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 ;. KING EDWARD VII. 
 
OuEEN Victoria 
 
LIFE AND REIGN 
 
 OF 
 
 QUEEN VICTORIA 
 
 B^ING A COMPLETE NARRATIVE OP HER GRAND I,IFE; AND BENEFICENT REIGN, 
 
 THE MOST DISTINGUISHED OP THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 THE RECORD OP HER ANCESTRY, THE STORY OF HER CHILDHOOD, YOUTH, 
 
 CORONATION, COURTSHIP, MARRIAGE, AND THE IMPORTANT 
 
 EVENTS OP HER REIGN. 
 
 HER DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION. 
 
 HER CIvOSINO DAYS, HEJR DEATH AND BURIAI, AND THE ACCES- 
 SION OP HER SUCCESSOR. 
 
 INCI,UDING THE I,IVES OF 
 
 KING KDWARD VII. and QUKKN AI^EXANDRA. 
 
 PROF. CHARLES MORRIS 
 
 RENOWNED AUTHOR AND UtSTORIAN 
 AND 
 
 MURAT HALSTEA;D, 
 
 CEI,EBRATED HISTORIAN AND JOURi-JAtlST. 
 
 SPI,ENDIDI,Y muSTRATED WITH MANY PORTRAITS AND VIEWS IN HAI^F-TONES. 
 
 INTERNATIONAI, PUBWSHING SOCIETY, 
 PUBI,ISHERS. 
 
THE. LIBRARY OF 
 CONGRESS, 
 
 Two Copies R.-ceived 
 
 MAR. 5 1901 
 
 Copyright entry 
 
 CLASS ^^XXc. No, 
 
 COPY B. 
 
 71 A 
 
 /_> /r ^-/^ 
 
 Copyrighted, 1901, by 
 
 H. I,. BARBER, 
 Chicago, - U. S. A. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 i Birth and Childhood of Queen Victoria, 
 
 Coronation at Westminster Abbey, 
 
 Royal Courtship and Marriage, 
 
 Early Years of Wedded Life, 
 
 Joys and Cares of Royalty, 
 
 Happy Years of Wedded Bliss, 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Fatal Illness of the Prince Consort, 
 
 CHAPTER Vin. 
 Early Year's of the Queen's Widowhood, . 
 
 Twenty Years of Faithful Service, 
 
 Celebrations of the Royal Jubilee, 
 
 Years of Mingled Joy and Sorrow, 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 sixty Four Years on the Throne, . 
 
 EAGB 
 II 
 
 * 34 
 70 
 
 i 88 
 102 
 123 
 
 I4S 
 156 
 162 
 
 . 156 
 184 
 
 (5) 
 
 193 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 Behind Gilded Gates or Domestic Miscellany, 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Entertainments at Buckingham Palace, 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The Descendants of the Queen, 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 Picturesque Court of Queen Victoria, 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 Characteristics of the Heir Apparent, 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Festivities of the Diamond Jubilee, 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Great Day of the Diamond Jubilee, 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Other Interesting and Enjoyable Events, 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Closing Days of the Great Celebration, 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 Closing Days of Queen Victoria's Reign, 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 The Death of Queen Victoria, 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 Review of Queen Victoria's Reign, 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 Prince of Wales Succeeds as King Edward VII., 
 
 PASB 
 
 199 
 
 340 
 272 
 285 
 318 
 339 
 372 
 388 
 413 
 428 
 
 - 443 
 468 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Queen Victoria, 
 
 Tlirone Room, Windsor Castle. 
 
 Ball Room, Windsor Castle. 
 
 Queen Victoria at Four. 
 
 Queen Victoria at Eighteen. 
 
 Windsor Castle, East Front. 
 
 Queen Victoria's Throne. 
 
 The Duke and Duchess of Fife. 
 
 Royal Boudoir and Bed-room. 
 
 A Fox-Hunt, the Start and Finish. 
 
 Royal Diadem and Crown. 
 
 Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Princess May of Teck. 
 
 The Dowager Czarina of Russia, sister of the Princess of Walesr. 
 
 The German Emperor and the Crown Prince, Grandson and 
 
 Great Grandson of Queen Victoria. 
 A Royal Carriage. 
 The Marchioness of Stafford. 
 Princess Victoria of Wales. 
 Queen Passing Soldiers' Monument. 
 Prince George of Wales. 
 The Prince of Wales in Royal Attire. 
 The Princess of Wales. 
 
 Buckingham Palace, View from St. James ParK. 
 Judge Huddlestone of the Supreme Court of England. 
 Balmoral Castle. 
 Osborne House, Isle of Wight. 
 Great Naval Demonstration at Spithead. 
 Albert Memorial Tomb. 
 Queen Victoria at Seventy-eight. 
 Coronation Ceremony. 
 Marriage Services at the Chapel Royal. 
 U. S. War-ship "Brooklyn." 
 
8 
 
 UST OF II,I<USTRATI0NS. 
 
 King Edward VII. 
 
 Queen Victoria on Her Seventh Birthday, 
 
 Queen Alexandra. 
 
 The Dowager Empress Victoria. 
 
 Balmoral Castle. 
 
 Marlborough House. 
 
 Buckingham Palace. 
 
 Windsor Castle. 
 
 St. James Palace. 
 
 Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. 
 
 William II, Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia. 
 
 Gladstone. 
 
 Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli, Earl Beaconsfield. 
 
 Lord Roseberry. 
 
 Lord Salisbury. 
 
 Chas. S. Parnell. 
 
 John Dillon, M. P. 
 
 Sir Robert Peel. 
 
 Lord Hartington : Duke of Devonshire. 
 
 Justin McCarthy. 
 
 Right Hon. John Bright. 
 
 The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain. 
 
 Cardinal Newman. 
 
 Cardinal Manning. 
 
 Half a Century Personal Change, 
 
 The Lobby of the House of Commons. 
 
 Field Marshal Lord Roberts. 
 
 Major-General Lord Kitchener. 
 
 First Canadian Contingent En Route for South Africa. 
 
 Lieutenant-General J. D. P. French. 
 
 Major Gen. T. Kelly-Kenny. 
 
 Sir Donald A. Smith, Lord Strathcona. 
 
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. 
 
 "1 T rHKN tlie comparative history of tlie nineteentli cen- 
 tury is written tlie Victorian era will be credited 
 witH tlie greater and grander achievements of tliat wonderful 
 period of time. Among the sovereigns of that century Vic- 
 toria will have a place as the most illustrious, not only 
 because of her beneficent and peaceful reign, but because of 
 her many personal virtues that endeared her to people wher- 
 ever hearts beat warm in appreciation of noble qualities in 
 human nature. 
 
 During Victoria's reign seventeen Presidents occupied the 
 position as chief executive in the United States, and many 
 sovereigns sat upon European thrones. Nations rose and 
 fell. Illustrious men and women came and went. Discov- 
 eries added empires to the world. Inventions ameliorated 
 the toil of man. Charity broadened religion. Reason liberal- 
 ized government. No other sixty years has seen such strides 
 in science, such marvelous development in education, such 
 wise legislation for the betterment of humanity, such growth 
 in religious tolerance, such miracles of invention, such 
 strengthening of bonds between nations, such universal 
 advance toward higher living. 
 
 It may never be known, and less probably recognized, how 
 much of this progress was due, directly and indirectly, to the 
 influence of Victoria's reign. Through all the vicissitudes 
 and temptations of the long years she remained the same 
 
 9 
 
lo publishers' preface. 
 
 generous but steadfast ruler, loyal to lier conscience in tHe 
 discharge of duty. 
 
 No sovereign of modern times lias witnessed so great a 
 widening of Ms domains as did Victoria. Wlien slie passed 
 away lier subjects numbered over four hundred million 
 people, and her vast empire covered an area of over eleven 
 million square miles. The increase of the empire during 
 her reign was an average of 165 square miles of territory a 
 day, being equal to more than the bulk of England each 
 year, or about seventy Bnglands in sixty years. 
 
 Victoria's reign having run parallel with this progress, 
 the story of her life and the history of her reign form a 
 record of the growth of the nineteenth century civilization. 
 The purpose of the authors has been to present a compre- 
 hensive account, based on the most authentic information, 
 of the Queen's, life and reign. The work was begun nearly 
 ten years ago, which has allowed ample time for gathering 
 data and verifying current information. 
 
 Mr. Halstead's career as a writer and chronicler of current 
 events has been almost parallel with the reign of Queen 
 Victoria. For more than a half century he has been one of 
 the few great American journalists whose fame has extended 
 throughout the world. He has witnessed and described the 
 great events of the Victorian era, and his work in the present 
 volume, beginning as it does with Chapter XXIII and con- 
 cluding the book, may be considered as a most masterful 
 survey of this brilliant span of time and of the Queen's life 
 and passing away. THE PUBLISHERS. 
 
BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD 
 QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 TN tHe long and chequered annals of tlie Britisli Empire 
 two reigns Have been especially illustrious, and in both 
 tbose reigns a woman wielded tbe scepter of England. 
 Probably tbere is no age more brilliant in history than that 
 of the "Maiden Queen." The age of Elizabeth was an 
 epoch of lofty genius and many-sided power. Invincible in 
 arms, it was also transcendent in intellect. 
 
 The other noble epoch in British history is that associ- 
 ated with the reign of Queen Victoria. If in the Eliza- 
 bethan age literature reached its culminating point of splen- 
 dor, and the fame of England's prowess traveled beyond the 
 seas, the Victorian age has, on the other hand, witnessed an 
 expansion of England that would have seemed incredible to 
 our ancestors, while the triumphs of science and the arts, and 
 the progress of the people are without a parallel in the his- 
 tory of the world. In these various developments, as in all 
 that concerned the welfare and happiness of her people, Vic- 
 toria took a deep and continuous interest ; and it was vouch- 
 safed to her, as it has been vouchsafed to few sovereigns, 
 to look back upon a long period of beneficent government, 
 whose record is written large in the history of Britain. And 
 now that she has passed away, the hearts of all her subjects, 
 and of the civilized world, pay homage to her memory and 
 give grateful voice to the beneficence of her pure life and 
 noble reign. 
 
 II 
 
12 THE PRINCESS BORN AT KENSINGTON. 
 
 It is proposed in the following pages to relate the life of the 
 Queen, and not the history of her reign. Nevertheless, the 
 personal narrative will necessarily be interwoven with public 
 events, for a monarch, beyond all other persons, cannot 
 escape the pressure and burden of the times. An ideal 
 sovereign, besides his or her private joys and sorrows, bears 
 
 , in remembrance those of the people; and such a sovereign has 
 Queen Victoria been from the time when, still youthful in 
 years, she assumed her high destiny as ruler of the English 
 people to the present year of grace, which is not the least 
 memorable in a memorable reign. 
 
 Her Majesty was born at Kensington Palace on the 24th 
 of May, 1819. She was the only child of Edward, Duke of 
 Kent, and her Serene Highness Victoria Mary Louisa, 
 daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Saalfeld, widow of 
 Emich Charles, Prince of Leiningen, and sister of Prince 
 Leopold. 
 
 The little Princess was baptized on the 24th of June in 
 the grand saloon of Kensington Palace. The Archbishop 
 of Canterbury performed the ceremony, and the child re- 
 ceived the names of Alexandrina Victoria. There seemed 
 little probability that the child thus ushered into the world 
 would ever become Queen of England. The Duke of Kent 
 was the fourth son of George III ; but a series of unexpected 
 
 [ changes soon brought his daughter near the throne. Upon 
 the death of the deeply-lamented Princess Charlotte, the 
 only child of George IV, the Duke of York had become 
 heir-presumptive to the crown. His Royal Highness had no 
 children, however, and the Duke of Clarence, the third son 
 of George III, came next in succession. The Duke of 
 Clarence had married, and his wife, the Princess Adelaide, 
 
FATAL ILLNESS OF THE DUKE. 1 3 
 
 bore him a daughter, who, if she had lived, would, in the 
 natural order of things, have become Queen. But this child 
 died in infancy, leaving the Princess Victoria the only scion 
 of the royal stock. 
 
 The Duke and Duchess of Kent, with their infant daughter, 
 went to Sidmouth, on the east coast of Devon, at the close 
 of 1 819. The stay there was destined to have a sad and 
 fatal termination. The Duke was seized with a severe indis- 
 position, occasioned by delaying to change his wet boots 
 after a walk through the snow. Affection for his child had 
 drawn him to the nursery immediately on reaching home. To 
 a severe chill succeeded inflammation of the chest, with 
 high fever, which resulted fatally. The Duke was perhaps 
 more highly esteemed than any other son of George III. His 
 public conduct was judicious and self-sacrificing. In the 
 army he initiated many healthful reforms. After he ceased 
 from active service in it, he interested himself in humanitarian 
 movements of all kinds, especially devoting himself to the 
 cause of the widow and orphan. The result was that he be- 
 came known as the " Popular Duke," and no royal personage 
 ever better deserved the title. He was of regular and tem- 
 perate habits, kind to all, and the firm friend of those who 
 put their trust in him. His generosity was such that it fre- 
 quently outran discretion, causing embarrassment to himself; 
 but the poor had the benefit of it. I find that the Duke was 
 ofificially connected with sixty-two societies, every one of 
 which was devoted to some noble, religious, or charitable ob- 
 ject. The personal virtues of the Duke, the love he bore 
 his country, and the untiring exertions he displayed in the 
 cause of philanthropy and religion, justly gave him a high 
 place in the affections of his fellow-countrymen. It was aus- 
 
14 DEPARTURE FROM SIDMOUTH. 
 
 picious that the Queen should have such a father, for many 
 of his traits, with the gentleness and uprightness which dis- 
 tinguished the mother, descended in large measure upon the 
 child. 
 
 Two days after the death of the Duke, the Duchess of 
 Kent, accompanied by her babe and her brother, Prince 
 Leopold, set out for London. Where all was sad and mourn- 
 ful there was one gleam of sunshine, for the infant, " being 
 held up at the carriage window to bid the assembled popu- 
 lation of Sidmouth farewell, sported and laughed joyously, 
 and patted the glasses with her pretty dimpled hands, in 
 happy unconsciousness of her melancholy bereavement." 
 The Duchess arrived at Kensington Palace on the 29th of 
 January, and on that very day the Prince Regent succeeded 
 to the throne by the death of his father. The likeness of the 
 Duke of York to her lost father deceived the little Princess 
 Victoria, and when the former came on his visit of con- 
 dolence, and also subsequently, she stretched out her hands 
 to him in the belief that he was her father. The Duke was 
 deeply touched by the appeal, and, clasping the child to his 
 bosom, he promised to be indeed a father to her. Many 
 addresses of condolence were received by the Duchess, and 
 as she generally received them with her infant in her arms, 
 there was frequently a painful contrast witnessed between 
 the tear-stained face of the mother and the happy, smiling 
 countenance of the daughter. 
 
 Interesting stories are told of the times when Princess 
 Victoria appeared, at fifteen months old, in a child's phaeton, 
 tied safely to the vehicle with a broad ribbon around her 
 waist. 
 
 The baby liked to be noticed, and answered all who spoke 
 
Queen V/ :toria at Four. 
 
Queen Victokia on Her Sevenih Birthday. 
 
THE BABY PRINCESS. 1 5 
 
 to her. She would say, " Lady," and *' Good morning," and, 
 when told, would hold out her soft, dimpled hand to be 
 kissed. ** Her large blue eyes, beautiful bloom, and fair 
 complexion made her a model of infantine beauty." On one 
 occasion she was nearly killed by the upsetting of the pony 
 carriage. A private soldier, named Maloney, claimed the 
 honor of having saved England's future sovereign. He was 
 walking through Kensington Gardens one day when he saw 
 a pony carriage in which was seated a child. The pony was 
 led by a page, a lady walked on one side of the chaise and a 
 young woman on the other. Suddenly the pony became 
 frightened and plunged forward, throwing tKe child out, head- 
 downward. In a moment it would have been crushed be- 
 neath the weight of the carriage had not Maloney grasped 
 her dress before she touched the ground and swung her into 
 his arms. He restored her to the lady, and was told to fol- 
 low the carriage to the Palace, where he received a guinea 
 and the thanks of the Duchess of Kent for saving the life of 
 her dear child, the Princess Alexandrina. 
 
 The widowed Duchess resolved that her child should be 
 brought up under her own eye, and to this work she relio-- 
 iously devoted herself. " A few months after the birth of 
 my child," said the Duchess, describing her situation at this 
 time, " my infant and myself were awfully deprived of father 
 and husband. We stood alone, almost friendless and un- 
 known, in this country. I could not even speak the language 
 of it. I did not hestitate how to act. I gave up my home, 
 my kindred, and other duties, to devote myself to a duty 
 which was to be the sole object of my future life." And an 
 admirable home training, after the best of English traditions, 
 was the result of this devotion. Simplicity of diet, regularity 
 
1 6 LIFE AT KENSINGTON. 
 
 of hours, and no excitement were the main principles upon 
 which the Duchess proceeded in rearing her offspring. The 
 life at Kensington was as simple as that of any English 
 household. " The family party met at breakfast at eight 
 o'clock in summer-time, the Princess Victoria having her 
 bread and milk and fruit on a little table by her mother's 
 side. After breakfast, the Princess Feodore studied with her 
 governess. Baroness Lehzen, and the Princess Victoria went 
 out for an hour's walk or drive. From ten to twelve her 
 mother instructed her; after which she amused herself by 
 running through the suite of rooms which extended round 
 two sides of the palace, and in which were many of her toys. 
 At two came a plain dinner, while the Duchess took her 
 luncheon. After this, lessons again till four, then would come 
 a visit or a drive ; and after that the Princess would ride or 
 walk in the gardens ; or occasionally, on very fine evenings, 
 the whole party would sit out on the lawn under the trees. 
 At the time of her mother's dinner, the Princess had her 
 supper, and after playing games with her nurse, she would 
 join in the dessert, and at nine she would retire to her bed, 
 which was placed by the side of her mother's." 
 
 King George IV presented the Princess on her fourth 
 birthday with a superb token of remembrance, being a minia- 
 ture portrait of himself richly set in diamonds. He also gave 
 a State dinner party to the Duchess and her daughter. In 
 the following year, in response to a message from his 
 Majesty, Parliament voted an annual grant of £6,000 to the 
 Duchess of Kent for the education of the young Princess. 
 
 After six years spent under the care of her tutors, the 
 Princess could lay claim to considerable accomplishments. 
 Owing to the exercise of unusual natural abilities, she could 
 
m;ducation of the princess. 17 
 
 speak French and German with fluency, and was acquainted 
 with Italian ; she had made some progress in Latin, being 
 able to read Virgil and Horace with ease ; she had com- 
 menced Greek, and studied mathematics, in which difficult 
 science she evinced much proficiency ; and she had likewise 
 made considerable progress in music and drawing. 
 
 Occasionally the child longed for companions of her own 
 age, and a delightful anecdote is related in illustration of this. 
 As the youthful Princess took great delight in music, her 
 mother sent for a noted child performer of the day, called Lyra, 
 to amuse her with her remarkable performances on the harp. 
 On one occasion, while the young musician was playing one 
 of her favorite airs, the Duchess of Kent, perceiving how 
 deeply her daughter's attention was engrossed with the music, 
 left the room for a few minutes. When she returned she 
 found the harp deserted. The heiress of England had be- 
 guiled the juvenile minstrel from her instrument by the dis- 
 play of some of her costly toys, and the children were dis- 
 covered '* seated side by side on the hearthrug in a state of 
 high enjoyment, surrounded by the Princess's playthings, 
 from which she was making the most liberal selections for the 
 acceptance of poor little Lyra." 
 
 " Her Royal Highness was a beautiful child, with a cherubic 
 form of features, clustered round by glossy, fair ringlets. Her 
 complexion was remarkably transparent, with a soft but often 
 heightening tinge of the sweet blush-rose upon her cheeks, 
 that imparted a peculiar brilliancy to her clear blue eyes. 
 Whenever she met any strangers in her usual paths she al- 
 ways seemed, by the quickness of her glance, to inquire who 
 and what they were. The intelligence of her countenance 
 was extraordinary at her very early age ; but might easily be 
 
1 8 A WALK IN KENSINGTON GARDENS. 
 
 accounted for on perceiving the extraordinary intelligence of 
 her mind." 
 
 She bore a very striking resemblance to her late royal 
 father, and indeed to every member of the reigning family. 
 
 Charles Knight, in his Passages of a Working Life^ fur- 
 nishes a glimpse of the Princess as he saw her in 1827. "I 
 delighted to walk in Kensington Gardens," he observes. "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 loveliness. The Duchess of Kent and her daugh- 
 ter, whose years then numbered nine, are breakfasting in the 
 open air — a single page attending upon them at a respectful 
 distance ; the matron looking on with eyes of love, whilst the 
 fair, soft English face is bright with smiles. What a beauti- 
 ful characteristic it seemed 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 not have been burdened with a 
 premature conception of her probable high destiny; that she 
 should enjoy 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 
 parterre ; that her merry laugh should be as fearless as the 
 notes of the thrush in the groves around her. I passed on, 
 and blessed her ; and I thank God that I have lived to see 
 the golden fruits of such training." 
 
 A tender consideration for others was inculcated systemat- 
 ically upon the young Princess, and the effects of it were 
 manifest through her whole life. 
 
 Considering the principles in which she was reared, there 
 was no wonder that the Princess developed from a dutiful 
 daughter into a loving wife, a vigilant mother, a kind mis- 
 
Queen Victoria at Eighteen. 
 
Queen Vjctoria at 78. 
 
victoria's favorite amusements. 21 
 
 tress, a generous benefactor, and an exemplary Christian. 
 She had been schooled in habits of sobriety and religion, and 
 the sentiments of obedience and self-control, which were from 
 the first impressed upon her, bore their legitimate fruit in 
 after-life. 
 
 The Princess was an excellent singer, and had for her 
 master the famous Lablache. She was also a good dancer, 
 and excelled in archery. But of all out-door exercises she 
 was most passionately fond of that of riding. She was much 
 devoted to the animals that bore her, from a favorite donkey 
 presented to her by her uncle, the Duke of York, to the pony 
 which carried her in her latest Highland excursions. 
 
 " The sweet spring of the Princess's life was dedicated to 
 the sowing of all precious seeds of knowledge, and the cul- 
 tivation of all elegant acquirements ; in the midst of in- 
 digenous flowers which everywhere sought her eager eye, im- 
 parting the sportive gladness of the ever-gay butterfly to her 
 youthful spirit, just awakened into this beautiful world — a 
 reflection of Paradise ! The heavenward lark was also in that 
 infant bosom, for, young as she was, she sang with sweetness 
 and taste." The Princess had a ready wit. On one occasion 
 her teacher had been reading her the story of Cornelia, 
 the mother of the Gracchi — how she proudly presented her 
 sons to the first of Roman ladies, with the words, ** These are 
 my jewels." "She should have said, *my Cornelians,'" im- 
 mediately remarked the Princess. Of course the " divinity 
 that doth hedge a king " extends in popular eyes in some 
 degree to a princess, and the people are apt only to look on 
 the roseate side. But none knows better than the Queen 
 herself that human nature is a complex thing, and that how- 
 ever much we may desire perfection, there is a good deal of 
 
22 DEATH OF THE DUKE OF YORK. 
 
 the old leaven of imperfection in every one. So the Princess 
 Victoria, noble in character as she was, exhibited some of 
 those imperfections which no child is without. The Princess 
 was impulsive, sometimes not a little willful and imperious ; 
 but the affections being strong and the head well trained, 
 these matters always righted themselves, and the young 
 offender was herself quick to acknowledge the wrong. She 
 had an ingrained sense of justice which could always redress 
 the balance. 
 
 The first grief which the Princess was able to appreciate 
 to the full arose from the death of the Duke of York. The 
 Princess was at this time in her eighth year, and as she had 
 ever experienced great kindness and affection at the hands 
 of her uncle, his loss affected her keenly. The Duke of York 
 and the Duchess of Clarence were the two members of the 
 royal family toward whom her youthful heart was most 
 strongly drawn out. At the time of the Duke's death she 
 was unconscious that his demise brought her one step nearer 
 the throne. 
 
 The gayeties of Court life were first brought within the 
 actual apprehension of the future Queen in 1828, when she 
 was in her tenth year. At a Drawing Room held during the 
 season the Princess had an opportunity of observing how a 
 queen but little older than herself was received with royal 
 honors at the Court of George IV. This young sovereign 
 was Donna Maria da Gloria, Queen of Portugal. The two 
 children had previously exchanged some formal State visits, 
 but official etiquette did not admit of a close intimacy. The 
 first occasion on which the Princess Victoria danced in public 
 was at a juvenile ball given by the King to Donna Maria. 
 The young Queen presented an appearance of great splendor, 
 
PORTRAITS OF THE PRINCESS VICTORIA. 23 
 
 for her dress blazed with all the jewels of the Portuguese 
 crown ; she was surrounded by her Court, and was led to the 
 ball-room by the hand of the King himself. Little Victoria 
 was dazzled by so much magnificence, but, as a chronicler 
 of the scene remarks, " the elegant simplicity of the attire 
 and manners of the British heiress formed a strong contrast 
 to the glare and glitter around the precocious queen. These 
 royal young ladies danced in the same quadrille, and though 
 the performance of Donna Maria was greatly admired, all 
 persons of refined taste gave the preference to the modest 
 graces of the English-bred Princess." 
 
 The portraits of the Princess Victoria, executed during her 
 infancy and childhood, are somewhat numerous. Sir William 
 Beechey painted a picture in oil, representing the Duchess 
 seated on a sofa upon which her young daughter stood be- 
 side her, and this painting is in the possession of the King of 
 the Belgians. Turnerelli, the sculptor, executed an excellent 
 bust of the Princess when she was in her third year, and in 
 1827 Mr. Behnes produced a marble bust, which is now in 
 one of the corridors of Windsor Castle. It was justly re- 
 garded as one of the most beautiful specimens of sculpture 
 ever exhibited in the British schools of art, the likeness being 
 perfect, the features delicately portrayed, and the expression 
 admirable. Mr. Fowler, an artist of Ramsgate, executed two 
 portraits of the Princess, one in her ninth year. Mr. Westall, 
 R. A., painted a trustworthy full-length portrait of the Prin- 
 cess as she appeared when in her twelfth year. 
 
 It was not until the spring of 1830 that the Princess Vic- 
 toria became aware of her nearness to the British throne. 
 One account states that she was reading English history with 
 her governess, the Baroness Lehzen, and in the presence of 
 
24 NEARNESS TO THE THRONE. 
 
 her mother when some question arose in connection with the 
 succession to the crown. The point had probably been pur- 
 posely suggested. Her Royal Highness studied her genea- 
 logical table for some time ; and the account thus proceeds, 
 the discussion being opened by a question from the Princess : 
 
 ^* In the event of the death of the King, my uncle, who 
 would be the presumptive successor to the throne ?" 
 
 The Baroness parried the question by the reply: "The 
 Duke of Clarence will succeed on the death of the present 
 King." 
 
 ** Yes," said the Princess, " that I know ; but who will suc- 
 ceed him ?" 
 
 The governess, who saw the bearing of the inquiry, hesi- 
 tated a moment, and then, answered, " Princess, you have sev- 
 eral uncles !" 
 
 Her Royal Highness now became agitated ; the color rose 
 rapidly to her cheek, and she observed with much serious- 
 ness, " True, I have ; but I perceive here," pointing to her 
 table, " that my papa was next in age to my uncle Clarence ; 
 and it does appear to me, from what I have just been reading, 
 that when he and the present King are both dead, I shall 
 become Queen of England !" 
 
 The Baroness looked silently toward the mother of the 
 Princess, who, after a short pause, replied to the following 
 effect : 
 
 " We are continually looking forward, my beloved child, in 
 the hope that your dear aunt, the Duchess of Clarence, may 
 yet give birth to living children. Should it please God, how- 
 ever, that this be not the case, and that you are spared to the 
 period, very distant I trust, which terminates the valuable 
 lives of our revered Sovereign and the Duke of Clarence, 
 
ROYAL BOUDOIR. 
 
 ROYAL BED-ROOM. 
 
'V 
 
 
 
 
 >/ ' ' '■ ' ' ' ^' 
 
 
 
 ■^ 
 
 "'''■■ ^Md '''^'^'' 
 
 * 
 
 *fBP\ 
 
 M 
 
 ^^^fci.... 
 
 ■HK' 9 
 
 The Prince of Wales 
 
 In Royal Attire. 
 
THE REGENCY BILL MASSED. 27 
 
 you will indeed, by the established laws of our country, be- 
 come their undoubted successor. Should this event — at 
 present too remote and uncertain to engage our attention, 
 further than to stimulate our endeavors so to form your mind 
 as to render you not unworthy so high a destiny — should 
 this event indeed occur, may you prove a blessing to your 
 country and an ornament to the throne you are called to 
 fill!" 
 
 When William IV ascended the throne in 1830, it became 
 necessary to provide for the contingency of the Princess 
 Victoria's accession before attaining the age of eighteen, that 
 being the period of her majority. A Regency Bill was intro- 
 duced by Lord Lyndhurst, but a change of Government 
 occurring before it was carried, it devolved upon Lord 
 Brougham, the Lord Chancellor in Lord Grey's Administra- 
 tion, to take up and adopt the measure. The position was a 
 singular one, because Parliament had to contemplate the 
 possibility that William IV might die leaving a posthumous 
 child. Lord Brougham could not find a parallel case in Eng- 
 lish history since the death of Geoffrey, son of Henry II, who 
 left a son, Prince Arthur, whose claims were thrust aside by 
 the usurpation of King John. The possibility of posthumous 
 issue in William's case having been provided for, the Bill 
 passed both houses and became law. The Duchess of Kent 
 was named guardian of the infant Princess and Regent of the 
 kingdom, but she was to be assisted by a Council of Regency 
 drawn from the royal family and the Ministers of State. Some 
 months afterward further provision was made for the educa- 
 tion and maintenance of the Princess, and for the support of 
 her honor and dignity as heiress presumptive — ;^ 10,000 a 
 year was voted, in addition to the annual grant of ;^6,ooo. 
 
28 FIRST APPEARANCE AT COURT. 
 
 The Princess Victoria's first appearance at Court during 
 the new reign was made at the celebration of Queen Ade- 
 laide's birthday, on the 24th of February, 1831. The draw- 
 ing-room held by her Majesty was stated to have been the 
 most magnificent witnessed since that which signalized the 
 presentation of the Princess Charlotte of Wales on the occa- 
 sion of her marriage. The Princess Victoria stood on Queen 
 Adelaide's left hand. Her dress was made entirely of articles 
 made in the United Kingdom. She wore a frock of English 
 blonde over white satin, a pearl necklace, and a rich diamond 
 agrafe fastened the Madonna braids of her fair hair at the 
 back of her head. She was the object of interest and admira- 
 tion on the part of all assembled. The scene was one of the 
 most splendid ever remembered, and the future Queen of 
 England contemplated all that passed with much dignity, but 
 with evident enjoyment. 
 
 When King William prorogued his first Parliament an in- 
 teresting circumstance occurred, which caused much enthusi- 
 asm amongst those who witnessed it. Queen Adelaide and 
 the princesses witnessed the spectacle of the royal State pro- 
 cession. The people cheered the Queen lustily, but, forget- 
 ting herself, that gracious lady took the young Princess Vic- 
 toria by the hand, led her to the front of the balcony, and in- 
 troduced her to the happy and loyal multitude. In January, 
 1 83 1, the Princess made her first appearance at the theatre, 
 visiting Covent Garden, and thoroughly entering into the 
 pleasures of the children's entertainment provided. 
 
 The Duchess of Kent early familiarized her illustrious 
 daughter with the features of her own country, interesting 
 her in it by personal visits to its chief cities and towns. 
 
 In the year 1833 the Duchess and her daughter took up 
 
A SOJOURN AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 29 
 
 their residence at their beautiful seat of Norris Castle, Isle 
 of Wight. Unembarrassed by the trammels of society, they 
 were able to enjoy the delightful scenery of the islands, 
 sometimes taking long walks and excursions alone. A 
 tourist on one occasion strolled into the old churchyard at 
 Arreton to search out the grave of Elizabeth Wallbridge, the 
 heroine of Legh Richmond's popular religious story, The 
 Dairyman! s Daughter. Beside a grassy mound he discovered 
 a lady and a young girl seated, ** the latter reading aloud, in 
 a full melodious voice, the touching tale of the Christian 
 maiden." The tourist turned away, and soon afterward was 
 told by the sexton that the pilgrims to that humble grave 
 were the Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria. 
 
 From Norris Castle the royal ladies made many marine 
 excursions in the "Emerald" yacht. Southampton, Caris- 
 brooke, and Winchester were visited ; while at Plymouth and 
 Torquay minute attention was paid by the future Sovereign 
 to the details of marine affairs. In acknowledging an address 
 from the inhabitants of Torquay on the anniversary of one 
 of England's great naval victories, the Duchess of Kent said : 
 " It has ever been my pride to lead the Princess to regard 
 with warm feelings all the recollections that belong to this 
 day in relation to the naval service of the country." And in 
 replying to an address from Plymouth she referred with 
 satisfaction to her residence in the Isle of Wight, which per- 
 mitted her, as a part of the education of her daughter, to 
 visit the coast and the great arsenal so associated with the 
 naval renown of Britain. A providential escape from de- 
 struction marked the Princess Victoria's homeward voyage 
 from Eddystone to Norris Castle in the " Emerald " yacht. 
 It seems that the vessel ran afoul of the *' Active " hulk, and 
 
30 ESCAPE FROM DEATH. 
 
 the mainmast of the "Emerald" being sprung, her sail 
 and a piece of heavy wood were detached. The pilot, Mr. 
 Saunders, quick as thought sprang to where the Princess 
 was standing, lifted her in his arms to a more safe position 
 further aft, and the next moment, crash ! came the topmast 
 down where the Princess had ariginally stationed herself. | 
 But for the prompt action of Mr. Saunders she must have f 
 been crushed to death. Her Royal Highness bore herself 
 with calmness while the event was passing, but after fully 
 perceiving her imminent danger she burst into tears, and 
 thanked her preserver with artless grace for his great pres- 
 ence of mind. The pilot was promoted to a master, and 
 when the Princess became Queen of England he was invited 
 to Court. On the death of Mr. Saunders, moreover, the 
 Queen made provision for his wife and family. 
 
 After the return to Kensington Palace the Princess suffered 
 from a severe attack of illness. For some time preceding 
 her fifteenth birthday she looked pale and languid, and the 
 violent changes of temperature subjected her to the only 
 serious indisposition she had hitherto experienced. She soon 
 recovered her health, however, and was able to accompany 
 King William and Queen Adelaide to the Grand Musical 
 Festival in Westminster Abbey, when she was greeted with 
 enthusiasm and affection by the loyal crowds which had 
 assembled on the occasion. 
 
 The Ascot races of June, 1835, were witnessed by a bril- 
 liant gathering. On the principal day the Princess Victoria 
 made her first appearance on a race-course with the royal 
 family. 
 
 The uniforms of the soldiery, and the magnificent attire 
 of the ladies of rank and fashion, who attended in their 
 
PRINCESS VICTORIA CONFIRMED. 3I 
 
 thousands, combined with the glorious summer day, gave 
 eclat to a scene never to be forgotten. The Princess was 
 then just sixteen, not very tall in stature as yet, but glowing 
 with youth, health, and happiness. Her hair, which appeared 
 of an almost flaxen hue, was braided in what were known as 
 , Clotilde bands, the ancient style worn by the Plantagenet 
 queens, and it became the Princess's contour of face exceed- 
 ingly well. For costume she wore a large pink bonnet and 
 a rose-colored satin dress, broche, with a pelerine cape 
 trimmed with black lace. Though the cynosure of all eyes, 
 it is stated that the Princess seemed much more delighted at 
 any expression of loyalty bestowed on her royal uncle, the 
 King, than by all the intoxicating applause lavishly accorded 
 to herself. 
 
 On the 30th of August, 1835, the Princess Victoria was 
 confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by the 
 Bishop of London, in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. In addi- 
 tion to the Princess and the Duchess of Kent, only the King, 
 Queen Adelaide, and the Duchess of Saxe-Weimar, with 
 some other members of the royal family were present. 
 The scene was very touching. We read that the young 
 Princess exhibited great marks of sensibility during the beau- 
 tiful and pathetic exhortation in which the Archbishop repre- 
 sented to her the great responsibility attaching to her high 
 station ; and when he spoke of the struggle she must prepare 
 for between the world and Heaven, and, above all, of the 
 absolute necessity of her looking up to the King of kings for 
 counsel and support in all the trials that awaited her, her com- 
 posure gradually gave way, till at length she was bathed in 
 tears, and, unable to subdue the violence of her emotion, she 
 laid her head upon her mother's shoulder and sobbed aloud. 
 
32 VICTORIA ATTAINS HER MAJORITY. 
 
 The Duchess of Kent was scarcely less affected, while the 
 King and Queen were also much moved. 
 
 The Princess Victoria attained her legal majority on the 
 24th of May, 1837, being then eighteen years of age. She 
 was serenaded at Kensington Palace, at seven in the morn- 
 ing, by a band of thirty-seven vocal and instrumental per- 
 formers in full dress. Her Royal Highness sat at one of the 
 windows during the performance of the concert, and she 
 graciously requested the repetition of one of the songs, 
 which contained an allusion to her illustrious parent. The 
 performance concluded with " God Save the King," in which 
 the assembled spectators joined in full chorus. During the 
 day many congratulatory visits were paid to the Duchess of 
 Kent and the Princess ; and amongst the birthday gifts to 
 her Royal Highness was a magnificent grand pianoforte, of 
 the value of 200 guineas, from the King. 
 
 The royal birthday was observed as a holiday in London, 
 and neither House of Parliament sat. A grand State Ball 
 was given at St. James's Palace, at which a brilliant party 
 assembled to do honor to her Royal Highness ; but the King 
 and Queen were absent on account of the severe indisposi- 
 tion of the former. At this ball the Princess Victoria for the 
 first time took precedence of her mother, occupying the cen- 
 tral chair of State, supported by the Duchess of Kent and 
 the Princess Augusta. The metropolis was brilliantly illumi- 
 nated in the evening, and the happy event was likewise cele- 
 brated in various parts of the country by demonstrations of 
 public rejoicing. 
 
 The Queen's last appearance at Court as Princess Victoria 
 was at the drawing-room in honor of the King's birthday, 
 May 29th, 1837; and shortly afterward she made her final 
 
PRINCESS S LAST APPEARANCE. ^^ 
 
 appearance in public as heiress presumptive at the memora- 
 ble charity ball given at the Opera House for the benefit of 
 the Spitalfields weavers. Her life as Princess thus closed 
 with a charitable act, and she had the satisfaction of knowing 
 that the terrible sufferings which afflicted the poor in the East 
 End were soon afterward alleviated. 
 
 We have now come to the parting of the ways. The life 
 of the Princess has been traced from her birth, and through 
 her childhood and girlhood, up to the verge of womanhood. 
 She had grown up a fair and graceful type of the English 
 maiden, and notwithstanding her high destiny she had been 
 reared in the paths of duty and of self-sacrifice. Who knows 
 not how to serve, knows not how to govern. The people 
 owed a debt of gratitude to the Duchess of Kent for the 
 admirable all-round training she gave her child. None knew 
 of the nearness of that blow which was soon to fall upon the 
 Royal House, removing the King from the midst of his sub- 
 jects; but that his successor was prepared for her lofty posi- 
 tion whenever he should be called away, was due to that 
 constant teaching and supervision which had nourished her 
 soul in rectitude and in affectionate solicitude for the welfare 
 of the people. 
 
CORONATION 
 
 AT 
 
 WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE illness which prevented King William IV. from tak- 
 ing part in the birthday festivities of the Princess Vic- 
 toria developed rapidly towards the close of the month of May. 
 His Majesty exhibited signs of great debility and exhaustion, 
 with oppression of breathing ; and he had lost the power of 
 walking. Preparations had been made to convey him to 
 Brighton for change of air early in June, but these had to be 
 abandoned. On the 9th he experienced some relief from the 
 most distressing symptoms, and transacted business with Sir 
 Herbert Taylor. All who came in contact with the King ob- 
 served how his illness had refined him and made him gentle and 
 resigned. Indeed, his unwearied patience and cheerfulness 
 excited the admiration and astonishment of all who had oppor- 
 tunity of witnessing them. All his sailor-like bluntness of 
 speech had disappeared. On the morning of the i6th he 
 observed to the Queen : " I have had some quiet sleep ; come 
 and pray with me, and thank the Almighty for it." When 
 the King's devotions were over, the Queen said: "And shall 
 I not pray to the Almighty that you may have a good day ? " 
 To which his majesty replied : " Oh, do ! I wish I could live 
 ten years for the sake of my country. I feel it my duty to 
 keep well as long as I can." 
 
 (34) 
 
The German Emperor and the Crown Prince, 
 Grandson and Great Grandson of Queen Victoria. 
 
tn «2 
 
 0^5 
 
 o S >. 
 
THE KING STRICKEN DOWN. 37 
 
 By Sunday, the i8th, the King's illness had become so 
 alarming that only a Jfatal result could be apprehended. 
 Nevertheless, he transacted official business, and his last act 
 of sovereignty was to sign a free pardon to a condemned 
 criminal. Shortly afterwards the Archbishop of Canterbury 
 attended, and administered the sacrament to the King and 
 Queen, the former appearing calm and collected, and his atti- 
 tude being one of humility and gratitude to God. Early on 
 the morning of this day the King had remembered that it was 
 the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, and he had said to 
 Dr. Chambers : " Let me but live over this memorable day ; I 
 shall never live to see another sunset." Dr. Chambers 
 answered : " I hope your Majesty may live to see many." 
 To which the King replied in a phrase which he commonly 
 employed : " Oh ! that is quite another thing." When he 
 awoke on the morning of the 19th the King remarked to the 
 Queen, " I shall get up once more to do the business of the 
 country ; " and as he was wheeled in his chair from the bed- 
 room to the dressing-room, he looked with a gracious smile 
 on the Queen's attendants, who were standing in tears near 
 the door, and said, "God bless you ! " and waved his hand. 
 When the Archbishop came and read the Service for the 
 Sick, and the Articles of Faith, the King, though much ex- 
 hausted, enunciated with distinct and solemn emphasis the 
 words, " All this I steadfastly believe." For the first time the 
 Queen was now overpowered by the weight of her affliction. 
 The King perceived her emotion, and said in a tone of en- 
 couragement, " Bear up, bear up." Once or twice during the 
 day he raised his eyes and exclaimed : " Thy will be done." 
 When the Archbishop left him for the last time he said to the 
 King : " My best prayers are offered up for your Majesty ; " 
 
38 THE KING IS DEAD. 
 
 whereupon the dying monarch replied, with feeble yet distinct 
 utterance : " Believe me, I am a religious man." At twelve 
 minutes past two on the morning of the 20th, the King passed 
 away, leaving behind him the memory of a sovereign who was 
 just and upright, while as a man he was a sincere friend, a 
 forgiving enemy, and a gracious and indulgent master. His 
 defects were mainly surface defects, and these were forgotten 
 in the wide and genuine tribute called forth by his sterling 
 virtues. 
 
 The King is dead ! God save the Queen ! To the veteran 
 of three score and ten has succeeded the maiden of eighteen. 
 The manner in which the young Sovereign received the news 
 of her accession is extremely interesting. The Archbishop 
 of Canterbury and the Lord Chamberlain left Windsor im- 
 mediately after the King's death, posting to Kensington 
 Palace, to inform the Princess Victoria of the melancholy 
 event. They did not reach Kensington until five o'clock in 
 the morning. They knocked, they rang, they thumped for a 
 considerable time before they could rouse the porter at the 
 gate. They were again kept waiting in the courtyard, then 
 turned into one of the lower rooms, where they seemed for- 
 gotten by everybody. They rang the bell, and desired that 
 the attendant of the Princess Victoria might be sent to inform 
 her Royal Highness that they desired an audience on business 
 of importance. After another delay and another ringing to 
 inquire the cause, the attendant was summoned, who stated 
 that the Princess was in such a sweet sleep that she could not 
 venture to disturb her. Then they said ; •* We are come on 
 business of State to the Queen, and even her sleep must give 
 way to that." It did ; and to prove that she did not keep 
 them waiting, in a few minutes she came into the room in a 
 
VICTORIA RECEIVES THE NEWS. 39 
 
 loose white nightgown and shawl, her nightcap thrown off, 
 and her hair falling upon her shoulders, her feet in slippers, 
 tears in her eyes, but perfectly collected and dignified. 
 
 On being informed of her new dignity, the first words which 
 the young Queen uttered were : " I ask your prayers on my 
 behalf" They knelt down together, and Victoria inaugurated 
 her reign, like the young King of Israel in the olden time, by 
 asking from the Most High, who ruleth over the kingdoms 
 of men, an understanding heart to judge so great a people. 
 
 Another incident which redounds to the honor of the 
 youthful Sovereign is recorded. The first act of her life as 
 Queen was to write a letter, breathing the purest and ten- 
 derest feelings of affection and condolence, to Queen Adelaide. 
 Her manner of doing it evinced a spirit of generosity and 
 consideration which obtained for her golden opinions every- 
 where. Her Majesty wrote the letter spontaneously, and 
 having finished it, folded and addressed it to " Her Majesty 
 the Queen." Some one in her presence, who had a right to 
 make the remark, noticing this, mentioned that the super- 
 scription was not correct, and that the letter ought to be ad- 
 dressed to '* Her Majesty the Queen Dowager." " I am quite 
 aware," said Queen Victoria, '* of her Majesty's altered char- 
 acter ; but I will not be the first person to remind her of it." 
 
 The Queen's first Privy Council was held at Kensington 
 Palace on the morning of the 21st. Her extreme youth and 
 inexperience, and the ignorance of the world concerning her, 
 naturally excited intense curiosity to see how she would act 
 on this trying occasion, and there was a considerable assem- 
 blage at the Palace, notwithstanding the short notice which 
 was given. The first thing to be done was to teach her her 
 lesson, which for this purpose Melbourne had himself to learn. 
 
40 FIRST PRIVY COUNCIL. 
 
 Melbourne asked the Queen if she would enter the room 
 accompanied by the great officers of State, but she said she 
 would go in alone. When the lords were assembled, the Lord 
 President informed them of the King's death, and suggested, 
 as they were so numerous, that a few of them should repair 
 to the presence of the Queen and inform her of the event, 
 and that their lordships were assembled in consequence ; and 
 accordingly the two Royal Dukes of Cumberland and Sussex, 
 the two Archbisops, the Lord Chancellor, and Melbourne, 
 went with him. The Queen received them in the adjoining 
 room alone. As soon as they had returned, the proclamation 
 was read, and the usual order passed. When the doors were 
 thrown open and the Queen entered, accompanied by her 
 two uncles, who advanced to meet her, she was quite plainly 
 dressed, and in mourning. The Queen bowed to the lords 
 took her seat, and then, in a clear, distinct, and audible voice, 
 and without any appearance of fear or embarrassment, she 
 read the following declaration to the Council : 
 
 "The severe and afflicting loss which the nation has sus- 
 tained by the death of his Majesty, my beloved uncle, has 
 devolved upon me the duty of administering the government 
 of this empire. This aVful responsibility is imposed upon 
 me so suddenly, and at so early a period of my life, that I 
 should feel myself utterly oppressed by the burden, were I 
 not sustained by the hope that Divine Providence, which has 
 called me to this work, will give me strength for the perform- 
 ance of it, and that I shall find in the purity of my intentions, 
 and in my zeal for the public welfare, that support and those 
 resources which usually belong to a more mature age and to 
 long experience. 
 
 ** I place my firm reliance upon the wisdom of Parliament, 
 and upon the loyalty and affection of my people. I esteem it 
 
Queen Victoria's Throne. 
 
THE QUEEN S PROCLAMATION. 4 1 
 
 also a peculiar advantage, that I succeed to a Sovereign whose 
 constant regard for the rights and liberties of his subjects, and 
 whose desire to promote the amelioration of the laws and 
 institutions of the country, have rendered his name the object 
 of general attachment and veneration. 
 
 •' Educated in England, under the tender and enlightened 
 care of a most affectionate mother, I have learned from my 
 infancy to respect and love the Constitution of my native 
 country. 
 
 " It will be my unceasing study to maintain the Reformed 
 religion as by law estabHshed, securing at the same time to 
 all the full enjoyment of religious liberty ; and I shall steadily 
 protect the rights and promote to the utmost of my power the 
 happiness and welfare of all classes of my subjects." 
 
 After she had read her speech and taken and signed the 
 oath for the security of the Church of Scotland, the Privy 
 Councillors were sworn, the two Royal Dukes first, by them- 
 selves; and as these two old men, her uncles, knelt before 
 her, swearing allegiance, and kissing her hand, I saw her 
 blush up to the eyes, as if she felt the contrast between their 
 civil and their natural relations, and this was the only sign 
 of emotion which she evinced. Her manner to them was 
 very graceful and engaging : she kissed them both, and rose 
 from her chair, and moved towards the Duke of Sussex, who 
 was farthest from her, and too infirm to reach her. 
 
 She seemed rather bewildered at the multitude of men who 
 were sworn, and who came one after another to kiss her hand, 
 but she did not speak to anybody, nor did she make the 
 slightest difference in her manner, or show any in her counte- 
 nance, to any individual of rank, station, or party. I particu- 
 larly watched her when Melbourne and the Ministers and the 
 Duke of Wellington and Peel approached her. She went 
 3 
 
42 VICTORIA PROCLAIMED QUEEN. 
 
 through the whole ceremony — occasionally looking at Mel- 
 bourne for instruction when she had any doubt what to do, 
 which hardly ever occurred — with perfect calmness and self- 
 possession. 
 
 The Princess Victoria was formally proclaimed Queen of 
 Great Britain and Ireland on the 21st of June, from St. James's 
 Palace. Long before the hour fixed for the ceremony all the 
 avenues to the palace were crowded, every balcony, window, 
 and elevated position being filled with spectators. The space 
 in the quadrangle, in front of the window at which her Majesty 
 was to appear, was crowded with ladies and gentlemen, and 
 even the parapets above were filled with people. The great 
 Irish agitator, O'Connell, in the front line opposite the windows, 
 attracted considerable attention by waving his hat and cheering 
 most vehemently. 
 
 The guns in the park fired a salute at ten o'clock, and 
 immediately afterwards the Queen made her appearance at 
 the window of the Presence Chamber. 
 
 She stood between Lords Melbourne and Lansdowne, and 
 was received with deafening cheery. Her mother also, who 
 was close behind her, received most cordial plaudits. The 
 Queen looked very fatigued and pale, but returned the 
 repeated cheers with which she was greeted with remarkable 
 ease and dignity. She was dressed in deep mourning, with 
 a white tippet, white cuffs, and a border of white lace under 
 a small black bonnet, which was placed far back on her head, 
 exhibiting her light hair in front simply parted over her fore- 
 head. The Queen and the Duchess of Kent regarded the 
 proceedings with much interest. As her Majesty appeared 
 at the window the band of the Royal Guards struck up the 
 National Anthem. On its conclusion, Sir William Woods, 
 
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. 43 
 
 acting for the Garter King-at-Arms, and accompanied by the 
 Duke of Norfolk as Earl Marshal of England, read aloud the 
 proclamation containing the official announcement of the death 
 of King William IV., and of the consequent accession of Queen 
 Victoria to the throne of these realms. The proclamation was 
 as follows : 
 
 "Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His 
 mercy our late sovereign lord, King William the Fourth, of 
 blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the imperial 
 crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is 
 solely and rightfully come to the high and mighty Princess 
 Alexandrina Victoria (saving the rights of any issue of his late 
 Majesty King William the Fourth which may be born of his 
 late Majesty's consort) : We, therefore, the lords spiritual and 
 temporal of this realm, being here assisted with those of his 
 late Majesty's Privy Council, with numbers of others, princi- 
 pally gentlemen of quality, with the Lord Mayor, aldermen, 
 and citizens of London, do now hereby, with one voice and 
 consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the 
 high and mighty Princess Alexandrina Victoria is now, by the 
 death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our 
 only lawful and rightful liege lady, Victoria, by the grace of 
 God, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire- 
 land, Defender of the Faith, saving as aforesaid : To whom, 
 saving as aforesaid, we do acknowledge all faith and constant 
 obedience, with all hearty and humble affection, beseeching 
 God, by whom kings and queens do reign, to bless the royal 
 Princess Victoria with long and happy years to reign over us. 
 God save the Queen ! " 
 
 While the proclamation was being read there was consider- 
 able movement among the crowd, who continued to cheer and 
 cry, " God save the Queen ! " 
 
 Her Majesty stood during the whole rehearsal of the pro- 
 
44 AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. 
 
 clamation. She was deeply affected at the acclamations which 
 rent the air, and was observed to shed tears. 
 
 One result of the Queen's accession escaped without com- 
 ment in almost all the journals. The descent of the English 
 crown to a female necessitated the separation from it of the 
 kingdom of Hanover, which, according to Salic law, passed to 
 the Queen's uncle, Ernest, Duke of Cumberland. 
 
 Her Majesty's first assumption of royalty in the Council 
 Chamber at Kensington Palace formed the subject of a his- 
 torical picture by Sir David Wilkie. In that picture the 
 " Maiden Queen " is seen at the head of the table, while at 
 the foot, facing her, is the Duke of Sussex in his black velvet 
 skull-cap. Other noticeable figures in the group are those 
 of the great Chancellor Lyndhurst ; Brougham, the clever and 
 indiscreet, with his restless features ceaselessly in action ; and 
 the Duke of Wellington. 
 
 The Queen took up her residence at Buckingham Palace 
 on the 13th of July, and four days later she went in State to 
 dissolve Parliament. An immense concourse of persons wit- 
 nessed the procession, and the cheering all along the route 
 was most deafening. As she entered the house all the peers 
 and peeresses present rose at the flourish of trumpets, and 
 remained standing. Her Majesty was attired in a splendid 
 white satin robe, with the ribbon of the Garter crossing her 
 shoulder, and a magnificent tiara of diamonds on her head, 
 and a necklace and stomacher of large and costly brilliants. 
 When she had ascended the throne and taken her seat, Lord 
 Melbourne, who stood close to her right hand, whispered to 
 her that it was customary to desire the peers and the peeresses 
 to be seated ; whereupon her Majesty, in rather a low voice, 
 and bowing condescendingly, said, *' My lords, be seated." 
 
Albert Edward, Prince op Wales. 
 
Marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Aliiert at St. James Palace, Feb. io, 
 
 1840. 
 
PARLIAMENT DISSOLVED. 45 
 
 The usual formalities havingr been gone through, the Queen 
 read her first speech from the throne. The closing passages 
 of this document, which breathed of the constitutional spirit 
 that has marked the whole course of her Majesty's reign, ran 
 as follows : 
 
 ** I ascend the throne with a deep sense of the responsibility 
 which is imposed upon me ; but I am supported by the con- 
 sciousness of my own right intentions, and by my dependence 
 upon the protection of Almighty God. It will be my care to 
 strengthen our institutions, civil and ecclesiastical, by discreet 
 improvement wherever improvement is required, and to do 
 all in my power to compose and allay animosity and discord. 
 Acting upon these principles, I shall upon all occasions look 
 with confidence to the wisdom of Parliament and the affections 
 of my people, which form the true support of the dignity of 
 the Crown, and ensure the stability of the Constitution." 
 
 Her Majesty read the speech deliberately, and with a sweet 
 voice which was heard all over the House, while a natural 
 grace and modest self-possession characterized her demeanor. 
 Fanny Kemble, who was present on this historic occasion, thus 
 wrote concerning its central figure: "The Queen was not 
 handsome, but very pretty, and the singularity of her great 
 position lent a sentimental and poetic charm to her youthful 
 face and figure. The serene, serious sweetness of her candid 
 brow and clear soft eyes gave dignity to the girlish counten- 
 ance; while the want of height only added to the effect of 
 extreme youth of the round but slender person, and gracefully 
 moulded hands and arms. The Queen's voice was exquisite, 
 nor have I ever heard any spoken words more musical in their 
 gentle distinctness than " My Lords and Gentlemen," which 
 broke the breathless silence of the illustrious assembly, whose 
 
46 FIRST DEATH WARRANT. 
 
 gaze was riveted on that fair flower of royalty. The enuncia- 
 tion was as perfect as the intonation was melodious, and I 
 think it is impossible to hear a more excellent utterance than 
 that of the Queen's English by the English Queen." 
 
 Soon after her Majesty's accession she was called upon to 
 sign her first death-warrant. It was presented to her by the 
 Duke of Wellington, and concerned a deserter who had been 
 condemned to death by court-martial. The Queen, with tears 
 in her eyes, asked, '' Have you nothing to say in behalf of this 
 man?" 
 
 "Nothing; he has deserted three times," replied the Duke. 
 
 *'Oh, your Grace, think again !" 
 
 "Well, your Majesty," said the brave veteran, "though he 
 is certainly a very bad soldier, some v/itnesses spoke for his 
 character, and, for aught I know to the contrary, he may be a 
 good many 
 
 "Oh, thank you for that a thousand times!" exclaimed the 
 Queen ; and writing " pardoned " on the paper, she pushed 
 it across the table to the Duke, her hand trembling with 
 emotion. 
 
 Another anecdote also deserves to be recorded. It was 
 told by Lord Melbourne. Immediately she was in a position 
 to do so, she said to the Prime Minister : " I want to pay all 
 that remain of my father's debts. I must do it. I consider 
 it a sacred duty." Lord Melbourne said that the earnestness 
 and directness of that good daughter's manner, when speaking 
 of her father, brought the tears into his eyes. The Duke of 
 Kent had not had a very large allowance, considering his 
 position and his natural generosity, , which caused him to 
 contribute beyond his means to excellent institutions of all 
 
POPULAR WITH ALL CLASSES. 47 
 
 kinds. However, the Queen never rested until all his liabili- 
 ties had been conscientiously discharged. 
 
 The Queen was exceedingly popular with all classes. At 
 one time, when some foolish person talked of deposing " the 
 all but infant Queen " and putting the Duke of Cumberland 
 in her place, O'Connell said: "If necessary, I can get 500,000 
 brave Irishmen to defend the life, the honor, and the person 
 of the beloved young lady by whom England's throne is now 
 filled." Occasionally the devotion of her admirers was some- 
 what embarrassing. This was especially so in the case of a 
 gentleman who, for some time before the Queen left Ken- 
 sington Palace, labored under the delusion that he was one 
 day destined to marry her Majesty. His attentions became 
 very annoying, and on' one occasion he actually succeeded in 
 writing his name in the visiting-book, only to be erased, how- 
 ever, as soon as the autograph v/as discovered. Although a 
 gentleman of means, he would actively assist the workmen in 
 weeding the piece of water in Kensington Gardens, in the 
 hope of obtaining a sight of her Majesty ; and every evening 
 he would wait in his phaeton in the Uxbridge Road until the 
 Queen's carriage appeared in sight, when he would follow it 
 in whatever direction it might proceed. 
 
 On the 22nd of August the Queen removed with her Court 
 to Windsor Castle, where a week later she received her uncle 
 the King of the Belgians and his consort, Queen Louise. 
 Later in the autumn her Majesty visited Brighton, returning 
 to London on the 4th of November. 
 
 There was a magnificent pageant on the occasion of her 
 first visit to the City as Queen, on Lord Mayor's Day, the 
 9th of November. A general holiday was observed that day 
 in London, and crowds of persons assembled along the whole 
 
48 queen's visit to LONDON. 
 
 route from Buckingham Palace to the Guildhall. The Queen 
 sat in the royal state carriage, attended by the Duchess of 
 Sutherland as Mistress of the Robes, and the Earl of Albe- 
 marle as Master of the Horse. Her Majesty wore a splendid 
 pink satin robe shot with silver, her hair encompassed with a 
 splendid tiara; and she looked the picture of health. As the 
 procession filed along the Strand the church bells rang forth 
 merrily, and mingling with their peals enthusiastic cheers came 
 from thousands of human voices. Rows of national flags 
 and heraldic banners were stretched across the thoroughfare 
 at several points, and busts and portraits of the Queen were 
 placed in conspicuous positions. Her Majesty, who was in 
 high spirits, acknowledged the continuous greetings of her 
 subjects in the most gracious manner. 
 
 Temple Bar was a point of great interest, for here the City 
 bounds began. The Lord Mayor and sheriffs, with the alder- 
 men, who had been accommodated in Messrs. Childs' banking- 
 house, proceeded to mount their chargers a little before two 
 o'clock. 
 
 When the arrival of the Queen was announced, the Lord 
 Mayor dismounted, and taking the City sword in his hand, 
 stood on the south side of Temple Bar, Her Majesty's car- 
 riage then drew up within the gateway, and the Lord Mayor 
 presented the keys of the City to the Queen, which her 
 Majesty, after keeping for a few moments, restored in a 
 gracious manner. At this moment the multitude of specta- 
 tors rent the air with their acclamations. The Lord Mayor 
 remounted, and, holding the City sword aloft, took his place 
 immediately before the royal carriage ; after which the alder- 
 men, the members of the Common Council, and other civic 
 authorities formed in procession. 
 
AT THE GiJILDfiALL. 49 
 
 One of the most interesting episodes of the day occurred 
 in front of St. Paul's Cathedral, where a booth had been 
 erected for the accommodation of the boys of Christ's Hos- 
 pital. The royal carriage stopped in the middle of the road 
 opposite the cathedral gate, and a platform was wheeled out 
 on which were Mr. F. G. Nash, senior scholar of Christ's 
 Hospital, and the head-master and treasurer. The scholar, 
 in conformity with an old usage, delivered an address of 
 congratulation to her Majesty, concluding with an earnest 
 prayer for her welfare. "God save the Queen" was then 
 sung by the scholars and a great part of the other spectators. 
 The Queen was much pleased with the proceedings, and in 
 " subsequently returning his oration to Master Nash with her 
 signature added, she wrote a note expressive of her appro- 
 bation." 
 
 On arriving at the Guildhall, whose rooms had been sumptu- 
 ously fitted up and decorated, the Queen received the chief 
 guests in the drawing-room. Another address was presented, 
 and the dinner was announced. The Queen descended the 
 hall preceded by the Lord Mayor, and was conducted by the 
 Lord Chamberlain to the throne, the band playing, " O ! the 
 roast beef of Old England." The dinner was much like other 
 dinners for the viands, but one dish deserves special mention. 
 This was a salmon, and the only one at the banquet. It had 
 been caught in the River Tivy, near Kenarth, in the county 
 of Carmarthen, by William Griffiths, a poor lame fisherman, 
 who with unbounded loyalty sent it by the mail to the Lord 
 Mayor, requesting that it might form part of the civic enter- 
 tainment to the Queen. "The health of our Most Gracious 
 Sovereign Queen Victoria" w^as drank amid loud applause, 
 and in response the Queen rose and bowed several times very 
 
50 OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. 
 
 affably to the company. Her dress attracted much attention. 
 It was richly embroidered with silver ; and over her left shoul- 
 der the Queen wore the riband of the Order of the Garter, 
 with the George appended ; on her head she had a splendid 
 diadem and circlet ; she also wore diamond earings, and had 
 a stomacher of brilliants. 
 
 At half-past eight o'clock a flourish of trumpets announced 
 the arrival of the Queen s carriage. Her Majesty then left, 
 and when she arrived at the carriage door she turned round 
 to the Lord Mayor, who stood at the step, and said with a 
 smile, " I assue you, my Lord Mayor, that I have been most 
 highly gratified." She then warmly shook hands with the 
 chief magistrate, and drove off amid ringing cheers. On the 
 homeward route the royal carriage pulled up for a few min- 
 utes at the end of Cheapside, where, under the direction of 
 the Sacred Harmonic Society, several hundred voices sang 
 " God save the Queen." 
 
 Her Majesty opened her first Parliament on the 20th of 
 November, her progress to the House being marked by the 
 most loyal demonstrations. When she had ascended the 
 throne in the House of Lords, she directed the Lord Chan- 
 cellor to read the followino- declaration : 
 
 " I, Victoria, &c., do solemnly and sincerely, in the presence 
 of God, testify and declare that I do believe that in the Sacra- 
 m.ent of the Lord's Supper there is not any transubstantiation 
 of the elements of bread and wine into the body and blood of 
 Christ, at or after the consecration thereof, by any person 
 whatsoever ; and that the invocation or adoration of the Virgin 
 Mary, or any other saint, and the sacrifice of the Mass, as they 
 are now used in the Church of Rome, are superstitious and 
 idolatrous. And I do solemnly, in the presence of God, pro- 
 fess, testify, and declare, that I do make this declaration, and 
 
OUEEN*S ANNUAL iNCQMfi. ^t 
 
 every part thereof, in the plain and ordinary sense of the 
 words read unto me, as they are commonly understood by 
 English Protestants, without any evasion, equivocation, or 
 mental reservation whatsoever, and without any dispensation 
 already granted me for this purpose by the Pope, or any other 
 authority or person whatsoever, and without thinking that I 
 am or can be acquitted before God and man, or absolved of 
 this declaration, or any part thereof, although the Pope, or 
 any other person or persons or power whatsoever, shall dis- 
 pense with or annul the same, or declare that it was null and 
 void from the beginning." 
 
 The question of the Civil List was settled by Parliament 
 this session. The Queen placed unreservedly in the hands 
 of Parliament the hereditary revenues transferred to the pub- 
 lic by her immediate predecessor. In the House of Commons 
 the Chancellor of the Exchequer pointed out that, whilst 
 former Sovereigns had inherited considerable personal pro- 
 perty, Queen Victoria had not done so, and would further be 
 deprived of the revenues of Hanover, which had now become 
 a separate kingdom. The sum of ;^385,ooo was therefore 
 voted as the annual income of the Sovereign. At the sugges- 
 tion of the Queen, Parliament also voted an additional grant 
 of ^8,000 a year to the income of the Duchess of Kent, thus 
 raising it to _;^3o,ooo per annum. 
 
 The Queen entered fully into all business matters brought 
 before her by the Prime Minister. She would know the why 
 and the wherefore of everything. Indeed, one authority says 
 that Melbourne was heard to declare that he would rather 
 have ten kings to manage than one queen. He could not 
 place a single document in her Majesty's hand for signature 
 but she first asked an infinite variety of questions respecting 
 it, and she not unfrequently ended her interrQgatories by de- 
 
52 THE QUEEN AND MELBOURNE. 
 
 dining to put her name to the paper in question until she had 
 taken further time to consider its merits. The Premier on a 
 certain occasion had submitted an Act of Government for her 
 Majesty's approval, and was proceeding to urge its expediency, 
 when he was thus stopped short by the Queen : 
 
 " I have been taught, my lord, to judge between what is 
 right, and what is wrong ; but expediency is a word which I 
 neither wish to hear nor to understand." 
 
 Again, when Melbourne was anxious to obtain the Queen's 
 signature to an important State document, he argued for it 
 with all the force and eloquence at his command. But the 
 Sovereign had resolved upon having further information be- 
 fore affixing her signature. It was in vain that he explained 
 and argued, and in the end, when he pleaded the paramount 
 importance of the matter he was met by the reply : 
 
 "It is with me a matter of paramount importance whether 
 or not I attach my signature to a document with which I am 
 not thoroughly satisfied." 
 
 But the other side of the picture reveals the admirable re- 
 lations existing between the Queen and her Minister. George 
 Villiers told Greville that he had been exceedingly struck 
 with Melbourne's manner to the Queen, and hers to him — his, 
 so parental and anxious, but always so respectful and defer- 
 ential ; hers, indicative of such entire confidence, such plea- 
 sure in his society. " She is continually talking to him," con- 
 tinues Greville, " let who will be there ; he always sits next 
 her at dinner, and evidently by arrangement, because he al- 
 ways takes in the lady-in-waiting, which necessarily places him 
 next her, the etiquette being that the lady-in-waiting sits next 
 but one to the Queen. It is not unnatural, and to him it is 
 peculiarly interesting. I have no doubt he is passionately 
 
The Princess of Wales. 
 
INTENSE LOVE OF MUSIC. 53 
 
 fond of her, as he might be of his daughter, if he had one, 
 and the more because he is a man with a capacity for loving, 
 without having anything in the world to love. It has become his 
 province to educate, instruct, and form the most interesting 
 mind and character in the world. JSTo occupation was ever 
 more engrossing or involved greater responsibility. I have 
 no doubt that Melbourne is both equal to and worthy of the 
 task, and that it is fortunate she has fallen into his hands, and 
 that he discharges this great duty wisely, honorably, and con- 
 scientiously. It is a great proof of the discretion and purity 
 of his conduct and behaviour that he is admired, respected, 
 liked by all the Court." 
 
 As soon as her Majesty's State duties were despatched, she 
 occupied the time with music, reading, or drawing. She took 
 great delight in Italian music, and also in the compositions of 
 Handel, Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart. To these was sub- 
 sequently added Mendelssohn, who was also a favorite with 
 the Prince Consort. Her voice was a mezzo-soprano o{ good 
 tone, and her singing was excellent. Her talents for drawing 
 were such that one of her masters said : " The Princess Vic- 
 toria would have made the best female artist of the age if she 
 had not been born to wear a crown." After she became 
 Queen, she would frequently entertain her distinguished 
 guests by singing in the drawing-room, after dinner, choice 
 popular airs, in which she was accompanied by the Duchess 
 of Kent on the piano. Some other personal details may be 
 mentioned. As her Majesty has herself declared that " she 
 is rather small for a Queen," we are emboldened to give her 
 stature, which is just five feet two inches. But her carriage 
 and imposing appearance always seem to indicate a consider- 
 ably greater height. 
 
54 CORONATION DAY. 
 
 But we must now pass on to the coronation, the great event 
 of 1838, and the greatest spectacle of her Majesty's reign. 
 Long before the day fixed for the ceremony the deepest in- 
 terest was manifested in it. Amongst the proclamations 
 issued was one declaring it to be the Queen's royal will and 
 pleasure to dispense with, at her approaching coronation, all 
 the ceremonies usually performed in Westminster Hall on 
 such an occasion. These ceremonies included the entry of 
 the Champion of England on horseback, whose right it was to 
 throw down his gauntlet in defence of the Sovereign, challeng- 
 ing any one to take it up. Another proclamation stated that 
 the peers were to be relieved from doing homage in the usual 
 fashion by kissing the left cheek ©f the Sovereign. One can 
 imagine the girl-Queen's dismay if this ancient custom had 
 been maintained in her case. For her royal uncles to kiss 
 her cheek was only a natural proceeding, but that some six 
 hundred spiritual and temporal peers should follow each 
 other in kissing the Sovereign's left cheek would have been 
 an appalling prospect. The old custom was for each peer, 
 according to his rank and profession, singly to ascend the 
 throne, to touch with his hand the crown on the Sovereien's 
 head, and then to kiss her on her cheek. Though all the 
 peers would no doubt have taken care to be present on such 
 an interesting occasion, it cannot be matter of surprise that 
 they were relieved from this and other onerous duties. 
 
 The first issue of sovereigns bearing the impress of Queen 
 Victoria took place on June 14th, but the bankers were only 
 supplied with limited numbers, and could not gratify the whole 
 of their clamorous customers at once. The crown in which 
 the Queen was to appear at the coronation was made of 
 hoops of silver, enclosing a cap of deep blue velvet; the 
 
THE ROYAL CROWN. ' 55 
 
 hoops were completely covered with precious stones, sur- 
 mounted by a ball covered with small diamonds, and having 
 a Maltese cross of brilliants on the top of it. The cross had 
 in its centre a splendid sapphire ; the rim of the crown was 
 clustered with brilliants, and ornamented v^xx!^ fleur-de-lis and 
 Maltese crosses, equally rich. In the front of the large Mal- 
 tese cross was the enormous heart-shaped ruby which had 
 been worn by Edward, the Black Prince, and which afterwards 
 figured in the Helmet of Henry V. at the battle of Agincourt. 
 Beneath this, in the circular rim, was a large oblong sapphire. 
 There were many other precious gems, emeralds, rubies, and 
 sapphires, and several small clusters of drop pearls. The 
 lower part of the crown was surrounded with ermine. The 
 value of the jewels on the crown was estimated at ;^i 12,760. 
 Amid great pomp and ceremony the coronation of her 
 Majesty took place in Westminster Abbey, on Thursday, the 
 28th of June. London was awake very early on that day, 
 and by six o'clock strings of vehicles poured into the West 
 End. Crowds of foot-passengers also were on the move, all 
 converging towards one point. From Hyde Park Corner to 
 the Abbey there was scarcely a house without a scaffolding, 
 soon to be filled with sightseers. Seats were sold at a very 
 high rate, while tickets for the Inside of the Abbey were 
 bought on the eve of the ceremony at more than twenty 
 guineas each. At ten o'clock a salute of twenty-one guns, 
 and the hoisting of the imperial standard in front of the palace, 
 intimated that her Majesty had entered the State carriage. 
 The procession then set forth, preceded by trumpeters and a 
 detachment of Life Guards. Then came the foreign ministers 
 and ambassadors, followed by the carriages of the Royal 
 Family, containing the Duchess of Kent, the Duchess of 
 
56 THE PROCESSION FORMS. 
 
 Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the 
 Duke of Sussex; next her Majesty's carnages, containing 
 the members of the household and others ; and then, after 
 officers and guards of various kinds, came the State coach, 
 drawn by eight cream-colored horses, conveying the Queen 
 and the Mistress of the Robes and Master of the Horse. All 
 the royal personages were loudly cheered, but when the State 
 carriage bearing the young Sovereign came in view the enthu- 
 siasm was something tremendous. Her Majesty appeared in 
 excellent spirits, and highly delighted with the imposing scene. 
 The troops saluted in succession as she passed, and remained 
 with presented arms until the royal carriage had passed the 
 front of each battalion, the bands continuing to play the 
 National Anthem. To the credit of the crowd, a hearty 
 cheer was raised for Marshall Soult, which the French 
 veteran acknowledged with great satisfaction, not unmingled 
 with surprise. It is said that every window along the route 
 was a bouquet, every balcony a parterre of living loveliness 
 and beauty ; and as the Queen passed, scarfs, handkerchiefs, 
 and flowers were waved with the most boisterous enthusiasm. 
 Her Majesty was more than once visibly affected by these 
 exhilarating demonstrations, and occasionally turned to the 
 Duchess of Sutherland to conceal or express her emotion. 
 
 Westminster Abbey was reached at half-past eleven. On 
 each side the nave, galleries were erected for the spectators, 
 with accommodation for a thousand persons. Under the 
 central tower of the Abbey, in the interior of the choir, aj 
 platform was raised, covered with a carpet of cloth of gold, 
 and upon it the chair of homage, superbly gilt, was placed, 
 facing the alter. Further on, within the chancel, and near the 
 altar, was Edward the Confessor's chair. The altar was 
 
AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 57 
 
 covered with massive gold plate. Galleries were provided 
 for members of the House of Commons, foreign ambassadors, 
 and other persons of distinction, the Judges, Masters in Chan- 
 cery, Knights of the Bath, the Lord Mayor, and the members 
 of the Corporation. 
 
 Shortly before noon the grand procession began to enter 
 the choir. It was headed by the prebendaries and Dean of 
 Westminster, followed by the great officers of her Majesty's 
 household. 
 
 The scene which followed her Majesty's entry into the 
 Abbey was one of the most impressive which could possibly 
 be conceived. The Queen looked extremely well, and had a 
 very animated expression of countenance. Some of the 
 foreign ambassadors had numerous and splendid suites, and 
 were magnificently attired ; but by far the most gorgeous was 
 Prince Esterhazy, whose dress, down to his very boot-heels, 
 sparkled with diamonds. The scene within the choir which 
 presented itself to the Queen on her entrance was very 
 gorgeous, and indeed almost overwhelming. The Turkish 
 ambassador, it is reported, was absolutely bewildered ; he 
 stopped in astonishment, and for some time would not move 
 up to his allotted place. The Queen was received with hearty 
 plaudits as she advanced slowly towards the centre of the 
 choir; the anthem, *T was glad when they said unto me, Let 
 us go into the house of the Lord," being meanwhile sung by 
 the musicians. Then, with thrilling effect and full trumpet 
 accompaniment, " God save the Queen " was rendered. The 
 booming of the guns outside was deadened by the tumultuous 
 acclamations of those within the Abbey, which did not close 
 till the beloved object of this enthusiastic homage reached the 
 recognition-chair, on the south-east of the altar. Here the 
 
 4 
 
58 "VIVAT VICTORIA REGINA." 
 
 Queen knelt at the faldstool, engaging in silent prayer. Her 
 mind must have been agitated with deep and conflicting 
 emotions at this awful moment, when the vast weight of her 
 responsibilities pressed in upon her. There were many who 
 shed tears as the simple maiden, the centre of so much 
 splendor and the cynosure of a whole empire, implored the 
 Divine strength in the fulfilment of her sovereign duties. 
 
 When she rose from her devotions the pealing notes of the 
 anthem rang through the arches of the Abbey. Scarcely had 
 the music ceased when, in pursuance of their prescriptive 
 right, the Westminster scholars rose up with one accord and 
 acclaimed their Sovereign. They shouted in almost deafening 
 chorus, " Victoria, Victoria! Vivat Victoria Reginaf" This 
 was the first actual incident in the proceedings of the coro- 
 nation. 
 
 The Archbishop of Canterbury now advanced from his 
 station at the great south-east pillar to the east side of the 
 theatre or platform, accompanied by the Lord Chancellor, 
 Lord Great Chamberlain, the High Constable, and the Earl 
 Marshall, preceded by Garter King-at-Arms ; and presenting 
 the youthful monarch to her people, made the recognition in 
 these words : 
 
 "Sirs, I here present unto you Queen Victoria, the un- 
 doubted queen of this- realm; wherefore, all you who are 
 come this day to do your homage, are you willing to do the 
 same?" 
 
 In response there was a rapturous and general shout of 
 *'God save Queen Victoria!" The Archbishop and the 
 great officers of State made the same recognition to the 
 people on the other three sides of the Abbey, south, west, 
 and north ; the Queen remaining standing, and turning her- 
 
RELIGIOUS SERVICE BEGUN. 59 
 
 self about to face her loyal lieges on each side as the fecog- 
 nition was made, which was answered with long and repeated 
 acclamations. The last recognition over, the drums beat, 
 the trumpets sounded, and the band struck up the National 
 Anthem. This part of the ceremonial has been described as 
 one of the most striking and picturesque. 
 
 The bishops who bore the patina, Bible, and chalice in the 
 procession, now placed the same on the altar. The Queen, 
 attended by the Bishops of Durham and Bath and Wells and 
 the Dean of Westminster, with the great officers of State and 
 noblemen bearing the regalia, advanced to the altar, and 
 kneeling upon the crimson-velvet cushion, made her first 
 offering, being a, pall or altar-cloth of gold, which she deliv- 
 ered to the Archbishop of Canterbury, by whom it was placed 
 on the altar. Her Majesty next placed an ingot of gold, of 
 one pound weight, in the hands of the Archbishop, by whom 
 it was put into the oblation basin. The bearers of the regalia, 
 except those who carried the swords, then proceeded in order 
 to the altar, where they delivered St. Edward's crown, the 
 sceptre, dove, orb, spurs, and all the other insignia of royalty, 
 to the Archbishop, who delivered them to the Dean of West- 
 minster, by whom they were placed on the altar. The religious 
 ceremony now began with the reading of the Litany by the 
 Bishops of Worcester and St. David's. Then followed the 
 Communion Service, read by the Archbishop of Canterbury 
 and the Bishops of Rochester and Carlisle. The Bishop of 
 London preached the Sermon from the following text: Second 
 Chronicles, xxxiv. 31. 
 
 "And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant 
 before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep His 
 commandments and His testimonies and statutes, and with all 
 
60 CORONATION SERMON. 
 
 his heart and all his soul to perform the words of the cove- 
 nant which are written in this book." 
 
 Her Majesty paid profound attention to the words of the 
 sermon, in the course of which the Bishop praised the late 
 King for his unfeigned religion, and exhorted his youthful 
 successor to follow in his footsteps. The earnest manner in 
 which she listened, and the motion with which, at the mention 
 of her dead uncle, she bowed her head on her hand to con- 
 ceal a falling tear, were highly touching. 
 
 On the conclusion of the service, the Archbishop advanced 
 towards the Queen, addressing her thus : 
 
 •* Madam, is your Majesty willing to take the oath? " 
 
 The Queen replied, "I am willing." 
 
 " Will you solemnly promise and swear," continued the 
 Archbishop, "to govern the people of this United Kingdom 
 of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dominions thereto 
 belonging, according to the statutes in Parliament agreed on, 
 and the respective laws and customs of the same ? " 
 
 In an audible voice the Queen answered, " I solemnly pro- 
 mise so to do." 
 
 *• Will you, to the extent of your power, cause law and jus- 
 tice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments ? " 
 
 "I will." 
 
 Then said 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 preserve inviolably the 
 settlement of the united Church of England and Ireland, and 
 the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as 
 by law established within England and Ireland, and the terri- 
 tories thereunto belonging? And will you preserve unto the 
 
PRINCESS VICTORIA, DAUGHTER OF KING EDWARD VII. 
 
THE CORONATION OATtt. 63 
 
 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 ? " 
 
 Clearly and firmly the Queen replied, *' All this I promise 
 to do." 
 
 Her Majesty, with the Lord Chamberlain and other officers, 
 the sword of State being carried before her, then went to the 
 altar and took the coronation oath. Laying her right hand 
 upon the Gospels in the Bible carried in the procession, and 
 now brought to her by the Archbishop, she said, kneeling : 
 
 " The things which I have here before promised I will per- 
 form and keep. So help me God ! " 
 
 Then the Queen kissed the book, and to a transcript of the 
 oath set her royal sign manual. After- signing, her Majesty 
 knelt upon her faldstool while the choir sang Veni, Creator, 
 Spiritus. 
 
 The next part of the ceremony, the anointing was extrem- 
 ely interesting. The Queen sat in King Edward's chair; 
 four Knights of the Garter — the Dukes of Buccleuch and Rut- 
 land, and the Marquises of Anglesey and Exeter — held a rich 
 cloth of gold over her head ; the Dean of Westminster took 
 the ampulla from the altar, and poured some of the oil it con- 
 tained into the gold anointing-spoon ; then the Archbishop 
 anointed the head and hands of the Queen, marking them in 
 the form of a cross, and pronouncing these words: 
 
 " Be thou anointed with holy oil, as kings, priests, and pro- 
 phets were anointed. And as Solomon was anointed king by 
 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, so be you anointed, 
 blessed, and consecrated queen over this people, whom the 
 Lord your God hath given you to rule and govern. In the 
 
64 THE QUEEN ANOINTED. 
 
 name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Amen." 
 
 The Archbishop then pronounced a prayer or blessing over 
 the Sovereign. 
 
 The spurs were presented by the Lord Chamberlain to the 
 Queen, who returned them to the altar. The sword of State 
 was presented by Lord Melbourne to the Archbishop, who in 
 delivering it into the Queen's right hand said : " Receive this 
 kingly sword, brought now from the altar of God, and de- 
 livered to you by the hands of us, the servants and bishops 
 of God, though unworthy. With this sword do justice, stop 
 the growth of iniquity, protect the holy Church of God, help 
 and defend widows and orphans, restore the things that are 
 gone to decay, maintain the things that are restored, punish 
 and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order ; 
 that doing these things, you may be glorious in all virtue, and 
 so faithfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this life that you 
 may reign for ever with Him in the life which is to come. 
 Amen." 
 
 Lord Melbourne, according to custom, redeemed the sword 
 "with a hundred shillings," and carried it unsheathed before 
 her Majesty during the remainder of the ceremony. Then 
 followed the investing with the royal robe and the delivery of 
 the orb. 
 
 One curious custom was observed by the Duke of Norfolk, 
 who, as Lord of the manor of Worksop, holds an estate by the 
 service of presenting to the Sovereign a right-hand glove 
 during the ceremonial of the coronation. The Duke left his 
 seat, and approaching the Queen, kneeling, presented to her 
 a glove for her right hand, embroidered with the arms of 
 Howard, which her Majesty put on. His Grace afterwards 
 
THE QUEEN CROWNED. 65 
 
 occasionally performed his high feudal office of supporting the 
 Sovereign's right arm, or holding the sceptre by her side. 
 
 The Archbishop, in delivering the sceptre with the cross 
 into the Queen's right hand said: "Receive the royal sceptre, 
 the ensign of kingly power and justice." Next he delivered 
 the rod with the dove into the Queen's left hand, this being 
 " the rod of equity and mercy." The Archbishop then took 
 the crown into his hands, and laying it upon the altar, offered 
 up a prayer. Turning from the altar with the other bishops, 
 he now received the crown from the Dean of Westminster, 
 and placed it on her Majesty's head; whereupon the people, 
 with loud and repeated shouts cried, "God save the Queen !" 
 At the moment the crown was placed on the head of the 
 Sovereign, the act was made known by signal to the sema- 
 phore at the Admiralty, from whence it was transmitted to 
 the outports and other places. A double royal salute of 
 forty-one guns was fired, and the Tower, Windsor, Woolwich, 
 and other guns gave a similar greeting to the crowned mon- 
 arch of the British realms. 
 
 On the assumption of the crown, the peers and peeresses 
 put on their coronets, the bishops their caps, and the kings-of- 
 arms their crowns ; while the trumpets sounded, the drums 
 beat, and the Tower and park guns fired their volleys. Then 
 the full burst of the orchestra broke forth, and the scene 
 was one of such grandeur as to defy description. The 
 Queen was visibly agitated during the long-reiterated accla- 
 mations. 
 
 After an anthem had been sung, the Archbishop presented 
 the Bible to the Queen, who gave it to the Dean of West- 
 minster to be placed on the altar. The benediction was then 
 delivered by the Archbishop, all the bishops, with the rest of 
 
66 SWEARING ALLEGIANCE. 
 
 the peers, responding to every part of the blessing with a loud 
 and hearty "Amen!" The choir then began to sing the 
 Te Deum, and the Queen proceeded to the chair which she 
 first occupied, supported by two bishops. She was then 
 "enthroned," or "lifted," as the formulary states, into the 
 chair of homage, by the archbishops, bishops, and peers 
 surrounding her. Then began the ceremony of homage. 
 The Archbishop of Canterbury knelt and did homage for 
 himself and other lords spiritual, who all kissed the Queen's 
 hand. The royal dukes, with the temporal peers, followed 
 according to their precedence, class by class. Ascending 
 the steps leading to the throne, and taking off their coronets, 
 they repeated the oath of homage in the following quaint and 
 homely Saxon form : 
 
 " I do become your liegeman of life and limb, and of earthly 
 worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and 
 die, against all manner of folks. So help me God!" 
 
 Each peer then in turn touched the cross on her Majesty's 
 crown, in token of his readiness to support it against all 
 adversaries. He then kissed the Sovereign's hand and 
 retired. 
 
 A pretty and touching scene took place when the royal 
 dukes, who alone kissed her Majesty's cheek, came forward 
 to do homage. The Duke of Sussex, who was suffering from 
 indisposition, was feebly and with great diflSculty ascending 
 the steps of the throne, when the Queen, yielding to the 
 impulse of natural affection, flung her fair arms about his 
 neck and tenderly embraced him. 
 
 While the lords were doing homage, the Earl of Surrey, 
 Treasurer of the Household, threw coronation medals in 
 
ROYALTY AT THE ALTAR. 67 
 
 silver about the choir and lower galleries, which were scram- 
 bled for with great eagerness. 
 
 At the conclusion of the homage the choir sang the anthem, 
 "This is the day which the Lord hath made." The Queen 
 received the two sceptres from the Dukes of Norfolk and 
 Richmond; the drums beat, the trumpets sounded, and the 
 Abbey rang with exultant shouts of "God save Queen 
 Victoria ! Long live Queen Victoria ! May the Queen live 
 for ever!" The members of the House of Commons raised 
 the first acclamation with nine cheers. Of the House of 
 Commons as then constituted, there survive only three mem- 
 bers who are members of the Lower House at the present 
 time — Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Villiers, and Mr. Christopher M. 
 Talbot. 
 
 The solemn ceremony of the coronation being now ended, 
 the Archbishop of Canterbury went to the altar. The Queen 
 followed him, and having divested herself of the symbols of 
 sovereignty, she knelt down before the altar. The Gospel 
 and Epistle of the Communion Service having been read by 
 two bishops, her Majesty made her offering of bread and wine 
 for the communion, in the paten and chalice. A second obla- 
 tion was a purse of gold, which was placed on the altar. The 
 Queen received the sacrament kneeling on the faldstool by 
 the chair. Afterwards she put on her crown, and with her 
 sceptres in her hands, took her seat again upon the throne. 
 The Archbishop then proceeded with the Communion Service, 
 and pronounced the final blessing. The choir sang the noble 
 anthem, " Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." 
 
 The Queen then left the throne, and attended by two 
 bishops and noblemen bearing the regalia and swords of 
 State, passed into King Edward's Chapel, the organ playing. 
 
68 THE CORONATION FESTIVITIES. 
 
 The Queen delivered the sceptre with the dove to the Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury, who laid it on the altar. She was then 
 disrobed of her imperial robe of State, and arrayed in her 
 royal robe of purple velvet by the Lord Chamberlain. The 
 Archbishop placed the orb in her left hand. The gold spurs 
 and St. Edward's staff were delivered by the noblemen who 
 bore them to the Dean of Westminster, who placed them on 
 the altar. The Queen then went to the west door of the 
 Abbey wearing her crown, the sceptre with the cross being in 
 her right, and the orb in her left hand. The swords and 
 regalia were delivered to gentlemen who attended to receive 
 them from the Jewel Office. It was nearly four o'clock when 
 the royal procession passed through the nave at the conclu- 
 sion of the ceremony. As the Queen emerged from the 
 western entrance of the Abbey, there came from the thou- 
 sands and tens of thousands of her subjects assembled in the 
 vicinity, thunders of acclamation and applause. Similar greet- 
 ings awaited her on the whole of the homeward route ; and 
 the scene was even more impressive than in the morning, as 
 her Majesty now wore her crown, and the peers and peeresses 
 their robes and their jewelled coronets. 
 
 To the coronation succeeded the festivities. The Queen 
 gave a grand banquet to one hundred guests, and the Duke 
 of Wellington a ball at Apsley House, which was attended by 
 2000 persons. On the next day, and for three succeeding 
 days (omitting Sunday), a fair was held in Hyde Park; this 
 popular festive entertainment being visited by her Majesty on 
 Friday. All the theatres in the metropolis, and nearly all 
 other places of public amusement, were by the Queen's com- 
 mand opened gratuitously on the evening of the coronation. 
 Enthusiastic demonstrations took place throughout the coun- 
 
PROCESSIONS AND ILLUMINATIONS. 69 
 
 try, and public dinners, feasts to the poor, processions and 
 illuminations were the order of the day. Every town in 
 England had its rejoicings ; while in the chief continental 
 cities British subjects assembled to celebrate the auspicious 
 event. 
 
 But important events kept the young Sovereign's mind 
 under high tension at this time. The Ministry was falling 
 into disrepute; there was war in Canada, and much discontent 
 at home. The time had come when the Queen felt that she 
 desired a nearer and yet a dearer one than any of the com- 
 panions or counsellors of either sex by whom she was sur- 
 rounded. The cares of State weighed heavily upon that 
 young heart, and she required some one upon whom she 
 could lean in times of anxiety and trouble, and whose love 
 and counsel would cheer and sustain her in periods of per- 
 plexity. Speculation had long been rife as to when, and with 
 whom, she would enter upon the wedded state. Fortunately, 
 however, for her happiness, no reasons of State were allowed 
 to dictate her course in this the most momentous chancre in a 
 woman's life. We shall presently see that when her marriage 
 came to be celebrated, it was one of affection, and that it was 
 the woman as well as the Queen who stood before the 
 hymeneal altar. 
 
ROYAL COURTSHIP 
 
 AND 
 
 MARRIAGE. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 ON the 26th of August, 18 19 — the same year which wit- 
 nessed the birth of the Queen — there was born to the 
 reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld a son, who was after- 
 ward named Albert. This child, who was destined to be 
 closely allied with England, was lineally descended from those 
 great Saxon princes " whose names are immortalized in 
 European history by the stand they made in defense of their 
 country's liberties against the encroaching power of the Ger- 
 man emperors, as well as by the leading part they took in the 
 Reformation." Albert was a delicate, nervous child, with a 
 beautiful countenance, almost too much of a seraph, it was 
 thought, for this mundane sphere ; but by the time he was 
 six years old he showed that he was pretty much like other 
 boys. The young Prince's training was very thorough, em- 
 bracing tuition in various branches of science, languages, 
 music, literature, ethics, and politics. He had also a fine 
 moral and physical training, so that as he advanced toward 
 manhood he was upright both in mind and body. His mind 
 was further enlarged by travel through Germany, Austria, 
 and Holland. 
 
 In May, 1836, the Duke of Coburg, together with his two 
 
 sons. Prince Ernest and Prince Albert, paid a visit to England, 
 
 and spent nearly four weeks at Kensington Palace with the 
 
 Duchess of Kent. It was now that the Princess Victoria saw 
 
 70 
 
Thk Duke and Duchess of Fife. 
 
PRINCE ALBERT AT KENSINGTOW. 
 
 73 
 
 for the first time her future husband. The distinguished 
 visitors were y^7^^ at Windsor and at St. James's by the King 
 and Queen, and by every member of the royal family in 
 England. In the company of the Duchess of Kent and her 
 daughter they also visited the chief attractions of the metrop- 
 olis. In his home at Erenburg, in the spring of 1839, Prince 
 Albert was agreeably surprised, on entering his apartments 
 after a long journey, to receive a smiling welcome from the 
 features of his fair cousin, the young Queen of England. It 
 appears that she had sent her portrait, executed by Chalon, 
 for his acceptance, and it was privately placed, by her desire, 
 so that it should be the first object to meet his view on his 
 return. 
 
 Albert again visited England in the ensuing October, this 
 being the third occasion on which he had done so. He 
 reached Buckingham Palace on the loth, and was conveyed 
 thence in royal carriages to Windsor Castle. The Queen 
 appears to have been still more impressed than before with 
 her young cousin. There was a great dinner every evening, 
 with a dance after it three times a week. The Queen now 
 put off the monarch, and was the woman alone. She danced 
 with Prince Albert, and showed him many attentions which 
 she could never show to others. " At one of the Castle balls, 
 just before the Queen declared her engagement with her 
 royal cousin to her Council, she presented his Serene High- 
 ness with her bouquet. This flattering indication of her favor 
 might have involved a less quick-witted lover in an awkward 
 dilemma, for his uniform jacket was fastened up to the chin, 
 after the Prussian fashion, and offered no buttonhole wherein 
 to place the precious gift. But the Prince, In the very 
 spirit of Sir Walter Raleigh, seized a penknife and immedi- 
 
74 
 
 ROYAL COURTSHIP. 
 
 ately slit an aperture in his dress next his heart, and there 
 triumphantly deposited the royal flowers." 
 
 Royal courtships naturally excite curiosity, for those undis- 
 tinguished in position are eager to learn whether love is, after 
 all, the ** leveler " he is represented. Her Majesty's experi- 
 ence proved that he was. One report says that the Queen 
 endeavored to encourage her lover by asking him how he 
 liked England, to which he responded '* Very much." Next 
 day the query was repeated, and the same answer was re- 
 turned. But on the third occasion, when the maiden-monarch, 
 with downcast eyes and tell-tale blushes, asked " If he would 
 like to live in Engfland ?" he rose to the occasion. Embold- 
 ened by the Queen's demeanor it is stated that " on this hint 
 he spoke " of feelings that he had treasured up in strictest 
 secrecy since his first visit to England; having, with that 
 sensitive delicacy which is the inseparable companion of true 
 love, waited for some encouraging token before he ventured 
 to offer his homage to the " bright particular star " of his 
 devotions. 
 
 Another account says that her Majesty inquired of his 
 Serene Highness whether his visit to this country had been 
 aofreeable to him ? — whether he liked Enorland ? And on 
 the answer being given, " Exceedingly," " Then," added the 
 Queen, " it depends on you to make it your home." 
 
 All this is very pretty and very pleasant, but as a matter 
 of fact the Queen actually proposed to the Prince, and was 
 necessitated to do so from the circumstances of her position. 
 We have it on her own admission that she directly made 
 the proposal. Some days after she had done so she saw 
 the Duchess of Gloucester in London, and told her that 
 she was to make her declaration the next day. The 
 
THE QUEEN PROPOSES. 75 
 
 Duchess asked her if it was not a nervous thing to do. She 
 said: 
 
 " Yes ; but I did a much more nervous thing a Httle while 
 ago." 
 
 " What was that ?" 
 
 " I proposed to Prince Albert." 
 
 The engagement was made on the 15th of October. 
 Prince Albert had been out hunting with his brother, and 
 returned to the Castle about noon. Half an hour afterward 
 he received a summons from the Queen, and went to her 
 room, finding her alone. After a few minutes' conversation 
 on other subjects, the Queen told him why she had sent for 
 him, and the whole story of mutual love was once more 
 quickly told. "Though as Queen," observes one writer, 
 ** she offered the Prince her coveted hand — that hand which 
 had held the sceptre of sceptres, and which princes and peers 
 and the representatives of the highest powers on earth had 
 kissed in homage — it was only as a poor little woman's weak 
 hand, which needed to be upheld and guided in good works 
 by a stronger, firmer hand ; and her head, when she laid it 
 on her chosen husband's shoulder, had not the feel of the 
 crown on it. Indeed, she seems to have felt that his love 
 was her real coronation, his faith her consecration." 
 
 The young couple were very happy. They had many 
 tastes and sympathies in common. The Prince had consider- 
 able facility as an artist, and still more as a composer. The 
 music he composed to the songs written by his brother was 
 beyond the average in sweetness of melody, and some of his 
 sacred compositions, notably the tune " Gotha," were of a 
 high order, and found their way into the psalmodies. He 
 also sang well and played with skill. During his stay at 
 
J 6 HAPPY DAYS AT WINDSOR. 
 
 Windsor Castle her Majesty frequently accompanied him on 
 the pianoforte, and at a later period they often sang together 
 the admired productions of Rossini, Auber, Balfe, and Moore. 
 Before he left the Castle, his engagement being then known, 
 the Prince drew a pencil portrait of himself, which he 
 presented to the Duchess of Kent. The King of the Bel- 
 gians had always favored a marriage between the cousins 
 Victoria and Albert. He, therefore, took a special interest 
 in the engagement. Before he was aware of its conclusion 
 he had written to the Queen as follows concerning his 
 nephew: "Albert is a very agreeable companion. His man- 
 ners are so quiet and harmonious that one likes to have him 
 near one's self. I always found him so when I had him with 
 me, and I think his travels have still further improved him. 
 He is full of talent and fun, and draws cleverly." Then comes 
 a very direct hint in the King's letter : " I trust that Albert 
 may be able to strew roses without thorns in the pathway of 
 life of our good Victoria. He is well qualified to do so." 
 
 A letter from the Queen to the King crossed this one. 
 " My dearest uncle," she wrote, " this letter will, I am sure, 
 give you pleasure, for you have always shown and taken so 
 warm an interest in all that concerns me. My mind is quite 
 made up, and I told Albert this morning of it. The warm 
 affection he showed me at learning this gave me great 
 pleasure. He seems perfection, and I think I have the pros- 
 pect of very great happiness before me. I love him more than 
 I can say, and shall do everything in my power to render this 
 sacrifice as small as I can. We think it better — and Albert 
 quite approves of it — that we should be married very soon 
 after Parliament meets, about the beginning of February." 
 
 King Leopold sent a very affectionate reply from Wies* 
 
DECLARATION TO COUNCIL. "]*] 
 
 baden ; ** My dearest Victoria, nothing could have given me 
 greater pleasure than your dear letter. Your choice has 
 been for these last years my conviction of what might and 
 would be best for your happiness." 
 
 Albert remained for a month at Windsor, and we hear of 
 a beautiful emerald serpent ring which he presented to his 
 lady love. 
 
 Albert returned to the Continent on the 14th of Novem- 
 ber. After so many happy weeks the Queen felt her loneli- 
 ness very much, and she spent a good deal of her time in 
 playing over the musical compositions which she and her 
 lover had enjoyed together. She had also another reminder 
 of him In the shape of a beautiful miniature, which she wore 
 in a bracelet on her arm when she subsequently announced 
 her Intended marriage to the Privy Council. 
 
 The Queen had more than one trying ordeal before her. 
 She left Windsor with the Duchess of Kent on the 20th of 
 November for Buckingham Palace, and immediately sum- 
 moned a Council for the 23d. 
 
 Her task before the Council was an embarrassing one, but 
 her courage, as she tells us, was inspired by the sight of the 
 Prince's picture In her bracelet. " Precisely at two I went 
 In," writes the Queen in her journal. "The room was full, 
 but I hardly knew who was there. Lord Melbourne I saw 
 looking kindly at me with tears In his eyes, but he was not 
 near me. I then read my short declaration. I felt my hands 
 shake, but I did not make one mistake. I felt most happy 
 and thankful when it was over. Lord Lansdowne then rose, 
 and in the name of the Privy Council asked that this most 
 gracious and most welcome communication might be printed. 
 I then left the room, the whole thing not lasting above two or 
 
78 ^ HER majesty's SPEECH. 
 
 three minutes. The Duke of Cambridge came into the small 
 library where I was standing, and wished me joy." 
 
 The Queen's declaration to her Council was as follows : 
 " I have caused you to be summoned at the present time in 
 order that I may acquaint you with my resolution in a 
 matter which deeply concerns the welfare of my people and 
 the happiness of my future life. It is my intention to ally my- 
 self in marriage with the Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and 
 Gotha. Deeply impressed with the solemnity of the engage- 
 ment which I am about to contract, I have not come to this 
 decision without mature consideration, nor without feeling a 
 strong assurance that, with the blessing of Almighty God, it 
 will at once secure my domestic felicity, and serve the inter- 
 ests of my country. I have thought fit to make known this 
 resolution to you at the earliest period, in order that you may 
 be apprised of a matter so highly important to me and to my 
 kingdom, and which, I persuade myself, will be most accept- 
 able to all my loving subjects." 
 
 Parliament was opened by the Queen in person. On her 
 way to the House she was received with fervent demonstra- 
 tions of loyalty, and the knowledge of the happy errand she 
 was upon lent additional interest to her progress on this 
 occasion. The marriage that was soon to be solemnized 
 touched the people deeply, for they knew it was one of affec- 
 tion, and not one " arranged " merely for purposes of State. 
 
 The first part of her Majesty's speech, which was delivered 
 with some amount of trepidation, was as follows : " Since you 
 were last assembled I have declared my intention of allying 
 myself in marriage with the Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg 
 and Gotha. I humbly implore that the Divine blessing may 
 prosper this union, and render it conducive to the interests 
 
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS. 79 
 
 of my people, as well as to my own domestic happiness ; and 
 
 it will be to me a source of the most lively satisfaction to find 
 
 the resolution I have taken approved by my Parliament. The 
 
 constant proofs which I have received of your attachment to 
 
 . my person and family, persuade me that you will enable me 
 
 1 to provide for such an establishment as may appear suitable 
 
 \ to the rank of the Prince and the dignity of the Crown." 
 
 A bill for the naturalization of Prince Albert was at once 
 passed through both Houses, and the Queen subsequently 
 conferred upon her future husband the title of " His Royal 
 Highness," as well as the rank of a Field Marshal in the 
 British Army. 
 
 The question of the precedence of Prince Albert, however, 
 caused a great deal of difficulty, and miich annoyance to the 
 Queen. In the end the Queen settled the problem, so far as 
 England was concerned, by declaring it to be her royal will 
 and pleasure, under her sign-manual, that her husband 
 should enjoy place, pre-eminence, and precedence next to her 
 Majesty. 
 
 The royal marriage was fixed for the loth of February, and 
 on the afternoon of the 8th Prince Albert arrived at Bucking- 
 ham Palace, accompanied by his father and elder brother. 
 The Prince brought as a wedding gift to his bride a beautiful 
 sapphire and diamond brooch ; and her Majesty in return 
 presented the Prince with the Star and Badge of the Garter, 
 and the Garter itself set in diamonds. The wedding cere- 
 mony was one of unusual interest, for more than a century 
 had elapsed since the nuptials of a reigning Queen of Eng- 
 land had been celebrated, beside which the youth and grace 
 of Victoria had touched all loyal hearts. At an early hour 
 a dense throng of persons assembled in front of Buckingham 
 
8o THE ROYAL MARRIAGE. 
 
 Palace, from whence the procession was to set out for St. 
 James's, where the marriage was to be solemnized. At a 
 quarter before twelve the bridegroom's procession issued 
 forth, consisting of Prince Albert, his father, the Duke of 
 Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, his brother, Prince Ernest, and their 
 suites. At ten minutes past twelve the signal was given for 
 the departure of the Queen. Accompanied by the Duchess 
 of Kent, and attended by the Duchess of Sutherland, her 
 Majesty seated herself in her full-dress carriage. She wore 
 a wreath of orange blossoms and a veil of Honiton lace, 
 with a necklace and earrings of diamonds. Her dress was 
 of white satin, with a very deep trimming of Honiton lace, in 
 design similar to that of the veil. The body and sleeves 
 were richly trimmed with the same material to correspond. 
 The train, which was of white satin, was trimmed with orange 
 blossoms. The cost of the lace alone on the Queen's dress 
 was ;^i,ooo. The satin was manufactured in Spitalfields, 
 and the lace at a village near Honiton. More than two hun- 
 dred persons were employed upon the latter for a period of 
 eight months, and as the lace trade of Honiton had seriously 
 declined, all these persons would have been destitute during 
 the winter had it not been for the Queen's express order that 
 the lace should be manufactured by them. 
 
 As her Majesty entered her carriage she was extremely 
 pale and agitated, but the cheers of the people quickened her 
 spirits, and brought the blush to her cheeks and the smiles 
 to her eyes. She bowed repeatedly in response to the joyous 
 acclamations M^hich greeted her on every side as the carriage 
 moved off. All the way to St. James's Palace nothing was to 
 be heard but enthusiastic cheering, and nothing to be seen 
 but the waving of brides' favors and snowy handkerchiefs. 
 
The Dowager Czarina of Russia, 
 Sister of the Princess of Wales. 
 
HANDSOME PRINCE ALBERT. 8 1 
 
 At twenty minutes past twelve a flourish of trumpets and 
 drums gave notice of the approach of the royal bridegroom, 
 and shortly afterward the band played the triumphant strains 
 of " See the Conquering Hero Comes !" The Prince wore a 
 Field Marshal's uniform, with the star and ribbon of the 
 Garter, and the bridal favors on his shoulders heightened his 
 picturesque appearance. One who stood near him thus made 
 notes of his person : " Prince Albert is most prepossessing. 
 His features are regular; his hair pale auburn, of silken 
 glossy quality ; eyebrows well defined and thickly set ; eyes 
 blue and lively ; nose well proportioned, handsome mouth, 
 teeth perfectly beautiful, small mustachios, and downy com- 
 plexion. He greatly resembles the Queen, save that he is 
 of a lighter complexion ; still, he looks as though neither care 
 nor sorrow had ever ruffled or cast a cloud over his placid 
 and reflective brow. There is an unmistakable air of refine- 
 ment and rectitude about him, and every year will add intel- 
 lectual and manly beauty to his very interesting face and 
 form." 
 
 As the Prince moved along he was greeted with loud clap- 
 ping of hands from the men, and enthusiastic waving of 
 handkerchiefs from the assembled ladies. In his hand he 
 carried a Bible bound in green velvet. Over his shoulders 
 was hung the collar of the Garter, surmounted by two white 
 rosettes. On his left knee was the Garter itself, which was 
 of the most costly workmanship, and literally covered with 
 diamonds. 
 
 When the bridegroom's procession reached the chapel 
 the drums and trumpets filed off without the door, and the 
 procession advancing, his Royal Highness was conducted to 
 the seat provided for him on the left hand of the altar. At 
 
82 THE WEDDING PROCESSION. 
 
 half-past twelve the drums and trumpets sounded the Na- 
 tional Anthem as a prelude to the arrival of the bride. Every 
 person arose as the doors were again opened, and the royal 
 procession came in with solemn steps and slow. The coup 
 d'ceil was now magnificent, as floods of sunshine streamed 
 through the windows upon the many gorgeous costumes in 
 which the royal and distinguished persons who appeared in 
 the procession were attired. The Princesses attracted much 
 attention. First came the Princess Sophia Matilda of Glou- 
 cester, still very beautiful, and dressed in lily-white satin ; 
 then the Princess Augusta of Cambridge, in pale blue, with 
 blush roses round her train ; next the Duchess of Cambridge, 
 in white velvet, leading by the hand the lovely little Princess 
 Mary, who was dressed in white satin and swansdown, the 
 mother all animation and smiles at the applause which greeted 
 her child ; and lastly the Duchess of Kent, regal in stature 
 and dignity, and dressed in white and silver, with blue velvet 
 train. The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex 
 succeeded, the latter " looking blithe and full of merry con- 
 ceits." 
 
 Immediately after Lord Melbourne, who carried the sword 
 of State, came the Queen herself, the central figure, and one 
 of universal interest. She looked anxious and excited, and 
 with difficulty restrained her agitated feelings. Her Majesty's 
 train was borne by twelve unmarried ladies, the daughters of 
 well-known peers. 
 
 The bridesmaids, like their royal mistress, were attired in 
 white. Their dresses were composed of delicate net, trimmed 
 with festoons of white roses over slips of rich gros de Naples, 
 with orarlands of white roses over the head. The Duchess 
 of Sutherland walked next to the Queen, and the ladies of 
 
THE WEDDING SERVICE. 83 
 
 th*? bedchamber and the maids of honor closed the bride's 
 precession. 
 
 The Chapel Royal was specially prepared and decorated 
 for the ceremony. The altar and haut pas had a splendid 
 appearance, the whole being lined with crimson velvet. The 
 wall above the communion-table was hung with rich festoons 
 of crimson velvet edged with gold lace. The Gothic pillars 
 supporting the galleries were gilt, as were the moldings of 
 the oaken panels, and the Gothic railing round the com- 
 munion-table. The communion-table itself was a rich pro- 
 fusion of gold plate. The entire floor was covered with a 
 blue and gold pattern carpet, with the Norman rose. The 
 whole of the remaining part of the interior was decorated ; 
 and the ceiling adorned with the arms of Great Britain in 
 various colored devices. 
 
 The entire service was precisely that of the Church liturgy, 
 the simple names of " Albert " and " Victoria " being used. 
 To the usual questions Prince Albert answered firmly " I 
 will," and the Queen — in accents which, though full of soft- 
 ness and music, were audible at the most extreme corner of 
 the chapel — gave the same answer. 
 
 Upon the conclusion of the service, the Queen shook 
 hands cordially with the various members of the royal family, 
 who now took up their positions in the procession as arranged 
 for the return. 
 
 The procession, being formed, left the chapel much in the 
 same order as it had entered. But her Majesty and her 
 newly-wedded consort now walked together hand-in-hand, 
 ungloved — Prince Albert with sparkling eyes and a height- 
 ened color smiling down upon the Queen, and she appearing 
 very bright and animated. 
 
84 ATTESTATION OF THE MARRIAGE. 
 
 When the Queen and her husband passed through the cor- 
 ridor, after leaving the chapel, the clapping of hands and 
 waving of handkerchiefs were renewed again and again, until 
 they had vanished out of sight. 
 
 The procession passed on to the State apartments, but the 
 Queen and Prince Albert, with their royal relatives and the 
 principal Ministers of State and members of the Privy Council 
 proceeded to the throne-room, where they were joined by the 
 Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the Bishop of Lon- 
 don. The attestation of the marriage now took place upon 
 a splendid table prepared for the purpose. Her Majesty and 
 Prince Albert signed the marriage register, and it may here 
 be mentioned that the name of the Queen is Alexandrina 
 Victoria Guelph, while that of the Prince Consort was Francis 
 Albert Augustus Charles Emanuel Busici. The marriage 
 was attested by the Duke of Sussex and twenty-nine other 
 persons. The attestation book, which is bound in rich purple 
 velvet, is a speaking memento of royal nuptial ceremonies 
 for many generations past. It is in the custody of the Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury. Amongst the witnesses who signed 
 at the Queen's marriage was the Duke of Wellington, and it 
 is an interesting fact that his signature also appeared at the 
 attestation of her birth. 
 
 When all was concluded within St. James's, the procession 
 to Buckingham Palace was re-formed in almost the same 
 order as when it set out in the morning, except that Prince 
 Albert now took his place in the same carriage with her 
 Majesty. 
 
 The wedding breakfast was given at Buckingham Palace, 
 the guests including the various members of the royal family, 
 the officers of the household, the Ministers of State, and the 
 
THE WEDDING BREAKFAST. 85 
 
 Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London. The 
 wedding-cake, which was admirably designed, was a great 
 object of attraction. It was more than nine feet in circum- 
 ference by sixteen inches deep. Its weight was three hundred 
 pounds, and the materials of which it was composed cost one 
 hundred guineas. On the top of the cake was the figure of 
 Britannia in the act of blessing the illustrious bride and bride- 
 groom. The figures were nearly a foot in height, and by the 
 feet of the Prince was the effigy of a dog, intended to repre- 
 sent fidelity, while at the feet of the Queen were two turtle- 
 doves, denoting the felicities of the marriage state. A cupid, 
 beautifully modeled, was writing in a volume expanded on 
 his knees the date of the day of the marriage, and various 
 other cupids were disporting themselves after the manner of 
 cupids. There were numerous bouquets of white flowers 
 tied with true-lovers' knots of white satin ribbon on the top 
 of the cake ; and these were intended for presents to the 
 guests at the nuptial breakfast. There were large medallions 
 upon shields bearing the letters "V " and "A," and supported 
 by cupids on pedestals, while all round and over the cake 
 were wreaths and festoons of orange blossoms and myrtle, 
 entwined with roses. 
 
 Each of the royal bridesmaids received a magnificent 
 brooch, the gift of her Majesty. This brooch was in the 
 shape of a bird, the body being formed entirely of turquoises ; 
 the eyes were rubies and the beak a diamond ; the claws 
 were of pure gold, and rested on pearls of great size and 
 value. The whole workmanship was very exquisite, and the 
 design was furnished by the Queen. 
 
 Shortly before four o'clock the royal party left Bucking- 
 ham Palace for Windsor amid the acclamations of a vast 
 
86 RECEPTION AT ETON. 
 
 multitude. Just as the procession left the palace the sun 
 shone forth brilliantly upon the newly-married pair, an em- 
 blem, it was universally hoped, of their future happiness. On 
 the road to Windsor the principal houses in the villages 
 were illuminated, and crowds came forth to testify their loyal 
 delight on the happy occasion. Eton College presented one 
 of the finest spectacles on the route. Opposite to the college 
 was a representation of the Parthenon at Athens, which was 
 brilliantly illuminated by several thousand variegated lamps ; 
 it was surmounted by flags and banners, and under the royal 
 arms was displayed the following motto : " Gratulatus 
 Etona Victorioe et Alberto'' Beneath the clock tower of the 
 college there was a blaze of light, and a number of appro- 
 priate devices were displayed in various colored lamps. A 
 triumphal arch, composed of evergreens and lamps taste- 
 fully displayed, extended across the road. The Etonians, 
 wearing white favors, were marshaled in front of the college. 
 They received the Queen with loud acclamations, and escorted 
 her to the Castle gates. 
 
 By the time Windsor was reached the shades of evening 
 had gathered. The whole town could be perceived therefore 
 brilliantly illuminated before the royal carriage entered it. A 
 splendid effect was created by the dazzling lights as they 
 played upon the faces of the multitude. The crowd on the 
 Castle hill was so dense at half-past six that it was with the 
 utmost difficulty a line was kept clear for the royal carriages. 
 The whole street was one living mass, whilst the walls of the 
 houses glowed with crowns, stars, and all the brilliant de- 
 vices which gas and oil could supply. At this moment a flight 
 of rockets was visible in the air, and it was immediately con- 
 cluded that the Queen had entered Eton. The bells now 
 
ARRIVAL AT ETON. $7 
 
 rang merrily, and the shouts of the spectators were heard as 
 the royal cortege approached the Castle. At twenty minutes 
 before seven the royal carriage arrived in the High Street, 
 Windsor, preceded by the advance guard of the traveling 
 escort. The shouts were now most loud and continuous, and 
 from the windows and balconies of the houses handkerchiefs 
 were waved by the ladies, whilst the gentlemen huzzaed and 
 waved their hats. The carriage, owing to the crowd, pro- 
 ceeded slowly, the Queen and her royal consort bowing to 
 the people. Her Majesty looked remarkably well, and Prince 
 Albert seemed in the highest spirits at the cordiality with 
 which he was greeted. When the carriage drew up at the 
 grand entrance the Queen was handed from it by the Prince ; 
 she immediately took his arm and entered the Castle. 
 
 A splendid State banquet in celebration of the royal wed- 
 ding was given at St. James's Palace in the grand banqueting- 
 room. 
 
 How well and judiciously on the whole the Prince fulfilled 
 his functions as the Queen's adviser, history has already borne 
 testimony. If he sometimes made mistakes, he certainly 
 made fewer than might have been expected from one in his 
 difficult position. But his unquestioned integrity, his sincerity, 
 honesty, and high principle, stood him in good stead ; and 
 they were a sheet-anchor upon which the Queen could always 
 rely. Neither her Majesty nor her husband expected to find 
 life easy in their exalted station ; but as both were in deep 
 sympathy with each other, and as love, trustful and un- 
 feigned, was the moving spring of both, difficulties were over- 
 come instead of becoming themselves insurmountable. The 
 Queen's was a marriage of profound happiness and mutual 
 trust, for it was a real union of souls. 
 
EARLY YEARS 
 
 OF 
 
 WEDDED LIFE. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 AUSPICIOUSLY as the Queen's married life began, it 
 necessarily caused some friction in quarters which 
 were ruled by old Court principles. It was difficult for the 
 officials of the palaces to settle down under the new condi- 
 tions. All was altered, and Prince Albert found that even in 
 his own home it was necessary to be . stern sometimes and to 
 exercise his authority. 
 
 The Queen and Prince Albert spent their first Easter to- 
 gether at Windsor, and here also they took the Sacrament in 
 common for the first time. Reference has already been made 
 to the Prince's religious convictions, and the Queen has re- 
 marked concerninof the taking" of the Sacrament: "The 
 Prince had a very strong feeling about the solemnity of the 
 act, and did not like to appear in company either the evening 
 before or on the day on which he took it, and he and the 
 Queen almost always dined alone on these occasions." 
 
 At this time the Queen parted with her mother, who now 
 felt it right to retire to a separate establishment. But even 
 this separation did not interrupt the close sympathy and 
 affection which had always existed between mother and child. 
 
 Her Majesty spent her birthday at Claremont, and in the 
 company of her husband enjoyed her first period of uninter- 
 rupted leisure and relaxation from the affairs of State. The 
 attractions of that charming seat afforded great delight to the 
 88 
 
NOBLE PRINCE ALBERT. 89 
 
 royal couple, who wandered about at their will, undisturbed 
 by the bustle and cares of a full Court. On one occasion 
 they were caught in a shower, and sought shelter in a cottage 
 inhabited by an old and solitary dame. This good cottager 
 entertained her visitors with many stories touching the Prin- 
 cess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, once the owners of Clare- 
 mont, little imagining the rank of her listeners. When the 
 royal visitors left she lent them her umbrella, with many 
 strict injunctions to Prince Albert that it should be taken care 
 of and faithfully returned. 
 
 The first occasion on which the Prince manifested his deep 
 sympathy with humanitarian movements — one of the con- 
 spicuous features of his career — was on the ist of June, when 
 he presided over a meeting called to promote the abolition 
 of the slave trade. He had carefully prepared his speech 
 beforehand, committed it to memory, and repeated it to the 
 Queen. The Prince made a successful entree upon public 
 life. Caroline Fox, the Quaker, makes mention of the 
 Prince's appearance in her Memoirs : " The acclamations 
 attending his entrance were perfectly deafening, and he bore 
 them all with calm, modest dignity, repeatedly bowing with 
 considerable grace. He certainly is a very beautiful young 
 man, a thorough German, and a fine poetic specimen of the 
 race. He uttered his speech in a rather low tone, and with 
 the prettiest foreign accent." 
 
 London was startled on the evening of the loth of June 
 by the report of Oxford's attempt to assassinate the Queen. 
 From the various accounts published at the time, and subse- 
 quently, it appears that the Queen and Prince Albert left 
 Buckingham Palace by the garden gate opening from Consti- 
 tution Hill for a drive. The hour was about six o'clock. 
 
90 ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION. 
 
 They were seated in a very low German droschky, drawn by 
 four horses, with postillions, preceded by two outriders and 
 followed by two equerries. As soon as the carriage had pro- 
 ceeded a short distance up Constitution Hill, thus getting 
 clear of spectators, a young man on the park side of the road 
 presented a pistol and fired it directly at the Queen. The 
 Prince, hearing the report, turned his head in the direction 
 whence it came ; her Majesty at the same instant rose, but 
 Prince Albert immediately pulled her down by his side. 
 Several persons rushed upon the miscreant. The fellow was 
 quite calm and collected, admitted having fired the pistol, 
 and went quietly with two of the police to the Queen Square 
 Station. He was discovered to be one Edward Oxford, 
 seventeen years of age, and recently employed as barman at a 
 public house in Oxford Street. The Queen, as might naturally 
 be supposed, was seriously alarmed at the occurrence. Rising 
 to show that she was unhurt, she ordered the postillions to 
 drive to Ingestre House, her first thought being for her 
 mother. The Duchess of Kent received her daughter safely 
 before there had been time for her to be shocked by the 
 news of the attempted assassination. The Queen and the 
 Prince remained with the Duchess for a short time, and then 
 returned by way of Hyde Park. 
 
 For many days after the dastardly affair there was an ex- 
 hibition of almost unbounded loyalty. The journals of the 
 day report that thousands of people continued to assemble 
 before the palace, and hundreds of noblemen, members of the 
 Government, and private ladies and gentlemen called to con- 
 gratulate or inquire, and to present their grateful addresses 
 on such a happy and providential deliverance. Whenever 
 her Majesty and the Prince drove out they were escorted by 
 
PRINCE ALBERT MADE REGENT. 9 1 
 
 hundreds of ladies and gentlemen on horseback, who accom- 
 panied them like a bodyguard ; whilst the immense sympa- 
 thizing crowds cheered most enthusiastically. At first there 
 was a surmise as to a widespread conspiracy being on foot, 
 but this report was discovered to be unfounded, though there 
 had been some slight countenance for it. 
 
 At the different theatres, and at places where public 
 dinners were held, as soon as the news transpired on the 
 Wednesday evening, the day of the attempt, " God Save the 
 Queen " was sung with loyal fervor. A grand concert was 
 being held at the Opera House for the benefit of the New 
 Musical Fund ; it was to have terminated with Mozart's over- 
 ture to Idomeneo, but Sir George Smart, the conductor, stepped 
 forward, and having informed the audience of the attempt on 
 her Majesty's life, proposed to substitute the National An- 
 them. His suggestion was received with great enthusiasm. 
 
 Toward the close of the Parliamentary session of 1840 a 
 Regency bill was introduced. The prospect of an heir to the 
 throne rendered it necessary to make provision for her 
 Majesty's possible death or lengthened disqualification for 
 reigning. Both political parties were consulted in the matter, 
 and a bill was brought forward providing that Prince Albert 
 should be Regent in the event of the death of Queen Victoria 
 before her next lineal descendant and successor should have 
 attained the full age of eighteen years. The measure was 
 well received, and, with the exception of a speech made by 
 the Duke of Sussex in the Lords, it passed both houses 
 unanimously and without objection, and became law. 
 
 The daily life of the royal pair has been thus described. 
 The Queen and Prince breakfasted at nine, and took a walk 
 every morning soon afterward. When in London these 
 
92 ROYALTY AT HOME. 
 
 walks were taken in Buckingham Palace gardens, which the 
 Prince had already enlivened with different kinds of animals 
 and aquatic birds. In their morning walks in the gardens 
 it was a great amusement to the Prince to watch and feed 
 these birds. He taught them to come when he whistled to 
 them from a bridge connecting a small island with the rest of 
 the gardens. 
 
 After the walk came the usual amount of business (far 
 less heavy, however, then than now), besides which they 
 drew and etched a great deal together, which was a source 
 of great amusement, having the plates bit in the house. 
 Luncheon followed at the usual hour of two o'clock. Lord 
 Melbourne, who was generally staying in the house, came 
 to the Queen in the afternoon ; and between five and six the 
 Prince usually drove her out in a pony phaeton. If the Prince 
 did not drive the Queen he rode, in which case she drove 
 with the Duchess of Kent or the ladies. The Prince also 
 read aloud most days to the Queen. The dinner was at 
 eight o'clock, and always with the company. In the even- 
 ing the Prince frequently played at double chess, a game of 
 which he was very fond, and which he played extremely well. 
 The Prince made his way with all classes, even with those 
 Tories who at first looked rather askance at him. He was 
 conciliatory and judicious ; and to show the way he had ad- 
 j vanced in the public esteem, the remark which Melbourne 
 - made to the Queen on the Regency bill may be quoted : 
 " Three months ago they would not have done it for him ; it 
 is entirely his own character." The Duke of Wellington 
 was so completely won over that he remarked : " Let the 
 Queen put the Prince where she likes, and settle it herself; 
 that is the best way." 
 
FREEDOM OF THE CITY. 93 
 
 The Queen prorogued Parliament on the nth of August, 
 Prince Albert accompanying her for the first time. Next 
 day the Court left for Windsor. On the 26th his Royal 
 Highness attained his majority, and the event was cele- 
 brated by a breakfast at Adelaide Lodge. The Prince went 
 to London on the 28th for the purpose of receiving the free- 
 dom of the city. At this ceremony the names of six Alder- 
 men and Common Councilmen, who undertook to vouch for 
 the eligibility of the Prince, were read, together with the 
 declaration upon oath. The oath was as follows : " We declare, 
 upon the oath we took at the time of our admission to the 
 freedom of the city, that Prince Albert is of good name and 
 fame ; that he does not desire the freedom of this city 
 whereby to defraud the Queen or this city of any of their 
 rights, customs or advantages ; but that he will pay his scot 
 and bear his lot ; and so we all say." 
 
 The Chamberlain then proposed the freeman's oath to the 
 Prince, and it was remarked that he was evidently moved at 
 that part where he swore to keep the peace toward her 
 Majesty. Husbands do not always voluntarily swear to 
 keep the peace toward their wives. The Chamberlain having 
 next addressed his Royal Highness, the Prince delivered the 
 following answer very distinctly and audibly : " It is with the 
 greatest pleasure that I meet you upon this occasion, and 
 offer you my warmest thanks for the honor which has been 
 conferred upon me by the presentation of the freedom of the 
 city of London. The wealth and intelligence of this vast city 
 have raised it to the highest eminence amongst the cities of 
 the world ; and it must therefore ever be esteemed a great 
 distinction to be numbered amongst the members of your 
 ancient corporation. I shall always remember with pride 
 6 
 
94 BIRTH OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL. 
 
 and satisfaction the day on whicli I became your fellow- 
 citizen ; and it is especially gratifying to me, as marking your 
 loyalty and affection to the Queen." 
 
 Prince Albert was sworn a member of the Privy Council 
 on the 1 1 th of September, and it is stated that so anxious 
 was he to discharge conscientiously every duty which might 
 devolve upon him, that in his retirement at Windsor he set 
 to work to master Hallam's Constitutional History with the 
 Queen, and also began the study of English law with a 
 barrister. 
 
 Early in November preparations were made at Buckingham 
 Palace for the approaching accouchement of the Queen. The 
 Court removed from Windsor to London on the 1 3th, and 
 on the 2 1 St the Princess Royal was born at Buckingham 
 Palace. 
 
 The Queen has recorded the traits of tenderness shown 
 by her husband during her seclusion : " He was content to 
 sit by her in a darkened room, to read to her, and to write for 
 her. No one but himself ever lifted her from her bed to her 
 sofa, and he always helped to wheel her on her bed or sofa 
 into the next room. For this purpose he would come in- 
 stantly, when sent for, from any part of the house. His care 
 for her was like that of a mother, nor could there be a kinder, 
 wiser, more judicious nurse." 
 
 The Queen speedily recovered from her accouchement, and 
 opened Parliament in person on the 26th of January, 1841. 
 Prince Albert, in the uniform of a Field Marshal, entered the 
 House of Lords with the royal procession and took his seat 
 on the chair of State appropriated for him on the left of the 
 throne. The Queen's speech was not an exciting document. 
 Happily, affairs were peaceful at home at this time, though 
 
PRINCESS ROYAL CHRISTENED. 95 
 
 abroad there were wars and rumors of wars. England was 
 just passing through one of its many difficulties with China ; 
 serious differences had arisen between Spain and Portugal 
 on the navigation of the Douro ; and affairs in the Levant 
 were in a serious condition. England had concluded with 
 Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Turkey a convention intended 
 to effect a pacification of the Levant, to maintain the integrity 
 and independence of the Ottoman Empire, and thereby to 
 afford additional security for the peace of Europe. Treaties 
 had also just been concluded with the Argentine Republic and 
 the Republic of Hayti for the suppression of the slave trade. 
 
 An accident happened to Prince Albert on the 9th of Feb- 
 ruary, which, but for the Queen's presence of mind, might 
 have had serious consequences. His Royal Highness was 
 skating in Buckingham Palace gardens when the ice sud- 
 denly gave way, and he was immersed in deep water. He 
 had to swim for several minutes before he was got out. The 
 Queen was close by the Prince when the accident occurred, 
 and was the only person who had sufficient presence of mind 
 to render him any material assistance. 
 
 The christening of the Princess Royal took place on the 
 loth, in the throne-room at Buckingham Palace. The font, 
 new for the occasion, was very elegant in form and ex- 
 quisitely finished. It was of silver gilt, elaborately carved 
 with the royal arms, etc. The water used for the ceremony 
 was brought from the river Jordan. The Archbishop of 
 Canterbury officiated, with the assistance of the Bishops of 
 London and- Norwich, and the Dean of Carlisle. Queen 
 Adelaide named the royal infant ** Victoria Adelaide Mary 
 Louisa." 
 
 There was great rejoicing at Buckingham Palace on the 
 
96 BIRTH OF A PRINCE. 
 
 9th of November, 1841, when the Queen gave birth to her 
 first-born son, and consequently the heir to the throne. The 
 Archbishop of Canterbury, the Premier, and all the great 
 officers of State were summoned to the Palace as early as 
 seven o'clock in the morning, and the Duchess of Kent 
 arrived at nine. The Queen was then very ill, and had been 
 so at intervals during the two preceding hours. Prince 
 Albert manifested the greatest anxiety and interest as he 
 remained in attendance with the medical men, Sir James 
 Clark, Dr. Locock, and Mr. Blagden. Shortly before eleven 
 o'clock the Prince was born. H« was conveyed by the nurse 
 to the Privy Councillors and others in the adjoining apart- 
 ment, who thereupon signed a declaration as to the birth of , 
 an heir to the British Crown. Intelligence of the happy 
 event was immediately communicated to all the members of 
 the royal family. 
 
 Official etiquette, usually as strong as the law of the Medes 
 and Persians, was for once set aside in the great joy over 
 the birth of a Prince. It appears that almost every influential 
 individual in the household of her Majesty stepped out of his 
 proper sphere and gave directions which belonged to the 
 departments of others. There was a complete confusion of 
 places for at least half an hour after the event, and Court 
 officials rushed hither and thither with the gratifying intelli- 
 gence of the birth of a Prince ; three messengers arrived at 
 Marlborough House within two minutes, all desirous of being 
 the first to convey the news to the Queen Dowager. An 
 act of royal clemency marked the happy occasion of the birth 
 of an heir to the throne. Her Majesty was pleased to notify 
 to the Home Secretary that those convicts who had behaved 
 well should have their punishment commuted ; and that those 
 
u 
 
 pq 
 
Prince George of Wai.e? 
 
CHRISTMAS AT THE PALACE. 99 
 
 deserving this clemency on board the various hulks should 
 have their liberty at once granted to them. On the nth of 
 November the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and the 
 Sheriffs were received at Buckingham Palace. After having 
 had caudle served, the party were conducted by the Lord 
 Chamberlain to the apartments of Prince Albert, to pay a 
 visit of congratulation to his Royal Highness. The infant 
 Prince was brought into the room in which the company were 
 assembled, and was carried around to all the distinguished 
 visitors present. The Archbishop of Canterbury issued a 
 special prayer to be offered up in all churches on behalf of 
 the Queen and the infant Prince. 
 
 There was great happiness within the Palace, At Christ- 
 mas the Queen wrote in her journal: **To think that we 
 have two children now, and one who enjoys the sight already 
 (the Christmas tree); it is like a dream." Prince Albert, 
 writing to his father, said : " This is the dear Christmas Eve 
 on which I have so often listened with impatience for your 
 step, which was to convey us into the gift-room. To-day I 
 have two children of my own to make gifts to, who, they 
 know not why, are full of happy wonder at the German 
 Christmas tree and its radiant candles." Her Majesty gives 
 us another sketch of a peaceful " interior": ''Albert brought 
 in dearest little Pussy (Princess Victoria) in such a smart, 
 white merino dress, trimmed with blue, which mamma had 
 given her, and a pretty cap, and placed her on my bed, seat- 
 ing himself next to her, and she was very dear and good; 
 and as my precious, invaluable Albert sat there, and our 
 little love between us, I felt quite moved with happiness and 
 gratitude to God." Writing some weeks later to King Leo- 
 pold, she said : " I wonder very much whom our little boy will 
 
lOO LITTLE PRINCE OF WALES. 
 
 be like. You will understand how fervent are my prayers, 
 and I am sure everybody's must be, to see him resemble his 
 father in every respect, both in mind and body." And in 
 another letter she remarked : " We all have our trials and 
 vexations ; but if one's home is happy, then the rest is com- 
 paratively nothing." 
 
 When the baby Prince was a month old the Queen issued 
 a patent creating " our most dear son " Prince of Wales and 
 Earl of Chester. He was already Duke of Saxony, Duke 
 of Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Ren- 
 frew, Lord of the Isles, and Great Steward of Scotland. 
 With regard to his new Welsh dignity the patent ran : " As 
 has been accustomed, we do ennoble and invest him with the 
 said principality and earldom, by girting him with a sword, 
 by putting a coronet on his head and a gold ring on his 
 finger, and also by delivering a gold rod into his hand, that he 
 may preside there, and may direct and defend those parts." 
 
 The christening of the Prince of Wales, which was made a 
 very imposing ceremony, took place on the 25th of January, 
 1842, in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The King of 
 Prussia had arrived at the Castle three days before, on a visit 
 to the Queen, and to stand as chief sponsor at the christening. 
 When the Infant Prince was brought in and given into the 
 hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the sponsors named 
 him " Albert Edward," by which names he was accordingly 
 christened by his Grace. On the conclusion of the ceremony 
 the " Hallelujah Chorus " was sung by the full choir, by re- 
 quest of Prince Albert, and the overture to Handel's oratorio 
 of "Esther" was performed. The name of Albert was given 
 to the young Prince, after his father, and that of Edward 
 after his maternal grandfather, the Duke of Kent. 
 
IMPOSING CEREMONIES. lOI 
 
 After the christening the Queen held a chapter of the Order 
 of the Garter, when the King of Prussia, as " a lineal de- 
 scendant of King George I," was elected a Knight Companion, 
 the Queen buckling the garter round his knee. Then fol- 
 lowed luncheon in the white breakfast-room, and in the 
 evening there was a grand banquet in St. George's Hall. 
 The display of plate was amazing, and there was one im- 
 mense gold vessel, described as more like a bath than any- 
 thing else, capable of containing thirty dozen of wine. To 
 the great surprise of the Prussian visitors, it was filled with 
 mulled claret. The Queen paid special honor and deference 
 to her august visitor, the King of Prussia. 
 
 There never was a period in her Majesty's life when she 
 was more jubilant in spirits, or more profoundly happy, than 
 this which immediately succeeded upon the birth of the 
 Prince of Wales. Supremely blest in the choice she had 
 made of a husband, she rejoiced to see her royal consort 
 daily making his way in the affections of the people, and now 
 that there was an heir to the crown, the Sovereign and the 
 people were drawn closely together by a new and auspicious 
 bond. The weight of State cai;es no longer pressed heavily 
 upon her, and her cup of happiness was full even to over- 
 flowing. 
 
JOYS AND CARES 
 
 OF 
 
 ROYALTY. 
 
 CHAPTER V. { 
 
 THE year 1842 brought with it many sad episodes. 
 Terrible news came from Afghanistan, where "the 
 fatal policy of English interference with the fiery tribes of 
 Northern India in support of an unpopular ruler had ended 
 in the murder of Sir Alexander Burnes and Sir William 
 Macnaghten, and the evacuation of Cabul by the English." 
 Other disasters succeeded, chief amongst which was the de- 
 struction of her Majesty's 44th Regiment. The soldiers were 
 cut down almost to a man, and only one individual of the 
 whole British force was able to reach Jellalabad. This was 
 Dr. Brydon, who arrived there, faint and wounded, on the 
 13th of January. 
 
 As the year opened, there was also war with China, which 
 resulted in favor of Great Britain. After the taking of Chin- 
 keang-foo by the British, and the appearance of the squadron 
 before Nankin, hostilities were suspended, and negotiations 
 for peace were entered into and concluded between the Chi- 
 nese Commissioners and Sir Henry Pottinger. 
 
 But the condition of things at home was very serious. Not 
 only was there a continuous fall in the revenue, but an ever- 
 growing agitation throughout the country on the subject of 
 the Corn Laws. Loud and general complaints were heard 
 of depression in all the principal branches of trade, accom- 
 panied by distress among the poorer classes ; and after all 
 102 
 
POLITICAL SITUATION. IO3 
 
 allowance had been made for exaggeration there still re- 
 mained a real and lamentable amount of misery and destitu- 
 tion. Though the people bore their sufferings with exemplary 
 patience and fortitude, there could be no doubt that they were 
 passing through a period of deep trial and privation. 
 
 It was not, therefore, without a shadow over her happiness 
 that the Queen opened Parliament in person on the 3d of 
 February. The ceremony was attended by more than usual 
 pomp and splendor in consequence of the presence of the 
 King of Prussia. 
 
 The Queen and Prince Albert were profoundly Interested 
 in March by the news of the approaching marriage of Prince 
 Ernest to the Princess Alexandrina of Baden. Writing to 
 King Leopold on the subject, her Majesty said : " My heart 
 is full, very full, of this marriage ; it brings back so many 
 recollections of our dear betrothal — as Ernest was with us 
 all the time, and longed for similar happiness. I have en- 
 treated Ernest to pass his honeymoon with us, and I beg you 
 to urge him to do it, for he witnessed our happiness, and we 
 must therefore witness his!^ Prince Albert much wished to 
 go over to Carlsruhe for the wedding, which took place on 
 the 3d of May, but he felt that he could not leave the Queen 
 at this anxious time. The prevalent distress, which led to 
 rioting in the English and Scotch mining districts, the agita- 
 tion on the subject of the Corn Laws, the fears of a Chartist 
 rising, and the unsettled condition of affairs abroad, all im- 
 pelled him to remain by the side of her Majesty, and amongst 
 the people whose sufferings he was anxious to alleviate. 
 
 On the 1 2th of May the Queen gave a grand bal masque 
 at Buckingham Palace, which is spoken of as " the Queen's 
 Plantagenet Ball." The object of the ball was to endeavor 
 
I04 "queen's plantagenet ball." 
 
 to give a stimulus to trade in London, which had gradually 
 been getting worse. At the Palace on this brilliant occasion 
 a past age was revived with great picturesqueness and 
 splendor. Her Majesty appeared as Queen Philippa, con- 
 sort of Edward III, and Prince Albert as Edward III himself; 
 the costumes of those of the Queen's own circle belonging 
 mostly to the same era. Fabulous sums were spent upon 
 dresses, diamonds, and jewels, which could hardly have a 
 direct effect upon the trade of the East End, though they 
 undoubtedly did upon that of the West. Her Majesty's 
 dress, however, was entirely composed of materials manu- 
 factured at Spitalfields. In her crown she had only one 
 diamond, but that was a treasure in itself, being valued at 
 ;^i 0,000. The leading feature of the ball, according to the 
 journals of the day, was the assemblage and meeting of the 
 Courts of Anne of Brittany and Edward III and Philippa. 
 All the arrangements were made in exact accordance with 
 the custom's of the period. 
 
 About a fortnight after this pageant a grand ball was given 
 in her Majesty's Theatre for the benefit of the Spitalfields 
 weavers, at which the Queen was present with a brilliant 
 circle. Fancy balls were also given at Stafford House and 
 Apsley House for the same charitable object. 
 
 Her Majesty's first visit to Scotland — the land for which 
 she afterward came to entertain such affection — was paid in 
 the year 1842. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied 
 by the Duchess of Norfolk and the Earl of Morton, as lady 
 and lord in waiting, and other members of the household, 
 embarked at Woolwich in the " Royal George " yacht. Land- 
 ing at Granton Pier, they proceeded direct to Dalkeith Palace, 
 the splendid seat of the Duke of Buccleuch. The civic 
 
VISIT TO SCOTLAND. IO5 
 
 authorities of Edinburgh, who did not anticipate so early an 
 arrival, were not prepared for her Majesty's reception. At 
 night the city was brilliantly illuminated. As the royal visit 
 to the Scottish capital was one of national importance, Edin- 
 burgh presented a spectacle such as had never before been 
 witnessed. An immense concourse of people gathered to- 
 gether from all parts of the country, journeying by steamer, 
 rail, and stage coach, while some trudged on foot from the 
 remotest districts of the North. 
 
 Her Majesty yielded to the desire for a State procession 
 through Edinburgh. Having taken the city, as it were, by 
 surprise on her first entry, this new arrangement was made 
 to meet the wishes of the people, and to compensate the civic 
 authorities for their disappointment, when they were unable 
 to give the Queen that right royal reception they had pre- 
 pared for her. The State procession was of a most success- 
 ful and gratifying character, and was described with great 
 circumstantiality of detail in all the Scotch and English 
 papers. 
 
 The Queen set out from Dalkeith Palace about half-past 
 ten o'clock a. m. Around her carriage were the Royal 
 Company of Archers. Her Majesty wore a tartan plaid of 
 the Royal Stuart pattern. As the Queen entered the pre- 
 cincts of the royal grounds a salute was fired from the 
 Castle. Amidst the loud cheers of the people the proces- 
 sion moved up the Canongate and the High Street to the 
 Cross, where the city barrier was erected. Here the magis- 
 tracy were assembled to present the keys of the city to 
 the Sovereign, and the crowd was excessive. There were 
 also drawn up at this spot the members of the Celtic Society, 
 in the full costume of their respective clans. They saluted the 
 
I06 CROWN JEWEL OFFICE. 
 
 Queen with their claymores in true Highland fashion, and her 
 Majesty made a gracious acknowledgment. The society then 
 formed in the rear of the royal cortege, and escorted her 
 Majesty to the Castle. The procession halted in front of the 
 Royal Exchange, about fifty yards from the barrier, where 
 the Lord Provost advanced, and after delivering a brief ad- 
 dress, presented the keys of the city to her Majesty. 
 
 The Queen, after receiving the keys, replied, with much 
 dignity mingled with kindness of manner : " I return the 
 keys of the city with perfect confidence into the safe keep- 
 ing of the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council." After 
 viewing the magnificent scene over the Firth of Forth from 
 the Mortar Battery, the Queen proceeded to the Half-moon 
 Battery, and thence to the Old Barrack Square. The Crown 
 Jewel Office was next visited, where are deposited the re- 
 galia of Scotland, which, after being lost for a long period, 
 were recovered in 1818, chiefly through the instrumentality 
 of Sir Walter Scott. Her Majesty was much interested in 
 the insignia. Queen Mary's rooms were now visited, and 
 here the Queen was accompanied by Prince Albert only. 
 The chamber in which King James was born her Majesty 
 regarded with special Interest. 
 
 Everything of historical interest having been viewed, the 
 Queen returned to the Castle gate, where she again entered 
 her carriage. Amidst the loud cheering of the multitude she 
 drove down the Castle hill. 
 
 On leaving Edinburgh the royal party proceeded to Dal- 
 'meny Park, where the Earl of Rosebery — the predecessor of 
 the illustrious statesman who now bears that title — had pro- 
 vided a sumptuous luncheon. It had been arranged that after 
 the dejeuner the Queen should walk in the grounds which 
 
Coronation of Quben Victoria', June 28, 1838, 
 
AT DALMENY PARK. lOQ 
 
 command a view of the Forth, the islands which stud it, and the 
 heights beyond ; but the rain fell heavily. A great multitude 
 of persons had assembled on the lawn, however, undeterred 
 by the weather ; and in order not to disappoint them, her 
 Majesty went to the library, whose windows opened upon the 
 lawn, and advancing to an open window remained there for 
 some time, amidst the most enthusiastic demonstrations of 
 loyalty. In the afternoon the Queen and Prince Albert left 
 Dalmeny Park for Dalkeith, passing through Leith, which 
 was enfete^ and where her Majesty stopped to receive a civic 
 address. 
 
 Her Majesty held a levee in Dalkeith Palace which was 
 attended by an extraordinary concourse of the nobility and 
 gentry of Scotland. Holyrood House could not be used on 
 the occasion, because of a contagious fever lately prevalent 
 in the vicinity. The Queen received a number of deputa- 
 tions, including one from the Church of Scotland, and in re- 
 plying to the address of the latter she said : ** I acknowledge 
 with gratitude the Inestimable advantages which have been 
 derived from the ministrations of the Church of Scotland. 
 They have contributed In an eminent degree to form the 
 character of a loyal and religious people." The remainder 
 of the Queen's Scotch visit was thoroughly enjoyed by the 
 Sovereign and her husband. Leaving Dalkeith, they went 
 to Queensferry, where they embarked in a royal steamer. 
 Landing at North Ferry, In Fifeshire, they proceeded to Dup- 
 plin Castle, where they dined with the Earl of Kinnoull. 
 The Lord Provost and Town Council of Perth attended to 
 present an address, and subsequently her Majesty drove 
 into Perth, where a handsome triumphal arch of Grecian 
 architecture had been erected in honor of her visit. The 
 
no A HUNDRED HIGHLANDERS. 
 
 Queen dined and slept at Scone Palace, the seat of the Earl 
 of Mansfield. Next morning, at the solicitation of the authori- 
 ties of Perth, the Queen and Prince enrolled their names in 
 the Guildry Books, in imitation of the precedents therein con- 
 tained of King James VI and King Charles I. The following 
 were the inscriptions : 
 
 H)icu et /iDon Droit. 
 
 VICTORIA R. 
 
 Scone Palace, 
 September ^th, 1842. 
 
 Uteu unO 3fest. 
 
 ALBERT. 
 
 Scone Palace, 
 September ^th, 1842. 
 
 Taymouth Castle, the seat of the Marquis of Breadalbane, 
 was next visited, and her Majesty's stay here was rendered 
 full of interest. 
 
 Previous to leaving Taymouth Castle, the Queen planted 
 a fir and an oak tree in the grounds as a memorial of her 
 visit. The royal party then embarked on Loch Tay, and 
 were rowed up to Auchmore, a distance of sixteen miles. As 
 the barges and boats proceeded slowly and majestically up 
 the loch, they exhibited to the spectators a very beautiful sight. 
 
 A picturesque scene took place when a hundred High- 
 landers in the Drummond tartan, some armed with Lochaber 
 axes, others with swords and bucklers, paraded before her 
 Majesty. An old man known as Comrie of Comrie, who 
 claimed to be hereditary standard-bearer of the Perth family, 
 displayed the very flag which was rescued by his great-uncle, 
 after it had been taken by King George's troops at the battle 
 
SCOTTISH DEVOTION. Ill 
 
 of Culloden ; and he also wore the same claymore which did 
 service on that occasion. 
 
 The Queen was so deeply impressed with the heartiness 
 of her reception by all classes of her Northern subjects that 
 before leaving Scotland she caused the Earl of Aberdeen to 
 write the following letter, in which she gave expression to her 
 gratified feelings : ** The Queen cannot leave Scotland with- 
 out a feeling of regret that her visit on the present occasion 
 could not be further prolonged. Her Majesty fully expected 
 to witness the loyalty and attachment of her Scottish subjects ; 
 but the devotion and enthusiasm evinced in every quarter, 
 and by all ranks, have produced an impression on the mind 
 of herlVEajesty which can never be effaced." 
 
 When Parliament assembled on the istof February, 1843, 
 the Queen was unable, for the first time since her accession, 
 to open it in person. But not long after this we find that 
 she manifested her anxiety for the highest interests of the 
 people by returning a gracious answer to an address for- 
 warded to her at the instance of the philanthropic Lord 
 Ashley (the Earl of Shaftesbury of honored memory), praying 
 the Sovereign seriously to consider the best means of diffus- 
 ing the blessings of a moral and religious education among 
 the working classes. 
 
 Another daughter was born to her Majesty at Bucking- 
 ham Palace on the 25th of April. The infant Princess was 
 christened on the 2d of June, and received the names of 
 Alice Maud Mary. The child grew up to be an especial 
 favorite with the English people, who sympathized deeply 
 with her in the many sorrows which marked her married life. 
 
 The first public statue of her Majesty which had been 
 erected in any part of her dominions was unveiled at Edin- 
 
112 STATUE OF HER MAJESTY. 
 
 burgh on the 24th of January, 1844. It was a colossal statue 
 by Mr. (afterward Sir John) Steell,and it was placed in position 
 on the colonnade of the Royal Institution, fronting Prince's 
 Street. From the high elevation of the pedestal, the gigantic 
 figure, which was nearly four times life size, assumed to the 
 spectators almost natural proportions, and harmonized with 
 the massive building on which it was placed. The whole 
 composition was modeled on the severest principles of Grecian 
 art, and it still remains a classic conception of much grandeur. 
 Her Majesty is represented seated on a throne, with the 
 diadem on her brow, while her right hand grasps the sceptre, 
 and her left leans on the orb, emblematic of her extended 
 sway. 
 
 The last days of January were saddened for the Queen and 
 her consort by the death of Prince Albert's father, the Duke 
 of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, at the age of sixty years. 
 
 On the I St of February the Queen opened Parliament in 
 person. The Irish Repeal agitation was at this time causing 
 much concern, and State trials were proceeding at Dublin. 
 Daniel and John O'Connell and six other prisoners were 
 charged, with conspiracy in endeavoring to obtain a repeal of 
 the union between Great Britain and Ireland. Her Majesty, 
 in receiving an address on the 2d of February from the Cor- 
 poration of Dublin, said : " I receive with satisfaction the 
 assurance that sentiments of loyalty and attachment to my 
 person continue to be cherished by you. The legal proceed- 
 ings to which you refer are now in progress before a com- 
 petent tribunal, and I am unwilling to interrupt the adminis- 
 tration of justice according to law." O'Connell and his fel- 
 low-agitators were convicted, and sentenced to various terms 
 of imprisonment ; but an appeal being made to the House of 
 
NICHOLAS, EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. Il3 
 
 Lords, the judgment was reversed. The Repeal agitation, 
 however, did not flourish after the trial. 
 
 The great Court event of the year was the visit of the 
 Emperor of Russia — the hard, cold, cruel, handsome, and 
 imposing Nicholas. He was just in the prime of life, and 
 struck every one by the grandeur of his bearing, though he 
 must have thrown the officials of the royal household into a 
 flutter, seeing that he slept upon straw, and always took 
 with him a leathern case, which at every stage of the journey 
 was filled with straw from the stables. Nicholas won the 
 Queen's heart by his unstinted praise of her husband. The 
 King of Saxony arrived at Buckingham Palace on the same 
 day. Very scant notice had been given of the Emperor's 
 visit, but her Majesty expressed a strong hope that he would 
 take up his abode at Buckingham Palace, and this he did, 
 after some days spent at Windsor. The Emperor paid visits 
 to the various members of the royal family, and also to the 
 Duke of Wellington, evincing the deepest interest in the 
 veteran soldier. 
 
 The Emperor, the King of Saxony, and Prince Albert 
 witnessed the races at Ascot, and there was a grand military 
 review in the Great Park at Windsor. The greatest enthu- 
 siasm was manifested for the Iron Duke, who really attracted 
 more attention than the Czar ; but Wellington took off his 
 hat, and waving it in the air, said to the people very earnestly : 
 " No, no ! not me — the Emperor ! the Emperor !" The people 
 then warmly cheered the Czar. During the inspection of 
 the troops the Emperor was most keenly interested in the 
 17th Lancers and 47th Foot. He surveyed them minutely, 
 saying that he wished to see the regiments which had fought 
 and gained England's battles in India. On the approach of 
 7 
 
114 ROYALLY ENTERTAINED. 
 
 the Life Guards the Duke of WeUington put himself at the 
 head of his regiment, and advanced with it before her Ma- 
 jesty ; the spectacle calling forth an exhibition of unusual 
 enthusiasm. In spite of the immense number of spectators 
 present, not a single accident occurred during the day. 
 
 On the evening of this day, and for several succeeding 
 days, there were splendid festivities at Windsor and at Buck- 
 ingham Palace, and on the 8th of June the Duke of Devon- 
 shire gave a grand fete to the Emperor and the King of 
 Saxony at his Grace's suburban villa at Chiswick. The Queen, 
 Prince Albert, the Czar, and the King subsequently attended 
 the opera at Her Majesty's Theatre, which was crowded in 
 every part. On the loth the Emperor Nicholas left London 
 on his return to Russia. During his stay in England the 
 Emperor's private gifts had been on the most lavish and 
 princely scale, no one being forgotten. 
 
 The Queen gave birth to a son on the 6th of August at 
 Windsor Castle. The event was scarcely expected so soon, 
 and only three hours before her Majesty had signed the 
 commission for giving the royal assent to various bills. The 
 Queen's happy delivery was announced in the Times in pre- 
 cisely forty minutes after it had taken place at Windsor 
 Castle ; and as this was the first occasion on which the elec- 
 tric telegraph had been so used, the rapid publication of the 
 news was considered very surprising. The young Prince 
 was christened on the 6th of September in the names of Alfred 
 Ernest Albert, being afterward created Duke of Edinburgh. 
 
 The Queen had intended visiting Ireland in the summer 
 of 1844, ''^''-it the unsettled condition of the country rendered 
 this unadvisable, and a second visit to Scotland took the 
 place of the projected Irish tour. Therefore, early in Sep- 
 
OFF FOR SCOTLAND. II5 
 
 tember, her Majesty, accompanied by the Prince and the 
 little Princess Royal, set out for Scotland. All along the way 
 there was an enthusiastic series of receptions from the loyal 
 Scotch. 
 
 The Queen was able to leave behind her almost entirely 
 the heavier cares of her position, and she devoted herself to 
 the rural recreations which had such a charm both for her- 
 self and her husband. Journeys up the hills on Scotch ponies 
 was a favorite recreation with the royal pair. The Queen on 
 these occasions proved herself a bold and expert horse- 
 woman, disdaining the broad, winding paths of the hills, and 
 venturing upon more direct roads which presented obstacles 
 that would have deterred many other persons, including even 
 natives of the district. 
 
 When the time came for journeying south again the Queen 
 and her consort left Scotland with great regret; they had 
 begun to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of its scenery, 
 and the charms of solitude which this " land of the mountain 
 and the flood " afforded so abundantly. But they had after- 
 ward a permanent reminder of their visit to Blair Athole, for 
 the ponies ridden by the Queen, Prince Albert, and the Prin- 
 cess Royal — and to which they had become much attached — 
 were presented to their royal riders by Lord Glenlyon. 
 
 Louis Philippe, King of the French, arrived at Windsor 
 Castle on the 8th of October, on a visit to her Majesty. It 
 was an event of great national interest and importance, for 
 that distinguished yet unfortunate Sovereign was the first 
 and only French monarch who had ever landed in the British 
 islaads on a visit of peace and amity. The British nation 
 hailed him with the heartiest demonstrations of welcome. 
 Prince Albert went down to Portsmouth to receive him. The 
 
Il6 VISIT OF LOUIS PHILIPPE. 
 
 King was awaiting his arrival, and eagerly advancing, he em- 
 braced the Prince, and saluted him in the continental fashion, 
 on each cheek. The Prince returned the monarch's greeting 
 with warmth, though restraining himself to the English modes. 
 As the King landed, a volley of cheers went up from the 
 spectators, whereupon his Majesty bowed repeatedly on all 
 sides, laying his hand on his heart. 
 
 When the King and Prince reached Windsor Castle they 
 found the Queen waiting for them in the grand vestibule 
 fronting George IV's gate. The Queen advanced to the 
 threshold, and in the most cordial manner extended her arms 
 whilst Louis Philippe and the Prince descended from the car- 
 riage. The King's " embrace of the Queen was very paren- 
 tal." During the visit the King was made Knight of the 
 Order of the Garter. *' The ceremony must have been preg- 
 nant with suggestions to all present who remembered that 
 the Order had been instituted by Edward III after the battle 
 of Cressy, and that its earliest knights were the Black Prince 
 and his companions, whose prowess had been so fatal to 
 France." 
 
 London saw a splendid show on the 28th of October, 
 when the Queen opened the new Royal Exchange. The 
 procession was magnificent, and very similar to the one at 
 the coronation. From Buckingham Palace to the Exchange 
 every place, hole, or cranny which commanded the smallest 
 view of the route was crammed to suffocation. The Lord 
 Mayor and Aldermen met the Queen at Temple Bar at twelve 
 and escorted her to her destination. On alighting at the Ex- 
 change she walked round the colonnade, and through the 
 inner court. She then went upstairs, and walked through 
 the second banqueting-hall to show herself; subsequently 
 
QUEEN ALEXANDRA. 
 
Die l{at[erm=U?itttrie Dtctorta 
 
 TEE DOWAGER EMPllESS VICTOIUA. 
 
ROYALTY AT BRIGHTON. I I 7 
 
 receiving an address in a small room prepared for the pur- 
 pose. After the address she created the Lord Mayor (Sir 
 William Magnay) a baronet. A few hours before his lord- 
 ship had been in the most pitiable distress, for in going to 
 receive her Majesty he had put on an enormous pair of jack- 
 boots to protect himself from the mud ; and as the Queen 
 approached he was unable to get them off — or at least one 
 of them. He had one on and one off just as the Sovereign 
 was about to draw up at Temple Bar, and in an agony of 
 fright he ordered the attendants, who were tugging at the 
 immovable boot, to let it alone and to replace the other one, 
 which they did. These boots he was compelled to wear until 
 after the ceremony. 
 
 After the opening of Parliament in February, 1845, the 
 Queen and the Prince Consort went down to Brighton to 
 make a short stay at the Pavilion. From thence they visited 
 Arundel Castle and Buxted Park. During her stay at 
 Brighton the Queen was exposed to great annoyance in con- 
 sequence of the rude behavior of the crowd, who lay in 
 wait to follow her in her walk from the Pavilion to the pier. 
 She was very glad when the time came for taking possession 
 of Osborne, which she and the Prince did on the 29th of 
 March following. The park and grounds attached to this 
 marine residence comprised upward of 300 acres, chiefly 
 sloping to the east, and well stocked with noble timber. The 
 views from Osborne are very extensive, commanding Ports- 
 mouth, Spithead, etc. A new mansion was subsequently! 
 built for the Queen in lieu of the old house. 
 
 Her Majesty held a Court at Buckingham Palace on May 
 2 1 St, to receive an address from the Lord Mayor and Cor- 
 poration of Dublin, inviting her to visit Ireland. 
 
Il8 BALL AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. 
 
 On the 6th of June, at Buckingham Palace, the Queen gave 
 a grand costume ball illustrating the period of George II. 
 The precise period selected was the ten years from 1 740 to 
 1750. The company numbered about 1,200, and amongst 
 those present were the Duke and Duchess of Nemours and 
 the Prince of Leiningen, then on a visit to her Majesty. 
 Noblemen, ambassadors, statesmen, senators, and judges 
 attended the ball. Ladies were most perplexed to fulfill ail 
 the points of the costume of the period, and it was de rigueur 
 that they should thus appear. " However, it was discovered 
 that the powder made the complexion show more brilliant, 
 and if the hoop disguised the figure, the stomacher displayed 
 it; while both hoop and stomacher displayed the glowing 
 jewelry, the rich and elegant lace, the splendid brocades, 
 magnificent velvets, and gorgeous trimmings that were the 
 pride of the evening." The men appeared in coats of velvet 
 — crimson, black, or blue — adorned with gold or silver ; and 
 powdered wigs were universal. Many v/ore the dresses of 
 their old ancestors, copied from family portraits. The beauty 
 of the ball was the Marchioness of Douro, daughter-in-law of 
 the Duke of Wellington. 
 
 In 1845 her Majesty set out with the Prince Consort on 
 her first visit to Germany. Such a tour must have had spe- 
 cial interest for her, seeing that Germany was not only her 
 husband's country, but that of her mother also. For the 
 first time in her many excursions by sea and land the Queen 
 had unfavorable weather. Her Majesty and Prince Albert 
 disembarked at Antwerp, and went on to Malines, where 
 they were met by the King and Queen of the Belgians, who 
 escorted them through their dominions to Verviers and Aix- 
 la-Chapelle, where the King of Prussia was in readiness to 
 
VISIT TO THE "FATHERLAND." II9 
 
 receive them. Then came in succession Cologne, Bonn, and 
 the royal palace of Bruhl. At Bonn the Queen v/as quite 
 pleased to meet with some of her husband's old professors. 
 Of the Prince's " former little house " her Majesty writes : 
 "It was such a pleasure for me to be able to see this house. 
 We went all over it, and it is just as it was — in no way 
 altered. We went into the little bower in the garden, from 
 which you have a beautiful view." 
 
 One can imagine the delight with which the Prince would 
 point out to his wife the various places dear to his youth, as 
 well as the many other romantic spots in which this part of 
 Germany abounds. Then also there were the people of the 
 ** fatherland " to interest them both. The King of Prussia 
 behaved admirably, and soon made the Queen feel perfectly 
 at home in her new surroundings. In proposing the Queen's 
 health at a grand banquet in the pakice of Bruhl his Majesty 
 said: ''There is a word of inexpressible sweetness to British 
 as well as to German hearts. Thirty years ago it echoed on 
 the heights of Waterloo from British and German tongues, 
 after days of hot and desperate fighting, to mark the glorious 
 triumph of our brotherhood in arms. This day, after a peace 
 of thirty years' duration — the fruit of those arduous days — 
 it resounds in the lands of Germany, on the banks of our noble 
 Rhine. The word is Victoria. Gentlemen, empty your glasses 
 to the bottom. The toast is, ' Her Majesty, the Queen of 
 Great Britain and Ireland. Long live Queen Victoria and 
 her illustrious consort' " 
 
 While in Germany the royal visitors witnessed the inaugu- 
 ration of Beethoven's statue at Bonn, and in the evening 
 there was a splendid spectacle on the river ; Cologne was 
 illuminated, and the Rhine was made one vast Jbu de joie. 
 
I20 INNUMERABLE CELEBRATIONS. 
 
 The visit of the Queen and Prince was marked by fetes 
 and celebrations innumerable, and finally, when it came time 
 for them to return home, there was a very affectionate 
 parting between the old and the young monarch, after 
 which the Queen's yacht stood for England. On the loth 
 her Majesty and the Prince reached their home at Osborne, 
 where a joyous welcome awaited them as they "drove up 
 straight to the house after landing ; for there, looking like 
 roses, so well and so fat, stood the four children." The 
 Queen has left it on record that this visit to Germany was 
 one of the most exquisite periods of enjoyment in her whole 
 life. 
 
 The ensuing winter of 1845-6 was a disastrous one in 
 some respects in our domestic history. In England the rail- 
 way mania had hurried many into ruin, while in Ireland there 
 was fearful destitution through the failure of the potato crop. 
 The settlement of the great Corn Law question was seen to 
 be imperative toward the close of 1845, ^"*^ Sir Robert Peel 
 resigned office in order that Lord John Russell and the 
 Whigs might come in and grapple with this long-vexed ques- 
 tion. Lord John was unable to form a Ministry, however, 
 and on the 5th of December Sir Robert Peel returned to 
 power. He courageously resolved to abolish the Corn Laws, 
 and although by doing so he incurred great odium with his 
 party, the country generally acknowledged with gratitude his 
 ereat and disinterested services. The obnoxious Corn Laws 
 were swept away, and Peel's action was more than justified 
 by subsequent events. 
 
 During the thick of the political conflict the Queen gave 
 birth, at Buckingham Palace, on the 25th of May, to her third 
 daughter, Princess Helena, afterward Princess Christian. 
 
IRISH COEkClON BILL. I^I 
 
 In the closing days of June the Government was defeated 
 on its Irish Coercion bill, a measure to check assassination 
 in Ireland, and on the 6th of July the Prime Minister resigned 
 ofiftce. The Queen felt the parting with Peel and Lord 
 Aberdeen most keenly. Writing to King Leopold on the 
 7th she said : " Yesterday was a very hard day for me. I had 
 to part from Sir Robert Peel and Lord Aberdeen, who are 
 irreparable losses to us and to the country. They were both 
 so much overcome that it quite upset me. We have in them 
 two devoted friends; we felt so safe with them. Never 
 during the five years that they were with me did they ever 
 recommend a person or a thing that was not for my or the 
 country's best ; and never for the party's advantage only. . . . 
 I cannot tell you how sad I am to lose Aberdeen ; you cannot 
 think what a delightful companion he was. The breaking-up 
 of all this intercourse during our journeys is deplorable." 
 But the Queen had still one person on whose counsel she 
 could rely, and one far dearer to her than her Ministers. 
 " Albert's use to me, and I may say to the country, by his 
 firmness and sagacity in these moments of trial, is beyond all 
 belief." 
 
 The infant Princess was christened at Buckingham Palace 
 on the 25th of July in the names of *' Helena Augusta Vic- 
 toria." 
 
 The year 1847 opened very gloomily. The commercial 
 depression from which the country had been suffering had 
 been further aggravated, while the ravages of the potato 
 disease had reduced the people of Ireland to a terrible con- 
 dition of starvation and disease. Consequently when her 
 Majesty opened Parliament in person on the 19th of January, 
 the royal speech was not a cheerful document. Fortunately, 
 
122 JENNY LIND IN LONDON. 
 
 foreign affairs were In a satisfactory condition, and as regards 
 the home difficulties, the government of Lord John Russell 
 took prompt measures for relieving the distress in Ireland. 
 They also brought in a new Irish Poor Law measure, which 
 was quickly passed, together with other remedial legislation. 
 
 But the season in London, always Inexorable, was not 
 without its gayeties. The theatre saw the reappearance of 
 Fanny Kemble, whilst at the Italian Opera a new prima 
 donna appeared, concerning whom the Queen thus wrote : 
 *' Her acting alone Is worth going to see, and the piano way 
 she has of singing, Lablache says, is unlike anything he ever 
 heard. He is quite enchanted. There Is a purity in her sing- 
 ing and acting which Is quite indescribable." The new 
 operatic star which thus suddenly came upon the horizon was 
 that popular favorite, Jenny Lind. 
 
 The Queen resolved upon spending the early autumn of 
 1847 i'^ Scotland. This was partlydueto the pleasure derived 
 from her previous visit, and the beneficial effect It had upon 
 her health, and also to the strong desire of the Prince Con- 
 sort to enjoy the really fine sport of chasing the red-deer in 
 their native forests. 
 
 The Queen and Prince had a true Highland reception. For 
 four weeks this life of enjoyment and perfect retirement 
 lasted, but upon this period of calm and peaceful repose in 
 the Highlands was shortly to supervene one of profound 
 care and anxiety. 
 
HAPPY YEARS 
 
 OF 
 
 WEDDED BLISS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ''T^HE year 1848 was one of great upheaval amongst the 
 X States of Europe. France was the first to feel the 
 force of the revolutionary movement. The policy of Louis 
 Philippe, and especially his intrigues with a view to Bourbon 
 aggrandizement, had long rendered the King very unpopu- 
 lar. The public discontent now found vent in revolution, 
 and the dynasty was swept away and a republic proclaimed. 
 
 The effects of the revolutionary spirit were felt in other 
 countries — Italy, Spain, Prussia, and Austria ; but in Belgium 
 the attempts to incite the people against the monarchy 
 proved abortive, and the throne of her Majesty's uncle re- 
 mained secure. This, however, was not the case with her 
 brother and brother-in-law, the Princes of Leiningen and 
 Hohenlohe, who were compelled to abdicate their seignorial 
 rights. 
 
 In the midst of the general solicitude for the peace of Eng- 
 land during this time of convulsion, the Queen was delivered 
 of her fourth daughter, the Princess Louise. The royal 
 infant was christened at Buckingham Palace on the 13th of 
 May following, receiving the names of Louise Caroline 
 Alberta. 
 
 By way of showing the immense labor which devolved upon 
 the Queen and Prince Albert, as well as the Foreien Secre- 
 tary, during this year of trial and anxiety, it is stated thai 
 
124 feALMORAL CASTLE, SCOTLAND. 
 
 " no less that twenty-eight thousand dispatches were re- 
 ceived by or sent out from the Foreign Office." 
 
 The Queen prorogued Pariiament in person on the 5th of 
 September, and on the afternoon of the same day her 
 Majesty and the Prince Consort, accompanied by the Prince 
 of Wales, the Princess Royal, and Prince Alfred, embarked 
 in the royal yacht at Woolwich for Scotland. Their destina- 
 tion on this occasion was Balmoral Castle. " It is a pretty 
 little castle in the old Scottish style," remarked the Queen, in 
 her journal. " There is a picturesque tower and garden in 
 the front, with a high wooded hill ; at the back there is a 
 wood down to the Dee, and the hills rise all around." 
 
 Balmoral Castle is a reddish-granite structure in the 
 baronial style. Over the principal entrance are the coat-of- 
 arms, and two bas-reliefs which indicate the character of the 
 building. One of these shows a hunting-lodge under the 
 patronage of St. Hubert, supported by St. Andrew of Scot- 
 land and St. George of England, and the other represents 
 groups of men engaged in Highland games. Inside the 
 house is full of relics of the chase, and of expeditions made 
 in the district. The furniture is Scotch, with hangings and 
 carpets representative of various royal tartan sets. The 
 rooms are, of course, not so large as in the royal palaces 
 proper ; but they are commodious enough for the restricted 
 circle which has always gathered there with her Majesty. The 
 ball-room is a long and picturesque hall, one story in height, 
 bearing numberless Highland devices on its walls. The 
 yearly ball was an event which many looked forward to, in 
 addition to the royal children, some of whom at least greatly 
 distinguished themselves in Highland reels. 
 
 Crathie Church is a little white building standing upon a 
 
ROYAL DIADEM. 
 
 ROYAL CROWN. 
 
JUDGE HUDDLESTON OF THE SUPREICE CoUf? OF ENGLAND. 
 
HAPPIEST OF ROYAL HOMES. 1 25 
 
 green and wooded eminence, and looking across the Dee to 
 Balmoral. The gallery of the church, which is the principal 
 seated part of the structure, contains the Queen's pew and 
 that of the Prince of Wales. There are two stained windows 
 in the building, the gifts of her Majesty in memory of her 
 sister, the Princess Hohenlohe, and of Dr. Norman Macleod. 
 The finest orators in the Church of Scotland have preached 
 in this little building, and amongst their auditors have been 
 celebrated British statesmen and men of letters. Near to the 
 Castle are the Queen's cottages, whose occupants are ad- 
 mirably looked after, and who possess many reminders of a 
 concrete character of her Majesty and her family. 
 
 There is little wonder, especially considering its associa- 
 tions with the Prince Consort, that the Queen came to love 
 Balmoral dearly. It was one of the happiest of royal homes, 
 and it has become endeared to her Majesty by her annual resi- 
 dences there for upwards of thirty years. It was the birth- 
 place of many hopes, as it was the home of unclouded 
 happiness for an all too brief period, and its memories are 
 now the most ineffaceable from the Queen's affections as she 
 looks back through a long vista to, the time when she first 
 visited it with the beloved partner of her life. 
 
 During her Majesty's stay in Scotland important events 
 were transpiring abroad. England was comparatively quiet, 
 though the sudden death of the Conservative leader, Lord 
 George Bentinck, caused great sensation. In France, Prince 
 Louis Napoleon had been elected by no fewer than five de- 
 partments to the new French Chamber, while news came 
 from Frankfort of a terrible riot in which two members of 
 the German States Union were assassinated. 
 
 In the ensuing month of November Lord Melbourne, the 
 
126 VISIT TO IRELAND. 
 
 Queen's first Minister — and a man to whom she had become 
 much attached, in consequence of his almost paternal devo- 
 tion to her in her early youth — passed away, having been for 
 some time in seclusion. Her Majesty wrote concerning him : 
 " Truly and sincerely do I deplore the loss of one who was a 
 most disinterested friend of mine, and most sincerely 
 attached to me." 
 
 The Queen's long-expected visit to Ireland was paid in 
 August, 1849. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, with their 
 four children, embarked at Cowes on the ist, in the royal 
 yacht, and steered to the westward, convoyed by a squadron 
 of four steamers. A royal progress was made through the 
 city, the Queen being much struck by the noisy but good- 
 natured crowd, and by the beauty of the women. The royal 
 squadron next sailed to Waterford, and from there went on 
 to Dublin. As the vessels came into Kingstown Harbor, 
 and the Queen appeared on deck, there was a burst of 
 cheering, renewed again and again, from some 40,000 spec- 
 tators. 
 
 Intense enthusiasm filled the hearts of the Irish people and 
 her Majesty's progress from place to place was marked by ex- 
 pressions of great joy. Her Majesty was greatly delighted 
 with her reception by the Irish people of all classes, and 
 before leaving the country she resolved upon creating her 
 eldest son " Earl of Dublin," a title which had been borne by 
 her honored father. 
 
 The new London Coal Exchange was opened in October, 
 and the Queen had intended to perform the ceremony in 
 person, but a slight attack of chicken-pox prevented her. 
 Prince Albert took her place, and was accompanied by the 
 Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, who made their first 
 
DOWAGER QUEEN ADELAIDE. 1 27 
 
 appearance in public on this occasion. The illustrious party- 
 went down the Thames in the royal barge, and there was a 
 grand water pageant such as had not been seen for almost a 
 century. 
 
 The Dowager Queen Adelaide died on the 2d of Decem- 
 ber, at her country seat of Bentley Priory, at the age of fifty- 
 seven years. Toward the close of November Queen Victoria 
 had paid her last visit to her, afterward writing to King 
 Leopold : " There was death written in that dear face. It was 
 such a picture of misery, of complete prostration, and yet she 
 talked of everything. I could hardly command my feelings 
 when I came in, and when I kissed twice that poor dear thin 
 hand. I love her so dearly. She has ever been so maternal in 
 her affection to me. She will find peace and a reward for 
 her many sufferings." In accordance with the Queen 
 Dowager's wishes, there was no embalming, lying in state, 
 or torchlight procession, and she was buried at Windsor 
 without any pomp or state. 
 
 Her Majesty's third son and seventh child was born on the 
 1st of May, 1850, and as this, was the birthday of the Duke 
 of Wellington, it was determined to give him the same name, 
 Arthur. Writing to Baron Stockmar, the Queen said : " It is 
 a singular thing that this so much wished-for boy should be 
 born on the old Duke's eighty-first birthday. May that, and 
 his beloved father's name, bring the poor little infant happi- 
 ness and good fortune." The child was christened "Arthur 
 William Patrick Albert." 
 
 Preparations were at this time being made for the Great 
 Exhibition. Prince Albert favored Hyde Park as the place for 
 holding the Exhibition, but his idea did not meet with much 
 favor, and there was considerable discussion over the matter. 
 
128 THE GREAT EXHIBITION. 
 
 The Queen and the Prince experienced considerable relief 
 when the House of Commons decided that Hyde Park should 
 be the site of the projected Great Exhibition. 
 
 The greatest domestic event of 1851, and indeed of many 
 years, was the opening of the Great Exhibition in Hyde 
 Park. This precursor of so many international festivals was 
 held in the palace of glass designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, 
 who was kniofhted for his services. Prince Albert chose the 
 motto of the Exhibition — " The earth is the Lord's and the 
 fulness thereof ; the world, and they that dwell therein ;" and 
 from all quarters of the universe came goods and treasure 
 to the great central storehouse, which peacefully represented 
 the progress of the human race in art, science, industry, and 
 commerce. Never had such a triumph been witnessed in all 
 that concerns the internal welfare and advancement of States 
 and Empires. 
 
 The inaugural ceremony took place on the ist of May, 
 and it is almost superfluous to say that it was a most impos- 
 ing sight. The Queen and Prince Albert and all the royal 
 children, as well as the Duchess of Kent and the young 
 Count Gleichen, were present. The park presented a won- 
 derful spectacle, and the scene in the streets recalled that of 
 the coronation. 
 
 A grand fancy ball was given by the Queen at Bucking- 
 ham Palace on the 13th of June. All the characters and 
 costumes were drawn from the Restoration period. Her 
 Majesty and the Prince were superbly dressed. The Duke 
 of Wellington was In the scarlet and gold uniform of the 
 period ; while Mr. Gladstone — mirabile didu — appeared as 
 a Judge of the High Court of Admiralty in Charles's reign, 
 "in a velvet coat turned up with blue satin, ruffles and 
 
EXHIBITION INCIDENTS. 1 29 
 
 collar of old point, black breeches and stockings, and shoes 
 with spreading bows." 
 
 The city also gave a grand ball at the Guildhall on the 9th 
 of July, to celebrate the opening of the Exhibition. The 
 Queen and Prince Albert, and large numbers of the aristoc- 
 racy, were present. The great hall in which the ball took 
 place was splendidly fitted up. There was a striking array 
 of banners emblazoned with the arms of the nations and cities 
 represented at the Palace in Hyde Park, while the compart- 
 ments beneath the balconies were filled with pictorial repre- 
 sentations of the finest and most striking contributions in the 
 Exhibition. After the dancing, supper was served in the 
 crypt, which was made to represent an old baronial hall. 
 
 The Queen paid a farewell visit to the Exhibition on the 
 14th of October, and shortly afterward it was dismantled. 
 During the five and a half months it had remained open, the 
 visitors had been 6,200,000, and the total receipts ;i^5co,ooo. 
 
 A great sensation was caused the following winter by the 
 issue of a Papal Bull redistributing the Roman Catholic 
 bishoprics in England, and placing a Cardinal Archbishop at 
 their head. The Pope's policy was strongly resented by the 
 Prime Minister, Lord John Russell, who introduced the 
 Ecclesiastical Titles bill. The Universities of Oxford and 
 Cambridge presented formal protests to the Queen, which 
 her Majesty acknowledged. Like many more sober judges 
 of the question, the Queen felt that the Pope could do no 
 harm ; he might do what he pleased, but he could never make 
 England Catholic, and this sensible view prevailed through- 
 out the country as soon as the momentary excitement passed 
 away. 
 
 In August, 1852, the Queen received intelligence of the 
 
130 "the great duke. 
 
 death of the greatest of her subjects. The illustrious Welling- 
 ton, " the great Duke," had passed away at Walmer, after a 
 few hours' illness, and with no suffering, at the patriarchal 
 age of eighty-three. Keenly did her Majesty feel this great 
 loss, for the Duke had in a measure held toward her the 
 triple capacity of father, hero, and friend. In the plenitude 
 of her grief, and with an exaggeration of language which will 
 be understood in consequence, she spoke of him as " Eng- 
 land's, or rather Britain's, pride, her glory, her hero, the 
 greatest man she had ever produced." 
 
 Thousands of British hearts, however, echoed the Queen's 
 sentiment when she wrote that "one cannot think of this 
 country without * the Duke,' our immortal hero !" Full justice 
 was done by the Queen in the following passage to the great 
 soldier's character: "In him centred almost every earthly 
 honor a subject could possess. His position was the highest 
 a subject ever had — above party — looked up to by all — re- 
 vered by the whole nation — the friend of the Sovereign — and 
 how simply he carried these honors ! With what singleness 
 of purpose, what straightforwardness, what courage, were all 
 the motives of his actions guided. The Crown never pos- 
 sessed — and I fear never will — so devoted, loyal, and faithful 
 a subject, so staunch a supporter!" 
 
 The great Duke was laid to rest in St. Paul's Cathedral, the 
 funeral being such as had never before been celebrated for 
 any Englishman. At the close of the funeral rites in the 
 Cathedral the body was lowered into the vault amid the 
 solemn strains of the " Dead March." A sense of depression 
 and personal loss settled like a pall over the vast assembly. 
 " Verily a prince and a great man had fallen in Israel !" 
 
 In December, 1852, the Derby- Disraeli Government fell 
 
A DISASTROUS FIRE. I3I 
 
 upon its Budget, which was attacked with great force by Mr. 
 Gladstone. Lord Aberdeen became Prime Minister, and his 
 Ministry included many of the leading Whigs and PeeHtes, 
 Mr. Gladstone being Chancellor of the Exchequer for the 
 first time. Across the Channel the French Empire had just 
 been declared, and Louis Napoleon had made his public entry 
 into Paris as Emperor. 
 
 On the 19th of March, 1853, a disastrous fire broke out in 
 Windsor Castle, which at one time placed that magnificent 
 structure and the whole of its contents in jeopardy. Fortu- 
 nately, the flames were subdued and the injury was confined to 
 the ceilings of the dining-room in the Prince of Wales's Tower, 
 and two floors of bed-rooms immediately over it, which were 
 practically destroyed. The fire was supposed to have origi- 
 nated from the heating of the flues. The Court was at 
 Windsor at the time, and the Queen, in writing upon the fire to 
 the King of the Belgians, said : " Though I was not alarmed, 
 it was a serious affair, and an acquaintance with what a fire 
 is and with its necessary accompaniments, does not pass from 
 one's mind without leaving a deep impression. For some time 
 it was very obstinate, and no one could tell whether it would 
 spread or not. Thank God, no lives were lost." The prin- 
 cipal treasures in the State rooms were removed in safety on 
 the announcement of the outbreak. 
 
 The eighth child of her Majesty, and her fourth son, was 
 born at Buckingham Palace on the 7th of April. He was 
 named Leopold George Duncan Albert. 
 
 That royalty is subject to the ordinary ills of humanity was 
 proved early in July, when various members of the Queen's 
 family were attacked with measles. The Prince of Wales 
 was the first sufferer, but he was quickly convalescent ; Prince 
 
132 LIFE AT OSBORNE. 
 
 Albert suffered more virulently ; the Princess Royal and the 
 Princess Alice took the infection mildly, and the Queen also 
 suffered from a very mild attack of the disorder. All happily 
 recovered without any serious consequences ; but the disease 
 was subsequently conveyed by the Queen's visitors to the 
 Courts of Hanover and Belgium. 
 
 Her Majesty held a grand naval review at Spithead on the 
 nth of August, and there were present with her as specta- 
 tors the Prince of Prussia, the Crown Prince and Princess of 
 Wiirtemburg, and three Russian Archduchesses. The sight 
 was splendid, as the noblest vessels in the British fleet passed 
 majestically along, and afterward engaged in mimic warfare. 
 
 Her Majesty's birthday was this year spent at Osborne, 
 and to commemorate the occasion the royal children were 
 presented with the Swiss cottage in the grounds for their 
 own youthful use and behoof. Undeterred by wars and 
 rumors of wars, the young Princes and Princesses enjoyed 
 themselves exceedingly. Each had a flower and vege- 
 table garden, green-houses, hot-houses, and forcing-frames, 
 nurseries, tool-houses, and even a carpenter's shop. All 
 worked at gardening con amore. On this juvenile property 
 there was also a building, the ground floor of which was 
 fitted up as a kitchen, with pantries, closets, dairy, and larder, 
 and the young Princesses might sometimes be seen arrayed 
 a la cuisiniere, floured to the elbows, and deep in the 
 mysteries of pastry-making, or cooking the vegetables from 
 their own gardens, preserving, pickling, baking, etc. The 
 Queen resolved to give all her children a useful training. 
 She further taught them to love and appreciate Nature by 
 keeping up for their benefit a museum of natural history, 
 furnished with curiosities collected by the royal party in their 
 
fw ji I ^ , ' , t V . I .„„ii -if V > 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL LORD KITCHENER, 
 
INTEREST IN WAR NEWS. t^$ 
 
 rambles and researches. The children were taught the 
 structure of animals, plants, and birds. 
 
 A thoroughly friendly alliance having been established be- 
 tween England and France, Prince Albert went over to Paris 
 in September, on a special visit of some days to the Emperor 
 Napoleon. Shortly after his return the Court proceeded to 
 Balmoral, where the news reached it of the victory of the Alma. 
 
 All the interest of the country now centred in the war 
 news, the Queen sharing the feeling of anxiety in all its in- 
 tensity. In October came the ever-memorable charge of the 
 Light Brigade at Balaklava, and on the 5th of November the 
 brilliant but costly victory of Inkermann. Then ensued a 
 disastrous period of mismanagement in the Crimea. Her 
 Majesty thus wrote to Lord Raglan: "The sad privations 
 of the army, the bad weather, and the constant sickness are 
 causes of the deepest concern and anxiety to the Queen and 
 Prince. The braver her noble troops are, the more patiently 
 and heroically they bear all their trials and sufferings, the 
 more miserable we feel at their long continuance. The Queen 
 trusts that Lord Raglan will be very strict in seeing that no 
 unnecessary privations are incurred by any negligence of 
 those whose duty it is to watch over their wants." But the 
 serious blundering and mismanagement continued, and the 
 only light in the gloom was the noble-hearted service r en- 
 dered by Florence Nightingale and the ladies who went out 
 with her to the "East as nurses. 
 
 A Council relating to the Crimean War was held at Wind- 
 sor on the 20th of April. The Queen was present, and took 
 such a profound interest in public affairs that she said it was 
 one of the most interesting scenes she was ever present at, 
 and one which she would not have missed for the world. 
 
136 DISTRIBUTION OF MEDALS. 
 
 A touching scene was witnessed on the 2 1 st of May, in 
 front of the Horse Guards, when her Majesty distributed 
 medals to some of the heroes of the war in the East. Many 
 of these gallant soldiers had been sadly injured and mutilated 
 in their country's cause, and some were so weak that they 
 could scarcely stand to receive the medals. Tears of gratifi- 
 cation stood in their eyes, that they should receive these 
 honorable distinctions from the Queen's own hands. Some 
 of the officers were wheeled past her Majesty in Bath-chairs, 
 and one of these was young Sir Thomas Troubridge, who had 
 had both feet carried off in battle, but who insisted on com- 
 manding his battery to the end, only desiring his limbs to be 
 raised in order to stop the loss of blood. The Queen leaned 
 over Sir Thomas's chair and handed him his medal, telling 
 him that she appointed him one of her aides-de-camp ; where- 
 upon he replied, " I am amply repaid for everything." 
 
 Four of the royal children — Prince Arthur and Prince 
 Leopold, and the Princesses Louise and Alice — were attacked 
 with scarlet fever in the summer. The disease was not very 
 virulent, however, and fortunately did not spread. 
 
 On the 1 8th of August her Majesty, accompanied by Prince 
 Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal, went 
 over to France on a visit to the Emperor and Empress. Never 
 since the infant Henry VI was crowned at Paris in 1422 had 
 an English Sovereign been seen in the beautiful French capi- 
 tal. The Queen's visit was therefore a remarkable event, 
 and it was doubly significant as marking the close of the 
 "natural enmity " which for centuries had exasperated two 
 hostile nations. 
 
 One or two incidents during this visit are especially worthy 
 of mention. In the course of a quiet drive which the Queen 
 
IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL. 1 37 
 
 took with the Emperor, she explained her friendly attitude 
 toward the Orleans family, which it had been said would dis- 
 please the Emperor. She told him that they were her friends 
 and relations, and that she could not abandon them in their 
 adversity, though politics were never touched upon between 
 her and them. The Emperor understood the situation and 
 accepted the explanation. Prince Albert's birthday was cele- 
 brated in the course of the visit, and the Emperor gave him 
 a picture by Meissonier, and the Empress a mounted cup 
 carved in ivory. 
 
 A pleasing international incident occurred in December, 
 1856, when the Queen accepted from the American people 
 the gift of the "Resolute," one of the English ships which 
 went to the North Seas in search of Sir John FrankHn. It 
 had been abandoned in the ice, but had been discovered by 
 an American vessel and conveyed across the Atlantic and 
 refitted. 
 
 On the last day of January, 1856, the Queen opened 
 Parliament in person under auspicious circumstances. Two 
 months later the war in the East was at an end and peace 
 was signed. London and the provinces rejoiced greatly over 
 the event. Though the troops had suffered severely in the 
 Crimea, British pluck had once more triumphed, and, to- 
 gether with her aUies, England had gained the victory over 
 the Russians. But the struggle had been a fierce and deadly 
 one, and peace was everywhere welcomed with enthusiasm. 
 
 The Prince of Prussia had some time before made a pro- 
 posal of marriage for the Princess Royal on behalf of his 
 only son, Prince Frederick William, then twenty-four years 
 of age. As the Princess was only fifteen, the Queen and her 
 husband resolved that the question should not be forced, and 
 
138 MASSACRE AT CAWNPORE. 
 
 that the Princess should see more of the Prince, and deter- 
 mine for herself whether her affections tended in his direc- 
 tion. The young wooer came to Balmoral on a visit, and 
 all-potent love settled the difficulty, as he has done many 
 times before and since. 
 
 The approaching marriage of the Princess Royal having 
 been announced to Parliament, the House of Commons, in a 
 spirit of liberality which was gratifying to her Majesty, voted 
 an annuity of ;^8,ooo to the Princess, and a dowry of 
 ^40,000. 
 
 The Queen's fifth daughter, and last and ninth child, was 
 born at Buckingham Palace on the 14th of April, 1857. The 
 infant Princess received the names of Beatrice Mary Victoria 
 Feodore. 
 
 Prince Albert opened the Fine Arts Exhibition at Man- 
 chester in May; and on the 25th of the following month the 
 Queen formally conferred upon him, by letters-patent, the 
 title of " Prince Consort." It was deemed advisable to take 
 this step in order to ensure the due recognition of the 
 Prince's rank at foreign Courts. 
 
 The stay at Balmoral this season was overshadowed by 
 the terrible news of the mutiny in India, and the massacre at 
 Cawnpore. The intelligence of the dramatic relief of Luck- 
 now alleviated the gloom a little, but the Queen was sorely 
 distressed at the severity of the measures adopted to avenge 
 the native cruelties. The mutiny was happily suppressed, 
 and in the succeeding year Parliament rendered a great 
 service to India herself by placing that vast dependency 
 under the immediate control and government of the Queen. 
 
 On the 25th of January, 1858, the Princess Royal was mar- 
 ried to Prince Frederick William of Prussia, now the Crown 
 
PRINCESS ROYAL MARRIED. I 39 
 
 Prince of Germany. For days before, the ceremony had been 
 the common topic of conversation in society. The Princess 
 was very popular, and the many splendid gifts she received 
 were some slight evidence of this popularity. The marriage 
 was celebrated in the Chapel Royal of St. James's, and all the 
 members of the royal family were present, besides many 
 other illustrious and noble guests. Following the wedding 
 ceremony were numerous elaborate receptions, after which 
 the bride and bridegroom left for Windsor, where they were 
 to spend the honeymoon. 
 
 The day was observed as a general holiday throughout the 
 United Kingdom, and in the evening London was brilliantly 
 illuminated. Only two days after the marriage the Court 
 removed to Windsor, and her Majesty created her royal son- 
 in-law a Knight of the Order of the Garter. On the 29th, 
 the Court and the newly-married couple returned to Buck- 
 ingham Palace. In the evening a State visit was paid to Her 
 Majesty's Theatre, when "The Rivals" and "The Spital- 
 fields' Weaver *' were performed. Addresses of congratula- 
 tion poured in upon the bride and bridegroom. 
 
 The first grandchild of the Queen was born at Berlin on 
 the 27th of January, 1859. The infant Prince's mother was 
 then only nineteen years of age, and his grandmother only 
 forty. At his christening the child had forty-two godfathers 
 and godmothers. 
 
 Parliament was opened by the Queen In person on the 24th 
 of January, and she was accompanied for the first time by the 
 Princesses Alice and Helena. Her Majesty was not so oc- 
 cupied in State matters as to forget art and literature. In 
 the Academy Exhibition this year was Phillips's picture of the 
 " Marriage of the Princess Royal," the Queen's property, and 
 
140 MANY DOMESTIC EVENTS. 
 
 now hunof in the srreat corridor at Windsor Castle. The 
 Queen and Prince were great admirers of Tennyson's new 
 work, the Idylls of the King^ also of " George Eliot's " Adam 
 BcdCy and at Osborne there hangs, as a pendant to a scene 
 from the Faery Qiieene^ a representation of the young squire 
 watching Hetty in the dairy. Another royal link with litera- 
 ture was the appointment of Sir Arthur Helps as Clerk of 
 the Privy Council in June. 
 
 Many domestic events occurred during the year. The 
 Prince of Wales went out to Canada, and had a most suc- 
 cessful progress through the Dominion, with a visit to the 
 American President at Washington. It was arranged that 
 Prince Albert should also visit a distant English colony, and 
 land at the Cape of Good Hope. It was hoped that these 
 visits would strengthen still further the friendly bonds exist- 
 ing between England and her dependencies. In July, a 
 dauo^hter was born to the Prince and Princess Frederick 
 William, at Potsdam, and the infant Princess received the 
 baptismal names of Victoria Elizabeth Augusta Charlotte. 
 
 Prince Louis of Hesse- Darmstadt came over to Engfland 
 in December, and his betrothal to the Princess Alice came 
 about during this visit. A heavy trial was impending over 
 the royal house, though not that supreme sorrow which was 
 also to be experienced before the close of this disastrous year. 
 The Duchess of Kent, now in her seventy-sixth year, was 
 showing alarming symptoms of breaking health. 
 
 On the 15th of March, ** while resting quite happily in her 
 arm-chair,'' the Duchess was seized with a shivering fit, 
 from which serious consequences were apprehended. The 
 Queen, the Prince Consort, and Princess Alice left Buckingham 
 Palace immediately on receiving the information, and reached 
 
A HEAVY TRIAL. I4I 
 
 Frogmore in two hours, which seemed to her Majesty like an 
 age. The Prince Consort first went up to see the Duchess, 
 and when he returned, with tears in his eyes, the Queen knew 
 what to expect. She went up the staircase with a trembHng 
 heart and entered her mother's room. The Queen writes 
 thus in her diary : " I asked the doctors if there was no hope. 
 They said they feared none whatever, for consciousness had 
 left her." 
 
 The Queen remained through the night by the side of the 
 unconscious sufferer. In the morning her husband took her 
 away for a short time, but she soon returned to her vigils. 
 Holdinof the Duchess's hand, she sat down on a footstool and 
 awaited the issue. "I fell on my knees," subsequently 
 wrote her Majesty, " holding the beloved hand, which was 
 still warm and soft, though heavier, in both of mine. I felt 
 the end was fast approaching, as Clark went out to call 
 Albert and Alice, I only left gazing on that beloved face, and 
 feeling as if my heart would break. ... It was a solemn, 
 sacred, never-to-be-forgotten scene. Fainter and fainter 
 grew the breathing; at last it ceased, but there was no 
 change of countenance, nothing ; the eyes closed as they had 
 been for the last half-hour. . . . The clock struck half-past 
 nine at the very moment. Convulsed with sobs, I fell on the 
 hand and covered it with kisses. Albert lifted me up and 
 took me into the next room— himself entirely melted into 
 tears, which is unusual for him — and clasped me in his arms. 
 I asked if all was over ; he said, * Yes.' I went into the 
 room again, after a few minutes, and gave one look. My 
 darling mother was sitting as she had done before, but wag 
 already white. O God ! how awful, how mysterious ! But 
 what a blessed end ! Her gentle spirit at rest, her sufferings 
 
142 "COMFORT MAMMA." 
 
 over." The Prince Consort bade his daughter AHce " com- 
 fort mamma," and the Princess Royal came over from Ger- 
 many with the same fiUal purpose. 
 
 Great respect was shown by the Houses of ParHament and 
 the whole nation to the memory of the deceased. The 
 Duchess bequeathed her property by will to the Queen, and 
 appointed the Prince Consort sole executor. Her remains 
 were interred in the vault beneath St. George's Chapel, 
 Windsor, on the 25th of March. 
 
 There was mourning at Osborne after the death of the 
 Duchess, but more joyous events soon supervened. On re- 
 turning to Buckingham Palace, in April, the Queen announced 
 to the Privy Council the forthcoming marriage of the Princess 
 Alice. Parliament voted a dowry of ;^30,ooo and an annuity 
 of ;,^6,ooo to the Princess. Prince Louis came over at Whit- 
 suntide, and had the misfortune to suffer from measles, 
 which he communicated to Prince Leopold, who suffered 
 severely, and with permanent ill effects. Other visitors in 
 the summer were King Leopold and the Crown Prince and 
 Princess of Prussia, with their children. These were suc- 
 ceeded by the King of Sweden and his son. 
 
 Fortunate for humanity it is that a veil hangs between it 
 and the future. Little did any member of the happy royal 
 party which now journeyed southward imagine that for one 
 of its members, and that the noble and self-sacrificing Prince 
 Consort himself, the last journey had been made to Balmoral, 
 and that the ceremonials at Edinburgh were the last public 
 acts which it was the will of Providence he should perform. 
 
o a 
 
 C.2? 
 
2X>iIt)2lm 11. Deutfd?er Katfcr unb Kontg con pteugctt, 
 William II. Emperor of Germany and King- of Prussia. 
 
TWENTY YEARS 
 
 OF 
 
 FAITHFUL SERVICE. 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 A PROFOUND interest attaches to all the details concern- 
 ing the illness and death of the Prince Consort. Death 
 often strikes waywardly ; it takes those who desire to live ; 
 and leaves those who are ready to die. But in the case of 
 the Prince the great enemy found him ready; he was perfectly 
 prepared for the end. It is stated that not long before his 
 fatal illness he said to the Queen: *T do not cling to life. 
 You do; but I set no store by it. If I knew that those I love 
 were well cared for, I should be quite ready to die to-morrow." 
 It has never been accurately ascertained how the fever under 
 which he sank originated; but it is strongly surmised that the 
 first predisposing cause was the Prince's visit to Sandhurst 
 on the 22nd of November. He went to inspect the buildings 
 for the new Staff College and Military Academy, and as the 
 day was one of incessant rain, he suffered from exposure and 
 fatigue. Next day came news of the distressing death of the 
 young King of Portugal, and other members of his family, 
 from malignant typhoid fever; and this intelligence weighed 
 heavily upon the Prince's spirits. 
 
 On the 24th, which was Sunday, the Prince complained of 
 being full of rheumatic pains. Next morning, although the 
 
 (M5) 
 
146 A ROYAL INVALID. 
 
 weather was cold and stormy, he travelled to Cambridge to 
 visit the Prince of Wales. 
 
 Though very ill, the Prince continued to go out, and wrapped 
 in a fur-lined coat on one occasion he witnessed a review of 
 the Eton College Volunteers. On Sunday, December ist, he 
 walked out on the terrace, and attended service in the chapel, 
 and notwithstanding his weakness he insisted upon "going 
 through all kneeling." Low- fever was next mentioned, and 
 this greatly discomposed her Majesty, especially as she remem- 
 bered the terrible mortality from this cause in the Portuguese 
 royal family. But in speaking of his own illness, the Prince said 
 that it was well it was not fever, " as that, he felt sure, would 
 be fatal to him." Lord Palmerston, who was not one as a 
 rule to take gloomy views, was so alarmed by what he heard 
 at the Castle, that he suggested the calling in of another 
 physician. Dr. Jenner and Sir James Clark, however, reas- 
 sured the Queen with the hope that the fever which was feared 
 might pass off. 
 
 There was now nothing left to do but to wait and hope for 
 the best ; but unfortunately the Prince lost strength daily, and 
 there would sometimes be " a strange wild look " upon his 
 face. He would smile when his pet child. Princess Beatrice, 
 was brought to him, but his most constant companion was the 
 Princess Alice. The Prince had long resisted the entreaties 
 of the medical men that he should undress and go to bed, and 
 when at length he was prevailed upon to do this it was too 
 late. Fever having unmistakably declared itself, knowledge 
 of the unfavorable change could no longer be kept from the 
 Queen, who was almost broken down by her grief. As she 
 expressed it in her diary, she seemed to be constantly living 
 " in a dreadful dream." The sufferer was moved on the 8th 
 
PRINCESS ALICE S FORTITUDE. 1 47 
 
 of December into a more commodious room, and as fate 
 would have it, it was the very room in which both William 
 IV. and George IV. had died. At the Prince's request a 
 piano was brought into the room, and his daughter Alice 
 played two hymns — one of them, "A strong tower is our 
 God." During the playing his eyes were filled with tears. 
 
 The day was Sunday, and in a letter written by a member 
 of the Queen's household shortly after the Prince Consort's 
 death, the following touching passages described the events 
 of the day : " 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 
 afternoon alone with him, while the others were in church. 
 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 chorales. 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. Presendj'-, 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; and 
 when he did not speak, his serene face showed that the 'happy 
 thoughts ' were with him to the end 
 
 "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 hymns and prayers. 
 He could not speak to the Queen of himself, for she could 
 
148 FAILING RAPIDLY. 
 
 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 hymns, 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 Royal Highness 
 has indeed felt that it was her place to be a comfort and sup- 
 port to her mother in this affliction, and to her dutiful care 
 we may perhaps owe it that the Queen has borne her loss 
 with exemplary resignation, and a composure which under so 
 sudden and so terrible a bereavement could not have been 
 anticipated." 
 
 Returning to the last days of the Prince, the illness obtained 
 such hold that Dr. Watson and Sir Henry Holland were called 
 in. While the doctors regarded the case as grave, they by no 
 means thought it hopeless. The great irritability and restless- 
 ness of the Prince, which were characteristic symptoms of the 
 disease, gave way to delight when the Queen was by his side. 
 The patient would tenderly caress her cheek and whisper 
 loving words in German, such as " Dear little wife, good little 
 wife." By the 1 2th of December it became manifest that the 
 fever and the shortness of breathing had increased. There 
 was also a probability of congestion of the lungs, and on the 
 13th Dr. Jenner was compelled to make known to Her 
 Majesty that the illness was very serious. The Prince was 
 wheeled into the next room, according to custom for the last 
 
BEGINNING OF THE END. 149 
 
 few days, but he sat with his hands clasped, gazing abstractedly 
 out of the window. 
 
 Princess Alice now summoned the Prince of Wales from 
 Cambridge on her own responsibility. Next morning, how- 
 ever, Mr. Brown, of Windsor, the medical attendant of the 
 Royal Family for twenty years, told the Queen that he thought 
 the Prince much better, ** and that there was ground to hope 
 the crisis was over." As Mr. Brown knew the Prince's consti- 
 tution well, this news was felt to be very reassuring. Un- 
 fortunately, the apparent improvement proved only to be that 
 brief recovery which frequently comes before the end. As 
 the Queen entered the sick room on the morning of the 14th, 
 she was more than ever struck by the unearthly beauty upon 
 the patient's face. His eyes were dazzlingly bright, but they 
 were fixed on vacancy, and did not notice her entrance. The 
 medical men were now extremely anxious, and to the Queen's 
 inquiry whether she might go out for a breath of air, re- 
 sponded: "Yes, just close by for a quarter of an hour." 
 Going out upon one of the terraces with the Princess Alice, 
 they heard a band playing in the distance, whereupon the 
 Queen burst into tears and returned to the Castle. 
 
 Although Sir James Clark said he had seen a recovery in 
 worse cases, the Queen gave way to despair as she saw the 
 dusky hue stealing over her husband's face. Some hours 
 passed without further change. In the afternoon, after the 
 Prince had been wheeled into the middle of the room, the 
 Queen went up to him and saw with dismay that his life was 
 fast ebbing away. The sufferer ejaculated in German his last 
 loving words : **Good little wife," kissed her, and with a moan- 
 ing sigh laid his head upon her shoulder. He dozed and 
 wandered, speaking French sometimes. All his children who 
 9 
 
150 THE CHAMBER OF DEATH. 
 
 were in England came into the room, and one after the other 
 took his hand, Prince Arthur kissing it as he did so, but the 
 Prince made no sign of knowing them. He roused himself 
 and asked for his private secretary, but again slept. Three 
 of the gentlemen of the household, who had been much about 
 the Prince's person, came up to him and kissed his hand with- 
 out attracting his attention. All of them were overcome; 
 only she who sat in her place by his side was quiet and still. 
 So long as enough air passed through the laboring lungs the 
 doctors would not relinquish the last grain of hope. Even 
 when the Queen found the Prince bathed in the death-sweat, 
 so near do life and death still run, that the attendant medical 
 man ventured to say it might be an effort of nature to throw 
 off the fever. 
 
 But the last hope was at length abandoned. Not long be- 
 fore the end came the Queen bent over her husband and said 
 in German : " It is your little wife." The dying man recog- 
 nized the voice, and answered by bowing his head and kissing 
 the Queen. The sands of life were now rapidly running out. 
 The Queen retired into the next room to weep, but she was 
 soon sent for again into the chamber of death. She knelt by 
 her husband's side, holding his hand, their children also kneel- 
 ing around ; while the Queen's nephew, Prince Ernest 
 Leiningen, the gentlemen of the Prince's suite, General Bruce, 
 General Grey, Sir Charles Phipps, the Dean of Windsor and 
 the Prince's favorite German valet, Lohlein, reverently 
 watched for the end. The Prince died at a quarter to eleven 
 o'clock, thus passing, in his forty-third year, to " where beyond 
 these voices there is peace." 
 
 The great bell of St. Paul's tolled at midnight, spreading 
 the mournful news over the vast city. Early on the following 
 
PRINCE LEOPOLDS GRIEF. I5I 
 
 day, which was Sunday, the sad intelligence was flashed by 
 telegraph to all parts of the Empire. In the churches the 
 omission of the Prince Consort's name from the Litany told 
 many for the first time of the calamity which had fallen upon 
 the nation. There was not a house in the land that was not 
 saddened by the news, while the hearts of all the people went 
 out to the Queen, who was thus made "a widow at forty- 
 two." There had seemed such a long period of married 
 happiness still in store for her, and now all was over. The 
 sorrow which continued to be expressed recalled in its in- 
 tensity the national mourning for the Princess Charlotte. 
 "All diversities of social rank and feeling were united in one 
 spontaneous manifestation of sympathy with the widowed 
 Queen and the bereaved family ; for the loss of the husband 
 and father was instinctively felt to be as grievous to the most 
 exalted rank as to the humblest. The highest family in the 
 realm had lost, indeed, with scarce a warning or a presenti- 
 ment of woe, the manly soul, the warm heart, the steady 
 judgment, the fertile mind, the tender voice and the firm hand 
 that for twenty-one years had led and guided and cheered 
 them through the trials and dangers inseparable from theirs, 
 as from every position. Through a period of many trials he 
 had been the dearest friend and most devoted servant of his 
 Sovereign ; while it was known to her subjects that her 
 Majesty fully valued the blessing of the love and care of so 
 good and so wise a husband and companion." 
 
 The news of her father's death was communicated to the 
 Princess Royal at Berlin ; and it was also conveyed to Prince 
 Leopold at Cannes under specially painful and melancholy 
 circumstances. The young Prince was in great grief over the 
 death of his governor, General Bowater, who had just expired 
 
152 A BROKEN-HEARTED QUEEN. 
 
 in a chamber next to that of his Royal Highness, when a 
 telegram came announcing the still more crushing calamity 
 of the Prince Consort's death. The message was directed 
 to the dead general. When it was opened it was found to 
 contain the dreadful tidings: " Prince Albert is dead!" The 
 anguish of Prince Leopold knew no bounds, and he called out 
 in his desolation: "My mother! I must go to my mother." 
 The child's sobs and tears were most touching, as he ex- 
 claimed in his grief: '• My mother will bring him back again. 
 Oh! I want my mother ! " 
 
 At Windsor there was great solicitude for the Queen and 
 the Princess Alice. For three days they suffered terribly, 
 and her Majesty's weakness was so great that her pulse could 
 scarcely be felt. The Princess afterwards said that she wond- 
 ered how her mother and herself had lived through these first 
 bitter days. The Queen "spoke constantly about God's 
 knowing best, but showed herself broken-hearted." At 
 length the country was relieved on learning that exhausted 
 nature had somewhat recovered itself, and that the Queen 
 had slept. 
 
 Her Majesty was again and again urged to leave Windsor 
 before the funeral, but she wept bitterly, and said her subjects 
 were never advised to leave their homes or the remains of 
 those lost to them. It was only when the safety of her children 
 was pleaded as a means of giving them immunity from the 
 fever, that she was prevailed upon to leave Windsor and 
 repair to Osborne. Attired in her deep widow's mourning, 
 she set out in the strictest privacy, accompanied only by the 
 Prince of Wales and the Princesses Alice and Helena. But 
 before going to her desolate home in the Isle of Wight, her 
 Majesty visited Frogmore to choose a site for a mausoleum, 
 
FUNERAL AT WINDSOR. I 53 
 
 where her husband and herself were yet to lie side by side. 
 Leaninor on the arm of the Princess Alice, she walked round 
 the gardens, and selected the spot for the ultimate and final 
 reception of the Prince's remains. Then she left for Osborne. 
 
 The funeral took place at Windsor on the 23rd of December. 
 The service was held in St. George's Chapel, where had 
 assembled the company who had received commands to be 
 present at the ceremony, including the Ministers of the Cabi- 
 net, the foreign ambassadors, the officers of the household, 
 and representatives of the nobility, and the higher clergy. 
 The Knights of the Garter were in their stalls, and represen- 
 tatives were present of all the foreign States connected by 
 blood or marriage with the late Prince. The chief mourner 
 was the Prince of Wales, who was supported by his brother 
 Arthur, a boy of eleven. There were also present the Duke 
 of Saxe-Coburg, the Prince's brother, the Crown Prince of 
 Prussia, the sons of the King of the Belgians, Prince Louis of 
 Hesse, Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Count Gleichen, the 
 Due de Nemours, and the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh. 
 
 When the coffin arrived, bouquets from Osborne were 
 placed upon it. One bouquet of violets, with a white camellia 
 in the centre, was from the Queen. At the head of the coffin 
 stood the Prince of Wales, with his brother and uncle, the 
 Lord Chamberlain being at the foot, and the other mourners 
 grouped "around. The service was taken by the Dean of 
 Windsor. The grief of the yqung Princes for their father, 
 as well as that of the Duke of Saxe-Coburor for his beloved 
 brother, greatly moved the spectators. The Prince of Wales, 
 himself overcome, spoke a few soothing words to his little 
 brother, and for a short time both seemed comforted. As the 
 body was committed to its resting-place in the vault, a guard 
 
154 LAST SAD RITES 
 
 of honor of the Grenadier Guards, of which the Prince Con- 
 sort had been colonel, presented arms, and minute-guns were 
 fired at intervals by Horse Artillery in the Long Walk. The 
 Thirty-ninth Psalm, Luther's Hymn, and two chorales were 
 sung during the funeral service and while the coffin was 
 uncovered and lowered in the grave. 
 
 During the last moments the spectacle was very touching. 
 The two Princes hid their faces and sobbed bitterly, and 
 almost every other person present was overcome by his 
 emotion. It was a solemn period when the coffin began 
 slowly to sink into the vault ; the half-stifled sobs of the 
 mourners were audible from all parts of the choir. The 
 silence could almost be felt as the coffin gradually descended 
 and finally disappeared from view. The service being con- 
 cluded. Garter King-at-Arms advanced to the head of the 
 vault, and proclaimed the style and titles of the deceased 
 Prince. When he came to the prayer for her Majesty, for 
 the first time during her reign the word "happiness" was 
 left out, and only the blessings of "life and honor" were 
 besought for her. As the strains of the Dead March in Saul 
 pealed forth, the mourners advanced to take a last look into the 
 deep vault. The Prince of Wales approached first, and stood 
 for one brief moment with hands clasped, looking down; then 
 all his fortitude suddenly deserted him, and bursting into a 
 flood of tears, he hid his face, and was led away by the Lord 
 Chamberlain. Prince Arthur now seemed more composed 
 than his elder brother; it seemed as though his unrestrained 
 grief had exhausted itself in tears and sobs. Heartfelt sorrow 
 was depicted on the face of every mourner, as one by one 
 they slowly left the side of the vault. 
 
MOURNING FOR THE PRINCE 155 
 
 Throughout the country there was long and genuine mourn- 
 ing for the "blameless Prince." 
 
 This is not the place in which to attempt an exhaustive 
 estimate of the character of the Prince Consort. But it has 
 been well remarked that his influence for good, alike in the 
 affairs of State, over public morals, and over the sentiments and 
 conduct of private life; his interest in the arts, in the sciences, 
 and in those manufactures into which art and science enter as 
 vivifying forces, were ever alive, ever present, and ever most 
 beneficially exerted. He was wise and temperate in his 
 judgment of public events ; and he influenced the counsels 
 of a great nation in its relations with foreign States by a love 
 of order united with an equal love of freedom. In private 
 life he was deservedly beloved. While the Sovereign 
 mourned the counsellor, the wife sorrowed for the tender 
 and affectionate husband ; and the children who had profited 
 so much by his love and guidance, have since risen up to "call 
 his memory blessed." No man could well exchange worlds 
 under happier conditions. 
 
EARLY YEARS OF 
 
 THE 
 
 QUEEN'S WIDOWHOOD. 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING the cheering sympathy of the 
 Princess of Hohenlohe and the King of the Belgians 
 — who came over to Osborne on a mission of consolation — 
 the daily sense of her loss pressed heavily upon the Queen. 
 "There is no one near me to call me 'Victoria' now!" she is 
 said to have exclaimed on the morning after her bereavement, 
 and this touching expression strongly illustrates her great 
 loneliness. 
 
 In February, the Queen took leave of the Prince of Wales, 
 who went on a lengthened tour in the East, accompanied by 
 Dean Stanley and General Bruce. Gradually the Sovereign 
 began to evince a renewed interest in 3tate affairs, and the 
 Princess Alice was made the great medium of communication 
 between her and her Ministers. On the ist of May the 
 International Exhibition was opened, amid much pomp and 
 ceremony. 
 
 The remains of the lamented Prince Consort were removed 
 on the 1 8th of December from the vault beneath St. George's 
 Chapel to the noble mausoleum prepared for them by the 
 Queen and the royal children at Frogmore. This memorial 
 edifice stands in Frogmore Park. It is cruciform in plan, 
 (156) 
 
MAUSOLEUMS AT FROGMORE. 157 
 
 with a cell In the crossing, and the arms directed towards the 
 cardinal points. The cell Is lighted by three semicircular 
 windows In the clerestory. It is decorated externally with 
 polished shafts of Aberdeen granite ; the roof Is of copper, 
 octagonal In plan, with a square tower, surmounted by a gilt 
 cross. The transepts are square In plan, lighted by a clere- 
 story to correspond with the cell. The whole exterior of the 
 mausoleum is faced with Aberdeen and Guernsey granite, and 
 with different colored building stones ; the Interior Is also 
 faced with variously-colored marbles and stones, and ^s 
 decorated with statues. Beneath the dome of the cell is 
 placed the sarcophagus of the Prince, upon which rests a 
 recumbent figure of the deceased by Baron Marochettl. The 
 ceremonial observed on the removal of the Prince's body was 
 strictly private. The coffin was placed in a hearse, and the 
 Prince of Wales and his brothers and Prince Louis of Hesse 
 followed as mourners. After a brief appropriate service, the 
 coffin was placed in the sarcophagus. The Princes then 
 arranged upon it the wreaths of flowers which their sisters 
 had woven with their own hands " to rest over the breast of 
 the fondest and noblest of fathers." 
 
 On one of the closing days of this year the Duchess of 
 Sutherland presented to the Queen a sumptuously bound 
 Bible, the gift of "loyal English widows." Her Majesty 
 returned the followlnof beautiful letter of thanks for this offer- 
 ing: "My dearest Duchess, — I am deeply touched by the gift 
 of a Bible 'from many widows,' and by the very kind and 
 affectionate address which accompanied It Pray ex- 
 press to all these kind sister-widows the deep and heartfelt 
 gratitude of their widowed Queen, who can never feel grate- 
 
158 ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE ELECT. 
 
 ful enough for the universal sympathy she has received, and 
 continues to receive, from her loyal and devoted subjects." 
 
 London, and indeed the whole of England, was alive with 
 pleasurable excitement on the 7th of March, when the Princess 
 Alexandra, "Sea-kings' daughter from over the sea," arrived 
 off Gravesend as the bride-elect of the heir to the British 
 Crown, She was accompanied by her father, mother, brother, 
 and sister, and was met by the Prince of Wales, who drove 
 with her throuofh the streets of London amid the cheers of an 
 enthusiastic crowd. 
 
 The wedding took place in St. George's Chapel on the 
 loth of March. The Queen was present in the royal closet,, 
 in widow's weeds, but she took no part in the brilliant cere- 
 monial. All the members of the Royal Family attended, and 
 the general company included many illustrious and distin- 
 guished personages. The Prince of Wales wore a full 
 general's uniform, with the stars of the Garter and the Indian 
 Order, and the ribbon and band of the Golden Fleece round 
 his neck. Over his uniform was the mantle of the Garter. 
 
 After the ceremony, the bride and bridegroom returned to 
 the Castle, alighting at the grand entrance, where they were 
 received by the Queen. The marriage was attested in the 
 White Room, and then the wedding-breakfast was served in 
 the dining-room to the royal guests, and in St. George's Hall 
 to the diplomatic corps, &c. The Prince and Princess of 
 Wales subsequently left Windsor for Osborne, to spend their 
 honeymoon. London and all the large towns were brilliantly 
 illuminated in the evening, and the rejoicings over this happy 
 event were kept up for some days. The crowds were so 
 dense in the City to witness the illuminations, that six persons 
 were crushed or trodden to death, and this melancholy circum- 
 
STATUE OF PRINCE CONSORT. 1 59 
 
 Stance drew a very sympathetic letter from the Prince of Wales 
 addressed to the Lord Mayor. Marlborough House was 
 selected as the town residence of the bride and bridegroom, 
 and Sandringham as their country house. 
 
 Early in October the Queen went to Aberdeen to unveil 
 the statue of the Prince Consort. She has left on record how 
 terribly nervous she was, and that she longed not to have to 
 go through the ordeal. Her Majesty was accompanied by 
 the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia, Prince and Princess 
 Louis of Hesse, Princesses Helena and Louise, and Princes 
 Arthur and Leopold. The day was very wet. There was a 
 long, sad, and melancholy procession through the crowded 
 streets of Aberdeen, where all were kindly, but all were silent. 
 The Queen trembled during the ceremony, which was the first 
 she had attended in public since her husband's death. An 
 address was presented, and her Majesty knighted the Provost, 
 a reply being afterwards forwarded to the address. The 
 Prince's statue, by Marochetti, was considered to be very 
 faithful and lifelike. After it had been unveiled, the Queen, 
 who appeared much depressed, scanned it for some time 
 narrowly. 
 
 On the 14th of December, the anniversary of the Prince's 
 death, the Queen, accompanied by all the members of the 
 Royal Family, proceeded at an early hour from Windsor 
 Castle to the Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore, where a devo- 
 tional service was held. This has since been observed as an 
 annual custom, and all the members of the household, includ- 
 ing the servants, are likewise permitted to pay their tribute 
 of love and respect to the memory of the Prince. This 
 wonderfully beautiful tomb, as the Princess Alice described 
 it, with all its elaborate decorations, was erected at the cost 
 
l60 "THE LITTLE STRANGER." 
 
 of Upwards of ;^20o,ooo, which was entirely defrayed from 
 her Majesty's privy purse. 
 
 A joyful but unexpected event occurred at Frogmore on 
 the 8th of January, 1864, when the Princess of Wales was 
 prematurely confined of a son, Prince Albert Victor. There 
 was no nurse in attendance, and no preparation had been 
 made for the advent of "the little stranger," who had not been 
 expected until March. The Queen was immediately apprised 
 of the happy news of the birth of a direct heir to the Crown. 
 The Prince was christened at Buckingham Palace on the first 
 anniversary of his parent's marriage. The Princess of Wales 
 made a speedy recovery, and congratulations poured in upon 
 the Prince and Princess, and also upon the Queen, on the birth 
 of the infant Prince. 
 
 When England was startled by the sad news of the assas- 
 sination of Abraham Lincoln, the Queen wrote with her own 
 hand a touchingf letter of condolence to the widow of the late 
 President. 
 
 On the 8th of August the Queen left England on a visit to 
 Germany, accompanied by Prince Leopold and the Princesses 
 Helena, Louise, and Beatrice. The illustrious party embarked 
 at the Royal Arsenal pier on board the steam yacht Alberta, 
 under the command of Prince Leiningen. The birthday of 
 the Prince Consort was celebrated by the inauguration of a 
 costly monument to his memory at Coburg. It took the shape 
 of a gilt bronze statue, ten feet high, which was unveiled in 
 the public square of the town. On the conclusion of the cere- 
 mony, the Queen, accompanied by her children, walked across 
 the square, and handed to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg a large 
 bouquet of flowers, which he laid on the pedestal. All the 
 children did the same, until the flowers rose to the feet of the 
 
THE DECEASED KING. l6l 
 
 Statue. Princess Alice writes of the " terrible sufferings " of 
 the first three years of the Queen's widowhood, but adds that 
 after the long storm came rest, so that the daughter could 
 tenderly remind the mother, without reopening the wound, of 
 the happy silver wedding which might have been this year, 
 when the royal parents would have been surrounded by so 
 many grandchildren in fresh young households. The royal 
 family returned from Germany in September, visiting King 
 Leopold at Ostend on the journey. 
 
 The year 1865 closed with great personal loss to the Queen. 
 On the 9th of December her Majesty's uncle, King Leopold, 
 passed away at the age of seventy-six. In the deceased King, 
 Queen Victoria not only mourned a dear relative, but a faith- 
 ful friend and counsellor — one whose sympathy and advice 
 had been constant and unfailing ever since she ascended the 
 throne. 
 
TWENTY YEARS 
 
 OF 
 
 FAITHFUL SERVICES. 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE earliest occasion on which her Majesty attended any 
 State ceremony after the death of the Prince Consort, 
 was on the 6th of February, 1866, when she opened the first 
 session of her seventh Parliament. The event attracted much 
 attention, and gave great satisfaction. Enthusiastic crowds 
 lined the whole route of the procession to the Houses of 
 Parliament. In the House of Lords the scene was one of 
 great splendor, peers and peeresses being resplendent in 
 their robes and jewels. After prayers had been read by the 
 Bishop of Ely, at a signal from the Usher of the Black Rod 
 the whole assembly rose en masse — peers, peeresses, bishops, 
 judges, and the foreign ambassadors— to receive the Prince 
 and Princess of Wales. The Princess was escorted to the 
 place of honor on the woolsack, immediately fronting the 
 throne. Shortly afterwards the whole assembly rose again ; 
 the door to the right of the throne was flung open, and the 
 Queen entered, preceded by the State officials. Her Majesty, 
 who was attired in half-mourning, walked with slow steps to 
 the throne, stopping on the way to shake hands with the 
 Princess of Wales. The Queen wore a deep purple velvet 
 robe trimmed with a white miniver, and a white lace cap a la 
 Marie Stuart ; around her neck was a collar of brilliants, and 
 over her breast the blue riband of the Order of the Garter. 
 During the proceedings and the reading of the royal speech 
 (162) 
 
TWO ROYAL MARRIAGES. 1 63 
 
 the Queen sat silent and motionless, with her eyes fixed upon 
 the ground. She appeared wrapt in contemplation, and was 
 doubtless moved by reminiscences of the time when she stood, 
 proud and happy, with her husband by her side, and took an 
 active part in this august ceremony. 
 
 Two marriages were celebrated in the royal circle in 1866. 
 The first was that of the Princess Mary of Cambridge to Prince 
 Teck, which took place at the village church of Kew on the 
 1 2th of June. The Queen was present, and looked remark- 
 ably well, but it was noticed that she was attired in mourning 
 so deep that not even a speck of white relieved the sombre- 
 ness. On the 5th of July her Majesty's third daughter, the 
 Princess Helena, was married in St. George's Chapel, Wind- 
 sor Castle, to Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, the 
 bride being in her twenty^first and the bridegroom in his 
 thirty-sixth year. The Princess was accompanied to the altar 
 by her mother and the Prince of Wales, and the Queen gave 
 her daughter away. 
 
 The war in Germany this year saw the husbands of two of 
 the Queen's daughters ranged on opposite sides. During the 
 progress of the war in the immediate vicinity of Darmstadt, 
 the third daughter of Princess Alice was born. The mother 
 was deeply concerned for her husband In the field, but even- 
 tually he was restored to her in safety. Austria was utterly 
 .worsted in the conflict, and Prussia ultimately annexed Han- 
 over and Hesse-Cassel, as the spoils of victory. 
 
 The Queen again came forth from her seclusion in February, 
 1867, when she once more opened Parliament in person. The 
 Reform question was the all-absorbing one occupying the 
 public attention, and before the session closed the Conserva- 
 
164 AN AFFECTIONATE TRIBUTE. 
 
 live Government succeeded in carrying- a measure which 
 provided for a large extension of the suffrage. 
 
 In the course of the year there appeared the interesting 
 work entitled, The Early Years of H. R. H. the Prince Consort 
 In this book the Queen pays an affectionate tribute to the 
 virtue and character of her deceased husband, and the biogra- 
 phy contains much material furnished directly by the Sovereign 
 herself. *' No homage which the Queen has paid to her 
 husband's memory is more expressive than the humility and 
 simple confidence with which she has in these pages trusted 
 to the world particulars relating to herself. The candor with 
 which she has published the events that led to their engage- 
 ment, and their feelings and impressions, is not more striking 
 than the assiduous self-denial which causes the interest always 
 to centre in the Prince. The Queen is kept out of sight 
 whenever her presence is not required to illustrate his life." 
 What the book gives is " not merely the privilege of over- 
 hearing the tale of love and grief, whispered by a mother to 
 her children, but a great argument of history, a resolute 
 attempt to make the nation understand the most illustrious 
 character the Royal Family has possessed since the accession 
 of the dynasty. To accomplish this high purpose, the Queen 
 has not shrunk from the sacrifices which men seldom make, 
 and monarch's never." 
 I In June the Queen of Prussia arrived at Windsor Castle on 
 J a visit to the Queen ; and in the following month the Sultan 
 was also hospitably housed for a time at the Castle. His 
 Majesty was made the centre of a round of gaieties and 
 celebrations at the Crystal Palace and elsewhere; but a grand 
 naval review, at which he was present, off Spithead, was spoiled 
 by tempestuous weather. The Sultan left England much 
 
AT HOME AND ABROAD. 1 65 
 
 impressed by his visit. On the day before his departure from 
 Buckingham Palace, the Queen received at Osbone another 
 illustrious visitor in the person of the Empress of France. 
 
 Her Majesty left England on a visit to Switzerland in 
 August, travelling incognita as the Countess of Kent; enroute 
 slie stayed for a day at the English Embassy, Paris, where she 
 received the Empress Eugenie. 
 
 The Queen visited the City of London on the 6th of Novem- 
 ber, 1869, for the purpose of opening the new bridge over the 
 Thames at Blackfriars, and the new viaduct over the Fleet 
 Valley from Holborn Hill to Newgate Street. The citizens 
 of London gave a warm welcome to their Sovereign after her 
 prolonged absence from their midst. 
 
 The year 1870 was an eventful one upon the Continent. 
 The war between France and Germany — in which the Queen's 
 sons-in-law, the Crown Prince of Prussia and Prince Louis of 
 Hesse were engaged — led to the re-making of the map of 
 Europe so far as France and Germany were concerned; and 
 as one result of the deadly struggle, the Emperor and Empress 
 of France were driven into exile. Under changed and 
 melancholy conditions Queen Victoria visited the Empress 
 Eugenie at Chislehurst towards the close of the year. 
 
 The visit to Balmoral in the autumn of 1870 was marked 
 by a happy incident. On the 3rd of October the Princess 
 Louise became engaged to the Marquis of Lome, eldest son 
 of the Duke of Argyll. 
 
 The marriage of the Princess Louise to the Marquis of 
 Lome was solemnized at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, on 
 the 2 1 St of March. The ceremony was distinguished by 
 much pomp. The Duke of Argyll attracted special attention 
 when he appeared in " the garb of old Gaul," with kilt, phili- 
 
1 66 ROYAL ALBERT HALL. 
 
 beg, Sporran, and claymore complete. The bridegroom, who 
 was supported by Earl Percy and Lord Ronald Gower, looked 
 pale and nervous. All the members of the Royal Family were 
 present. The bride was supported on the right by the Queen, 
 and on the other side by the Prince of Wales and the Duke 
 of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The bridesmaids were dressed 
 in white satin decorated with red camellias, with long- and 
 drooping leaves ; and the bride wore a white satin robe, with 
 a tunic of Honiton lace of ingenious and graceful design. In 
 this tunic were bouquets composed of the rose, the shamrock, 
 and the thistle, linked together by a floral chain, from which 
 hung bouquets of various flowers. The veil, which was of 
 Honiton lace, was worked from a sketch made by the Princess 
 Louise herself. When the Bishop of London put the usual 
 question as to the giving away of the bride, the Queen replied 
 by a gesture, and then the bishop joined the hands of the 
 young couple. At the close of the ceremony the Queen 
 lovingly embraced her daughter. The bride and bridegroom 
 left Windsor for Claremont, to spend the honeymoon. For 
 their London residence, rooms were allotted to them in 
 Kensington Palace. 
 
 Her Majesty opened the Royal Albert Hall on the 29th of 
 March, in the presence of the members of the Royal Family, 
 the chief officers of State, and a large and distinguished assem- 
 bly, consisting of some 8,000 persons. On the entrance of the 
 Queen the whole audience rose to receive her, and remained 
 standing while the National Anthem was performed. At its 
 conclusion the Prince of Wales read an address to her Majesty. 
 The Queen handed to the Prince a written answer, and said in 
 a clear voice : " I wish to express my great admiration of this 
 beautiful hall, and my earnest wishes for its complete success." 
 
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ILL. 1 67 
 
 A prayer was offered by the Bishop of London, and then the 
 Prince exclaimed : " The Queen declares this hall to be now 
 opened." The announcement was followed by a burst of 
 cheering, the National Anthem, and the discharge of the park 
 guns. The opening was celebrated by a concert, under the 
 direction of Sir Michael Costa, who composed a cantata ex- 
 pressly for the occasion. The cost of the hall was estimated 
 at ^200,000, and — what is probably unique in the history of 
 public building — this cost was not exceeded. 
 
 Early in April, the Queen, accompanied by Prince Leopold, 
 paid a visit to the Emperor Napoleon and the Empress 
 Eugenie at Chislehurst. The Emperor was suffering greatly 
 both in mind and body, but he was much touched by this 
 manifestation of friendship. 
 
 The Queen did not return from her usual visit to Balmoral 
 until a late period this autumn, and when she reached Wind- 
 sor, she was met by the disturbing news that a feverish attack 
 from which the Prince of Wales had for some time been 
 suffering, had assumed a grave aspect. The news of the 
 Prince's illness created profound sorrow and solicitude 
 throughout the United Kingdom. As the fever continued 
 to run its course for some days without any alarming symp- 
 toms, her Majesty returned to Windsor; but on the 8th of 
 December a very serious relapse occurred. The life of his 
 Royal Highness was in imminent danger, and the Queen and 
 all the members of the Royal Family hurried to Sandringham. 
 For some days the whole nation was plunged into gloom, and 
 the excitement respecting the daily bulletins was intense. 
 By the Queen's desire, special prayers were used in all 
 churches and chapels of the Establishment. Prayers also 
 went up from the Jewish synagogues and from Catholic and 
 
1 68 LETTER TO HER PEOPLE. 
 
 Dissenting churches. The national anxiety and suspense 
 were continued until the night of December 14th — the anni- 
 versary of the Prince Consort's death — when there was a 
 slight amelioration of the worst symptoms, and the invalid 
 obtained long-needed and refreshing sleep. From that day 
 forward the Prince continued gradually to recover. The 
 Queen returned to Windsor on the 19th of December, and 
 on the 26th she wrote the following letter to her people: 
 **The Queen is very anxious to express her deep sense of the 
 touching sympathy of the whole nation on the occasion of the 
 alarming illness of her dear son, the Prince of Wales. The 
 universal feeling shown by her people during those painful, 
 terrible days, and the sympathy evinced by them with herself 
 and her beloved daughter, the Princess of Wales, as well as 
 the general joy at the improvement of the Prince of Wales's 
 state, have made a deep and lasting impression on her heart, 
 which can never be effaced. It was indeed nothinpf new to 
 her, for the Queen had met with the same sympathy when, 
 just ten years ago, a similar illness removed from her side 
 the mainstay of her life, the best, wisest, and kindest of hus- 
 bands. The Queen wishes to express at the same time, on 
 the part of the Princess of Wales, her feelings of heartfelt 
 gratitude, for she has been as deeply touched as the Queen 
 by the great and universal manifestation of loyalty and sym- 
 pathy. The Queen cannot conclude without expressing her 
 hope that her faithful subjects will continue their prayers to 
 God for the complete recovery of her dear son to health and 
 strength." 
 
 The 27th of February, 1872, was observed as a day of 
 national thanksgiving for the Prince's recovery. A more 
 
CHANGEFUL YEARS. 1 69 
 
 joyous and successful celebration was never witnessed in 
 London. 
 
 In July, the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, 
 the Princesses Louise and Beatrice, and Prince Leopold, 
 visited the national memorial erected in Hyde Park to the 
 memory of the Prince Consort. This magnificent and costly 
 monument was then complete, save for the statue of the Prince, 
 which was to be executed by Mr. Foley, and to form the cen- 
 tral and principal figure. The structure, which is very elaborate 
 in all its parts, reaches to a height of 1 80 feet, and terminates 
 in a graceful cross. 
 
 Before the month closed her Majesty received intelligence 
 of the death of her beloved sister, the Dowager Princess of 
 Hohenlohe Langenburg, who expired at Baden-Baden. There 
 was ever a warm attachment between the two illustrious ladies, 
 and the Princess was deeply mourned, not only by the Queen, 
 but by a wide circle. The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince 
 Arthur went over to Germany to the funeral, at which also 
 were present the Emperor of Germany and the Prince and 
 Princess Louis of Hesse. 
 
 A strange and chequered career came to a close in January, 
 1873, when the Emperor Napoleon died after much physical 
 suffering at Chislehurst. Messages of sympathy with the 
 Empress Eugenie and the Prince Imperial were sent by the 
 Queen and various European Sovereigns. 
 
 On the 23rd of January, 1874, the Duke of Edinburgh was 
 married to the Grand Duchess Marie of Russia, the ceremony 
 taking place in the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg. In the 
 succeeding March the royai couple made a public entry into 
 London. A heavy snow storm somewhat marred the proceed- 
 ings, but the Queen, with the Duchess and the Duke of Edin- 
 
170 EMPRESS OF INDIA. 
 
 burgh and Princess Beatrice, drove through the streets of the 
 metropolis in an open carriage. On arriving at Buckingham 
 Palace, the newly wedded couple met with an ovation from a 
 large crowd of persons who had assembled in front of the 
 palace. 
 
 Many distinguished men who had been personally honored 
 by the Queen, passed away in this and the following year. 
 The mournful death-list included Bishop Wilberforce, Sir E. 
 Landseer, Charles Kingsley, W. C. Macready, and her 
 Majesty's literary adviser and clerk of the Council, Sir 
 Arthur Helps. 
 
 It had been announced that the Queen would open Parlia- 
 ment in person in February, 1875, but the alarming illness of 
 her youngest son. Prince Leopold, prevented her from carry- 
 ing out her design. The Prince had been seized with typhoid 
 fever during the Christmas vacation at Osborne, and for a 
 long time a fatal termination was feared to his illness. Hap- 
 pily, however, he eventually recovered. As the Princess Alice 
 said, he had already been given back three times to his family 
 from the brink of the grave. 
 
 In October the Prince of Wales left Engrland for a length- 
 ened tour through her Majesty's Indian dominions. He met 
 with a grand reception in Bombay, and his birthday was kept 
 in India. The Prince visited the chief wonders of India, in- 
 cluding the caves of Elephanta. There was an elephant hunt 
 in Ceylon, and an illumination of the surf Colombo, Bom- 
 bay, Baroda, Calcutta, and Madras were all visited. The tour 
 was in every respect a perfect success, and created a most 
 favorable impression amongst the Queen's Indian subjects. In 
 the following year the Royal Titles Bill was passed, and her 
 Majesty was proclaimed Empress of India. 
 
ALBERT MEMORIAL. I7I 
 
 The Albert Memorial at Edinburgh was unveiled by the 
 Queen with great ceremony on the 17th of August, 1876. 
 The Memorial, which is in Charlotte Square, consists of a 
 colossal equestrian statue of the Prince Consort, in field- 
 marshal's uniform and bareheaded, standing on a pedestal, 
 at the four corners of which are groups of figures looking up 
 
 to the central figure. 
 
 A severe gap was made in the Royal Family in December 
 by the death of the lamented Princess Alice. Some time 
 before, diphtheria had broken out in the Darmstadt house- 
 hold, and every member of it had been attacked in succession. 
 Princess Marie, who was only four years old, died in Novem- 
 ber. The Princess caught the infection as the result of her 
 devoted attention to others, and from having on one occasion 
 rested her head, from sheer sorrow, on the Duke's pillow. 
 
 Few princesses have been more warmly beloved than the 
 Princess Alice. The remains of the Princess were interred 
 in the mausoleum at Rosenhohe, on May 18, the Prince of 
 Wales, Prince Leopold, and Prince Christian being amongst 
 the mourners. A beautiful recumbent figure in white marble 
 of the Princess, in which she is represented as clasping her 
 infant daughter to her breast, has been placed near the tomb, 
 as a token of the loving remembrance of her brothers and 
 sisters. The Queen issued a letter to her subjects express- 
 ing her heartfelt thanks for the universal sympathy called 
 forth by the death of her beloved daughter. 
 
 The following year, the Duke of Connaught was married 
 to the Princess Louise of Prussia, at St. George's, Windsor. 
 
 A great trial befell her Majesty in 1884, hy the untoward 
 death of her youngest son, the Duke of Albany. From his 
 childhood the Prince had been of delicate health. Alike from 
 
172 DUKE ALBANY DIES. 
 
 inclination and necessity, he had always been given to studi- 
 ous pursuits. As he reached manhood he was not only profi- 
 cient in music and painting, but developed strong literary 
 tastes. He had an excellent and refined judgment, and had 
 gathered copious stores of book learning. He lived a com- 
 paratively retired life, suffering much from a constitutional j 
 weakness in the joints, and from a dangerous tendency to ■ 
 hemorrhage, which rendered the most extreme care neces- 
 sary. On several occasions his life was in danger from sud- 
 den and severe fits of indisposition. His intellectual gifts, 
 combined with his ill-health, rendered him an object of pride 
 as well as of solicitude to the other members of the Royal 
 Family. Towards the close of his existence he seemed, by 
 the interest he took in literature and science, and the graceful 
 public speeches which he delivered, about to take the place 
 once held by his honored father. He had a happy marriage, 
 and in 1883 a daughter was born to him, to whom was given 
 the name of his beloved and revered sister, Alice. 
 
 The career of this much-esteemed Prince, however, was 
 prematurely cut short. In March, 1884, he went to Cannes 
 to avoid the inclement east winds, leaving the Duchess behind 
 him at Claremont. His stay in the south of France proved 
 of considerable service in restoring his health; but on the 
 27th of March, as he was ascending a stair at the Cercle 
 Nautique, he slipped and fell, injuring the knee which had 
 been hurt on several occasions before. The accident did not 
 at first seem serious, and the Duke wrote a reassuring letter 
 to his wife from the Villa Nevada, whither he had been con- 
 veyed. A fit of apoplexy supervened during the following 
 night, however, and at three o'clock on the morning of the 
 28th he expired in the arms of his equerry. Captain Perceval. 
 
MONUMENTS AT WINDSOR. I 73 
 
 When the fatal news reached Windsor it was gently broken 
 to the Queen by Sir H. Ponsonby. Though almost over- 
 whelmed with her own grief, her Majesty's thoughts turned 
 at once to the young widow at Claremont. 
 
 The Prince of Whales went over to France to bear the 
 remains of his brother back to England. The Queen and 
 the Princess Christian and Princess Beatrice met the body at 
 the Windsor railway station. On reaching the Castle, it was 
 conveyed to the chapel, where a short service was held in the 
 presence of her Majesty and her children, and the afflicted 
 Duchess of Albany bent one last look upon the bier. The 
 funeral took place on the 5th of April, the Prince of Wales 
 being chief mourner. 
 
 On the 23rd of July, 1885, the marriage of Princess Beatrice 
 and Prince Henry of Batenberg was celebrated at Whipping- 
 ham Church, Isle of Wight, in the presence of the Queen, the 
 Royal Family, and a distinguished party of English nobility 
 and others, but no representative of the German reigning 
 dynasties attended. With this wedding the Queen saw the 
 last of her children united in the bonds of matrimony. 
 
 Her Majesty has erected many monuments at Windsor to 
 those whom she holds in lovingf remembrance. One of the 
 chief attractions of the Albert Chapel, is a pure white marble 
 figure of the Prince, represented as a knight in armor, with 
 the epitaph on the pedestal, " I have fought the good fight, I 
 have finished my course." In St. George's Chapel are five 
 monuments. The first is an alabaster sarcophagus to her 
 father ; the second, a white marble statue to King Leopold, 
 whom the Queen has described as her second father ; the third 
 monument is to her Majesty's aunt, the Duchess of Glouces- 
 ter ; the fourth, to the late King of Hanover ; and the fifth, to 
 
174 STATUE OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 the son of King Theodore of Abyssinia. The young Prince 
 died in England, and his monument bears the epitaph : ** I was 
 a stranger, and ye took me in." Theed's admirable group 
 of the Queen and her husband, stands at the entrance to the 
 corridor which runs round two sides of the quadrangle of the 
 Castle. The corridor contains many pictures and mementoes 
 of events'and persons relating to the Queen's life and reign. 
 At Frogmore is Marochetti's recumbent figure of the Prince, 
 and space has been left for a similar statue of her Majesty. 
 There are also memorials of Princess Alice and of the Queen's 
 dead grandchildren in the mausoleum. In an upper chamber 
 belonging to a separate vault is a statue of the Duchess of 
 Kent by Theed. At Osborne are many groups, statues, and 
 busts of the Queen's children and other relatives, which serve 
 to remind her Majesty — if she needed such reminders — of 
 the happy years of the past. 
 
 During the ten years just reviewed the Queen had been 
 exceedingly busy. Many visits of a personal and political 
 nature had been made, and in one way and another the Queen 
 had been much before the public. She was especially 
 identified with the numerous educational and charitable insti- 
 tutions that were opened during this period. Among these 
 was the opening of St. Thomas's Hospital and the laying of 
 the corner-stone of the Hall of Arts and Sciences at Ken- 
 sington Gore. Subsequently she was present at the laying of 
 the foundation-stone of the New Medical Examination Hall of 
 the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. The ceremony 
 took place in the presence of a vast concourse of people, all 
 eager to behold their Queen. Still later she opened the 
 Royal Hollo way College for Women at Mount Lee, Egham. 
 
 Among the events of this period was the opening of the 
 
THREE GREAT LOSSES. 175 
 
 Colonial and Indian Exhibition — the most successful and ex- 
 tensive of a series of admirable exhibitions at South Ken- 
 sington. The Prince of Wales was the actual promoter, the 
 executive President, and practically the director of this Exhi- 
 bition, which reflected the highest credit upon the energy and 
 exertions of his Royal Highness. The opening ceremony was 
 very imposing, both from the dense crowds in the vicinity of 
 the Exhibition and the brilliant gathering within the building. 
 
 Another interesting event was the opening of the Inter- 
 national Exhibition of Navigation, Commerce and Industry at 
 Liverpool. The Queen was the centre of a brilliant throng. 
 There was a royal progress through the streets of Liver- 
 pool, whose streets were thronged by loyal subjects anxious 
 to do honor to their Sovereign. These years also marked 
 the death of some of the Queen's most trusted friends, among 
 them being Dr. McLeod, her spiritual adviser, and were 
 signalized by three great losses in English literature and 
 politics. George Eliot died in December, 1880, Carlyle in 
 February, 1881, and the Earl of Beaconsfield in the follow- 
 ing April, The Conservative leader was buried at Hughen- 
 den, and the Queen and Princess Beatrice visited the funeral 
 vault while it was still open and placed flowers upon the 
 cofiin. At a later period a monument was erected in 
 Hughenden Church to Lord Beaconsfield " by his grateful 
 and aflectionate sovereign and friend, Victoria R. I. ' Kings 
 love him that speaketh right.' " 
 
 With the passing of the year 1886 Victoria was brought to 
 the threshold of an event which stirred all loyal English 
 hearts. Fifty years of her life on the throne were rounding 
 to a close, and soon was to come the celebration of her 
 Royal Jubilee. 
 
CELEBRATION 
 
 OF 
 
 THE ROYAL JUBILEE. 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 FEW pageants in British history could equal in dignity 
 and splendor that by which the Royal Jubilee was 
 commemorated in 1887. Only three Sovereigns have reigned 
 over the Anglo-Saxon race for fifty years and upwards, Edward 
 III., George III., and Victoria. The jubilee of George III., her 
 Majesty's grandfather, was celebrated in 18 10, and there were 
 a few survivors from that period who had the felicity of wit- 
 nessing the Jubilee of this beloved Sovereign. 
 
 Jubilee Day, the 21st of June, was a day eyer to be remem- 
 bered by those who were privileged to be in London, and to 
 witness the magnificent royal progress to Westminster Abbey, 
 The day was observed as a national holiday, and fortunately 
 it was one of perfect sunshine. Houses and streets were 
 profusely decorated, and the demonstrations of loyalty and 
 of personal affection for the Queen were universal. Tens of 
 {thousands of persons lined the thoroughfares, especially along 
 Piccadilly, Pall Mall, Whitehall, and Parliament Street. The 
 gorgeous cavalcade excited intense interest ; the brilliant 
 group consisting of the Prince of Wales, the Crown Prince 
 of Germany, and the Crown Prince of Austria, being singled 
 out for special admiration. 
 (176) 
 
SCENE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 177 
 
 Whenever her Majesty appeared, however, she was the 
 cynosure of all eyes. She drove in State, accompanied by 
 the members of the Royal Family, and by the foreign poten- 
 tates and princes who were her guests. The Thanksgiving 
 Service in Westminster Abbey was most impressive. The 
 interior of the Abbey had been completely transformed, so as 
 to afford the largest possible amount of sitting accommodation. 
 An eye-witness of the ceremony thus described the scene in 
 the Abbey, and the order of the service : " King Henry VII.'s 
 Chapel had been shut off, a,nd not a single monument was to 
 be seen anywhere. The Abbey was more like Cologne 
 Cathedral than the Abbey Englishmen know and love so well. 
 At either end — that is to say, above the altar and at the 
 western end of the choir — were two immense galleries 
 crowded with people. On either side of the nave, too, there 
 were galleries filled with naval and m.ilitary officers and their 
 wives. On the floor in the nave were the Judges, the Lord 
 Mayor, the Aldermen and Common Councillors, and a host 
 of distinguished personages. The Beefeaters kept the line 
 of route here, but they had little to do, for the arrangements 
 were too admirable to make over-crowding possible. The 
 choir was reserved for minor potentates and for the at- 
 tendants of the Kings and Princes, who were seated within 
 the rails of the sacrarium. Between the sacrarium and the 
 choir was the dais, a wide structure covered with red baize, 
 with the coronation chair in the centre. On the right of the 
 chair the Princes who accompanied her Majesty were to sit, 
 while the Princesses were oa the left. On the altar was a 
 splendid gold alms-dish and four large bouquets of white 
 lilies. On one side of the dais were members of the House 
 of Lords, on the other, members of the House of Commonsi 
 
178 THE OPENING CEREMONY. 
 
 while above the peers was a diplomatic gallery, where a most 
 dazzling exhibition of classes and orders could be seen. The 
 Abbey, with the exception of the choir and the sacrarium, was 
 full at 10 o'clock. It was a most brilliant sight — one which 
 will never be forgotten by those who saw it. The bright hues 
 of military uniforms and the scarlet and ermine of the judges 
 blended admirably with the white dresses of the ladies. 
 
 The kings and princes who passed to the sacrarium did so 
 by side passages ; not one of them ascended the steps to the 
 dais, where Queen Victoria and her family alone were to tread. 
 Half an hour more of waiting, and then Sir Albert Woods^ 
 Garter King, who was watching at the western door, gave a 
 signal. A voice as of many waters was heard outside, and 
 the State trumpeters, perched aloft on the rood-screen, per- 
 formed a fanfare on their instruments. The vast crowd of 
 all that is great and illustrious in England arose. The 
 clergy of the Abbey came first, and behind them 
 were the Bishop of London, the Archbishop of York, the 
 Dean of Westminster and the Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 After them came the Queen, attended by the princes and 
 and princesses of her family. The procession having reached 
 the dais, the Queen took her seat on the coronation chair, and 
 Lord Lathom and Lord Mount-Edgcumbe placed the robes of 
 State on her shoulders. She bowed low to the altar just be- 
 fore they did so, and then sat down. At that moment, when 
 the scene was complete, the mise-en-scene was a very striking 
 one. 
 
 The Archbishop of Canterbury began the services with 
 some versicles. Then came the Prince Consort's Te Deum, 
 rendered by a choir of three hundred voices. After the read- 
 ing of the lesson and three special collects came the Jubilee 
 
LONDON ILLUMINATED. I 79 
 
 anthem, " Blessed be the Lord thy God which delighted in 
 thee, to set thee on his throne to be king for the Lord thy 
 God, because thy God loved Israel, therefore made he thee 
 king to do judgment and justice." The whole anthem was 
 most beautiful and effective throughout. The final chorus was 
 given with immense effect, and when its echoes died away 
 the Archbishop read three more collects and pronounced the 
 benediction. 
 
 The prettiest scene of all followed. The Queen held out 
 her hand to the German Crown Prince, who reverently kissed 
 it. The Prince of Wales came next. To each of the princes 
 she offered, according to custom, her cheek to be kissed, but 
 every one of them, equally according to custom, kissed her 
 hand. The princesses curtsied low before the Queen, who 
 kissed each of them, and there was quite a touching scene 
 when three times over the- Queen and the German Crown 
 Princess saluted one another. The procession was re-formed. 
 As the Queen passed down the choir she bowed very 
 graciously to every Indian prince present. She then retired 
 for a quarter of an hour, when, amid an immense outburst of 
 enthusiasm, she passed up Parliament street on her home- 
 ward route. 
 
 London, west and east, was gaily illuminated on the night 
 of the Jubilee. Most of the houses in the principal thorough- 
 fares exhibited appropriate devices, some of which were very 
 striking and very costly. Displays of a similar kind were 
 almost general throughout the country. From the north of 
 Scotland to the extreme south of England beacons flamed from 
 most of the hills, and bonfires were lighted and kept blazing 
 until daybreak. 
 
 One of the most touching as well as one of the most 
 
i8o women's jubilee offering. 
 
 thoughtful of the Jubilee celebrations was a children's festival 
 in Hyde Park, held on the 2 2d, through the generous initiative 
 of the proprietor of the Daily Telegraph. About 30,000 
 children marched to the Park in perfect order, and were there 
 allowed to enjoy themselves with complete freedom, games 
 and amusements of all kinds havino- been arranored in the 
 
 o o 
 
 space set apart for them. Each child was provided with a 
 meat pie, a piece of cake, a bun and an orange, besides being 
 presented with a mug specially made for the occasion. The 
 Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and some of the 
 Queen's royal visitors, attended the children'sy?/^. 
 
 At Windsor, on the 2 2d of June, her Majesty received the 
 officers and general committee of the Women's Jubilee Offer- 
 ing Fund. This was a fund raised by subscriptions, varying 
 in amount from a penny to a pound, contributed by 3,000,000 
 women of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales as a present 
 to the Queen on her Jubilee. The offering, which amounted 
 to ;^75,ooo, was presented, together with a loyal address, 
 which her Majesty graciously acknowledged. On the same 
 occasion a handsome casket, carved out of Irish bog-oak, with 
 a representation of the Irish harp on the cover, was presented 
 to the Queen on behalf of Irishwomen by the Marchioness of 
 Londonderry. 
 
 In acknowledgement of the many tokens of sympathy on 
 the part of her people, the Queen addressed to the Home 
 Secretary the following letter, which was published in the 
 
 London Gazette : 
 
 " Windsor Castle, June 24. 
 I am anxious to expresss to my people my warm thanks 
 for the kind, and more than kind, reception I met with on 
 going to and returning from Westminster Abbey with all my 
 children and grandchildren. 
 
POUR JUBILEE FUNCTIONS. l8l 
 
 " The enthusiastic reception I met with there, as well as on 
 all these eventful days, in London as well as in Windsor, on 
 the occasion of my Jubilee, has touched me most deeply. It 
 has shown that the labor and anxiety of fifty long years, 
 twenty-two of which I spent in unclouded happiness, shared 
 and cheered by my beloved husband, while an equal number 
 were full of sorrows and trials, borne without his sheltering 
 arm and wise help, have been appreciated by my people. 
 
 " This feeling, and the sense of duty toward my dear 
 country and subjects, who are so inseparably bound up with 
 my life, will encourage me in my task — often a very difficult 
 and arduous one — during the remainder of my life. 
 
 " The wonderful order preserved on this occasion, and the 
 good behavior of the enormous multitudes assembled, merits 
 my highest admiration. 
 
 " That God may protect and abundantly bless my country 
 is my fervent prayer. 
 
 " Victoria, R. and I." 
 
 No fewer than four Jubilee functions, in which the Queen 
 bore a part, took place during the month of July. The first 
 was a review of Volunteer Corps at Buckingham Palace, on 
 July 2, when the metropolitan and suburban volunteers, to the 
 number of 24,000, divided into six brigades, marched past the 
 Queen. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Connaught and 
 Prince Albert Victor appeared with their respective regiments, 
 and the imposing spectacle excited great enthusiasm among 
 thousands of assembled spectators. 
 
 On the 4th of July the Queen visited London in order to 
 
 lay the foundation stone of the Imperial Institute at South 
 
 Kensington. This undertaking was one in which her Majesty's 
 
 eldest son, the heir-apparent, took a special interest. The 
 
 Queen was received by the Prince of Wales, the President of 
 
 the Institute, and by a magnificent assemblage of representa- 
 II 
 
1 82 IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, KENSINGTON. 
 
 tives from all parts of her dominions. An ode, written by 
 Mr. (now Sir) Lewis Morris, and set to music by Sir Arthur 
 Sullivan, was performed by the Royal Albert Hall Choral 
 Society. Then followed the ceremony of laying the first stone, 
 a block of colonial granite upwards of three tons in weight. 
 Subsequently the Prince of Wales read an address to her 
 Majesty from the Organizing Committee of the Institute. In 
 her reply the Queen said : " It is with infinite satisfaction that 
 I receive the address, in which you give expression to your 
 loyal attachment to my throne and person, and develop the 
 views that have led to the creation of the Imperial Institute. 
 I concur with you in thinking that the counsels and exertions 
 of my beloved husband initiated a movement which gave in- 
 creased vigor to commercial activity, and produced marked 
 and lasting improvements in industrial efforts. One in- 
 direct result of that movement has been to bring more 
 before the minds of men the vast and varied resources of the 
 Empire over which Providence has willed that I should reign 
 during fifty prosperous years. I believe and hope that the 
 Imperial Institute will play a useful part in combining those 
 resources for the common advantage of all my subjects, and 
 in conducing towards the welding of the colonies, India and 
 the mother country into one harmonious and united com- 
 munity. In laying the foundation stone of the building de- 
 voted to your labors I heartily wish you God-speed in your 
 undertakinor." 
 
 The third public function was a grand review of troops at 
 Aldershot on the 9th of July. The Queen had gone to Alder- 
 shot the night before and slept in the camp. She was attended 
 by a brilliant staff to the review ground, and 60,000 troops of 
 all arms paraded before her. Before the march passed, the 
 
NAVAL REVIEW AT SPITHEAD. 1 83 
 
 Duke of Cambridge tendered to her Majesty the congratula- 
 tions of the army upon her Jubilee, and in response the 
 Queen expressed her sense of the love and devotion of the 
 army. The Duke returned to his position, and at a given 
 signal the air was rent by the cheers of the whole mass of 
 troops, the infantry hoisting their helmets into the air on the 
 muzzles of their rifles. The troops then marched past, moving 
 with admirable precision. The ceremony occupied two hours 
 and three-quarters. Then the cavalry and horse artillery 
 advanced towards the Queen in one magnificent line about a 
 mile in length, the flanks being lost in clouds of dust. Grad- 
 ually increasing the pace till it became a gallop, they were 
 halted after having made a splendid advance, and the Queen, 
 with her escort and suite, withdrew, passing through an avenue 
 formed by the infantry. 
 
 The last, and perhaps the most important event of all, was 
 a grand naval review at Spithead, on the 23d of July. The 
 fleet was moored so as to form a double line of great ships, 
 the centre of which was nearly opposite Gilkicker Point on 
 the north and Ryde pier on the south. Between it and Ports- 
 mouth was a double line of coast-defence ships, gunboats and 
 torpedo-boats. The vessels comprising the squadrons were 
 anchored about a quarter of a mile apart, the space between 
 the two columns being about half as much again. South of 
 these were troopships with visitors, and a large number of 
 other steamers and yachts, in all over one hundred vessels. 
 
 The Jubilee celebrations were a tribute at once to the loyalty 
 of the British people and the popularity of the Sovereign. 
 The enthusiasm evoked was heartfelt and sincere, and the 
 whole nation was moved, as by one genuine and spontaneous 
 impulse, to show its gratitude for the many blessings which in 
 God's providence had attended her Majesty's beneficent rule. 
 
YEARS OF MINGLED JOY 
 
 AND 
 
 SORROW. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE years which have intervened between the Royal. 
 Jubilee and this the year when Victoria will celebrate 
 the sixtieth anniversary of her reign, have been full of 
 changes. Joy and sorrow have each had their place in the 
 Sovereign's life. Many dear and trusted friends have 
 moved off the scene of action, leaving an aching void in 
 the heart of the Queen. But amid the darkness there has 
 been much joy and gladness. During this period the Queen 
 has been present at the opening of many educational and 
 charitable institutions, showing by her presence that she was 
 in sympathy with all forms of advancement. During this 
 period also she spent much of her time in travel. In the 
 spring of 1888 she left Windsor for Italy, traveling incog- 
 nito. She remained in Italy a month, stopping on her return 
 to visit Emperor Frederick, The German Court had been 
 filled with anxiety and gloom on account of the illness of the 
 Emperor, but he had recovered somewhat before the Queen's 
 arrival, and a great banquet was held in her honor. 
 
 About the middle of April her Majesty was much disturbed 
 by the news that the Emperor Frederick had suffered a serious 
 relapse, arising from bronchitis and over-exertion. The 
 members of the imperial family were hastily summoned, but 
 the Emperor subsequently rallied. During the latter part 
 of May and the early part of June, his malady, which was 
 184 
 
The Marchioness of Stafford. 
 
John Dillon. M. P. 
 
VHE EMPEROR PASSES AWAY. 1 85 
 
 now known to be cancer, appeared to take a milder form. 
 Indeed hopes of his Majesty's partial recovery, if not of his 
 complete restoration to health, began to be entertained. But 
 all too suddenly very grave symptoms began to be developed 
 toward the middle of June. Disquieting rumors were men- 
 tioned in the House of Commons, and on the 14th it was 
 announced that a telegram had been received from Berlin 
 affirming that inflammation of the lungs had set in, and that 
 no hopes of his Majesty's recovery were entertained. At 
 I I.I 5 A. M. on the 15th the Emperor passed away at Pots- 
 dam, in his fifty-seventh year, after a reign of ninety-nine days. 
 Upon his accession the Emperor had issued a liberal and 
 enlightened programme, which fate thus forbade from being 
 carried into effect. 
 
 The funeral ©f the Emperor was celebrated on the i8th, 
 with as little pomp as possible, in the Friedenskirche at Pots- 
 dam. On the same evening, in both English Houses of Par- 
 liament, addresses of condolence to the Queen and the 
 Empress Frederick were moved and carried. In the Lords, 
 the Marquis of Salisbury thus closed his references to the 
 deceased Emperor : " He has left an example which may be 
 of most precious value, not only to sovereigns and those 
 who may follow him, but to all sorts and conditions of men ; 
 and it is with a feeling that we are performing no act of mere 
 formality in rendering homage to one of the highest and 
 noblest natures which ever adorned a throne, that I move the 
 addresses which I have now the honor of laying on the table." 
 Mr. Gladstone, in seconding the address in the House of 
 Commons, touched briefly on the leading incidents in the 
 Emperor's Hfe, and then paid this eloquent tribute to his 
 memory: "Sir, there may be a disposition to regret that 
 
1 86 ELOQUENT TRIBUTES. 
 
 the reign of the Emperor Frederick was too short for the 
 display of the quahties of the ruler, but there is another 
 view which, I think, will change that into thankfulness. The 
 circumstances attending his ascent to the throne made him 
 still more conspicuous to the eyes of the world, and, I have 
 no doubt, caused a yet deeper impression of the invaluable 
 qualities of his mind and character, both upon the German 
 people and upon mankind at large. If there was a high esti- 
 mate formed of him before he became Emperor, it was fully 
 realized by those wide views of the condition of Europe 
 which were at the very earliest date made known to the Ger- 
 man people and the nations around. So far as human sorrow 
 can be alleviated, either by the expression of sympathy, or 
 by glorious recollections, or by yet more glorious hopes, all 
 that consolation will be enjoyed by those who are now 
 mourning over the death of the German Emperor. But one 
 thino" remains to those, and it is this — the recollection of his 
 great qualities, of his singular union of wisdom with virtue 
 and with valor, his known attachment to the liberties of his 
 country, and his respect for its constitution — all those win- 
 ning qualities and a fortitude greater in degree than that of 
 many a soldier and, perhaps, of many a martyr ; all those 
 things constitute a great and noble inheritance for the Ger- 
 man people ; and we trust that that great nation will treasure 
 the recollection of the Emperor whom they have lost as 
 among the most precious possessions that can fall to the lot 
 of any people upon earth." 
 
 One interesting event of this year was the silver wedding 
 of the Prince and Princess of Wales, which was celebrated on 
 the loth of March, with as much display of loyalty as the 
 mourning consequent upon the recent death of the German 
 
STATUES OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 1 87 
 
 Emperor, William I, would permit. A deputation from the 
 Corporation of the City of London attended at Marlborough 
 House and presented the Prince and Princess with a silver 
 model of the Imperial Institute. Numerous gifts were also 
 received from other public bodies and private individuals. 
 In the evening a State banquet was given at Marlborough 
 House at which the Queen was present. 
 
 The fiftieth anniversary of the Queen's coronation fell 
 on the 28th of June, but in consequence of the death of 
 Emperor Frederick, who was extremely popular in England, 
 both on his own account and because of the noble way in 
 which he had borne his sufferings, the Court went into 
 mourning and the projected fetes were abandoned. 
 
 In the years immediately following the Royal Jubilee, and 
 in commemoration of that event, numerous statues of the 
 Queen were unveiled, two or three of which are worthy of a 
 passing notice. One of these was erected in the court-yard 
 of the University of London, Burlington Gardens, and the 
 other, a full-length statue, was on the Thames embankment 
 at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. The 
 Prince of Wales performed the ceremony of unveiling in 
 both instances. 
 
 The Empress Frederick at Eton unveiled the statue of the 
 Queen which had been placed over the gateway of the new 
 Queen's schools. The Queen watched the event from her 
 carriage. After the unveiling, the Empress walked through 
 the quadrangle into the chapel, whilst the Queen drove to 
 the door. In the chapel the royal party listened to the choir 
 singing the chorale, "Now thank we all our God." Subse- 
 quently their Majesties returned to the carriage by way of 
 the quadrangle, and, passing under the archway, drove back 
 
i88 A SAD INCIDENT. ^ 
 
 to Windsor amidst the hearty cheers of the Eton boys and 
 the crowds Hning the streets. 
 
 On the 28th of June, the Queen, attended by the Prince 
 and Princess of Wales, was present at the unveihng of a 
 statue of herself erected in Kensington Gardens. Additional 
 interest attached to this work of art from the fact that it was 
 executed by the Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lome. 
 
 The year 1892 had scarcely opened before a heavy calamity 
 befell the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the 
 nation by the death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, 
 the second heir to the Crown. While on a visit to Sand- 
 ringham, the Duke was attacked on the 9th of January by 
 influenza and pneumonia in a severe form. He had caught 
 cold at the funeral of Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langen- 
 berg, another of the numerous victims of the insidious malady 
 which then hung like a pall over the country. In the case 
 of the Duke of Clarence, inflammation of the lungs super- 
 vened at an early stage. All efforts to arrest the complication 
 of disorders proved unavailing, and on the morning of the 
 sixth day after he had been taken ill he succumbed, never 
 having rallied under the skillful treatment and unremitting 
 care of which he was the object. His death, which occurred 
 on the 14th of January, was only within a few weeks of the 
 date fixed for his marriage with his cousin, the Princess May. 
 
 A memorial service for the Duke was held privately at 
 Sandringham. The coffin containing the body having been 
 removed from Sandringham House to the church, the service 
 was performed in the presence only of the members of the 
 family and the household. The body of the Duke was then 
 conveyed to Windsor, where a military service was held, 
 attended by the representatives of various foreign countries, 
 
THE Imperial institute. 189 
 
 and chief dignitaries of State. Memorial services were 
 simultaneously held in St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster 
 Abbey, and at nearly all parish churches, Nonconformist 
 chapels, and Jewish synagogues throughout the country. 
 Services were also held in various places on the Continent, 
 and in India and the Colonies. General mourning was 
 observed throughout Great Britain. 1 
 
 An imposing spectacle was witnessed on the loth of May, 
 when the Queen went in great state from Buckingham Palace 
 to Kensington to open the Imperial Institute. She was re- 
 ceived with great enthusiasm by the crowds which thronged 
 the route. The inaugural ceremony took place in a tempo- 
 rary building erected on the site of the great hall of the 
 Institute. It was provided with seats for 2,000 spectators, 
 among whom were the Indian princes, the leading members 
 of the Ministry and Opposition, numerous representatives of 
 the diplomatic body, the Judicial Bench, both Houses of Par- 
 liament, State dignitaries, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and 
 other distinguished personages. The hall was lavishly deco- 
 rated with scarlet cloth and bannerets, and a sumptuous 
 Indian carpet was laid along the whole length of the floor. 
 The ladies were in plain morning dress, but brilliant uniforms 
 abounded, and the hall presented a splendid appearance, the 
 only vacant places being on the dais set apart for members 
 of the royal family, and where, attracting all eyes, stood the 
 gilt chair of state reserved for the Queen. '^ 
 
 The appearance of a corps of gentlemen-at-arms in uni- 
 forms of scarlet and gold, with white-plumed casques, indi- 
 cated the arrival of the royal party. A fanfare of trumpets 
 and a roll of drums heralded the approach of her Majesty. 
 With some little assistance the Queen mounted the steps 
 
ig6 tliE DUKE OF YORK WEDS. 
 
 of the dais and took her seat in the chair of state, bowing 
 right and left as she smilingly acknowledged the homage of 
 those assembled. The Prince of Wales then, amidst per- 
 fect silence, read an address setting forth the objects of the 
 Institute, and stating that all parts of the Empire had con- 
 tributed to its erection. The address concluded with the 
 expression of a confident hope that the Institute would not 
 only be a record of the growth and prosperity of the Empire, 
 but also tend to increase that prosperity by stimulating 
 enterprise and promoting scientific and technical knowledge. 
 
 With a profound bow the Home Secretary now handed 
 the Queen the reply, which her Majesty read. It is rarely 
 that the Queen's voice is heard in public, and in all that great 
 assembly not a rustle disputed with its clear silvery tones as 
 her Majesty acknowledged the address. After an Imperial 
 March, specially composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan, had been 
 played, the Prince of Wales came forward and said : " I have 
 received the Queen's commands to declare this JDuilding open 
 and inaugurated." A grand flourish of trumpets in the porch 
 of the great hall followed the declaration, and then the Prince 
 of Wales, taking a jeweled key, opened a model of the Insti- 
 tute. Three strokes of a bell announced that the lock was 
 turned, and a moment after a joyous peal from the belfry of 
 the Queen's tower proclaimed to the assembled thousands the 
 completion of the ceremony. The Archbishop of Canter- 
 bury pronounced the benediction, after which Madame 
 Albani sang ** God Save the Queen." 
 
 The wedding of the Duke of York and the Princess 
 May early in June, 1893, created much popular enthusiasm. 
 On the 4th a State performance of Gounod's " Romeo and 
 Juliet " was given at the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Gar- 
 
tHiRD LINEAL HEIR. I9I 
 
 df.n, by command of the Queen, in honor of the guests 
 invited to the wedding. The marriage ceremony took place 
 on the 6th, in the Chapel Royal of St. James's Palace. 
 Although the day had not been proclaimed a public holiday, 
 the event was celebrated as such in most parts of the Queen's 
 dominions. In London great preparations were made along 
 the route of the wedding procession. The dense crowds in 
 the streets equaled those which assembled on the occasion 
 of the Queen's Jubilee. Some days after the celebration the 
 Queen addressed a letter to the nation, expressing in touch- 
 ing terms her sense of the welcome given to her ** beloved 
 grandson, the Duke of York, and his dear bride," on the 
 occasion of their wedding. 
 
 On the 24th of May, 1894, the Queen's seventy-fifth birth- 
 day was celebrated with much rejoicing at home and abroad, 
 and a review of about 11,000 troops was held at Aldershot 
 under the command of the Duke of Connaught. In June 
 her Majesty was gratified by the intelligence that a son had 
 been born to the Duke and Duchess of York — an event 
 which provided a third lineal heir to the throne of Great 
 Britain and Ireland. 
 
 Two interesting ceremonies were performed in May and 
 June by the Prince of Wales, acting on behalf of the Queen. 
 The first was the opening of the new buildings of the Royal 
 College of Music at Kensington, erected at an expense of 
 ^45,000. The second was the formal opening of the new 
 Tower Bridge, which had been begun in 1886. The total 
 length of the bridge and abutments was 940 feet, and the 
 opening span about 200 feet. The total cost of erection was 
 estimated at ;^i, 250,000. 
 
 In March, 1895, the Queen left England for Nice, accom- 
 
19^ Her MAjlSSTY ABROAD. 
 
 panied by the Princess Henry of Battenberg. Her Majesty 
 resided at the Grand Hotel de Cimiez, which is situate in the 
 midst of lovely scenery. As the weather was superb she 
 greatly enjoyed her stay in the south. Many of the digni- 
 taries of the place were entertained at the royal board. The 
 famous Battle of Flowers at Nice received fresh distinction 
 from the attendance of her Majesty, whose carriage occupied 
 a point of vantage at the opening of the Rue du Congr^s. 
 The town band played " Rule Britannia " when she appeared, 
 and " God Save the Queen " when she departed. The royal 
 carriage was speedily littered with tiny bouquets, and her 
 Majesty duly acknowledged the compKments showered upon 
 her. From the Fetes Committee she accepted a banner of 
 pink satin, trimmed with blue ribands. To the Mayor, Comte 
 de Malaussena, she expressed her pleasure at witnessing the 
 spectacle ; and her thanks for his present of a basket of 
 violets. 
 
 During her Majesty's stay on the Riviera she attended, 
 with the members of her family, a special service in the 
 Anglican church at Cannes in memory of the Duke of 
 Albany. 
 
 On the 14th of December, the usual memorial service in 
 remembrance of the Prince Consort and the Princess Alice 
 was held at the Royal Mausoleum, Frogmore. The Queen, 
 the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other members of the 
 royal family were present, and the day was rendered spe- 
 cially memorable, inasmuch as it witnessed the birth of a 
 second son to Prince George, the happy event occurring 
 early in the morning at Sandringham. 
 
< 
 
 a 
 c 
 
 w 
 
 Eh 
 
 s 
 
'iHB. Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and Princess Victoria May of Teck. 
 
THREE-SCORE YEARS 
 
 ON 
 
 THE THRONE. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 ONE of the saddest events of the later years of the 
 Queen's reign was the death of Prince Henry of Bat- 
 tenberg, who departed this life January 20th, 1896. There 
 had been trouble of a serious nature on the African coast. 
 The King of Kumassi had proclaimed himself King of 
 Ashanti. The English policy on the gold coast had been 
 greatly hampered, and it was proposed to send a British 
 Commissioner to Kumassi. This the dusky king refused to 
 allow, and it was therefore thought wise to send an expedi- 
 tion to subdue him. Prince Henry volunteered to accom- 
 pany it. He was attacked by the African fever, but after a 
 season rallied and was thought to be getting well. 
 
 Within a few days, however, the Court and the nation were 
 plunged in gloom. On the 226. the sad news arrived that 
 the Prince had died on the night of the 20th on board the 
 cruiser " Blonde," which was conveying him from Cape Coast 
 Castle to Madeira. The attack of African fever from which 
 the Prince was suffering had shown no very grave symptoms 
 up to the time when he embarked on board the '* Blonde,'* 
 but on the 19th there was a relapse, from which he was too 
 weak to rally. 
 
 When the news of the Prince's death first arrived, it was 
 the Queen herself who, with the Duke of Connaught, under- 
 took to communicate the sad tidings to Princess Beatrice. 
 
 193 
 
194 THE PRINCE'S DEATH. 
 
 The Princess at first scarcely realized the dreadful news. 
 She had naturally been anxious regarding her husband's 
 health for some days, but all the reports agreed that he was 
 getting better ; and so satisfied were the royal family of this 
 that a dinner party was to have been given the same night 
 in honor of the officers of the Flying Squadron, to be fol- 
 lowed by a theatrical performance at the Palace. 
 
 The news was a terrible shock to her Majesty and to the 
 '"iridowed Princess, whose latest previous information as to 
 *ihe state of her husband's health had been favorable. 
 
 The " Blonde " arrived at Madeira on the 30th of January, 
 having on board the embalmed body of the Prince. The 
 body was transferred to the " Blenheim," which vessel was 
 followed by a procession of nine boats. Minute guns were 
 fired, and the band of the "Blenheim" played the Dead 
 March in Saul, and the National Anthem. When the body 
 was brought alongside, the ship's bells were tolled, and the 
 remains having been taken on board, a short service was read 
 by the Rev. James Blunn, chaplain of the " Blenheim." The 
 British Consul and Vice-Consul and others were present. 
 The Municipal Council of Funchal sent a beautiful wreath. 
 All the flags on the forts and in the harbor were at half-mast. 
 
 The Prince's body was contained within three inclosures — 
 a shell, a leaden casket, and an outer coffin — the last being 
 of polished oak with brass fittings. The inscription on the 
 name-plate, which was surmounted by a cross, read as fol- 
 lows: "Henry Maurice, Prince of Battenberg, Knight of the 
 Most Noble Order of the Garter. Born at Milan, October 
 5, 1858. Died January 20, 1896, on board H. M. S. ' Blonde,* 
 off the African coast, on returning from the Ashanti Expedi- 
 tion. ' Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' " 
 
FUNERAL AT WHIPPINGHAM. 195 
 
 It was decided, in accordance with the testamentary wishes 
 of the dead Prince, that his funeral should take place at 
 Whippingham, in the Isle of Wight, instead of at Windsor. 
 It was also decided that the funeral should be a military one. 
 
 There were some departures from the strict letter of the 
 regulations appointed for the solemn military display at the 
 interment of the Prince. But among these deviations there 
 were none which were not justified abundantly either by the 
 royal rank of the Prince whom so many illustrious persons 
 assembled to honor at the last, or by the accompanying cir- 
 cumstances. Certainly the result — that is to say, the impres- 
 sion left upon the minds of those who saw the coffin carried 
 from the " Alberta " to the gun-carriage, who watched its 
 slow progress up the hill toward Whippingham Church, who 
 saw it lifted from the gun-carriage and carried through the 
 lych-gate of the church, while the pall-bearers, royal person- 
 ages and representatives of royalty, stood in a semicircle 
 and saluted — left nothing to be desired. Nothing could be 
 more impressive, unless it were the scene within the church 
 itself when, before the eyes of the Sovereign and Princess 
 Beatrice and members of the royal family, and in the sight 
 of representatives of many foreign monarchs, the body of the 
 Prince who met his death on active service on behalf of his 
 adopted country was laid to its rest. 
 
 At the church itself nothing to equal the wealth and beauty 
 of the flowers displayed had been since the day before the 
 body of the late Duke of Clarence and Avondale was re- 
 moved from Sandringham Church. The ceremony was very 
 impressive. Even while the last hymn was being sung, the 
 bearers filed silently into the chancel, and lifting the coffin 
 from the bier, removed it to the adjoining mortuary chapel. 
 
1 96 MARRIAGE OF PRINCESS MAUD. 
 
 A happy.and interesting event occurred toward the close 
 of July, 1896, when Princess Maud of Wales was married to 
 Prince Charles of Denmark in the private chapel of Buck- 
 ingham Palace. The bride, who is the youngest child of the 
 Prince and Princess of Wales, was in her twenty-seventh 
 year. The bridegroom, who is the second son of the Crown 
 Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark, was two years and 
 four months younger than the bride, being in his twenty-fifth 
 year. Being first cousins, they had seei) a good deal of each 
 other from childhood, and the union was averred to be one 
 of genuine affection. 
 
 The marriage was solemnized on the 2 2d of July, and the 
 weather was everything that could be desired. Six hundred 
 wedding guests were invited, but not more than half of them 
 could be accommodated in the little chapel of Buckingham 
 Palace, the overflow having to content themselves with watch- 
 ing the elaborate processions pass through the Palace. The 
 chapel was beautifully decorated with flowers, and the gay 
 dresses, bright uniforms, and flashing jewels of the company, 
 lent brilliance to the scene. 
 
 The scene in the chapel was most brilliant, with the 
 magnificent costumes of the ladies, and the gorgeous diplo- 
 matic, naval, military, and other uniforms. Lord Salisbury, 
 Lord Rosebery, and others wore the Trinity House garb of 
 dark blue, with gold facings, but most conspicuous of all 
 those who wore this uniform, as well as the most observed 
 of all present, after the Queen and the bride and bridegroom, 
 was the veteran statesman, Mr. Gladstone. Accompanied 
 by Mrs. Gladstone, he occupied a prominent position on the 
 right side of the altar. 
 
 The marriage service was choral, the choir from the Royal 
 
TWO WEDDING BREAKFASTS. 1 97 
 
 Chapel being strengthened by voices from St. George's 
 Chapel, Windsor. The performance of the nuptial cere- 
 mony took place in accordance with the usages of the Church 
 of England, and it was with quite a paternal air that the 
 Archbishop of Canterbury proceeded to unite in holy wed- 
 lock Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria, daughter of the Prince 
 and Princess of Wales, and Christian Frederic Charles 
 George Waldemar Axel of Denmark. The service over, the 
 bride and bridegroom were kissed by the Prince of Wales — 
 the bridegroom on both cheeks — and afterward by the other 
 parents and the Queen. On receiving the kiss of the Queen, 
 the bride and bridegroom knelt before her. The proces- 
 sions were re-formed, and the parties repaired to the library, 
 where the register was signed. 
 
 There were two wedding breakfasts, one for the family and 
 another for the guests. The toasts in each instance were 
 the same — "The Bride and Bridegroom," "The Queen," 
 '* The King and Queen of Denmark," and '* The Crown 
 Prince and Princess of Denmark." These were given at the 
 family breakfast by the Prince of Wales, and then that of 
 " The Prince and Princess of Wales " was given by the Crown 
 Prince of Denmark. The Queen did not attend the break- 
 fast, but afterward privately took leave of the bride and 
 bridegroom. 
 
 At a State banquet given at Copenhagen on the day of 
 the marriage, King Christian proposed the health of Queen 
 Victoria, and expressed his thanks to her Majesty for the 
 cordial reception accorded to his grandson. In proposing 
 the toast of the bride and bridegroom, his Majesty wished 
 the royal pair every happiness from the bottom of his 
 heart, adding: "I hope that the bride may be as greatly 
 
198 THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY. 
 
 beloved in the land of her adoption as is her mother in 
 England." 
 
 The 23d of September, 1896, formed a memorable land- 
 mark in British history. On that date her Majesty, the 
 Queen, had reigned more days than any other Sovereign of 
 the realm. In view of this event, the Government were 
 questioned in the House of Lords as to whether they would 
 introduce a measure constituting that day a public holiday in 
 honor of the auspicious and extraordinary occurrence. Lord 
 Salisbury replied that, while fully sympathizing with the feel- 
 ing which had prompted the question, he thought that if it 
 should please Parliament to give effect to its loyal sentiments 
 in the particular manner suggested, the birthday of her 
 Majesty next year would be a more appropriate occasion for 
 the purpose than the 23d of September, 1896. The Queen 
 herself also approved this view, but it is not perhaps surpris- 
 ing that many of her loyal subjects looked forward to cele- 
 brating her Majesty's long reign in an unofficial manner on 
 that noteworthy day, the 23d of September. 
 
 Ultimately, the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- 
 ment was commanded by the Queen to intimate that, while 
 she was much gratified to observe such general expressions 
 of loyalty and affection toward her, in regard to the fact 
 that she would shortly have reigned for a longer period than 
 any other British Sovereign it was her Majesty's wish that, 
 should she be spared to rule over her beloved people for 
 such a period, any recognition or celebration of that event 
 should be reserved until she had actually completed a reign 
 of sixty years. 
 
BEHIND GILDED GATES; 
 
 OR, 
 
 DOMESTIC MISCELLANY. 
 
 VERY characteristic is the manner in which Queen Vic« 
 toria received the news of her succession to the throne, 
 on the night of the 19th to the 20th of June, 1837. The young 
 Princess had just celebrated her i8th birthday and was then a 
 blooming girl full of life and spirit who, if not regularly 
 pretty, yet possessed a charm of her own quite undeniable in 
 its winning grace and sweetness. 
 
 A little after three o'clock in the morning the Archbishop 
 of Canterbury, the Lord Chamberlain, and Sir Henry Hal- 
 ford (the Royal physician) , who at twenty minutes after two 
 o'clock had seen King William die, went off from Windsor to 
 the palace at Kensington to hail the Princess Victoria as 
 Queen. 
 
 When they reached the Palace all its inmates were wrapped 
 in profound slumber, and it was only with the greatest diffi- 
 culty that they could obtain admission. After some delay the 
 young Princess came to them, wrapped in a loose white 
 dressing gown with her magnificent hair falling over her 
 shoulders and with her eyes full of tears. She entered the 
 room with her mother by her side. Neither were unpre- 
 pared for the news, but the Princess was nevertheless greatly 
 affected, and it went forth to the world as an omen of the 
 happiest augury that the young girl had " wept to learn she 
 was Queen." 
 
 199 
 
aOO WITHIN ROYAL PALACES. 
 
 As she entered the room the Archbishop and his two com- 
 panions dropped on one knee before her and kissing her hand 
 hailed her as Queen. Then, by the special request of the new 
 sovereign, they all knelt together in prayer, the Archbishop 
 invoking a blessing on the era about to open for the Princess 
 and the people of Great Britain. It may therefore be said 
 that Queen Victoria's reign was begun by prayer. 
 
 The young Queen had been carefully trained with her high 
 destiny in view. She had not been much before the public, 
 though by judicious travel she had become acquainted with a 
 considerable part of her future kingdom. Her education had 
 been conducted by the Duchess of Northumberland, under 
 the constant superintendence of her mother, the Duchess of 
 Kent, who devoted the privacy of her second widowhood to 
 the preparation of her daughter for public duty, and her per- 
 fect demeanor and bearing when she first assumed her duties 
 as a sovereign filled everybody with admiration and wonder. 
 
 The reign, therefore, not only began most successfully, but 
 with unusual anticipation and satisfaction. A new era had 
 indeed begun, for from that time Court profligacy and Court 
 extravagance were at an end in England. The young Queen 
 paid her father's debts in the first year of her reign, paid her 
 mother's debts in the second year, and never incurred any 
 debts herself, nor asked Parliament for any addition to her 
 income. 
 
 The Coronation took place on June 28th, 1838, and there 
 was more than usual splendor displayed at the ceremony, and 
 more than usual rejoicing all over the land. 
 
 The scene in Westminster Abbey was a brilliant spectacle. 
 A large proportion of the gentlemen present were either in 
 military or official attire, and the Ambassadors were superbly 
 
Lord Hartington : Duke of Di.vonshirh;. 
 Successor of Mr Gladstone as Leader of tp'e Liberal Party. 
 
Justin McCakthy, M. P. 
 
CHAlR OF Homage* 263 
 
 arrayed, one of them. Prince Esterhazy, being covered with 
 diamonds, even to the heels of his boots, whilst the peers 
 were in robes of State, and the peeresses " shone like a rain- 
 bow " in their profusion of precious gems. 
 
 The Queen walked up the nave escorted by two Bishops, 
 eight daughters of English Dukes bearing her train, and fifty 
 ladies of rank holding offices in her household following. 
 The Archbishop of Canterbury having presented Her Majesty 
 as the " undoubted Queen of the realm," the building re- 
 sounded with the shouts of " God save Queen Victoria." 
 
 The customary ceremonials followed, and then the final act 
 was performed by the Archbishop reverently placing the 
 Crown on the Queen's head. The peers and peeresses at 
 the same moment put on their coronets, and the effect of the 
 flashing jewels as this was done was startling in its brilliancy. 
 The Queen was then enthroned in the Chair of Homage, and 
 the peers came forward in turn, touched the Crown, and knelt 
 and kissed her hand. 
 
 It is a testimony to the truly womanly and domestic char- 
 acter of the Queen that her marriage was, what it should be 
 to every woman, the central event of her life, the point on 
 which her whole after history turned. It was generally known 
 that before she came to the Throne an intimate friendship had 
 existed between the young Princess and her maternal cousins, 
 the sons of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. Albert, the 
 younger of these two sons, was three months younger than his 
 cousin, "the Mayflower," as the PrIncessVictoria was designated 
 by their maternal grandmother. It was, of course, for the Queen 
 to ask Prince Albert to marry her, and not for him to ask her, 
 and on the 1 5th of October, whilst he was on a visit at Windsor, 
 she sent for him to her room, where he found her alone. They 
 
204 ^HE ROYAL MARRIAGE. 
 
 talked for a few minutes, and then she told him her love, and 
 that it would ensure her whole life's happiness if she married 
 him. I need not add that the Prince responded with heartfelt 
 gratitude and joy to this outburst of affection on the part of 
 the young sovereign, and that halcyon hours began for them 
 both on that memorable day. 
 
 Victoria had nevertheless not only to declare her love to 
 the man of ber choice ; she had on a later day to tell it to the 
 assembled Privy Council. " Precisely at two," she went in. 
 The room was full. Lord Melbourne, then Prime Minister, 
 looked kindly at her with tears in his eyes, but he was not 
 near the Queen. She then read her short declaration. She 
 was trembling violently, but did not make one mistake, and 
 she felt most happy and thankful when it was over. 
 
 The marriage was not long delayed. The wedding was cele- 
 brated on the loth of February, 1840, with a splendor unu- 
 sual, even in Royal marriages, and the popular rejoicing was 
 universal. Contrary to the established custom, by which Royal 
 marriages have been performed in the evening, the Queen's 
 marriage took place at one o'clock in the afternoon, and thus 
 a new precedent was set which was followed all through the 
 reign. 
 
 The Prince, with his father and brother, left the Bucking- 
 ham Palace at a quarter to twelve for St. James's Palace, and 
 half an hour later the Royal bride made the same journey, 
 accompanied by the Duchess of Kent. The streets passed 
 through rang with joyous acclamations. The Queen was 
 dressed in white satin, with a deep trimming of Honiton lace. 
 She also wore a Honiton veil, and was wreathed in orange- 
 blossoms. The satin was manufactured at Spitalfield's, and 
 the lace at Honiton. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the 
 
ALBERT, PRINCE CONSORT. 20^ 
 
 Bishop of London took the service, and the Queen made the 
 promise of " obedience " to her newly-naturalized subject. 
 Then the cannons roared from the Tower and the parks, and 
 the bells of London and Westminster pealed forth their con- 
 gratulations. The wedding breakfast was given at Bucking- 
 ham Palace. 
 
 The marriage was immensely popular. It was a true-love 
 match, and the people rejoiced in it as though no such mar- 
 riage of affection had ever taken place before. There was, 
 however, a good deal of difficulty about settling the position 
 of the Prince Consort. Parliament had given him ;,^30,ooo 
 a year, instead of ;^5o,ooo, which had been asked. His own 
 good sense solved the difficulty of his position. In a letter to 
 the Duke of Wellington, declining the command of the army 
 which had been foolishly offered him, he described the prin- 
 ciple on which he had acted from the first. It was to " sink 
 his own individual position in that of the Queen — to aim at 
 no power by himself or for himself, but to be the head of hef 
 household, her sole confidential adviser in politics, and only 
 assistant in her communications with the officers of the Gov- 
 ernment." Even in this line, to which he rigidly adhered, 
 Prince Albert was often exposed to public suspicion, and at 
 one period to considerable unpopularity. He certainly took 
 much part in foreign affairs, and his very last act was to write 
 a memorandum for the Queen on the communication which 
 the Government proposed to make the United States on the 
 affair of Trent. He wrote this on his death-bed on the ist 
 December, 1861. 
 
 The Queen was reverenced, as no other English monarch 
 had ever been before, for domestic virtues which few other 
 English sovereigns have ever possessed. She was known ta 
 
^06 AN HEIR TO THE THRONE. 
 
 be a good mother, and Prince Albert was known to be a 
 good father; and by these unusual titles to popular affection 
 they gave new strength and popularity to the Throne itself. 
 
 The first of the Royal children to present itself was Vic- 
 toria Adlaide Mary Louisa, Princess Royal of England, now 
 the widowed Empress Frederick, of Germany. She was born 
 at Buckingham Palace on November 21st, 1840. It is the 
 constitutional duty of the members of the Privy Council to 
 be in attendance at the birth of an Heir to the Throne ; and, 
 consequently, when the birth was announced there were pres- 
 ent at the Palace the Lord Chancellor, Lord Melbourne, Lord 
 Palmerston, Sir John Russell, and many others, with the Duch- 
 ess of Kent, the Duke of Sussex, the Archbishop of Canter- 
 bury, and a host of medical men. They received an early in- 
 troduction to the Princess, but as the young lady was rather 
 noisy, she was soon taken away. The Tower guns were fired 
 in honor of the event, and there were many rejoicings in the 
 country. On the 9th of the same month in the following 
 year, the career of the Prince of Wales had its beginning. 
 He was born at Buckingham Palace, the hour being eleven 
 o'clock. He was also introduced at once to the Privy Coun- 
 cillors and other distinguished people, who signed a declara- 
 tion in the usual way as to the birth of an heir to the British 
 Crown. This second event made the Queen very happy. 
 
 The Prince was christened with great ceremonial at St. 
 George's Chapel, Windsor Palace, on January 25th, 1842, the 
 King of Prussia being chief sponsor. He was christened 
 Albert Edward, the second name being that of his maternal 
 grandfather, the Duke of Kent. 
 
 Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, afterward Duke of Edinburgh, 
 was born in August, 1844. The Princess Helena (Princess 
 
VICTORIA A WIDOW. 207 
 
 Christian), was born in 1846; Princess Louise (Marchioness 
 of Lome) in 1848; Prince Arthur (Duke of Connaught), in 
 1850; Prince Leopold (late Duke of Albany), in 1853; and 
 Princess Beatrice (Princess Henry of Battenberg), in 1857. 
 
 The totally unexpected death of Prince Albert was to the 
 Queen so terrible a blow that she can be said never to have 
 recovered from it. Like a destructive flash of lightning out 
 of a perfectly clear sky, came the announcement of Decem- 
 ber 8th, 1 861, that he was confined to his room by a very 
 bad cold. A few days later the statement was made that he 
 was suffering from fever, but that it was not attended by 
 serious symptoms, though likely to be prolonged. In another 
 day he was somewhat worse, but still no public apprehension 
 was felt, and when, at midnight on Saturday, the 14th, the 
 people who live within its sound heard St. Paul's bell tolling, 
 and when on Sunday morning the people in the great towns 
 were arrested by a funeral knell, nobody thought at first the 
 meaning of the unusual sounds. The news on that fateful 
 Sunday morning met the people on their way to church and 
 chapel that the Prince had died at ten minutes to eleven the 
 night before, and was everywhere received with consternation 
 and surprise. 
 
 The body of the Prince Consort now rests in the noble 
 mausoleum erected by the Queen at Frogmore. Since the 
 death of her husband, the Queen — while not neglecting State 
 affairs — has lived to a large extent a retired life, and the cere- 
 monial duties of her position have been chiefly borne by the 
 Prince and Princess of Wales. 
 
 Prince Albert was in the very zenith of his fame and hap- 
 piness when he was taken away. The Queen herself said of 
 his death, that the loss to her was so great that It would be 
 
';lo8 PRINCE OF WALES WEDS. 
 
 the beginning' of a new reign. It was practically the begiu- 
 ning of a new reign. The Queen's widowhood severed her 
 from politics. The Court was eclipsed ; and for several years 
 the widowed Queen made no public appearances. 
 
 The great event of the year 1863 was the marriage of the 
 Prince of Wales with Alexandra, daughter of the King of 
 Denmark. The whole country was alive with excitement and 
 rejoicing. The Princess was accompanied to England by her 
 father, mother, and sister, and was met at Gravesend by the 
 Prince of Wales, who drove with her through the streets of 
 London, amid the enthusiastic cheering of enormous crowds. 
 
 When Eton was reached, on the way to Windsor, the boys 
 cheered again for the beautiful young Princess. The wedding 
 took place at St. George's Chapel, on the loth of March, the 
 Queen attending in widow's weeds, but taking no part in the 
 proceedings. All the other members of the family were 
 present with the Prince of Prussia and members of many 
 Royal families abroad. The Princess wore a dress of white 
 satin and Honiton lace, with a silver-moire train. Her jew- 
 elry was very magnificent, a riviere of diamonds, presented 
 by the City of London, being alone worth ^50,000. An opal 
 and diamond bracelet which she wore was the gift of the 
 ladies of Manchester. At the close of the ceremony, the 
 bride and bridegroom returned to the Castle, where they were 
 received by the Queen. London and many other towns 
 were brilliantly illuminated that night, and the scale on which 
 the rejoicings were held proved the truth of the Laureate's 
 line, " We are each all Dane In our welcome of thee." The 
 honeymoon of the Royal pair was spent at Osborne, the 
 Queen's beautiful home in the Isle of Wight. 
 
 A mournful incident, which brought the Royal family withiiJ 
 
OLD SORROWS RE-OPENED. 209 
 
 the circle of personal sympathy, even of multitudes who have 
 never seen them, was the death of Princess Alice, on the 14th 
 of December, 1878. The death of the Princess on the anni- 
 versary of the death of the Prince Consort was naturally felt 
 by the Queen as a re-opening of the old sorrows. She had 
 been her father's tender and watchful nurse ; she had lived as 
 the exemplary wife of a Prince who was not rich as English 
 Princes are ; and she died of diphtheria caught in the nursing 
 of one of her children. 
 
 A few years ago a great sensation was caused in European 
 circles by the anonymous publication of a book which, under 
 the title of the Roi de Thessalie, gave a very graphic and 
 detailed account of the matrimonial adventures of the reign- 
 ing Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt, the husband of the 
 late Princess Alice, of Great Britain. 
 
 Notwithstanding her reported denial, there is not the slight- 
 est doubt but that the author of the book was Mme. de 
 Kalomine, the divorced wife by second marriage of the Grand 
 Duke, and if any further proofs thereof were needed beyond 
 those contained in the narrative itself, the fact of its having 
 been dedicated to the Grand Duchess Serge, of Russia, 7tef 
 Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt, the only lady of the Royal 
 family who showed any sympathy to her father's morganatic 
 wife, would be sufficient to convince the most skeptical. 
 
 Under the most transparent of pseudonyms the story of 
 the whole scandal is given, showing the part taken therein by 
 Queen Victoria, and it is needless to add that the appearance 
 of the book excited intense wrath in exalted quarters. 
 
 M. de Kalomine, who was at the time Russian Charge 
 d' Affaires at Darmstadt, became jealous of the unconcealed 
 admiration on the part of the Grand Duke for his lovely wife, 
 
2IO SCANDAL IN HIGH LIFE. 
 
 on whose account he had already been obliged to fight three 
 duels. Warned by an anonymous letter, he met her as she 
 was riding home alone from a tete-a-tete promenade with the 
 Grand Duke in the Heiligenberg woods, and accused her of 
 being the paramour of the sovereign at whose Court he was 
 accredited; he lashed her face repeatedly with his riding- 
 whip, causing her horse to bolt. Falling from her saddle, and 
 slightly injured, she was carried home, and remained confined 
 three weeks to her bed with an attack of brain fever. On 
 her recovery she found that in consequence of a private tele- 
 gram from the Grand Duke her husband had been recalled, 
 and had been dispatched on a special mission to Japan. 
 
 About a week after Mme. de Kalomine's recovery the 
 Grand Duke visited her, and having declared his love, urged 
 her to ask for a divorce on the ground of her husband's 
 ill-treatment, and afterward to marry him. Louis IV of 
 Hesse-Darmstadt, who was then only a little over forty years 
 old, was still one of the handsomest and finest specimens of 
 manhood in Europe, and it was not difficult for him to per- 
 suade her to separate from M. de Kalomlne, who, with his 
 correctly-trimmed whiskers, short, stout figure, and generally 
 graceless appearance, presented but a sorry contrast to the 
 Grand Duke. 
 
 Ten months later, in the spring of 1884, Mme. de Kalomine 
 obtained her divorce, and the date on which she was free to 
 marry again fell just two days before that fixed for the wed- 
 ding of Princess Victoria of Hesse to Prince Louis of Batten- 
 berg. Mme. de Kalomine lived so retired and quietly during 
 the whole time that althouofh the Grand Duke's admiration 
 for her was whispered about the city, nobody dreamed that 
 anything serious was about to happen. 
 
tilB ROBEKT PEKI-. 
 
AN AUDACIOUS ACT. ^13 
 
 The day before the arrival of Queen Victoria to attend the; 
 wedding of her granddaughter, Mme. de Kalomine entreated 
 the Grand Duke to hesitate before finally uniting himself to 
 her. She had fears as to the future, and reminded him that 
 Queen Victoria was most anxious that he should marry 
 Princess Beatrice as soon as ever the Deceased Wife's Sister 
 Bill had been passed in the English Parliament. The Grand 
 Duke smilingly remarked in reply that his respected mother- 
 in-law would know nothing about the matter until after the 
 ceremony, when it would be too late for any kind of obstruction. 
 
 On the following day Queen Victoria reached Darmstadt 
 with Princess Beatrice. At length the day — April 30th, 1884 
 '^fixed for the marriage of Princess Victoria arrived. The 
 wedding was to take place without much pomp and ceremony 
 in the evening. At 1 1 o'clock on the morning of the same 
 day the secret marriage between the Grand Duke and Mme. 
 de Kalomine took place in the Palace Chapel. The only per- 
 sons present were the Ministers of Justice and of the Interior. 
 At the moment of the benediction a terrible thunder-storm ap- 
 peared to predict troubles and sorrows to the newly married 
 couple, who immediately retired to the very room used by the 
 late Princess Alice as her boudoir, where they remained seve- 
 ral hours, while the old Minister of the Interior guarded the 
 door, frightened out of his wits lest the Queen should notice 
 her son-in-law's prolonged absence. 
 
 At 5 o'clock the grand ceremony of Princess Victoria's mar- 
 riage took place. The royal cortege entered the chapel, the 
 Grand Duke leading his daughter, the Queen following alone, 
 then Princess Beatrice, and following her the Crown Prince 
 and Princess of Germany, the Prince and Princess of Wales, 
 the Battenberg family, etc. 
 
214 *' WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 
 
 ' The Queen was not present at the subsequent State ban- 
 quet, preferring to dine alone with her younger grandchildren. 
 Suddenly, about 1 1 o'clock at night, when she was about to 
 retire to rest, the Crown Prince of Germany arrived and de- 
 manded an immediate audience on matters of the very high- 
 est importance. The Queen, frightened by the agitation de- 
 picted on his countenance, exclaimed, " Good heavens, Fritz, 
 what has happened?" In a few words he informed her of 
 the secret marriage which had taken place in the morning. 
 On hearing this the Queen uttered a terrible cry. What ! the 
 husband of her favorite daughter Alice had dared to desecrate 
 the memory of his dead wife by marrying a divorced woman 
 — a mere nobody ! She become so red in the face and ex- 
 perienced such difficulty in getting her breath that the Crown 
 Prince, fearing an apoplectic fit, was about to summon help, 
 when she stopped him. "Where are they now?" she ex- 
 claimed. 
 
 The Prince Informed her that they had retired to rest over 
 two hours ago. Furiously the old lady tore open her door 
 and was about to rush to the Grand Duke's apartments, when 
 the Crown Prince, foreseeing the scandal which would ensue, 
 held her back by main force until she had become a little more 
 calm. She then decided to summon the Grand Duke to her 
 presence. 
 
 The latter was suddenly awakened from his sweet slumbers 
 by the knocking at the door of a chamberlain, who, In trem- 
 bling accents. Informed his master that the Queen Insisted on 
 his appearing before her at once. His wife, very rightly fear- 
 ing the worst, clung to him in despair, crying that she would 
 never see him again. Her husband soothed her with promises 
 as best he could, and twenty minutes later stood in the presence 
 
DECREE OF EXPULSION. 21 5 
 
 of his irate mother-in-law, with whom were gathered the 
 Crown Prince and Princess of Germany, Princess Beatrice, 
 and his own Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Justice whom 
 the Queen had summoned. 
 
 "You must drive that horrible woman away this very night," 
 exclaimed the latter, " and you must sign this decree of ex- 
 pulsion which I have already had drawn up by your Ministers. 
 Good God ! if I could drive the creature out of the place with 
 my own hands/' shrieked the Queen frantically. The Grand 
 Duke who, although a giant in stature, is blessed with the 
 weakest of characters, and has absolutely no strength of mind, 
 after some hesitation gave way to his mother-in-law's wrath 
 and signed the document. 
 
 His bride, who, notwithstanding her fright, had finally 
 dropped off to sleep, was awakened about two hours later by 
 the disagreeable old grand-mistress of the robes, who com- 
 municated to her in the most offensive manner possible the 
 Royal decree of expulsion and stated that she had orders not 
 to leave her until she left the Palace. The unfortunate 
 woman, on seeing her husband's signature to the document, 
 understood that she was forsaken by the man who, but a few 
 hours previously, had sworn to love and protect her. While 
 she was hurriedly dressing, with the assistance of her Russian 
 maid, a post-chaise, with an escort of about forty mounted 
 police, stopped at the nearest door of the Palace, and she was 
 hustled into it and rapidly driven to the nearest frontier. 
 The only person to wish her God-speed was the old nurse of 
 Princess Elizabeth (subsequent Grand Duchess Serge of 
 Russia); who conveyed messages of sympathy and affection 
 from her young mistress to the unfortunate woman, and 
 brough to her the Princess's own rug, as the night was 
 
21 6 GRAND duke's WIFE. 
 
 bitterly cold. As she drove away she caught a glimpse of 
 the pale face of her husband peering out from the window, 
 while at the next she perceived the angry face of the Queen. 
 The ex-Mme. de Kalomine took refuge at a convent just 
 across the frontier. Two days later a Royal messenger 
 arrived bearing a written offer on the part of the Grand 
 Duke to create her Countess of Romrod, and to confer on 
 her the estate of the same name, on the condition that she 
 would surrender all her rights as wife of the sovereign, and 
 never ao-ain set foot within his dominions. 
 
 o 
 
 She contented herself with returning the letter with an in- 
 dorsement to the effect " that the Grand Duke's wife is not 
 prepared to sell her rights." Summoning the leader of the 
 opposition party at Darmstadt, who happened to be a very 
 clever lawyer, she placed the whole matter in his hands. The 
 latter commenced by having a certified copy of the marriage, 
 with the Grand Duke's signature, published in all the Ger- 
 man papers, and then proceeded to defend his client in the 
 action for divorce, on the ground of incompatibility of temper, 
 which the Grand Duke had brought against her. So cleverly 
 was she defended, that the action was about to fall to the 
 ground, when, at the last moment, the Presiding Judge, won 
 over by the promise of a much coveted title of nobility, 
 suddenly remembered that the Grand Duke held a command 
 in the German army, and that officers are not allowed to 
 marry without the Emperor's permission. On these pre- 
 posterous grounds the marriage was declared annulled and 
 illegal and the divorce decreed. 
 
 The poor woman now resides in relative poverty at Dres- 
 den with the little boy, issue of her marriage with the Grand 
 Duke. The latter, immediately after the expulsion, was taken 
 
MORNING AT WINDSOR. 21 7 
 
 off to England by his mother-in-law, who managed to keep 
 him at Balmoral for over three months, by which time he had 
 got over any feelings of regret for his lovely wife. 
 
 The Crown Prince and Princess of Germany left Darm- 
 stadt in disgust on the very night of the scandal, and the 
 Prince and Princess of Wales did not attempt to conceal their 
 sorrow and regret of so unseemly an affair. 
 
 Less than six years after the death of Princess Alice 
 the Royal family had again to mourn a breach in 
 its ranks. Prince Leopold had always been delicate, but of 
 late years there had been more reason to hope that 
 he might some day be well if not strong. He had gone to 
 Cannes in the beginning of 1884 to escape from the asperlf- 
 ties of an English spring. A sprain to his knee in running 
 up-stairs laid him up, and a fit of epilepsy suddenly closed his 
 life. He had not been married two years, and it was scarcelj^ 
 three since he had taken his seat in the House of Lords as 
 Duke of Albany. After his funeral the Queen wrote a lettef 
 to the nation, expressing her deep sense of the sympathy 
 that had been felt by Her Majesty and the Duchess of Albany 
 in their bereavement. When this letter was published, the 
 Queen had gone over to Darmstadt to be present at the mar- 
 riage of Prince Louis, of Battenberg, with her granddaugh- 
 ter, the Princess Victoria of Hesse. This marriage, as well 
 as that of the Queen's youngest daughter to Prince Henry of 
 B'attenberg, gave great offense to the Prince of Wales, and to 
 most members of the Royal family. 
 
 Prince Henry Is the son of the Princess Julia of Battenberg, 
 whose blood is of the most plebeian hue, and whose brother, 
 a Hebrew socialist, of the name of Hauke, was killed by the 
 military during a riot in 1849. 
 13 
 
21 8 HENRY OF BATTENBERG. 
 
 The Queen's infatuation for her son-in-law, Henry of Bat- 
 tenberg, was most extraordinary in a woman of her judgment 
 and common sense, for the Prince, excepting for his good 
 looks, had absolutely nothing to commend him. He was far 
 from bright, and his conduct before and since his marriage had 
 been anything but admirable. 
 
 How securely he stood in the Queen's favor is shown by the 
 fact that he could afford to leave Court from time to time and 
 go either for cruises on the beautiful yacht presented to him 
 by her Majesty, or else visit his brother Alexander, who in- 
 curred her Majesty's bitterest resentment by frustrating her 
 pet project of a marriage between him and her granddaughter, 
 Princess Victoria of Prussia, whom he jilted on the very eve 
 of the date appointed for their wedding at Windsor Castle, in 
 order to become the husband of the beautiful actress, Mile. 
 Loisinger. 
 
 One of the most popular, unassuming, and kind-hearted of 
 all the members of the British Royal family, however, is the 
 widowed Duchess of Albany, who has recently come before 
 the public in the role of ah inventor. 
 
 The Duchess, though not beautiful, has a very sweet and 
 attractive face, and while she has truly and sincerely mourned 
 her husband, yet, on the whole, she cannot but be happier 
 with her children now as a widow than she was as the wife of 
 the youngest of Queen Victoria's sons. 
 
 During the Duke's lifetime, after her marriage to him, she 
 was never free from anxiety and care. For he was not only 
 subject to terrible epileptic fits, but, moreover, he was deficient 
 in the normal quota of epidermis. His veins and arteries 
 were insufficiently covered and protected by skin, and the 
 consequence was that the least exertion, the slightest scratch, 
 
THE DUCHESS OF ALBANY. 219 
 
 was wont to bring on hemorrhages of the most alarming 
 character. 
 
 What rendered matters very difficult was that he was ex- 
 tremely self-willed; and he insisted on marrying the Duchess, 
 notwithstanding the fact that every one of his family was 
 opposed to the match on the ground of his precarious health. 
 He died very suddenly at Cannes, as I said above, in the 
 midst of a terrible fit of epilepsy and hemorrhage combined, 
 brought on by over-exertion. Indeed, so great was the 
 hemorrhage that it gave rise at the time to a widespread 
 rumor that he had slashed himself to death with sharp scissors 
 during the throes of the fit. 
 
 In one way, however, his marriage was a great relief to his 
 family, for the Duke possessed the unfortunate habit while a 
 bachelor of making friends and associates of people who 
 were in every way unworthy of the honor. 
 
 Indeed, on more than one occasion was the Prince of Wales 
 forced to interfere in a rather vigorous and stern manner to 
 prevent his youngest and best-loved brother from showing 
 himself in public with men of more than questionable repu- 
 tation, whose association with the Duke gave rise to many 
 malicious rumors concerning his character. The Duchess is 
 a sister of the Queen Regent of Holland, a widow like herself. 
 Both are now in easy circumstances, and their present 
 affluence presents a striking contrast to the bitter penury of 
 their youth at the impoverished Court of their father, the 
 reigning Prince of the tiny principality of Waldeck-Pyrmont. 
 
 Only those who have had an opportunity of coming into 
 frequent contact with Her Majesty the Queen are acquainted 
 with the irritability and imperiousness of her character, which 
 have not been diminished, but rather increased by a half a 
 
2 20 ROYAL DISPLEASURE. 
 
 century of rulership over a considerable portion of the 
 globe. 
 
 Life at the English Court is by no means agreeable, and 
 popular ideas as to the basking in the sunshine of Royalty 
 are quickly dispelled by the frowns which so frequently cloud 
 the countenance of " Her Most Gracious Majesty." The 
 least trifle annoys her, and although under ordinary circum- 
 stances a woman of extraordinary common sense, she be- 
 comes at times utterly unreasonable, and even harsh. 
 
 Some of the most loyal and deserving members of her 
 household have been dismissed and turned away almost at a 
 moment's notice, not for any misconduct, but merely because 
 their appearance had ceased to please, and had become tire- 
 some to her very capricious Majesty. 
 
 There is one case, that of Lord Playfair, who, notwith- 
 standing his long and devoted services to the Prince Consort, 
 was removed from his post of gentleman-in-waiting because 
 the Queen had objection to his legs, which, being short and 
 deflected, did not appear to advantage in knee-breeches and 
 silk stockings. Mr. Lyon Playfair, as he was then, has since 
 been consoled by a peerage, and by his marriage to a very 
 charming American girl, Miss Russel, of Boston. 
 
 Although the Queen's irritability keeps the members of her 
 household in perpetual apprehension of Royal displeasure 
 and wiggings that are extremely Imperial in their vigor, yet 
 she is constantly doing little acts of considerate and motherly 
 kindness which endear her to both her immediate entourage 
 and to her subjects. 
 
 I saw the fact mentioned in a paper the other day that 
 Queen Victoria had not enjoyed a dance since the year 1861, 
 when she lost both her mother and her husband. This is 
 
BALLS FOR TENANTS. 221 
 
 true as regards the State balls at Buckingham Palace, not one 
 of which has been honored by her presence during the last 
 thirty years. 
 
 It is a great mistake, however, to believe that she has 
 never danced since then. For at the tenants' and servants' 
 balls, which she gives every year at Balmoral Castle during 
 her stay in the Highlands, she has frequently trod a measure 
 with some one of her favorite attendants, who, it may well 
 be imagined, enjoy the privilege with a keen relish. 
 
 Queen Victoria is by no means the only sovereign lady 
 who is fond of dancing. Both Queen Marguerite of Italy ' 
 and the Empress of Russia are passionately fond of waltzing, 
 and are, moreover, indefatigable. They enjoy a very notable 
 advantage over the remainder of their sex, for, whereas, 
 under ordinary circumstances, women are forced to wait until 
 invited to dance by men, ladies of royal rank have the privi- 
 lege of selecting their partners. This they do through their 
 chamberlains and gentlemen-in-waiting, who bear to the 
 partner of their choice the Royal command to dance such 
 and such a waltz with them. 
 
 If the cavalier in question happens to be already engaged 
 for the dance with some other lady, he is forced to leave her 
 in the lurch, as everything has to give way to these Royal 
 commands. 
 
 The gardener of the Queen is a very Important personag^^ 
 whose post is no sinecure, for Her Majesty absolutely refuses 
 to eat any fruit save that which Is grown at Frogmore, near 
 Windsor, and there Is a perpetual packing and sending off 
 huge hampers of fruit and vegetables wherever the Queen 
 may be. 
 
 By the way, the Queen has now to be very careful about 
 
22 2 "EARL GREY'S MIXTURE." 
 
 her diet, and never eats underdone beef, mutton, or veal 
 Pork, Her Majesty never touches, except when made into 
 sausages. Even the Royal cook has to chop the pork as fine 
 as sand, and put plenty of stale bread-crumbs among the 
 meat, and about ten grains of fine powdered dry sage in each 
 sausage, and a little home-cured Melton Mowbray dried.' 
 Unsmoked bacon is always cooked with the sausages. Crabs 
 or lobsters are not thought of, and very seldom oysters. The 
 game put on the table must be high, but not too much so, 
 and black currant jelly is always on the table. Her Majesty 
 is a very healthy woman, but not very strong. She drinks 
 little, but at luncheon enjoys a small glass of bitter ale. Then 
 there is always afternoon coffee and milk cake. 
 
 The tea consumed by the Royal household in England is 
 always bought at a quaint, old-fashioned shop in Pall Mall, 
 and has been bought there during the reigns of Queen Vic- 
 toria's five predecessors. It costs five shillings and four- 
 pence a pound, and was for a long while known as " Earl 
 Grey's Mixture," this nobleman having recommended this 
 particular mixture to Her Majesty. 
 
 When a dinner is given at Windsor or Buckingham Palace, 
 fish to the extent of $250 worth is ordered; but for an ordi- 
 nary family dinner three kinds of fish are put on the table, 
 whiting being almost invariably one of them. A sirloin of 
 beef is cooked every day, and is put on the sideboard cold for 
 luncheon. The Queen takes after her dinner one water bis- 
 cuit and a piece of Cheddar cheese ; the Prince of Wales 
 eats a bit of Gorgonzola with a crust of home-made bread. 
 The tea, the cheese, arid the royal bed are always taken along 
 whenever the Queen travels. Her Majesty's wine, which is 
 well known to be incomparable, is kept in the cellars of St. 
 
Victoria's " night-cap." 223 
 
 James's Palace, and is sent in baskets of three dozen to 
 wherever she may be, this being done more for the household 
 and guests than for herself, as when alone she drinks only- 
 very weak whiskey and water with her meals, by her physi- 
 cian's orders. At banquets, however, she takes two glasses 
 of Burgundy. The clerk of the Royal kitchens, who always 
 carves, receives ^3,500 per annum, the head chef the same 
 salary, and the confectioners $1,500 and $1,250. 
 
 An allusion which I saw in a London letter, published by 
 one of the New York newspapers, to Queen Victoria's fond- 
 ness for a " nightcap," in shape of Auld Kirk whiskey and 
 Apollinaris, reminds me of an incident which took place on 
 one occasion on board the Royal yacht, " Victoria and Albert." 
 The Queen and her ladies had settled themselves in what 
 they considered to be a very sheltered place, protected by 
 the paddle-box ! Suddenly, she observed a commotion among 
 the sailors, little knots of men talking together, in a myste- 
 rious manner. First one officer came up, then another, look- 
 ing puzzled, and at length the Captain appeared. 
 
 The Queen, whose curiosity had been aroused, asked what 
 was the matter, and laughingly inquired of the Captain whe- 
 ther there was going to be a mutiny on board. The Captain 
 replied that he really did not know what would happen unless 
 Her Majesty were graciously pleased to remove her seat. 
 
 " Move my seat !" exclaimed the Queen. " Why should I ? 
 What harm am I doing here ?" 
 
 " Well, ma'am," said the Captain, " the fact is that Your 
 Majesty is sitting up against the door of the place where the 
 grog tubs are kept, and so the men cannot have their grog." 
 
 " Oh ! very well," smiled the Queen, " I will move on one 
 condition — namely, that you bring me a glass of grog." 
 
2 24 FROGMORE, WINDSOR PARK. 
 
 Frogmore, to which I alluded just now, when talking of the 
 Queen's love for fruit, was the house in Windsor Park 
 which was formerly Inhabited by the Queen's mother, the 
 Duchess of Kent. In 1863 it was assigned to the Prince of 
 Wales as a country residence at the time of his marriage. It 
 was there that his eldest son, Prince Eddie, was born, some- 
 what unexpectedly, I may say, for the Princess of Wales had 
 spent the afternoon of the day on which he made his appear- 
 ance in the world skating and sleighing on Virginia Water. 
 The child was born so quickly after return home thg-t there 
 was no time to summon either the doctors, the Cabinet Min- 
 ister, who should have been in attendance, or even the nurse. 
 It was Lady Macclesfield, the favorite lady-in-waiting of the 
 Princess, who performed the duty of monthly nurse and sage" 
 femme for her Royal mistress, and who was the first to greet 
 the tiny Prince on his arrival in this world. 
 
 The Prince of Wales soon afterward gave up Frogmore, 
 finding It too damp, dreary, and above all, too near his mother, 
 the Queen, for the latter Is exceedingly despotic with her chil- 
 dren, exercising her authority over them not only as mother, 
 but also as sovereign, and ordering them hither and thither, 
 without any regard to their convenience, comfort, or Inclina- 
 tions. The Prince loves his Independence, and therefore 
 sees just as little of his respected mother as he can possibly 
 contrive to do. One of his greatest annoyances when In her 
 presence is that he cannot smoke. 
 
 Queen Victoria, notwithstanding all that has been said to 
 the contrary, has a very strong dislike to tobacco smoke, and 
 smoking is strictly forbidden in all those parts of the Palace 
 at Osborne, Windsor, or Balmoral which she frequents. 
 
 Some time ago one of her Cabinet Ministers received a 
 
A TINY TODDLER. 225 
 
 letter from her Private Secretary, General Sir Henry Pon- 
 sonby, sayfng that Her Majesty begged that in future 
 he would not send his dispatches saturated with tobacco 
 smoke. 
 
 The official in question turned the Royal snub onto a score 
 of his colleagues, for he wrote to each in turn, saying that he 
 had received a letter from the Queen, commanding that they 
 should not smoke while writing their dispatches ! 
 
 Her Majesty has, of late years, shown a tendency to ignore 
 the claims and customs of Christmas. Before the Prince 
 Consort died, in the days when the Queen's children were 
 children indeed, Christmas created, literally, " a great stir " 
 in the Royal house circle, for everybody had a hand in making 
 the monster pudding that was subsequently to grace the 
 Royal table, and great fun was invariably extracted out of 
 the proceedings, but never did the mirth rise to such a pitch 
 as on one memorable occasion when the Princess Beatrice, 
 ihen the tiniest of toddlers, in reaching down into the recesses 
 of the pan after a piece of candied peel, over-balanced her 
 chubby little self, and tipped headforemost into the lithe 
 mixture. 
 
 She was rescued in a moment, but not before her fair, 
 curly pate and face were a sticky mass of currants, raisins, 
 peel, and spice. Perhaps the Royal family never enjoyed a 
 heartier laugh together, and certainly Princess Beatrice never 
 screamed so loudly ! 
 
 It may possibly interest my lady readers to learn that all 
 the washing of the Queen, the Princess of Wales, and. In 
 fact, of the entire Royal family, is done at Richmond, where 
 a laundry has been organized for the special behoof of the 
 Royal households. 
 
2 26 HER majesty's ROBES. 
 
 The wages there are exceedingly low, the employees being 
 presumably satisfied for the paucity of their remuneration by 
 the honor which they possess of washing the soiled linen of 
 Royalty. All the dresses and robes that Her Majesty 
 the Queen has ever worn are kept stored and laid by in 
 large cabinets at Windsor Castle. None are either sold 
 or given away. The practice is a very old one with the 
 British Royalty. 
 
ENTERTAINMENTS 
 
 AT 
 
 BUCKINGHAM PALACE. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 QUEEN VICTORIA devotes ;^ 10,000, or ^50,000, every 
 year to entertainments at Buckingham Palace. These 
 consist of two State balls and two State Concerts, at 
 each of which Her Majesty is represented by the Prince and 
 Princess of Wales. The Queen limits the expense of the 
 State balls to ^10,000 each, while that of the State concerts 
 is fixed at ^15,000. Under no circumstances are these figures 
 permitted by the sovereign to be exceeded. 
 
 Court trains are not worn by the ladies at these entertain- 
 ments, while the men, unless they belong to the army or 
 the navy, are forced to don white knee-breeches and white 
 silk stockings, which are very trying to the appearance. 
 
 The second category of the Queen's guests are those who 
 attend her periodical afternoon receptions at Buckingham 
 Palace, which are known by the name of " Drawing-rooms," 
 and which are held for the express purpose of permitting 
 debutantes to be presented to the Royal family. 
 
 The majority of American ladies who visit England for the 
 first time appear to believe that presentation at the British 
 Court carries with It the entree to London society, invitations 
 to Court entertainments, and a personal acquaintance with 
 the members of the Royal family. This is a great mistake, 
 for there is so little exclusiveness displayed by the Lord 
 
 227 
 
228 PRESENTATION AT COURT. 
 
 Chamberlain's department, in restricting admission to the 
 Queen's drawing-room, that the mere fact of presentation is 
 absolutely without any social significance whatever. 
 
 I may add the ventilation of the Palace is terribly defective, 
 with the alternate intense heat and icy draughts most injurious 
 to the health, and that the crush is intolerable. Everybody 
 wants to get ahead of everybody else, in order to get through 
 the presentation and back to her carriage, for a Court pres- 
 entation practically involves leaving one's house at noon, 
 alighting at the Palace an hour later, after interminable waits, 
 and standing upon one's feet thereafter, and amid an elbow- 
 ing, pushing, somewhat selfish throng of women, in an at- 
 mosphere laden with strong perfumes, which are a combi- 
 nation of artificial scents, natural flowers, and cosmetics, until 
 about four or five o'clock, when one finally re-enters the car- 
 riage, crumpled, dispirited, faint from hunger and fatigue, 
 and thoroughly disappointed. 
 
 All this is undergone for the mere sake of spending about 
 sixty seconds in the Throne-room, just the time required to 
 walk from the door up to the spot where stands the Queen, 
 or, as is more generally the case, one of the Princesses repre- 
 senting her, to whom a low courtesy is made. The Royal 
 lady utters no word of welcome or greeting, but merely 
 acknowledges the salute by a slight inclination of the head, 
 and then the presentee has to back out of the room with all 
 possible speed. 
 
 When the Court is at Windsor, Invitations to the Castle 
 are usually sent out by Sir John Cowell, but sometimes they 
 come from the Lord Chamberlain, to whom the necessary 
 instructions have been telegraphed from Windsor. Very 
 short notice is given, and an invitation has sometimes reached 
 
THE GREEN DRAWING-ROOM. 229 
 
 a guest on the afternoon of the day on which he was expected 
 at the Castle. 
 
 As a rule, the Queen's guests travel by the 6.30 train from 
 Paddington, and on arriving at the visitors' entrance of the 
 Castle they are received by the pages of the chamber, who 
 always have a list of the people who are expected in their 
 respective apartments. The company assemble in the corri- 
 dor by half-past eight, everybody being in full dress, and 
 those who have a right to wear the Windsor uniform are 
 expected to array themselves In that hideous garb. The 
 Queen enters at a quarter to nine with the members of the 
 Royal family, and then the company at once go to dinner. 
 The only personal intercourse between a guest and the 
 hostess takes place after dinner in the corrider, when the 
 Queen always converses for a few minutes with each visitor 
 in succession ; and, after having gone round the circle, bows, 
 and retires for the night. 
 
 The Queen then goes to her own apartments, where she 
 reads or writes, or listens to a reader for about an hour. 
 Her Majesty occupies either her own sitting-room or the 
 adjoining one, which was formerly Prince Albert's study. 
 
 After the Queen has retired, the guests and the rest of 
 the company adjourn to one of the drawing-rooms, of which 
 there are three at Windsor, the Red, the White, and the 
 Green, connected by doors covered with exquisite Chippen- 
 dale carvings. These rooms are hung with portraits, and 
 contain many cabinets which are virtually priceless. In the 
 Green Drawing-Room Is a Sevres dessert service which Is 
 valued at $250,000. 
 
 It is a curious fact that Windsor Castle should be one of 
 the only great palaces In Europe which Is not supposed to be 
 
230 HAJNTED PALACE. 
 
 haunted, especially when it Is borne in mind that it has been 
 the residence of the most cruel and bloodthirsty of English 
 Kings. Hampton Court is haunted, so is the Tower, the 
 latter by an undoubted ghost which has been on the walk for 
 centuries. Whitehall was haunted by the headless spectre 
 of Charles I as long as there was anything to haunt there ; in 
 St. James's Palace, Queen CaroUne of Anspach, wife of 
 George II, wanders at night in the Throne room, uttering 
 moans of deep distress, throwing her shadowy hands over 
 her head in an attitude of entreaty. At the Hofburg or Im- 
 perial Palace of Vienna, the dread spectre of " The White 
 Lady" roams around every time a misfortune is about to 
 overtake the reigning family. It was last seen on the eve of 
 the Crown Prince Rudolph's tragical death. At the Imperial 
 Palace of Berlin a gigantic street sweeper, carrying a ghostly- 
 looking broom, appears a week before the death of any 
 member of the Hohenzollern race. In the Winter Palace at 
 St. Petersburg it is a beautiful lady clothed in snowy draperies 
 and crowned with white roses, who is the death messenger 
 of the Romanoffs ; while, according to tradition, a little man 
 dressed in scarlet haunted the Tuileries until the day when 
 the Republic was proclaimed in France and the torches of 
 the Commune reduced the grand old pile to ruin and ashes. 
 The superb old Castle of Heidelberg is visited at midnight 
 on the vigil of St. John by a whole procession of shadowy 
 figures, dressed in the fashion prevailing under the reign of 
 Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, and it is asserted that their 
 advent is invariably heralded by strains of the sweetest and 
 most enthralling music. 
 
 Buckingham Palace is far from showy on the outside, and 
 were it not for the red-coated sentinels who unceasingly 
 
BUCKINGHAM PALACE. 23I 
 
 march up and down before the gates thereof, it would hardly 
 give one the impression of being a Royal residence. The 
 building has been considerably enlarged since it was first 
 built, and is now used chiefly for drawing-rooms. State balls, 
 and concerts, for the Queen seldom resides here for more 
 than a few days at a time. 
 
 The front of this ugly building gives no idea of the pleasant 
 rooms situated at the back, and which overlook a large and 
 beautiful garden, into which one steps through the French 
 windows opening on to a green lawn, shaded all around by 
 fine and well-grown trees, giving no indication in their luxuri- 
 ant foliage of being in the midst of London. 
 
 This verdant carpet leads to a crystal lake further on, 
 where in quiet enjoyment broods of water-fowl and several 
 swans live in contentment. 
 
 The galleries, ball-room, and concert-room, which are 
 reached from the staircase, are of great magnificence. Wall 
 seats, draped in satin, are provided for the company assem- 
 bling in these rooms for a ball, a concert, or any other Royal 
 function, and at one end many handsome chairs are placed 
 for the accommodation of Royalty, with the Throne-room 
 further on, where the Queen receives her guests in state ; 
 and where many debutantes with palpitating hearts, as well as 
 more familiar habitues, have made their courtesies. 
 
 The whole house is splendidly kept — not a suspicion of 
 dust or anything, which in London means a great deal. 
 
 The deer-forest is the great sporting feature of the Queen's 
 Highland country-seat at Balmoral, and it is now one of the 
 best in Scotland, yielding from eighty to a hundred stags every 
 season. Balmoral forest extends to about 10,000 acres ; but 
 the Queen leases from Mr. H. M. Gordon the adjoining 
 
232 QUEEN S DEER FORESTS. 
 
 forests of Abergeldie and Whitemount, which give an addi- 
 tional 7,500 acres. The latter forest contains the celebrated 
 Corrie Bin, which is the favorite feeding-ground of the red 
 deer, and fine sport is always obtained. In 1874 the Queen 
 enlarged her estate by purchasing from the late Colonel Far- 
 quharson, of Ivercauld, the magnificent forest of Ballochbuie, 
 extending to 10,000 acres, which "marches" with the Balmo- 
 ral ground. 
 
 The scenery is very grand in all parts of the Queen's 
 forest, and, owing to the excellent configuration of the ground, 
 three rifles may be out at the same time without interfering 
 with each other's sport in any way. There is quite a net- 
 work of bridle-paths in all directions, so that every part of 
 the forest is easily reached. Prince Albert was a keen deer- 
 stalker, and a fine shot. In Balmoral forest, on the Meikle 
 Pass, the Queen has erected a cairn to mark the spot where 
 the Prince shot his last stag, which was in October, 1861, on 
 the day before he left Balmoral forever. 
 
 Next to the royal deer-forests, the principal sporting 
 feature of the Balmoral domain is the salmon-fishing in the 
 Dee. The Queen has a stretch of fourteen miles, including 
 both banks of the river, and beginning at Invercauld Bridge. 
 These waters yield splendid sport during the spring months, 
 and the pools are easy to fish, eight of the casts being among 
 the best in the Dee. There is very good trout-fishing in 
 some of the lochs on the Royal estate, which were originally 
 stocked with trout by Prince Albert. 
 
 Considering the fondness for horses that seems to be in- 
 born in every American, It Is strange that so few of the trans- 
 Atlantic tourists should avail themselves of the opportunity 
 of inspecting the Royal and Imperial stables of Europe. 
 
"SACRED HANOVERIANS." 233 
 
 This is a mistake, for horses constitute one of the pet 
 luxuries of Kings and Emperors ; and the cream-colored 
 horses of Queen Victoria, the " Orloffs " of the Czar, the 
 ** Trakeners " of Emperor Francis-Joseph, and the " Meck- 
 lenburgers " of Emperor William are each in their way 
 matchless. 
 
 Queen Victoria's cream-hued horses reside in the stables, 
 or Royal mews adjoining Buckingham Palace. The first 
 teams of cream-colored horses were brought from Hanover 
 by King George I, and until Queen Victoria's accession to 
 the Throne their successors were supplied from the celebra- 
 ted breeding-stud at the city of Hanover. When, however, 
 in the year 1837, Queen Victoria ascended the Throne, and 
 the Crown of Hanover passed to Her Majesty's uncle, 
 Duke Ernest of Cumberland, the Royal cream-colored horses 
 ceased to be imported and were bred in England. The 
 *' Sacred Hanoverians," as the cream-colored are called, are 
 very rarely seen by the public at large, save when taken out 
 very early in the morning for an airing on the Vauxhall 
 Bridge Road. They do no work except on State occasions 
 and remain ever untampered with. They are very showy, 
 dignified animals, conscious of their own importance, and look 
 down on the bays, blacks, or roans in the Royal stables with 
 evident pity and contempt. 
 
 Napoleon I was the cause of the cream-colored horses 
 being abandoned on State occasions by British Royalty for 
 black ones during the last great war between France and 
 England. In 1803 Hanover was seized and occupied by the 
 troops of Napoleon, and the French Emperor, who hated 
 King George III, and who, besides all his genius and bril- 
 liant qualities, had an invincible propensity for appropriating 
 14 
 
234 THE "GILDED ARTS." 
 
 what pleased him most among other people's goods and 
 chattels, stole the Elector of Hanover's cream-colored stud, 
 to spite the King of England. Adding insult to injury, the 
 Emperor had actually the audacity to have eight cream- 
 colored horses harnessed to the gorgeous and much-gilded 
 State carriage in which he and Empress Josephine were 
 drawn to Notre Dame to be crowned. This was too much 
 for the infuriated English King, and in a paroxysm of rage 
 he ordered the cream-hued stud at the mews in London to 
 be discarded in favor of black ones. This state of affairs 
 continued until the downfall of Napoleon in 1814, at which 
 period the British monarch claimed from the French Govern- 
 ment the cream-colored stud stolen by Napoleon in 1803, 
 but every horse of that tint had mysteriously disappeared 
 from France, and to this day it remains impossible to dis- 
 cover what became of them. 
 
 The State carriages which are also kept in Buckingham 
 Palace ought to be scarcely less attractive to American vis- 
 itors than the historical " cream-colored " above mentioned. 
 The "gilded ark" in which Queen Victoria rode to her coro- 
 nation has a very noteworthy history of its own, and certainly 
 is a most remarkable-looking object. It was built in 1761. 
 It is seventeen feet long, weighs four tons, and the figures of 
 the four Tritons supporting the traces are of exquisite Italian 
 workmanship. The panels are beautifully painted, and it is 
 surmounted by a golden Royal Crown. 
 
 The majority of the other carriages in the Royal coach- 
 houses convey the impression of being built on altogether too 
 heavy lines, and in fact of lacking modern grace ; but, of 
 course, they are exceedingly stately and some of them ex- 
 tremely gorgeous in their appointments. 
 
PRINCE OF WALES STABLES. 235 
 
 The stables are under the control of the " Master of the 
 Horse " — one of the grand officers of the household — who at 
 the present time is the Duke of Portland. He changes with 
 the Ministry. His deputy and the permanent superintendent 
 is Colonel Sir Charles Maude, who bears the title of Crown 
 Equerry. 
 
 For her own personal use at Windsor and in other places 
 in the country the Queen invariably makes use of a four- 
 seated barouche, with a rumble behind for servants in attend- 
 ance, and drawn by four invariably gray horses, less than 
 sixteen hands high, and ridden by two postillions in very 
 sober liveries. Ordinarily their jackets are black. The car- 
 riage is preceded by a single outrider, and on each side 
 canter two equerries on duty. These equerries, who are 
 colonels or generals in the army, belong to the department 
 of the Master of the Horse. 
 
 The latter has numerous peculiar privileges, one of which 
 is the use of the Royal liveries during his term of office, and 
 the second is his right on all State occasions to a seat in the 
 Queen's own carriage. 
 
 The Prince of Wales stables are at Sandringham, where 
 His Royal Highness goes in extensively for breeding hack- 
 neys and cart horses. During the summer his hunting stud 
 is sent down to Windsor for grazing in the Home Park. His 
 stables cost him ^80,000 a year. This, of course, does not 
 include the cost of his racing stud. 
 
 The Queen's fox and buck-hounds are magnificently kept 
 and trained animals. The historical associations of the 
 Royal pack go back to times beyond the research of consci- 
 entious modern historians, as there were kennels at Swinley 
 before Henry VIII ascended the throne ; and it is alleged by 
 
236 ROYAL BUCK-HOUNDS. 
 
 Robert Huish that for at least four centuries wild stags and 
 hinds were hunted by English monarchs. Every one who is 
 an habitue of the meets of the buck-hounds at Uxbridge 
 Common or Ruislip Town End, or a dozen other trysts, must 
 have heard of the famous run of Charles lis reign from 
 Ascot after a warrantable stag, which was not caught until 
 night had fallen, the eager hounds, with their bristles erect, 
 running into their prey at a remote point in Essex, more than 
 seventy-five miles distant from the spot where they found 
 him. 
 
 It has long been customary in autumn for the huntsmen of 
 the Royal Buck-hounds, assisted by Her Majesty's chief game- 
 keeper, and many other employees, to select from the herd in 
 Windsor Great Park the red deer intended to be uncarted in 
 the ensuing winter before four or five-and-twenty couples ot 
 the best fox-hounds that Belvoir, Badminton, and other famous 
 private kennels can supply. The usual place of deer capture 
 is a grassy paddock below Cranbourne town — a sheltered 
 spot; belted with primeval oaks and colossal beeches. The 
 driving of these selected quarries — all of which have names 
 bestowed upon them, with a view to their becoming as popu- 
 lar as " Harkaway," or " Lord Charles," or " Savernake," or 
 " Coningsby," excites the greatest interest and curiosity, 
 and is generally witnessed by a small party of invited 
 ladies and gentlemen, whose names are well known at the 
 meets over which Her Majesty's huntsmen are wont to pre- 
 side. Both the Prince of Wales and Prince George are 
 passionately fond of fox-hunting, and so likewise was the late 
 Duke of Clarence, who was also an excellent polo-player. 
 
 During his last stay with his regiment at York the Duke 
 
HER majesty's PETS. 237 
 
 was in the habit of devoting several hours a day to this, one 
 of his favorite pastimes. 
 
 A large number of cats are kept about the mews, one of 
 which, called "Jack," is supposed to be the State q2X par ex- 
 cellence. He is a magnificent Persian, of an extremely aris- 
 tocratic nature, as he refuses to acknowledge a helper or 
 liveryman, or, in fact, any one beneath the dignity of the State 
 coachman. It was noticed, however, on the occasion of the 
 visit paid by the Prince of Naples to the stables, that " Jack " 
 at once recognized the presence of Royalty, and immediately 
 paid his grateful respects to the Prince. 
 
 Formerly there used to be a number of what might be 
 called " performing " cats kept about the mews, and these, on 
 the occasion of Her Majesty's visits, were always made to go 
 through their performances, one of which consisted in their 
 jumping from the back of a horse on to the stall-post, and so 
 on throughout the whole ten-stall stables. 
 
 The Jubilee landau is so named as it was used by Her 
 Majesty on the occasion of her jubilee. 
 
 It is a posting landau, driven by postillions, and is drawn 
 by six of the cream-colored horses. Like the other carriages 
 it is colored, lake and vermillion, picked out with gold, and is 
 also decorated on either side with the Royal Arms. The 
 wheels are red and gold wi'th springs. This landau has been 
 all over the country when the Queen has laid foundation 
 stones or opened exhibitions. In addition to these carriages, 
 there are no less than seventy carriages of all kinds for pri- 
 vate use, such as when the Queen pays a visit to the Prince 
 of Wales at Marlborough House. These are driven by pos- 
 tillions with four horses, and plain liveries are worn. The 
 Queen's coachman is Mr. Miller, who was strongly recom- 
 
238 IN THE ROYAL KENNELS. 
 
 mended by Lord Bridport. Mr. Miller's special duty, in the 
 early days of his employment, was to look after the thirty- 
 five saddle-horses then kept for the use of the Royal family 
 for riding. It is the maxim of the Royal Mews that every 
 horse should be treated with kindness as well as firmness. 
 
 The young ones are brought up to look upon the stable- 
 men as their friends ; the result is that while they retain 
 their spirited nature, at the same time they acquire wonderful 
 docility. No bearing reins of any degree of tightness are 
 used in connection with the Buckins^ham Palace stables. It 
 is interesting, in visiting the State horses in company with Mr. 
 Miller, to see how every one of the horses seem to know 
 and like him. Immediately he enters the stables they seem 
 to perceive he is there, and they turn their heads, as if asking 
 for some recognition. One important point in training the 
 State horses consists in making them accustomed to the 
 sound of the drums and bands. It is the practice at the mews 
 for the children belonging to the various stable officials to be 
 sent into the stables frequently with their tiny drums ; and in 
 order that the horses may get accustomed to the bands, Mr. 
 Miller says that whenever he meets a band while he is exer- 
 cising the horse, he makes it a point of always following it 
 closely. 
 
 In the Royal kennels, the Queen's pets are Pomeranian 
 dogs which would not only win the hearts of any dog-lover 
 for their beauty, but who have also earned the exacting ad- 
 miration of the judges. These dogs belong to the Eskimo 
 type of the canine species. They have a long, thick coat that 
 seems to stand out from the body, a tail which curls tightly 
 and lies close to the back, a foxy head, small, erect ears, 
 rather short legs, short back, and a generally square and 
 
POMERANIA DOGS. 239 
 
 thick-set appearance, in spite of which, however, they are ac- 
 tive as kittens. Her Majesty's pets are not Pomeranians in 
 the ordinary acceptance of the term, being rather Italian 
 Spitz dogs. They came from Florence, where they were 
 purchased in 1888. The Queen always names the dogs her- 
 self. 
 
 Collies have always been a breed for which Her Majesty 
 has also shown a preference, and this accounts for their num- 
 ber in the Royal kennels. The majority of them are black- 
 white-and-tan. 
 
THE DESCENDANTS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE QUEEN. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. i 
 
 I 
 
 ALTHOUGH it would be considered as rank treason in 
 England to question in the slightest degree the repu- 
 tation for good taste, chic, and elegance in dress enjoyed by 
 the Princess of Wales, yet the fact remains that it is altogether 
 and entirely undeserved. The merit of telling the fashion 
 for the fair sex in Great Britain belongs not, as is generally 
 supposed, to her, but to her husband, the Prince. 
 
 The latter's taste, formed as it has been by his intercourse 
 with the Comtess de Pourtales, the Marquise de Galliffet, the 
 Marquise de Castellane, and others of the most famous 
 grande mondaines at Paris, is above reproach. It is he 
 who, amid his other multifarious occupations, finds time to 
 personally supervise every detail of the Princess's toilets, and 
 no innovation of dress or coiffure is ever inaugurated by Her 
 Royal Highness which has not previously been submitted to 
 the approval and received the sanction of the Prince. 
 
 The only occasion when she was permitted to follow her 
 own ideas with regard to dress was while her husband was 
 in India, and the result was simply appalling, for by birth and 
 education she is thoroughly German, and her personal taste 
 with regard to dress is likewise German. 
 
 Until she married she was entirely ignorant of all the 
 delicate elesfances of the " toilette intime " of a Parisienne. 
 For a time she had her own way with regard to the dress of 
 240 
 
LACK OF TASTE. 24I 
 
 her three daughters, and in consequence, although they are 
 nice and pretty girls, they appeared the most dowdy and inele- 
 gant young ladies in the whole of the United Kingdom. It 
 has only been since the Prince was induced to interfere in 
 their behalf that they have been dressed with any degree of 
 chic. The most recent instance, however, of the Princess's 
 somewhat commonplace, and what would be described in 
 London as Bloomsbury tastes, is her craze for photographing 
 on china. 
 
 The Court Journals gravely announced a little over a year 
 ago that she had completed the entire tea service adorned 
 with the portraits of her family. 
 
 One can imagine, therefore, the feelings of the Prince 
 gazing on his wife's breakfast table decked with this photo- 
 graph-stained porcelain, when he saw a deep golden stream 
 of tea running down the cheek of his revered mother's face 
 on the teapot while helping himself to milk from a milk jug 
 adorned with the features of his son, and subsequently rinsing 
 his cup in a slop-basin decorated with a group of his family 
 taken in front of the library window at Sandringham. 
 
 The Princess, who, besides being a pianist of rare talent, 
 plays exquisitely on that most difficult of all instruments, the 
 zither, has now turned her attention to the sweet-toned philo- 
 mele, a stringed instrument very much in shape like a violin, 
 but much more comfortably handled. Not only the Princess 
 herself and her daughters, but also her sisters-in-law are 
 taking lessons, and Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lome, 
 is particularly distinguishing herself on this queer-shaped 
 instrument. 
 
 A pretty story is told about the Princess. The scene of it was 
 the Mansion House, the occasion was a ball that was given 
 
242 TAUGHT TO BEHAVE. 
 
 some years ago, and to which, among other " invites," was a 
 provincial Mayor, who had the honor of being introduced to the 
 pretty Princess. The tale goes, and the truth of it is vouched 
 for, that upon his Worship asking, against all rules of " eti- 
 quette," the Princess to grant him a dance, she replied with 
 a touch of delicate humor : " I do not know whether you will 
 not be rather afraid ; some of my children are only just 
 recovering from the measles, and you might take them." 
 The wearer of the civic chain, however, was equal to the 
 occasion, for, bowing low, he replied : *' I should be delighted 
 to take anything from so charming a source." 
 
 Those employed about the Court and thus brought per- 
 sonally into contact with the different members of the Royal 
 family, speak somewhat strongly about the different manners 
 in which the offspring of the various princes and princesses 
 are being trained up, or, to put it in the homely vernacular of 
 the domestics themselves, " taught to behave." The children 
 of the Princess of Wales have won golden opinions in all 
 directions during their years of pupilage. Her sons, when 
 quite little fellows; used to be allowed to join in the games 
 of some of the Windsor lodge-keepers' children, and would 
 amuse themselves for many a long morning swinging and 
 being swung by their lowlier playmates, with hearty enjoy- 
 ment that never degenerated into boisterous or unruly pro- 
 ceedings. 
 
 When the Princess was complimented on their pretty 
 behavior, she remarked that it was her especial object to 
 teach courtesy and good feeling. The Duchess of Albany 
 has now the same charming repute for inciting her little ones 
 to speak politely to their attendants and to treat all classes 
 alike with gentle consideration. When taking her morning 
 
BLIGHT ON OLDEST SONS. 243 
 
 walks with her tiny daughter, if the Duchess chance to meet 
 a gardener or laborer in the grounds, she is at once heard 
 saying to the little Princess : " Now don't forget to say ' Good 
 morning,' darling." But the Duchess of Connaught, excel- 
 lent woman though she is, has educated her offspring on an 
 entirely opposite system ; and rich stories are told of the 
 magniloquence and exacting demeanor of these young people. 
 One of them was heard to impart to his father, with dire 
 indignation ; " Papa, I passed by the sentry in the grounds 
 this morning and he did not salute me." ** I dare say, my 
 dear," placidly repHed the good-natured Duke of Connaught. 
 " But, papa, won't you have him put into the guardroom for 
 such a piece of neglect ?" This, however, the Duke declined 
 to do, to the exceeding disgust of his offended son. 
 
 Strange indeed is the blight that appears to rest upon the 
 first-born sons of the Imperial and Royal families of Europe. 
 The list of Princes holding the position either of Heir Appa- 
 rent or Heir Presumptive to the Throne of the old world, 
 who have been overtaken by premature death is one of 
 considerable length, and includes the names of the Crown 
 Prince of Austria, of the Duke of Brabant, and Prince Bald- 
 win, of Flanders, of the Prince of Orange, the Czarowitz 
 Nicolas Alexandrowitz, the Duke of Orleans, the Prince 
 Imperial of France, besides those of many others, including 
 the name of Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and 
 Avondale, the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. 
 The ultimate demise of the young Prince on the eve of his 
 marriage constituted the partial fulfillment of a popular 
 superstition current in England, according to which Queen 
 Victoria is destined to outlive both the Prince of Wales 
 and the Duke of Clarence, and to be succeeded on the 
 
244 ^ POPULAR SUPERSTITION. 
 
 Throne of Great Britain by a King bearing the name of 
 George V. 
 
 Possibly it was just the knowledge of this widespread 
 belief, coupled with the dread of witnessing the realization 
 of the public premonition on the subject, that caused both the 
 Prince and Princess of Wales, to regard their eldest boy with 
 sentiments of more than ordinary parental affection. Delicate 
 from the very moment of his premature birth at FrogmorCj 
 he was always a source of particular care and of considerable 
 anxiety to his parents. The Prince of Wales himself gave 
 public expression to a feeling of this kind in 1879, '^^ ^^ 
 address which he delivered on the eve of the departure of his 
 two boys for their first cruise as naval cadets on board the 
 " Bacchante." His Royal Highness declared on that occasion 
 that he thought so much of the navy, and had received so 
 much kindness from that branch of the Queen's service in 
 different parts of the world, and that he had at first intended 
 to make sailors of both his boys. . But he feared that the 
 delicate state of his eldest son's health precluded the hope. 
 Still, he trusted that his second son, George, who was sturdy, 
 would carry out the traditions of the service, and make a good 
 sailor. 
 
 Fortunately, the seafaring life on board the " Bacchante " 
 proved beneficial to Prince Eddie's constitution, and when, 
 four years later, he took up his residence at Trinity College, 
 Cambridge, after having sailed round the world, and visited 
 every portion of the vast British Empire, it was believed that 
 he had in a great measure outgrown his delicacy of health. 
 
 At the University, Prince Edward displayed the same ami- 
 able characteristics which had endeared him to all those with 
 whom he had been brought into contact during his life on 
 
AMIABLE PRINCE EDWARD. 245 
 
 board the " Bacchante." And It must be borne in mind that 
 qualities of no ordinary kind are requisite to win and retain the 
 regard of one's associates in a position such as that occupied 
 by the Duke-Prince. Young England is essentially demo- 
 cratic, and reverence for rank must be regarded as being 
 one of quality that is conspicuously absent from its constitution^ 
 It is therefore necessary for the Prince, both on board ship and 
 at college, as well as subsequently in regimental barracks, to 
 steer midway between hauteur and that familiarity which is 
 apt to degenerate into contempt. This he succeeded in doing 
 remarkably well, and in such a manner as to win golden opin- 
 ions from all with whom he was brought into contact, display- 
 ing in the matter much of that genial tact and considerate 
 forethought which renders his father, the Prince of Wales, so 
 deservedly popular. 
 
 Nothing could be more touching than to watch him with his 
 mother, to whom he bore much moral and physical resem- 
 blance. She held, at any rate until the date of his betrothal 
 to the pretty and winsome Princess May of Teck, always the 
 foremost place in his thought and in his conversation. He 
 surrounded her with the most loving attentions, and it was in 
 her society almost alone that he appeared to lose that diffi- 
 dence which was not one of the least attractive phases of his 
 nature. He seemed to realize that she understood and appre- 
 ciated him more fully than any one else, and that she at least 
 would never be guilty of attributing to lack of intellectual 
 brilliancy a silence that was ascribable in the main to an 
 unusually modest and retiring disposition. 
 
 Not that this timidity of manner ever extended to the 
 length of in any way affecting his personal courage and 
 pluck. That was beyond reproach, and manifested especially 
 
246 ANNUAL ALLOWANCE. 
 
 on one occasion in the saddle as a steeple-chase rider over 
 an exceedingly stiff course at York. He rode his own horse, 
 Skraptoft. There were numerous bad falls. But the Duke 
 was more fortunate than his companions, and went over 
 hedges, ditches, and walls in fine style, and without a single 
 spill. He presented an amusing contrast to the other riders ; 
 for while they, every one of them, manifested intense anima- 
 tion and excitement, he retained an absolutely impassive 
 demeanor from the start to the finish. His color never varied, 
 and so imperturbable was his gravity that one might have 
 been led from the aspect of his features to believe instead of 
 riding a spirited and difficult horse in a steeple-chase, he was 
 seated at dinner with the Archbishop of York. 
 
 It may interest the young clubmen in this country to know 
 that the late Duke of Clarence received an annual allowance 
 of ^50,000 from his father. In addition to this, the Duke had 
 his pay as a Major of the loth Hussars, amounting to fifteen 
 shillings a day, with the usual allowance for forage. Not that 
 the regiment pay can be considered as having been of any 
 great help, for it did not even suffice to cover his mess-bill. 
 These mess expenses consisted of 50 cents a day for his 
 breakfast, half a crown, or 65 cents, for luncheon, ^i for 
 dinner, and ^2 for wine at the same, besides incidental " pegs " 
 and bottles of bitter beer throughout the day. 
 
 From this it will be seen that an officer in the British army 
 requires a considerable private income in addition to his 
 scanty pay in order to make both ends meet. Nor did Prince 
 Eddie's ^50,000 a year go very far, for, as a Prince of the 
 blood, he was expected to subscribe to all kinds of charities ; 
 to keep a first-rate stable, as well as steeple-chasers to run In 
 the military handicaps, and to pay the salaries of at least a 
 
DEATH OF A ROYAL LOVER. 247 
 
 couple of gentlemen in waiting. This naturally ran away 
 with most of the money, and it is greatly to the credit of the 
 late Duke that he never exceeded his allowance, and died 
 without leaving any debts behind him. 
 
 His surviving brother, the Duke of York, who up to the 
 date of his brother's demise had to content himself with an 
 annual allowance of 1^25,000, now receives ^75,000, notwith- 
 standing which he is frequently in debt, being far more 
 inclined to extravagance in money matters than Prince 
 Eddie. 
 
 Until the death of her Royal lover, H. S. H. Princess 
 Victoria Mary of Teck was like that nation which was declared 
 to be exceptionally happy because it had no history. She was 
 born some twenty-four years ago, at Kensington Palace, and 
 is the eldest child and only daughter of His Royal Highness 
 the Duke of Teck, and Her Royal Highness Princess Mary 
 of Cambridge, the Queen's first cousin, and most popular 
 member of the English Royal family. Even when quite a 
 little girl, "Princess Polly with the golden hair" was much 
 beloved by the British public, who had first seen her, a pretty, 
 rosy-cheeked maiden of five, leaning over the balcony of 
 Cambridge House, watching the glittering pageant of the 
 Coronation pass slowly along Piccadilly on its way to West- 
 minster Abbey. 
 
 The Duchess of Teck and her daughter have their own 
 sitting-room in the wing once occupied by the Prince of 
 Wales some thirty years ago, when he was first allowed by 
 his parents the dignity of a bachelor establishment. 
 
 The business-room and boudoir combined show clearly how 
 Princess May and her mother spend their time. The list of 
 their good and practicable charitable works cannot be giveo 
 
248 PRINCESS MAY OF TECK. 
 
 here suffice it to say that both the Duchess and her daughter 
 take the keenest interest in all sorts of good works. Her 
 grief for the Duke of Clarence was intense. Some one said 
 of her : 
 
 " Princess May has a plainly-furnished sitting-room of her 
 own, close to the little study used by her three brothers. There 
 she now sits for hours together gazing listlessly through the 
 large window at the beautiful landscape beyond. Since the 
 Duke's death the once so gay and joyous Princess has become 
 an entirely different being. She looks as if she were yet 
 stunned by the blow which she sustained, her sunny smile has 
 disappeared, and her light-hearted merry laugh is never heard 
 echoing as of yore through the halls and passages of the 
 White Lodge. A poetical figure, draped in the sculptural folds 
 of a sable crape gown, a pale, delicate face lighted by inex- 
 pressibly sad and wistful eyes, a step out of which all vigor 
 and buoyancy have disappeared, and a voice now low and 
 subdued is what remains of the happy young Princess whom 
 the Duke of Clarence used to call * his jolly little May- 
 blossom.' " 
 
 Her grief was soon assuaged by an ofTer of marriage from 
 Prince George, and she now occupies the enviable position of 
 wife of the heir presumptive. 
 
 The Duke and Duchess of Teck were considered as the 
 ne'er-do-wells of the Royal family, and were treated very 
 much in the manner of poor relations. To such an extent 
 did these sentiments prevail that the Marquis of Bath, one 
 of the haughtiest of British Peers, declined to permit 
 his eldest son to marry pretty Princess May, to whom 
 he had become engaged, and that the Queen her- 
 self never lost an opportunity of displaying the most 
 marked unfriendliness and coldness toward the entire 
 
THE QUEEN AND DUCHESS. 249 
 
 family until she was made to consent to her grandson's en- 
 gagement to the Princess. 
 
 This aversion of the Queen and Duchess dates back to the 
 time when both were young girls together, and when the 
 popularity and striking beauty of the daughter of the old 
 Duke of Cambridge contrasted glaringly with the unpopu- 
 larity of the Duke of Kent's daughter. For the latter, before 
 her accession to the Throne, was by no means liked by either 
 the classes or the masses. Indeed, the recent attacks of the 
 English press on the Prince of Wales, in connection with the 
 Baccarat case, appear as milk and water when compared 
 with the bitter and even brutal insults hurled in those days 
 by platform, pamphlet, and press at the head of the young 
 Queen. 
 
 Although the great beauty of Princess Mary of Cam- 
 bridge brought her many suitors, both from home and from 
 abroad, and notwithstanding the fact that her hand was 
 sought by at least three reigning sovereigns, yet the Queen 
 as chief of the family, made a point, for reasons which can 
 only be attributed to personal jealousy, of declining to sanc- 
 tion alLances proffered to her cousin. 
 
 At length, when over forty. Princess Mary revolted against 
 the tyranny to which she had so been subjected, and announced 
 her intention of marrying with or without the Queen's per- 
 mission a handsome young officer of the Austrian army who 
 had struck her fancy. 
 
 The officer in question, many years the Princess's junior, was 
 the penniless Prince of Teck, who has since been advanced to 
 the rank of German Duke. He is the morganatic Issue of a 
 left-hand marriage between a Prince of a reigning House of 
 Wurtemburg and a Countess Rheday. His birth and status 
 15 
 
250 RECKLESS EXTRAVAGANCE. 
 
 were scarcely of a character to render him a desirable match 
 for an English Royal Princess, but "Fat Mary" was deter- 
 mined — not to say desperate — and the marriage took place 
 at Kew, near London. 
 
 Unfortunately the Duke, although a charming and amiable 
 fellow, with the good and bad points of a typical Austrian 
 cavalry officer, possessed a very susceptible heart and 
 afforded many opportunities to his wife's English relatives to 
 rail against him. On one memorable occasion he actually 
 eloped with the pretty governess of his children to the Conti- 
 nent and had to be brought back from Vienna by his 
 brother-in-law, the Duke of Cambridge, who was sent off 
 after him in hot pursuit. Nor was this the only incident of 
 the kind, and "keeping brother-in-law Frank straight" has 
 taken up almost as much of the Duke of Cambridge's time as 
 his duties of Commander-in-Chief of the British Army. 
 
 Another reproach to which the Duke and Duchess of Teck 
 laid themselves open was that of extravagance. Although 
 provided with a town residence at Kensington Palace, in 
 Hyde Park, and a suburban home at White Lodge in Rich- 
 mond Park, they lived beyond their means, and about eight 
 years ago there was a most disgraceful smash-up. Neither 
 the Queen nor any other members of the Royal family con- 
 sented to come to their assistance, and the consequence was 
 that London was treated to the extraordinary and very fin 
 de Steele spectacle of a Royal household being sold out at 
 public auction for the benefit of the confiding tradesmen who, 
 unmindful of the Psalmist, had put their " trust in Princes." 
 
 The auction actually took place at the historical palace of 
 Kensington, where the Queen was born, and innumerable 
 heirlooms and relics, which for very decency's sake should 
 
THE HEIR PRESUMPTIVE. 25I 
 
 have been retained in the Royal family, were disposed of to 
 the public. 
 
 The Queen, by way of punishing the Tecks for this scandal, 
 which she could easily have prevented — for the indebtedness 
 was not so very great — deprived her cousins of their apart- 
 ments at Kensington Palace, and insisted that they should 
 reside abroad for several years. It was not, indeed, until the 
 death of the Duchess of Teck's mother, the nonogenarian 
 Duchess of Cambridge, that the Queen relented and allowed 
 them once more to reside in England, though no longer at 
 Kensington Palace. 
 
 The late Duke of Clarence's younger brother George, who 
 stepped into the vacant place as Heir Presumptive to the 
 British Crown, bears a striking likeness to the Princess of 
 Wales's sister, the Princess Dagmar, present Empress of 
 Russia, not only in the general form and cast of countenance, 
 but also in detail of feature and expression. 
 
 For the first eighteen years of his life he was the insepa- 
 rable companion of his brother ; and probably there have 
 rarely if ever been two brothers that were more attached to 
 each other than these two. Each seemed to find in the other 
 the complement of his own individual characteristics. The 
 quick liveliness of Prince George acted as a constant and 
 welcome stimulus both In work and play hours to the more 
 lymphatic temperament of his brother, while the brother's 
 quiet staidness often served as a counterpoise to the younger's 
 impulsive decisiveness. Were they following the hounds 
 together as boys, it was Prince George whose pony had to 
 take the fence or hedge the first, and give Prince Eddy the 
 lead ; were they bathing together in the sea, it was Prince 
 George who was the first to leap off the ship or yacht into the 
 
252 PRINCE GEORGE, THE SAILOR. 
 
 water, and not till he was swimming around and encouraging 
 his brother to follow him did the elder take the inevitable 
 plunge. In many ways the elder constantly leant upon the 
 younger brother ; and the younger reciprocated the confidence 
 with warm-hearted manliness and devotion. 
 
 Prince George is full of vivacity, spirit, and go ; he has 
 always been regarded from childhood as the enfant terrible 
 of the Royal family, and innumerable are the stories related 
 of his wicked practical jokes and everlasting scrapes. The 
 mere mention of his name in England is sufficient to cause 
 the features of John Bull to relax, and to develop into a broad 
 grin. He is as noted for his facility of getting into mischief 
 as his eldest brother is for keeping out of it ; and it is pos- 
 sibly this which has endowed him with a popularity among 
 the masses that was withheld from the Duke of Clarence 
 until the last few weeks previous to his death. 
 
 Moreover, England being essentially a maritime power, 
 sailors hold a strong place in the regard and affections of 
 their countrymen, who are ready to extend to seafaring men 
 an indulgence withheld from every other profession. This, too, 
 is no doubt accountable for much of the public favor accorded 
 to Prince George. The latter has now, however, been forced 
 to give up all further active service in the navy, and to settle 
 down on dry land. His life has become doubly precious to 
 his family, as well as to the nation. Aside from the question 
 of love and affection there were grave considerations of a 
 dynastic and political nature which rendered it imperative that 
 he should be prevented from incurring any risk, at any rate 
 until he had married and provided one or two heirs to the 
 Crown. For had he happened to die unmarried his oldest 
 sister, the Duchess of Fife, would have assumed his place in 
 
THE ROYAL CULPRIT. 253 
 
 the line of succession to the Crown, and the British people 
 would have been within a measurable distance of seeing a 
 Commoner, In the person of the Duchess of Fife's little 
 daughter, Miss Alexandra Duff, styled Lady Alexandra 
 merely by courtesy, seated on the Throne of England. Were 
 this ever to occur, the very foundations of the monarchy 
 would be shaken, for the prestige attached to Royal blood 
 and Royal birth, which forms the chief basis of the monarch- 
 ical system in England, would become a thing of the past. 
 
 If the Duke of York ever comes to the Throne of England, 
 his subjects will, at least, have the satisfaction of knowing that 
 he has a practical knowledge, to his cost, I may add, of the 
 meaning of the good old-fashioned word spanking. 
 
 When serving as midshipman he declined one night to turn 
 out, as he should have done, to go on watch. His fellow 
 middy, whom he was designated to relieve, and who wanted 
 to turn in, endeavored to arouse the Prince. 
 
 The latter, after receiving two or three good shakings, sud- 
 denly opened his eyes, swore a big oath, and let drive his fist 
 at his fellow middy's right eye. The young fellow made no 
 response, but returned to his post, resumed his watch, and 
 thus did duty for the Prince. 
 
 But on the following day he stated his case and showed his 
 eye to his comrades. The midshipmen held a drum-head 
 court-martial, found the Prince guilty, and sentenced him to 
 be spanked by the lad whose eye he had blackened. 
 
 Accordingly, the Royal culprit was seized by four of the seni- 
 ors and held face downward on a table, while the midshipman 
 with the disfigured optic, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, 
 carried out the sentence of the midshipmen's court until his 
 hands smarted. 
 
254 FROM THE GUARDS TO THE THRONE 
 
 When the Prince was released he was furious with rage, 
 and threatened vengeance, but in a day or two he thought 
 better of it, and went to his messmate who had spanked him 
 and apologized for the blow which he had given him. 
 
 The midshipman accepted his apology, and tendered his 
 own in return for the spanking which he had administered. 
 
 During the remainder of the cruise, the Prince put on no 
 airs, but he was as agreeable and charming a young fellow as 
 could be. There is no doubt that he was benefited by the 
 spanking. 
 
 The death of the Duke of Clarence drew public attention 
 to the direct and collateral line of succession to the Royal 
 Crown of Great Britain and the Imperial Crown of India. 
 
 The Crown of England descends like a barony in fee, to 
 the nearest heir of the last wearer, be that heir male or 
 female — daughters being of course, postponed to sons. Had 
 Prince George of Wales died unmarried, the Crown would 
 have passed to the Duchess of Fife, and afterward to her, at 
 present infant daughter, the Lady Alexandra Duff, always 
 supposing that a son was not born to her in the meantime. 
 In that place the son would naturally take precedence. We 
 might then (but the possibility is exceedingly remote) witness 
 the curious sight of a Marquis of Macduff stepping direct from 
 the Guards, or the benches of the House of Commons, to the 
 Throne. 
 
 In that case, the junior partner In the great London Bank- 
 ing house of Scott & Co. would find himself in a position even 
 more anomalous than that of the late Prince Albert — a posi- 
 tion, in fact, to find a parallel for which it is necessary to go 
 back to the days of Mary Queen of Scots and the Earl of 
 Darnley. 
 
THE DUCHESS OF FIFE. 255 
 
 The Duke of Fife who, besides his income derived from his 
 partnership in the banks, and from his directorships in various 
 railroads and industrial enterprises, enjoys the revenues of a 
 vast estate of some three hundred thousand acres, is one of 
 those fortunate men who, in high favor at Court, and blessed 
 munificently with rank, wealth, and talents of every kind, has 
 succeeded in achieving an immense popularity with all classes 
 of the people. He has never been known to do a mean, 
 unchivalrous or in any way questionable action, and while by 
 no means a saint by nature, and exposed to every kind of 
 temptation, his private life has hitherto been without 
 reproach. 
 
 Of Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife, and possibly Queen 
 of Great Britain and Ireland, there is but little to say. She 
 has been most carefully trained, and brought up in the very 
 simplest manner by her mother, the Princess of Wales. 
 While neither so graceful nor so captivating as her mother, 
 the young Princess is much liked by all those who know her, 
 her behavior being singularly simple, natural, and unaffected. 
 Many of the hats and dresses worn during the past years by 
 her two sisters and herself have been made entirely with 
 their own hands. 
 
 Little Lady Alexandra Victoria Duff, the infant daughter 
 of the Duke and Duchess of Fife, who was held at the font 
 on the occasion of her christening by no less a personage 
 than her great-grandmother, the Queen of Great Britain, 
 Empress of India, etc., possesses three aunts, sisters of her 
 father, whose aquaintance she will never be permitted to 
 make. Their social position is such that, although sisters of 
 the Duke, and the only surviving members of his immediate 
 family, it was found impossible to invite them to be present 
 
256 BEHIND THE SCENES. 
 
 at their brother's wedding-. Unfortunately, they all three 
 take after their mother, the late Countess of Fife, who, to put 
 the matter as mildly as possible, was the reverse of respect- 
 able, and who rendered herself so conspicuous that her son 
 was not allowed to see her during his youth. 
 
 The youngest of these three sisters of the Duke of Fife 
 is Lady Agnes Cooper. She was married early in the seven- 
 ties to the late Lord Dupplin. "Duppy" was, however, 
 neither physically nor morally what might be termed a model 
 husband, and one fine morning in the very height of the season 
 — I think it was on the Cup-day of the Ascot races — the word 
 passed that the Viscountess had fled with Herbert Flower, 
 who enjoyed the well-deserved reputation of being the hand- 
 somest and finest-looking man in England. Lord Dupplin 
 took matters philosophically, and secured a divorce from Lady 
 Agnes, who forthwith married the companion of her flight. 
 In 1 88 1, Herbert Flower died, and after a few months of 
 widowhood Lady Agnes married a third husband, the famous 
 surgeon. Dr. Alfred Cooper, by whom she had several chil- 
 dren. Of course she was ostracized by society and cut by 
 her brother. 
 
 The second sister is Lady Ida Wilson, who, after marrying 
 Mr. Adrian Hope, scandalized all Vanity Fair by repeatedly 
 appearing on the promenade of Rotten Row in a state of 
 noisy intoxication, and then capped matters by eloping with 
 her courier. For some time she resided In Switzerland with 
 her valet de coeur^ but has now returned to London to brazen 
 matters out as the wife of one William Wilson, whom nobody 
 knows, but who Is generally believed to be the courier referred 
 to above. 
 
 The Duke's eldest sister, the Marchioness of Townsend, 
 
A PROSPEROUS MAN. 257 
 
 has the advantage of possessing a half-crazy husband, who 
 while closing his eyes ta her numerous indiscretions, is by no 
 means blind to the violations of the vagrancy and mendicancy 
 laws. Until the moment when his own eccentricities and the 
 conduct of his wife necessitated his. leaving London he was 
 in the habit of causing the arrest and of prosecuting in person^ 
 every beggar that he could catch sight of. \ 
 
 To such an extent did he carry this mania that it was im- 
 possible to open a daily newspaper without seeing an account 
 of his appearance in Court against some unfortunate mendi- 
 cant or other. I may add that, his son being childless, the 
 Marquisate will in due time devolve upon a man who is now 
 a five-hundred-dollar clerk in a city merchant's office, and who 
 is, moreover, the husband of an actress of the cross-river 
 variety and music-hall stage. 
 
 Everything that the Duke of Fife touches seems to turn to 
 gold. Some founders' shares, which had cost him $150 apiece 
 a few years ago, have just been disposed of by him at the 
 rate of ;^45,ooo or ^225,000 each. Notwithstanding the pre- 
 vailing depression in the value of land in the United King- 
 dom, he has been obtaining exceptionally high prices for the 
 farms, houses, and estates which he has been selling up in 
 Scotland. His reason for thus getting rid of the larger part 
 of his landed property, is because the latter only yields him an 
 interest of 2^ per cent., whereas he can obtain double that 
 amount, and even more, by investing its value in thej 
 well-known and prosperous London bank of Samuel Scott 
 & Co., of which he is now the principal and managing 
 partner. 
 
 It may be of interest to give here a list of the line 
 of succession as it now stands, comprising the names 
 
25S MEIRS to THE THRONa 
 
 of every possible Heir to the Throne claiming through 
 George III. 
 
 There are other heirs descendinor from earlier monarchs of 
 the House of Brunswick; but they are so exceedingly remote 
 that it is not worth while to trace them. 
 
 There are, of course, also in the following list certain per- 
 sonages who would obviously, from motives of public policy, 
 never be allowed to succeed, e. g., the German Emperor ; but 
 foreign nationality, or the possession of a foreign Crown, does 
 not of itself vitiate their right. Parliament could, and in the 
 case of the Throne passing to a foreign sovereign, would bar 
 their claim, save perhaps in the case of the Duke of Edin- 
 burgh. That Prince will, in the course of nature, become 
 Duke of Saxe-Coburg; and in the lamentable and highly 
 improbable case of a failure of all the Queen's more immedi- 
 ate heirs, he would have to choose between Coburg and Eng- 
 land. The Prince of Wales, it will be remembered, became upon 
 his father's death heir presumptive to the Duchy of Coburg; 
 but to avoid the inconvenience of a potential British monarch 
 being also the heir of a Continental reigning sovereign, 
 he renounced his rights in Coburg in favor of his next 
 brother. It is sometimes said that such-and-such a female 
 member of the Royal family, has renounced her right of 
 succession. Neither the Act of Settlement, however, under 
 which the Crown devolves, nor any other Act, make provision 
 for renunciation upon any ground whatsoever. By her mar- 
 riage with Prince George the Princess May, whose melancholy 
 position excited sympathy so wide and so keen, has been at 
 once elevated from the last to the second place in the list; 
 and together with her three sons seems to have settled the 
 immediate question of succession. 
 
BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY. 259 
 
 THE DESCENDANTS OF QUEEN VICTORIA RANGE AS FOLLOWS: 
 
 1. The Prince of Wales, son. 
 Children of the Prince of Wales : 
 
 2. Prince George, grandson. 
 
 3. Duchess of Fife, granddaughter. 
 Grandchild of the Prince of Wales : 
 
 4. The Lady Alexandra Duff, great-granddaughter. 
 Children of the Prince of Wales : . 
 
 5. Princess Victoria of Wales, granddaughter. 
 
 6. Princess Maud of Wales, granddaughter. 
 
 7. The Duke of Edinburgh, son. Second son of Queen 
 
 Victoria. 
 Children of Duke of Edinburgh : 
 
 8. Prince Alfred of Edinburgh, grandson. 
 
 9. Princess Marie of Edinburgh, granddaughter. 
 
 10. Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh, granddaughter. 
 
 11. Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh, granddaughter. 
 
 12. Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh, granddaughter. 
 
 13. The Duke of Connaught, son. Third son of Queen 
 
 Victoria. 
 Children of Duke of Connaught : 
 
 14. Prince Arthur of Connaught, grandson. 
 
 15. Princess Margaret of Connaught, granddaughter. 
 
 1 6. Princess Victoria Patricia of Connaught, granddaugh- 
 
 ter. 
 Children of Queen Victoria's \th son, Duke of Albany ^ who 
 died 1884 : 
 
 1 7. The Duke of Albany, grandson. 
 
 18. Princess Alice of Albany, granddaughter. 
 
 19. The Empress Frederick of Germany, daughter. Priu' 
 
 cess Royal of England, 
 
26o LINE OF SUCCESSION. 
 
 20. The German Emperor, grandson. Grandson of Queen 
 
 Victoria. 
 Children of German Emperor: 
 
 21. The Crown Prince of Prussia, great-grandson. 
 
 22. Prince William Frederick of Prussia, great-grandson. 
 Children of German Emperor: 
 
 23. Prince Adalbert of Prussia, great-grandson. 
 
 24. Prince August of Prussia, great-grandson. 
 
 25. Prince Oscar of Prussia, great-grandson. 
 
 26. Prince Joachim Franz Humbert of Prussia, great- 
 grandson. 
 
 27. Prince Henry of Prussia, grandson. Brother of Ger- 
 man Emperor. 
 
 28. Prince Waldemar of Prussia, great-grandson. Son of 
 Prince Henry. 
 
 29. The Hereditary Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Melnlngen 
 granddaughter of Queen Victoria, sister of German Emperor. 
 
 30. Princess Fedora of Saxe-Meiningen, grandaughter of 
 Queen Victoria, daughter of Princess Charlotte of Saxe- 
 Meiningen. 
 
 3 1 . Princess Victoria of Prussia, granddaughter of Queeft 
 Victoria, and sister of German Emperor. 
 
 32. The Crown Princess of Greece, granddaughter of 
 Queen Victoria, and sister of German Emperor. 
 
 33. Prince George of Greece, great-grandson of Queen 
 Victoria and son of Crown Princess of Greece. 
 
 34. Princess Margaretta of Prussia, granddaughter of 
 Queen Victoria, and sister of German Emperor. 
 
 35. The Hereditary Grand Duke of Hesse, grandson of 
 Queen Victoria, and son of her second daughter, Princess 
 Alice. 
 
LIST OF DESCENDANTS. 26 1 
 
 36. Princess Louis of Battenberg, granddaughter of Queen 
 Victoria, and daughter of the late Princess AHce. 
 
 37. Princess Victoria Alice of Battenberg, great-grand- 
 daughter of Queen Victoria, and daughter of Princess Louis 
 of Battenberg. 
 
 38. Princess Louise Alexandra of Battenberg, great-grand- 
 daughter of Queen Victoria, and daughter of Princess Louis 
 of Battenberg. 
 
 39. The Grand Duchess Serglus of Russia, granddaughter 
 of Queen Victoria, and daughter of the late Princess Alice 
 of England. 
 
 40. Prince Henry of Prussia, wife of No. 27, granddaugh- 
 ter of Queen Victoria, and daughter of Princess Alice. 
 
 41. Princess Victoria Alice Helena of Hesse, granddaugh- 
 ter of Queen Victoria, and daughter of Princess Alice. 
 
 42. Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, third daugh- 
 ter of Queen Victoria. 
 
 43. Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein, grand- 
 son of Queen Victoria, and son of Princess Christian. 
 
 44. Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein, grandson of 
 Queen Victoria, and son of Princess Christian. 
 
 45. Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, granddaugh- 
 ter of Queen Victoria, and daughter of Princess Chris- 
 tian. 
 
 46. Princess Franzlska of Schleswig-Holstein, grand- 
 daughter of Queen Victoria, and daughter of Princess Chris- 
 tian. 
 
 47. The Marchioness of Lome, fourth daughter of Queen 
 Victoria. 
 
 48. Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg, fifth 
 daughter of Queen Victoria. 
 
262 POSSIBLE HEIRS. 
 
 49. Prince Alexander Albert of Battenberg, grandson of 
 Queen Victoria, and son of Princess Beatrice. 
 
 50. Prince Leopold of Battenberg, grandson of Queen 
 Victoria, and son of Princess Beatrice. 
 
 51. Prince Donald of Battenberg, grandson of Queen 
 Victoria, and son of Princess Beatrice. 
 
 52. Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, granddaugh- 
 ter of Queen Victoria, and daughter of Princess Beatrice. 
 
 DESCENDANTS OF KING GEORGE III. 
 
 53. The Duke of Cumberland, great-grandson. 
 
 54. Prince George of Cumberland, great-great-grandson. 
 
 55. Prince Christian of Cumberland, great-great-grand- 
 son. 
 
 56. Prince Ernest of Cumberland, great-great-grandson. 
 
 57. Princess Mary of Cumberland, great-granddaughter. 
 
 58. Princess Alexandra of Cumberland, great-great-grand- 
 daughter. 
 
 59. Princess Olga of Cumberland, great-great-grand- 
 daughter. 
 
 60. Princess Fredrica of Hanover, Baroness von Pawel 
 Rammingen, great-grandaughter. 
 
 61. Princess Mary Ernestina of Hanover, great-grand- 
 dauofhter. 
 
 62. The Duke of Cambridge, grandson. 
 
 63. The Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, grand- 
 daughter. 
 
 64. The Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, great- 
 grandson. 
 
 65. Prince Frederick George of Mecklenburg, great* 
 grandson. 
 
FIFTY-FIVE PRINCELY PERSONAGES. 263 
 
 66. Princess Victoria Mary of Mecklenburg, great-grand- 
 daughter. 
 
 67. Princess Augusta of Mecklenburg, great-granddaugh- 
 ter. 
 
 68. The Duchess of Teck, granddaughter. 
 
 69. Prince Adolphus of Teck, great-grandson. 
 
 70. Prince Francis of Teck, great-grandson. 
 
 71. Prince Alexander of Teck, great-grandson. 
 
 72. Princess May, great-granddaughter. 
 
 There are, therefore, 55 princely personages in the direct 
 line of succession as descendants of the Queen, twenty more 
 being descendants of George III, who come in as collateral 
 heirs. It does not, of course, follow that if the Crown of 
 England were inherited by the German Emperor (and stranger 
 things than that have happened in the chequered history of 
 Royal successions), or, still more unlikely, by the Duke of 
 Cumberland, either the one or the other would be allowed 
 to wear it. The first eventually, is improbable, and the 
 second, humanly speaking, is impossible. But it is a curious 
 fact that there was at this moment practically only one life — 
 that of Prince George — between a Commoner and the 
 Throne. A repetition of the terrible calamity of January 14th 
 would have made Lady Alexandra Duff heiress presumptive, 
 once removed, to the Throne ; although she might have been 
 set aside at any moment by the birth of a son to the Duchess 
 of Fife. As I said above, the possibility of a Commoner 
 mounting the Throne was apparently regarded with alarm by 
 a number of persons in whom the historical sense is not strong. 
 But when we remember that the crystallization of Royalty 
 into an exclusive caste is, in England, a good deal less than 
 two hundred years old, there is nothing either very new or very 
 
264 "ALBERT THE GOOD." 
 
 Strange In the possibility. Lady Jane Grey was a Commoner ; 
 so was Lady Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry VII., and 
 the last Lady Knight of the Garter. Queen Anne and Queen 
 Mary II. were daughters of a Commoner mother and the 
 granddaughters of a self-made man. There was nothing alarm- 
 ing in the possibility — which a kind Providence has now 
 averted — of the Duke of Fife becoming a Royal consort. He 
 is himself a great-grandson of William -IV, and his children 
 will consequently possess a Royal descent from both the 
 present and the last occupant of the Throne. 
 
 The Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, brother-in-law to Her 
 Majesty the Queen, may be said to be one of her pet aver- 
 sions. 
 
 It is difficult to imagine any more striking contrast than 
 that which existed between him and his younger brother, the 
 late Prince Consort of Great Britain. 
 
 The latter's conduct was beyond reproach, and so blameless 
 that it won for him the name of " Albert the Good." 
 
 The elder brother is noted throughout Germany for his 
 drinking propensities, and for his fondness for the society of 
 ladies of questionable reputation. 
 
 Indeed, there are few wives of any of the sovereigns now 
 reigning who have been subjected to more constant abuse, 
 neglect, and infidelity than Duchess Alexandriana, who is a 
 sister of the reigning Duke of Baden. 
 
 It was about a couple of years ago that the Duke openly 
 quarreled with his nephew and heir, the Duke of Edinburgh, 
 owing to the Duchess of Edinburgh's refusal to invite to one 
 of her entertainments a couple of ladies who were on terms 
 of too marked intimacy with Duke Ernest. 
 ^ The latter stormed and raged, urging that his two fair 
 
DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH. 265 
 
 friends should be invited. The Duchess of Edinburgh, how- 
 ever, who has all the obstinacy of her brother the Czar, refused 
 to accede to his demands, and for more than a year the Edin- 
 burghs were not on speaking terms with their uncle of 
 Saxe-Coburg. 
 
 I Recently, however, there has been a reconciliation between 
 them, but Queen Victoria absolutely declines to have anything 
 to do with her brother-in-law, who has offended her, not only 
 in this matter, but also by his mode of life, and by his unau- 
 thorized publication of a number of confidential letters which 
 the Prince Consort addressed to him on English political 
 affairs. His publication of these letters was a source of im- 
 mense embarrassment and annoyance to the Queen. 
 
 The Duchess of Edinburgh has played a very important 
 role In International politics. The wife of the least popular 
 of all Queen Victoria's children, occupying an altogether sub- 
 ordinate position among the members of the British Royal 
 family, since she Is forced to yield the " pas " even to Princess 
 Beatrice of Battenberg, and possessed of no personal beauty 
 or charm, she has nevertheless succeeded in acquiring an 
 Influence over European politics, which has produced a com- 
 plete and most beneficial change of their hitherto clouded 
 aspect. 
 
 In the first place, she has utilized her relationship to the 
 Czar, whose only sister she Is, to bring about a relaxation of 
 the tension between Germany and Russia, and It was her 
 influence alone that led the Muscovite ruler to atone for his 
 past discourtesy to the Emperor William by visiting the latter 
 at Kiel. 
 
 It is the Duchess to whom belongs the credit of having 
 negotiated the marriage between the Crown-Prince of Rou- 
 i6 
 
266 PERILOUS ROUMANIA THRONE. 
 
 mania and her eldest daughter, Marie — a matrimonial alliance 
 that will contribute more than anything else to the peaceful 
 settlement of the ever-smoldering Eastern question. 
 
 For a long time the Czar declined to give his consent to 
 the marriage of his favorite niece to the Roumanian heir 
 apparent, who is a member of the Prussian House of Hohen- 
 zollern, but at last he yielded to his sister's arguments and 
 signified his approval of the match. 
 
 The latter gives universal satisfaction, and is regarded as a 
 powerful guarantee of peace in connection with the Balkan 
 difficulty. It invests the Court of Bucharest with ties of close 
 and intimate relationship with that of Russia and of Great 
 Britain, which cannot fail to impart strength and solidity to 
 the hitherto perilous Roumanian throne. 
 
 It also pleases the Roumanian people, who being of the 
 orthodox Greek faith, are glad to find in their future Queen 
 a Princess of the same Church. For, while the sons of the 
 Duke of Edinburgh are brought up as Protestants, his daugh- 
 ters, according to the terms of the marriage contract, are edu- 
 cated as members of the Greek Church. 
 
 The principal danger to which the Roumanian throne has 
 hitherto been exposed is that of Russian invasion, and the 
 entire resources of the kingdom have been devoted toward 
 putting the country in a fit state of defense. Henceforth 
 this menace will not exist, since the Czar, more than any one 
 else, will be interested in the welfare of his favorite niece, the 
 future Queen of Roumania. 
 
 Princess Marie of Edinburgh Is by far the prettiest of the 
 Queen's granddaughters, though Princess Maud of Wales 
 runs her very close in point of looks. She has been very 
 carefully and strictly brought up under the supervision of the 
 
AN EXCELLENT MOTHER. 267 
 
 Duchess, who is certainly an excellent mother. She is accom- 
 plished in many ways, is an excellent linguist, and a good 
 musician. Her study of Russian will help her with the Rou- 
 manian tongue, which is near akin to Russian. In personal 
 appearance she takes after her father, whereas her two sisters 
 rather favor the Duchess. 
 
 The Duchess of Edinburgh is a woman of remarkable 
 strength of mind and common sense. The expression of her 
 features is not pleasant, as it gives one an impression both of 
 sulkiness, bad temper, and arrogance. But she is really a 
 very kind woman at heart, and when among her intimate 
 friends, simplicity itself. 
 
 That she is very fond of England and of the English, it 
 would be idle to assert. As the only daughter of the late 
 Czar, and his favorite child, she had been spoiled in the most 
 extraordinary manner, and, owing to the delicate health of 
 her mother, she occupied, until her marriage, the Empress's 
 place at all the Court ceremonies and functions in Russia. 
 
 When, therefore, she came to England and found herself 
 •relegated to almost the tail-end of the Royal family there, and 
 regarded with public ill-will by reason of her husband's exces- 
 sive unpopularity, she naturally felt both disappointed and 
 dissatisfied. 
 
 The only persons of the English Royal family with whom 
 she is able to get along well are the Princess of Wales, who 
 is full of kindly attentions and affectionate deference toward 
 her, and her mother-in-law, the Queen. 
 
 The Duchess, indeed, is the sole member of the British 
 Royal family over whom Her Majesty does not attempt to 
 domineer. With her other children the old lady is exceed- 
 ingly imperious, and, in her double capacity of mother and 
 
268 ROYAL MOTHER-IN-LAW. 
 
 sovereign, orders them about in the most despotic manner, 
 exacting implicit and unswerving obedience. 
 
 The Duchess, however, assumes a very independent atti- 
 tude toward her, does not permit herself to be bullied, and 
 answers her Royal mother-in-law in the latter's own 
 fashion, giving her, so to speak, a taste of her own medicine. 
 
 The result is that " Marie," as she is called by her rela- 
 tives, enjoys an altogether extraordinary consideration at 
 Windsor, and her portrait is the only one which adorns the 
 walls of the Queen's private breakfast room, which looks out 
 on the great quadrangle. 
 
 The Duchess, who does not like the free-and-easy way of 
 the British people toward their Royalty, spends as little 
 time in England as possible. She makes her home In the 
 beautiful castle of Rosenau, near Coburg, a country of which 
 she will become the reigning Duchess on the death of the 
 present Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. 
 
 The Duchess keeps all her effects at Rosenau, where she 
 is surrounded by a little court and treated with an immense 
 amount of honor and consideration. Her husband, however, 
 makes his headquarters in the Royal palace, known as Clar- 
 ence House, which has been assigned to him by the Queen 
 as his London residence. It is there that he keeps his valu- 
 able collection of barbaric weapons, hunting trophies, glass, 
 and rare porcelain. 
 
 True, the Duke has never given rise by his conduct to any 
 matrimonial scandal. But he is blest with an abominable 
 temper, the most glaring want of tact, and has lost much of 
 that comeliness which caused the Grand Duchess Marie to 
 fall in love with him, and to persist In marrying him notwith- 
 standing the objections made by his relatives. 
 
AN ACTRESS WIFE. 269 
 
 The Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief of the Bri- 
 tish army, is probably the most popular man of the Royal 
 family. A great deal of good-natured fun is poked at him by 
 the press, but, notwithstanding this, there is no doubt that he 
 is more in touch with the English public than any of the 
 others. He is a fine, tall old man, with white mustache and 
 whiskers, white hair and very florid face. His manner is 
 frank, bluff, and hearty, his grasp of the hand honest, and his 
 whole being inspires good-will and sympathy. He is noted 
 for the picturesque character of his language, which is almost 
 as highly colored as his complexion. His oaths are strange 
 and awe-inspiring, and his temper being exceedingly short, 
 they are somewhat frequent. His remarks during an inspec- 
 tion of troops when everything is not in first-rate condition 
 are of a nature to be remembered. With all that he is 
 very kind of heart, and his anger, though violent, is quickly 
 over. 
 
 Born about two months before his cousin. Queen Victoria, 
 he spent most of his youth in Germany, first of all at Hano- 
 ver, where his father acted as British viceroy until it was 
 converted into an independent kingdom in 1837, ^"^ after- 
 ward at Berlin. The result is that his English, like that of 
 the Queen and her children, is distinguished by a strong and 
 gutteral Teutonic accent. That is, however, about the only 
 German thing about him, for in everything else he is English 
 to the very core. 
 
 He will leave no heirs to his name, for I regret to say that 
 his children are not legitimate. In his early days he was the 
 hero of many love affairs, being gay, dashing, brilliant, and, 
 above all, a Royal Prince. He was fortunate enough to 
 succeed in keeping his name out of the divorce court, and 
 
270 AN ACTRESS WIFfi. 
 
 never permitted himself to become incriminated In any public 
 scandal. 
 
 His affaires de coeur culminated In a marriage with a Dub- 
 lin actress, which ceremony, being unsanctioned by the Queen, 
 was, in the eyes of the law, null and void, for the English 
 statute-book, prescribes that no marriage of a member of the 
 British Royal family shall be regarded as valid unless spe- 
 cially authorized by the sovereign. 
 
 After his marriage, the Duke George settled down and 
 remained true to his actress-wife until her death a couple of 
 years ago. She did not live with him at his residence at 
 Gloucester House, Picadilly, but in a smaller mansion, in an 
 adjacent street, where he has wont to visit her every day, and 
 to take at least one meal. At his country residence, at 
 Coombe, near Wimbledon, where he possesses a large estate, 
 they lived together as husband and wife, she being known by 
 the name of Mrs. Fitz George, which is the patronymic borne 
 by her five children. Two of these are girls, both of them 
 now married ; while the other three are sons, one In the navy- 
 and the others in the army. They are very popular, both In 
 military and social circles, and one or the other Is always In 
 attendance on the old Duke. 
 
 Mrs. Fitz George was altogether unknown to society, and 
 was a very simple-minded, worthy lady, perfectly contented 
 to remain entirely In the background. The only person 
 besides herself who shared the Duke's attentions was his 
 mother, the venerable Duchess of Cambridge, who died within 
 a few months after the death of her plebeian daughter-in-law. 
 The Duke was the most dutiful of sons to her, and never 
 allowed a single day to pass when In town without going 
 around to St. James's Palace, where she resided, to spend an 
 
Faculties unimpaired. 571 
 
 hour in retailing to her the gossip of the town, in which she, 
 to the very last, displayed a most extraordinary interest. She 
 was a wonderful old lady, a German Princess by birth, and at 
 the age of fourteen witnessed from the terrace of her father's 
 chateau the retreat of Napoleon I after his defeat at the battle 
 of Leipzig. 
 
 The Duke distinguished himself by his personal gallantry, 
 though not by his generalship, in the Crimean war, where his 
 conduct presented a marked contrast with that of Prince 
 Napoleon, and where he won for himself a considerable 
 amount of popularity among the British soldiers. It is this 
 popularity which causes them to close their eyes to his idio- 
 syncrasies and mannerisms, such as, for instance, when he 
 undertakes to review them seated on horseback in full war 
 paint, and holding an umbrella over his head to shield him 
 from the rain. In fact, this led to his being named the " Um- 
 brella Duke." 
 
 Whenever his cousin, the Queen, has hinted to him that he 
 has reached the age appointed by the statutes for the retire- 
 ment of her officers from active service, he has invariably 
 responded by suggesting that he was still quite as capable 
 of performing the duties in connection with the Commander- 
 in-Chief of the army as she was to fulfill her duties as Queen 
 of England ! In claiming that his faculties are unimpaired by 
 age, he is not far wrong, for, never having been very brilliant 
 or remarkable for the penetration of his mind, his senility 
 has not yet become very conspicuous, and the evidences of 
 his age are limited to his falling asleep after dinner, and 
 sometimes even during the meal, when his head is apt to slip 
 on the shoulder of the lady to his right or left, and the con- 
 versation to be temporarily hushed by a snore of Royal and 
 Georgian proportions. ' ^ - 
 
PICTURESQUE COURT 
 
 OF 
 
 QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 AMONG other picturesque and ornamental features of 
 Queen Victoria's Court are her two body-guards, the 
 one composed of pensioned Colonels and Majors, with 
 distinguished service records, who are entitled the '* Gentle- 
 men-at-Arms," whilst the other is recruited from non-com- 
 missioned officers, and its members are known by the name 
 of the "Yeomen of the Guard," the public, however, for some 
 reason or other, designating them as " Beefeaters." 
 
 A yeoman usher and a party of yeomen now compose the 
 Guard that attends in the Great Chamber on Levee days and 
 Drawing-Room days, their office being to keep the passage 
 clear, that the nobility who frequent the Court may pass with- 
 out inconvenience. The usher is posted at the head of the 
 room, close by the door leading into the Presence Chamber, 
 to whom, when persons of a certain distinction enter from the 
 stairs, the lowermost yeoman next to the entrance of the 
 Chamber calls aloud, "Yeoman Usher!" to apprise him of 
 such approach. To this the Usher makes answer by audibly 
 crying, " Stand by !" to warn all indifferent persons to leave 
 the passage clear. 
 
 The Captain of the "Yeomen of the Guard," who is Inva- 
 riably a Peer of the Realm, and who changes with each ad- 
 ministration, receives a salary of ^5,000. He is ex-officio a 
 member of the Privy Council, wears, like other officers of the 
 272 
 
GENTLEMEN-AT-ARMS. 273 
 
 corps, a military uniform, and carries an ebony baton tipped 
 with gold as his badge of office. 
 
 The Lieutenant of the " Yeomen of the Guard " receives 
 ^2,500 per annum, and his baton is only mounted in silver 
 instead of being mounted in gold. Then again there is an 
 Ensign, enjoying a salary of $750 per annum, although there 
 does not exist the smallest evidence that the Corps ever pos- 
 sessed either banner or standard. Like the Lieutenant, the 
 Ensign bears an ebony baton mounted in silver. Then there 
 are four Exempts, Exons, or Corporals, and these gentlemen 
 command in the absence of the Lieutenant or Ensign, one of 
 them sleeping at St. James' Palace, as Commandant of the 
 Yeomen on duty, a thing which no otber officer of the Corps 
 does, and having in this way a delegated authority, which he 
 exercises in the absence of his superior officer. 
 
 The Gentlemen-at-Arms, when instituted by Henry VIII, 
 were intended to be recruited from a higher class of his sub- 
 jects than the " Yeomen of the Guard," Avowedly, like many 
 similar corps in other Courts, an imitation of the "Gentlemen 
 of the French King's House," a body composed almost en- 
 tirely of young grandees, the members of the new guard 
 were to be "chosen of gentlemen, not that to becommen and 
 extracte of Noble Blood." 
 
 All the Captains have been noblemen of high rank, and the 
 present corps is composed entirely of ex-commissioned officers 
 of distinction. For a long time the Gentlemen-at-Arms and 
 the Yeomen of the Guard were the only standing forces tol- 
 erated in the Kingdom. In those days they figured in all 
 ceremonials — marriages, coronations, and funerals. They 
 received Ambassadors, and escorted foreign Princes on visits 
 to the Sovereign, et militare runt non sine gloria, for they 
 
274 CHAMPION OF ENGLAND. 
 
 were at the seige of Boulogne, the Battle of Spurs, and on 
 other battle-fields of France. 
 
 When the Queen came to the Throne only three of the 
 Guard were old soldiers, though all of them bore the courtesy 
 title of "Captain," and in precedence ranked immediately 
 after Privy Councillors. The Corps now contains over 40 
 members, every one of whom has served with more or less 
 distinction, and perhaps at no period in its history has the 
 ancient Guard reached a higher social standard. 
 
 One of the most peculiar offices in connection with the 
 Royal household is that of the " Queen's Champion," which 
 is held by the Hon. F. S. Dymoke, by right of inheritance. 
 
 The "Champion of England," for that is his official title, 
 only appears once during the reign of a British Monarch — 
 namely, at the coronation. While the coronation banquet is 
 in progress, which has hitherto always taken place in West- 
 minster Hall, the Champion enters on horseback, arrayed from 
 head to foot in steel armor, and with closed visor. 
 
 Raising the visor, he challenges all comers to deny the title 
 of the sovereign, and offers, if necessary, to fight them on 
 the spot. It is needless to add that no one is ever found to 
 take up the gauntlet which he casts down on the floor. A 
 golden goblet full of wine is then handed to him, which he 
 drains to the health of the monarch, after which he backs his 
 charger from the Royal presence, carrying with him the mag- 
 nificently chased golden goblet as his perquisite. 
 
 The office is a very ancient one, and is popularly supposed 
 to have been instituted by William the Conqueror, who con- 
 ferred it upon Robert de Marmion, with the Castle of Tam- 
 worth and the Manor of Scrlvelsby. At the coronation of 
 Richard II the office was claimed by Sir John Dymoke, of 
 
SOME COURT SALARIES. 275 
 
 Scrivelsby Manor, and Baldwin de Trevlll, of Tamworth 
 Castle. It was finally decided that the title of Champion of 
 England went with the Manor of Scrivelsby, ?.nd belonged 
 to Sir John Dymoke, in whose family it has remained until the 
 present day. Should Mr. Dymoke die, it will be his nearest 
 male relative who will inherit the manor and office. 
 
 Her Majesty's footmen are exceedingly imposing and 
 superb. They used, however, to be somewhat more exalted 
 personages than they are now. Early in the Queen's reign 
 the salary of the Royal footman was $550 a year, with a 
 possible rise to the rank of a Senior footman with ^600 a 
 year. This was not, it may be thought, very splendid, but the 
 dignity of the service, and the fact that it was always followed 
 by a pension, and sometimes led to higher rank, rendered it 
 attractive to stalwart members of the respectable middle class 
 on the lookout for a career. Moreover, there were perqui- 
 sites — bread and beer money, for instance — amounting to ^70 
 a year. Besides this, a footman sent on a journey, however 
 short, would have six shillings a day for refreshment. All 
 that, however, was in the good days before the besom Reform 
 swept out the Queen's establishment, when Prince Albert 
 was in the prime of his vigor. Nowadays even so gorgeous 
 a gentleman as the Queen's footman has to begin with a 
 modest $250 a year, which in course of time may expand to 
 $400, but no further. Perquisites, too, have been abolished 
 or curtailed. There is an allowance of six guineas and a half 
 for hair-powder, bag, and stockings; but, sad to say, each man 
 has to find his own blacking and boot-brushes, and to pay for 
 his own washing. A suit of State livery is said to cost $650. 
 They are rarely used, and of course rarely renewed. When 
 they are renewed, however, the old garments become the 
 
276 FOOTMEN AND TRUMPETERS. 
 
 perquisites of the wearers, and the gold lace upon them is, of 
 course, of considerable value. The Queen has fifteen footmen, 
 and one sergeant-footman with a salary of $650 a year. For- 
 merly the sergeant-footmen or one of the six senior footmen 
 was often promoted to the position of Page of the Presence or 
 of a Queen's Messenger, either of which was worth ^1,500, 
 or ^2,000 a year. But this practice has gone the way of 
 most of the perquisites, and the position of a Royal footman 
 is no longer sought for as it used to be, though, of course, 
 there are plenty who would be glad to get it. But there are 
 corresponding positions in less exalted households in which a 
 well-built young man, with the necessary development of 
 calf, who aspires to become a footman, may do better for his 
 fortunes than in the service of the Crown. 
 
 Next to Her Majesty's footmen, the State trumpeters are 
 among the most popular of functionaries on all great occa- 
 sions. There are eight of them, with a sergeant at their 
 head. They form part of the State band, which, distinct from 
 Her Majesty's private band, is only called upon on important 
 occasions. As in the case of the footmen, their gorgeous 
 raiment, their silver trumpets, and their stately demeanor 
 might suggest to the uninitiated dignitaries of large emolu- 
 ments, if not of exalted rank. Their sergeant gets $500 a 
 year, and each of the eight minor musicians ^200, though 
 there are, in addition, fees paid to each of them on each occa- 
 sion of their performing in public. 
 
 From footmen and trumpeters to pursuivants, heralds, and 
 kings-at-arms is a great stride up the social and ceremonial 
 ladder. These functionaries have both a popular and his- 
 torical interest. Their quaintly gorgeous costumes always 
 attract attention on State occasions, and their undoubted an- 
 
THE ROYAL HERALDS. 277 
 
 tiquity and mysterious functions — their declarations of war 
 and of peace, their announcements at coronations, and their 
 solemn annunciations of titles and dignities over illustrious 
 graves — all tend to invest them with a curious interest in the 
 eyes of all beholders. 
 
 The heralds must be gentlemen " skilled in the ancient and 
 modern languages, good historians, and conversant in the 
 genealogies of the nobility and gentry." The direct emolu- 
 ments of the office are trivial. But it is their function " to 
 grant coats armorial and supporters to the same to such as 
 are properly authorized to bear them ; where no armorial 
 arms are known to belong to the party applying for the grant 
 they invent devices and emblazon them in the most applicable 
 manner, so as to reflect credit upon their own fertility of 
 knowledge, and to afford satisfaction to the wearer." They 
 are, of course, entitled to more liberal fees than fall to the lot 
 of most inventors, and, moreover, they are the great sources 
 of the genealogical lore. Pursuivants, heralds, and kings-at- 
 arms are under the Earl-Marshal of England, the Duke of 
 Norfolk, and, indeed, are now created by him. Formerly 
 when kings-at-arms were more important functionaries than 
 they are now, they were crowned veritable kings by the 
 sovereign himself. They go through the same ceremony of 
 installation now, but it is performed by the Earl-Marshal, by 
 Royal warrant. Upon this occasion the chosen functionary 
 takes his oath, wine is poured out of a gilt cup with a cover, 
 his title is pronounced, and he is invested with a tabret of the 
 Royal arms richly embroidered upon velvet, a collar of SS, 
 with two portcullises of silver gilt, a gold chain, with a badge 
 of his office. Then the Earl-Marshal places on his head a 
 crown of a king-of-arms, which formerly resembled a ducal 
 
278 OFFICE OF EARL MARSHALL. 
 
 coronet ; but since the Restoration it has been adorned with 
 leaves resembling those of the oak, and circumscribed accord- 
 ing to ancient customs with the words, " Miserere mei Deus 
 secundum magnum misericordiam tuamJ' 
 
 Garter has also a mantle of crimson satin as an officer of 
 the order, and a white rod or sceptre with the sovereign's 
 arms upon the top, which he bears in the presence of the 
 sovereign. There are three kings-at-arms. Garter is King- 
 at-arms of England, Clarencieux is king of the province south 
 of the Trent, and Norroy is king of the northern provinces. 
 The heralds go through an initiatory ceremony as the kings, 
 except the crowning. They are all military and civil officers, 
 and in token of this they are all sworn on sword and Bible. 
 
 The office of Earl-Marshal is among the highest and oldest. 
 He is the eighth great officer of State, and is the only Earl 
 who is an Earl by virtue of his office. 
 
 The Lord Steward is another holder of a slip from the scep- 
 tre. He has a white wand as an emblem of his authority 
 under the Crown. He is supposed to have the sole direction 
 of the Queen's household, and receives ^10,000 a year, though 
 except on State occasions he is not required at Court, the 
 practical functions of his office being discharged by the resi- 
 dent master of the household. The Queen's establishments, 
 however, excepting only the chamber, stables, and chapel, are 
 supposed to be under his entire control. All his commands 
 are to be obeyed, and he has power to hold courts for the 
 administration of justice, and for settling disputes between 
 the Queen's servants. The Lord Steward always bears his 
 white wand when in the presence of the sovereign, and on 
 all ceremonial occasions when the sovereign is not present 
 the wand is borne before him by a footman walking bare- 
 
THRONE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. 279 
 
 headed. He takes this symbol of delegated power directly 
 from the sovereign's hand, and has no other formal grant 
 of office. On the death of the monarch the Lord Steward 
 breaks his wand of office over the corpse, and his functions 
 are at an end, and all the officers of the Royal household are 
 virtually discharged. 
 
 The principal throne of Queen Victoria is in the House 
 of Lords. It is elevated on a dais, the central portion having 
 three, and the sides two steps, covered with a carpet of the 
 richest velvet pile. The ground color of the carpet is a 
 bright scarlet, and the pattern on it consists of roses and 
 lions, alternately. A gold-colored fringe borders the carpet. 
 
 The canopy to the Throne is divided into three apartments, 
 the central one, much loftier than the others, for Her Majesty, 
 that on the right hand for the Prince of Wales, and on the left 
 that which used to be Prince Albert's. The back of the cen- 
 tral compartment is paneled in the most exquisite manner. 
 The three lowest tiers have the lions passant of England, 
 carved and gilded on a red ground, and above them in a wide 
 panel, arched, and enriched with dainty carvings, are the 
 Royal arms of England, surrounded by the Garter, with its 
 supporters, helmet and crest, and an elaborate mantling form- 
 ing a rich and varied background. The motto, '*Dieu et Mon 
 Droit," is on a horizontal band of deep blue tint. In small 
 panels, traceried, parallel with the large arched one, are roses, 
 shamrocks, and thistles, clustered together, and crowned ; 
 and above them, in double arched panels, the Royal mono- 
 gram, crowned and interwoven by a cord, are introduced. 
 
 The Crown Jewels of Great Britain are kept at the Tower 
 of London, and are entrusted to the care of the " Keeper of 
 the Regalia." The office dates back to the reign of King 
 
28o CROWN JEWELS GENUINE. 
 
 Charles II, when Colonel Blood attempted to steal the 
 Royal crown, and the holder thereof ranks ex-officio with the 
 first Knight Bachelor of the Kingdom. 
 
 It may be of interest to the many American visitors to the 
 Tower to learn that there is no foundation for the popular 
 belief that the crown, the orb, and the other symbols of Roy- 
 alty borne before the Queen on State occasions are merely 
 imitations of the originals. This belief, however, is not one 
 of long standing, and it may possibly have originated in the 
 fact that some years ago a noble duke, to whom had been 
 entrusted the proud and much envied privilege of carrying 
 the crown on a cushion before the sovereign, accidentally 
 dropped it. This was considered at the time an occurrence 
 of ill-omen, especially as one of the famous stones was forced 
 out of its setting by the fall and rolled upon the floor. It is 
 the genuine Crown which is always taken to the House of 
 Parliament and brought back to the Tower in one of the 
 Royal carriages, escorted by Tower warders and by a strong 
 force of mounted police. 
 
 The civil list which the Queen receives from Parliament 
 amounts to ^3,000,000, out of which she pays the salaries of 
 the Royal Household, amounting to over ^1,000,000. The 
 Prince of Wales receives from the State an annual income 
 of $500,000 and his wife $50,000 per annum. In addition to 
 this, the Prince of Wales receives another $200,000 from the 
 State for the use of his children. Each of the younger sons 
 of the Queen receives from the State an allowance of $125,- 
 000 per annum, while Her Majesty's daughters have to 
 remain content with allowances of $30,000 per annum. In 
 addition to this, Queen Victoria's daughters have each 
 received from the State a dowry of $150,000 at the time of 
 
JEWEL-HOUSE, LONDON. 28 1 
 
 their marriage. All the vast Crown domains which formerly 
 belonged to the reigning family were surrendered to the 
 National Government during the reign of Queen Victoria's 
 uncle, King George IV. The Queen's private property is 
 far smaller than generally supposed and her landed property 
 limited in extent. 
 
 The Jewel-house contains all the crown jewels of England, 
 inclosed, in an immense case. Prominent among them is the 
 crown made for the coronation of Queen Victoria, at the ex- 
 pense of about ^600,000. Among the profusion of diamonds 
 is the large ruby worn by the Black Prince, mentioned above ; 
 the crown made for the coronation of Charles II ; the crown 
 of the Prince of Wales, and that of the late Prince Consort ; 
 the crown made for the coronation of James IPs Queen ; also 
 her ivory sceptre. The coronation spoon, and bracelets and 
 royal spurs, swords of Mercy and Justice, are among the other 
 jewels. Here, too, is the silver-gilt baptismal font, in which 
 is deposited the christening water for the Royal children, and 
 the celebrated Koh-i-noor diamond, the present property of 
 Queen Victoria, and the object of such interest at the Great 
 Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851. It formerly belonged to 
 Runjeet Singh, chief of Lahore, and was called the " Moun- 
 tain of Light," and its value is untold. 
 
 The Queen's two railway saloons for Continental journeys, 
 which are the private property of Her Majesty, and which 
 are kept at Brussels, at the Gare du Nord, are connected by 
 a passage, and are fitted with electric bells, and lighted with 
 oil lamps, as the Queen does not like the electric light for 
 reading or writing. The day saloon is furnished with sofas, 
 arm-chairs of various kinds, and foot-stools, all covered with 
 blue silk, with fringes and tassels of yellow. The walls are 
 17 
 
282 PRIVATE RAILWAY CARRIAGES. 
 
 hung with blue and pearl-gray silk, brocaded with the rose, 
 shamrock, and thistle, in yellow. There is a writing-table of 
 walnut-wood, two small tables, and one large one, on which 
 meals are served during a journey. The floor is covered with 
 an Indian carpet of dark blue, and the curtains are blue and 
 white. There is a separate compartment in front for the 
 Queen's Highland attendant, Francis Clark, the successor of 
 John Brown. 
 
 The night saloon is a larger carriage, and it is divided into 
 several compartments. The dressing-room is decorated in 
 Japanese style, and the floor is covered with bamboo. There 
 is a white metal bath, and the toilet service and large basins 
 on the washstand (which is covered with dark morocco 
 leather) are of the same material. The bed-room is decorated 
 in gray and light brown, and contains two beds, the largest 
 of which is occupied by the Queen. There is another com- 
 partment, in which is stored away the luggage needed by the 
 Queen during the journey, and two maids occupy it, and 
 sleep on sofas. 
 
CHARACTERISTICS OF 
 
 THE 
 
 HEIR APPARENT. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 IF the chivalrous and knightly character of the Austrian Em- 
 peror reminds one of ancient rather than modern times, 
 that of the Prince of Wales, on the other hand, must be re- 
 garded as thoroughly in keeping with the present age. Eng- 
 land's future King is exceedingly what the French describe as 
 ^'fin de siecle^^ (end of the century), whereas Francis Joseph 
 would be set down by many as an old-fashioned man. 
 The one is the knight of the Round-Table epoch, the other 
 the gentleman of the last quarter of the nineteenth century, 
 and possessing all the merits and a few of the vices of the 
 English club-man of to-day. 
 
 That the Prince is quite as fully imbued as others with the 
 sacred character of Royalty is clearly to be seen from the 
 harsh and cutting manner in which he has resented his sister 
 Louise's marriage to Lord Lome and that of Princess Beatrice 
 to the Hebrew-descended Henry of Battenberg. While, 
 however, he loses no opportunity of making these two 
 brothers-in-law of his feel the impassable gulf which separates 
 his rank and station from theirs, he is most careful to conceal 
 from the general public his opinions as to the divinity that 
 hedges Kings and their offspring from the common herd. 
 He possesses in the most marked degree that principal in- 
 gredient of power, influence and success, namely tact, and it 
 is to this particular that he owes his widespread popularity. 
 
 I remember witnessing an amusing manifestation of this 
 tact on the part of the Prince. The Right Honorable A. 
 
 283 
 
284 CONTRASTING CHARACTERS. 
 
 Mundella, who was born In England as the son of an exiled 
 Carbonari, held for many years the leadership of the extreme 
 Radical — nay, I might almost say, the Republican Party in the 
 Kingdom. He was a bitter foe of Royalty, and as member 
 of Parliament for Sheffield was always the first to protest 
 against money being granted to the members of the Sover- 
 eign's family. One autumn day the Prince and Princess of 
 Wales happened to pass through Sheffield on their way to 
 their Scotch castle at Abergeldie. Their train only halted for 
 about ten minutes in the station — just long enough to change 
 engines and to examine the wheels. But the Prince made 
 good use of the time. Hearing that Mr. Mundella was on 
 the platform of the station awaiting some friends, and that he 
 was billed to deliver one of his usual inflammatory and almost 
 revolutionary addresses in the afternoon, the Prince caused 
 him to be summoned to the door of his saloon carriage. 
 After shaking hands most heartily, he presented him to the 
 Princess, who, following her husband's cue, was equally gra- 
 cious to the Radical leader. The Prince thereupon ex- 
 claimed : 
 
 "I hear, my dear Mr. Mundella, that you are about to de- 
 liver one of your eloquent addresses to your constituents this 
 afternoon. I do wish you would oblige both the Princess 
 and myself by availing yourself of that opportunity to inform 
 the good people of Sheffield how sorry we are not to be able 
 to stay here for a few days on our way north, and that you 
 would tell them with what pleasure we look back to the royal 
 and enthusiastic demonstrations with which they welcomed us 
 on the occasion of our last visit." 
 
 At that moment the engine whistled, the bell clanged and 
 the royal train moved out of the station, leaving Mr. Mun- 
 
A DIPLOMATIC PRINCE. 285 
 
 della bowing low in response to the friendly smiles and waves 
 of the hand of the Prince and Princess. That same after- 
 noon he completely staggered his constituents by appearing 
 in the guise of an emissary from Royalty, instead of that of 
 its most bitter assailant. On rising to address the meeting, 
 he began: "Gentlemen, I have been commissioned by their 
 Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales, to com- 
 municate to you the following gracious message," which he 
 then proceeded to deliver in his most unctuous and senten- 
 tious manner. After such an opening it was obviously out 
 of the question to expect him to deliver his customary dia- 
 tribes against Royalty, and, like Balaam of old, he blessed 
 those whom he had been summoned to curse. From that 
 date forth Mr. Mundella's political sentiments underwent a 
 considerable change. The ex-factory boy became a frequent 
 guest at Marlborough-House, and in a short time became so 
 much reconciled to the doctrines of Royalty that he aban- 
 doned his hopes of a future Presidency of an eventual British 
 Republic to become a Privy Councillor to the Queen. He 
 has since held office as Cabinet Minister, and according to 
 present appearances will die a rabid and bigoted Tory of the 
 old school. 
 
 Hundreds of similar instances might be cited to illustrate 
 the Prince's extraordinary tact. The latter is indeed one of 
 the principal sources of his power in England. For although 
 jealously debarred by his queenly mother from any active 
 share in the Government of the nation, he wields a sover- 
 eignty of his own creation, — an extremely beneficial one in 
 many respects — which is far more powerful and autocratic 
 than hers. Its character is of a social nature, and he is 
 able to decree either the social success or the social death of 
 
286 UNUSUAL SOCIAL POWER. 
 
 any one that may attract his notice. A few quiet hints as to 
 the fact that he objects to some particular individual is suffi- 
 cient to cause the social ostracism of the latter, whereas a 
 word of commendation from his lips is all that is needed to 
 become a fair leader of society. It is he alone who has made 
 the social posidon of the Rothschilds in London, and that, too, 
 within the last fifteen years. Before that they were kept out- 
 side the pale of the social world, whereas now they are be- 
 coming its leaders. Baron Hirsch, the Hebrew millionaire, is 
 another case in point. His financial dealings with the Sub- 
 lime Porte and with other Governments were of so exceed- 
 ingly unsavory a nature that, notwithstanding all the efforts 
 of the Orleans Princes to secure his election, he was black- 
 balled by the Paris Jockey Club. The Prince, however, took 
 him up a short time ago and pitchforked him into the whirl- 
 pool of London society, of which he has now become a shin- 
 ing light. The financier whose reputation was considered as 
 being too shady to admit of his election to the Paris Jockey 
 Club has been honored in London with the exceedingly rare 
 privilege of the private entree at Buckingham Palace, and 
 has blossomed forth into an honored guest, not only at Marl- 
 borough-House, but also at the mansions of men so exclusive 
 as the Dukes of Richmond and Westminster, which the Prince 
 frequents. I mention these cases to show the Prince's ex- 
 traordinary social power, an autocracy which, all things con- 
 sidered, has been of a beneficent and fortunate nature.j 
 Good-natured almost to a fault, his otherwise sound judgment' 
 and common-sense become sometimes warped by the in- 
 sidious influences of unworthy friends. 
 
 When his record comes to be written in the Great Book, I 
 think that it will be found that the chief and almost only 
 
A WARM-HEARTED FRIEND. 28/ 
 
 wrong-doings of this most happy and pleasure-loving Prince 
 will be on the score of bad companionship. It is, however, 
 impossible to retain any notions as to the divine or sacred 
 character of his Royalty when hearing of him as bandying 
 witticisms of a rather risque nature with sprightly French 
 actresses, and absorbing a hearty midnight supper in some 
 boulevard restaurant with a few boon companions. More- 
 over, it seems to me rather incongruous that right reverend 
 fathers in God, such as the Archbishops of Canterbury and 
 York, should ever be called upon to kiss the hand which has 
 a moment before clasped that of some frail queen of the 
 opera bouffe ; and rather than attempt to force myself to re- 
 gard his jovial Royal Highness with the awe and veneration 
 due to an anointed of the Lord, if not in esse, at any rate in 
 futuro, I prefer to continue to consider him in the light of a 
 warm-hearted friend, as an honorable and kindly gentleman 
 in every sense of the word, and as a man whom, either as 
 Prince or peasant, any one would be proud and happy to pos- 
 sess as a friend. 
 
 With traits of character such as these, it is only natural that 
 he should be exceedingly popular with all classes. Indeed it 
 is open to question whether the English people do not prefer 
 the presence to the absence of his faults. For the latter are 
 those of a generous, pleasure-loving nature, and without 
 these ^^ petits vices^' as the French call them, he would run the 
 risk of being regarded with the same disfavor as his father, 
 the Prince Consort, whose blameless life and faultless char- 
 acter led to his being considered by the English people at 
 large as something of a prig. 
 
 On the whole, they are right to view the faults of the Royal 
 Welshman with indulgence. For, aside from the natural dis- 
 
288 THE AVERAGE ENGLISHMAN. 
 
 inclination to provoke outbursts of ill-temper on the part of 
 so good-humored and jovial-hearted a Prince, there is a uni- 
 versal disposition to abstain from all individual criticism or 
 censure of his conduct. He lives in an atmosphere of such 
 loyalty that it may almost be described as sycophancy, and 
 although he may be made the object of collective and indirect 
 criticism from those who do not come into actual contact with 
 him, yet there is no one who ventures personally to point out 
 to him the right and wrong of his ways. If he has remained 
 an honorable and true-hearted gentleman, and if his record 
 is free from all but mere venial sins, it is due to his own sound 
 common-sense, his innate honesty of purpose, and his in- 
 grained horror of everything that is mean and vulgar. And 
 with regard to this distinction between collective and Individ- 
 ual criticism, it is well to bear in mind that all the sentiments 
 which foreigners are disposed to regard as indicating dis- 
 loyalty and latent Republicanism in England are merely col- 
 lective, and not individual. The average every-day English- 
 man is at heart as much a snob now as he was in the days 
 when Thackeray held him up to the ridicule of the world. 
 There is no son of John Bull who is not susceptible to the 
 influence of rank, and perhaps the best illustration that can 
 be given thereof is the mention of the fact that the Reverend 
 Lord Normanby has been obliged to resign the rectorship of 
 his parish at Worsley owing to the influx of corpses. Since 
 the excellent parson's succession to his father's title five years 
 ago, everybody that could possibly afford it in the neighboring 
 towns and districts seemed to have given directions before 
 dying that their funeral should take place at Worsley, so that 
 they might enjoy the post-mortem satisfaction of having a real 
 marquis read the burial service over their bodies. As long 
 
INFLUENCE ON ENGLISH LIFE. 289 
 
 as sentiments such as these prevail in England the days 
 of republicanism are far off. 
 
 At any rate the Prince has a most excellent influence on 
 the English people, and has done more good than can be 
 recorded here, both to the classes, and to the masses. 
 
 I am perfectly aware that my assertions with regard to the 
 beneficial character of the influence of the Prince of Wales 
 upon English life will sound strange to the ears of those who 
 have been accustomed to regard the eldest son of Queen Vic- 
 toria as responsible for most of the loose screws that appear 
 in the social system of Great Britain, and that they will be dis- 
 inclined to believe that he has ever contributed in any way to 
 the amelioration of the character, the behavior, and the morals 
 of John Bull. 
 
 If, however, the Englishman of to-day is more respectable, 
 less coarse and boorish, and more correct both in feeHng and 
 manner — an improvement which no one will venture to deny — 
 it is mainly attributable to the Prince of Wales. Up to the 
 time when the latter commenced his social reign in 1863, 
 heavy drinking at dinner after the ladies had left the table 
 was the invariable rule, and the phrase "as drunk as a lord," 
 a term not of reproach but of praise. Inebriety was not con- 
 sidered as a vice — nay, not even as bad form ; and but small 
 respect or consideration was accorded by society to the man 
 who could not dispose of the traditional " three bottles at a 
 sitting," Of course the example thus set by the classes was 
 followed and adopted in a still more intensified degree by the 
 masses, the only difference consisting in the character and the 
 quality of the liquor. 
 
 Indeed, during the early portion of the reign of Queen 
 Victoria, the drunkenness in Great Britain was something 
 
290 IMPROVEMENT IN MORALS. 
 
 perfectly appalling. The very marked decline of that vice — 
 which was formerly regarded as a peculiarly English failing — is 
 due to the Prince of Wales. It is entirely owing to the influ- 
 ence of that social despot that hard drinking is no longer 
 countenanced by society;, and as in everything else so also in 
 this the masses follow in the steps of the classes. Drunken- 
 ness is now regarded as being bad form in the banqueting 
 halls of the Peer, as well as in the back parlor of the small 
 shopkeeper, in the smoking-room of the crack London Clubs 
 as in the cafe or barroom of the suburban "pub" or gin- 
 mill. 
 
 Swearing and coarse language too have gone out of fashion. 
 Neither Lord nor commoner deems it necessary any longer to 
 preface every remark with an oath or to interlard each sen- 
 tence with blood-curdling blasphemy. This change for the 
 better is, like the decrease of hard drinking, attributable to the 
 Prince of Wales. One of the very best features of the Eng- 
 lish people is the respect which they, one and all, manifest 
 towards the ordinances of the Church. It may be that there is 
 more conventionality than real heart-felt religion in the attitude 
 of many of them, but be the motives and causes what they may, 
 the result achieved is an excellent one. For regular attendance 
 at church is certain to exercise an influence far more benefi- 
 cial than injurious, and the moral tone of a nation which has 
 been brought by its social autocrat to look upon this regular 
 attendance at church as a sine qua non of respectability, can- 
 not be considered otherwise than as healthy in the extreme. 
 Now this church-going is but another instance of the potency 
 of the Prince's influence. He makes a point of never miss- 
 ing to put in an appearance at church at least once every 
 
SUNDAY AT SANDRINGHAM. 29 1 
 
 Sunday. The classes have scrupulously followed his example 
 in the matter, and so too again have the masses. 
 
 Anent this phase of the Prince's character nothing can be 
 more amusing than to watch him when at Sandringham mar- 
 shalling his guests off to church on Sunday morning. Shortly 
 before eleven he will make his appearance in the hall, and 
 chaffingly order everybody nolens volens to get ready for 
 church. Those who happen to belong to the Catholic creed 
 are sent off in carriages to King's-Lynn, while the Church of 
 England people walk through the Park to the small but 
 exceedingly pretty little church which the Prince had built on 
 his Norfolk estate. He will invariably remain in the hall 
 until he has seen the whole party off, and will then bring up 
 the rear guard himself, keeping a sharp lookout for stragglers. 
 
 I do not desire to be regarded in any way as an apologist 
 of the Prince — the kindest, most considerate and thoughtful 
 of friends. For an apology always implies evil perpetrated. 
 But I should like to show the Prince as he really is : I may 
 claim to know something about him, much more probably 
 than those who, without any personal or direct knowledge of 
 the man, have so systematically blackened his reputation, both 
 in speech and print. Among all those persons who are so 
 especially ready to write and repeat stories of the Prince's 
 profligacy and depravity there is very likely not a single one 
 who has been personally acquainted with him, or who knew 
 of his mode of life otherwise than by hearsay. 
 
 The best criterion of a man's character is furnished by his 
 home life, and writing from personal experience I do not 
 believe that in all the broad lands of old England, there exists 
 a more unaffected, happy, and altogether charming home than 
 that of the Prince of Wales at Sandringham. There are 
 
292 ROYAL HOSPITALITY. 
 
 doubtless many country houses as luxurious and some more 
 magnificent, but there is hardly another where so much com- 
 fort is united with such exquisite taste and refinement. It is 
 the Prince himself who welcomes the arriving guests in the 
 hall, and who, after taking you ,off to the Princess's room on 
 the ground floor for refreshment in the shape of five o'clock 
 tea, brings you upstairs himself to your room, in order to see 
 that you have everything you want. Nor will he leave you 
 until he has rung the bell and instructed one of the servants 
 to specially attend to your wants and comforts. Dinner, which 
 usually takes place at a number of small round tables, each 
 laid for a party of six or eight at the very most, does not 
 usually last more than an hour, for the Prince, although a 
 great gourmet, hates long and overloaded menus. After the 
 ladies have retired to the drawing rooms, the men remain to 
 discuss a glass of claret and smoke a cigarette ; then they join 
 the ladies. At about midnight the latter withdraw, while the 
 men accompany the Prince to the smoking and billiard rooms. 
 One of the favorite guests at Sandringham is the American 
 Duchess of Manchester, whose infamous treatment by her late 
 husband had aroused the sympathy of both the Prince and 
 Princess in her behalf. Everything that both of them could 
 possibly invent to brighten her unhappy lot was done, and I 
 should imagine that some of the very best moments of her 
 otherwise sorrowful life have been spent under the roof of 
 her kind-hearted and considerate friends, the Prince and 
 Princess of Wales. She is usually accompanied by one or 
 more of her children. Children indeed, and young people in 
 general, constitute one of the most attractive features of the 
 house-parties at Sandringham, and the Prince is seen at his 
 best when among them. I remember often silently wishing 
 
THIRTY YEARS OF WEDDED LIFE. 293 
 
 that some of his calumniators could have the opportunity of 
 watching him surrounded by a group of merry and affectionate 
 children, in all of whose sports he is wont to join in the most 
 boyish and unconstrained manner. For it is sufficient to 
 banish from one's thoughts all unkindly feeling, as well as all 
 belief in the stories which set him down as a selfish and heart- 
 less libertine. Children are proverbially the best judges of 
 character, and in order to form an estimation of the manner 
 in which the Prince is regarded by them, it is only necessary 
 to hear with what degree of tenderness all his numerous 
 nephews and nieces talk of " Uncle Bertie." 
 
 Another phase of the Prince's life which affords an indica- 
 tion of his character is his behavior to the Princess. I am 
 fully aware that there are many, on both sides of the At- 
 )antic, who regard Her Royal Highness with feelings of com- 
 miseration, and who look upon her as a woman deeply in- 
 jured by the innumerable infidelities ascribed to the Prince. 
 The pity of these sympathizers has been, however, alto- 
 gether wasted, for I do not know of any couple who through- 
 out thirty years of married life have maintained such intimate 
 and loving relations to one another — relations which consti- 
 tute the best refutation of all the calumnies circulated about 
 the Prince. When at Sandringham, and at Marlborough- 
 House, the Royal Couple invariably occupy the same room 
 — a trivial bit of information, yet indicative of the feelings 
 that exist between husband and wife. For it is manifest that 
 had one-thousandth part of the stories about the Prince's de- 
 pravity been true, the Princess, who is a woman of far more 
 spirit than she is credited with, would never tolerate such 
 intimacy. 
 
 Quite a number of these stories owe their origin to ladies 
 
294 BASKING IN ROYAL SUNSHINE. 
 
 who desire to have their names coupled with his. It is per- 
 fectly impossible for any one who has not witnessed it to con- 
 ceive the absolutely flagrant manner in which ladies, even of 
 the highest rank, set their caps at him and hunt him down 
 Hke a quarry. At balls, garden parties, race meetings, etc., 
 the whole aim of the fair sex present is to have their presence 
 noticed by the Heir Apparent, who, apart from his power as 
 autocrat of English society, possesses the most gracious and 
 winsome manner imaginable. He has the reputation, and 
 justly so, of being an admirer of the fair sex, and hence the 
 members of the latter are wont to put forth all their charms 
 and wiles in attempts to obtain the privilege of basking in the 
 Royal Sunshine. Nothing can be more entertaining than to 
 watch one of these fair ones with cheeks flushed and eyes 
 charged with magnetism, bending forward to the Prince. 
 " No harm meant " — but they are prepared to go many 
 lengths to obtain, and after that to retain the special favor and 
 good will of the genial despot. The Prince, who is the es- 
 sence of good nature, seldom repels these gushing demon- 
 strations of the dame, and the result is that fresh stories are 
 hinted forth to the effect that the Lady A, or Mrs. B, has 
 become another victim of His Royal Highness's depravity. 
 
 Many persons on reading this will feel disposed to inter- 
 rupt me with the remark, " But what about Lady Mordaunt ? ** 
 In reply thereto I would merely draw their attention to the 
 fact that the Prince declining to avail himself of his legal im- 
 munities and privileged station voluntarily entered the wit- 
 ness box, submitted both to examination and cross-examina- 
 tion by counsel, and was finally acquitted by a jury composed 
 of his countrymen. Like many members of London society, 
 he is on terms of friendship with Lady Mordaunt as well as 
 
THE BACCARAT SCANDAL. ' 295 
 
 with her sisters, the Countess of Dudley, the Duchess of 
 Athole, and Lady Forbes. In consequence of the etiquette 
 which prohibits the presence of any other visitors during a 
 Royal afternoon call, the Prince generally saw Lady Mor- 
 daunt alone, and hence had peculiar difficulty in justifying 
 himself He was placed in an exceptionally painful position 
 from which he issued with flying colors and increased popu- 
 larity. 
 
 While on the subject of the Prince's appearance before 
 Courts of Justice, it may be as well to say a few words con- 
 cerning the circumstances which led to his only other acte de 
 presence in the witness box. Of course, I refer to the much- 
 discussed baccarat scandal. While it is quite possible and 
 even probable that the unfortunate and impardonable be- 
 havior of the Wilson family in the matter was prompted by a 
 malice and a hatred towards Sir William Gordon Gumming, 
 which prevented them from acting with either discretion, tact 
 or hospitality in the affair, it is altogether a mistake to waste 
 any sympathy upon the Baronet. But few people are aware 
 of the fact that when the charge of cheating at cards brought 
 against him first became known, his brother officers of the 
 Scots Guards Regiment met together and offered him to form 
 themselves into a private and non-official Court of Inquiry. 
 They added that the honor of the Regiment was at stake and 
 that on this ground as well as on that of old comradeship they 
 were anxious that he should furnish them with means of con- 
 vincing all others of their firm belief in his innocence, thus 
 enabling each officer of the corps to become a champion of 
 his (Gordon Cumming's) cause, and of his honor. Notwith- 
 standing their assurance that the inquiry should be conducted 
 with entire secrecy and not as an official investigation, but as 
 
296 LOYALTY TO HIS FRIENDS. 
 
 a private endeavor on the part of a number of good and true 
 fellows to get a friend out of a scrape into which he had be- 
 come involved by signing the promise never to play cards 
 aofain. Sir William declined the offer. It was then, and then 
 only, that his fellow-officers and former friends cut loose from 
 him, for his refusal was equivalent to a confession of guilt. 
 Moreover, I doubt whether many women will continue to feel 
 sympathy for him when they learn that his habit of bragging 
 about his gallantries and his liaisons had led to his being 
 dubbed in London with the significant nickname of " Wil- 
 liam Tell." 
 
 Far from ever being guilty of disloyalty to a friend — a 
 charge which was brought against him in connection with Sir 
 William Gordon Gumming, the Prince's one great fault 
 throughout his life has been that his loyalty has led him to 
 cling to friends that have proved themselves unworthy of the 
 honor, and to persist in closing his eyes to the shortcomings 
 on their part that were patent to everybody else. No man 
 that I have ever known has stuck more closely and loyally to 
 his friends, a fact in itself sufficient to win for him the good 
 will of every one possessed of proper feeling. Every mem- 
 ber of his large household, from Lords-in-waiting and equer- 
 ries, down- to the very lowest stable-help and under-gardener, 
 has been in his employ for ten, twenty, and in more than one 
 case even thirty years. Few people who enter the service 
 of the Prince either care or are forced to leave it, save only 
 when they cover themselves with terrible disgrace, such as in 
 the altogether exceptional case of Lord Arthur Somerset. 
 • The Prince of Wales when he comes to the throne will be 
 an ideal constitutional Sovereign, far more so even than Queen 
 Victoria, for whereas the latter has repeatedly manifested her 
 
POLITICAL INCLINATIONS. 297 
 
 very strong preferences for the Tories, the Prince has never 
 throughout his long career furnished the slightest indication 
 as to his political inclinations. Neither his friends and ac- 
 quaintances, nor yet the public, have the remotest idea 
 whether his tendencies are in the direction of the Conserva- 
 tives or in that of the Liberals. Indeed no one can even 
 boast of knowing how the Prince feels on the subject of Irish 
 Home Rule. He displays just as -much good-will, courtesy 
 and attention towards Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, as towards 
 Lord and Lady Salisbury, and not a birthday of the Grand 
 Old Man has ever been permitted to pass by without his re- 
 ceiving a kindly telegram of good-will and congratulation from 
 the Prince, whom the venerable Statesman, so often subjected 
 to unmerited neglect by the Queen, must long to hail as King 
 before called upon to intone his Nunc Dimittis. This extra- 
 ordinary impartiality displayed by the Prince in all political 
 matters — a characteristic in which he offers a most striking 
 contrast to every other Prince of Wales who has ever stood 
 on the steps of the Throne — must not be in any way ascribed 
 to indifference, for the Heir Apparent is far too good and 
 true a Briton, to remain unmoved or uninterested by the 
 political questions of his day. There is no more familiar 
 figure than his, seated in the Peer's Gallery whenever an im- 
 portant debate takes place in the House of Commons, and it 
 is with every appearance of the most keen attention that he 
 leans forward, his irreproachably gloved hands folded in one 
 another, and resting on the balcony rail as he gazes down on 
 the oftentimes tumultuous scene below. Moreover the For- 
 eign Office in accordance with his request is wont to forward 
 to Marlborough-House a copy of every despatch received or 
 sent that is submitted to the Queen. There is every reason 
 
298 THE prince's charity. 
 
 to believe therefore that the Prince is quite as keen a politi- 
 cian as the majority of Englishmen, and under the circum- 
 stances the fact that he should have even in the moments of 
 greatest popular excitement been able to maintain a de- 
 meanor so impassive that no one could discover the direction 
 of his sentiments affords an extraordinary and striking illus- 
 tration of his wonderful power of self-control, of his marvel- 
 lous tact, and his altogether unparalleled obedience to that un- 
 written, clause of the British Constitution which demands 
 strict political impartiality on the part of the Sovereign either 
 in esse or in futuro. 
 
 Throughout the last five and twenty years there has not 
 been a single philanthropic or charitable enterprise of any 
 importance which has not been indebted to the Prince of 
 Wales for vital assistance, and in numerous cases for initia- 
 tion. He renders charity and philanthropy fashionable, and 
 many hundreds of thousands of pounds have been devoted 
 by wealthy persons to good works in the knowledge that 
 there was no surer road to the Prince's favor than unstinted 
 and free-handed charity. It was with the object of pleasing 
 the Prince that Sir Francis Cook, the London merchant, gave 
 ^200,000 towards the endowment of a home for girls attend- 
 ing the Royal College of Music, and it was with the same 
 purpose in view that the great building contractor. Sir Thomas 
 Lucas, constructed and presented a building worth another 
 ^200,000 for use as the home in question. Both men earned 
 the Prince's good will, which took the form of a couple of 
 Baronetcies. The number of hospitals which have been 
 founded by the Heir Apparent, or which have been assisted 
 by him either with direct donation or with appeals to the pub- 
 lic, reaches over a hundred, and up to this time the Prince has 
 
A HIGHLY USEFUL LIFE. 299 
 
 brought into life no less than forty Orphanages. Moreover, 
 he is responsible, in a great measure, for the enormous devel- 
 opment of the art of industry and trade which has followed 
 the various national and international exhibitions held in 
 Great Britain under the patronage, and in many cases, under 
 the personal and active direction of the Heir Apparent. With 
 such a record as the one which I have attempted to describe, 
 it is impossible to do otherwise than to admit the claims of 
 the Prince to have a place not alone in the hearts of his 
 countrymen, but also in the history of the nation, His life, 
 which may at first sight appear to superficial observers frivo- 
 lous, useless, and altogether wasted in selfish pleasures, will 
 now bear a different aspect in their eyes. Few men, and 
 certainly no Princes, are able to have the consciousness of 
 having done so much, both directly and indirectly, to improve 
 the condition of their fellow-creatures — aye, and of the dumb 
 animals as well. While no one will ever dream of attempt- 
 ing to canonize Albert Edward, and to include him in the 
 list of more or less reputable Saints when he dies, I venture 
 to assert that he will figure on the pages of the Great Book 
 with far more good to his record than many a man with a 
 greater reputation for Saintliness. The life of the Prince is 
 an extremely useful one to his fellow-countrymen to whom he 
 devotes it, and the benefits of his long work in their behalf 
 are likely to endure, not alone in their hearts, but also in let- 
 ters of gold on some of the brightest pages of the History 
 of England. 
 
 More than any other Englishman, either in official or pri- 
 vate life, is the Prince an advocate of the maintenance of the 
 closest possible relations between Great Britain and the 
 United States. His sentiments toward the latter seem to 
 
30O THE "YANKEE MECCA. 
 
 have dated from the period of his visit to America. One of 
 the most memorable incidents of this visit by-the-by was 
 when he, the grandson of King George III, bowed his head 
 in prayer before the tomb of Washington at Mount Vernon, 
 and subsequently planted a tree in the adjoining ground for 
 the purpose of commemorating his pilgrimage to that historic 
 spot. No non-English people ever receive a more hearty 
 welcome at Marlborough House than Americans, whom he 
 prefers to regard not as foreigners but as kinsmen. Indeed, 
 so marked is the predilection which he manifests for the so- 
 ciety of Americans that his own subjects frequently allude to 
 Marlborough House as the "Yankee Mecca." 
 
 A peculiarity of the Prince of Wales is the amazing fashion 
 in which he keeps a clear head under the most trying circum- 
 stances. The following amusing account, of which the truth 
 is vouched for, is given of the scene which took place with 
 the Prince on the occasion of the earthquake along the 
 Riviera. 
 
 It appears that His Royal Highness had come back in the 
 early morning from a dance, and after a quiet half cigar on 
 the balcony — the night was exquisite — had gone to bed and 
 very soon fell asleep. The hotel was silent, as usual, the 
 only sound upon the air being the distant rumble of the bag- 
 gage-car on its way to the station, and the occasional wail of 
 a cor de ckasse, which some night-walking wretch down on the 
 Promenade de la Croisette was fitfully and tipsily blowing. 
 And then all of a sudden came the earthquake. Every room 
 in the hotel groaned with its walls, creaked with its floor and 
 rattled with its furniture. All the dogs in it howled together, 
 and the noisy macaw in the manager's office screeched at the 
 top of his voice. Then came a lull, as sudden as the disturb- 
 
VALUE OF A CLEAR HEAD. 3OI 
 
 ance, and the smothered sound of many slippered feet and 
 soft rustling dressing-gowns were hurrying along the corridors 
 and down the marble stairs. And the Prince ? At the first 
 suggestion of danger his faithful equerry, Col. Clarke, bounded 
 out of bed, and making his way across the smoking saloon 
 knocked at the door of the Prince's bedroom : 
 
 ** What's the matter ? " asked a drowsy voice. 
 
 "There's an earthquake come. Sir," was the shouted reply. 
 
 "Then why didn't you send it away ? " was the Royal 
 answer. 
 
 " Won't you come outside, Sir ? " 
 
 " Outside ? No, certainly not. I'm in bed. Go away." 
 
 The equerry, his duty performed, followed the hurrying 
 crowd out into the open air, under the deep blue sky and 
 tranquil stars. After an hour of this peaceful scene, alarm 
 died away and every one had returned to the hotel to dress 
 when the second shock came, driving them all out again into 
 the garden. 
 
 The equerry's thoughts again at once flew to the sleeping 
 Prince. The Heir Apparent to the Throne of Great Britain 
 was, in a measure, in his special charge. How had he ac- 
 quitted himself of his sacred stewardship ? A twinge of con- 
 science made him feel uncomfortable as he sat out there in 
 the still garden on an inverted watering-pot, expecting the 
 tall chimneys of the diplomat's house across the square to 
 come toppling down over him. He had not aroused the 
 Prince at the second shock. So he got up, returned to the 
 hotel, and, passing through the public rooms — His Royal 
 Highness was on the ground floor, in a sort of annex, that 
 projected into a private flower-planted court — reached the 
 Prince's door and knocked. There was no response. He 
 
302 AT CONTINENTAL COURTS. 
 
 knocked again. Still no answer. A third, louder than be- 
 fore, loud enough in fact to rouse all the seven sleepers. But 
 still no answering voice. And then the horrid truth, sudden 
 as was the earthquake shock, flashed into the wretched 
 equerry's mind. Something was wrong. Had the Prince 
 perished ? 
 
 In an instant he had flung the door open and dashed across 
 the ante-room. The curtains at the door of the bed chamber 
 were drawn close togfether. With a frenzied hand he seized 
 them and drew them apart. As he did so, something, but 
 whether an aerolite, a thunder-bolt, or a falling beam, he knew 
 not, struck him full in the face. 
 
 Strange lights danced before his eyes. His head swam, and 
 in a momentary faintness he leant against the door. But the 
 next moment a voice fell on his ear, grave and reproachful : 
 " Look here, Clarke, I won't have any more of this, and if 
 you don't shut up making that beastly row and let me go to 
 sleep, I'll shy the other boot at you." 
 
 The Prince does not as a rule, I must confess, find the at- 
 mosphere of the continental courts congenial, and he fails to 
 hit it off with any of the Monarchs now reigning. He does 
 not get on well for any length of time with his nephew, the 
 Emperor of Germany. 
 
 The Emperor of Austria, who was once fond of him, has 
 become exceedingly cold and distant toward him since the 
 scandal in connection with his attempt to force the company 
 of Baron Hirsch upon the various members of the Austrian 
 and Hungarian aristocracy, who made preparation to enter- 
 tain him. 
 
 Neither King Humbert nor the Czar, nor yet the young 
 King of Portugal, has ever liked him, while it is antipathy 
 
UNIVERSAL POPULARITY. 303 
 
 rather than sympathy that exists between King Leopold and 
 his English cousin, the Prince of Wales. 
 
 With all this, few people enjoy more universal popularity 
 among the people at large in Paris, Vienna, Berlin, and Rome, 
 than the British Heir Apparent. 
 
 The reason of the ill-will, manifested in a more or less sjlent 
 fashion by the various Monarchs of Europe toward the Royal 
 Welshman, is attributable mainly to the fact that they, one 
 and all, regard him as too careless of his princely dignity, 
 and altogether too free and easy and sans facon. 
 
 The fact is that the Prince of Wales is altoo^ether too un- 
 affected and too little posew to suit their tastes. Continental 
 rulers are almost invariably in uniform, belted, spurred, 
 sabred and decorated, and that the Prince should prefer a pot 
 hat, a shooting jacket and a cane to regimentals is to them 
 altogether inexplicable. 
 
 They seem to like what may be termed the theatrical and 
 decorative part of their work. They want to show the peo- 
 ple that they govern, and from morning to evening they are 
 at '* attention," in full regimentals. 
 
 The majority of them would no more think of going about 
 their capitals without some distinctive mark of their rank than 
 Leo XIII. would of takinof off his white cassock and of don- 
 ning a derby hat and tweed suit for a stroll on the Corso, 
 with a cigarette between his lips. 
 
 Pomp, parade and show are the very breath of their life, 
 whereas there is nothing that the Prince of Wales detests so 
 much. He is far more of the world than one who aims to be 
 above the world. Ceremony and all the theatrical portion 
 of Royalty are to him an insufferable bore, and he infinitely 
 prefers a good cigar and a chat with a pretty woman or a 
 
304 ARBITER OF ENGLISH SOCIETY. 
 
 clever man to galloping about, reviewing troops or presiding 
 over state functions. 
 
 In a word, the Prince of Wales, in the eyes of the Conti- 
 nental Sovereigns, permits his role as the private gentleman 
 and the leader of society to encroach too largely on his Royal 
 
 dignity. .... ^ 
 
 In this, however, it is he who is right, and they who are | 
 wrong, for, as the arbiter of English society, of the entire so- 
 cial system of the British Empire, the Prince exercises a far 
 greater and more real power than any foreign despot. 
 
 The very strongest proof of the truth of my assertion is 
 furnished by the acknowledged fact that he is able to maintain 
 his rank and to possess intimate friends among his future sub- 
 jects without being forced to adopt any of the safeguards 
 that are needed by the European Monarchs to protect their 
 dignity from the presumption and impertinence of inferiors. 
 
 There are few European Sovereigns who venture to address 
 a subordinate in rank without Imparting to their voice and to 
 their manner a kind of condescending tone, with a view of 
 thoroughly keeping the person with whom they are speaking 
 at a distance and In his proper place. 
 
 There are some potentates indeed who even go so far as 
 to assume almost a baby voice, as If speaking to a child, when 
 addressing an Inferior and wishing to be particularly amiable 
 and pleasant. 
 
 With the Prince of Wales, however, there is no necessity 
 for any such manoeuvres as these. 
 
 He has no need of affecting condescension, and when he 
 does condescend, he conceals the fact with the greatest deli- 
 cacy and tact. With all this, he is the last to tolerate pre- 
 
VARIOUS AMUSEMENTS. 305 
 
 sumption, but so careful and so diplomatic is his manner that 
 he has scarcely ever been exposed thereto. 
 
 Cards are not the only amusement patronized by the Prince 
 of Wales. He is exceedingly fond of shooting, and a first- 
 rate shot. He contrives, however, to get the largest amount 
 of sport possible with the least amount of exertion. His per- 
 sonal attendants are given the benefit of most of the exercise, 
 and His Royal Highness gets the fun. 
 
 Unconsciously, the Heir Apparent is most exacting when 
 out for a day's shooting, and wants more waiting upon than a 
 woman in delicate health. " Just do this," and " Just do that," 
 are his constant commands, and the^end of the day finds his 
 victims weary beyond expression and fit for nothing but bed. 
 
 The joke is that the Prince always looks perfectly innocent 
 of the undue demands he is making upon the endurance of 
 those about him, and having escaped all exertion himself, 
 cannot understand how it is that his companions are so 
 fatigued. 
 
 The Prince never liked cricket, at least never since the date 
 of a memorable game organized specially for his entertain- 
 ment shortly after he took up his residence at Sandringham, 
 about five and twenty years ago. 
 
 It was in this match that the Prince was to make his debut 
 as a cricketer, and all the local magnates were present. It 
 was Mr. Charles Wright who was the captain of the eleven 
 opposing that of the Prince. 
 
 Before the game commenced Mr. Wright carefully coached 
 each one of his men on the necessity of letting the Prince 
 have a chance and of helping him to run up a nice little score, 
 which might conduce to that self-satisfaction so essential to 
 enthusiasm in any pursuit. 
 
3o6 FIRST GAME OF CRICKET. 
 
 All went well until the Prince came to take his innings, 
 when, Mr. Wright being the bowler, either forgetting his 
 elaborate cautions to others, or else unable to resist the 
 temptation to add to his fame, incontinently bowled his future 
 King out with the first ball, and so ended forever the hopes 
 of the Prince of Wales's patronage for the cricket fraternity. 
 The Prince could never be prevailed upon to play again. 
 
 Among the idiosyncrasies of the Prince of Wales, which 
 those about to make his acquaintance would do well to know, 
 is his invincible horror of black ties with evening dress. The 
 sight of a man thus arrayed at any entertainment which he 
 may happen to attend is sufficient to upset and to sour him 
 for the entire evening, and in his eyes it is an unpardonable 
 infraction of the laws of good taste and good form. 
 
 The rural home at Sandrinorham of the Heir to the Throne 
 of Britain lies in the warm sheltered hollow behind the range 
 of low-wooded bluffs that line the southern margin of the 
 Wash. From the low-lying station of Wolferton the road 
 traversed by the visitors to Sandringham Hall gradually as- 
 cends through a region, the natural bleakness and barrenness 
 of which is slowly and reluctantly yielding before the per- 
 sistent energy of taste and skill. Carefully tended young 
 plantations of fir and birch stud the undulating expanse of 
 scrub and heather, and the quaint rustic gables of the " Folly " 
 peep out from the heart of a clump of sturdy evergreens, 
 backed up by well-grown and vigorous young pines, by the 
 edge of which the Princess's favorite drive wends away to the 
 left through the bushy copses of the Josceline wood that 
 mantles the indented crest and undulating summit of the up- 
 land ridge, looming down over the intermediate low-lying 
 fields, farmsteadings and plantations upon the broad bosom 
 
QUAINT SANDRINGHAM CHURCH. 3O7 
 
 of the great estuary. Presently the heather gives place to 
 greensward, and the pine thickets are succeeded by the mossy 
 boles and spreading branches of fine ancestral oaks and 
 beeches, which but partially screen the view of the wide- 
 stretching expanse of the home park, where the deer are pas- 
 turing in the glades, and the water, set in a cincture of lux- 
 uriant evergreens, gleams mirror-like in still glassy pools, or 
 sparkles and tumbles over the picturesque rockwork of red- 
 dish brown. Close on the left rises the hoary square tower 
 of the quaint little Sandringham Church, within whose walls 
 Prince and peasant worship together in the modest God's acre, 
 surrounding which rest side by side the mortal remains of the 
 babe of the blood royal and the child of the peasant. 
 
 There is a glimpse, over the sward and the water and the 
 rockwork, of the long, picturesquely broken garden front of 
 the Hall — a mere passing gleam of warm red, here and there, 
 hidden in the loving embrace of the dark-green ivy; and 
 then with a wide sweep the road turns the corner of the park, 
 the beautiful " Norwich Gates," with their delicate ironwork 
 tracery, are passed, and there remains but a short drive along 
 a broad, straight avenue, lined on either side by massive old 
 trees, to the principal entrance of the Hall. At a glance it is 
 apparent that Sandringham is no stately palace where com- 
 fort is a secondary consideration to splendor, where sumptu- 
 ous suits of apartments bear the chilling impress of being un- 
 inhabited and uninhabitable ; but a veritable English home, 
 designed not for show, but to be lived in, every detail elo- 
 quent of unostentatious taste and refined domesticity. The 
 keynote to the theme of dulce domum (home, sweet home) is 
 struck on the very threshold. In the- inner wall of the vesti- 
 bule above the Hall door is set a tablet bearing the inscription. 
 
308 HOME-SAVOR OF SANDRINGHAM. 
 
 in old English characters : " This house was built by Albert 
 Edward, Prince of Wales, and Alexandra, his wife, in the year 
 of our Lord 1870." The home-savor of Sandringham begins 
 from the very door-step, for there is no formal entrance-hall. 
 The vestibule is simply a part and portion of the great salon 
 which may be called the family parlor of the house. This 
 noble apartment has a lofty roof of open oakwork ; its walls 
 are covered with pictures, and its area is almost encumbered 
 with cosy chairs, occasional tables, pictures on easels, musi- 
 cal instruments, flowers in stands, flowers in pots, flowers in 
 vases, and a thousand and one pretty trifles, each one of 
 which has an association and a history linked to it. Peering 
 out from under the palm-fronds are two miniature cannon, 
 which were a present from the late Emperor to the Royal 
 children. Above Count Zichy's charming sketch in water 
 colors, illustrative of the various phases of home-life -at Sand- 
 ringham, is a large picture of the birthplace of the Princess. 
 Over the fire-place is Borlasc's oil painting of the Prince and 
 Princess, with two of their children. The King and Queen 
 of Denmark look down from the walls on the scene of the 
 afternoon romp of their English grandchildren. On one of 
 the round tables stands the casket in which the Sandringham 
 tenantry inclosed their address of congratulation on the 
 Prince's safe return from India. Above the arch of the vesti- 
 bule facing the main entrance is fixed the beautiful, fierce head 
 of the Chillingham bull, shot by the Prince in 1872, with 
 Scott's fervid lines underneath : 
 
 " Fierce on the hunter's quivered band 
 He rolls his eye of swarthy glow. 
 Spurns with black hoof and horn the sand. 
 And tosses high his mane of snow." 
 
ROYAL LIBRARY. 3O9 
 
 From the salon opens the business room, occupied by Gen- 
 eral Sir Dighton Probyn, V. C, the Controller of the Prince's 
 household, and by Sir Francis Knollys, His Royal Highness's 
 Private Secretary ; and in this room it is where the Prince 
 transacts his correspondence, gives interview to other than 
 social visitors, sees his tenants on questions of improvements 
 — for His Royal Highness shirks none of the obligations of a 
 landed proprietor — and gives his personal instructions to his 
 land steward, gardener and head-keeper. 
 
 A plain room, furnished in a plain and business-like style, 
 this apartment has for its sole embellishment a few portraits, 
 among which may be mentioned those of the late Admiral 
 Rous and of Field Marshal Lord Napier, of Magdala. On 
 the right of the vestibule, as one enters the house, lies the 
 library ; a pleasant room in blue and light oak, the shelves of 
 which are filled with books belonging almost exclusively to 
 the departments of history and travels. A whole compart- 
 ment is devoted to works on the Crimean War, another to 
 books — many of which are hard reading enough — on India, 
 both British and native. The " Greville Memoirs " are sand- 
 wiched between the " Nelson Dispatches " and the " Narra- 
 tive of the Euphrates Expedition," and the " Seven Weeks' 
 War " is in close proximity to the " Rise of the Mahometan 
 Power in India." Through the equerry's room, the next of 
 the suit, is reached the second library, which might appro- 
 priately bear the name of the " Serapis Room," for it is full 
 of the belongings of His Royal Highness during his voyages 
 in the big troop-ship, and the familiar feathers in gold between 
 the initials " A. E." meet the eye everywhere. 
 
 This room opens into the vestibule of the garden-entrance, 
 which, by reason of its proximity to the drawing-rooms, is 
 
3IO CLOSE-KNIT DOMESTICITY. 
 
 always used on ball nights. From the main corridor stretch- 
 ing to the great staircase there open, on the right, the princi- 
 pal reception rooms ; but before these are reached there is 
 passed the Prince's private morning room, a family room, 
 pure and simple. The admixture of feminine and masculine 
 tastes, of which this pretty room is, more than others in the 
 house, an exemplar, speaks eloquently of lives blended in an 
 accord of close-knit domesticity. The walls of cool neutral 
 tint are partly decorated with rare china and pottery, partly 
 paneled with crayon pictures of deer-stalking episodes in the 
 Highlands by the most celebrated English painters of our day. 
 
 A large windowed projection, which is in part a lounge, in 
 part a boudoir, and in part a writing-room, is half partitioned 
 off from the rest of the room by a screen devoted, to the dis- 
 play of family photographs. A truss of mignonette trees, 
 with lilies of the valley blossoming around the bushy stem, 
 half hides the panel on which Leighton's brush has depicted 
 "The Bringing the Deer Home;" the spreading skin of a 
 huge tiger, shot by the Prince in India, lies on a quilt-carpet 
 of patchwork, which was a tribute of loving respect to the 
 Princess from the children of one of the schools she finds 
 time to foster with so much personal attention. 
 
 From this room a door opens into the ante-room of the 
 great drawing-room, a pretty little apartment in French grey, 
 having for its chief ornament a large picture of the Emperor 
 of Russia and the Prince driving together in a sledge, whose 
 three horses, in a furious gallop, are fore-shortened with great 
 skill and fine effect. 
 
 The principal drawing-room, like all the rooms on this side 
 of the house, looks out into the park, across the flower beds, 
 water and rockery, to where the antlered deer are browsing 
 
IN THE CONSERVATORY. 3II 
 
 in the beech-glades. It is a room of fine proportions, the walls 
 of which are in a pale salmon color, and its fixed decorations 
 are studiously simple, consisting merely of a few mirrors 
 placed panelwise, some floral mouldings, a painted ceiling and 
 a single group of statuary. Mme. Jerichau's ** Bathing Girls " 
 embrace each other on a pedestal, from around the base of 
 which flowers and blossoming exotic shrubs rear the glories 
 of their bloom and the quieter hue of their foliage against the 
 pale marble. The sweet scent of spring violets nestling 
 among moss perfumes the air, and there are flowers every- 
 where ; indeed the whole house is a floral bower, for the Prin- 
 cess is passionately fond of flowers, and literally lives among 
 them. A door-window of the drawing-room " gives " on a 
 small domed conservatory projecting from the garden front 
 of the house. Here the arched fronds of the palms form a 
 sombre glory over the pedestal, upon which Jerichau's two 
 white marble children press lip to lip within an encircling 
 thicket of flowers, in which the orange of the euphorbia, the 
 pale rose of the calanthe, the wax-like trusses of the white 
 hyacinth, the gleaming scarlet of the poinsetia, the blushing 
 purple of the primula, and the fair pale sweetness of the lily 
 of the valley at once vie and blend with each other. En suite 
 with the drawing-room is the dining-room, a warm-tinted, 
 genial-looking room, suggestive of comfort in its every item. 
 A great bow window expands from the centre of its front, 
 whence the light streams in upon Landseer's " Mare and Foal " 
 above the oaken side-board. Over the fire-place, where the 
 logs are blazing on the wide open hearth, is a full-length por- 
 trait of the Prince in the blue-and-ofold of the Tenth Hussars. 
 " Unzer Fritz " and his Princess flank Landseer's chef-d' osuvre 
 on either side, and life-size portraits of the Princesses Alice 
 
312 VIEW FROM THE DINING-ROOM, 
 
 and Louisa hang on either side of the door opening from the 
 drawing-room. 
 
 From the dining-room the way leads through a " Corridor 
 of Weapons," where the " white arms " of all ages are ar- 
 ranged in glass-fronted cabinets on the walls, to the billiard- 
 room. Here the walls are brightened by Leech's inimitable 
 hunting sketches, and there are three-side windows, set in ivy, 
 looking out on the Italian gardens on the site of the old fish- 
 ponds, and so athwart the park of the church. The annexed 
 smoking-room is the ante-chamber to the long vista of the 
 bowling alley, lighted both from sides and roof, with raised 
 seats at the upper end, whence ladies may look down on the 
 tournament of their squires. Beyond the bowling alley is a 
 little room over which Macdonald reigns supreme — the gun- 
 room, in whose glass-fixed cupboards are arranged shooting- 
 irons in bewildering number and variety. 
 
 The chief adornment of the main staircase is a fine portrait 
 in oils of the Princess in riding-dress. Immediately at the 
 top of the stairs a door opens to the right of the school- 
 room, a light, pleasant room, in which flowers and photo- 
 graphs compete for elbow room with school books and story 
 books. The impulse is to pause here in this sketchy descrip- 
 tion of the interior of Sandringham Hall, lest the going 
 further savor of intrusiveness. Yet it is hard to shun a refer- 
 ence to that beautiful room on the same floor, with its pale 
 salmon-colored and French-gray walls ; its pink and lace 
 hangings round the deep bay of the bow window ; its medley 
 of old China, photographs, water colors, dwarf palms, flowers ; 
 its thousand and one pretty knick-knacks ; its singing birds ; 
 and with the indescribable, yet felt, although unseen, presence 
 of delicate and refined womanhood which pervades the whole 
 
PRINCESS BOUDOIR. 313 
 
 of the exquisite chamber. This is the boudoir of the Princess 
 — the room that so grew into the heart of Her Royal High- 
 ness, because of early grateful memories associated with it, 
 that when Sandringham Hall was rebuilt she made it her 
 special stipulation that it should be reconstructed on " the 
 ancient lines " in the minutest particular. No excuse is 
 needed for an allusion to a room in the same corridor, be- 
 cause of the deep historical interest which attaches to it. It 
 is difficult, indeed, standing to-day in the big comfortable 
 home-like chamber, whither, through the open door, comes 
 the song of the linnets in the Princess' dressing-room; 
 whither, through the open bay window in the great recess be- 
 yond the crimson Priedieu on the further side of the bed, 
 with its hangings of blue and white to correspond with the 
 tapestry paper on the walls, is wafted on the breeze the fresh, 
 briny scent of the sea — it is difficult to realize the scene to 
 which these silent walls could bear witness ; the time when 
 the Prince, on this same bed, battled for breath in the very 
 straits of the dark valley, while his dearest kinsfolks were 
 gathered around for the sad, solemn duty of bidding him a 
 final farewell, while in the corridor hushed retainers wept for 
 the imminent untimely fate of one not less loved than hon- 
 ored, and while outside in the snow-slush grief-stricken labor- 
 ing folk longed yet feared for tidings of their " master." Yet 
 there in the ceiling above the bed is the mark of the orifice 
 whence projected the hook supporting the trapeze cunningly 
 devised by Bentley, and by the aid of which the Prince, when 
 on the slow and weary road towards convalescence, was wont 
 to change his recumbent position, or pull himself up into a 
 sitting posture. 
 
 During the shooting season the routine of Sandringham 
 19 
 
314 THE SHOOTING SEASON. 
 
 life has for variety little other than the change of scene and 
 of sport. One day the battue may be Flitcham for partridge- 
 driving ; the next may be dedicated to the pheasants of the 
 Commodore and Dersingham Woods ; or the " hot corner " 
 may be at the angle of Woodcock Wood, with the "Folly" 
 as the luncheon rendezvous. The start is at 10.30, and, if 
 there is any distance to be traversed, the gunners travel to 
 the scene of their sport in the char-a-banc and wagonette. 
 The Sandringham corps of beaters is forty strong, each mem- 
 ber wearing a Norfolk smock-frock of brown fustian, with a 
 number on a red badge. Luncheon is at two, served in a 
 marquee in some convenient spot, and at this meal the Prin- 
 cess, who drives to the trysting place her own four-in-hand 
 team of pretty ponies, joins the gentlemen with the ladies 
 who are her guests. During the afternoon shooting, which 
 takes the homeward direction, the ladies walk, or ride on 
 pony-back, with the guns. Afternoon tea, to which all the 
 guests join in the saloon, is one of the great institutions of 
 Sandringham home-life. M. Zichy has sketched the scene of 
 charming informal domesticity with appreciative felicity. The 
 Prince, tea cup in hand, stands with his back to the vestibule 
 fire, one of his sons and a group of his male friends standing 
 about him. The Princess is at the tea-table, with one of her 
 daughters by her side and a number of guests of both sexes 
 around the board. An adult gentleman with a mustache is 
 obviously flirting with a young lady, over whose flaxen curls 
 quite seven summers must have passed. From 6 to 7.30 the 
 Prince addresses himself to correspondence and business in 
 Sir Francis Knollys's room ; but indeed there is hardly an 
 hour in the day which His Royal Highness devotes wholly to 
 pleasure, for his land steward generally accompanies him in 
 
"bachelor's cottage. 315 
 
 shooting excursions, at hand to note suggestions as to im- 
 provements which may occur to the Prince as he tramps over 
 the estate. It is reputed of the Prince in Norfolk that no 
 landlord in the country is better acquainted with the details 
 of his property, and with a greater zeal for its improvement. 
 The dinner hour is 8 London time, 8.30 Sandringham time, 
 for the Prince will have Sandringham time half an hour fast, 
 the better to insure " taking time by the forelock." On the 
 dinner table the chief decorations are flowers brought fresh 
 every night from the region of glass and heated air. On the 
 birthday of His Royal Highness, afternoon tea gives place to 
 a visit to the stable-yard, in one of the coach-houses of which 
 all the laborers on the estate, some two hundred in number, 
 are entertained at a " square meal " of the most substantial 
 character. On the night of the same day occurs the annual 
 country ball ; while on the night of the Princess' birthday is 
 given the annual tenants' ball, to which are bidden not alone 
 the tenantry of the Sandringham estate but representative 
 tenants from the various properties which the Prince has 
 visited in his shooting expeditions. 
 
 The Sunday is the most characteristic day of the week at 
 Sandringham. After luncheon the whole house-party walk 
 out past the "Bachelor's Cottage," which is now being or- 
 ganized as a separate residence for the Duke of York, to the 
 kennels. A flock of foreign goats immediately beset the 
 Princess, wise in their generation and in the full expectancy 
 of tid-bits. There is a leisurely stroll through the pheasantry 
 and along the snugly sheltered cages in which are housed the 
 Nepaulese birds which were one of Sir Jung Bahadoor's 
 gifts. The bear-pit looked down into, and the bears coaxed 
 to climb the pole, the dogs claim attention. The noble Hima- 
 
31 6 VISIT TO THE FARM-YARD. 
 
 layan deerhounds are clamorous for liberation, and effusively 
 grateful when that has been accorded — a boon which Her 
 Royal Highness may extend to the shaggy Scotch terriers 
 which have greeted her so noisily. The monkey-house can- 
 not be passed over ; and then the party, with multitudinous 
 dogs as eclair eurs, stroll away to the gardens. New Indian 
 plants developing unexpected characteristics; cacti from 
 Rangoon flourishing like green bay trees, and rare flora from 
 South America putting forth quaintly beautiful blossoms. 
 From the hot-houses and gardens the pleasant peregrination 
 is pursued to the farm-yard, where there is quite as great an 
 embarras de richesse in the way of things that ought to be seen 
 and are seen, as in the kennels or the gardens, and where 
 everything is as clean as a new pin. The big cross and the 
 two dainty Devons that are in feeding for next year's Smith- 
 field Club show are paraded and criticised; the pretty 
 Alderney calves find admirers and connoisseurs among the 
 ladies; and cart-horse stalls are found in the occupation of 
 shaggy Heratee ponies, and of the team of pretty Corsicans 
 which, with their miniature drag, were the Prince's parting 
 present to the Princess on the day he left Sandringham for 
 his Indian tour. 
 
 From the Indian bullocks in the paddock it is but a step to 
 the sheep-house, where the Southdowns are feeding for win- 
 ning some more prizes, the certificates of which adorn the 
 rafters of their snug abode. While the gentlemen are tramp- 
 ing it over the grass-land to the site of the new works which 
 are presently to supply virgin spring water to the hall and its 
 dependencies, the Princess is showing to her lady guests her 
 dainty dairy, with the exquisite little tea-room attached, whose 
 panels are gradually filled up with votive decorative tiles. 
 
Mj-^^ 
 
LABORING FOLK IN THE PARISH. 317 
 
 There is no lack of occupation for days not devoted to 
 sport. The laboring folk in Sandringham Parish have been 
 all comfortably housed in model cottages, the reformation 
 of the cottage architecture and accommodation of the Parish 
 of Wolferton — an out-lying portion of the estate — has been 
 steadily improved under the personal supervision of the 
 Princess herself, who sets her face determinedly against defec- 
 tive and unpicturesque homes for her laboring people. At a 
 farm in his own hands in Wolferton Parish, the Prince has 
 some fine pedigree short-horn stock, and is gradually rearing 
 a herd whose influence must benefit his neighbors without the 
 expenditure of sensational prices for the fancy of a particu- 
 lar strain. Sandringham is the chosen rural home of their 
 Royal Highnesses ; they have watched it grow into beauty as 
 their children grow up around their own hearth. It is en- 
 deared to them as the scene of much sweet serene happi- 
 ness and also of some great sorrows, and in Sandringham it 
 is given to them — nor do they forego the opportunity — to do 
 much gfood in this place they love so. well. 
 
FESTIVITIES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 DIAMOND JUBILEE. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 WITH all the pomp and splendor possible to concen- 
 trate in one grand pageant, the diamond jubilee 
 week of Queen Victoria's reign was inaugurated in London on 
 Sunday, June 20th. The whole world looked on with interest, 
 and Britishers, with an enthusiasm unknown in the past, pre- 
 pared for an event that had had no parallel in the history of 
 their empire, if, indeed, it had in the whole story of nations. 
 
 The event surpassed in gigantic magnificence the corona- 
 tion of the Czar, and the general interest in the sixtieth 
 anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne attracted 
 a far wider interest than did the splendid feast within the 
 precincts of ancient Moscow. 
 
 Queen Victoria began the celebration of her jubilee as was 
 befitting her entire career — before the altar of her faith, 
 while throughout London, the United Kingdom, and the 
 Empire, in every cathedral, church, or chapel of the Estab- 
 lished Church of England, were l^ld services similar to those 
 at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, where her Majesty paid 
 her devotions and offered solemn thanksgiving. 
 
 The annoucement that the services at St. George's Chapel 
 would be private and for the members of the royal family 
 prevented the gathering of a large crowd. The scene was 
 most impressive and the service very simple. Her Majesty 
 sat in the chair of state, immediately in front of the com- 
 
 318 
 
AT ST. GEORGES CHAPEL. 3I9 
 
 munion rail, and just beside the brass plate whose inscription 
 designates the spot which was the temporary place of inter- 
 ment of the Prince Consort. 
 
 The ladies and gentlemen who are the grand officers of 
 the Queen's household entered first, followed by the Military 
 Knights of Windsor, in the full costume of cocked hats and 
 scarlet coats. The Duke of Devonshire and Lord Rosebery 
 occupied their stalls as Knights of the Garter. The rest of 
 the choir was empty, the seats of the royal family being near 
 the Queen's. The Dean of Westminster, wearing the in- 
 signia of Chaplain of the Order of the Garter, officiated, 
 assisted by the Lord Bishop of Barry and several canons. 
 
 Punctually at eleven o'clock, amid the soft strains of an 
 organ voluntary, the Queen arrived from the cloisters at the 
 entrance. Assisted by her Indian attendant, she walked 
 slowly to the chair of state, the congregation standing. She 
 was dressed all in black, except for a white tuft in her bonnet. 
 The Empress Frederick of Germany, attired in deep black, 
 took the seat at the right of the Queen, while the Duke of 
 Connaught, wearing his Windsor uniform, seated himself at 
 her left. The others grouped themselves closely behind, and 
 looked very like a simple family of worshipers. Among them 
 were the Duchess of Connaught, Prince Henry of Prussia, 
 and the Princess Henry, Prince Christian and Princess Chris- 
 tian, with their children, Princess Henry of Battenberg, the 
 Grand Duke Sergius, and the Grand Duchess. 
 
 After the first Collect a special Collect was read, and in- 
 stead of the usual prayer for the Queen and royal family this 
 special prayer was substituted : 
 
 "Almighty God, who rulest over all the kingdoms of the 
 world and disposeth of them according to Thy good pleasure, 
 
320 THE JUBILEE HYMN. 
 
 we yield Thee unfeigned thanks for that Thou wast pleased 
 to place Thy servant, our sovereign lady, Queen Victoria, 
 upon the throne of this realm. Let Thy wisdom be her guide 
 and let Thine arm strengthen her; let justice, truth, and 
 holiness, let peace and love flourish in her days. Direct all 
 her counsels and endeavors to Thy glory and the welfare of 
 her people, and give us grace to obey her cheerfully for con- 
 science. Let her always possess the hearts of her people ; 
 let her reign be long and prosperous and crown her with im- 
 mortality in the life to come." 
 
 A special prayer for unity was said, and there were special 
 psalms and gospels used instead of those for the day, the 
 gospel being the sixteenth verse of the twenty-second chapter 
 of St. Matthew: "Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things 
 which are Caesar's." 
 
 There was no sermon, but a hymn, written by the Right 
 Rev. William Walsham, Lord Bishop of Wakefield, with 
 music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, was sung at her Majesty's 
 request. The third verse was as follows : 
 
 O, royal heart, with wide embrace, 
 
 For all her children yearning ; 
 O, happy realm, such mother grace 
 
 With loyal love returning. 
 Where England's flag flies wide unfurled, 
 
 All tyrant wrongs repelling , " 
 God make the world a better world 
 
 For man's brief earthly dwelling. 
 
 Before the benediction the following special thanksgiving 
 was offered : 
 
 "O Lord, our Heavenly Father, we give Thee hearty 
 
A TOUCHING SCENE. 321 
 
 thanks for the many blessings which Thou hast bestowed 
 upon us during the sixty years of happy reign of our gra- 
 cious Queen Victoria. We thank Thee for progress made 
 in knowledge of Thy marvelous works, for increase of com- 
 fort given to human life, for kindlier feeling between rich and 
 poor, for wonderful preaching of the Gospel to many na- j 
 tions, and we pray Thee that these and all Thy other gifts j 
 may be long continued to us and to our Queen, to the glory 
 of Thy holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen." 
 
 The choir of St. George's Chapel rendered the musical 
 portion of the service. Sir Walter Parratt presiding at the 
 organ. The service lasted forty minutes, the Queen remain- 
 ing seated throughout, and following closely the special 
 prayers and hymn. 
 
 At the end there was a pause. The Queen, with bowed 
 head, continued in silent prayer. Then followed a touching 
 scene, which will ever linger in the memory of those who 
 witnessed it. Summoning the Empress Frederick, who 
 bowed low at her side, the Queen kissed her on both cheeks. 
 The Duke of Connaught and the others of the family fol- 
 lowed, receiving a similar token of affection on bended knees. 
 In many cases the recipient was kissed several times. 
 
 The Queen was profoundly moved, and the tears rolled 
 down her cheeks. At last, and evidently with great re- 
 luctance, she beckoned her Indian attendant, and, leaning on 
 his arm, passed slowly out of the chapel. ^ 
 
 The entire congregation stood, the soft light falling through 
 the multi-colored windows, and the exquisite strains of the 
 organ rising and swelling beneath the Gothic banded roof. 
 It was a scene never to be forgotten, and thrilled all present 
 with strong emotions. 
 
322 SERVICES AT ST. PAULS. 
 
 In St. George's Chapel, Windsor, in the afternoon a special 
 musical service was held, at which most of the members of 
 the royal family who had attended the morning service, 
 except the Qaeen and the Empress Frederick, were present. 
 Mendelssohn's " Hymn of Praise " was superbly sung by 
 Mme. Albani, Edward Lloyd, and choir of the chapel, assisted 
 by the Windsor and Eton Choral and Madrigal Societies. 
 Sir Walter Parratt played the organ and conducted her 
 Majesty's private band. 
 
 Several of the leading pulpits of the city were occupied 
 by American preachers, all of whom alluded in the most 
 feeling terms to the Queen's life and character. 
 
 There were two services at St. Paul's Cathedral, at eleven 
 A. M. and at three p. m. Immense crowds filled all the ap- 
 proaches to the Cathedral at the morning service, anxious to 
 catch a glimpse of the royalties and distinguished personages 
 who were announced to be present, including all the Protes- 
 tant envoys. The first to arrive and to be recognized with 
 the greatest interest were the Archbishop of Finland, in 
 purple and black vestments, accompanied by two deacons, 
 and General Kierreef, in full uniform. Then followed Chang 
 Ying Huan, the Chinese envoy, in gorgeous Celestial gar- 
 ments. He was escorted to the choir, where were seated 
 also the envoys of the United States, Russia, Holland, Den- 
 mark, Sweden, Brazil, and Hawaii. 
 
 Under the dome and behind the richly crimsoned royal 
 pews were the peers and peeresses in full robes, the foreign 
 envoys and five colonial Premiers with their families. 
 
 Just before eleven o'clock the Archbishop of Canterbury, 
 the Bishop of London, and the Dean of the Cathedral, with 
 the Cathedral clergy and choir, proceeded to the west door 
 
ROYAL FAMILY ARRIVES. 323 
 
 to receive the members of the royal family. The aisle was 
 lined with a guard of honor, consisting of the medical staff 
 corps, in view of the fact that it was Hospital Sunday. 
 
 The members of the royal family arrived punctually and 
 were received, as they drove through the streets to the 
 Cathedral, with the profoundest respect. Among them were 
 the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of 
 York, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of 
 Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prince Charles of Denmark and the 
 Princess Charles, Prince Albert of Prussia, the Grand Duke 
 and Duchess of Hesse, the Grand Duke Cyril of Russia, 
 Prince Waldemar of Denmark, Prince Eugene of Sweden, 
 the Grand Duke of Luxemburg, and the Prince and Princess 
 Frederick Charles of Hesse. 
 
 Preceded by the clergy and amid the strains of the pro- 
 cessional hymn : 
 
 O King of Kings ! 
 
 Whose reign of old 
 
 Hath been from everlasting, 
 
 they proceeded to their seats. The service was conducted 
 by the Lord Bishop of London, and the celebrated Cathedral 
 choir of 1 50 male voices, assisted by an orchestra of 1 50 
 from Covent Garden Opera House and several of the prin- 
 cipal theatres, rendered the musical portions. The form ot 
 service was the same as at St. George's Chapel, and was par- 
 ticipated in by the vast congregation with evident feeling. 
 To the invocation of the priest, " Send her help from Thy 
 Holy Place," came the deep response of the kneeling multi- 
 tude, " And evermore mightily defend her," while in impressive 
 
3^4 AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 
 
 unison came the "Amen," following the priest's words, " Let 
 her reign be long and prosperous, and crown her with 
 immortality in the life to come." 
 
 Holy Communion was celebrated and the sermon was 
 preached by the Lord Bishop of London, who touched upon 
 many of the events in the reign of Victoria and eloquently 
 extolled her piety, charity, and motherly love for her people. 
 
 The national paean of praise and thanksgiving found offi- 
 cial expression at Westminster Abbey and at St. Margaret's, 
 Westminster. 
 
 At the Abbey Dean Bradley officiated before an immense 
 congregation. 
 
 In the congregation were upward of fifty peers, without the 
 robes of the peerage, among them the Marquis of Lansdowne, 
 the Duke of Portland, Earl Spencer, Earl Cadogan, Lord 
 Frederick Roberts, and Lord Lyon Playfair. The royal 
 family was represented by the Duchess of Albany and her 
 children and the hereditary Prince and Princess of Saxe- 
 Meiningen. There was a large contingent of foreign titled 
 people, with a sprinkling of Indian magnates in striking cos- 
 tumes. The venerable Dean was assisted by the Lord Bishop 
 of Durham and the Abbey clergy and choir. During the im- 
 pressive procession from the west door the organ was re- 
 inforced by trumpets and drums, and at the end of the anthem 
 for the day the national anthem was sung with immense 
 feeling. 
 
 This was the strangest Sunday ever known in London. 
 The route that was to be traversed by the royal procession 
 resembled a huge fair. Carriages from the West End, bear- 
 ing titled persons and leaders of fashion, found themselves 
 sandwiched between milk-carts, fish-carts, donkey barrows, 
 
SUNDAY IN LONDON. 325 
 
 and brewers' vans, all packed with the families of their 
 owners or drivers, who were singing and joking. On the side- 
 walks there was a similar condition of affairs. Clubmen 
 elbowed navvies and factory girls, and everywhere the utmost 
 good nature was displayed. Here and there could be seen 
 an Oriental turban or the uniform of a colonial trooper. 
 Hyde Park was studded with the tents of military detach- 
 ments which were to take part in the procession. 
 
 The streets had not been empty since dawn. Groups 
 of people sauntered through the thoroughfares all night 
 long, singing and otherwise enjoying themselves. The 
 costers were reaping what to them was a bountiful harvest. 
 They were selling barrowfuls of oranges, ginger beer, and 
 cakes to holiday-makers from the East End who were camp- 
 ing out in the West End streets. These people did not 
 intend to go to work or return to their homes until after the 
 jubilee. A police regulation permitted saloons to remain 
 open until three o'clock in the morning, a boon that was 
 appreciated by the thousands who were out after midnight, 
 the usual closing hour. 
 
 All Europe joined in the universal homage. In nearly 
 every large city thanksgiving services were held in the local 
 English churches. 
 
 The newspapers in many cities, especially Vienna and St. 
 Petersburg, published long eulogistic articles upon the Victor- 
 ian reign. 
 
 At Constantinople the Sultan sent a number of high Otto- 
 man officials to represent him at the service, and the entire 
 diplomatic corps was present. A guard of English blue 
 jackets was drawn up along the main approach to the chapel. 
 
 In Canada the diamond jubilee celebration was begun by 
 
326 AMERICA PAYS HOMAGE. 
 
 Special services in all the churches. The Montreal Brigade 
 and the Fifty-third Battalion of Sherbrooke ; the Governor 
 General's Foot Guards of Ottowa, and the Fifty-seventh 
 Battalion of Peterboro, held a church parade to Christ 
 Church Cathedral, to St. James' (Roman Catholic) Cathedral 
 and to St. Paul's Church. Over 3,000 troops took part, the 
 streets being crowded to see the pageant. 
 
 The " Te Deum " at Notre Dame Church was very impres- 
 sive, and a grand musical ceremony. Over 15,000 persons 
 were present. Monsignor del Val, the Papal delegate, occu- 
 pied the throne and delivered an address on the Queen's 
 reign. He also offered a special prayer for the Queen. 
 
 Lord Aberdeen, Governor General and Lieutenant Gov- 
 ernor of Quebec, Sir Adolphe Chapleau, occupied seats in 
 the church. 
 
 In the United States there were numerous demonstrations 
 of a quiet character ; notable among these was the service 
 held on Sunday afternoon, June 20th, in Old Trinity Church, 
 New York City. It was the day appointed by the Church of 
 England for the religious commemoration of the sixtieth 
 anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne, and 
 the St. George Society and the St. Andrew's Society had 
 been allowed to use the church for their services. 
 
 Old Trinity's pulpit was draped with the British Royal 
 Standard and the chancel rails hidden by the Union Jack 
 and the Stars and Stripes; the mighty organ rolled out 
 "God Save the Queen," while hundreds of tongues framed 
 the words. 
 
 The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. D. Parker 
 Morgan, rector of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, who is 
 chaplain of the Societies of St. George and St. David. 
 
LEAVES WINDSOR CASTLE. 327 
 
 In concluding Dr. Morgan said : 
 
 " We would sum up our grounds of gratitude on this six- 
 tieth anniversary of her Majesty's accession to the throne of 
 Great Britain in the words of a citizen of this Republic : 
 ' Victoria, the Queen of England, the Empress of India and 
 the Woman of the World.' " 
 
 Amid an unprecedented display of enthusiasm Queen Vic- 
 toria arrived in the capital of the empire on Monday, and the 
 royal standard floated from Buckingham Palace, while the 
 streets were filled with cheering people, looking forward with 
 redoubled anticipations to the great parade of the morrow. 
 
 Queen Victoria left Windsor Castle at noon by the Sov- 
 ereign's entrance, facing the long walk, and traversed part of 
 the Thames streets of Windsor on her way to the railroad 
 station. Her Majesty's carriage was drawn by a pair of 
 grays, with postillions and outriders. 
 
 The Queen was accompanied by her eldest daughter, ex- 
 Empress Frederick of Germany, and by Princess Christian 
 of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess Henry of Battenburg, who 
 occupied another carriage, preceding that of her Majesty. 
 
 The short route leading from the castle to the railway sta- 
 tion was lined by a mass of people. Flags and flowers were 
 everywhere, and the order of the day, " God Save the Queen," 
 appeared on houses and banners without end. 
 
 The railway station was beautifully decorated In scarlet 
 and gold, flowers in bloom and artistic palms. The Queen 
 was received by the directors of the railway and walked 
 through the private waiting room leaning on the arm of an 
 Indian attendant, entering her saloon carriage by a sloping 
 gangway. 
 
 " The Queen's Train " — used for the first time to-day— 
 
328 "THE queen's TRAIN." 
 
 consisted of six cars built on the American vestibule plan. 
 The engine, " Queen Empress," beautifully painted and 
 picked out with gold leaf, carried the royal arms emblazoned 
 in gold and colors in front and royal heraldic devices over 
 the splashboards of the driving wheels. 
 
 The Queen's carriage, which is fifty-four feet long, was in 
 the centre of the train. It is painted chocolate, with cream 
 panels. The headings are in gold and the door handles, with 
 their molded lions' heads, are gold plated. The doors are 
 emblazoned with the Royal Arms. The running gear is 
 encased in mahogany with a carved lion's head at each 
 corner, above which is a gilded Imperial crown. 
 
 The interior is divided into three compartments — the 
 centre, the Queen's room, and at one end an open saloon 
 for her Majesty's maids, at the other an open saloon for the 
 gentlemen in attendance. The Queen's room has plate- 
 glass bow-windows and a domed roof, the ceiling of which is 
 white enamel with hand-painted borders. The curtains and 
 upholstering are in white silk rep. The door handles, cur- 
 tain poles, and incandescent lamps are silver plated. 
 
 The woodwork is mahogany and the outor doors are 
 carved with the royal arms. Near the windows is the 
 Queen's favorite swinging armchair and sofa. A small fold- 
 ing writing table, on which is an ivory electric bell, completes 
 the furniture of the apartment. 
 
 The start from London was made at 12.10 A. m., and for 
 almost the entire distance the train passed between scattered 
 groups of loyal people. Every station of the railroad between 
 Windsor and Paddington was decorated. The railway em- 
 ployees everywhere stood at the salute, while the platforms 
 were crowded with cheering people. 
 
"god bless our queen." 329 
 
 Paddington was reached at 12.30. The immense terminus 
 had been transformed into a hall of resplendent crimson, gar- 
 landed with fringe gold and fragrant with the odors of count- 
 less blossoms. 
 
 A loyal address was presented by Rev. Walter Abbott, 
 Vicar of Paddington, and the Queen handed back a written 
 reply, expressing gratification at the generous instincts of her 
 people toward the poor, aged, sick, and young. The late 
 Prince Consort, like herself, manifested great interest in 
 charitable institutions, and her children shared that feeling, 
 which formed not the weakest tie between herself and her 
 people. 
 
 The passageway to the street was lined by the Eighteenth 
 Middlesex Regiment, which also provided the guard of honor 
 which surrounded the State carriage. The route to Buck- 
 ingham Palace was via Oxford and Cambridge Terrace, 
 Grand Junction Roads and Edgeware Road to the Marble 
 Arch, thence by Hyde Park and Constitution Hill. 
 
 Every house was superbly decorated with flags, flowers, 
 bariners, and festoons, and endless mottoes. A handsome 
 triumphal arch had been erected by the Paddington vestry. 
 It was a castellated structure in imitation of graystone, cov- 
 ered with ivy. It bore the motto: "Thy hearts are our 
 throne." A second arch was at the bottom of the Edgeware 
 Road. It was covered with crimson cloth, flowers, and flags, 
 and bore the motto : " God Bless Our Queen." 
 
 The route throughout was tenanted by an immense assem- 
 blage. Every window had its occupants, and every roof its 
 sightseers. Every available space in the streets and squares 
 were black with loyal humanity. 
 
 The Queen drove slowly to gratify her people. Volleys 
 20 
 
330 PROFUSION OF DECORATIONS. 
 
 of cheers rose clearly above the constant roar of acclama- 
 tion. Hats were thrown in the air and handkerchiefs were 
 waved wildly in welcome. 
 
 Nearing Piccadilly, the Queen saw for the first time the 
 conspicuous evidence of what had been prepared for the 
 morrow. The grim, gray walls of Apsley House were cov- 
 ered with a profusion of decoration. The grand stand at the 
 side and front, adorned with flowers, flags, and mottoes, was 
 crowded with the Queen's nobility, no less exuberant in their 
 welcome than the Queen's commoners, in front of St. George's 
 Hospital. 
 
 Next to Paddington, the crowds selected Buckingham 
 Palace as the most interesting point to view proceedings. 
 The gathering of envoys and their suites and the Indian 
 officers began at noon, and many were the speculations rela- 
 tive to the identity of the bejeweled officers as they drove up 
 in royal carriages or smart hansoms. 
 
 The police were kept busy attending to fainting women, 
 but the crowds were in the best of humor, and chaffed every 
 one. 
 
 A number of Americans, armed with cameras, had stationed 
 themselves opposite the palace gate. Somebody in the crowd 
 shouted : " Now, Yanks, three cheers for your mother," rais- 
 ing a roar of good-humored laughter. 
 
 On the right of the palace gateway the Duchess of Con- 
 naught and her children and some of the Battenbergs awaited 
 the arrival of her Majesty. 
 
 A few minutes before one o'clock a hoarse roar of cheering 
 in the distance announced the approach of the Queen. The 
 cheering grew in strength until It culminated in a deafening 
 storm of applause as the sovereign drew near the palace. 
 
RECEIVES THE SPECIAL ENVOYS. 33 1 
 
 The Queen bowed slowly, right and left, to the loyal greet- 
 ings of her subjects. She looked pleased, did not wear 
 spectacles, and appeared no more tired than any woman of 
 her age might be expected to be. 
 
 As soon as the carriage entered the palace yard it passed 
 direct to the quadrangle. Princess Henry of Battenberg 
 waved her hand as she passed to her children, who, with the 
 Duchess of Connaught, saluted her Majesty, and caused an 
 enthusiastic renewal of the cheering and waving of handker- 
 chiefs. 
 
 The Queen proceeded at once to her private apartments 
 for luncheon, and the royal and other guests had luncheon 
 in the State supper room. Levee dress was worn. 
 
 Queen Victoria received the formal congratulations of the 
 special envoys of other nations and the imperial envoys in 
 the Bow Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace at 4 o'clock. 
 
 Conspicuous among the special embassies was that of the 
 United States, comprising Whitelaw Reid, of New York, the 
 special envoy ; General Nelson A. Miles, and Rear Admiral 
 J. N. Miller. Envoy Reid was third on the list to be re- 
 ceived, only the representatives of France and Spain preced- 
 ing him. 
 
 The envoys were conducted to her Majesty's presence by 
 the Queen's master of ceremonies and were introduced by 
 the Marquis of Salisbury. 
 
 The Queen was dressed in black, wore a widow's cap and 
 the ribbon of the Order of the Garter. She sat in a gilded 
 chair near the centre of the room. The Prince of Wales 
 stood immediately behind her. At her right hand was the 
 Princess of Wales, while others of the royal family were near 
 her Majesty or about the room. 
 
332 PRESIDENT McKINLEY S LETTER. 
 
 The Queen in each case took the letter and smilingly ad- 
 dressed two or three sentences of thanks and compliments 
 to each envoy. 
 
 The following is the personal letter from President 
 McKinley to Queen Victoria: 
 
 " To Her Majesty, Victoria^ Queen of Great Britain and Ire- 
 land and Empress of India: 
 
 " Great and Good Friend : — In the name and on behalf 
 of the people of the United States, I present their sincere 
 felicitations upon the sixtieth anniversary of your Majesty's 
 accession to the throne of Great Britain. 
 
 " I express the sentiments of my fellow-citizens in wishing 
 for your people the prolongation of a reign, illustrious and 
 marked by advance in science, arts, and popular well-being. 
 
 " On behalf of my countrymen, I wish particularly to recog- 
 nize your friendship for the United States and your love of 
 peace exemplified upon important occasions. 
 
 " It is pleasing to acknowledge the debt of gratitude and 
 respect due to your personal virtues. May your life be pro- 
 longed and peace, honor, and prosperity bless the people 
 over whom you have been called to rule. 
 
 " May liberty flourish throughout your Empire under just 
 and equal laws and your Government continue strong in the 
 affections of all who live under it. 
 
 "And I pray God to have your Majesty In His holy keeplngf 
 
 "Done at Washington, this 28th day of May, A. D. 1897. 
 " Your good friend, 
 
 "William McKinley. 
 
 " By the President, 
 
 " John Sherman, 
 
 ^^ Secretary of Stated 
 
L 
 
 9 
 
 5 
 
 ■ ■■'- ;- ' > -' ii - 
 
 2. 
 
 % 4 ^''. "' 
 
 Right Hon. John Beight, M. P. 
 
Cardinal Newman. 
 
A ROYAL DINNER PARTY. 335 
 
 Mr. Reld was received In the most cordial manner possible. 
 Her Majesty expressed her sincere thanks to President 
 McKinley and to "the great nation of our kinsmen." 
 
 After her Majesty had received the special envoys, she re- 
 ceived a host of Indian princes, who were introduced by Lord 
 George Hamilton, Secretary of State for India. 
 
 Queen Victoria looked very well indeed and seemed to be 
 thoroughly pleased and interested in everything. She im- 
 pressed all the envoys with the sincerity of her thanks for the 
 national compliments paid to her. 
 
 After the reception most of the envoys were escorted to a 
 marquee in the garden where lunch was served. 
 
 In the evening the Queen entertained at dinner ninety of 
 her most distinguished guests in the state supper room at 
 Buckingham Palace. 
 
 Among those present were the Prince and Princess of 
 Wales, with all the members of the royal family, the royal 
 guests, the envoys of States with the rank of Ambassadors, 
 and the great officers of the household, who wore full court 
 dress. 
 
 During the banquet music was discoursed by the band of 
 the Royal Engineers. The suites of the envoys and the 
 ladies and gentlemen in attendance dined in the garden vesti- 
 bule ; the Yeomen of the Guard on duty, in the grand hall 
 and vestibule. 
 
 The spacious supper room was a fairy sight — exquisite 
 costumes, diamonds, and countless gems, the most brilliant 
 of uniforms, stars, orders, and crosses without end ; the royal 
 liveries, the table, and buffet, loaded with Dresden china, and 
 the famous gold plate, the value of which runs into millions. 
 
 After dinner the Queen proceeded from the grand salon to 
 
336 OVERCROWDED LONDON. 
 
 the ball-room to receive her guests — the envoys, and their 
 suites, the Indian princes, the officers of the imperial forces, 
 and of the native Indian escorts, and the officers of the 
 Queen's German regiment. 
 
 The colonial premiers, with their wives, were presented to 
 her Majesty by Mr. Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the 
 Colonies, and the suites of royal and other guests were pre- 
 sented severally by their chiefs. The great officers of state 
 attended in full court dress. 
 
 Mesdames Whitelaw Reid, Nelson A. Miles, and Ogden 
 Mills were presented by the Queen's special command. 
 
 But amid all this display and homage in the immediate 
 presence of the Queen, there was another feature worthy of 
 note. After all the greatest thing was the multitude of peo- 
 ple, one solid eight-mile-long multitude, marching slowly 
 forty and fifty abreast and back to breast. 
 
 The big town was so crowded that the very atmosphere 
 was charged with perspiration and fumes of Scotch whisky, 
 and the crowds were full of happy drunkards. Such unheard- 
 of multitudes, the largest ever gathered in the world's his- 
 tory, literally magnetized the air, and each individual felt as 
 one does in the midst of a grand electrical disturbance. 
 
 There was an addition of 4,000,000 visitors to London's 
 5,000,000 population. That sounded the distinctive note of 
 the spectacle. It was not the silly tawdry of jumbled flags 
 and paper flowers, not the presence of the great variety of 
 gayly costumed soldiers, not the constant movement of royal 
 princes and princesses through the streets. The main thing, 
 the sole thing of prime consideration, was the fearful seeth- 
 ing, roaring, singing, surging mass of millions of men and 
 women outdoors. It was said there was not a single house- 
 
tHE STREET DECORATIONS. 337 
 
 hold in London but what was swelled by the arrival of all the 
 relatives and connections from the farthest corners of the 
 kingdom and from foreign climes. 
 
 The street decorations were elaborate, if not artistic, the 
 whole route was draped with colored cloths or swathed in 
 flags, flowers, evergreens, and bunting. Not a single instance 
 of any bare boards was to be seen. 
 
 The general plan was to sheathe the front and seats with 
 red, purple or white cloth, and the effect was to throw a great 
 shapely mass of color against the dull background of houses. 
 In this way half the front of St. Paul's was a gay splotch of 
 red. So was half the front of the Duke of Wellington's 
 house and the whole front of the Duke of Devonshire's 
 walled mansion on Piccadilly. 
 
 The next prettiest things were the new fashion of building 
 scaffolds to cover whole facades of buildings and balconies. 
 Each store and whole structures were covered with gaudy 
 cloth or plain white cloth relieved by bunches of flags or fes- 
 toons of flowers. 
 
 The most costly and elaborate decoration of private houses 
 in the West End was by the old Baroness Burdett-Coutts, 
 who put up a false front of massive gold columns connected 
 by heavy drapery of royal purple fringed with solid gold. 
 Pall Mall and St. James Street, where there are so many 
 great club-houses, was each a vast mass of gay color, very 
 elaborate and costly. 
 
 The Daily Telegraph, all immaculate in white like a bride, 
 was the best building on Fleet Street, and in the heart of the 
 city the Bank of England and the Mansion House were 
 treated with elaborate schemes of gay cloth, gold devices, and 
 myriads of electric lights. Five hundred pounds were spent 
 
338 VERY INARTISTIC. 
 
 on the Mansion House by the corporation of the city, but that 
 was a mere bagatelle compared with what the Lord Mayor 
 Faudel-Phillips spent in dinners, luncheons, and receptions 
 during the jubilee fortnight. The bridge, trimmed quietly 
 with posts connected by loops of evergreen and bunches of 
 paper flowers and thousands of lamps was very pretty. 
 
 Fleet Street and the Strand looked quite well, and Piccadilly 
 was strung with poles capped by a mass of jigsaw work from 
 which many gilded lamps or candle-holders dangled in the 
 wind. 
 
 In an article upon the Jubilee decorations the Chronicle 
 observed " that English festivals were not treated artistically. 
 They grow up and develop gradually by the spontaneous 
 work of the people. This is literally true of the present 
 occasion. Street decorations develop little by little ; each 
 vestry, each citizen, exercising their own taste and each con- 
 tribution jarring on its neighbor. 
 
 "To see the hideous red posts, each with a bit of bamboo 
 lattice and an elephant and palm-leaf fan set along the streets 
 of the little old city makes one marvel just how shabby must 
 have been the famed English outdoor spectacles of old Lon- 
 don." 
 
 But, inartistic as they were, they expressed a feeling of loy- 
 alty and kindliness, and so fulfilled their mission. 
 
GREAT DAY OF 
 
 THE 
 
 DIAMOND JUBILEE. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THE last stroke of twelve had not died away on the mid- 
 night air when from a hundred metropolitan steeples 
 a tumultuous peal of bells announced the dawn of diamond 
 jubilee day. The vast crowd that filled the miles of streets 
 and squares answered with ringing cheers, and here and 
 there the singing of " God Save the Queen." 
 
 The crowds that peopled the streets and squares all night 
 in the hope of a good view of the procession were 
 amazing in their patience. Waiting for twelve, fourteen, and 
 sixteen hours, as many of these people did, was a feat of 
 endurance that could only be sustained by some overmaster- 
 ing desire. At 3 o'clock in the morning the whole route of 
 the procession was as crowded with noisy people as ever was 
 the Strand or Piccadilly at noon of a busy day. 
 
 Fully half of these jubilee waiters were women, many 
 with the pale, careworn look of the London worker, yet all 
 enduring the tedious waiting with utmost good nature. 
 Some had campstools, some sat on projections of buildings 
 or curbstones or leaned in doorways, and the angles made 
 by stands. Men, women, children and mothers, fathers 
 and babies in arms sank upon the pavements and stoops in 
 the side streets to sleep away the fatigue and excitement. 
 
 During the long hours snatches of song and occasional 
 bursts of cheering showed that the people were determined 
 to enjoy the festival of patriotism and loyalty to the utmost. 
 
 339 
 
340 FIRST SIGNS OF ACTIVITY. 
 
 A clear starlit sky and cool air kept up the spirits of the 
 crowd throughout the vigil. With dawn the hope of Queen's 
 weather merged into certainty, and the world here prepared 
 in confidence for a day of pleasure. 
 
 When the sun was high in the heavens and 7 o'clock about 
 to strike, policemen shook even the heaviest sleepers into 
 perpendicular positions, putting women and children close to 
 the curbs, men behind them, and managing the cross and tired 
 mob as kindly fathers ought to govern so many children. 
 
 The earliest active indication of the great event — apart 
 from the people awaiting it — was the arrival of vestry carts 
 to freshly gravel the roadways, after the fashion which pre- 
 vailed in the good old days of Sam Pepys. A little later the 
 police began to arrive in great numbers, 8,000 being dis- 
 tributed along the line of route. 
 
 The streets on the north side of the Thames were closed 
 to ordinary vehicles at 7.30, and on the south side at 8 ; 
 London Bridge had been closed to all traffic at midnight and 
 Westminster Bridge and other bridges between at 5 a. m., 
 when all persons were removed from them. 
 
 Only a few streets a mile apart were left open for pedes- 
 trians. Along the line of march at such points the police 
 received early comers and again gave the best places to the 
 women and kept the men back against the houses. 
 
 By 8 o'clock came stylish ladies, superbly dressed men, 
 bearing huge souvenir tickets, seeking places in the stands 
 and house windows. Presently the multitude was seen to be 
 distinctly divided, the rich and well-dressed parading the 
 roadway to get to their seats ; the poor and shabby folk 
 pressed in line on the pavements, looking at what was going 
 on with an awakening interest. 
 
THE CROWDS GATHER. 34I 
 
 For once In the world's history favorites of fortune seemed 
 to outnumber the poor, but however fast came the swarms 
 in silk and feathers, and broadcloths, enormous stands and 
 gaping windows swallowed them and they disappeared. 
 
 By nine o'clock, when the last of the privileged rich came 
 in, a thin and broken stream of soldiers began to arrive from 
 every direction and stretch their red bodies in line on either 
 side of the street, their backs to the tired, patient concourse 
 of the poor, prepared to keep the street clear and separate 
 the coming procession from its spectators. 
 
 Then came trained nurses in swarms, by hundreds, all in 
 purple, edged with white and with them men of the Red 
 Cross, laying stretchers in a most alarmingly suggestive 
 fashion in gutters behind the red coats. Presently down at 
 St. Paul's came ever so many clergymen, black as crows, ex- 
 cept one, the testy Archbishop of Canterbury in flaming, 
 flowing red, leaning out of the carriage door, directing the 
 driver in a petulant voice. 
 
 When the clergy were tucked away on the red terrace 
 seats in front of the cathedral, a collection of fragments of 
 the glorious procession began to straggle to and fro in an 
 endeavor to find their places and connect themselves with 
 the main body. 
 
 Now it would be a pair of Indian princes, encrusted with 
 gold and jewels. Next, three or four army officers, red as 
 the Union Jack, riding pell-mell, and after these strange men 
 in Australian butternut suits and broad-brimmed hats, or 
 pig-tailed Chinamen trotting on foot after a mounted 
 officer, or a gloriously bedizened General and staff cantering 
 lazily by. 
 
 These gay tatters of cloth of gold that were to be woven 
 
342 A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. 
 
 in one long ribbon, looked like bits of colored glass in a 
 kaleidoscope when they are being shaken into place to form 
 a beautiful pattern. 
 
 From the gutters of the houses the flowers, banners, 
 shields, and flags carried splendor of colors down to the 
 waving multitude, and there the red coats of the soldiers 
 continued the same ruddy flame down to the ground. 
 Wherever there was a great red or purple reviewing stand, 
 or a house swathed in white and gold, the splendor of ladies* 
 dresses distinguished the space even beyond the distinction 
 of the most lavishly bedecked facades, since no woman was 
 disloyal enough to imagine it could possibly rain. All came 
 in their best gowns, new bonnets, and filmiest, daintiest 
 parasols, that made them look like lilies personified. 
 
 One of the great charms of the. day was in the sudden 
 appearance of many flaring poke-bonnets, such as the Queen 
 wore when a young princess. 
 
 As red, white, and blue were the colors of the day the 
 ladies all wore rosettes of fine ribbons of those colors, spread 
 out from a golden crown in the centre, and every man of 
 fashion carried a boutonniere of blue cornflowers, white, pink, 
 and red geraniums. The choice of the three colors was not 
 at all a compliment to America. Red is the color of the cross 
 lof St. Patrick, blue represents Scotland, and white stands for 
 ^ (England, as the hues appear in the union jack, but America 
 was handsomely complimented in a myriad examples of star 
 spangled banners over the whole length of the line of march. 
 The Yankee flag fluttered over the bank of England, the 
 Mansion House, and on one side of St. Paul's, opposite, were 
 three flags and one shield of stars and stripes. 
 
 While the crowds of loyal subjects waited so patiently the 
 
Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli. 
 Earl Beaconspield. 
 
Lord Rosebebky. 
 
ARRIVAL OF THE ENVOYS. 345 
 
 procession was forming at Buckingham Palace. The Queen 
 breakfasted at 9 o'clock and informed her physician that she 
 was not fatigued by yesterday's ceremonies. 
 
 Already at that hour, in the great quadrangle of the palace, 
 there were many signs of the coming ceremonial. Gorgeously 
 attired servants gathered near the scarlet-carpeted staircase, 
 which was lined by rare flowers, while the strains of the 
 national anthem, as a band passed the palace, announced that 
 the colonials had started. 
 
 At the same time the special envoys, who were to take 
 part in the procession, began arriving in the quadrangle. 
 Whitelaw Reid, the United States special envoy, was the first 
 to appear. He drove in accompanied by one of the royal 
 equerries, all in gold, scarlet, and feathers. He drove up to 
 the great door of the palace, where he was escorted to the 
 waiting-room by the master of ceremonies. 
 
 A minute or so later General Nelson A. Miles, represent- 
 ing the United States army, rode up on a splendid horse and 
 in full uniform. He lingered for- a moment there without 
 any one attending to him and then rode out. 
 
 The minor royalties next dropped in, followed by richly- 
 caparisoned steeds, intended for the use of the princes. 
 
 The arrival of the princes, who were to take part in the escort, 
 formed a splendid picture, full of color. The quaint-looking 
 Crown Prince Danilo, of Montenegro, with black, glossy hair, 
 under a dull crimson cap and wearing a crimson jacket heavily 
 embroidered with gold, and with full, short, pale blue skirts, was 
 greeted by the German princes, who were in fine military uni- 
 forms. 
 
 The Grand Duke Sergius of Russia, a man of the heavy 
 Romanoff type, was eclipsed in appearance by the 'gorgeous 
 
34^ THE FORCES GATHER. 
 
 Austrlans and Hungarians in scarlet and gold, with white 
 Hussar jackets, lined with pale blue and fastened to their left 
 shoulders, their striking attire being completed by high fur 
 caps and stiff plumes. 
 
 The brother of the Khedive of Egypt, Mohammed AH 
 Khan, was mounted on a pure white Arabian charger, which 
 was greatly admired. 
 
 The Duke of Cambridge, carrying his field marshal's 
 baton and wearing the ribbon of the garter across his portly 
 person, next arrived, and after him came the Lord Chamber- 
 lain, the Earl of Lothian, and a score of white wand cham- 
 berlains, attired in the darkest of blue, smothered with gold. 
 They mingled with the crowd and later passed up the 
 stairs. 
 
 Eleven royal landaus then arrived and were musteredT in 
 the centre of the quadrangle. Each carriage was a show in 
 itself, forming with its brilliant assembly of escorting horse- 
 men and footmen a most gorgeous display. 
 
 A preliminary gleam of the sun pierced through the clouds 
 at this hour, touching everything with bright light and mak- 
 ing the scene a grand feast of color. 
 
 By ID. 20 the envoys' carriages were filled and took up 
 their position in the centre of the quadrangle. Soon after- 
 ward the Queen's superb coach arrived. It had hardly come 
 to a standstill when the landaus, with the ladies and lords in 
 waiting, and the princesses, were in their allotted positions. 
 
 In the meanwhile a platoon of the royal servants lined up 
 on each side of the great door, and an inclining platform 
 from the foot of the stairs to the place to be occupied by the 
 Queen's coach, was placed in position and carefully tested by 
 a Scotch gillie. 
 
"PLAIN POSTING LANDAU." 347 
 
 A hoarse roar of cheers, quickly followed by the royal 
 anthem, played by the band outside of Buckingham Palace, 
 announced the arrival of the Prince and Princess of Wales. 
 The Prince wore the uniform of a field marshal. The 
 Princess was dressed in pale lilac and wore a lilac bonnet, 
 with white feathers. 
 
 The Prince of Wales mounted by the scarlet covered steps 
 to the entrance of the palace, and then the Queen's carriage 
 was drawn into position. It was what is known as " plain 
 posting landau," a carriage with a light running body, built 
 about a quarter of a century ago, and of which her Majesty 
 was known to be very fond. The body was dark claret, lined 
 with vermilion, the moldings outlined with beads of brass. 
 Brass beads decorated the rumble, and the body loops and 
 lamp irons were gilt. The wheels and underworks were ver- 
 milion, with heavy lines of gold. 
 
 The carriage was drawn by the famous eight Hanoverian 
 creams, cream in color, with long tails, white, almost fish-like 
 eyes and pink noses, their manes richly woven with ribbons 
 of royal blue. They wore their new State harness saddle- 
 cloths of royal blue velvet, with rich fringes of bullion, the 
 leather work red morocco above and blue morocco beneath, 
 glittering everywhere with the royal arms — the lion, the uni- 
 corn and the crown in gold. 
 
 The liveries of the postillions were in keeping with the 
 harness and had cost ^600 apiece. They consisted of scarlet 
 and gold coats, white trousers and riding boots. For once 
 since the Prince Consort's death the Queen permitted the 
 mourning band to be removed from the men's arms, so there 
 was no note of sorrow. Each horse was led by a " walking 
 man " in the royal livery and a huntsman's velvet cap. 
 
348 THE PROCESSION MOVES. 
 
 At ii.io A. M. a bustle on the main staircase announced 
 the coming of her Majesty. 
 
 Queen Victoria slowly descended the stairs, assisted by a 
 scarlet-clad and white-turbaned Indian attendant. She was 
 dressed in black, wore a black bonnet, trimmed with white, 
 and carried a white sunshade. 
 
 At the foot of the stairway her Majesty paused for a 
 minute and touched an electric button connected with all the 
 telegraph systems throughout the British Empire, and it 
 flashed around the world this message : 
 
 " From my heart, I thank my beloved people. May God 
 bless them." 
 
 Her Majesty then slowly seated herself in her carriage, 
 and the royal trumpeters sounded a fanfare. The Princess of 
 Wales and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein joined 
 the Queen, seating themselves opposite her Majesty, and the 
 Queen's coach started. 
 
 Two gillies in Highland costume, wearing the tartan of 
 MacDonald of the Isles, the so-called Crown Prince of Scot- 
 land, occupied the rumble. 
 
 As her Majesty emerged from the portico, the sun broke 
 brightly through the clouds and the Queen raised her sun- 
 shade. At the same time the royal salute was fired, announc- 
 ing to the waiting millions that her Majesty was on her way 
 through London. 
 
 The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, and the 
 Duke of Connaught rode to their places about her Majesty's 
 carriage, and the latter took its place in the procession. 
 
 The jubilee procession was practically in three sections as 
 far as St. Paul's, though the two last en route to the Cathedral 
 were consolidated as they moved into Piccadilly. 
 
ORDER OF ARRANGEMENT. 349 
 
 The first to take up position was the colonial procession, 
 which formed on the embankment and moved via the Mall 
 past the palace, where her Majesty viewed it from a window, 
 over the route to St. Paul's. 
 
 When the march began the great cortege proved a 
 welcome relief to the waiting multitude. For the colonies 
 were living pictures, presenting In tangible shape the extent 
 of the Queen's sway. The procession, after some police, was 
 headed by an advance party of the Royal Horse Guards. 
 Then followed the band of the same corps, playing the 
 " Washington Post March." 
 
 Next came Lord Frederick Roberts, commanding the colo- 
 nial troops, with Colonel Iver Herbert, of the Grenadier 
 Guards, second In command. The trim, upright figure of 
 the popular general, his breast covered with orders, sitting 
 his charger in the most soldier-hke manner, elicited shouts 
 of " Hurrah for Bobs." 
 
 Close after him came the Canadian Hussars and the pic- 
 turesque Northwest mounted police as escort to the first 
 Colonial Premier to win a round of cheers — Wilfrid Laurler, 
 of Canada. 
 
 The New South Wales Lancers and the Mounted Rifles, 
 with their gray semi-sombreros and black cock's plumes, 
 succeeded them, escorting the Premier of New South Wales. 
 
 The Victorian mounted troops followed, smart, weather- 
 beaten fellows, in unattractive brownish uniforms, succeeded 
 by the New Zealand mounted contingent, a fine-looking, sun- 
 burned lot, drawn from almost every town of any Importance 
 in the colony. A number of Maoris rode with these, their 
 black faces exciting the greatest interest. They escorted 
 the New Zealand Premier, Richard J. Seddon. 
 
 21 
 
3 so AN ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY. 
 
 The Queensland mounted infantry came next in their 
 kharkee tunics and scarlet facings, and then the Premier of 
 Queensland, Sir H. M. Nelson. 
 
 For the moment Australia gave way to Africa, and the 
 Cape of Good Hope Mounted Rifles — well-set-up men, wear- 
 ing the scarlet, with white helmets — rode by, accompanying 
 the Cape Premier, Sir J. Gordon Sprigg. 
 
 Then came the South Australian mounted troops, lean, 
 long specimens of wiry manhood, dressed in kharkee tunics 
 of yellowish brown, lit with bright scarlet, a blazing puggaree 
 on the spiked helmets, and double stripes down the seams of 
 tightly-fitting corduroy trousers, with large chamois leather 
 patches where the knee gripped the saddle. 
 
 The Premier of Newfoundland, Sir W. V. Whiteway, fol- 
 lowed, and after him came the Premier of Tasmania, Sir Eric 
 Braddon. The Natal mounted troops, similar in equip- 
 ment to the Cape brothers-in-arms, escorted H. M. Hes- 
 combe, the Premier of Natal, who was followed by Sir J. 
 Forrest, Premier of Western Australia. 
 
 Then succeeded an attractive display, mounted troops of 
 the Crown colonies, the Rhodesian horse, and the colonial 
 infantry, broken by three bands, typical of the United King- 
 dom, those of St. George's, the London Scottish, and the 
 London Irish Rifle Volunteer Corps. 
 
 The Rhodesian horse was headed by Captain Maurice 
 Giffard, whose armless sleeve gave evidence of active service. 
 Every one of the troopers who followed him had been 
 wounded. They were splendid looking men, and were 
 cheered to the echo, amid cries of " Hurrah for Dr. Jim.'" 
 "Where is he?" 
 
 The colonial contingent included local militia of Hong 
 
CONTINGENT FROM CANADA. 351 
 
 Kong, Singapore, Ceylon, Mauritius, Jamaica, St. Lucia, 
 Bermuda, and the Royal Malta Artillery Corps ; Hong Kong, 
 Singapore, Ceylon, Mauritius, Jamaica, and Royal Malta 
 Submarine Mining Companies of the Royal Engineers ; the 
 West India Fortress Company of Royal Engineers, the West 
 j India Infantry Regiment, the Hong Kong Regiment, and the 
 'Royal Malta Regiment of Militia. 
 
 Then there passed the splendid contingent from Canada 
 infantry, 175 strong, uniformed somewhat like the regular 
 service infantry, with Colonel Alymer heading. Much ap- 
 plause was bestowed on these men, who in every way kept 
 the Dominion to the front. 
 
 Following these came the real oddities in the eyes of 
 Londoners, of which the Zaptiehs from Cyprus divided honors 
 with the Dyaks of Borneo. Both are military police; the 
 Zaptiehs were mounted on island ponies, and wore the 
 Turkish fez, with a jacket suggestive of Constantinople. The 
 Borneo Dyaks, yellow colored and small, were eagerly 
 awaited by the crowd, owing to their head-hunting proclivi- 
 ties. Notable also were the Hong Kong poHce, Chinamen, 
 with strange, saucepan-like hats inverted over their immutable 
 yellow faces. 
 
 The Trinidad Field Artillery, the Sierra Leone Militia, with 
 their strange, small blue turbans, and depending tassels and 
 knickerbockers ; the British Guiana police, with their white- 
 curtained caps ; the Haussas in the familiar Zouave costumes 
 of long-ago, and the Royal Niger Haussas — men who fought 
 at Ilorin and Bida — in uniforms of Kharkill cloth, trousers 
 exposing the leg and shaved heads, were all blacks. The 
 Haussas, the blackest of the blacks, wearing ** the burnished 
 livery of the sun," were enthusiastically greeted. 
 
352 A CARNIVAL OF COLOR. 
 
 The procession ended as it began appropriately by de- 
 fenders from Canada, the rest of the Northwest Mounted 
 Police. 
 
 The second procession passed the palace fifty minutes after 
 the Colonials had climbed Constitution Hill. It was the 
 military parade, and eloquently filled up the picture of 
 Britain's war strength. 
 
 It was a carnival of gorgeous costume and color, scarlet 
 and blue and gold ; white and yellow ; shining curaisses and 
 polished helmets ; plumes and tassels ; furs, and gold and 
 silver spangled cloths ; bullion embroideries and accoutre- 
 ments; splendid trappings for horses, and more splendid 
 trappings for men, sashes and stars, crosses and medals — 
 medals for the Crimea, Indian, Seringapatam, the Nile, 
 Ashanti, Afghanistan, Chitral, South Africa, China, and 
 dozens of others, and here and there the finest of them all, 
 the most highly prized the world can show, the Victoria Cross ; 
 death-dealing weapons, swords and revolvers, carbines and 
 cutlasses ; batteries of artillery ; men of splendid physique 
 and horses with rare action, who fully entered into the spirit of 
 it all, and fondly carried colors for which these men would 
 die, and over all the rich strains of that music they loved to 
 hear. The sight was one to stir the blood. 
 
 The procession was led by Captain Ames, of the Second 
 Life Guards, one of the tallest men in the British army, who,} 
 by the special wish of the Prince of Wales, rode in front of 
 the procession. He was followed by four of the tallest 
 troopers in that regiment of very tall men. 
 
 The naval brigade followed, wearing straw hats and carry- 
 ing drawn cutlasses. They met with a rousing reception. 
 
 As the soldiers wound out of sight to watt for the Queen's 
 
THE RIGHT HONORABLE JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, 
 
A GLITTERING CAVALCADE. 353 
 
 procession on Constitution Hill it seemed like nothing so 
 much as some stream of burnished gold, flowing between 
 dark banks of human beings. 
 
 The Empire had passed in review, the army and navy had 
 been shown in its panoplied strength, the head of it all was 
 now to come — her Majesty. 
 
 The military portion of the royal procession proper formed 
 at Hyde Park and marched round by Belgrave Square to the 
 palace, where it was interwoven with the crowd of waiting 
 dignitaries of all sorts. When ready it moved to join the 
 rear of the military procession. 
 
 First came nine naval aids-de-camp, including Lord Charles 
 Beresford, followed by the military aids-de-camp to the Queen. 
 
 Then followed alone the Lord Lieutenant of London, the 
 Duke of Westminister, followed by a glittering cavalcade of 
 officers. 
 
 Next came three officers of the auxiliary forces in attend- 
 ance on the Prince of Wales, equerries, gentlemen-in-waiting 
 and military attaches, foreign naval and military attaches, in 
 alphabetical order, beginning with Austria and ending with 
 the United States, followed by General Nelson A. Miles, rep- 
 resenting the United States Army, and General Lagron, 
 representing President Faure. 
 
 Most of the foreigners were men with a glittering array 
 of titles, uniformed in the dresses of all the courts of Europe 
 and half its crack regiments, and wearing all its stars. 
 
 Then, as a compliment from the Kaiser, followed a depu- 
 tation from the First Prussian Dragoon Guards, splendid 
 looking men, quite able to live up to the Kaiser's reputation 
 for turning out fine soldiers. 
 
 Following these came the most brilliant group of all the 
 
354 THE MOST BRILLIANT GROUP. 
 
 soldiery, the officers of the Imperial Service Troops from 
 India in their uniforms — a mixture of the English regular 
 army and native dress — brilliant to a degree not to be wit- 
 nessed outside of countries where barbaric splendor and in- 
 genuity in embroidery is the rule. Most of the men were 
 swarthy-featured fellows, bearded, and wearing wondrously 
 twisted turbans in colors and cloths of gold. Their tunics 
 were of scarlet or blue or white or green, laced and inter- 
 laced with gold or silver. Many wore broad sashes or 
 *' kammerbands," in radiant colors, and most of them white 
 breeches with Napoleon boots ; many also wore massive gold 
 earrinofs with enormous stones, while some wore in addition 
 gold anklets ablaze with sapphires and emeralds. 
 
 The special envoys not numbered among the princes fol- 
 lowed the Indians, riding in two-horse landaus, painted lake 
 and vermilion, with heavy lines of gold in the vermilion run- 
 ning gear, with scarlet and purple hammer cloths, and lined 
 with blue-figured rep. The royal arms were on the panels 
 and royal crowns on the tops. The horses were high-step- 
 ping bays. 
 
 A gorgeous coachman sat in each box. They were clad in 
 royal scarlet, white knee-breeches and silk stockings, with 
 heads bewigged with white horsehair and crowned with mag- 
 nificent three-cornered hats, decorated with ostrich plumes, 
 dyed in royal red. Each hat cost ^loo and must have re- 
 quired a courier's art to keep balanced. 
 
 Two gorgeous footmen stood at the back of each landau, 
 dressed like the coachman, only their hats were more of the 
 old field marshal's pattern, heavily bullioned, and cockaded 
 and trimmed with red ostrich tips. 
 
 In the first carriage were the representatives of Costa Rica, 
 
THE sovereign's ESCORT. 355 
 
 Chile, and Greece ; in the second, those of Paraguay, Peru, 
 Servia, and Central America ; in the third, those of Mexico, 
 Uruguay, Guatemala, and Brazil ; in the fourth, those of 
 China, Belgium, Holland, and the Papal envoy ; in the fifth, 
 the envoys of the United States, France, and Spain. 
 
 Following the envoys came landaus, bearing the princes 
 and princesses and other notable persons. 
 
 Then the first part of the sovereign's escort now rode into 
 view — the Second Life Guards. As their brilliant uniforms 
 appeared the whisper ran electrically " She's coming." The 
 Guards were succeeded by the escort of British and foreign 
 princes. The gorgeous uniforms and splendid horses of the 
 princes, who rode by threes, made this part of the show the 
 feature of the entire procession. 
 
 At the head were the Marquis of Lome, son-in-law of the 
 Queen, and the Duke of Fife, son-in-law of the Prince of 
 Wales. The former wore a dark blue uniform, and the latter 
 a red uniform. They were both covered with orders. Behind 
 them was every conceivable variety of brilliancy, from Mo- 
 hammed Ali Khan, the Egyptian representative, in dark frock 
 coat and fez, to the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand, 
 in a gorgeous Hussar's uniform. 
 
 The Duke of York rode toward the rear of the princes' 
 escort, wearing a naval uniform and the order of the Garter, 
 while his children, on the main balcony of the palace, waved 
 their hands to him. By his side were the Crown Prince of Siam 
 and Prince Waldemar of Denmark. Then came Prince Henry 
 of Prussia, Prince Albert of Prussia, and Grand Duke Sergius 
 of Russia. The Crown Prince of Naples, the Austrian Arch- 
 duke and the Grand Duke of Hesse were the last members 
 of the princes' escort. 
 
356 THE GUARD OF HONOR. 
 
 The others of this brilliant company were Prince Charles of 
 Denmark, Prince Frederic Charles of Hesse, Prince Schaum- 
 burg-Lippe, Prince Aribert of Anhalt, the Duke of Saxe- 
 Coburg and Gotha, Prince Victor of Schleswig-Holstein, 
 Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Prince Albert of 
 Schleswig-Holstein, the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 
 the Duke of Teck, Prince Louis of Battenburg, the Prince of 
 Lunengen, Prince Edward of Saxe- Weimar, Prince Adolphus 
 of Teck, Prince Rupert of Bavaria, Prince Charles de Ligne 
 of Belgium, the Prince of Bulgaria, Grand Duke of Hesse, 
 Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Prince Aresugawa of 
 Japan, Grand Duke of Luxemburg, Prince Danilo of Monte- 
 negro, the Duke of Oporto, Grand Duke Cyril of Russia, 
 Prince Philip of Saxe-Coburg, Prince Hermann of Saxe- 
 Weimar, Prince Frederick of Saxony, Prince Mahit of Siam, 
 Prince Eugene of Sweden-Norway, and Duke Albert of 
 Wurtemburg. 
 
 Following the princes came the Guard of Honor, twenty- 
 two officers of native Indian cavalry corps, men of fine phy- 
 sique, picturesque uniform and strange faiths — Jat Sikhs, 
 Brahmin Sikhs, Mussulman Pathans, Hindustani Mussulmans, 
 Hindu Jats, Mussulman Rajaputs, Punjabi Mussulmans, and 
 plain Mussulmans. But for these the crowd had no eyes. 
 They could see the Queen's horses. 
 
 The procession closed thus : Captain of Escort, Standard, 
 Field Officer of Escort, Chief of the Staff, Master of the Buck- 
 hounds, Gold Stick of Scotland, Gold Stick in Waiting, Master 
 of the Horse, Crown Equerry and two Equerries, Field Offi- 
 cer in Brigade Waiting Equerry to H. R. H. ; the Duke of 
 Cambridge, Equerry to the Prince of Wales, Silver Stick 
 in Waiting, six royal grooms, rear part of the Sovereign's 
 
THE QUEEN-EMPRESS. 357 
 
 Escort, Second Life Guards, Royal Irish Constabulary, Squad- 
 ron of Royal Horse Guards. 
 
 An unlooked-for feature of the occasion was the silence of 
 the vast multitude. There was no noise whatever, except an 
 occasional rattle of the hoofs of the officers' horses or troops 
 of cavalry on the roadways. People all talked in low voices 
 so hushed that no buzz or murmur as of most multitudes 
 reached the ear. An occasional bugle call or command of 
 a leader to a body of marching troops rang out with startling 
 clearness on the still air. 
 
 At last when the roads were cleared and lay bare between 
 a blood-red double line of soldiers, there was a murmur that 
 swelled into a roar and burst into long, loud cheering as four 
 gold-clad postilions, each riding the off horse of a pair of the 
 Queen's famous cream-colored stallions, came well into view. 
 All the spectators on the stands had been requested to keep 
 their seats, but all sprang to their feet and yelled and waved 
 hats and handkerchiefs as the royal object of all this pomp 
 and expenditure was seen on the back seat of the open 
 landau, riding in company with her daughters. Simulta- 
 neously the assembled multitude arose and uncovered. The 
 Queen-Empress was come. 
 
 She was received with great enthusiasm. It was realized 
 that she was the procession herself; that all the rest of it was 
 mere embroidery, that in her the public saw the British Em- 
 pire itself. She was a symbol, an allegory of England's 
 grandeur and the might of the British name. 
 
 She is said never to have looked better in her life. Cer- 
 tainly she made all portraits hideous libels, for she appeared 
 a kindly, motherly, gentle old lady, rather stout of figure, 
 to be sure, but with a delicately gray face and hair and ex- 
 
358 A QUEENLY OLD LADY. 
 
 pression which gave a sublimation at once of majesty, pride, 
 and tenderness. 
 
 After sixty years, in which no candid lips had formed the 
 word beauty, it was all at once the only word by which to 
 describe her. 
 
 She became visibly transfigured before the eyes of her 
 subjects. Those who could not see caught the big throb from 
 those in the front. It ran from heart to heart through the 
 kinofdom with more than electric swiftness. 
 
 She wore a dress of gray and black, such a light gray it 
 was taken for white ; a bonnet of black and white, and carried 
 a white parasol, which worked havoc all along the line, be- 
 cause it hid her from all who looked down on her from any 
 considerable elevation. She was obliged to carry it open, for 
 the sun was blazing down upon her. She bowed slightly 
 very frequently, and now and then put up her glasses and 
 looked at what interested her. She wore a rather sad face, 
 but as the people had not seen her in such a bold departure 
 from her deep mourning in a long time, all thought her in 
 quite high spirits. The Princess of Wales sat beside her, 
 wearing a beautiful gown of heliotrope and hiding her half 
 century under the appearance of thirty-three or thirty-four 
 years. The Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, who 
 was also in the same carriage, was dressed in black. 
 
 The formal crossing of the boundary of the ancient city 
 of London at Temple Bar was the occasion of the first cere- 
 mony of the day — the receiving of stately homage from the 
 Chief Magistrate. 
 
 The frame in which this picture was set was picturesque. 
 On one side the broken gray pile of the Law Courts rose 
 from portieres of legal luminaries, most of her Majesty's 
 
AN ANCIENT CEREMONY, 359 
 
 Judges in their splendid robes and full-bottomed wigs, 
 Queen's Counsels galore, in more sombre silk and less vol- 
 uminous horse hair ; ladies in charming toilettes, and every 
 window filled with eager faces. 
 
 The Lord Mayor, Sir Faudel Phillips, and the city officials 
 on horseback, arrived ten minutes before the Queen was due. 
 The Lord Mayor wore the Earl's robe to which Lord Mayors 
 are entitled when crowned heads visit the city — a cloak of 
 ruby silk velvet, lined with white silk and edged with ermine. 
 Sheriffs Ritchie and Rogers wore the Sheriff's velvet court 
 dress, scarlet gowns and chains. 
 
 The "very goodlye sword," known as " Queen Elizabeth's 
 Pearl Sword," presented to the Corporation by the maiden 
 Queen at the opening of a royal exchange A. D. 1570, was 
 carried by the Lord Mayor. The sword is three feet eleven 
 inches long with a fine Damascus blade. The pommel is sil- 
 ver gilt, with a carefully wrought figure in a medallion of 
 Justice on either side. 
 
 On the arrival of the Queen the Lord Mayor uncovered, 
 and approaching her carriage with all due obeisance, pre- 
 sented the hilt of the city's sword, which was undrawn. This 
 was the ancient ceremony of dutiful submission. 
 
 The Queen lightly touched it, thus returning it to the Lord 
 Mayor in token that his submission was graciously accepted 
 by his sovereign. Her Majesty then commanded the Lord 
 Mayor and Sheriffs to proceed. The Sheriffs took their 
 places with the Aldermen and Commoners immediately after 
 the field marshals ; the Lord Mayor rode bare-headed imme- 
 diately before the sovereign's escort of Life Guards and the 
 procession moved toward St. Paul's. 
 
 The great bells of St. Paul's broke out in happy chorus 
 
360 SCENE AT THE CATHEDRAL. 
 
 as the Queen's carriage started from Temple Bar, and only 
 ceased as her Majesty's carriage stopped in front of the steps 
 of the city Cathedral. 
 
 As the Queen's procession arrived, the carriages, contain- 
 ing the envoys and the Princesses, drew up en echelon on 
 the roadway on the right. The escort of Princes turned to 
 the left on reaching the churchyard, and then to the right 
 across the front of the edifice drawn up in open order be- 
 tween the statue to Queen Ann and the Cathedral steps. 
 
 Her Majesty's carriage then came between, halting oppo- 
 site the platform in front of the portico. The broad steps 
 presented to the Queen a picture similar to that on a crowded 
 stage, wonderful in brilliant costuming. Immediately in front 
 of the royal carriage were the Church dignitaries, the Arch- 
 bishops robed in purple and gold, and holding their gilded 
 croziers, and the lesser ecclesiastics in white with violet be- 
 rettas. Then there were the Cathedral dignitaries, in white 
 and gold capes and scarlet skull caps, doctors of divinity in 
 crimson cassocks, and back of them two massed military 
 bands. 
 
 Beyond the bands were the bareheaded, surpliced choir, 
 stretching to the Cathedral door, a field of dazzling white. 
 On the right of the Archbishops were two rows of seated 
 Judges, robed in black, scarlet, and purple, and wearing their 
 wigs, and on the left were other prominent ecclesiastics. 
 
 In the section to the right of the choir were the diplomatic 
 corps, with their ladies. The Ambassadors occupied the two 
 front rows, and back of them were the Ministers and others 
 in the order of their rank. Many of the ladies wore summer 
 toilettes of white, but were outshone by the glitter of the 
 silver helmets, the gold-laced coats of red, blue, green, and 
 
A FOX-HUNT — THE bTART. 
 
 ■ rri' »:w~"': \.' 
 
 m 
 
 
 # 
 
 A FOX-HUNT — THE FINISH. 
 
\ 
 
 \ 
 
 FIELD-MARSHAL LORD ROBERTa, V. C. 
 
THE RELIGIOUS SERVICES. 36 1 
 
 all shades of color, the jeweled orders ghttering on so many 
 breasts, and the gaudy silk of the Chinese contingent. 
 
 The Americans present were distinguished by their plain 
 attire. 
 
 In the section on the left of the choir was an equally dis- 
 tinguished group of people. In the front row and nearest 
 to the Queen were the Marquis of Salisbury and his col- 
 leagues of the Cabinet. Behind them was a group of foreign 
 potentates and a delegation of Indian Princes in shining 
 cloth-of-gold, encrusted with jewels. 
 
 In front of the platform was a cordon of Gentlemen of the 
 Guard, twenty of the tallest noblemen of the royal house- 
 hold, uniformed in scarlet and blue, and flanked by the 
 picturesque beef-eaters, or old-fashioned guardians of the 
 tower, dressed in the costumes of the time of Henry VIII. 
 
 The Archbishops advanced down the steps upon the ap- 
 pearance of the royal procession, and remained standing 
 throughout the ceremony. 
 
 A Te Deum by Dr. Martin, organist of St. Paul's, com- 
 posed for the occasion, was first sung. The bass solo was 
 sung chorally by a large number of bassos, and the accom- 
 paniment was furnished by the military bands. '"^'■' 
 
 As the sonorous " Amen " died away the sweet voices of 
 the Cathedral clergy were heard chanting, " O Lord, Save 
 the Queen," to which the great choir, in a wondrous volume 
 of harmonious sound, responded, "And mercifully hear us 
 when we call upon Thee." 
 
 When the choir burst forth in song the word " Hush !" 
 passed along the crowds at least half a mile in either direc- 
 tion, so all could hear the new music by the wondrous boys* 
 voices. The hymn finished, silence continued. 
 
362 THE MANSION HOUSE. 
 
 The Bishop of London then read a short collect, and the 
 Queen remained for a short time in prayer. Then came the 
 Doxology, so old and familiar that all the listeners caught it 
 up and it was sung by hundreds of thousands of throats, and 
 amid the further ringing of bells the national anthem was sung. 
 
 The "Amens" in the service were accompanied by the 
 blast of horns and the roll of drums. When all was ended 
 the Archbishop of Canterbury called for " Three times three 
 cheers for Queen Victoria." All present rose and gave nine 
 cheers for her Majesty, wildly waving their hats and hand- 
 kerchiefs, the Queen bowing repeatedly. 
 
 Then the Queen, who had been leaning forward in her 
 open landau, leaned back an instant, but was obliged to re- 
 sume her old attitude because the Archbishop of Canterbury, 
 the Bishop of London, and other dignitaries had to be pre- 
 sented. 
 
 The Prince of Wales and his brother, the Duke of Con- 
 naught, sat behind the carriage and in another minute the 
 procession took up its course and rounded the south side of 
 the Cathedral on its way to Cheapside. 
 
 First came a cavalcade of foreign and native and depend- 
 ent princes and such handsome notables as General Miles 
 and the colonel representing President Faure. These rode 
 jby at the quick gait of the procession and left an Impression 
 'of a great blur of red, white, gold, silver, plumes, velvet, 
 medals, orders, swords, and splendid men. 
 
 Then came carriages filled with representatives of South 
 American States, others with guests from most of the coun- 
 tries of the Old World, and after them came a half-dozen 
 carriages containing the most famous of the princesses and 
 duchesses of England, Germany, and Russia. 
 
BACK TO THE PALACE. 363 
 
 From St. Paul's the procession moved on to the Mansion 
 House. The Lord Mayor here made obeisance and pre- 
 sented the Lady Mayoress, who, attended by maids of honor 
 on foot, approached the carriage and offered to the Queen a 
 beautiful silver basket, filled with gorgeous orchids. 
 
 The Queen twice replied: "I am deeply grateful." Her 
 Majesty smiled, was evidently greatly pleased and looked 
 fresh and bright. She wore no spectacles, took the flowers, 
 passed them to the Princess of Wales, and put out her hand 
 to the Lady Mayoress to kiss. The latter, agitated by the 
 splendor of the occasion, shook her Majesty's hand instead 
 of kissing it. 
 
 In the meantime a distant band struck up the national 
 anthem and the crowd joined in singing " God Save the 
 Queen," which was sung by thousands of voices until her 
 Majesty was out of sight. 
 
 The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs resumed their places in the 
 procession, but at London Bridge the Lord Mayor took leave 
 of the Sovereign and she passed out of the city limits. 
 
 The Queen reached the Palace on her return at 1.45, and 
 a gun in Hyde Park announced that the great procession was 
 over, and the event so long prepared for had passed into his- 
 tory. The sound of the royal salute was answered by cheer- 
 ing, and then the crowd faded away as it came. 
 
 When the afternoon came the Queen went to bed, and 
 hundreds of men and women curled up on the grass in front 
 of her Palace and slept as well with crowds looking on as she 
 did in her bed. 
 
 When evening came the scene shifted. The crowds which 
 had filtered out of the processional streets after the great 
 show wedged back again to view London a-light. Now the 
 
364 LONDON A-LIGHT. 
 
 millions were on tip-toes to see the illumination. The Thames 
 from Richmond to Windsor was embowered beneath fire- 
 works in one twenty-mile blaze, but not a flicker of that could 
 London see. What London and her four million visitors did 
 was to crowd the procession route all over again in numbers 
 that were simply awesome and terrifying. The people reached 
 from house to house with tired policemen in the middle of 
 each street keeping the contrary tides of humanity apart, urg- 
 ing each current steadily forward and stifling the only disorder 
 there was, which was simply rough horse-play, 
 
 The sight was worth the trouble and risk, both considerable. 
 The illuminations were achieved more artistically than the 
 decorations by day. Those of the metropolis were, like every- 
 thing that had previously transpired during the morning 
 hours, greater and more resplendent than anything in her 
 history. The symbols of loyalty and affection, of imperial 
 grandeur and the growth of the Empire that had met the eye 
 in painted and gilded mottoes, devices of paper and bunting 
 and spangled cloth, were now reflected for miles in lines of 
 flaring gas, glow-worm oil lamps, opal globes, paper lanterns 
 and transparencies, incandescent lamps, celluloid flowers and 
 hundreds of devices in thousands of colored crystals. Every- 
 where was brilliancy, sparkle, color, at many points a dazzling 
 radiancy under the mild summer sky. 
 
 ' As was the case with the draperies, the decorations by day 
 jwere confined principally to the route taken by her Majesty 
 in the morning, and may be said to have begun at Hyde Park 
 corner. Every house showed light in some way, and where 
 it was sufficiently brilliant the effect was decidedly enhanced 
 by the day draperies, though the empty stands added a rather 
 weird effect. Leaving the Park the first notable illumination 
 
VISTA OF RADIANT DEVICES. 365 
 
 was that of the Bachelors' Club, where a large medallion 
 surrounded by a crown, the centre bearing the "V. R. I." all 
 in cut and colored crystals within the emblazoned words, 
 " God Save the Queen," marked the front of the club, every 
 window of which poured out a stream of light. The Junior 
 Constitutional, the Badminton, Naval and Military and Isth- 
 mian Clubs followed suit with many colored devices, while 
 the private residences facing Green Park were not for a 
 moment outclassed. 
 
 Turning from Pall Mall into St. James Street, that short, 
 wide thoroughfare was found to be roofed with evergreen, 
 floral ropes stretched from white poles set close together so 
 as to produce the effect of a vast bower. Under, over, and 
 through this curving framework of a roof were the most 
 splendid devices that the jubilee decorators had worked and 
 written in fire upon the city's walls. 
 
 This domain of the aristocracy was as they wished it, re- 
 splendently flamboyant. The Guards, the Army and Navy, 
 the Junior Carleton, Athenaeum, Travelers* and Reform, were 
 illuminated with crystal devices, with those lines of gas jets 
 following the lines of the building that are always so finely 
 effective. In the case of the Reform Club the organization 
 lived up to its name by using electricity only. One of the 
 private buildings had its fagade picked out in lights of purple 
 and fine gold, radiating from a medallion portrait of her 
 Majesty, shown in cut crystals. 
 
 Marlborough House Instantly caught the eye as the turn- 
 ing into Pall Mall was slowly accomplished. Across the four 
 pillars at the entrance to the grounds was noticeable a large 
 branch in the form of laurels in various shades of green with 
 natural berries, around a crown-surmounted medallion in- 
 
366 LOOKED LIKE FAIRYLAND. 
 
 scribed " V. R. I." The Prince of Wales' feathers and badge 
 figured in the design, the whole being of the most beautiful 
 crystal. Round the corner, at York House, was a large 
 heart of illuminated crystal, formed of rose petals and May 
 blossoms. Passing out of Pall Mall the celluloid balloons, 
 the pretty day effect of which has already been referred to, 
 quite justified French taste, the incandescent glow lamps 
 hidden in flower petals suggesting nothing so much as a 
 child's dream of Titania's court. Fleet Street from the Law 
 Courts to Ludgate Circus was a dazzling vista of prismatic 
 and radiant devices, ending up on Ludgate Hill in the mas- 
 sive dome of St. Paul's-, brilliantly lit by searchlights, stand- 
 ing with its huge golden cross a clear Christian beacon to 
 Greater London and beyond. 
 
 On St. Paul's alone the lights, cost £\ a minute when 
 lighted, and the cost to the Bank of England and for lighting 
 the Mansion House must have been nearly as great, but the 
 ornamental lighting of the old city and of all the business 
 districts was very inartistic, broken, splotchy, and discredit- 
 able to the people. It was, therefore, with surprise and 
 wonder that one came to view the West End illumina- 
 tions. 
 
 Paris never did anything in the same line to equal it. Paris 
 has often been more picturesque and artistic, but it never 
 touched the splendor, dignity or cost of the amazing display 
 which London made. 
 
 Piccadilly, from Devonshire House to the Duke of Wel- 
 lington's, was not so continuously jeweled with jets as the 
 other and smaller street, yet this grand street seen from a 
 short distance seemed encrusted with ornate decorations 
 worked in supernatural diamonds. It is the hackneyed and 
 
ROYAL MONOGRAMS. 367 
 
 regulation thing to say that Pall Mall, St. James Street, and 
 the upper end of Piccadilly "looked like fairyland." The 
 term is not a fair illustration, for the club quarter of the town 
 especially was brilliant, too strongly lighted, too nearly all 
 aflame with gas jets to suggest the soft dreamy twinkling 
 realm of Titania. 
 
 Nothing in all London or elsewhere exceeded in artistic 
 beauty and brilliancy of display the scene from the Welling- 
 ton statue, with the Bank of England on one side and the 
 Mansion House on the other. The official home of the Lord 
 Mayor was bathed in so much light that all the beauties of 
 the day seemed to fit in and charmingly mingle with that of 
 the night. On the top of the pediment a splendid Star of 
 India burned its brilliant points into the sky. Prismatic gas 
 globes outlined the facade and a portion of the side, while 
 the royal crown encircled by a wreath of laurels in incan- 
 descent lamps stood out prominently in front of the building. 
 The crown was flanked on either side in crystal gas lamps 
 with " V. R." — the universal letters, recalHng the incident of 
 her Majesty's first visit to the city, when, opposite the Man- 
 sion House, she asked Lord Melbourne, " I hope all these 
 good people are really happy ?" and the Prime Minister re- 
 plied, " Your Majesty has but to look around. Everywhere 
 is the answer, * V. R., V. R.' " 
 
 The floral festoons of the tall columns were also illumi- 
 nated with prismatic gas globes, while on the balcony steps 
 were nine candelabra of prismatic gas lamps, each containing 
 thirty lights. At the top of the side elevation of the Mansion 
 House was a radiant sun in open gas with the royal mono- 
 gram — the monogram of the happy people, " V. R., V. R," 
 Twelve flaring tripods adorned the roof, and two mottoes 
 
368 THE empire's torch. 
 
 stood out boldly in letters of light, " Long Live Our Queen," 
 ** God Guard Your Throne." 
 
 With illuminations which were universal in every city, town, 
 and hamlet of England, Wales, and Scotland, and in some 
 parts of Ireland ; with fireworks in countless places, with 
 illuminations following the fall of night in every part of that 
 empire where the Queen has sway, there yet remains to be 
 mentioned the final touch — the lighting of the Empire's torch 
 — the ancient form of giving warning or sending joy, the 
 beacon fires. 
 
 As ten o'clock struck at the Greenwich Observatory a 
 tongue of flame shot upward from Great Malvern, "the 
 backbone of the Midlands." It was the Jubilee beacon fire. 
 Hardly had the spectator time to look on it before another 
 flared in the distance on the right, then again on the left, on 
 the north, south, east, and west. Peak answered to peak 
 until from Berwick-on-Tweed to Rough Tar and Brown 
 Willie in Cornwall, from the Cathedral towers of Lichfield, 
 Worcester, Ripon, Lincoln, and Durham ; from Skiddaw to 
 St. Helier's, from Hastings to Cader Iris and across the 
 water to Donegal and Dublin, a thousand beacon fires blazed 
 up their message of loyalty to the Sovereign. Half an hour 
 later the Lowlands, the Highlands, the wild Hebrides, even 
 to Ultima Tkule, sent answering signals to the sky. And 
 then slowly, as the light failed from day to evening, roundj 
 the world the Empire's torch was lit. From St. Helier's the 
 signal leaped to Gibraltar, to Malta, to Cyprus, to Ceylon, to 
 India — where it blazed triumphant on the Himalayas — ^to 
 China, to Australia, to Canada, to the West Indies — the Em- 
 pire's torch shed its radiance over the universe. And thus 
 ended the great day of the celebration. 
 

 'ir . 
 
 
 I ill 
 
 The Lobby of the House of Commons, 
 Waiting to Interview a Member. 
 
In the Lobby of the House of Lokds. 
 
ENGLAND S GREATEST FESTIVAL. 37 1 
 
 It was over now. The British Empire had marched past 
 under review and inspection. 
 
 The events of the day stood for sixty years of progress 
 and accumulation — moral, material, and political. It was 
 made up rather of the beneficiaries of these prosperities than 
 of the creators of them, as far as mere glory goes. 
 
 Instead of London smoke, a gray pillar of dust ; instead of 
 grimy buildings, eight miles of houses scrubbed, scraped, 
 painted, washed, set off with bunting ; instead of the roar of 
 the vehicles, the tramp, tramp of a gorgeous, glittering array ; 
 instead of the excited crush of brutal multitudes, a quiet, 
 ^orderly throng, with the surplus tens of thousands tucked 
 away on vast stands, in all the houses, and on roofs ; instead 
 of murder, accident, sudden death, a day without a serious 
 casualty — such was the record of England's greatest festival. 
 
 Such was the history of what may be called the apotheosis 
 of the lone widow who will be classed with the saints in the 
 minds of her loving subjects. Never before in modern times 
 has any woman received such a glorification, never before has 
 there been such a splendid and imposing spectacle. 
 
OTHER INTERESTING 
 
 AND 
 
 ENJOYABLE EVENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THEi chief Jubilee event of Wednesday was the presenta- 
 tion to the Queen at Buckingham Palace of congratu- 
 latory addresses from both Houses of Parliament and the 
 reception of other bodies of official personages. 
 
 Nearly half a century had passed since the House of Com- 
 mons had visited the Sovereign in a body, the last occasion 
 being the presentation of an address acknowledging the re- 
 ception of the Queen's message announcing the declaration 
 of war against Russia. Not since the early forties, when 
 addresses were made congratulating the Queen on the 
 failure of attempts at assassination, had she received the two 
 houses together. 
 
 There were brief formalities at Westminster, the two 
 houses meeting and the formal announcement being made 
 by Lord Salisbury in the House of Lords and Mr. Balfour in 
 the House of Commons that the Queen would be pleased to 
 receive the two houses, they proceeded in stately procession 
 to the Palace, where they assembled in the ball-room. 
 
 The Queen was wheeled into the room by an Indian 
 attendant. She wore a black-brocaded dress, black and 
 white striped skirt, and a widow's cap, and carried a white 
 fan and a lorgnette. Her Majesty also wore the ribbon of 
 the Order of the Garter. The Prince of Wales, the Duke 
 of Connaught, and the Princes Christian of Schleswig-Hol- 
 372 
 
ADDRESSES FROM PARLIAMENT. 373 
 
 Stein and Henry of Battenburg were among the members of 
 the royal family who stood behind the Queen, 
 
 The scene was magnificent. The uniforms, dresses, orders, 
 and blazing jewels showed up finely in the sunlight which 
 found its way through the windows. 
 
 The Earl of Latham, Lord Chamberlain, first escorted in 
 the Lord Chancellor, Lord Halsbury, who was gorgeously 
 robed. The other members of the House of Lords followed 
 him. The Chancellor knelt before the Queen and read the 
 address from the House of Lords. At the end the Queen 
 bowed, thanked their lordships, and the peers retired in a 
 body. 
 
 The Lord Chamberlain afterward ushered into her Majesty's 
 presence the members of the House of Commons. The 
 latter advanced between two lines of gentlemen-at-arms, 
 beautifully uniformed. 
 
 The Commoners were headed by Speaker Gully, who 
 stood while he read to her Majesty the address from the 
 House of Commons. At the conclusion of the reading the 
 Queen bowed and the Commoners retired in a body. 
 
 Both addresses are officially described as an humble ex- 
 pression of duty and wishes for a long life for her Majesty. 
 
 While waiting for the arrival of the Mayors the Queen 
 chatted with the Prince of Wales and the Princesses, fanning 
 herself and using her smelling salts. ( 
 
 Over four hundred Mayors and Provosts, chairmen of 
 County Councils, and Sheriffs filed past the Queen, who bowed 
 and smiled as each of the loyal officials passed. The Sheriffs 
 were all in gorgeous scarlet and the Mayors all wore the full 
 insignia of their office. The Ma3'ors were headed by the Lord 
 Mayor of London, Sir George Faudel-Phillips. 
 
374 A PICTURESQUE SCENE. 
 
 The other officials were attired in levee dress, consisting 
 of black knickerbockers and stockings, black velvet coats 
 with steel buttons, black-plumed hats and swords. In com- 
 memoration of the event the Queen ordered a special dia- 
 mond-shaped medal struck in gold and silver for presenta- 
 tion to all the Lord Mayors in the United Kingdom, the; 
 Lord Provosts, and the Provosts. ' 
 
 A picturesque scene in connection with the exercises at 
 Buckingham Palace was that described by an eye-witness, 
 thus : 
 
 " I had moved out into the fore-court when a cheer from 
 the people just beyond the railings warned me to look back. 
 There, above the gold and crimson of the centre balcony, the 
 nurses of the Duchess of York were seen opening a window. 
 Two of her royal Highness' children came out into the sun- 
 light, in plain white frocks with blue sashes. Behind them 
 was a slight form, tinier still. 
 
 " As the eldest heard the cheerlno- he raised his little arm 
 above his eyes and saluted. The people's enthusiasm burst 
 all bounds. They broke past the policemen, rushed beneath 
 the horse's heads, and clambered to the very railings of the 
 Palace gate. The child seemed to recognize that something 
 more was required of him, and while his little brother stamped 
 with glee and waved his arms, the latest heir of Queen Vic- 
 toria saluted with both hands at once." 
 
 The Queen returned to Windsor in the afternoon and her 
 progress was a triumphal procession. On the route the royal 
 party made stops at Slough, Eton College, and Windsor 
 Bridge, where they were received by the local authorities 
 with impressive formalities and enthusiastically welcomed by 
 the populace. 
 
ON CONSTITUTION HILL. 375 
 
 The progress was a repetition of the one from Buckingham 
 Palace to Windsor in 1887, but vastly more imposing. 
 
 The Queen left the Palace soon after 4.30, returning to 
 Paddington Railroad Station by the same route as was fol- 
 lowed on her arrival. 
 
 There was a pretty sight on Constitution Hill, near the 
 Palace. On the grand stands used to view the procession 
 the day before were ten thousand children from the Board 
 schools, Church of England schools,Wesleyan schools, Catholic 
 schools, and Hebrew schools, who were inspected by her 
 Majesty. Each child wore a medal and a red badge, and the 
 teachers wore blue badgfes and white dresses. 
 
 All the children were dressed in their " Sunday best," and 
 presented a pretty picture. On the arrival of the Queen the 
 children, led by a band, joined in singing the national anthem. 
 
 The Marquis of Londonderry, as chairman, presented to 
 her Majesty an address in behalf of the School Board, and 
 the Bishop of London and others did the same in behalf of 
 the other school bodies. Among the members of the com- 
 mittee present were Cardinal Vaughan and Baron Rothschild. 
 There was a tremendous outburst of cheering as the Queen 
 left. 
 
 At Slough, at 6.30 p. M., the Queen was received by Baron 
 Nathaniel Meyer de Rothschild, Lord Lieutenant of Buck- 
 inghamshire, and the other county officials. 
 
 Addresses were presented to her Majesty by the county 
 Magistrates, the County Council, and the urban District 
 Council. Her Majesty replied briefly to each address, and 
 left Slough through a castellated arch of the mediaeval period. 
 
 The whole place was decorated handsomely. The Royal 
 Horse Guards furnished the escort of the Queen. 
 
376 ROLL OF THE FAMOUS. 
 
 At Eton College a gateway of the period when the college 
 was founded, that of Henry VI, had been erected, and there 
 were also statues, representing Henry and Margaret of 
 Anjou, as well as of the patron saints of the college, St. Mary 
 and St. Nicholas. 
 
 At the summit of the arch stood four Eton boys dressed 
 as heralds. They pretended to sound their trumpets, which 
 was done by the state trumpeter of the Guards. 
 
 At the entrance of the upper school, where the Queen 
 stopped, there was an arcade of the Jacobin period, on which 
 were emblazoned the names of boys educated at Eton who 
 subsequently became famous. Some of the names were also 
 illuminated on a parchment entitled "The Roll of the 
 Famous," and included those of Mr. Gladstone, the Marquis 
 of Salisbury, Lord Rosebery, A. J. Balfour, Lord Randolph 
 Churchill, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Duke of Welling- 
 ton, Lord Roberts, of Kandahar, the Earl of Aberdeen, the 
 Earl of Durham, and the Marquis of Dufferin. 
 
 Her Majesty was presented with addresses by the college 
 authorities and by the oppidans of Eton, to which she replied. 
 At the conclusion of the ceremony the Queen asked for her 
 grandson, Prince Arthur of Connaught, who, clad in his Eton 
 suit, walked to her carriage and shook hands with her. The 
 journey was then continued. 
 
 The Queen's next court was at Windsor Bridge, where a 
 fine arch of the period of Edward III had been erected. 
 There her Majesty received an address from the Thames 
 conservancy, the body which controls the river. 
 
 As the Queen's carnage appeared at the entrance to her 
 home the national anthem was chanted In welcome by three 
 hundred and eighty voices. 
 
ROYALTY AT THE OPERA. 377 
 
 Wednesday night was a gala night at Covent Garden 
 Opera House, where the whole programme and performance 
 reflected the greatest credit on Maurice Grau. From this 
 performance the world of London was excluded, but all 
 the members of the royal family who were in the city attended 
 the performance. The route along which the royal family 
 drove to and from Covent Garden Opera House was kept 
 clear, but the sidewalks were crowded by the populace, who 
 cheered the royal carriages vociferously. 
 
 The crush of vehicles was so dense that many men, wear- 
 ing gorgeous uniforms and covered with jewels, had to walk 
 long distances amid the varying comments of the crowd. 
 Many others, like the Duke of Marlborough and the Duke 
 of Devonshire, drove to the opera house in state carriages, 
 with coachmen and footmen resplendent in state liveries. 
 
 In front of the opera house was a mounted guard of 
 honor. Inside the Earl of Lathom, with several gold sticks, 
 awaited the arrival of the royal party, while Beef-eaters lined 
 the stairway and mounted guard outside the royal box. 
 Outside the Garden stretched a long row of cavalry. 
 
 Behind the cavalry, hemming in the Garden upon every 
 side, was the populace ; the dense sweating populace in un- 
 countable thousands waiting for hours and hours ; shifting, 
 sweltering, and struggling excitedly to catch a glimpse of 
 each lord and lady who passed through the glowing doorway. 
 This lasted six hours. 
 
 During that time this line of cavalry divided Covent Gar- 
 den from the rest of London, forming an oasis of royalty and 
 aristocracy in the vast desert of ordinary human beings, who 
 could only feast their eyes, and if they liked, shout for joy. 
 
 To reach the doors of the Garden by passing through this 
 
378 INTERIOR OF THE GARDEN. 
 
 mass of humanity was a herculean task. Beyond the cavalry 
 line none but the great folks who held tickets were admitted, 
 and unless the applicant came sashed and medallioned or bore 
 some unmistakable impress of nobility upon his brow this 
 ticket had to be produced for careful scrutiny. 
 
 The interior of the Garden blazed and glowed like a huge 
 bower in fairyland. The scene was one of incomparable loveli- 
 ness. It was a veritable fairyland. The whole interior of 
 the structure was hidden 'by freshly cut flowers, principally 
 roses. The upper tier of boxes was a mass of Marechal Niel 
 roses, the next tier a mass of pink roses, and the bottom tier 
 of rich, dark red roses. The Prince and Princess of Wales, 
 and a score of visiting heirs to thrones and princes and grand 
 dukes, sashed, bejeweled and amazingly medallioned, sat in 
 a crimsoned hollow, where a few days before ten boxes had 
 been. 
 
 The ten boxes had been made into one to contain him and 
 his guests, of whom there were some thirty odd. A canopy 
 of heavy crimson satin overhung the space. 
 
 White flowers adorned the royal box, which was surmounted 
 by an enormous floral crown of crimson roses and golden 
 orchids. The box was decorated in the Louis XVI style, 
 the chairs and settees being covered with white and yellow 
 silk. The same materials, fluted and patterned into diamonds, 
 formed the ceiling. 
 
 i The box was a beautiful picture. The Prince of Wales 
 wore the red uniform of a Field Marshal. The Princess, 
 who sat beside him, wore a crown of diamonds and pearls. 
 Her costume was white, embroidered with silver ; upon her 
 head she wore a beautiful diamond tiara, pearls around her 
 neck, and a long row of orders across her bodice. As she 
 
SIR DONALD A. SMITH.-LOED STRATHCONA. 
 
MAJOE-GENEKAL. T. KELLY-KENNY. 
 
IN THE ROYAL BOX. 38 1 
 
 entered the royal box the audience rose and the band played 
 the national anthem. 
 
 Every man and woman in that royal box wore either sash 
 or jewel as emblem of their nobility. The Prince of Naples, 
 who sat in the most conspicuous place in the box, was one 
 shining mass of decorations. The Princess of Naples wore 
 a crown of black pearls so big that they could be counted at 
 a great distance. 
 
 Around them, above them, and below them sat the repre- 
 sentatives of the wealth and aristocracy of England, a clean, 
 glittering, and sweet-smelling throng, and all the rest was a 
 sea of pink roses that hid walls and roof. 
 
 The audience included all the leaders of official and social 
 England, and all of the Ambassadors. 
 
 As soon as they were seated the curtain rose, disclosing 
 the entire cast of the opera, among them Madame Melba 
 and MM. de Reszke, grouped upon the stage. Then fol- 
 lowed such a rendering of the national anthem as it never 
 had before, after which was carried out Mr. Grau's care- 
 fully arranged programme, including the second act of 
 " Tannhaeuser," the third act of Gounod's "Romeo and 
 Juliet," and the fourth act of the " Huguenots." 
 
 The efforts of the singers and the orchestra were received 
 with the greatest enthusiasm, and the performance surpassed 
 in every way the famous gala performance given at Covent 
 Garden for the Emperor of Germany. 
 
 While royalty was thus enjoying itself great crowds viewed 
 the illumination of the city; crowds much greater than those 
 of Tuesday night. The processional route and the side streets 
 were packed with every conceivable sort of vehicle, from 
 coster's cart and tumbril to handsomely appointed coaches, 
 
382 ILLUMINATION OF THE CITY. 
 
 private open carriages and omnibuses, specially chartered 
 for the occasion, carrying ladies and gentlemen in full even- 
 ing dress. 
 
 In many parts where the police diverted the traffic into the 
 side streets, men, and sometimes women, could be seen 
 leaving their carriages and mingling with the crowd, in order 
 to get a better view. 
 
 At the West End the route from the Strand to St. James 
 Street was packed to suffocation. The heat was intense, 
 many women fainted, and the ambulances were kept busy. 
 
 Trafalgar Square was the centre of an immense throng, 
 and the police had hard work to keep the people moving. 
 The route along which members of the royal family drove to 
 and from Covent Garden Opera House was kept clear, but 
 the sidewalks were crammed by the populace. 
 
 The day's festivities were brought to an end by an illumi- 
 nation of the palace. 
 
 The Queen rode in pompous state through miles of packed 
 and shouting subjects on Tuesday. Thursday the Princess 
 of Wales walked in all simplicity between two long tables 
 and patted little cripples on the head. 
 
 To the contemplative mind the Princess' dinner to the 
 poorest of the poor was a more striking incident of the 
 Jubilee than the great procession. No illumination of the 
 night flashed as brightly as did the eyes of the one thousand 
 six hundred tiny sufferers whom the Princess smiled upon. 
 
 The Lord Mayor was not as proud when the Queen touched 
 the sword he bore at Temple Bar as the tiny hunchback was 
 when the Princess cut for him roast beef, which was too much 
 for weakling hands to master. 
 
 No episode of Tuesday night's state banquet was more 
 
"POOREST OF THE POOR." 383 
 
 impressive than that of Thursday noon, when a little club- 
 footed Briton, with dirty hands, lifted a glass of lemonade and 
 drank the health of the Prince of Wales. Smiling the Prince 
 reached to a vacant place, and, lifting another glass, raised it 
 to the cripple as meaningly as the future king of England 
 could drink from a gold cup to a Continental monarch. 
 
 From one end of London to the other marvelous feasts 
 began at noon. Almost five hundred thousand of the poorest 
 of the poor partook this day of what is thought to have been 
 the biggest dinner since the world began. It was served in 
 a hundred halls, while thousands of the aged and infirm were 
 bountifully fed in their own homes. 
 
 When the Princess first conceived the scheme she wrote to 
 the Lord Mayor, who had charge of the jubilee arrange- 
 ments : 
 
 " There seems to me to be one class which has been over- 
 looked, namely, the poorest of the poor in the slums of Lon- 
 don. Might I plead for these that they may have some share 
 in the festivities of the day ?" 
 
 She pleaded so effectively that the London folk gave 
 ;^250,ooo (^1,250,000) to a fund that she started, and the 
 fund furnished good dinners to one-sixth as many people as 
 there is in New York City, people who had forgotten or never 
 had known how it feels to have a stomach full. 
 
 The phrase " poorest of the poor " meant much in London, 
 where one of every four spends a part of his life in the 
 workhouse. But it also meant much to be a guest of the 
 Princess of Wales. No bejeweled lady ever more heartily 
 appreciated the latter fact than the paupers did, and bejeweled 
 ladies cannot know the joy of filling empty stomachs, so the 
 paupers had the better of it. 
 
384 THE people's palace. 
 
 The biggest as well as the most Interesting of the many 
 separate dinners was that given to ©ne thousand six hundred 
 crippled children at the People's Palace. 
 
 The People's Palace rises fine and large in the most 
 poverty-haunted part of the woeful East End. It was made 
 by the novel, All Sorts and Conditions of Men, but nothing 
 which Walter Besant wrote in that marvelous book is so 
 strange as was the sight in the building it built. 
 
 When the little ones were brought up to the great doors, 
 so deformed that they must needs be carried in, it reminded 
 one of Lourdes' great shrine in the south of France, where 
 could be seen such horrors as Dante never dreamed of. 
 But a brief glance at the sparkling eyes and smiling lips of 
 the wee sufferers was enough to dispel a comparison. Here 
 was childish joy ; there, weary sorrow. 
 
 Half an hour before the feast began all were in their places 
 — most of them happily expectant of the greatest treat that 
 their pain-wracked lives had ever known, but in the tiresome 
 time of waiting some grew frightened and set up piping 
 wails, while others, appalled by too long contemplation of 
 unwonted gorgeousness around them, tortured by agony and 
 overcome by weakness, fainted in their chairs and were gently 
 taken out almost at the moment the Prince and Princess, 
 accompanied by two of their daughters, entered the hall. 
 
 Britons to the death, the whole company of little cripples 
 tried to rise, but alas ! there were too many. Not less piti- 
 fully Impressive were the wailing notes of the national 
 anthem piped out by one thousand six hundred little voices, 
 most of them shrilled by suffering. The beautiful, bountiful 
 Princess wept and smiled. 
 
 The Prince on Tuesday, in the great parade, red-coated 
 
A PATHETIC INCIDENT. 3S5 
 
 and gold-laced, looked fat and stupid. Thursday, when tears 
 rolled down his cheeks in answer to a pathetic salutation, it 
 seemed that England's future king was not such a bad fellow 
 after all. 
 
 The Princess, dressed in creamy muslin and heliotrope 
 silk, nodded and smiled through tears as she passed between 
 the tables, and the spirit of the mother shone in her kindly 
 face when she patted half-a-dozen little cripples on the head. 
 Sometimes she stopped and asked about the health of some 
 poor little fellow, a question which was all too plainly 
 answered by the peaked face and crippled body. 
 
 Ideally she fulfilled the part of the good fairy — ideally the 
 children played the parts of innocence, overwhelmed at sight 
 of wonderland marvels. 
 
 The speeches were mercifully brief. Then came the din- 
 ner. Each child got a plate of hot roast beef, vegetables, 
 puddings, oranges and lemonade — such sumptuous fare as 
 never was known before. 
 
 Not the least pathetic incident of this unique banquet oc- 
 curred just before the royal party left the platform. A few 
 feeble cheers showed that something was happening. Two 
 tiny cripples were seen carrying huge bouquets toward the 
 Princess. They were among the most nearly robust in the 
 room, but were almost unequal to the task. At the end they 
 were lifted to the platform by willing hands. 
 
 Four present, the Prince, the Princess and the two little 
 cripples, were weeping when the episode ended. As the 
 Princess left she said, sorrowfully, to Earl Compton : " Poor, 
 poor little ones ! If I only could do more for them." 
 
 The Princess visited three dinners in all. At Clerkenwell 
 there was a miscellaneous crowd of men, women, and chil- 
 23 -~ 
 
CLOSING DAYS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 GREAT CELEBRATION. 
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 ON June 25th the Queen drove to Windsor Park and 
 visited six thousand school children who were cele- 
 brating her Majesty's jubilee. The Queen seemed in excellent 
 health and spirits and smilingly conversed with those around 
 her, evidently much pleased at the children's gathering. Each 
 child wore a commemorative medal, and finally all joined in 
 singing the National Anthem. 
 
 Later the Queen received delegates from fire brigades 
 belonging to all parts of the kingdom. The parade was one 
 of the largest ever held in England. There were twelve 
 thousand men in line and one hundred engines. The Duke 
 of Marlborough, as president of the National Fire Brigade, 
 presented the officers to the Queen. 
 
 While the Queen and the Empress Frederick were dining 
 in the evening a thousand Eton boys, with bands of music, 
 entered the quadrangle of the castle and gave an exhibition 
 of torchlight evolutions and fireworks. The charming spec- 
 tacle was watched by the Queen and the members of the 
 royal household from the castle windows. 
 
 The Lord Mayor, Sir George Fau del-Philips, gave a 
 luncheon in the afternoon at Mansion House to all the 
 princes and princesses, British and foreign, who were in the 
 jubilee procession and to the special envoys with the rank 
 of ambassador and to part of the Diplomatic Corps. Great 
 388 
 
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL J. D, P. FRENCH. 
 
LUNCHEON AT THE MANSION HOUSE. 389 
 
 crowds of people watched the arrival and departure of the 
 guests, who were, warmly cheered. 
 
 Among those present were the United States special Am- 
 bassador, Whitelaw Reid, and Mrs. Reid, and United States 
 Ambassador Hay and Mrs. Hay. 
 
 The guests were entertained in the Egyptian Hall. The 
 lofty doomed roof, richly ornamented with heavy moldings, 
 supported on massive, fluted, golden columns, contrasted 
 finely with the pretty tinted walls, patterned in Egyptian 
 designs. 
 
 The Honorable Artillery Company furnished the guard of 
 honor. 
 
 The Lord Mayor took in the Princess of Naples, the Prince 
 of Naples had the Lady Mayoress on his arm, the Prince of 
 Wales escorted the Grand Duchess of Hesse, and the Grand 
 Duke of Hesse gave his arm to the Princess of Wales. 
 The Prince of Wales* toast to the Queen met with an enthu- 
 siastic response. 
 
 The Lord Mayor toasted the foreign envoys, and the 
 Prince of Naples and Marshal Devoust, the special envoy 
 of France, replied. 
 
 The Prince of Wales toasted the Lord Mayor and Lady 
 Mayoress, and the luncheon ended with a toast to the Prince 
 of Wales. 
 
 Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian Premier, reviewed the 
 Canadian troops at Chelsea. At the close of the evolutions 
 the Premier said : 
 
 " In behalf of the government and people of Canada I 
 congratulate you upon your splendid appearance, and upon 
 the good reports I have heard of you from all sides. As 
 Canadians, we all hope that war will never break out, but I 
 
390 ENTERTAINED AT LANSDOWNE HOUSE. 
 
 express the feelings of all present in saying that if it should 
 be the misfortune of the empire to go to war, the Canadian 
 troops will be quite as ready to go on the battlefield and 
 give a good account of themselves as they have been to 
 appear on parade this morning. 
 
 " In my own behalf I desire to heartily thank you for your 
 splendid appearance and good conduct, and I shall imme- 
 diately report to the government of Canada the excellent 
 accounts I have heard of you." 
 
 Colonel Aylmer then called for three cheers for the Pre- 
 mier, which were heartily given. 
 
 By invitation of Sir Henry Irving seven hundred of the 
 colonial troops now in this city witnessed a special perform- 
 ance at the Lyceum theatre. 
 
 In the evening the Marquis of Lansdowne, Secretary of 
 State for War, gave a banquet at the sculpture gallery 
 of Lansdowne House, at which were present the Prince and 
 Princess of Wales, Ambassador Hay and Mrs. Hay, Special 
 Envoy Reid and almost all the other envoys, and foreign 
 princes now in London, the Duke and Duchess of Devon- 
 shire, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, the Marquis 
 and Marchioness of Londonderry, the Marquis and Mar- 
 chioness of Salisbury, the Earl of Rosebery, Lord and Lady 
 Wolseley, and other persons of high rank. 
 
 Lansdowne House contains one of the finest private col- 
 lections of ancient sculptures in the world. Most of the 
 pieces were discovered during the excavations at the villa of 
 Emperor Hadrian, The collections of paintings by old mas- 
 ters is almost equally fine. It was amid this array of classic 
 and mediaeval beauty that the banquet was served. 
 
 Later in the evening most of the guests, including the 
 
OFF TO THE SEA-COAST. 39 1 
 
 Prince and Princess of Wales, attended a brilliant ball given 
 in an immense marquee by the Duke of Westminster. The 
 marquee was erected in front of Grosvenor House, lined with 
 red and white carpets and hung with Gobelin tapestries. The 
 supper was served a la Russe, at small round tables. The floral 
 decorations and illuminations were beautiful. I 
 
 With the dawn of Friday the scene of action was trans- 
 ferred to the sea-coast, where everything was in readiness for 
 tlie morrow's great naval spectacle. Portsmouth, Southsea, 
 and their environs repeated London's jubilee fever. 
 
 Decorations were universal, profuse, and distinctly naval, 
 notably at the gateway of the gun-wharf, where brass cannon 
 were mounted in two turrets and in charge of pikemen in full 
 armor. Matchlocks protruded from the port-holes. On the 
 outside buttresses were figures of pikemen, while over the 
 gateway was a knight in the full armor of the Queen Anne 
 period. 
 
 In addition to these were all sorts ^of jubilee devices, formed 
 of Brown Bess pistols, sword blades, matchlocks, cuirasses, 
 and dirks. Armed knights in the panoply of the sixteenth 
 and seventeenth centuries guarded the gateway. 
 
 The town hall was richly decorated, among the decora- 
 tions being a group of American flags with the name 
 " Brooklyn " in the centre. 
 
 The festivities began in the afternoon with a garden party 
 given by Sir Newell Salmon, who was in supreme command 
 of the review. 
 
 At night a banquet was given at the town hall, at which 
 George J. Goschen, First Lord of the Admiralty, presided. 
 The officers of the " Brooklyn " were present. 
 
 The banquet was preceded by a reception, a naval guard 
 
392 BANQUET AT THE TOWN HALL. 
 
 of honor lining the main approaches and presenting arms as 
 the guests arrived. All the latter wore uniforms and deco- 
 rations. Covers were laid for two hundred and fifty. Prince 
 Henry of Prussia sat next to Mr. Goschen. 
 
 The hall was splendidly decorated, the main feature of the 
 decorations being a bust of the Queen, surrounded by a huge 
 wreath made to represent the rose, the thistle, and the sham- 
 rock, and formed of side arms. It was surmounted by a 
 royal crown, studded with incandescent lamps to represent 
 jewels. 
 
 Around the hall were shields bearing the names of the 
 foreign warships that were present at the review. 
 
 Mr. Goschen proposed the usual loyal toast to the Queen, 
 which was received with great enthusiasm, and then the 
 health of the foreign naval visitors. He gave them a hearty 
 welcome, and dwelt upon the comradeship of naval men the 
 world over, arising out of the common dangers, common 
 hardships, common experience, common courage, and com- 
 mon endurance. Admiral Von Spawn, of the Austrian Navy, 
 proposed the toast to the British Navy, and Mr. Goschen 
 responded. 
 
 At last the day of the great naval review was at hand. 
 After a threatening morning the weather brightened and a 
 brilHant day was vouchsafed. The streets were thronged 
 with people at an early hour, and on all sides were to be 
 seen bewildering masses of glittering uniforms, gay multi- 
 tudes of civilians, military bands and sailors of all ranks and 
 nationalities. 
 
 The colonial troops arrived at 8 o'clock, and were met at 
 the railroad station by a military guard of honor. Then, 
 headed by military bands, they marched to the town hall, 
 
feko£>US OF LONDONERS. 393 
 
 where the Lord Mayor and Corporation of Portsmouth, in 
 full robes of office, welcomed the visitors. The soldiers 
 from the colonies received a great popular ovation. Their 
 march from the station to the town hall and from the town 
 hall to the point of embarkment was nothing less than a 
 triumphal progress. » 
 
 Some idea of the exodus of Londoners to the naval re-j 
 view can be gathered from the fact that the London & South- 
 western Railroad alone dispatched from Waterloo Station, 
 between five and ten o'clock in the morning thirty-seven 
 special trains, having on board over 18,500 passengers, 
 besides duplicating all their regular passenger trains, each 
 of which was crowded. 
 
 During the morning the excursion steamers, densely 
 crowded to the rails, were busy steaming in and out of 
 the lines of ships, dodging about, manoeuvering for good 
 positions, and generally behaving in eccentric fashion, re- 
 sembling nothing so much as a lot of huge water spiders. 
 
 There were craft of every possible description, from the 
 great Atlantic and Australian liners, cross-channel packets, 
 Norway excursion steamers, Mediterranean cruisers, old 
 paddle boats, and dirty tugs, to smart yachts, dainty electric 
 launches and fishermen's dingies, venturesome canoes, and 
 many a rowboat. 
 
 The American line steamship " New York," with a large 
 party of sightseers on board, left Southampton at five o'clock 
 the previous evening and took up the position assigned to 
 her in the line of special merchant vessels. As the American 
 greyhound traversed the lines of British warships, with the 
 stars and stripes flying proudly, and a fine band playing 
 national airs, each warship dipped her flag, and she was 
 
394 DECORATIONS OF THE SHIPS. 
 
 greeted with hearty cheers from the many thousands of blue 
 jackets manning the fleet. As the " New York " passed the 
 German warship, ** Konig Wilhelm," the latter's band played 
 *' Hail Columbia." 
 
 The decorations of the shipping hotchpotch were as varie- 
 gated as the crafts they adorned. The stately liners were 
 trimmed with a near approach to what is possible in ships, 
 and the long string of flags from stem to taffrail showed 
 up effectively against the morning sky. The smart yachts 
 were daintily beflagged. 
 
 At eight o'clock, on signal from the " Renown," Admiral 
 Sir Howell Salmon's flagship, there broke out on every war 
 vessel a perfect eruption of color. Each ship spread every 
 inch of bunting it possessed — streamers from every spar, 
 and rainbows over all. The flags were mainly signals of the 
 international and naval codes, and their multiform colors 
 added perceptibly to an ensemble which was as striking as it 
 was theatrical. 
 
 The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Admiral, the Duke 
 of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Captain, his Royal High- 
 ness, the Duke of York, the Princess of Wales, and other 
 royalties, with their suites, arrived at Portsmouth at one 
 o'clock. The party immediately proceeded on board the 
 royal yacht ** Victoria and Albert," in which, forty-one years 
 ago, her Majesty inspected the fleet. 
 
 The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 
 the Duke of Cambridge, and all the admirals were in uni- 
 form, and the Princess of Wales, Princess Victoria of Wales, 
 and Princess Charles, of Denmark, her daughters, wore white 
 flannel yachting dresses and white straw hats. 
 
 The other royalties present were : 
 
THE ROYAL YACHTS. 39^ 
 
 Ex-Empress Frederick of Germany; the Duke of Con- 
 naught ; the Duchess of Albany and her children ; the Prince 
 Christian of Schleswig-Holstein ; the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg 
 and Gotha; Grand Duke Sergius, of Russia; Prince Charles 
 of Denmark, in a naval uniform ; Prince Albrecht, of Prussia ; 
 the Crown Prince of Naples ; Grand Duke Francis Ferdi- 
 nand, of Austria ; Prince Henry, of Prussia ; Prince Frederick 
 Charles, of Hesse ; Prince Rupert, of Bavaria ; Prince Mo- 
 hammed Ali Khan, of Egypt ; Prince Aresugawa, of Japan ; 
 Prince Danillo, of Montenegro ; Grand Duke Cyril, of Rus- 
 sia ; Prince Frederick, of Saxony ; Prince Eugene, of Sweden 
 and Norway ; Prince Albert, of Wurtemburg ; the Duke of 
 Fife ; Prince Waldemar, of Denmark ; Prince Albert, of 
 Schleswig-Holstein ; Prince Victor, of Schleswig-Holstein ; 
 Prince Schaumburg-Lippe, the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg- 
 Strelitz ; Prince Edward, of Saxe-Welmar ; Prince Fernan- 
 dina, of Bulgaria ; Prince Hohenlohe-Lengenburg, the Grand 
 Duke of Luxemburg, and a large number of other titled 
 personages. 
 
 After lunching on board, at 2.30, the "Victoria and Albert," 
 with the principal royalties, left the harbor for Spithead. She 
 was followed by the yacht " Irene," by the " Pando," the 
 ** Carthage," and the " Elfin," an admiralty yacht, these ves- 
 sels carrying the distinguished foreign visitors. 
 
 Then came the " Enchantress," an admiralty yacht, with 
 George J. Goschen, First Lord of the Admiralty, and after 
 her the admiralty's yacht " Wildfire," with Mr. Chamberlain, 
 the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the colonial pre- 
 miers. She was followed by the " Eldorado," carrying the 
 ambassadors and special envoys. Then came the " Danube," 
 with the members of the House of Lords ; the " Campania," 
 
396 THE OFFICERS RECEIVED. 
 
 with the members of the House of Commons, and the " Fire 
 Queen," the yacht of the commander-in-chief at Ports- 
 mouth. 
 
 As the "Albert and Victoria " was seen approaching, the 
 fleet, led by the " Renown," and echoed by the foreign vessels 
 present, fired a deafening royal salute of twenty-one guns. 
 
 Simultaneously the blue jackets and marines "manned 
 ship," standing on the ironclads in solid lines round their 
 outer edges and filling their tops, while on vessels of the older 
 types the yards were quickly dotted by men. 
 
 The " Victoria and Albert," followed by the other yachts, 
 then steamed through the lines, the sailors heartily cheering 
 and the bands playing " God Save the Queen." The "Vic- 
 toria and Albert" afterward anchored between the "Re- 
 nown " and the foreign war vessels. 
 
 Immediately the steam launches of the foreign commanders 
 left the sides of the big ships and made for the " Victoria 
 and Albert," on the quarter-deck of which the commanding 
 officers were received by the Prince of Wales. 
 
 This was one of the prettiest sights of the day. As the 
 craft bearing the admirals passed the different warships the 
 bugles sounded, the bands played, and the marines presented 
 arms. 
 
 All the admirals, with the exception of Rear- Admiral Miller, 
 went in their steam pinnaces. Admiral Miller went in his 
 barge, the seaman of the " Brooklyn " rowing so finely that 
 they provoked approving comments on all sides for their skill 
 and sailor-like appearance. 
 
 The Prince of Wales received Admiral Miller and his staff 
 with special cordiality, and complimented him upon the ap- 
 pearance of the " Brooklyn." 
 
A MAGNIFICENT FLEET. 397 
 
 It is generally admitted that the '* Brooklyn " presented the 
 smartest appearance of any of the foreign ships. Everything 
 about her was spotlessly clean, she was beautifully decorated 
 with flags, her crew were trim and alert, and her salute was 
 fired with the greatest precision and regularity. 
 
 The most magnificent fleet of warships ever seen was that 
 reviewed off Spithead. 
 
 Over one hundred and sixty vessels, or more than one- 
 third of the British Navy were in line, carrying about nine 
 hundred heavy guns, manned by about forty-five thousand 
 men, and having a gross tonnage of six hundred thousand. 
 
 In addition, each of the great maritime nations sent its 
 best available ship to the review, and a magnificent display 
 resulted. 
 
 The huge fleet was drawn up in seven lines on the south 
 of the Solent, the head of the lines being off Brading, thence 
 stretching westward almost to Cowes. The outer line of all 
 on either side of the Sturbridge Shoal, and known as " E " 
 line, was composed of fourteen special merchant vessels, 
 whereof the American Liner " New York " was one. Next, 
 in "A" line, were the foreign men-of-war. " B," " C," " D," 
 " F," and " G " lines consisted entirely of British men-of-war 
 from the " Majestic " and " Renown," the latest class type of 
 battleships, down to the smallest torpedo boat — in all, one hun- 
 dred and sixty-six craft. " B " and " C " lines were made up 
 exclusively of battleships and cruisers of the first and second 
 class ; " D," of third-class cruisers, gun-vessels, and torpedo- 
 gunboats ; " F," of destroyers, gunboats, and sailing training 
 brigs, while *' G " line was of torpedo boats. All the lines 
 except " G," were approximately five miles in length. 
 
 Among the battleships nine types were represented, the 
 
398 BRITISH BATTLESHIPS. 
 
 first of these being the " Majestic " type, the latest and most 
 powerful model of British battleships, carrying four 12-inch 
 fifty-ton guns. Some of the others present had heavier 
 armament, not only the " Benbow " and " Sanspareil," each 
 possessing a iii-ton gun. There were four of the "Royal 
 Sovereign " type. The " Renown " was the only one of her 
 type, the distinctive feature being a huge centre battery. 
 
 The "Admiral " class of vessel was represented by the 
 " Collingwood," the unfortunate " Howe," and the " Benbow." 
 The "Alexandra " class, nearly twenty years old, the " Devas- 
 tation" type, with their revolving turrets, were also in evidence, 
 as were the classes of which the " Inflexible," " Thunderer," 
 and ** Sanspareil " are specimens. 
 
 Two types were shown in the cruiser class. The " Power- 
 ful " and ** Terrible," the two fastest British cruisers afloat, 
 were the most interesting. 
 
 The enormous advance made both in the number and con- 
 struction of the ships of the royal navy cannot better be 
 exemplified than by the fact that of the twenty-one battleships 
 reviewed four only took part in the jubilee ceremony of 1887, 
 while of the forty-three cruisers present, not one existed in 
 1887. 
 
 Further, the battleships built before 1887, were armed with 
 muzzle-loading guns, which, though extremely powerful and 
 marvels of their day, have been entirely outclassed by breech- 
 loaders and wire guns. Then, too, the later built vessels are 
 armored by Harveyized steel, which can scarcely be pene- 
 trated in actual warfare, whereas the guns of any of the ships 
 of the " Majestic " class could easily send projectiles through 
 the armor belts of any of the 1887 squadron. 
 
 One of the most remarkable things in the last few years is 
 
INTERNATIONAL NAVAL EXHIBITION. 399 
 
 the tremendous increase of expenditures in the navy, follow- 
 ing upon a tardy recognition of the greater importance of 
 this arm of defense. 
 
 The British fleet and all other fleets have so changed in 
 character during the last sixty years that no useful compari- 
 sons can be made between now and then. 
 
 The Spithead review of 1897 ^^s regarded as a great 
 international naval exhibition, from which the seamen and 
 constructors of the various nations carried away much valua- 
 ble information. 
 
 The waters of the Solent had previously witnessed many 
 magnificent reviews. On April 23d, 1850, at the close of the 
 Crimean War, a review was held there when there were 
 columns of screw line of battleships, at that period the latest 
 development of naval power — of screw frigates and cor- 
 vettes, a fleet of side-wheel vessels, and of floating batteries 
 of the "Merrimac" type. Four squadrons of one hundred 
 and sixty gunboats, brought up the total number of ships to 
 two hundred and forty. This fleet carried three thousand 
 and two guns, and was of thirty thousand six hundred and 
 seventy-one horse-power. 
 
 Admiral Sir George Seymour was In chief command of 
 this fine fleet, which was reviewed by her Majesty on board 
 the royal yacht " Victoria and Albert." 
 
 The changes In naval architecture which have taken place 
 during the last fifty years have swept away all these wooden 
 vessels, the classes to which they belonged no longer exist, 
 the sole remaining vessel being the royal yacht " Victoria and 
 Albert," which floated the standard of the Prince of Wales at 
 the naval review. 
 
 The next great review held at Spithead was on July 1 7th, 
 
400 ILLUMINATION OF THE FLEET. 
 
 1867, when her Majesty, accompanied by the Sultan of Tur- 
 key, reviewed a fleet of wooden vessels and ironclads, of 
 which the most modern of the latter were the " Minotaur," 
 •' Achilles," " Warrior," " Black Prince," " Bellerophon," and 
 " Lord Clyde," under the command of Sir Thomas Pasley. 
 
 On June 23d, 1875, the waters of Spithead were again the 
 scene of a naval review — this time in honor of his Majesty, 
 the Shah of Persia. 
 
 On August 13th, 1878, her Majesty inspected the fleet at 
 Spithead, and on July 23d, 1887, on the occasion of the 
 Queen's jubilee, a large fleet was again assembled there and 
 reviewed by the sovereign. 
 
 The most modern ships present on that occasion were the 
 " Collingwood," " Imperieuse," and " Conqueror." The fleet 
 was composed of one hundred and thirty- four vessels, the 
 personnel of twenty thousand two hundred officers and men. 
 
 With the coming on of evening there was a most beautiful 
 sight witnessed. 
 
 It was the illumination of the fleet at Spithead, one 
 of the most charming sights of a week of delighting 
 spectacles. The night was pleasantly dark, no moon dimmed 
 the effect of martial creation, the waters of the Solent were 
 reposefuUy quiet — everything contributed to enhance the 
 success of the programme. It was all ghostly, fantastic, sug- 
 gestive of fairyland and the world of magic — a fitting termina- 
 tion to a day of imposing realities and iron facts. The 
 brutal grimness of all the enginery of destruction — savage- 
 looking guns, venomous torpedoes, the veritable teeth of 
 war — was lost in peaceful shadow and softening gloom. 
 
 A minute before nine the miles of waters showed only such 
 lights as are usually associated with shipping, red and greens 
 
A STRIKING FEATURE. 4OI 
 
 of port and starboard, while lights at mastheads, gleams that, 
 like tiny rows of diamonds, showed the ports of passenger 
 craft, with here and there some parti-colored lights that had 
 been lit on private vessels before the time. 
 
 At nine there was a flash — a rocket from the '* Renown " 
 ripped into the dark blue, and, bursting with a shower of 
 splendid stars, signalled the lighting up of the fleet. The 
 stick of the rocket had not turned toward the water ere the 
 mighty fleet was suddenly skeletoned in brilliant yellow light, 
 hulls, smokestacks, spars, and cordage being thrown into 
 strong relief. One particularly pretty effect was produced 
 by the illumination of the United States warship " Brook- 
 lyn." Along her rail was a row of electric lights, while 
 between her funnels were large letters " V. R." and the dates 
 " 1837-97," showing up conspicuously. 
 
 But the most striking feature was " Old Glory "flying from 
 a yardarm. On this, from time to time, the rays of a search- 
 light were thrown, all the other lights of the cruiser in the 
 meanwhile being quenched, thus giving the flag the appear- 
 ance of floating in the air, nothing being visible below. 
 
 A few minutes later the lights vanished with the sudden- 
 ness of their appearance, leaving the spectator staring at the 
 place where they had been. Then the darkness was broken 
 again, this time by numberless search lights with uncanny 
 glare, like the eyes of a hundred Cyclops. Then they were 
 all shut off, leaving the darkness more visible than ever. 
 
 A pause, and the darkness was pierced by hundreds of 
 signal rockets, ambitiously soaring into the blue with mes- 
 sages of jubilation, not disaster, delivering them and fpjllng 
 burnt out and useless into the waste of waters. 
 
 The purpose of this naval exhibition was not to be over- 
 
402 A ROYAL SALUTE. 
 
 looked, however, the might of Britain, its ever-prepared 
 strength, was again to be impressed upon the staring thou- 
 sands. A signal rocket leaped from the *' Renown " and now 
 there was provided an exhibition of what war would be like 
 if ever an immense fleet of battleships and cruisers should 
 engage at night. A royal salute of sixty guns was fired from 
 every ship capable of firing it. Great guns and small guns 
 answered each other in one prolonged roar, rising and falling 
 in intensity as more or less of them fired together. It was 
 truly awful. Even the certain knowledge that there were no 
 deadly missiles in the guns did not prevent a chill feeling 
 from creeping over many of the civilian spectators. 
 
 The foreign warships moored opposite the British lines 
 joined the cannonade, and to the superstitious there was from 
 the deep-throated guns of the United States, Russia, France, 
 Germany, a note of defiance, a resonant resolute answer, gun 
 for gun ! Yet all was in honor of Victoria. Then the angry 
 roaring ceased, much to the relief of thousands who were 
 stopping their ears, and as the panoply of unpleasant smoke 
 slowly drifted away the fleet again stood revealed in fairy 
 lines of lightness. The signs of war were dimming and dis- 
 appearing in the shadows, the gentler side of things was 
 again put to the front to instill into the minds of departing 
 thousands that while the dogs of war were " Ready, aye 
 ready " that after all what the people came out to see was 
 the "triumph of peace and the glory of the Queen." 
 
 The following is a list of the countries represented at the 
 review and of their respective ships and commanding officers : 
 
 France, by the "Pothnau," Rear Admiral the Marquis de 
 Counthllle. 
 
 Italy, by the " Lepante," Vice-Admiral Morin, 
 
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED. 4O3 
 
 Germany, by the " Koenig Wilhelm," Rear Admiral Prince 
 Henry of Prussia, K. G. 
 
 Austria-Hungary, by the ** Wien," Vice-Admiral Hermann, 
 Baron Von Spann. 
 
 Spain, by the " Vizcaya," Rear Admiral Segismundo Barne- 
 joy Merelo. 
 
 Portugal, by the " Vasco Di Gama," Captain Barreto de 
 Vascencelles. 
 
 Netherlands, by the " Evertsen," Rear Admiral F. K. En- 
 gelbrecht. 
 
 Denmark, by the " Heligoland," Rear Admiral H. H. Koch. 
 
 Sweden, by the " Gotha," Rear Admiral Klintberg. 
 
 Norway, by the " Frithjof," Rear Admiral Von Krogh. 
 
 Russia, by the *' Rossia," Rear Admiral Nicholas Skrvdlofif. 
 
 United States, by the " Brooklyn," Rear Admiral J. N. 
 Miller. 
 
 Lieutenant Henry McCrea, the navigator of the United 
 States cruiser " Brooklyn," flagship of Rear Admiral J. N. 
 Miller, gave the following account of the day's ceremonies : 
 
 •* Did ever prince or potentate have a better occasion to 
 feel proud than did the Prince of Wales to-day as he steamed 
 through the lines of vessels gathered here to do honor to the 
 noble Queen and himself? On one side was Britain's own 
 magnificent fleet and on the other a fleet of vessels from each 
 of the maritime nations. All came in the interests of peace 
 and good-will. The British fleet was composed of more 
 classes of vessels than any fleet ever assembled, for they 
 severally present peculiarities fitted to satisfy all conditions 
 of the much varied services required, verily a complete navy 
 in itself. 
 
 " The column of foreign men-of-war was composed of typi- 
 
404 "the 'swan-like' 'Brooklyn.'*' 
 
 cal vessels from several countries. An interesting assem- 
 blage of armored battleships predominated and a comparison 
 of the armaments of similar vessels, say of the ' Indiana ' class 
 in our service, leaves little doubt in my mind of the superi- 
 ority of our own representatives. The * swan-like * ' Brook- 
 lyn,* as a Britisher called her, shines out decidedly as a mark 
 of our advancement in the art of ship-building. She is 
 modern, fast, and generally effective, and her motto, 
 'Right makes might,' is peculiarly fitting. It expresses 
 the sentiment which fired the hearts of the patriots in 1776, 
 as well as represents the advance of civilization. If there is 
 any doubt as to the policy best adapted for our country, a 
 glance at the armament should convince us of the absolute 
 necessity for preparation as well as of the extreme need of 
 moderation before beginning hostilities. Certainly, the 
 material here assembled Is thus far experimental, for few, 
 If any, of the guns were ever fired In anger. Nevertheless, 
 we know their effectiveness against armor-plate, as well as 
 against masonry, so It behooves us to believe In their destruc- 
 tive qualities In war times. 
 
 "Again the question naturally arises, How soon will these 
 very ships, with their modern excellence, become out of date 
 to some of the new improvements ? Fancy what this would 
 mean In England, where even small Inventions must come 
 slowly Into general use, owing to the expense of their adop- 
 tion on such a scale. But this is emphatically a Queen's 
 jubilee. The nations represented at the review came here 
 bearing congratulations and best wishes for the Queen and 
 the English nation. Therefore no talk of war or even of 
 arbitration is heard, attention being called only to the cele- 
 bration. 
 
LAST STATE APPEARANCE. 46^ 
 
 " Much miofht be written of the cordial welcome extended to 
 all foreigners, both ashore and afloat. Our welcome has 
 been apparent even to the lukewarm, and English hospitality 
 will lose nothing of its glamour or prestige through the gal- 
 lant naval officers who are a credit to their country at social 
 as well as military events. 
 
 " The review will be long remembered ; much will be writ- 
 ten about it, probably it will never be duplicated and it will 
 be used as an argument for peace as well as in the shape of 
 a warning to prepare. If so, we should be thankful to all 
 concerned in its management, heartily joining with our Eng- 
 lish cousins in * God save the Queen.* " 
 
 Much disappointment was felt among the British naval 
 officers at the fact that the Queen did not review the fleet in 
 person, especially as she went to Aldershot to review the 
 troops there. 
 
 With the celebration that closed at Aldershot the state 
 appearances of her Majesty were finished ; henceforth for 
 whatever span of life may be left to her. Queen Victoria will 
 confine herself to such Work for the state as can be done at 
 Windsor, Balmoral, or Osborne. All those official functions, 
 drawing rooms, public ceremonies, opening town halls, hos- 
 pitals, and the like, which bring the sovereign face to face 
 with the people, will now be relegated to the Prince and 
 Princess of Wales. 
 
 Her Majesty has witnessed and has been the object of a 
 scene never surpassed in material splendor and moral sig- 
 nificance since the British Empire was created. For the 
 occasion she put aside her own ever present sorrows and 
 griefs in order to join the exultation of the Empire. The 
 result was beyond expectation. Everybody had known that 
 
406 A VISIT TO KENSINGTON. 
 
 the Jubilee would be remarkable, but few realized how great 
 would be the fervor and strength of the popular feeling. The 
 sounds far more than the sights were a revelation. 
 
 The Queen thinks that she has done enough. The unex- 
 ampled devotion to and acceptance of her obligations to her 
 people have, after sixty years, well won her rest, and In so 
 far as the sovereign can, she now proposes to let the burden 
 of responsibility fall on those who must bear It when she 
 passes away. It was the knowledge of this, pathetically 
 mingled with loyalty, that lent such deep interest to the 
 proceedings, fittingly devoted in the first Instance to a visit 
 to Kensington. 
 
 Going to her birthplace, possibly for the last time, revived 
 for the Queen all the sweet associations of childhood, made 
 more solemn to her In that it was here she first knew she was 
 a Queen, and that on this day, fifty-nine years ago, she was 
 crowned. As her Majesty has always cherished with pas- 
 sionate attachment every tender sentiment, to-day's visit was 
 one of mingled pleasure and sadness ; it seemed Indeed a 
 farewell. Her Majesty arrived at Paddington at 12.35 p* ^^ 
 She was In the best of health and walked with less difficulty 
 than usual. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Serglus 
 of Russia and Princess Beatrice of Battenberg occupied seats 
 In her Majesty's carriage. 
 
 The same ceremonies of semi-state progression were ob- 
 served as on her arrival a week before, a commanding officers' 
 escort of the Life Guards being In attendance. The route 
 was by the Bayswater road to Church Street, and via the 
 Mall to Kensington. Such portion of the route as had not 
 already been decorated was furnished forth In the draperies, 
 flags, mottoes, and festoons made so familiar last week in 
 
A GARDEN PARTY. 407 
 
 Other parts of London. Proceeding along Church Street to 
 St. Mary Abbott's a halt was made to receive an address from 
 the inhabitants of her birthplace. Ten thousand children 
 belonging to the elementary schools of Kensington, massed 
 behind the railings of Kensington Gardens, sang the National 
 Anthem while the Queen was passing. 
 
 After receiving the address the procession resumed the 
 route to Buckingham Palace via High Street, Queen's Gate, 
 Kensington Gardens, past the Albert Memorial to Hyde 
 Park corner, thence to the palace. Throughout the entire 
 distance there were dense crowds of spectators, who cheered 
 her Majesty with that astounding vigor to which last week 
 had somewhat accustomed one. The Queen looked im- 
 mensely gratified, smiling and bowing her acknowledgments. 
 
 Her Majesty reached Buckingham Palace at 1.30 p. m., and 
 about 5 o'clock entered the grounds to be present at the gar- 
 den party, for which six thousand invitations had been issued. 
 Her Majesty was received with almost reverential greetings 
 and took up her position, to which she was wheeled from the 
 palace door, in front of a small tent near the lake. The 
 gardens were beautifully arranged. The Queen's watermen 
 were in boats on the lake, the fountains were all playing, re- 
 freshment marquees had been erected at convenient spots, 
 and three bands of music were in attendance. The Queen 
 received many of her guests in her tent and there took leave 
 of the Special Envoys of the foreign powers to the jubilee 
 ceremonies and their suites. 
 
 Among the Americans present were all the members of 
 the United States Special Embassy, excepting Rear Admiral 
 Miller. The Queen returned to Windsor at 7 o'clock. 
 
 The scene at St. Mary Abbott's was exceedingly brilliant, 
 
408 "HOME, SWEET HOME." 
 
 the neighborhood being lavishly decorated. The Marquis 
 and Marchioness of Lome were included in the members of 
 the reception committee. The guards of honor furnished by 
 the Middlesex Volunteers, presented arms and the band 
 played the National Anthem on the arrival of her Majesty. 
 So soon as the Queen's carriage reached the porch, the Mar- 
 quis and Marchioness of Lome approached and greeted her 
 Majesty, after which the chairman of the vestry presented 
 the address, which was contained in a morocco case. 
 
 Her Majesty handed back a written reply to the address, 
 thanking the signers for their loyal and kind expressions, and 
 adding : 
 
 " I gladly renew my association with a place, which as the 
 scene of my birth and summons to the throne, has ever had 
 and will have with me solemn and tender recollections." 
 
 Across the gates of Kensington Palace was a banner on 
 which was inscribed " Home, Sweet Home." 
 
 Her Majesty saw and seemed much affected. 
 
 With the naval review the Jubilee festivities practically 
 ended. It was the biggest week any country ever saw. The 
 ceremonies and decorations cost the British public not less 
 than $10,000,000, while the loss of business by small trades- 
 men was estimated at ^5,000,000, and the cost to the Gov- 
 ernment of entertaining guests and doing its share was not 
 less than $8,000,000. 
 
 The London police were the greatest gainers by the events 
 of the week. Everybody was loud in their praise, and the 
 Queen, in honoring their chiefs, elicited universal approval, 
 nor could there be a doubt to those who have witnessed im- 
 portant festivities in other countries that the dexterity and tact 
 of the London police called for exceptional commendation. 
 
THE BRITON S PAGEANT. 409 
 
 The Briton's colossal pageant, one of the greatest the world 
 ever saw, was completed without a contretemps to mar its 
 success. It was an anxious week for those in authority ; but 
 the whole scheme for the celebration of the Queen's jubilee 
 was largely planned, carefully carried out, and was a triumph 
 for the management and an object lesson in unity for the 
 hosts of guests. The latter saw in the gathering rep- 
 resentative contingents from all parts of the Empire, who 
 gave a meaning and a purpose to the procession, generally 
 lacking in similar displays. 
 
 The pageant was not wholly devised for a mere show ; nor 
 to express what no one could doubt, the ardent loyalty — love 
 of the whole British race for the sagacious woman who had 
 held for sixty years a throne that might have perished under a 
 less judicious occupant. The vastness of the jubilee pageant, 
 the assembling of the Colonial grandees, the pre-eminence 
 given the Prime Ministers of the Colonies, were meant not 
 only to bind the disparate peoples of the Empire in closer 
 union, they were intended to give Continental Europe an 
 object lesson in what they have to meet in case of an en- 
 counter with the stout islanders. Even the marked distinc- 
 tion shown the embassy from the United States was a part 
 of the plan. The United States was thus made to seem a 
 second Britain — a reliance in case the machinations of the 
 Emperors should drive the Briton to stress. Trivial as the 
 manifestation — the pomp, the marching soldiery, the feasts 
 with gold plate and imperial argentry — seemed, they created 
 an immense impression on peoples and States struggling 
 under the mountainous burdens of war preparations. They 
 were naturally forced to reflect, that If a mere show could 
 open British purses In this lavish way, what would the limit 
 
41 BEAUTIFUL AND COSTLY GIFTS. 
 
 be if national life hung in the balance ? It was to prove that 
 British treasure was greater than ever and the British ready- 
 as ever to pour it into a common fund, that the jubilee testi- 
 monial took on its grandiose character. It was a demonstra- 
 tion for peace. 
 
 Incidentally it is of interest to know that the Queen received 
 many beautiful and costly gifts in commemoration of the 
 Diamond Jubilee. 
 
 The Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, 
 the Duke and Duchess of Fife, Prince and Princess Charles 
 of Denmark, and Princess Victoria jointly presented to her 
 a brooch, consisting of one very large white diamond, encir- 
 cled with a diamond row. 
 
 The Duke and Duchess of Coburg, the Duke and Duchess 
 of Connaught, Prince and Princess Christian, the Marquis 
 and Marchioness of Lome, and the Duchesses of Albany 
 and Battenberg united in a gift to her Majesty of a long 
 chain of diamond links, with an imperial crown in the centre, 
 bearing on one side the date 1837 and on the other 1897. 
 The dates are in brilliants. 
 
 The royal household presented to the Queen a large 
 brooch of fine brilliants, having in the centre an exceptionally 
 lustrous pearl, with a fine drop-shaped pearl and chain of 
 brilliants attached, to match the jubilee necklace presented 
 her in 1887 by the Daughters of the Empire. 
 
 Now that the great celebration is at an end ; now that the 
 loyal Britons have done all in their power to show their love 
 and regard for their sovereign, it is not unseemly to say a 
 few words about the object of all this homage and attention. 
 Victoria came to the throne in her girlhood, and at a time 
 when it was the fashion to question all things, to demand of 
 
EMPIRE OF THOUGHT. 4I 1 
 
 every human institution what useful purpose it served in the 
 economy of the world. All has changed since then, and her 
 influence has been felt in everything that obtains for liberty 
 and progress. Nor should we forget that the heritage in 
 the possession of which the Englishman glories to-day is 
 that of the whole Anglo-Saxon race, of the English-speaking 
 people. It is not merely the long reign of a good woman 
 and a gracious Queen that was celebrated, but the growth 
 of the empire of thought, of mental and moral develop- 
 ment, and of political and religious liberty, an empire 
 "wide as Shakespeare's soul, sublime as Milton's imme- 
 morial theme, rich as Chaucer's speech, and fair as Spenser's 
 dream." 
 
 During these long years as a Sovereign, Victoria has 
 learned that " all is not gold that glitters," and that the life 
 of a Queen is not unmixed with sadness. She has learned 
 that death comes to the palace as well as the cot. Sorrow 
 after sorrow has been her lot, and she has borne all her trials 
 with faith and courage. First she was called to part with a 
 wise and devoted mother, then the ideal consort, then the 
 gifted daughter, then the cherished youngest son, then the 
 chivalrous Emperor Frederick, then the husband of Princess 
 Alice, then the second heir to the throne, and finally the life- 
 long partner of her youngest daughter. 
 
 Of the Queen's nine children, seven are now living. The 
 Prince of Wales, the Duke of Connaught, the Duke of 
 Edinburgh, the Ex-Empress Frederick of Germany, the 
 Princess Christian, the Marchioness of Lome, and the Prin- 
 cess Beatrice. These with their various children and grand- 
 children constitute the present royal family. 
 
 In this connection, it may not be out of keeping to pause 
 
412 "HER SIXTY YEARS." 
 
 for a moment to consider the many changes that have taken 
 place during Victoria's reign of sixty years. 
 
 Since Victoria was crowned Queen, seventeen Presidents 
 have occupied the position of Chief Executive in the United 
 States, and many Sovereigns have sat upon European 
 thrones, but unchanged amid all the various vicissitudes 
 which have marked her career, she has remained. To-day 
 her subjects number over four hundred millions of people, 
 and her vast Empire covers an area of over eleven million 
 square miles, an average of one hundred and sixty-five miles 
 of territory a day for the past sixty years, which is to say, she 
 has added more than the bulk of an England proper each 
 year, or an aggregate of seventy Englands in the sixty years. 
 
 The Queen has served her country long and faithfully. 
 At home and in the affairs of State she has exhibited qualities 
 that mark a noble nature. Some one has very fittingly said : 
 *' Her sixty years' reign, the longest of any English Sover- 
 eign, has covered a period of progress and prosperity un- 
 equalled in the annals of history. No other sixty years has 
 seen such strides of science, such marvelous development in 
 education, such wise legislation for the betterment of humanity, 
 such growth in religious tolerance, such miracles of invention, 
 such strengthening of the bonds between nations, such uni- 
 versal advance toward higher living. And this progress has 
 been attained during the reign of a woman — the wise and 
 good Queen Victoria." 
 
 May the evening of her life be henceforth peaceful and 
 serene. 
 

 
 i# 
 
 Cakdinal Manning. 
 
,4 
 
 t 
 
 :^ 
 
 ^^,. 
 
 -4 
 
 QuiiEN Passing Soldiers' Monument. 
 
THE DEATH 
 
 OF 
 
 QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 'TpHE closing scene of Queen Victoria's life was as peace- 
 ful as liad been her illustrious career. She passed 
 away at 6:30 o'clock on the evening of January 22, 1901, at 
 Osborne House, Isle of Wight. Among the mourning fam- 
 ily gathered at her bedside were the Prince of. Wales, now 
 King Edward VII., and the Queen's grandson, the Emperor 
 of Germany. 
 
 This event, which meant so much to the British people in 
 that it caused changes of far-reaching importance, took place 
 quietly, almost gently, upon the anniversary of the death of 
 Queen Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent. 
 
 The end came in a simply furnished room in Osborne 
 House, where the most respected of royal women, living or 
 dead, lay in a great four-posted bed, making a shrunken 
 atom whose aged face and figure were a cruel mockery of 
 the fair girl who in 1837 began to rule over England. 
 Around her were gathered almost every descendant of her 
 line. Well within view of her dying eyes there hung a por- 
 trait of the Prince Consort. It was he who designed the room 
 and every part of the castle. In scarcely audible words the 
 white-haired Bishop of Winchester prayed beside her, as he 
 
 *l An omission of 38 folios is here made in numbering to equalize the unfolioed illustration& 
 
452 THE DKATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 had often prayed w7tli his sovereign, for he was her chaplain 
 at Windsor. With bowed heads the imperious ruler of the 
 German Empire and the man who is now King of England, 
 the woman who has succeeded to the title of Queen, the 
 princes and princesses, and those of less than royal desig- 
 nation, listened to the Bishop's ceaseless prayer. 
 
 Six o'clock passed. The Bishop continued his interces- 
 sion. One of the younger children asked a question in 
 shrill, childish treble and was immediately silenced. The 
 women of the royal family sobbed faintly and the men 
 shuffled uneasily. At exactly 6:30 Sir James Reid held up 
 his hand, and the people in the room knew that England 
 had lost her Queen. The Bishop pronounced the bene- 
 diction. 
 
 The Queen passed away quite peacefully. She suflfered 
 no pain. Those who were now mourners went to their 
 rooms. A few minutes later the inevitable element of 
 materialism stepped into this pathetic chapter of inter- 
 national history, for the court ladies went busily to work 
 ordering their mourning from London. 
 
 The wheels of the world were jarred when the announce- 
 ment came, but in this palace at Osborne everything pur- 
 sued the usual course. Down in the kitchen they were 
 cooking a huge dinner for an assemblage the like of which 
 has seldom been known in England, and the dinner prepara- 
 tions proceeded just as if nothing had happened. 
 
 For several days previous to the death of the Queen the 
 people watched with deepest concern the bulletins at Osborne. 
 On the last day it became evident that the end was near, the 
 watchers at the lodge gates waiting nervously. Suddenly 
 along the drive from the house came a horseman, who cried, 
 
Tun DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 453 
 
 " the Queen is dead ! " as He dashed tiirougli the crowds. 
 Then down the hillside rushed a myriad of messengers, 
 passing the fateful bulletin from one to another, and soon 
 the surrounding country knew that a King ruled over Great 
 Britain. The local inhabitants walked as if in a dream 
 through the streets of Cowes, but they did not hesitate to 
 stop to drink the health of the new monarch. 
 
 When the 4 p. m. bulletin announced that the Queen was 
 sinking all the watchers at the gates of Osborne House made 
 up their minds to remain to the end. The cold was intense 
 and a few favored ones sought shelter in the royal lodge, 
 just inside, where they waited in absolute silence. The 
 telephone bell rang at 7:04 p. m., but before a royal servant 
 had time to take the message the chief of the Queen's police 
 emerged from the darkness, and with bared head said : 
 
 " Gentlemen, the Queen passed away at 6:30." 
 
 An official message was placed on the table after a brief 
 delay, and meantime the news had been flashed wherever all 
 over the world the wires tell of civilization. The day had 
 been cloudy, chilly, darkly overcast, but soon after the event 
 the air was clear and the stars shone brilliantly, a reminder, 
 those on the spot discussed, that it was " Queen's weather " — 
 her sorrows and cares over. 
 
 One of the voices not often heard in London, that appeals 
 to the imagination and makes an impression of the pro- 
 foundest solemnity and awe, is the tolling of the great bell 
 (" Ben ") of St. Paul's Cathedral, the gift of King William 
 II. The tradition is that the big bell never is heard save at 
 the death of the sovereign of England or the heir apparent 
 to the throne, but that is a mistake. The grand old bell is 
 tolled for the death of all royal personages, for Lord Mayors 
 
454 THE DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 of London and tlie Arclibisliops of Canterbury and of 
 London. 
 
 The news of tlie death of the Queen reached London in 
 this form : 
 
 " Osborne, 6:45 p. m. — My beloved mother has just passed 
 away, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. 
 
 "Albert Edward." 
 
 The Lord Mayor replied to the Prince of Wales : 
 
 "Your Royal Highness's telegram announcing the na- 
 tion's great loss I have received with profound distress and 
 grief, and have communicated this most sad intimation to 
 my fellow-citizens. Her Majesty's name and memory will 
 forever live in the hearts of her people. 
 
 " May I respectfully convey to Your Royal Highness and 
 to all the members ©f the royal family the earnest sym- 
 pathy and condolence of the City of London in your great 
 sorrow." 
 
 A quarter of an hour later more than a thousand news- 
 boys had invaded the streets with black-ruled newspapers, 
 crying, " Death of the Queen," while through the dark 
 streets boomed the deep-toned notes of " Big Ben," the big 
 bell of St. Paul's. The tolling continued for two hours, at 
 intervals of a minute, and could be heard for miles in direc- 
 tion of the wind. 
 
 Just as the bell began to toll crowds gathered in front of 
 the cathedral around the spot where the Queen had prayed 
 on the sixtieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. 
 They were gazing reverently at the spot when the bell 
 began. 
 
 Expressive of sympathy, the flag on the Washington 
 White House was half-masted and the example followed on 
 
THE DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 455 
 
 all the public buildings in Wasbington and all American 
 cities. It was the first time tbe death of a foreign public 
 personage bad been recognized by tbe lowering of tbe flag 
 on tbe residence of tbe President of tbe United States. 
 
 In tbe House of Representatives, Mr. Hitt, of Illinois, 
 Chairman of tbe Committee on Foreign Relations, reported 
 these resolutions : 
 
 ''''Resolved^ That tbe House of Representatives of the 
 United States of America has learned with profound regret 
 of the death of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and sympa- 
 thizes with her people in the loss of their beloved sovereign. 
 
 " Resolved^ That the President be requested to communi- 
 cate this expression of sentiment of the House to the gov- 
 ernment of Great Britain, and that, as a further mark of 
 respect to the memory of Queen Victoria, the House do now 
 adjourn." 
 
 Not an intimation of dissent was made. 
 
 The resolution on the death of the Queen passed by the 
 Senate of the United States, without comment and unani- 
 mously, was drawn by tbe venerable Senator Morgan, of 
 Alabama, as follows : 
 
 ^^ Resolved^ That the death of Her Royal and Imperial 
 Majesty Victoria, of noble virtues and great renown, is sin- 
 cerely deplored by the Senate of the United States of 
 America." 
 
 Tbe day after tbe death of the Queen an officer in position 
 to hear tbe words of those guarding the body and to witness 
 the progress of arrangements said the bed on which she 
 died was removed to another and larger room and Her 
 Majesty reposed on it, her face turned slightly to the right 
 in the direction of the windows opening on tbe waves of the 
 \ 
 
456 THE DKATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 Solent. THe face under a thin veil was white and statue- 
 like. It told nothing of age or suffering. The forlorn ex- 
 pression that marked Her Majesty's countenance when last 
 she drove around the village had disappeared. The Queen's 
 hands were crossed and her wedding ring showed on her 
 left hand. The bed was covered with flowers — snowdrops, 
 lilies of the valley and evergreens. Two Indian servants 
 were on guard, one on each side at the head of the bed. 
 
 At St. Paul's Cathedral there was an exceptionally large 
 congregation, and prayers for the royal family were changed 
 to read, "for Our Sovereign Lord, the King," and further on, 
 "for the Queen Consort, the Duke and Duchess of York, 
 and all the royal family." 
 
 The death of the Queen on the Isle of Wight enabled the 
 Navy to play a great part in the ceremonies attending the 
 removal of the body of the Queen to Portsmouth to take the 
 cars for London. A somber pageant of warships was intro- 
 duced. The modern battle-liners have not, as a rule, good 
 looks to commend them. But what is lacking in beauty 
 they make up in formidableness. The waters between the 
 Isle of Wight and England, forming a part of the channel, 
 are so broad as to hold the entire Navies of Burope if they 
 could be assembled. A curious change of scenery is wit- 
 nessed there. The shifting of scenes is by the rising or 
 falling of the tide. The difference from high to low water- 
 mark is about fifteen feet. The night before the naval 
 pageantry attending the removal of the coffin of the Queen 
 to the greater island, there was a vast brilliant crescent seen 
 from Portsmouth — the lights of the ships that were formed 
 in due time in two lines, the royal yacht with the English 
 oak coffin of the Queen passing through the broad street of 
 
THE DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 457 
 
 floating iron castles. The ships are on such occasions an- 
 chored at such distances that they cannot run into and 
 destroy each other. 
 
 In deference to Her Majesty, the salutes fired in her 
 honor for many years when she visited her Navy have been 
 with small brass pieces. The shock of the great guns, even 
 with light charges, was too much for Her Majesty's nerves, 
 and the naval shows at her jubilees did not meet public ex- 
 pectations because they were so ugly, and the general 
 silence, broken only by the music of distant bands and the 
 small guns for salutes, did not appeal to sight or sound as a 
 high and mighty festival. The ceremony at the Diamond 
 Jubilee of the Queen might have served as a rehearsal for her 
 funeral. There were then 108 thunder-strikers in the lines 
 of battleships, and the royal yacht moved through the grim 
 array in a stately, easy way, the royal standard flying and 
 the pop-guns saluting. 
 
 American readers may be puzzled to understand the sev- 
 eral stages of the journey of the Queen in her coffin. It was 
 from the deathbed at Osborne House to the tomb near 
 Windsor. Passing through Cowes, crossing the restful 
 home of the British Navy at anchor, taking the cars at 
 Portsmouth to London, entering the great city at the Vic- 
 toria Station, passing through the principal thoroughfares, 
 and taking the train at Paddington Station to Windsor, and 
 thence to the marble grave. The first move was from the 
 chapel at Osborne, through the lanes to the landing, and then 
 by the yacht Alberta, crossing the Solent. The Queen's 
 Highlanders, wearing short blue jackets with silver buttons, 
 the royal Stuart tartan and kilts and white horse-hair 
 sporrans, entered the royal doorway at 1:20 o'clock. Ten 
 
458 THE DEATH OP QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 minutes later, througli tlie glass porcli, tlie cloaked coffin 
 was borne into the sunlight and placed on the gun carriage. 
 Then came the Queen's male descendants, the naval and 
 military equerries in white plumed hats and full uniform, 
 wearing their orders, moved on either side of the gun car- 
 riage. Behind the Queen's sons and her Emperor grandson 
 were her daughters and granddaughters, three in each of 
 three rows, " Princess Beatrice sobbing and the Duchess of 
 Albany holding and comforting her. The grenadier 
 guards, in extended formation, escorted the coffin into the 
 royal avenue, where the Queen's pipers opened with the 
 funeral dirge of the Black Watch," as an eye-witness 
 writes. 
 
 The first stage of the last journey of Her late Majesty was 
 the most impressive, because more homelike and homely, the 
 least formal and the closest to nature and humanity, of all. 
 King Edward and Emperor William, Queen Alexandra and 
 all the descendants of the Queen present, walked the road 
 described as muddy from Osborne to Cowes. There were 
 ten of the royal women in plain black gowns. The road was 
 lined on both sides by volunteer soldiers with much metal 
 and color in their uniforms. Julian Ralph writes that there 
 was at this point " an unparalleled eruption of photographers, 
 with cameras ranging all the way from kodak size to huge 
 infernal looking biograph machines. These photographers 
 were from all over northern Europe, as well as Asia and 
 America." The Kaiser and the Kings, the Royal High- 
 nesses, the Princes and Princesses, had kodaks snapped by 
 dozens right in their faces, and big biographs banged at 
 them like rapid-firing guns. The Emperor William 
 walked in a very military way, and looked the masterful 
 
THB DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 459 
 
 soldier. The Duke of Connaught, the male member of the 
 royal family who seems to have the largest endowment of 
 manhood, was almost as trim a soldier as the Emperor. 
 King Edward is said to have " walked like a civilian," and 
 to have " suddenly become an old man;" and it is said of 
 him that he "does not look strong." After the King, Em- 
 peror and Military Duke came Prince Henry of Prussia, the 
 Admiral of the German Navy, the young Duke of Saxe- 
 Coburg Gotha, and Prince Arthur of Connaught, then the 
 Crown Prince of Denmark, Prince Louis of Battenburg, and 
 the Crown Prince of Germany, all shining with decorations. 
 Next came the royal women, all in black, led by Queen 
 Alexandra, a short step in advance of the Dowager Duchess 
 of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, and the Queen's three daughters, 
 Louise, Beatrice and the Princess Christian. Julian Ralph 
 cabled the Journal : 
 
 " The appearance of the men and the stooping women in 
 black, pressed close together, walking with dainty short 
 steps, at first suggested to every one that they were servants, 
 or at most might be maids in waiting. When it was realized 
 that royalty had thrown off all appearance of pomp and was 
 exposing itself to unaffected humility before the people a 
 stifled ejaculation of surprise burst out all along the line. 
 In an instant all women and many men were sobbing." 
 
 Of the remarkable walk on foot by royalty following the 
 Queen's cof&n from Osborne House to the landing where the 
 yacht was waiting, the Herald correspondent says : 
 
 "The King and Queen, the Kaiser, the Princes and 
 Princesses of royal blood, followed their dead with the 
 humbleness of peasants, rather than with the show of the 
 mighty." 
 
460 THE DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 The crossing of tlie Solent displayed tlie royal Alberta 
 with towering catafalque, no passenger visible except the 
 captain, who stood like a statue, and four soldiers, also 
 statuesque, leaning on their rifles reversed at the corners 
 of the coffin, the bands of the eighteen British ships of war 
 playing dirges as the yacht passed, and the minute guns 
 booming. There had been a haze on the waters in the 
 morning, but as the procession moved the sky was blue and 
 the sunlight radiant. 
 
 The scenes at Victoria Station, Saturday, February 2, 
 when the royal funeral party arrived, were like those of a 
 vast reception hall. The Commander-in-chief, Barl Roberts, 
 mounted on a spirited brown mare, trotted into the station 
 and was the center of attraction for a time. Outside he had 
 been received with cheers and was the dominating figure of 
 the day after the funeral party. The people in the streets, 
 as he passed, forgot the solemnities of the day and cheered, 
 shouting "Bobs " and other familiar expressions of approval. 
 It was a solemn feature of the surroundings that an im- 
 mense number of the people were dressed in or wore em- 
 blems of mourning. 
 
 A guard of honor was mounted at the London Stations 
 Victoria and Paddington and at Buckingham Palace. At 9 
 o'clock the royal coffin, after a brief service on the royal 
 yacht, was removed from Portsmouth to London. On 
 arrival it was taken from the railway carriage by an 
 officer and twelve grenadier guardsmen, placed on a gun 
 carriage, khaki-colored, and carried from the Victoria to the 
 Paddington Station. The eight Hanoverian cream-colored 
 horses which drew the Queen on the occasion of the Dia- 
 mond Jubilee were used on this occasion. The gold- 
 
THE DEATH OE QUEEN VICTORIA. 461 
 
 moiinted harnesses, scarlet-coated postilions and scarlet and 
 gold covered grooms who held each of the horses by the 
 bridle, made a brave show. The little gun carriage, instead 
 of the glittering glass and gold coach, marked the change of 
 the significance of the pomp. There were rubber tires on 
 the wheels of the gun carriage, which was otherwise as if in 
 actual use on the field or march. The place the coffin 
 rested was over the gun. 
 
 The question of precedence in the case of the foreign roy- 
 alties (there were fifty ranking as prince and higher) gave 
 no little trouble, but was arranged with tact. Foreign rep- 
 resentatives followed the royal household, their order accord- 
 ing to rank. Emperors took precedence of kings, and 
 kings were arranged according to the antiquity of their 
 dynasties. Carlos of Portugal preceded King Leopold, and 
 the latter was ahead of George of Greece. The spectators 
 expected an imposing catafalque, and the coffin, unexpect- 
 edly simple and small on the gun carriage, was almost past 
 before they recognized its presence. There was an oblong 
 block concealed beneath a rich pall of white satin, on the 
 corners of which were the royal arms. Across the pall the 
 royal standard was draped, and a large crown of gold 
 encrusted with jewels rested at the head of the coffin, which 
 was at the end of the gun carriage immediately over the gun. 
 On the foot of the coffin were two smaller crowns, with a 
 gold jeweled scepter lying between them. A large bow of 
 purple was attached to the coffin and was the only symbol 
 of mourning. The horses drawing the gun carriage were al- 
 most concealed beneath their splendid harness. Around the 
 coffin walked non-commissioned officers of the guards and 
 household cavalry; on either side the Queen's equerries, 
 
462 THE DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 lords-in-waiting and pliysicians, all tlie uniforms covered 
 witli long dark cloaks. The coffin passed quickly and tlien 
 came a group of horsemen, the central figure King Edward 
 VII., wearing a black chapeau with a plume of white 
 feathers and a long black cloak buttoned around him, hang- 
 ing down over his big black horse. He is reported to have 
 looked grave, careworn and straight ahead, apparently at the 
 gun carriage, and seemed not to see the ranks of soldiers 
 hedging back the populace. Windows were crowded with 
 black bonneted women. There were multitudes of uncov- 
 ered heads and many purple draperies. It was remarked of 
 the King that he passed "like a man alone," and that the 
 people accepted his sentiments with murmurs of sympathy. 
 Beside King Edward on his right rode the Emperor Will- 
 iam. The unique commanding figure of the German Em- 
 peror could not for a moment be mistaken. He looked 
 every inch a soldier and the commander of men. 
 
 His Imperial Majesty glanced right and left as he rode, 
 and his hand was frequently raised to the red and white 
 feathers hanging over his hat, as he responded to salutes. 
 
 Emperor William also wore a black coat over his new 
 British Field Marshal's uniform, and the splendid white 
 charger beneath him pranced up and down, giving His 
 Majesty an opportunity to display fine horsemanship. 
 
 On the King's left rode his brother, the Duke of Con- 
 naught, a man of soldierly appearance, almost unnoticed and 
 unrecognized by the people. 
 
 The procession occupied two hours in passing between the 
 railroad stations in London, and the run from Paddington 
 to Windsor was without incident. At Windsor during the 
 movement from the railway station to the Albert Chapel in 
 
Tfl]^ BEATH OF OUE^N VICl^ORiA. 463 
 
 tlie Castle, tlie horses attacHed to tlie famous gun carriage 
 bearing the royal coffin were frightened and became utterly- 
 unmanageable. The alarm and chagrin of the King and 
 Emperor, who had hurried up to ascertain the cause of delay 
 in the procession leaving Windsor Station, was patent upon 
 their countenances. The horses struggled in the traces 
 and the coffin was almost thrown from the gun carriage. 
 Lord Roberts asked the King for permission to take out the 
 horses and substitute for them jackies, who had come up 
 from Portsmouth as a guard of honor. This suggestion was 
 quickly sanctioned, and the last time Victoria's body was 
 borne before her subjects it was by her royal " handy men," 
 who at an opportune moment saved the situation. 
 
 That night the King sent a message of thanks to Prince 
 Henry of Battenburg for the services of the sailors of his 
 command. The other hitch occurred during the religious 
 part of the ceremony. The service at St. George's Chapel 
 was brief but beautiful. The choral service had formed a 
 fitting culmination to the martial parades. The trembling 
 voice of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is almost blind, 
 had scarcely ended the final benediction before he turned to go 
 up the altar steps. His sight and strength failed him and he 
 tottered, groped and was on the point of falling when the 
 Archbishop of York, who had been standing some distance 
 behind him, advanced and caught his hand and gently led 
 the venerable prelate to the holy table. Then they both 
 knelt, the greatest dignitaries of England's church, next in 
 rank to the royal blood, their heads bowed upon the purple 
 altar cloth. 
 
 The massing of thirty thousand troops in London, and 
 the handling of them in perfect form, revealed military 
 
464 I'HE; death 01? QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 organization and expertness In St. James Park was a crowd 
 of great proportions, uneasy and adventurous to an ugly- 
 extent, climbing trees and fences ingeniously, making them- 
 selves disagreeable, and largely engaged in fighting the 
 police when the bells began to toll, and then the ruflSans 
 behaved themselves and won many compliments for their 
 tardy but timely decencies. 
 
 The American Ambassador was at the luncheon at Wind- 
 sor, and was thanked by King Edward and others of the 
 royal family for the sympathetic public sentiment that had 
 been so conspiciously shown in the United States. 
 
 Memorial services were held in many churches in this 
 country at the very time the procession was moving in 
 London. A London dispatch said : " The remarkable pre- 
 dominence of Germans and German influence is noteworthy. 
 Emperor William's officers, soldiers and sailors were more 
 conspicuous in all the ceremonies than were those of all the 
 other nations together. This has had the effect of popu- 
 larizing Germany with the people." 
 
 Outside of England, there was no part of the civilized 
 earth where the Queen was more sincerely mourned than in 
 Canada, and there were solemn services in the British cities 
 the world around. There was distinguished recognition of 
 the event in all the capitals of Europe, demonstrations of 
 mourning in Pekin, Cape Town, Manila, Bombay, Calcutta, 
 Cairo and Hong Kong, and in all the Australian cities. 
 The number of strangers in London on the funeral day was 
 estimated at more than a million. The innumerable omni- 
 buses moved in endless lines, their roofs loaded, until Picca- 
 dilly looked as though the center of the street was one mass 
 of black heads, the owners of which were seated on the tops 
 
THK D^ATH 01^ QUEEN VICTORIA. 465 
 
 of omnibuses, "that clumsy, out-of-date vehicle which has in- 
 creased so much of late years in the streets of London as to 
 have become a serious hindrance to general traffic. 
 
 There was a good deal of disappointment over the display 
 of the English and German fleets in the Solent, and all the 
 vivid writing about the steel walls that protect England 
 from the Continent did not conceal the fact ; but there was 
 not time allowed to get together a great squadron. However, 
 entering Portsmouth harbor the last salute from Victoria's 
 navy was given from Nelson's old flag ship, the Victory, 
 after which the Alberta was moored to await the morning 
 when the royal casket would be transferred to London and 
 then to Windsor to be laid beside that of the fondly loved 
 husband, on whose tomb Queen Victoria wrote: — "Here 
 one day shall I rest with thee." 
 
 A long time before her death the Queen had prepared for 
 the event, and deposited a sealed packet with an under sec- 
 retary, with detailed instructions as to her burial and all the 
 attendant ceremonies. This was done so long ago that it 
 was found only after a long search. The most remarkable 
 of her expressed desires was that she should be wrapped 
 when dead in her bridal veil. A recumbent statue of her 
 has for many years been ready to be placed beside that of 
 Prince Albert on the sarcophagus. 
 
 The Queen was removd from the Albert Memorial Chapel, 
 Windsor, to Frogmore, on the gun carriage, and there was 
 the same regalia seen in London. The Queen's face was 
 last seen by others than the family and those with duties to 
 perform by the crews of the royal yachts on the third night 
 after her death. 
 
 Approaching the mausoleum, the crowned bier passed the 
 
466 THE DEATH OE QUEEN VICTORIA. 
 
 lodge whicli leads to the Frogmore inclosure, wliere none 
 but the family and servants were admitted. The coffin was 
 borne from the gun carriage by the grenadiers, the pipers 
 ceased their dirge, and the choir, moving forward, began to 
 sing, "Yet Though I Walk Through the Valley Before." 
 The inside of the mausoleum being reached, they sang 
 " Man That's Born of Woman." While the royal family 
 took their places around the coffin the dome of Victoria's 
 tomb re-echoed with the sad strains of "Lord, Thou 
 Knowest." 
 
 The Bishop of Winchester, standing on the platform sur- 
 rounding the marble figure of the Prince Consort, on which 
 rested the Queen's coffin, read the committal prayer and the 
 Lord's Prayer. Then the choir sang "Sleep Thy Last 
 Sleep," the Dean said the Collect, and the choir broke forth 
 into the anthem "The Face of Death Is Turned Toward the 
 Sun of Life," and, with hands stretched over the congrega- 
 tion, the Bishop of Winchester pronounced the benediction. 
 
REVIEW 
 
 OF 
 
 QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 OUEEN VICTORIA'S reign Has been remarkable not 
 alone for its length and peace, but because tbe sixty- 
 four years tbrougb wbicli it extends cover the most brilliant 
 achievements of English history. These years have seen a 
 greater advance in civilization and development of resources 
 on the part of the English nation than has marked any other 
 period ; they have seen reforms that were once referred to as 
 " idle driveling of half-crazed radicals " adopted and pointed 
 to with pride by the most conservative elements in politics, 
 and they have demonstrated the possession by England's 
 Queen of personal characteristics that overshadowed those 
 of any predecessor upon the throne and which won for her 
 the respect, admiration and love of the people of every civil- 
 ized country on the globe. 
 
 It is needless to say again that the achievements of her 
 reign exceed those of any other and that the England of to- 
 day differs in material civilization from the England of 1837, 
 as that period differed from the nation's condition in the 
 reign of Charles II. The achievements are not all from 
 within, for every civilized nation has aided in bringing them 
 about, but much has been done in the way of reform and the 
 467 
 
46^ REVIEW OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 
 
 advance of civilized and enlightened government for whicli 
 England alone is responsible. 
 
 During her reign the obnoxious corn laws of England 
 vt^ere abolished after bitter and even perilous discussion, thus 
 opening a market for the products of American soil and 
 cheapening breadstuffs to the operatives and laboring classes 
 of England, although British agricultural depression is 
 traced to some extent to the repeal of these statutes in 1849. 
 The present postal system of the United Kingdom, sug- 
 gested by Sir Rowland Hill, which provided a uniform price 
 of postage all over the kingdom, was brought forward and 
 adopted soon after the Queen's accession, removing the bur- 
 den upon private correspondence and rendering it possible 
 for even the poorest paid laborer to communicate freely with 
 his family and friends. 
 
 Reform in the franchise, for which the first skirmish line 
 had been thrown out in 1745, had made some progress, but 
 the greater part of the laboring classes remained unenfran- 
 chised when Victoria ascended the throne. Agitation of the 
 question grew from year to year and the battles raged 
 fiercely until 1867, at a time when the United States was 
 stirred with the question as to whether the ballot should be 
 put into the hands of 4,000,000 liberated slaves, Lord Derby 
 and Mr. Disraeli secured the passage of the act by which the 
 household and lodger franchises were extended to the bor- 
 oughs. To this Mr. Gladstone's government added increased 
 extension of the franchise and redistribution of the repre- 
 sentation. At the end of the reign of George III. there were 
 in a population of 22,000,000 but 440,000 voters ; the reform 
 bill of 1832 added but 500,000 voters to the electorate, but 
 the legislation of 1867-68 increased that electorate from 
 
REVIEW OE QUEEN victoria's REIGN. 461^ 
 
 1,136,000 to 2,448,000, and tHe act of 1884 added at once 
 2,000,000 to tlie voters of England and Wales, 200,000 in 
 Scotland and 400,000 in Ireland, a total of 2,312,000 freemen 
 enfranchised during tlie reign. 
 
 Second only to this extension of the franchise in the acts 
 bearing upon the liberty of the subject that mark this reign 
 was the removal of all disabilities imposed upon the Jews. 
 The very highest of&ces in the state are now within the 
 reach of the Jews of England, and unlike Roman Catholics 
 they may even present to livings in the Church of England. 
 The history of the Jewish race in England, connected as 
 they have been with her highest offices and greatest glory, 
 has justified, if it did not inspire, the generous legislation 
 of the reign. 
 
 Education is another institution of the United Kingdom 
 that has received a wonderful impetus during the reign of 
 Queen Victoria. Especially is this the case with elementary 
 education. Lord Brougham in 1835 brought forward a series 
 of resolutions stating that it was incumbent upon Parliament 
 further to encourage the establishment of schools and to 
 provide seminaries for the instruction of teachers, but no 
 important step was taken until 1838, when the House of 
 Commons proceeded to an investigation and a vivid picture 
 of the destitution of the towns, so far as educational facilities 
 were concerned, was drawn. 
 
 In 1870, before the passage of the education act, the num- 
 ber of schools in England and Wales receiving government 
 aid had risen since 1846 to 9,563 ; scholars, 1,152,389, the 
 staff of certified teachers, 12,467, and the government grant 
 to ^464,943. In 1888 the schools numbered 19,267, con- 
 taining 29,089 separate departments, under head teachers ; 
 
470 REVIEW OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 
 
 the number of scholars was 4,660,301 ; the certified teachers, 
 43,628, and the annual grant, ;^3,07i,547, while the figures 
 of the present day point to the institution of elementary 
 education as probably the most magnificent achievement of 
 the Queen's reign. 
 
 Sir Bdward Arnold, writing of the vast changes which the 
 world has seen during the Victorian era, said : 
 
 "Among the countless vast advances made by civilization 
 generally and by England in particular, how rarely does 
 anybody think of the enormous service rendered everywhere 
 by the simple innovation of the phosphorus match, which I 
 thus saw sold for a halfpenny a sample on the Queen's coro- 
 nation day. I do not even know whether the lucifer can be 
 set down as a British discovery ; yet, of what wonderful new 
 times, of what superb mental and mechanical expansions, of 
 what amazing revelations in science and advances in arts, 
 trades, commerce, geographical research, imperial posses- 
 sions, uprises in political liberty, education and daily life ; 
 of what stirring events abroad, what augmentation of popu- 
 lation and national wealth at home and what unforeseen 
 but epoch-making occurrences generally, the coronation 
 match was to become the humble harbinger. 
 
 "One needs, no doubt, to strain the memory in order to 
 force it back into realizing all the strange backwardnesses 
 of those days. Let me, nevertheless, make an endeavor 
 toward this by means of a sharp contrast or two in facts and 
 figures. The revenue of the United Kingdom — to-day ex- 
 ceeding ;^ioo,ooo,ooo — stood in 1837 at ;^47,ooo,ooo only. 
 There was no railway open between Liverpool and Birming- 
 ham in that England which now has 21,000 miles of iron 
 roads ; and you still went dgwn to the Blackwall docks in 
 
REVIEW OE QUEEN VICTORIANS REIGN. 47 1 
 
 carriages drawn by a rope. Not a single electric wire 
 spanned the air or burrowed tbrougb tbe eartb or crept 
 under the sea. Lord Beaconsfield, whose primrose day is 
 now a national festival, had not made his maiden speech. 
 The Sirius and the Great Western steamers — earliest of 
 their kind — had yet to cross the Atlantic; Grace Darling 
 had not by her sweet story of heroism started our noble 
 lifeboat system, the glory of British coasts ; India was still 
 reached only by the long Cape route, for Waghorn did not 
 ventilate his overland scheme in the Jerusalem coffee house 
 until Oct. 12, 1838. Human slavery was only just formally 
 condemned by the voice of England, since it was but No- 
 vember, 1838, that the city council of London voted its free- 
 dom in a gold box to Thomas Clarkson as token of his 
 triumph in the struggle for the deliverance of enslaved 
 Africans, * thereby,' so the memorable inscription ran, 'ob- 
 taining for his country the high distinction of separating 
 her commercial greatness from principles incompatible with 
 the exercise of the religion of mercy and achieving a moral 
 victory whose trophies shall endure while justice, freedom, 
 the clemency of power and the peaceful glories of civiliza- 
 tion shall have any place in the admiration of mankind.' 
 
 " We had practically little use as yet of railroads, telegraph 
 wires, and of steam navigation, and were only beginning to 
 get the new machine of our popular representative institu- 
 tions into order at the time when these coronation trumpets 
 sounded. The reform act was but five years old ; the crim- 
 inal law was still fierce and bloody ; the wealth of even such 
 a family as Mr. Gladstone's had been derived without public 
 scruples frorc^ the labor and sale of slaves ; when — softly 
 and auspiciously — into this epoch, the description of which 
 
472 REVIEW OE QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 
 
 must smack of barbarism to tbe young, as we recall it, 
 entered the gracious figure of tbe girl Queen, bringing in 
 her hand the magic wand of virtue, and, as we see to-day, 
 those hidden national benedictions which accompany its 
 eternal potency. For indeed our Queen has borne an im- 
 mense personal part in molding her age, if that age has 
 reflected back upon her name and her greatness a luster 
 beyond the glory of all other reigns ; re-establishing espe- 
 cially the ancient ideal of monarchy, and in an epoch of wild 
 change and much political commotion at home and abroad, 
 displayed to the world this, our ancient throne of England, 
 securely planted amid falling dynasties and failing republics, 
 like a vast rock in the stormy seas. 
 
 " I said I would try to avoid facts and statistics, yet they 
 sometimes teach us much in little space. The population 
 has, for example, increased from 25,600,000 in 1837 ^^ about 
 40,000,000 to-day. The aggregate property of the people, 
 calculated by Sir R. Giffen on the basis of the income-tax 
 figures, has been augmented from about ^4,000,000,000 
 sterling to more than ;^ 10,000,000,000. Of swelling impe- 
 rial revenues I have already spoken. Pig iron, a great test 
 of industrial activity — produced in 1837 ^^ ^^^ extent of 
 1,250,000 tons — was last year smelted to the extent of more 
 than 7,000,000 tons. Of cotton we consumed then 406,000,- 
 000 pounds, and now consume over 1,500,000,000 of pounds. 
 
 " In foreign trade our advance has been more than 450 
 per cent. The output of coal is twenty-five times greater. 
 We import of tea 420 per cent more than in 1837, and of 
 tobacco 150 per cent more, while our shipping has risen by 
 700 per cent, and to-day, in an immense preponderance, 
 dominates all the waters of commerce. In 1837 our colonial 
 
REVIEW OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 473 
 
 population was tinder 4,000,000. It stands now at over 
 18,000,000, of course excluding India — which, majestic 
 charge and possession, under the 'Pax Britannica,' has well- 
 nigh doubled its ancient native census. The total area of 
 the British empire — previously in the eyes of mankind 
 sufficiently colossal — has grown to 10,000,000 of square 
 miles; and the subjects of her majesty, all directly looking 
 to her as their sovereign and ruled by her benignant hand, 
 maybe estimated, in the mass, to-day, at more than 320,000,- 
 000 of human beings ! 
 
 "The forward march of science during these sixty years 
 has been nothing less than astonishing. Justly did Profes- 
 sor Huxley call the Victorian period ' a revolution of modern 
 minds.' Out of this love of knowledge pursued with single 
 hearts before the reign, or at its commencement, by Herschel 
 and Laplace, Young, Fresnel, Cavendish, Lamarck, Davy, 
 Jussieu, Cuvier, Decandolle, Faraday, Tyndall, Darwin and 
 their like, there sprang up under this reign the fruit of 
 countless rich practical applications. Three achievements 
 in physical philosophy alone have been sufficient to immor- 
 talize the reign — the scientific doctrines, first, of the molecu- 
 lar constitution of matter; secondly, of the conservation 
 of energy ; thirdly, of evolution as divined by Darwin. 
 
 "That last illustration shines of itself like a lonely star 
 of glory, sufficient to make resplendent the Victorian con- 
 stellation of talent. But consider how, practically, all our 
 electrical developments also lie inside this period, with well- 
 nigh all the marvelous utilization of steam on sea and land ; 
 almost all the amazing improvements in mechanical, indus- 
 trial machinery ; almost all the discoveries in hygienic mat- 
 ters; together with vast advances in chemistry, metallurgy, 
 
474 REVIEW OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 
 
 astronomy, physiology, and, we may add, geography, geology 
 and biology. Only to mention the spectroscope, the camera, 
 the microphone, the phonograph, the telephone and the 
 kinetoscope — alluded to above — is to use words never heard 
 sixty years ago, though now so familiar." 
 
 The constitution of the British Empire changes with the 
 precedents. There is accretion of things done. After more 
 than a century of kings, Victoria as a girl queen took the 
 throne and held it for two-thirds of a century. What of the 
 precedents of her reign that changed the constitution ? In 
 her husband's time he was at first studiously inconspicuous, 
 for British statesmen were naturally jealous of his influence, 
 and it took some time for them to make up their minds that 
 he was an Englishman. It is said that the Queen wanted, 
 when first inclined to accept him as her husband, to defer 
 the marriage until he could speak better English ; but this 
 is to be modified by the fact that for some years before Albert 
 and Victoria met, their relatives had planned their union 
 and he had been a special student of the English language. 
 The first strong personal impression he made in England 
 was in his management of the Crystal Palace Exposition, in 
 which he took a great interest, but he contrived to' arouse 
 indignation by an academic phrase in which he said that 
 "Constitutional Government is on trial." It was an unfor- 
 tunate phrase for him, requiring a great deal of explanation, 
 and inconsistent with his reputation for wisdom. Lord Pal- 
 merston had the reputation of snubbing him, but naturally 
 the Prince Consort had a distinct influence with the Queen 
 in foreign affairs. It was well understood that she consulted 
 him particularly, and was strongly disposed to accept his 
 judgment, as in the Mason and Slidell case with this coun- 
 
REVIEW oE ouE^N Victoria's reic^n. 475 
 
 try, when Prince Albert revised a state dispatcli of the 
 gravest character and the phantom of another war between 
 England and America vanished. 
 
 Earl Russell, the Foreign Secretary, prepared the dispatch 
 to the United States, which was an ultimatum in very force- 
 ful terms. Mason and Slidell had been taken from the 
 British West Indian steamer "Trent" by the American 
 ship of war, " San Jacinto," and the act had been approved 
 by our Secretary of the Navy, and Captain Wilkes, who 
 ordered the capture, complimented by our House of Repre- 
 sentatives. England was preparing for war. Prince Albert 
 was in bed with the fever from which he died. It is said 
 that he got hold of the dispatch while the Queen was out 
 driving. The probability is she handed it to him. The last 
 use he made of a pen was to change the hostile message 
 into one of courtesy. The war threat was removed, and the 
 Queen would not consent to the use of any other words than 
 those written by the Prince. 
 
 The earlier experiences of the Queen as a ruler were under 
 the guidance of men of experience, who permitted her to have 
 her way in pardoning a few convicted criminals. She insisted 
 upon her prerogative to that effect, even in cases where at- 
 tempts were made on her life, but she " did not have much 
 influence with the government." The ministry at the time 
 was " Whig." Lord Melbourne, the premier, and the Whigs 
 made an effort to keep the young Queen quite to themselves, 
 encouraging her to assert herself under their influence. It 
 was thought at the time that she had lost some of the 
 pleasing characteristics at first displayed, for it is said of her 
 that she talked a good deal at the theaters, paying little 
 attention to the plays, and acquired an air of self-confidence 
 
476 REVIEW OE QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 
 
 not pleasing as tlie modesty of her demeanor when first npon 
 the throne. Her courtship and marriage seemed to restore 
 her to her better self. She had the advantages of her hus- 
 band's advice for about twenty years, and then for nearly 
 forty years was a widow, intensely regardful of her public 
 duty, but holding herself remote from the busy and brilliant 
 world that exceedingly desired her company. 
 
 The most distinguished precedent of her long reign was 
 that she did not govern and did not strive to do so. Her 
 views regarding the character of her Court were peremptory, 
 and she was occasionally self-willed as to intercourse with 
 foreign pov/ers. She was well understood to be antagonistic 
 to Mr. Gladstone's policy, which by his opponents was 
 styled one of "dismemberment." She did not take the 
 great part in the great affairs of the Empire that the Georges 
 and her immediate predecessor had done, and was not known 
 even to desire to extend her prerogatives. 
 
PRINCE OF WALES 
 
 SUCCEEDS AS 
 
 KING EDWARD VII. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 A CCORDING to tlie Constitution of Great Britain and 
 Ireland the succession to the throne never lapses 
 if there is an heir. The moment of the death of the mon- 
 arch the heir to the throne becomes king or queen. The 
 second of time in which Queen Victoria drew her last 
 breath, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, drew his first 
 breath as ruler of the British Empire. He was unable, how- 
 ever, to assume the duties of that office until notification 
 was received from official channels. Even so there were 
 many formalities to be gone through before all the functions 
 necessary to the inception of a monarch to the throne of 
 England were completed. 
 
 A few moments after the death of the Queen the Prince 
 of Wales received official notification from Downing Street 
 to the effect that he was expected to take up the reins of 
 government at once, which notification he formally accepted 
 as soon as received. 
 
 According to the statutes of England, the Privy Council 
 and Parliament met immediately after the death of the 
 Queen to perform the functions devolving upon those bodies 
 at the accession of a new ruler. At a meeting of the Cabi- 
 net, held immediately before the assembling of Parliament, 
 
 477 
 
47§ ^RiNCE OF WAtES StJCCKieDS as iClNCi EDWARt) Vii. 
 
 tlie members gave up their keys to receive tliem back from 
 the new ruler. 
 
 On the evening of the Queen's death absolute silence 
 reigned in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace and Marlbor- 
 ough House. Everywhere the one topic of conversation was 
 what would happen under the new reign. Much interest 
 was evinced in the way in which the fortune of the dead 
 Queen would be distributed, the general notion being that 
 Osborne House would go to Princess Beatrice and that she 
 and Princess Christian would come into a considerable por- 
 tion of Victoria's wealth. The probability that King Ed- 
 ward would take up a practically permanent residence in 
 Buckingham Palace was much canvassed. This question 
 interested Londoners. Queen Victoria's preference for Bal- 
 moral Castle and Osborne House has been a complaint of 
 long standing in the metropolis, and it was hoped that the 
 new reign would see a change in this respect. The presence 
 of the court in London would give a brightness and gayety 
 which have long been absent. 
 
 The effect of the Queen's death on London was unlooked 
 for. Men spoke of the King with hesitancy. The words 
 "King Edward" were strange to them. There was no 
 thought of gayety. Private and public pleasures were for- 
 gotten. Social functions were abandoned and theatres were 
 closed. Illuminated signs were put out, clubs and restau- 
 rants were deserted and the city was practically in darkness. 
 Everywhere the effect of the policy of the new King was 
 discussed. 
 
 The chronology of the new ruler of the Empire is briefly 
 as follows : 
 
 Born Nov. 9, 1841. 
 
PRINCE O^ WALES SUCCEEDS AS KING EDWARD VII. 479 
 
 Took seat in the House of Lords as Duke of Cornwall, 
 Feb. 6, 1863. 
 
 Married Princess Alexandra of Denmark, Marcli 10, 1863. 
 
 Succeeded to the throne, Jan. 22, 1901. 
 
 The new King's first Privy Council was held at St. 
 James Palace Jan. 23d. He entered London from Osborne 
 at 2:55 p. m., and passed to the Palace of St. James by way 
 of Marlborough House. There were great crowds waiting 
 to see him. He was received with silence and grave respect 
 on approaching the palace, and on returning he was deco- 
 rously cheered. 
 
 Will Edward VII. be content to follow in his mother's 
 footsteps, or undertake to walk in the beaten track 
 of the kings ? The document we have to study as possibly 
 throwing light upon this theme is his first speech in the 
 Privy Council on the day after the death of the Queen. He 
 said: "My constant endeavor will be always to walk in my 
 mother's footsteps." He added: "In undertaking the 
 heavy load that now devolves upon me, I am fully deter- 
 mined to be a constitutional sovereign in the strictest sense 
 of the word so long as there is breath in my body." But 
 the " constitutional sovereign," after all, is one who follows 
 the precedents as he understands them — the way Andrew 
 Jackson had of interpreting our written constitution! Ed- 
 ward VII. promises in his speech, while he has life, "to 
 work for the good and amelioration of my people." There 
 is an individuality apparent in these words and we get a 
 look into the mind of the new King when he uses "ameli- 
 oration " instead of " reform," and refers to the people as 
 " my people." Is the "my people " used as the Emperor of 
 Germany employs the pronoun " my " when he says " my 
 army " ? 
 
480. PRINCE OF WALES SUCCEEDS AS KING EDWARD VII. 
 
 Disraeli made many precedents during his premiership 
 and accentuated others, and all were in the direction of in- 
 creased imperialism. He put the "my" and "I" very 
 strong in the messages for the Queen that he wrote — " my 
 army," "my Parliament" — and he certainly strengthened 
 Her Majesty's possessive case and actually made her " Em- 
 press of India," and she added the imperial " I." after the 
 royal " R." of her signature. 
 
 In the first speech of the new King, his reference to his 
 father is rather involved, but his intention is evidently in 
 good taste, and his purpose to put aside the name of his 
 father because he wisely preferred to be King Edward rather 
 than King Albert. It is said there was a moment of appre- 
 hension in the House of Commons, where there was a doubt 
 whether the new King would call himself (for he had the 
 authority to name himself) by the name of his father rather 
 than of a line of kings. There was much satisfaction ex- 
 pressed when he announced that he would be Edward, saying 
 he was resolved to be known as Edward, for that was the name 
 "borne by six of my ancestors." The reason why he did 
 not prefer to be Albert was, he says, that he desires the 
 name to " stand alone," and he proceeds to pronounce his 
 father as " ever to be lamented, great and wise," afterward 
 saying of him that he " is, by universal consent, known, I 
 think deservedly, by the name of 'Albert the Good ' " ; that is, 
 the King does not dissent from the universal consent that 
 his father was good and leaves the name "Albert the Good" 
 to " stand alone." Whether the King means to call atten- 
 tion to the fact that his arduous duties "devolve" upon him 
 " by inheritance " — and he used the words "devolve "and 
 " inherit " twice, and also " determined " twice — this strong 
 
PRINCE OF WALES SUCCEEDS AS KING EDWARD VII. 48 1 
 
 word both times in defining his purpose of performing pub- 
 lic duties. First he is "determined " to be a "constitutional 
 sovereign," and last he is "determined to devote my whole 
 strength during the remainder of my life" to "inherited" 
 duties. It is safe to say King Edward places his 
 strongest words in the right place, though he seems to labor 
 in doing so, and there is a studied distinction when he says 
 in the first lines of his speech between his " I know " and 
 "I think" in the sentence " I know how deeply you and 
 the whole Nation, and I think I may say the whole world, 
 sympathize with the irreparable loss we have all sustained." 
 It is to be considered that in all the reports of the speech it 
 is stated that the King spoke entirely without notes, and it 
 is repeated that the speech was extemporaneous. Still, it is 
 considered a success. 
 
 A special " Gazette " was issued on the day King Edward 
 spoke to the Privy Council, and the time and place of the 
 death of the Queen was formally announced. The Privy 
 Council issued the usual proclamation, which bore the sig- 
 natures of the Duke of York, the Duke of Connaught, the 
 Duke of Cambridge, Prince Christian, the Archbishop of 
 Canterbury and others. The first proclamation of the King 
 was issued in the special Gazette, citing the acts of Queen 
 Anne and King William IV. as to the retention of crown 
 offices, decreeing that all officeholders in the United King- 
 dom, colonies, foreign possessions and India shall continue 
 to hold office during His Majesty's pleasure. It is note- 
 worthy that in this document the King is styled " Edward, 
 R.," not "Edward R. I." 
 
 In the House of Lords, when the oath of allegiance was 
 taken, about a hundred persons were present, and in the 
 
482 PRINCE OF WALES SUCCEEDS AS KING EDWARD VII. 
 
 gallery were peeresses dressed in mourning. The Lord 
 Cliancellor took tlie oath of allegiance and signed the roll, 
 and was followed by Prime Minister Salisbury, Earl Rob- 
 erts, the Duke of York and the Duke of Connaught. 
 
 In the House of Commons there was a full attendance, 
 except of Irish members. The Speaker took the oath of 
 allegiance and then administered the oath to the others. 
 Not a word was spoken during this session of the House 
 except by the Speaker himself. 
 
 The policy of Prince Albert in educating the heir to the 
 throne was that foreign travel was necessary to broaden his 
 views, and this idea was developed in the Prince of Wales, 
 who, accompanied by the Duke of Newcastle to Canada, and 
 joined there by Lord Lyons, the British Minister to Amer- 
 ica, made a tour through Canada and the United States. 
 This was in i860, during the intense sectional agitation 
 that led up to our great war of States North and South— 
 a most favorable occasion for observation by Englishmen, 
 though not one that we should have cared foreigners should 
 witness. Fortunately we did not know at the time what a 
 tremendous crisis we were entering. 
 
 Hon. James Buchanan was our Minister to England 
 during the Administration of Franklin Pierce. He was a 
 man of pleasing presence, dignified and kindly deportment, 
 simple and elegant in his dress, polite and polished in soci- 
 ety. He was white-haired, florid, imposing in appearance, 
 a typical Englishman of the higher order — altogether so 
 handsome and courteous that only Bishop Mcllvaine ex- 
 ceeded him in attractiveness according to the English 
 standard. One of the distinctions of Mr. Buchanan as 
 American Minister at the Court of St. James was that of 
 
PRINCE OF WALES SUCCEEDS AS KING EDWARD VII. 483 
 
 having consideration as of the most favored diplomats. He 
 was persona grata^ and formed the personal acquaintance of 
 the Queen and Prince Consort. When, as President of 
 the United States, he invited the Queen and Consort to ex- 
 tend the Canadian visit of their son, Albert Edward, to the 
 United States, there was given an acceptance more than 
 formally gracious. 
 
 The American people were quite curious touching His 
 Royal Highness, who traveled in our country as Baron 
 Renfrew, the most modest of his many titles. At Rich- 
 mond, Virginia, the heir to the British throne was favored 
 with a few observations about George Washington's conduct 
 and success in the war of the American Revolution that were 
 not strictly flattering. It was even mentioned, as the Prince 
 passed through one of the principal streets, that we were 
 "the fellows that gave George III. the colic." At the tomb 
 of Washington the great-grandson of George III. stood hat 
 in hand, and the incident was regarded as one of historical 
 significance. 
 
 The Prince was at Philadelphia at the time of intense 
 political excitement, when the street cries were so violent 
 and the uncontrollable rush of masses of men apparently 
 threatened the public peace. It was said to be the opinion of 
 the British statesmen and gentlemen who accompanied 
 " Baron Renfrew " that Philadelphia was a hotbed of dis- 
 order, and that the Republican institutions founded there 
 were about to perish on the spot where the Fourth of July 
 was ordained ; but the day after the night of tempestuous 
 and rather incoherent fury the city resumed the character of 
 brotherly love so far as to keep the peace. The English 
 visitors were for once astonished — at least they were accused 
 of astonishment. 
 
484 PRINCE OF WALES SUCCEEDS AS KING EDWARD VII. 
 
 In Cincinnati tlie Prince — tlie people forgot all about 
 Baron Renfrew — attended a brilliant ball at Pike's Opera 
 House, and the first cotillon the future Edward VII. danced 
 at tbat festivity was witb Mrs. S- N. Pike. The young man 
 was fond of dancing, and balls for his entertainment took 
 place in several cities, so that many ladies now in the sixties, 
 when they count the years of their ages, have agreeable 
 recollections of dancing with the Queen's son, who was said 
 to dance well and to converse like a rational person. He 
 was then a slender youth wearing a Prince Albert coat, with 
 gray trousers, brightly colored neckties and substantial 
 shoes, and what they called in England then a " billycock 
 hat." He carried a slender bamboo cane, and used it chiefly 
 to lightly switch his trousers' legs. His voice was low and 
 well modulated ; his figure rather that of his mother than 
 his father — that is, he was short, and then he was also slen- 
 der. His appearance was boyish and he had a boy's keen 
 interest in surroundings and a desire " to have some fun." 
 It was the rule of the Prince's suite to avoid private en- 
 tertainments, for the tendency of the hospitalities was 
 rather to heavy dinners — many courses and much wine. 
 
 An exception was made in Cincinnati in the case of Mr. 
 Bowler, of Clifton, a gentleman of English birth, whose wife 
 was of the Pendleton family of Cincinnati and Virginia. 
 Mr. Bowler's mid-day lunch has been called a " buffet enter- 
 tainment," but that is an error. There was a splendidly 
 furnished table, and at it sixteen seats, all occupied. Before 
 dinner was ready. Baron Renfrew walked about the grounds 
 and looked with favor upon Clifton and the expanse of the 
 Mill Creek Valley. 
 
 At Hamburg, Germany, where the air and the walks and 
 
PRINCE OF WALES SUCCEEDS AS KING EDWARD VII. 485 
 
 waters are delightful, tlie Prince prefers to take an annual 
 " cure." Here his sister, the Empress Friedrich, has a castle 
 in a piny grove. The Prince noted a few years ago the 
 presence of James G. Blaine and expressed a desire to meet 
 him. They were introduced and had a walk and talk. Mr. 
 Blaine recalled the fact that they " met in i860," and His 
 Royal Highness said with a laugh and a deep voice that 
 suggested public speaking, at which he is handy, " Oh, I was 
 then a boy." " A very engaging boy," said Blaine. The 
 Prince took off his hat and acknowledged the compliment 
 with a low bow and a smile. The conversation that followed 
 was highly enjoyed by both gentlemen. 
 
 In the condition of the affairs of the world, there is no 
 question that while the death of Queen Victoria at a great 
 age leaves her dynasty firmly on the throne, and the succes- 
 sion is from an aged woman to a man trained for the position 
 and capable, the power of the crown has a vagueness of out- 
 line and is considerably dependent upon the personal faculty 
 and social and political tact of His Majesty. The death of 
 the Queen, after reigning from the age of eighteen until an 
 octogenarian, marks an epoch that profoundly interests 
 mankind. The extent to which the event will effect tbe 
 Nations is only dimly known ; but that there will be changes 
 of importance by indirection, while the whole world will 
 develop and mankind progress on familiar lines ; there will 
 be wars and rumors of wars, and cries of peace when there 
 is no peace ; there will be marvels of science and beauties of 
 art, achievements that command, from the ends and the 
 depths of the earth, the material for the evolutions of labors 
 that sustain and enrich; and the date of the death of the 
 good old Queen will be one to count from — a landmark in 
 History. 
 
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