The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-22
T1e Murtolk gust.
TUESDAY, AUGUST %, 1865.
Queen Victoria.


The Canada Observer makes the fol-
lowing observations upon the personal
appearance of Queen Victoria:
"Of late years, especially since the sad
loss OF her husband, Queen Victoria has
undergone a great change both in mind
and body. She never was possessed of
great beauty, and the charm of her pre-
sence always arose farmore from the natu-
raj expression of an amiable disposition
than from any regularity of feature or
grace OF manner. She never was en-
lowed with the irresistible destinations
OF the queen of Scots, nor with the inn
perious air of Elizabeth, which extorted
q reverence that could not be refused.
Her eyes are blue and bright, her hair
dark, and her complexion is now some
what sallow. 1t is marked by deep lines
OF aff1iction, and yet those do not make
ner expressions less attractive. It hos
been we'll observed that sickness and
sorrow renne most countenances, and
hers Is another illustration of the truth
OF this saying. In the approaches of age
she has gained that which may be called
the beauty OF goodness. It is undoubt-
edly true that old age, provided it be
FOUND IN the way OF righteousness, gives
10 the features beauty not their own
III the emotions of the mind be good,
the lines of the face will become more
and more beautiful, as time wears, and
the sensuous 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
majestic when seated than standing,
and yet wherever and whenever she is
seen, she always bears the obvious marks
OF noble lady. No one could meet her
under any circumstances without per-
ceivlng at once that she is high-bred
and accustomed to command. She cares
little for dress; and at Balmoral, o.
borne, or any Of her palaces, where she
Is IN the BOSOM of her family, she wears
very plain and unpretending garments
such as some, at least, of our fair coun.
trywomen would not allow themselves
to be seen in at any time. She dislikes
pomp ana 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 Euge-
ME, who are frequently seen driving
about Paris with the greatest freedom.
In consequence of this reserve, the spec
tacle is much more imposing and attrac-
tive when she does appear.
"She is an extremely good hor.ewo-
man, and manages her steed with great
address aud fearlessness. At the en-
campment at Gotham, few years ago,
she appeared on horseback, and was, of
course, the admired Of all beholdes, as
she rode on the field on her fine dark
bay Templar. She wore a long dark
robe of some thick rich material, a
closely fitting jacket, with but few orna-
ments, and low dark hat, with long
black ostrich feather. In her hand she
carried an elegant riding whip, with
handle ofgold and a carbuncle set in the
top Of it. She rode along the lines with
grace, and really, for the time, one re-
called to mind, irresistibly, the energetic
presence of Elizabeth, as she passed be-
fore her soldiers at the threatened in
vasion of the Grand Armada, and with
burning words urged them to do and
dare every every honorable deed in be-
half of Old England and its Virgin
Queen,
Victoria always appears we'll at re-
views, and has that magnetic glance of
the eye which leads every soldier to be-
lieve that his sovereign 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,