Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-04-27
af(istel!aneous.
The Late Dssefssss of Kent-The Royal
Family of England.

The death of the Duchess OF Kent mother
Of Queen Victoria, will place the courts of
England, Belgium, Prussia. SAKE Coburg and
numerous Others in mourning. The death Of
this lady recalls to memory some OF the lead
ing facts 10 the history Of the royal family Of
England.
Old King George the Third had fifteen
sons and daughters, and yet in 1918, after
the death of the Princess Charlotte, there
were fears that there would be no ineal de-
cendants Of his to wear the crown. Only three
of his sous we're then married. The Prince
Regent had lost his only child, and was sepa.
rated from his wife. The Duke OF York was
separated from his Duchess, the Duke of Corn.
berand was divorced and widowed, and the
marriage OF the Duke Of Sussex. being with
out the royal assent, availed nothing for the
succession. So there was haste made to
marry the other surviving royal children, none
OF whom were young. 1t was even thought
desirable to get husband for the Princess
Elizabeth, who was forty eight years old, aud
she was married to the Prince Of Hesse.
Homburg. The Duke of Clarence (late Will
liam Nv married the Princess Adelaide of
SAKE. nj eiDingen, who bore him no children.
The Duke of Cambridge married the Princess
Augusta Of Hesse, who is still living, and
has three children. The Duke of Kent, who
was older than the Duke of Cambridge, mar.
ried the lady whose death is just announced.
None of the royal marriages thus arranged
pleased the EOglsh people, except that of the
Duke of Kent. The lady selected for him
was the daughter Of the Duke OF Saxe.Co-
bourg, widow of the Prince of Leiningen, and
sister OF Prince Leopold, the husband of the
lamented Princess Charlotte. now King of
the Belgians. But the married life of the
new Duchess was but short for 10 less than
two years the Duke Of Kent died, aud she
was again widow with Que cbld-,he Prin.
cess lnow Queen) Victoria. At that time
the accession OF this little child to The British
throne seemed but remote contingency
George Ill. outllved his son, the Prince OF
Wales, while George Nv. and William w >,
his other sons, who reigned after him, both
died without issue thus, the issue of the
next brother, the deceased Duke OF Kent.
became heir to the British throne. As soon
as this ontinsency gradually resolved itself
into probability and then q certainty, the
! Duchess Of Kent devoted her time to fitting
her daughter for the high station she was
called upon to occupy. Mental and personal
accomplishments were carefully attended, as
we'll as physical requirements. The daughter
throve under such judicious treatment, and
the mother had the satisfaction of attending
the coronation aud the marriage of her child
OF seeing her the mother of q large family
and of knowing that her throne was built
upon the hearts OF her subjects.
1t may be added that this is the first seri
Gus bereavement Queen Victoria has ever
experienced. Her father died before she was
old enough TO know him, and she has never
lost child. sAn only child herself, she had
never brother or sister to lose or mourn for
and thus the present bereavement must be
peculiarly atiiict,ng to her.
On the accession Of Queen Victoria to the
throne, the Duchess Of Kent voluntarily as
sumed the deneanor Of subject of her owr
daughter. She made il rule never to eptel
the royal presence without q sammops. sc
that at every meal it became necessary tC
send special messenger to command her at
tendance at table aud she never would tall
on affairs OF State. Some may think this
pretty stiff for q mother and SO it was ye
there was even the warmest attachment be
tween her and her child. When in London
the Queen scarcely passed day withou
going to visit her; and the Duchess was q
frequently at the palace. The latter was
great reader, and agerse to everything in th
shape OF ostentation. she was of charitabl
disposition, but her means were limited, 70
, she stroye to pay of her husbands debts
Her Majesty, however, soon after her acces
sion, discharged that pious Office, aud no.ife
p il to the Duchess twho had been previousl
! ignorant Of her iniention.) by placing packe
OF receipts on her plate one morning Q
breakfast. These proved to hs receipts "a
all the debts OF the Duke.