Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-10-31

AL this, scanty as II was, interested us
in our future queen. who became our queen
in reality the following year; but being as
yet only the expectancy and rose Of the fair
state, l must say we dwelt less on her than
on the memory Of one whose early promise,
misfortunes, short-lived happiness, and pre-
mature death, had already consecrated the
sleepy shades of Claremont; and as we re-
turned through the park, after visiting the
gardens, we dropped into silence, during
which | called up all the scattered anecdotes
Of her that my memory supplied.
| have often wondered that no little man
ual has ever appeared, simple and short
enough to preserve her name among u.s.
She was born on the 7th of January, 1896 /;
and the separation of her parents occurring
soon afterwards, she was left in charge Of
her mother, the Princess of Wales, who
took up her abode at Montague House,
Black. heath. In a short time, however,
the little princess was removed from her
mothers care. and placed with Lady Elgin
in a neighboring- residence; only visiting
the Princess of Wales once week.
Meantime, her education was carefully
conducted. Hannah More, writing in l799,
from Fulham Palace, says: Il have been
rather royal lately; on Monday spent the
morning at the Pavilion at Hampton Court,
with the Duchess Gloucester; and yesterday
passed the morning with little Princess
Charlotte at Carlton House. She is the
most sensible and genteel little creature you
would wish to see. ! saw Carlton House
and gardens in company with the pretty
princess, who had great delight in opening
the drawers, uncovering the furniture, cur.
tains, lustres, etc, to show me. My visit
was to Lady Elgin, who had been spending
some days here. For the Bishop of Lon
done entertainment and mine. the princess
was made to exhibit all her learning and
accomplishments the first consisted in her
The Little Busy Bee, the next
in dancing very gracefully, and singing God
save the King, which was really affecting,
lall things considered, from her little voice.
Her understanding isso forward that they
really might begin to teach her many things.
1t is, perhaps, the highest praise after all to
say, that she is exactly like the child of a
private gentleman, wild and natural, but
sensible, lively, and civil" She delighted
the Bishop of London, (who told her that
when she went to Southend, she would be in
his diocese, by dropping on her knees, and
asking his blessing.
Probably the bad terms on which her roy
al parents were living had caused her reno
val to Carlton House but she used still to
visit the Princess of Wales at Blackheath,
and as she drove along the Kent-road, stood
at the carriage window kissing her pretty
hand to passers-by, her beautiful fair hair
falling in long, heavy curls over her shoul.
ders. One day my grandmother, who had
frequently thus noticed her, observed. to her
surprise, that she wore dark crop wig, sur.
mounted by white turban, with red rose
in IL r On mentioning this strange circum.
stance 10 lady who had friends at court,
the latter replied "Ah, | think l can ex.
plain it. The. Prince of Wales lately asked
Lady Elgin why the child's hair was allow.
ed to grow in that frightful manner, (which
she replied that it was by the Princess oi
Wales order. The prince sent for scissors,
and, without another word, cut the princess
hair off himself, so close that her head was
rubbed with spirits t., prevent her taking
cold /; and, doubtless, the first wig that could
be procured was made'use Of" However
that might be, my grandmother saw for her
self, when the wig was left of, that the hail
forehead, as if by an unskilful cutter.
Unhappy the child ofparents at variance
Of course, the Princess Charlotte was soon
Oiu cUUukh W huOW tuC stdtc vi DulIltS
for children are, in general, precociously oh
clever child. Unable to decide the dement's
of the case, her heart instinctively clung tc
her mother, who, wayward and flighty be
that probably attracted children. The
Princess of Wales was not likely to attacl
her daughter to Queen Charlotte, by whom
ha haroalf traatnA T..
May, 1907, she claimed to be received Al
court, which was reluctantly granted; bu
the queen gave no token of being pleased t
see her. On this occasion the prince anC
princess met for the last time in their lives
observed of all observers. They bowed
words heard by no one else. and then pass
ed on; he, cold and stately, she, 'haf
mirthful, half-melancholy, as though sh
rejoiced she was there in spite of him, anC
yet regretted that her visit was not unde
happier auspices" Three years afterwards
Queen Charlotte sent the Princess of Vale
an elegant aigrette on her birthday. Tn
Princess Charlotte, with more levity thai
respect, observed that it was "pretty well
considering who sent it'll" which was doubt
less received with hearty laugh. The boo
old queens popularity had long been on tn,
wane she was most unjustly consderc,
stingy, thought it appeared, after her death
that she had privately given large sums 0
money to her sons and her strong sens
of propriety was equally unpalatable to tn
Prince and Princess ofWales. RENE be
hearing that on one occasion, when ever
one had, in obedience to etiquette, finshe
their ten nj the same time with the nueen