Smyrna times., 1861-04-11
The Late Duchess Of Rent.
THE ROYAL FAMILY OF ENGLAND.

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 -Cobourg. and
numerous otHers, in mourning. The death of
this lady recalls to memory some of the lead.
lng facts Ia 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 linesl descendants of
his TO wear the crown. Oaly three Of his
sons were then married. The Prince Regent
had lost his only child, and was separated from
his wife. The Duke of York was separated
from his Duchess, the Duke of Cumberland
was divorced and widowed, and the marriage
OF the Duke of Sussex, being without the roy-
al assent, avaied nothing fer 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
torly.eighl years of age, and she was married
to the Prince of Hesse Homburg. The Duke
OF Clarence late William IV) married the
Princess Adelaide, of SAKE NJ Meiniugen, who
bore him no children. The Duke of Cam-
bridge married the Princess Augustus, of Hes
Sc, who ls still living, and has three children.
The Duke of Kent, who was older than the
Duke OF Cambridge, married the lady whose
death is just announced.
None of the royal marriages thus arranged
pleased the Eng gish people, except that of the
Duke Of Kent. The lady selected for him was
the daughter Of the Duke of Sake Cubourg,
widow of the Prince of Leiningen, aud sister
OF Prince Leopold, the husband Of the lament.
ed Princess Charlotte, now King of the Belgi-
ans. But the married life of the new Duchess
was but short; for in less than two years the
Duke OF keGt died, and she was again widow
with one child-lhe Princess (nsw Queeu)
Victoria. AT that time, the accession of this
little child to the British throne seemed but
remote contingency. George III outlved his
son, the Prince Of Wales, while George w
and William lV, his other sons, who reigned
after him, both died without issue Thus, the
lssue OF the next brother, the deceased Duke
OF Kent, became heir to the British crown. As
coon as this contingency gradually resolved it.
self into probability, and then a certainty,
the Duchess of Kent devoted her time to fitting
her daughter for the high station she was cali.
ed upon to occupy. Mental and personal &C.
comPllshments were carefully attended TO, as
we'll as physical requirements. The daughter
throvc under such Judicious treatment, and the
mother had the satisfaction of attending the
coronation and the marriage of her child, oi
seeing her the mother of a large family, and oi
knowing that her throne was built upon the
hearts of her subjects.
/ II may be added that this is the first serious
/ bereavement Queen Victoria has ever experi.
eOced Her father died before che was old
enough TO know him, and she has never lost a
child. An only child herself, she had never q
brother or sister TO lose or mourn for and thu:
the present bereavement must be peculiarly
affecting to her.
Ga the accession of Queen Victoria TO The
throne, the Duchess of Kent voluntarily as
sumed the demeanOr OF subject of her owr
daughter. She made it rule never 10 ente
the royal presence without summons so tha
at every meal, II became necessary TO send {
special messenger to commsnu her attends nee
at table, and she never would talk on affair
OF State. Some may think this pretty stifftor
mother, aud so it wac, yet there was ever tn,
wermest attachment between her and hel
child. When in London, the Queen scarcely
passed day without going to visit her; ant
the Duchess was as frequently at the palace
The latter was great reader, and aVerse L
everything in the shape of ostentation. Sh
was of charitable disposition, but her mean
were limited, for she strove 10 pay off her hus
bands debts. Her Majesty, however soon al
ter her accensiOn, discharged that pious office
and notified Ito the Duchess, who had bee
previously ignorant of her intention, by plaC
ing packet of receipts on her plate one morn
ing at breakfast. These proved to be recelp,
f for all the debts of the Duke.