Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-23
NO. 3O5.
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
QUEEN VICTORIA.

"rhat A!e1andrina Victoria should ever
bave ascended the Eoglish throne is, perb lps,
the only remarkable event 10 her lite -
George III lett FIVE sons, the elder, of course,
the heir, the others IN all likelihood forever
debarred, from the succession. The her,
the Prince Of Wales. reigued as George II ,
and died cbldless; the second SOD, the Duke
of York, died without reigping, aud ,ikewise
childess; the third son. the Duke oi Clarence.
reigoeG as William ", and died chlld'ess;
The fourth son. Edward, Duke of Kent died
without reigniog. but left one child. daugh'
ter; and to her, thus remote from the inheFi-
tance, descended the patrlmony Of the house
Of Hanover and Brunswick.
"Wheu Victoria was six years old her
mother appointed the Rev. George DAVIS
her preceptor: his fidelity and zeal proved
the wisdom Of her choice. The Baroness
Lehzen was associated with him as instruct
ress. Up to her eleventh year the princess
was totally unaware Of her claims upon the
succession. or Of any possible concatenatioH
of events by which her condition in life
would be materially changed. 10 1877 the
Duke of York died, and 10 1880 King George
followed him. The accession Of King WI!'
liam, whose two daughters were already
dead, placed her next the throne. Her edG-
cation was now such as would best lit her 10
wear the crown. Without everlasting her
mental or physical energies, her Instructors
piled her with every species of knowledga
by which queen might profit. They read
together the numerous treatises which hal
been written--for the most part 10 the cont.
mental lapgusges--upon the education oil
princess She was familiar with the lives
and actions of all who had conferred honor
upon the hum IN race, whether as sovereigns,
statesmen, scholars, inventors, discorerers,
beuefactors, poets, or divnes. While yet Ia
ber teens, and not yet in her majority, she
spoke Eoglisb, French, aud German with
equal ilueucy, she read Italian, and transla-
ted Virgil and Horace; she was proficient
in mathematics, and showed decided talent
in all branches connected with the science OF
plumbers. Accomplishments were not ne.
elected, and the princess danced, sang, and
eke,ched from nature. She laid aside por-
ton os her pocket money to aid her mother
is gradually extinguishing the indebtedness
of her father. A sound religious training
lay at the base Of the fabric thus reared, auI
Victoria was made to realize that, a. shc
was to reign over nation professedly Chris
tan, she must prove, by her private conduct
and 10 her domestic life, her right to the glogl.
Gus title of Defender of tbe Faith.
"On the l7th Of July Victoria made her
first public appearance as sovereign OF the
nation. She prorogued Parliament 10 person,
addressing the members Of the two chamb r
from the throne in ,he House Of Lords. il.r
pallor betrayed her emotion, but her manner
was composed aod her bearing at once child
ike and royal Her voice was distinct,
though tremulous. ltwas proud day tyr
Great Britain; the people unreserVedly gave
away their hearts, the prey to love at tirst
sight. And they have never regretted the
spon anecus, precipitafe act"
Victoria l. was crowned 10 Westminster
Abbey on the 2S,h of June, 1888. The ven.
erable pile was dressed with unusual, uupre'
ccdented spendOr Every nation in Chris
erdom, and several out ofits pale. had cent
their representatives, and the maiden Queen
was 'consecrated' to use the solemn conti
mental expression--in the midst cf the most
imposing and gorgeous assemblsge which
this century has witnessed, whether 10 West
minister Abbey, Notre Dame de Paris, or tho
Krcmlin of Moscow. Victoria kneeled aad
devoutly implored the Divine guidance for
herself and blessing for her people. From
that time forward rho has discharged with
exemplary fidelity every duty which dsvoI,
ved upon her as z Ieen. and has sought TO
enlarge the sphere OF her duties as woman.
that by discharging those also she might offer
q model to the mothers. wives. and sister: 0:
her subjects. She felt how impeEatively
needed was an example Of strict virtue on the
British thrope."- Goodrich.