The Portland daily press., 1865-08-11
QUEEN v1croR1A.s APPEARANCE

or late years, especially since the sad loss
of her husband, Queen Victoria has undergone
great change, both in mind and body She
never was possessed ofgreat beauty, and the
charm of her presence always arose far more
rom the natural expression of an amiable dis
position than from any regularity Of feature
or grace of manner. She never was endowed
with the irresistible fascinations ofthe Queen
ofScots, nor with the imperious air of Elizabeth
which extorted a reverence that could not be
refused. Her eyes are blue and bright, her
halr dark, and her complexion is now some
what sallow, 1t is marked by deep lines of
affliction, land yet those do not make her expires
slons less attractive. 1t has been well observed
that sickness and sorrow refine most count
enances, and hers is another illustration of the
truth OF this saying. In the approaches ofage
she has gained that which may be called the
beauty of goodness. 1t is undoubtedly true
that old age, provided it be fonnd in the way
OF righteousness, gives to the features beauty
not their own.
Ifthe emotions ofthe mind be good, the lines
OF the face will become more and more beauti-
full, as time wears, and the sensuous charms of
color, delicacy, and the regularity offeatures
fade. This is certainly apparent in the face of
Queen Victoria at present.
In stature she is rather inferior to the average
height and looks far more majestic when seat
ed than standing; and yet wherever and when
ever she is seen, she always bears the obvious
marks of noble lady. No one could meet
her under any circumstances without perceiV-
ing at once that she is high-bred, and accus-
toned to command. She cares little for dress
and at Balmoral, Osborne or any of her pala-
ces where she is in the bosom of her family,
she wears very plain and unpretending gar
ments, such as some, at least, of our fair coun-
trywomen would not allow themselves to be
rnor, In = C1.o sels
display, and does not often appear in public,
never, except when some grear occasion seems
to demand it. Amongst all the Americans
who have visited Europe, very few have seen
Victoria, while nearly every traveller has look
ed upon Louis Napoleon and Eugene, who
are frequently seen driving about Paris with
the greatest freedom. IL consequence of this
reserve, the spectacle is much more imposing
and attractive when she does appear.
She is an extremely good horsewoman, and
manages her steed with great address and fear
lessness. At the encampment at Gotham,
few years ago, she appeared on horseback, and
was, of course, the admired of all beholders,
as she rode on the field on her fine dark bay
Templar. She wore a long dark robe of some
thick rich material, closely fitting Jacket,
with but few ornaments, and a low dark hat,
with long black ostrich feather. In her hand
she carried an elegant riding whip, with a
handle of gold and carbuncle set in the top
of it. She rode along the lines with grace
and really, for the time, one recalled to mind
irresistibly, the energetic presence of Eliza
beth, as she passed before her soldiers at the
threatened invasion of the Grand Armada,
and with burning words urged them to do and
dare every honorable deed in behalf of Old
England and its Virgin Queen.
Victoria always appears well at review, and
has that magnetic glance of the eye which
leads every soldier to believe that his sover-
eign looks directly at him on such an occasion.
This quality IS not unfrequently possessed by
great generals, though very few women ever
have sufficient nerve to show it.-Cdnddd Oh
seTUer. sr.r ~