Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-08-30

a Work exceedingly rare III Character
and interesting has just been issued from
the London press. 1t is chiefly from the
royal pen of Queen Victoria, though pro-
fessedly compilation under her direction
by Hon. G. Gray, and is a biography of
the late Prince Consort, whose decease she
has so long and paihetically mourned. The
various steps which led TO her espousal of
Prince Albert, the circumstances which
attended that happy event and the private
affairs of their welded life are narrated
with extraordinary freedom and refined
simplicity, and reveal a-depth of affection.
mutual devotion and an uninterrupted
display of conjugal love of the most beau
tiful and touching character.
| As is well known, Victoria and Albert
were cousins, and their marriage had long
been contemplated by the Princes family.
His first introduction to Victoria was in
The year 1885, when he with Lis brother
Ernest made visit TO London. He wrote
home that his cousin was "very amable."
In June, 1887, at the age of eighteen,
Victoria became Queen Of England. and
Albert wrote her a very appropriate letter
of congratulafion from the University at
Bonn, where he was studying. The pro-
ject of marriage had been made familiar
to both some time before, but the first for
NAL mention of the subject was made by
Vic,orias uncle, the King of the Belgians,
in the carly part of 1888, in letter to
the young Queen. That the proposal was
favorably received is shown by a letter
written by the King in March, 1888, to
Baron Siockman, giving an account of the
manner in which the Prince received the
] Queens communication. The King writes: /:
81 have had long conversation with
Albert, and have put the whole case hon
estlv and kindly before him. He looks at
the question from its most elevated and
honorable point of view. He considers
that troubles are inseparabie from all hu-
man positions, and that therefore, if one
must be subject to plaques and annoyances,
) it is better TO be so for some great or wor-
thy object than for trihes and miseries
have told him that his great youth would
make it necessary, 10 postpone the mar
riaee for a few years. ! ionnd
him very sensible on all fi.esa paints- Du'
one thing he observed with truth. am
ready he said, to submit to this delay, if
/ only have some certain assurance to 60
upon. But if after waiting, perhaps, three
years, 1 should find that the Queen no
longer desired the marriage, it would place
me in very ridiculous position, and would
: to certain extent, ruin all the prospects
of my future life."
The Queen, it would seem, wished fol
delay. She did not wish to marry for
some time yet" and she adds, writing ol
herself: She thought herself still tc
young. and also wished the Prince 10 be
|. older when he made his appearance il
/, England. In after years she often regret
!! ted this decision on her part, and constant
!, ly deplored the consequent delay of hel
:. marriage. Had she been engaged TO thu
Prince year sooner than she was, ant
: had she married him AT least six month";
earlier, she would have escaped many tri
:, ais and troubles of different kinds" 4
"a delay, however, was agreed upon, and il
in the meantime Prince Albert travelled il
IN Italy. In October, 1889, he paid his see
err ond and decisive visit to England. ii
By seems TO have feared that the Queen wa
en- likely TO change her mind, and that whel
Z, she asked for delay she perhaps pleade
for release from the engagement altogether
: Victoria, however, declares that she neve
entertained any idea of this, and after
E. ward assured the Prince that she neve
would have married any one else. Sh
,aa pn says further, most touchingly:
Nor can the Queen now think withol
indignation against herself, of her wish
ON keep the Prince waiting for probably thre
or four years at the risk of running all h
prospects for life, until she might feel il
K. clined 10 marry! And the Prince has sin'
told her that he came over in 1889 wit
the intention of telling her that if 81
could not then make up her mind, 81
must understand that he could not no
sK, wait for decision. as he had done at
avs former period when this marriage was fr
on talked about. The only excuse the Que
\ Ises can make for herself is in the fact that 4
a'n sudden change from the secluded life
and Rensington to the independence of her r
ford sition at Queen Regnant, at the age
'"y eighteen, put all ideas of marriage out
her mind, which she now most bitterly
i9ss sbe pents.
iOsE A worse school for a young girl, or Q
more detrimental to all natural feelir
ann, and affections, cannot well be imagin
5 con, ON than the position of a Queen at eighte
without experience, and without husba