Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-10-05
A Few Personal Notes on Queen
Victoria

The European correspondent Of the Chi
cago Journal, writing from the Isle Of Wight
! gives two or three stories concerning TIL
/ private life of the Queen on that island, which
he :. has reason to believe are strictly true :
The Queen and Prince Consort were IN tbs
habit of taking long walks, unattended, anC
dressed only as an ordinary lady and gentle
man. On one occasion, at some distance
| from home, they were caught III q shower
/ and took shelter under q tree by the side o
the road. An old postman, going his daily
rounds, was passing by, and saw only lady
and gentleman in an uncomfortable position
! He had With him an old umbrella that haG
| done duty for many years, which, with na
| tive but rough politeness, he proffered to tht
! gentleman, saying he would call for it on hi:
rounds if they would tell him where they
were stopping. Prince Albert frankly &C
/ cepted the umbrella and mentioned the Os
| borne House. The postman even then die
not suspect the rank of his wayside friends
and passed on about his.business. A day OF
| two afterwards, it being In his way, he stop
ped at the porter's lodge of the Osborne
House and quietly asked if his umbrella had
been left there for him. 1t was at once hand
ed to him, with letter addressed TO himself
In which was enclosed five pound note, and
few lines expressing the thanks of the
Queen and Prince Consort for the timely ser
vice he had rendered them. Not content
with this, the Queen caused inquiries to be
made, and, finding that the only son OF the
old postman was worthy young man, caused
him to be placed in a suitable and comforta-
h1a nnCifiaO in ono IF hoG nj aHi
and it is pleasant to know that he is support
ing his superannuated parent in ease.
On another occasion, certain stream
was crossed only by very small and rough
ferry boat. The Queen and Prince found ii
convenient to cross this stream, and the boat
man being absent, entered the barge to await
his arrival. He soon made his appearance,
putting and blowing in his haste and under
his weight of years. 1t appears also that il
was very unusual thing for a lady or gen
tlc1nan to resort to this means Of transit, the
old boatman's passengers generally consisting
of the hard-fsted and rough-featured labor.
ers in the vicinity All unconscious of the
character Of his present customers, but anxi-
ously polite in his way, his first salutation
was: 81 beg your parding marin; but if I'd
knowed yer were coming, I'd a had cush-
ing fer yer, +" and he forthwith stripped of
his coat and spread it on one of the seats.
Her Majesty sat down upon the improvised
cushion, and, with the Prince, chatted famil-
iarly with the old boatman till they reached
the other side when, instead of the usual.fare
Of two pence, she handed him sovereign.
The Queen often talks Of this water Journey
and the old boatman, after learning who his
passengers were, had hole bored through
the coin, and has worn it day and night ever
since, around his neck
On stih another OCCASION the Queen and
Prince, with the Prince of Wales, then a
young boy, We're strolling on the beach.
The latter was always proud and naughty
youngster, presuming upon his heirship to
the throne almost before he was out of his
p6tticoats. He had strayed away little
from his parents, when they heard his voice
and another IN angry alteration. Ii
seems that the young Prince had dis
covered another boy, about his own age
and size, engaged in gathering peri
wrinkles, and his basket, partly full, was
standing on the beach. This basket, out OF
sheer wantonness, the Prince Of Wales had
viciously kicked over. The young fisherman
saw the act, and Immediately rushed out OF
the water and confronted its perpetrator,
when about this dialogue occurred
Young Fsherman''What did you do that
for %
Prince Of IFales-'' Because chose"
Y. F-"I've great mind to thrash you
for it."
of W.-"You dar'nt Don't you know
who | am? 2"
I. r." No, and don't want to.
p. Of W. I'm the Prince of Wales"
Y. p" don't care if you are the Prince
of Wales. You knocked over my Wrinkles
and take that and straightway the young
fisherman's hand made acquaintance with the
cheek of young royalty.
The Queen and Prince Consort saw and
heard all, and, approaching the rival com
batants, told their son that he was in the
wrong, and compelled him to ask pardon OF
the ragged periwinkle gatherer, and give him
sovereign in recompense for the injury he
had done him.
1t is such incidents as these that appeal to
the sentiments and sympathies of the popu-
lation by whom the Queen is surrounded in
her island retreat, and there is little wonder
that as woman she is beloved, and as SOW
ereign revered.