The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-11-16
Queen Victoria.

The Canada Observer makes the
following observations upon the per
sonal appearance Of Queen Victoria:
"Of late years, especially since the
sad loss Of her husband, Queen Victo.
ria has undergone great change, both
in mind and body. Sho never was
possessed of great beauty, and the
charm of her preschce always arose
far more from the natural expression
of an amiablo disposition than from
any regularity of feature or grace of
munner. She never was endowed with
the irresistible destinations of the
Queen of Scots, nor with tho impcri.
ous air of Elizabeth, which extorted .
reverence that could not be refused.-
Her oyes arc blue and bright, her hair
black, and her complexion now is
somewhat salow. II is marked by
deep lines of afflction, and yet these
do not make her expressions less at
tractive. 1t has been well observed
that sickness and sorrow refine most
countenances and hers is another H.
lustration OF the truth of this saying..-
In the approaches Of age she has gain
cd that which may be called the beau
ty of goodness 1T is undoubtedly
true:lhat Old age, provided il be found
in the way of righteousness, gives to
the features beauty not their own.
If the emotions Of the mind bo good.
the lines of the face will become more
and more beautiful, as time wears, and
the scnsuous charms of color, delicacy
and the regularity of features 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
| naiestic when seated than standing;
and yet, wherever and whenever she
is seen, she always bears the obvious
marks of noble lady. No ono could
meet her under any circumstances
without perceivlng at once that she is
high bred, and accustomed to com
mand. She cares little for dress; and
at Balmoral, Osborne. or any of her
places where she is in tho bosom of
her family, she wears very plain and
unpretending garments, such as some
at least, OF our fair counti tiywomon
would not allow themselves TO be seen
in at any time. She dislkcs pomp
and display, and does not often appear
in public, never, except when some
great occasion seems to demand it
Amongst all the Americans who have
visited Europe, very few have seen Vic
toria, while nearly every traveller has
looked upon Louis Napoleon and Eu-
gene, who are frequently seen driving
about Paris with the greatest freedom.
In consequence Of this reserve, the
spectacle is much moro imposing and
attractive when she does appear.
She is an extremely good horsewo-
man. and manages her stced with
great address and fcarlessnoss. at the
encampmont at Gotham, a few years
ago, she appeared on horseback, and
was, of course, the admired Of all be-
holders, as she rodo on the field on
her fine dark bay Templar. She wore
Ialong dark robe of somo thick rich
material, q closely fitting jacket, with
but few ornaments, and low dark
hat with a long black ostrich feather.
In her hand she carried an elegant
riding whip, with handle ofgold and
q carbunclo set in the top of it. She
rode along the lines with grace, and
really, for the time, one recalled to
mind, irresistibly, the enegretic pres,
ence Of Elizabeth, as she passed before
her soldiers at tho threatened invasion
Of the Grand Armada, and with burn.
ing words urged them to do and dare
ovary honorable deed in behalf Of Old
England and its Virgin Queen.