit to the Mosque of Hebron. After much nego- tiation, permission wa« given to the Prince of Wales N Ir M 194 > f ANECDOTES OF THE %. and a limited number of his suite to visit the mosque; and to prevent the fanaticism of the populace from l)reaking out, the approach to the town was lined with soldiers, and guards stationed on the house tops. Within these sacred precincts for 600 years, excepting by stealth, no European has ever entered. The writer says : — 'tha, the brother of the late Prince. The Queen wears the simplest and plainest of widow's cap, a black silk dress, with white collar and cuffs, and black gloves. The only colours which appear upon her are the Star of the Order of the Garter, and its blue riband. The first of the three processions is at hand, but no one moves in the choir till the gUttering file is seen, headed by herald and great officers of State, coming rank in rank in stately order, fillig off to the right and left as they enter the choir, till they reach the dais, which none but the most illustrious may ascend. Dhuleep Singh, with Prince Edwaru daxe Weimar, and the Prince of Leiningen, head the line of royal guests, but it is on the sister of the bride, the lovely Princess Dagmar of Denmark, followed by her Eoyal mother, leading in each hand the Princess Thyr ^nd Prince Waldemar, that all looks are centred, as with stately steps they slowly pass up the centre. All as they reach the dais turn and make a deep and reverent obeisance to Her Majesty, and then pass on to the seats on the south of the altar. W li ii I'll i iiji i'l i'SI if I'll' I 's 206 ANECDOTES 07 THE N ext comes the procession of the royal family officers of the household, pursuivants and heralds, lead the way, halting and making a double line below the dais, while the Princess Mary of Cambridge moves up the choir with the s^me stately grace. At the d-^is she turns to gather her train over her arm, and, moving to the centre, makes a profound courtesy to her Majesty, then passes at once to her place. As she passes in the Duchess of Cambridge follows, with like state and ceremony, and then the Princess Beatrice, Princess Louise, and Princess Helena second in turn, followed by the Princes Arthur and Leopold, the latter in Highland dresses of the royal tartan. All bow and courtesy deeply to the Queen, and the Princess Helena Who we^rs a train, gathers hers on her arm like the rest, and seatsherself near the Duchess of Cambridge. The next is the Princess Alice, wearing a noble coronet of brilliants, who pays the same deep reverence to her mother as all the rest ; then the Princess Koyal, looking as young, as amiable, and as timid as ever, leading by the hand a fine little boy, all unawed by the stately pomp around. All have risen as they enter, and the Queen now rises too, and bows to her daughter with a kind and winning smile^—thiB first that has passed across her face since she entered the chapel. Beethoven's noble march has been beautifully rendered as they enter. ^* Again the cheers outside come louder and more sustained than ever, and this time all save the Queen herself rise and remain standing respectfully, for it is the Prince of Wales that approaches. Great officers precede him, and he is in his uniform of Ge- neral, but wearing over all the insignia and purple ^!" QUEEN AND EOYAL FAMILY, 207 mantle of a Knight of the Garter, as he comes slowly uj. the choir. He is accompanied by the Pri^' 9 of ^'rus:»?ia, and the Duke of Saxe-Cobm*g, similarly robed. The wedding March is played as they move up with stately ease, and the Queen rises and the three ascend and turn in line toward her, bowing deeply. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and the Prince of Prussia retire to the south side of the altar, and the bridegroom, after kneeling a f'^w seconds in piayer, rises and stands in the centre of the haut pas alone,, with his face toward the Queen. At length the long looked for procession of the bride enters, and the Prince, giving one look to satisfy himself of the fact of the arrival, keeps his eyes fixed upon the Queen, and never turns his head again till his affianced stands beside him. Though* not agitated, the bride appeared nervous, and the soft, delicate bloom of colour, which ordinarily im- parts a look of joyous happiness to her expressive features, hijid all but disappeared, as, with head bent down, but glancing her eyes occasionally from side to side, she moved slowly up towards the altar. As the bride reaches the hunt pas, she stops to bow to the Queen, and then all retire a little apart, while the bride and bridegroom are left standing in the middle of the haut pas, the former surrounded by her bridesmaids. Handel's march from 'Joseph' was played at entering, but as the party stood around the altar, the solenm words of the wedding chorale were chanted. The exquisitely soft music of this chant was com- posed by the late Prince Consort. It may have been this, or the associations and life-long memo- ries called up by the scene beneath her, but as the i ms M 208 ANEODOTES OF THE hymn commenced her Majesty drew back from the window of the pew, and, after an effort to con- ceal her emotion, gave way to her tears, nor did she throughout the rest of the ceremony entirely recover her composure. As the solemn chant ended the Prelates advanced to the communion rails, and the Primate, in a rich, clear voice, commenced the Service. Having con- cluded it, the commendatory prayer was solemnly repeated, and then they rose, while the Primate joined their hands and said in a distinct voice, " Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder." With these words, the solemn strains of the 67th Psalm came like a relief to the overwrought feel- ings of all within the choir, as the words went peal- ing softly through both nave and aisle. Then, raising his voice, the Primate solemnly pronoimced the benediction, r'uring which the Queen, who had been deeply affected, knelt and buried her face in her handkerchief. The bride and bridegroom then joined hands, and turning to the Queen gave more a nod of kindly friendship than a bow of State, which the Queen returned in kind. In another minute, the Queen, giving a similar greeting to the Princess, quitted the closet, and the whole pageant went pouring forth in a gorgeous stream or flood of colours, waving plume and flaming jewels, out of the choir. As they 1^ the choir and the band went pealing the Halleliyah of Beethoven: — " Hall^lajah to the Father And the Son of God ; Fraise the Lord, ye everlastiDg choir, in holy songs of Joy. Worlds unborn shall sing His glory, The exalted Son of. God." i;;iS QUEEN AND BOTAL FAMILY. 209 161.— THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AT CAMBRIDGE. 'i he 67tli ;ht feel- nt peal- S" ■ olemnly ich the Lelt and le bride rning to endship irned in iving a closet, th in a plume^ ey left^ eliyali of joy. Here is a pleasant account of the Princess of Wales' recent visit to the University town of Cam- bridge : — *' The conduct of the Princess of Wales at Cam- bridge won the hearts of all who came in contact with her, or ever looked upon her. 'The true secret,' says an observer, 'lies in the Princess' simplicity of manner, in the openness and unre- strainedness of her enjoyment, in the freedom with which she shows her delight in the enjoyment and festivity of which she is the centre. The Princess seems the impersonation of simplicity, freedom, and capacity for enjoyment. There is something inexpressibly delightful in this spontaneousness. It seems to tell of her earlier years, of narrow for- tunes, simple habits, small state, and scanty plea- sures. " An account is given of an undergraduate who, in the imitation of Raleigh's gallantry to Queen Elizabeth, spread his gown on the pathway for the Princess to walk on. The Princess paused for a moment, as if puzzled and startled by the sudden act of superfluous devotion ; but when one of the suite had whispered a word of explanation, it was charming to see how sedulously she lifted her dress to shew the dazzled and rather abashed proprietor of the purple toga of Trinity that she was actually setting her foot on the gown, bowing her acknow- ledgments to him at the same time. 210 ANBCD0TE8 OF THE 162.-TUB PRINCE AND FRINCESS OF WALES IN DENMARK. The London Times publishes a letter from its corres})ondent in Denmark, describing the enthu- siastic reception given to the Prince and Princess of Wales on their visit to that country. On their visit to Bemstoff Castle, "The liorses and carriages disappear, and nothing is seen on the gi*eat grav- elled spp-ce before the door but a perfect sea of human faces looking up Into the windows and moving to and fro at a respectful distance from the houpe. At an upper window, near the far end of the chateau, a delicate hand is seen to open the window softly, and an unbonnetted head appears, and there is a quiet but delighted look cast down upon the people, and the figure retires. It is the Princess of Wales, who made her first visit to the nursery, and is now looking down from one of the windows. The crowd 8ur;j;e8 up under this window, and there is a great anxiety to know if the beloved Princess will again make her appearance. She stealthily peeps out again, and, seeing the great assemblage, she thinks evidently how best to gratify them, and she hits upon a plan which makes the woods resound with thundering Danish hurrahs. It was a simple one. The gracious lady, blushing in all the pride of a young mother, brings the little prince in her arms, and holds hin; up to the people. The little uncle Valdemar and the little aunt Thyra are also at the window, and are looking up fondly at the dear baby, who seems delighted, and actually to crow at the admiring people beneath. Then comes the Queen of Denmark and she takes m QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 211 om its cnthu- 'rinccss In their irriages at grav- ■j soa of ,ws and i'om tbe id of the 5 window ,nd there upon the rincess of sery, and windows. ,nd there Princess itealthily lemblage, |hem, and ^e woods It was a in all the prince in Ae. The iThyra are fondly at actually she takes the child too, in her arms, and mother and daugh- ter hold him up between them, and present him to the people. The King and Prince appear smiling in the back ground, and suddenly a thought occurs to the Princess, and laughingly she placeti the pre- cious bui-den in her father's arms. His Majesty, who hates everything that approaches a dramatic scene in real life, seemed embarrassed, but as the little fellow appeared ve*^' <;;allantly not to wish to quit the ladies, his Iif -^ ' ^ to pacify him by dandling him in his ai. and so he brought him to the window. But the Princess was not satisfied. She transferred the baby from her father's arms to her husband's arms, and tho Prince performed the paternald uty very handsomely, though the ladies all solemnly decided that the more expei'ienced King was for the moment the better skilled nurse of the two. The royal family seemed now finally to retire, and by degrees the group of visitors dis- persed." BB!' 153.-THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA'S CHRISTMAS GIFT. An English paper tells a little story of the Prin- cess Alexandra, which admirably illustrates her domestic habits, her amiable disposition and kind- ness of heart. Crossing the hall of Marlborough House late one afternoon a few days before Chiist- mas. Her Eoyal Highness observed a young girl of singularly delicate and refined appearance, waiting and also standing, though evidently fatigued and Mnt. The Princess kindly told her to sit down, asked her errand, and discovered that she had brought home some little garments which had been I III IL .'■am 212 ANECDOTES OF THE ordered for the children, and which the Princess, who is much interested in sewing machines, and understands their merits, had desired should be made for her. Interested in the modest, intelligent appearance, and gentle manners of the girl. Her Royal Highness desired her to follow her to her room, which she did, without the remotest idea who the beautiful, condescending lady was. After an examination of the articles, the Princess asked who it was that had executed the work ? The girl modestly confessed that she herself had done most of it. The Princess said it was done very nicely, and finally drew from her the simple facts of her condition : how she had an invalid mother, whom she was obliged to leave all alone while she went to £C shop to work ; how the fashionable rage for ma- chine sewing had suggested to her to become a finished operator with the hope that at some future time she might own a machine of her own, and be able to work at home and earn something more than bread for her poor sick mother. The Princess rang whe bell, ordered a bottle of wine, some biscuits and oranges to be packed and brought to her; meanwhile she had asked the won- dering girl where she lived, and taken down the address upon her tablets with her own hand. She then gave her the delicacies, which had been pat into a neat little basket, and told her to take them to her mother. On Christmas morning, into the clean apartment of the invalid mother and her astonished and de- lighted daughter, was borne a handsome sewing ma- chine, with a slip of paper on which were the words — «A Christmas Gift from Alexandra." — Cfuelph Herald. QUEEN AND BOTAL PAMILT. 213 pincess, les, and )uld be elligent irl, Her : to her est idea I. After 3S asked The girl jne most y nicely, ts of her er, whom e went to 3 for ma- become a me future Ti, and be ^ing more bottle of icked and the won- Idown the md. She I been pat take them ipartment [dand de- jewing ma- the words 164— PRESENT FROM THE QUEEN TO HER GRANDSON VICTOR. Her Majesty presented to her Royal grandson, Prince Victor, (son of the Prince and Princess of Wales,) a most splendid baptismal gift. It consists of a statuette of the Prince Consort in silver, and stands 3 feet 2^ inches in height. . His Royal High- ness is in a standing position, with gilt armour, copied from the figure upon the tomb of the Earl of Warwick in Warwick Cathedral. He is repre- sented as Christian, in the ''Pilgrim's Progress," and around the plinth on which the figure stands is the verse from Timothy, " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Behind the figure, and resting upon the stump of an oak, is the helmet of Christian. The shield of the Prince rests i gainst the stem, and near the trees are the white lilies of Purity which are usually introduced into the pictures of the Pilgrim. Immediately beneath the plinth, and in front of the entablature of the pedestal, is the inscription: "Given to Albert Victor Christian Edward, on the occasion of his haptism, by Victoria R., his grand- mother and go Imother, in memory of Albert, his beloved grandfather." In the first and second panels, and over the Royal arms, and over the Queen and Prince Consort's arms, are appropriate verses. On a third panel, and over the arms of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is the verse — " Walk as he walked, in faith and righteousness ; Strive as he strove, the weak and poor to aid, Seek not thyself but other men to bless ; So win, like him, a wreath that will not fade." t>':i '('1 I 214 ANECDOTES OF THE Beneath the front panel, over the figures " 1864," are inscribed, in large-sized letters, the Prince's names, Albert Victor Christian Edward ; and in an oblong panel, "Bom January the 8th, baptised March 10th." Looking to the front of the work, a figure of Hope stands at the right side, one of Faith on the left, and behind, or in the third niche, is a group of Charity, each of oxydised silver. At the side of ( ach figure and group there are lilies in enamel. Upon the frieze over the figure of Faith are the words, "Walk as he walked in — ^Faith," the last word being inscribed beneath the figure. In the same manner, in connection with the figure of Hope, are the words " Strive as he strove in — Hope ;" and over the group of Charity, also in enamel, are the words, " Think as he thought in — Charity." Over Faith there is a lily of purity | over Hope the water lily, having appropriate refer- en .f* o the baptism of the young Prince; and over the f roup of Charity, and resting upon the top of the niche, there is the lily of the valley. To the right of the Prince of Wales' shield there is a figm'e of an infant boy looking up at a full-blown rose, which stands erect upon a perfect stem, with, beside it, a white lily, and immediately over the baby figiu-es a bunch of snowdrops, emblematic of youth or spring. This entire group is enriched by the rose, thistle, and shamrock, tastefully intro- duced to form a background. The inscriptions were written by the Queen herself. The verses are by Mrs. Prothero, the wife of the rector of Whip- pingham. QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 215 166.-ArPEARANCE OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES, 1868. Strolling in London one day, a stylish landau rolled towards us, drawn by two handsome prancing bays. The coachman and footmen were dressed in plain dark livery — the whole equipage and its ap- pointment being as simple, unpretending and per- fect as one could well imagine. Two ladies were seated in the carriage, one of whom turned her cahn, quiet gaze full upon us — it was the Princess. She has an oval face, pale and pathetic — with a quantity of hair, of that neutral tint called Ught brown, drawn carelessly away from the smooth, frank brow. Her blue eyes are large, sad and questioning; her nose slightly aquiline, and her mouth is very sweet and sensitive. Not beautiful, and hardly to be called pretty, even with the brilliant adjuncts of a splendid toilet, yet she has a tender, womanly, flower-hke face, that would in any rank of life cause a good man involuntarily to accord her his protection, and a good woman to give to her her love. She was dressed quite simply, wearing a blue velvet paletot, with a bit of swan's down at her throat, a black lace hat with blue velvet flowers and strings, and dark gloves. — Corves- pondence of the Philadelphia Postj May^ 1868. m 156.— POPULARITY OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES. Eight Hon. B. Disraeli, on the 9th July, 1868, in moving a congratulatory address to the Queen on the birth ings of gratification at the restored health of the Princess of Wales, which I am sure must be to the people of this country a source of infinite satisfac- tion." Bight Hon. W. E. Gladstone, in seconding the address, said — "The domestic relations the mem- bers of the Koyal family have assumed, to the great satisfaction of the country, a position in recent times which is almost novel with regard to the degree in which the people of the country are per- mitted to become acquainted with them, and the interest of the people in those domestic relations is proportionately enhanced. All that tends to exhibit the Eoyal family and the various groups of the Roy il family in the light and attitude before the eyes of the nation of families knit together by mutual affection, and growing and prospering in mutual love, gives cordial satisfaction to the coun- try in all classes and throughout all parts. It is Undoubtedly true that we derive an additional plea- sure from the mercy which has been vouchsafed to the Prince and Princess of Wales upon the present occasion, from observing that no renewed detriment has occurred to the constitution of one whose puro and lofty character, and whose gracious manners have, not less than her high station,, caused her to Jbe an object of the greatest interest." The reso- lution was carried unanimously. |l ! Ith of the be to the e satisfac- nding the the mem- the great in recent rd to the ry are per- 1, and the 5 relations ; tends to \ groups of ide before ogether by spering in ► the coun- irts. It is ional plea- Ichsafed to ,e present Idetriment hose puio manners ed her to The reso- QUBBN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 217 XV. PRINCE ALFRED, (DUKE OF EDINGBURGH.) 1C7.— PEINCE ALFRED UNDER NAVAL DISCIPLINE. The United Service Gazette says that Prince Alfred is being brought up in the Naval service precisely the same as if he were the son of a private gentle- man. "He messes with the midshipmen, keeps hib regular watch, dines occasionally in the wardroom and takes his turn to dine with the captain. He is treated by his messmates as, in all respects, one of themselves — is called to order by the caterer, and runs the risk of being made the subject of a prac- tical joke as any other young gentleman, himselfjl however, being generally pretty forward in the business of playful mischief. Upon one question, that of smoking, the young prince is sternly denied the privilege indulged by other officers. That grow- ing vice of the age, most mischievous in its conse- quences, particularly when carried to excess, and which always runs to excess, is prohibited as far ao Prince Alfred is concerned." Ill 158.— PRINCE ALFRED'S VISIT TO THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. Colonel Armstrong, a settler at the Cape, gives an interesting account of Prince Alfred's reception at Grahams Town: — "Her Majesty will not be dis- pleased when she hears an account of part of the Prince's body-guard ; seventeen ladies, well mount- ed, well equipped, and first-rate horsewomen, each 218 ANECDOTES OF THE wearing blue rosettes, with silver anchors, formed his guard. They escorted him to the quarters pro- vided for him at the Lieutenant-Governor's private residence | there they were presented and received his most gracious acknowledgments. Next day there was a grand rural f^te given at Oatlands. There were numerous proces*jions, Wesleyan .chool children, and school children of other denomi la- tions, marching in ranks, well dressed, with ribb 3ns and badges. Fingo, Kaffir, and Hottentot proces- sions, well dressed, and most orderly in behaviour. At a lunch in a marquee, the Prince was quite overpowered by the enthusiasm with which liis Eayal mother's health was drank and the singing of the National Anthem by hundreds of school children and the coloured people. He then planted an" oak sapling in the Oatland's ground. In the evening His Royal Highness was drawn to the Lieu- tenant-Governor's residence, in a spider carriage, by some hundred?; of young men with paper lan- terns fixed to their heads. The grace and distin- guished propriety of bearing of the dear Prince have thoroughly won the hearts of all. He seems to know and feel the importance of his position, and yet there is such a winning modesty and con- descension in his deportment that we cannot but love him. 159.— PRINCE ALFRED'S RESPECT FOR THE SABBATH. The Sia^ of the East, a Greek paper published at Athens, speaks in high praise of a beautiful letter written by Queen Victoria to Amelia, Queen of Greece, to thank her for the kindness she exhibit- QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 219 formed iers pro- } private received ext day )atlands. m J^liool Bnonii la- h ribb 3ns t proces- ehaviour. vas quite yrhich his e singing of school in planted [. In the the Lieu- carriage, laper lan- d distin- ,r Prince e seems position, and con- not but Ubbath. )li8hed at ful letter ^ueen of exhibit- ed to her son, Prince Alfred, during his late visit to that classic land. The warm heart of the Eng- lish Queen has not been chilled by the convention- alities and forms surrounding the monarch of a great nation ; and a mother's love had, undoubt- edly, much to do with the dictating of the epistle. And here we may as well mention a pleasing inci- dent connected with the stay of Prince Alfred at Athens. The celebration of the Olympic ^ .mes, (revived in December last, for the first time since the days of their suppression,) happened to be under way at the very moment when the Prince reached Athens. Hearing of his expected arrival the committee of management deferred the horse- race in the hypodrome — one of the most important parts of the festive occasion — from Monday till the succeeding Sunday, so that he might grace it with his presence. '* But the son of the Queen of Eng- land (says the paper) answered positively and em- phatically that ' he could not be present at the race, on the Lord's holy day, and the committee postponed it anew until the next Tuesday, when it took place."* ♦THE QUEEN'S RESPECT FOR THE SABBATH. *The following anecdote on this subject illustrates the kind cf training which Prince Alfred must have received from his angust mother in regard to the sacredness of the Sabbath. Soon alter she ascended the throne, a nobleman; occupying an im- portant post in the government, arrived at Yt indsor late one Saturday night. •' I have brought," said he, " for your Majesty's inspection, some documents of importance ; but as I shall be obliged to trouble you to examine them in detail, I will not encroach upon the time of your Majesty to-night, but will request your attention to-morrow morning." " To-morrow-morning !" repeated the Queen, " to-morrow will be Sunday, my Lord." iiipi' i ■ 220 ANECDOTES OF THE 160.— SHOOTING AT PRINCE ALFRED AT SYDNEY. Since his arrival in the Australian colonies, Prince Alfred, in pursuance, probably, of instruc- tions from home, has adopted a course of conduct singularly well-fitted to win the attachment of the people. Instead of hedging himself round with courtly formalities, he has mingled in the freest possible manner with the colonists, and has be- haved so very much like a man dependent wholly upon popular favour as to excite no little surprise. He has allowed himself to be approached by al- most any one who was decently dressed. For some time efforts had been made to establish a permanent "True, your Majesty; but business of state will admit of no delay." " I am aware of that," replied tlie Queen, " and as, of course, your Lordship could not have arrived earlier at the Palace to-night, I will, if these papers are of such pressing im- portance, attend to their contents after church to-morrow, if you desire it." In the morning the Queen and her court went to church, and much to the surprise of the noble lord, the subject of the sermon was the sacredness of the Christian sabbath. " How did your lordship like the sermon V said the Queen. "Very much indeed, your Majesty," replied the nobleman. «' Well, then," added her Majesty, " I will not conceal from you tb'^t last night I sent the clergyman the text from which' he preached. I hope we shall all be improved by the sermon." Not another word was said about the state papers that day, but at night when the Queen was about to retire she said,—" To- morrow morning, my lord, at any hour you please— as early as seven, if you like— we will look into the papers." " I cannot think," was the reply, " of intruding upon your Majesty at so early an hour : nine o'clock will be quite early enough." " No, no, my lord, as the papers are of importance I wish them to be attended to very early ; however, if you wish it to be nine, belt 10." At nine o'clock the next morning the Queen was seated at her table, ready to receive the nobleman and his state papers. He doubtless learned a lesson during that visit to the palaoa which he never forgot. QUEEN AND ROTAL FAMILY. 221 rDNEY. colonies, ' instruc- ' conduct nt of the ind with ;he freest d has be- nt wholly I surprise, ed by al- For some >ermanent admit of no " and as, of arlier at the pressing im- )-morrow. if T court went d, the subject an sabbath, the Queen, nobleman. |eal from you which he le sermon." |hat day, but said,—" Te- as early as " I cannot [ajesty at so igh." "No, them to be le nine, be it was seated itate papert. the palace institution at Sydney, to be known as the Sailors' Home, for the benefit of distressed seamen. It was at length determined to endeavour to raise the necessary funds by a pic-nic, and the presence of the Prince was secured to lend ^clat and tone to the affair, and of course to enable the managers to dispose more readily of their tickets. Every- thing up to the time of the attempted assassi- nation went off admirably 5 and the tickets sold like wildfire. The spot selected for the pic-nic was the most charming and lovely to be found in any part of Sydney harbour. The Prince arrived in a special steamer, and the people cheered lustily, while the Prince smiled and bowed his thanks. Upon landing he was conducted to the luncheon, tent, where he partook of . ome refreshments. Leaving the tent, the Prince led Lady Belmore to a special pavilion that had been provided for the ladies, and then sauntered away with Sir WilUam Manning (an old resident of Sydney) to enjoy a walk about the grounds. As he went along he met a gentleman named Allen, with whom he shook hands and chatted for a few moments, and then hatiided an envelope to Sir William Manning, sav- ing that it contained a donation to the Sailor's Home. Scarcely had he finished speaking, when O'Farrell was observed to run quickly across to where he was standing, and fired with a revolver at the Prince, who immediately fell forward. Sir William Man. ning turned hastily round upon hearing the report of the revolver, and seeing that the jnpii wno had just fired had pointed his weapon tor;, ^'s him (Sir W. Manning), he stooped to get out the line of fire and in doing so fell. 222 ANECDOTES OF THE Meanwhile the Prince had been raised from the ground and conveyed to his private tent. He was evidently in great pain, and once or twice asked the gentlemen who were bearing him along to carry him more slowly and gently. Although very weak from loss of blood, he did not become uncon. scious, and noticing that the people crowded around the I ^nt, he desired a gentleman to assure them that " he was not much hurt, and would be better presently." Shortly afterwards the Prince was borne on a litter by the sailors to the Morpeth^ a solemn si- lence being preserved by the people, who stood on either side as the cortege passed. When the Mor- peth arrived at Farm Cove, a barge from the Galatea came alongside to bear the Eoyal sufferer to the shore. The Prince, who was laying on a stretcher, with a soft mattrass under him, and his head sup- ported by pillows, was lowered into his barge which was manned by his own sailors. He was then con- veyed to the city, and thence to the Government Hbuse. Immediately after the outrage meetings were held all over the colony, and addresses of condo- lence were sent to the Prince from the Municipal bodies. Foreign residents, (including the Chinese,) &o. To these addresses the Prince returned the following reply: — March 19th. — "I have received with sincere satisfaction these numerous addresses, and desire to return my warm thanks for the ex- pressions of sympathy whicii they contain. The cowardly act of one individual has not in any de- gree shaken my confidence in the loyalty of the people in this colony towards the throne and per- QUEEN AND ROTAL "FAMILT. 223 om tlie He was ) aBked long to gh very uncon- i around [•e them e better ne on a lemn si- atood on the Mor- Q Galatea er to th© tretcher, lead sup- cge which then con- cernment ngs were of condo- tfunicipai Chinese,) irned the 3 received addresses, jr the ex- bain. The in any de- ilty of the e and per- son of Her Majesty, or in their affection for myself; and I shall gladly convey to the Queen the universal expression of horror and indignation which the attempt to assassinate me has called forth from Her Majesty's faithful subjects in Australia. *' Alpuef)." At a large meeting held in Sydney, expressive of gratitude for the recovery of His Royal Highness, it was proposed to erect a subscribed monument to the Prince, in the f^hape of a hospital, to be called after the Prince's name. Upwards of £7,000 ster- ling were subscribed at once. I!?; 161.— PRINCE ALFRED'S VISIT TO CANADA. In 1862 Prince Alfred visited Canada and was very warmly received. He only went to some of the principal cities and spent a short time in each. In Toronto he visited the Educational Departn:ent and afterward the Toronto University in company with the Governor General, Sir Edmund Head, Major Cowell and other members of his suite. The Prince was received at the principal entrance by the Rev. Dr. Ryerson, Chief Superintendent of Education for Upper Canada, the deputy Superin- tendent and other officers of the Department. On his entrance, Mrs. Ryerson handed His Royal High- ness a choice and beautiful bouquet of flowers, which was graciously received. He was then conducted to th ) Council Room Library, were he entered his name in the Visitor's Book as "Alfred." His Excellency and Mjgor Cowell also entered their nam^s as visitors. From the Council Room the royal party was conducted over the entire establish- ill il!l!:l 224 ANECDOTES OF THE ment, including the Museums, the Schools and the Map and Library Depositories. In the various articles of Canadian manufacture, they all express- ed much interest. On leaving the building, a pretty little bouquet was presented to the Prince by Master Francis Egerton Hodgins, son of the Deputy Superintendent, which His Royal Highness smilingly accepted. — On the same day. His Royal Highness and suite visited the Toronto University. He was received by the Hon. Judge Burns, (Chancel- lor,) the Hon. James Pat ton, (Vice Chancellor,) Rev. Dr. McCaul, (President of University College), and the Professors, and by them conducted over this beautiful building. The royal party were much pleased at the Library, Museum and Convocation Hall, and on leaving expressed themselves highly gratified with their visit. 162.— PRINCE ALFRED'S FAREWELL TO AUSTRALIA. On the 28th of April thanksgiving services for the recovery of Prince Alfred were held in every place of worship in the colony, and the day was in every respect a close holiday. On the day of his leaving Australia, invitations were issued to about eighty of the principal residents of Sydney, to meet His Royal Highness at luncheon, at Government House. Early in the morning of that day ill the men-of-war dressed ships, and a royal salute was fired. At the luncheon, the Governor proposed the health of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and it was responded to with great enthusiasm. In reply. His Royal Highness, who displayed great emotion, said: — Gentlemen, iii re- turning you my best thanl^ for your great kind- QUEEN AND BOTAL FAMILY. 225 knd the various xpresB- Prince of the ighness s Royal Iversity. yhancel- )r,)Rev. ge), and ver this e much vocation ss highly 5TRALIA. vices for in every ,y vras in y of his to about to meet emment Y ill the lute was proposed Duke of h great ^ess, who 3n, iii re- bt kind- ness, I must express my regret at having to bid you farewell, and I take this opportunity of thank- ing you for the enthusiastic and hospitable manner in which I have been received and entertained in this as well as all the Australian colonies. The universal manifestations of loyalty to the Queen, and attachment to her person and throne, have, ere this, been made known to Her Majesty, and cannot fail to have given her the liveliest pleasure. I must now, however, allude to the unfortunate oc- currence connected with myself, which marred your festivities and cast a temporary gloom over the community. I sincerely regret, on your part, that there should have occurred any one incident during my sojourn among you which should have detracted from the general satisfaction which I believe my" visit to Australia has given. Through the mercifuj interposition of Providence, the injury I received was but slight, and I believe no further evil con- sequences are to be anticipated from the wound, but it has been decided that it would be most ad- visable for me to return home direct. It is a great disappointment for me not to be able to visit New Zealand, and I am afrrid it will also very much disappoint the people there. In thanking you onoe more for your kindness to me during my visit, I must tell you how much I have enjoyed it, and regret that it comes to an end to-day. Before I conclude, I will aek you to join me in cordially wishing "Prosperity to the colony of New South Wales," and as this is the last opportunity I shall have of addressing an assembly of Australians, I , beg to couple with it the sentiment "Prosperity to all the Australian Colonies." :,lii 226 ANECDOTES OF THB XVL—THE PRINCESS ALICE:* 163.-T11E PRINCESS ALICE AND THE PRINCE OF WALES. After the return of the Prince of Wales from the Holy Land in 1862, he visited the International Exhibition in London. On many previous days, hl» sisters had been inspecting the wonders of the Exh.bition, and had passed through the building witliout any troublesome notice being taken of them. Not many knew them: and they had seemed to^, afer to come upon the shilling days, and work their way through the tlirong of the humbler class, than on the high-priced days, when those who were more likely to know and stare at them made up the greater part of the visitors. But when it was once buzzed about that the heir appa- rent, just returned from the East, was in the buiLling, and Sir C. W. Dike was seen accompany- ing a young gentlemen and lady, whom every one speedily recognized as himself and the Princess Alice, they were regularly mobbed by the eager curious luyalty of the pe pie. The Prince, well accustomed now to this sort of homage, strode man- fully on as if he cared nothing about it. But the Princess looked pained and agitated, and clung to her brother's arm with a timorous sort of grace, shriiiking almost behind him — which made one pity her ; and yet it was a pleasant sight to see that he bore himself proudly and gallantly as the escort of *Ft r an account of the touching and noble fortitude with which the Princess Alice conducted herself, at her dear 1kthm'» d,eat)i bed, see JFo. dT, on page 126. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 227 * NCE OF rom the national iays, his 1 of the building taken of :hey had ling days g of the lys, when 1 stare at itovs. But heir appa- is in the company- every one PrinceaS ;he eager Qce, well rode man- But the clung to of grace, leone pity ee that he escort of rtitude witb |dear&th«r'» his dear sister, soon to leave his side for another' s, and there was a sort of trusting confidence in the manner she leaned on him, that spoke volumes of the good feeling that makes home happy. 164.-MAKRIAGE OF THE TRINCiiSS ALICE. In 1862, the Princess Alice Maud Mary was mar- ried to his Grand Ducal Highness the Pri«?e Frederic William Louis, eldest son of Prince Charles William Louis, heir to the Dukedom of Hesse. Darmstadt, and nephew of the reigning Duke. He is, consequently, without a Crown ; though he may some day succeed to the Dukedom, from which he takes his name. Prince Louis was born in 1837. He is the senior of his bride by six years, the Prin- cess Alice having been bom in 1843. The royal couple have been affianced some time ; but pale Death, which visits alike the palaces of the rich and cottages of the poor, has, on more than one occa- sion, postponed the wedding day. And the cere- mony, when it did take place, was performed with the utmost degree of privacy consistent with the event. There was no ostentatious display, none of that state ceremonial and public iclat which are usually attendant on the marriages of royal person- age:. The reofrht death of ''Albert the Good" cmst a gloom over the ceremonial, which there was no effort or desire to remove. The marriage took place in the drawing-room (temporarily fitted up as a ohapel) of the marine residence of her Majesty, Osbofue. The union is by general assent a happy one. 228 ANECDOTES OF THE The Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt ranks ninth among the Princes represented in the German Diet. He is, however, a potentate of some impor- tance. The population of the Grand Duchy is about six times as great as that of Saxe Coburg — from wliich the Queen took her husband — ^border- ing closely on 900,000. In the Duchy is the beau- tiful ^'Bingen, on the Rhine j'* Darmstadt, the capital ; Worms, a place of note in the Reforma- tion ; Giessen, so closely connected with chemical science j Mayence, the seat of the principal fortress of the German Confederation. Among the beauti- ful scenes of the Grand Duchy, the Prince and P incess will at some future day, no doubt, take up their abode ; but as no court trammels or oi&cial duties require his presence in his native country, just now, it is understood, that the youthful couple will reside, for the present, in England. As a portion of the British people, Canadians will join their voices in the general acclaim which has been raised in the parent land in honour of the event. The young princess is worthy of a people's respect. The assiduous care with which she tended the bed-side of her dying father, and strength- ened, when he was gone, as well as she was able, her afflicted aad sorro'/i'ing mother, can not be forgotten. She partakes largely of those genuine characteristics of head and heart which have made Queen. li?ioloria a synonym for all that is good anfi pui^^^d lovely — ^ruling well her own household, Kad not forgetful of the wants of the humble and the lowly. The princess has given rich plromise of the possession of the same stoiitngy royal and womanly qualities as her mother : and as QUEEN AND BOYAL FAMILY. 229 ranks erman impor- chy is burg — )order- > beau- Lt, the jforma- lemical Fortress beauti- Lce and take up official 50untry, lI couple ianswiU lich has r of the people's tended brength- she was Ler, can of those rt which all thai her own )s of the las given steilkig, ; andas Prince Louis is a young man who is said to be in all respects worthy the hand of the young Princess, the union promises to be a happy one. — Toronto Leader. 165.- -THE PRINCESS AND THE MATRONS AND MAID- ENS OF ENGLAND. A Bible and Prayer-book, bound in dark blue leather, with gold cypher and the arms of Princess Alice} on each side two gilt clasps. The books enclosed in cases of ebony and ivory. The Bible presented by the matrons, and the Prayer-book by the maidens of the United Kingdom. XVII— THE YOUNGER PRINCES AND PRINCESSES. 166.— A DOMESTIC SCENE ON AN ANNIVERSARY. Baron Bimsen, Prussian Minister to England, in his memoirs, thus refers to the younger members of the Royal Family. He says : — I should best have liked to have had your chil- dren with us to see what I saw that evening, when we were allowed to follow the Queen and Prince Albert a long way, through one large room after another, tiU we came to one where hung a red curtain, which was presently drawn aside for a representation of the Four Seasons, studied and con- 230 ANECDOTES OF THE trived by the royal children as a surprise to the Queen in celebration of the day (anniversary of the Queen's marriage). First appeared Princess Alice as the Spring, scattering flowers and reciting verses, which w ere taken from Thomson' s ' ' Seasons. ' ' She moved gracefully, and spoke in a distinct and pleasing manner, with excellent modulation, and a tone of voice sweet and penetrating like that of the Queen. Then the curtain was drawn and the scene changed, and the Princess Royal represented Slimmer, with Prince Arthur stretched upon the sheaves, as if tired with the heat and harvest work ; another change, and Prince Alfred, with a crown of vine-leaves and the skin of a panther, represented Autumn, looking very well. Then followed a- change to a winter landscape, and the Prince of Wales represented Winter, with a cloak covered with icicles (or what seemed such), and the Princess Louise, a charming little muflfled-up figure, busy keeping up a fire, the Prince reciting (as all had done) passages more or less modified from Thom- son. Then followed the last change, when all the seasons were grouped together, and, far behind on a height, appeared Princess Helena, with a long white veil hanging on both sides down to her feet holding a long cross and pronouncing a blessing on the Queen and the Prince. The Princess Helena looked very charming. This was the close j but, by command of the Queen, the curtain was again with- drawn, and we saw the whole royal family together, who came down from their raised platform | also the baby, Prince Leopold, was carried in by his nurse, and looked at us all with big eye% stretch- ing out his arms to be taken by the Prince Consort. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 231 187.— PRINCE ARTHUR— HIS NURSE'S TRIBUTE TO THE p QUEEN. Baron Bunsen, in his memoirs, says: — I had a visit from — -, very full of accounts received from the Welsh nurse of Prince Arthur, who is the wife of a mason at Rhyl, in Flintshire, and wound up her abundant details and observations upon Court life with the expression, " that the Queen was a good woman, quite fit to have been a poor man's wife as well as a Queen." Such a compliment has not often been paid or deserved; it showed the woman's conviction of the Queen's intrinsic merit, sense of duty, and activity in all things. She also made the remark that the royal children were ''kept very plain indeed — it was quite poor living — only a bit of roast meat and, perhaps, a plain pudding." 168.-THE ROYAL CHILDRENS' LOVE FOR THE PRINCE CONSORT. The Belfast Northern Whig gives the following extract from the private letter of a lady in the Queen's household, written just after the Prince Consort's death and referring to his kind influence over his children. She says : — " How I shall miss his conversation about the children 1 He used often to come into the school-room to speak about the education of the children, and he never left me without my feeling that he had strengthened my hands and raised the standard I was aiming at. Nothing mean or frivolous could exist in the atmosphere that surrounded him ; the conversation 232 ANECDOTES OF THE could not be trifling while he was in the room. I dread the return of spring for my dear lady the Queen. It was his favourite time of the year — the opening leaves, the early flowers and fi'esh green were such a delight to him ; and he so loved to point out their beauties to his children, that it will be terrible to see them without him. The children kept his table well supplied with primroses, which he especially loved." •i«* 169.— PRINCE ARTHUR'S MAIDEN SPEECH IN PUBLIC. The speech made by Prince Arthur, in accepting the address of Mr. Bolckow, at the opening of Mid- dlesborough Albert Park, was this : — " I am very grateful to my dear mother, the Queen, for having allowed me to represent her in the ceremony which we are now assembled to perform. To dedicate to the public use the park which your munificence has provided would, of itself, have been to me a most interesting duty | but on the present occasion it has for me a far deeper and peculiar meaning. This park, which I am sure will contribute largely to the pleasure and happiness of the people of Middlesborough, is to be for ever associated with the nam<) of my beloved father ; and this thought- ful mark of his memory, on an occasion when an act for the public benefit is concerned, has truly pleased and touched my dear mother. Np one could take a deeper interest than did my beloved father in whatsoever ministered to the health and eiyoyment of the people j and I feel quite sure, ■.^'- QUEEN AJJD ROYAL FAMILY. 233 >m. I dy the r — the green 'Ved to lit will lildren which 'UBLIC. cepting of Mid- ,m. very having ly which licate to lificence to me a occasion leaning. 3 largely BOple of ted with ihought- ivhen an tias truly Np one beloved ialth and ite sure, Mr. Bolckow, that the noble gift which you have made to the town would have been regarded by him, as I am commanded to say it is by the Queen, my dear mother, with the warmest sympathy and approbation. Most sincerely do I join with you in praying tha* this park may fuWL the abject for which it la destined : and with my best wishes may I add that you yourself may live long to witness the pleasure you have been the means of bestowing upon the people of Middlesborough." At the banquet in the New Exchange, replying to the toast of his health, the Prince said : — " I thank you most sincerely for the very gratifying manner in which you have received me this even- ing, and for the kind and flattering terms in which the Mayor has spoken of me. I can assure you the interesting ceremony of this morning has given me the utmost satisfaction, and I am very glad to have been permitted to represent my dear mother upon an occasion like this. Whatever in any way promotes thewelfare of the people was always an object of the deepest interest to my dear father j and I feel proud the opportunity has occurred to commence my attempt to follow in his footsteps. I am glad my stay here has enabled me to visit the great iron works for which this place is famous. They are the first of the kind I have seen, and they are to me of further interest, as they have been the means of raising Middlesborough in a few years from a small village to a populous town. The cordial welcome I have received will not be easily forgotten, and I can assure you it will give the most sinc^e pleasure to the Queen." — Montreal Daily News, 234 ANEODOTES OF THE XVIII. MISCELLANBO^ 170.— WIDOWS' ADDRESS TO THii. QUEEN. An address, unique of its kind, was recently pre- sented to Queen Victoria. It came from Wolver- hampton, and was an address of condolence from the widows of that neighbourhood to the Royal Widow. Many of the poor women, widows of col- liers, walked several miles into Wolverhampton with the single purpose of affixing their name to the paper. 171.— PRINCE ALBERT'S LAST GIFT TO THE QUEEN, The last gift of Prince Albert to Queen Victoria was ''Lesbia," a picture painted by the artist Bou- vier, who wished it to be exhibited at the Interna- tional Exhibition. But the Queen in view of the circumstances of the presentation, cannot part with it even for a short time. 172.— THE QUEEN'S REGULARITY AT CHURCH. Her Majesty the Queen is most regular in attend- ance on divine service, and notices the absence of any of her servants. On one occasion, at Balmoral, last season, she asked one of her attendants, on a Monday morning — * Why were you not at the Kirk yesterday?' He answered — 'Please your Majesty, the morning was wet.' 'Oh, fie,' said the Queen, 'who could have expected a Scotchman to plead that excuse? It was not too wet for me.' — Courant. QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 235 173.— THE QUEEN IN SWITZERLAND, 1868, A German gentleman resident in this town has just received a letter from a friend at Lucerne, in which some particulars are given about the recep- tion the Queen of England met with at that place, and her mode of life during the short time Her Majesty has been residing in Switzerland. We have been favored with the following extract from the letter : — All along the line from Basle to Lucerne the Queen was welcomed by large crowds of people, who had assembled at various stations in the expec- tation that Her Majesty would break her journey at some of the places. However, the train did not atop, but proceeded on to Lucerne station, where a large assemblage of persons had congregated to welcome the Queen. The crowd was principally composed of Swiss and English — including many ladies of the latter nationality. Her Majesty was received with the greatest respect, but there was no excessive display of enthusiastic loyalty, though some of the English ladies waved their handker- chiefs. Though Her Majesty was travelling incogf the railway people had the station prettily deco- rated with choice flowers ; but beyond this and the crowd of respectable gazers, there was nothing to indicate the presence of royalty. The Government have displayed considerable anxiety to make the Queen as comfortable as possible in her retreat, and have devoted to her exclusive use a place called Gutsch, which is ordinarily the scene of pop- ular recreation and enjoyment. Every morning the 236 ANECDOTES OF THE Queen comes to town dressed in very simple attire. Her Majesty invariably appears in a black dress, and has on a large, round Swiss hat, which is also black j and h($r manners are as simple and imassuming as her attire. Nearly every evening she avails herself of the use of a steamer which has been placed at her disposal, and has a sail on the lake ; or she drives about the district In a carriage drawn by four horses. Her Majesty's movements are, how- ever, so quiet and unostentatious that no one can believe there is a Queen in the town. There is not the slightest excitement displayed by the inhabi- tants or visitors | but Her Majesty is permitted to peacefully enjoy the retirement which she sought when coming here. Already she seems to be feel- ing the good effects of the pure and bracing effects of the atmosphere of this place. A correspondent of the Morning Post thus refers to the Queen' s^visit to Lucerne. He says : — Wallace-villa, Her Majesty's residence, is delight- fully situated, and the " Countess of Kent " trans- acts business early in the morning with Lord Stanley when necessai^. The royal dinner hour is two o'clock, when feil the royal family assem- ble. There is dinner Kigain, or supper, at half- past eight, which is living according to the German system of feeding. The Countess of Kent and suite are accommodated with horses and car- riages of the place, but there are some pony cattle which look to me importations from England. The Countess drives out daily in a four-horse car- riage. It is a good drag up the hill to the villa. — There is little or rather no state etiquette observed; QUE£N AND ROTAL FAMILT. 237 >le attire, iress, and 30 black 'j uming as Is herself placed at )) or she irawn by ire, how- ) one can )re is not e inhabi- nitted to e sought 5 be feel- ig effects lus refers s delight- t " trans- ith Lord aer hour y assem- at half- to the } of Kent I and car* »ny cattle and. The arse car* .e villa. — )bservedj the servants are dressed in bl'xk, with the excep- tion of one who is in Highland costume. I have once seen the Countess of Kent, looking very well I thought, in a simple dark dress and abroad b]ack straw hat. I am told that the Countess is so pleased with Lucerne that she will remain longer than was proposed. There is a steamer on the lake at the disposal of the court. Last night we had fire-works and a band on the water opposite the Schweitzer Hof ; that is all I have remarked in the way of rejoicings. The great people are not mobbed or annoyed in any way. — Montreal Daily News. 174.— THE ROYAL YACHT OSBORNE. The royal yacht Osborne is now close upon 20 years in existence, and the changes worked by time in that interval are recalled to mind very for- cibly when one sees in the same ship the nurseiy, with four doors opening off it, which belongs to the rooms occupied by the Princess Eoyal, the Prince of Wales, Princess Alice, and Prince Alfred, when all four respectively were of tender years, and again upon a different deck the sleeping apartment belonging to the Prince and Princess of Wales, ia which tb'^y rested on their journey from Sweden the other day. The yacht is still, with the excep- tion of the Victoria and Albert, the best yacht possessed by the royal family, and many persons who have sailed in both declare that as a good sea boat they would still prefer to be on board the Osborne. 238 QUEEN AND ROYAL FAMILY. 175— HER MAJESTY'S H0B8ES. Perhaps the best horses in the possession of Her Majesty are the dappled grey ponies used for the Higliland excursions of herself and family. There are certain horses in the Royal stud, however, wh.iih are unique; for instance, the cream-coloured horses which are employed on State occasions by the Sovereign. These animals, first introduced by the Hanoverian Kings, are a special product of Hanover and the adjacent countries. The breed is kept up most religiously in this country at the Hampton Court establishment. These horses look small in contrast to the great gilt coach they draw, but in reality they are tall, scarcely one of them being less than 16^ hands, and they are proportion- ably strong, as the State harness for each horse, with all its furniture, does not weigh less than two hundred weight. These Hanoverians are, in fact, the last representatives of the old Flemish horses, once so fashionable. They are slow and prompt in their action, as befits hoi^ses. destined to serve Royalty on State occasions. Some of them, still in use, are upwards of twenty years old ; but they take life easily, airing themselves in the riding school in the mornings, and once a year or so doing the heavy work of taking the old gilded coach with its august burden from Buckingham Palace to the House of Parliament and back. — Once a Week, THE END. »n of Her i for the . There however, coloured isions by luced by 3duct of breed is at the •ses look ey draw, of them portion- h horse, han two fact, the es, once in their Royalty use, are ike life 1 in the e heavy i august ouse of .A j^.