Middletown transcript., 1869-12-04
NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DELAWARE MORNING. DECEMBER 4 1862

am sure that IL you have anything to recon
mend mem to them they will be most happy to learn i
"My dear Victoria, your most devoted uncle,
''LEoroLp RI
Leaving Brussels on Tuesday, the Sth
OF October, the princes arrived at Wind
sor Castle on Thursday the 10th, at hall
past seven in the evening. They here
met with the most cordial and atfectionate
reception from the Queen, who received
them herself at the top of the staircase, and
conducted them at once to the Duchess Of
-Aslt, her mother.
'.'fe three years that had passed since
thFy we're last in England had greatly i'm
ptoyed their personal appearance. Tall
I'D manly as both the princes were in e.
sure and deportment. Prince Albert was
indeed eminontly handsome. But there
was also in his countenance o gentleness
of expression, and a peculiar sweetness in
his smile, with a look Of deep thought and
high intelligence in his clear blue eye and
expansive forehead, that added charm to
the impression he produced in those who
saw him far beyond that derived from
mere regularity or beauty of features.
Their clothes not having arrived" the
Queen says, "they could not appear at din
ner, but came in after it, in spite of thoir
morning dresses" Lord Melbourne, who,
as well as Lord Clanricarde, Lord and La
dy Granville, Baron Brunnow, Lord Nor
manly. was staying in the Castle at the
time. said at once to the Queen "that he
was struck with Prince Albert's likeness
to her,"
The way of life at Windsor during the
stay Of the princes was much as follows !:
The Queen breakfasting at this time in her
own room, they afterward paid her visit
there; and at two o'clock had luncheon
with her and the Duchess of Kent. In
the afternoon they rode the Queen and
duchess and the two princes, with Lord
Melbourne and most of the ladies and gen.
tlemen in attendance, forming large cav
alcade. There was great dinner every
evening, with dance after it three times
q week.
But on the 18th there was an important
interruption to the ordinary routine of the
day. The Queen had told Lord Melbourne
the day before that she had made up her
mind to the marriage. at which he express
ed great satisfaction, and said to her, as
her Majesty states in her Journal, IL
think it will be very well received; for
hear that there is an anxiety now that it
should be, and am very glad of it," ad-
ding. in quite paternal tone, "You will
be much more comfortable; for o woman
cannot stand alone for any time, in whatev-
er position she may be-" Can we won
der that the Queen, recalling these circum-
stances, should exclaim, ALAS alas
the poor Queen now stands in that painful
position -
An intimation was accordingly given to
the Prince, through Baron Alvensleben,
master of the horse to the Duke of Coburg,
and long attached to his family, who had
accompanied the Prince to England, that
the Queen wished to speak to him next
day. 49,.
in that day, the 18th. the Prince had
-aeA out hunting early with his brother,
but returned at twelve, and half an hour
afterward obeyed the Queens summons to
her room, where he found her alone. AZ
ter few minutes conversation on other
subjects, the Queen told him why she had
sent for him and We can we'll understand
any little hesitation and delicacy she may
have felt in doing so, for the Queens posi-
ton, making it imperative that any propo-
sal of marriage should come first from her,
must necessarily appear a painful one to
those who, deriving their ideas ON this SUBJ
ject from the practice Of private life, are
wont to look upon it as the privilege and
happiness of woman to have her hand
sought in marriage. instead Of having to
offer it herself.
How the Prince received the offer will
appear best from the following few lines
which he wrate the next day to the old
friend of his family, Baron Stockmar, who
was naturally one of the first to be inform
ed OF his engagement: II write to you,"
he says. "on one of the happiest days of
my life, to give you the most welcome
news possible, p" and having then described
what took place, he proceeds. ..Yictoria is
so good and kind to me that / am often at
loss to believe that such affection should
be shown to me, | know the great inter-
est ynH take in my happiness. and there
fore pour out my heart to you" and he
ends by saying. "MaFe, or more seriously,
| cannot write to you, fnr that, at this mo-
ment, / am too beWildered."
The Queen herself says that the Prince
received heF offer WITHOUT hesitation, and
with the WaFmest demonstration of kind
ness and affection /; and, after natural ex-
preston Of her feeling Of happiness, her
Majesty adds, in the fervor and sincerity
Of hep heart, with the straightforward sim
plicity that marks all the entries in her
Journal, iiHow will strive To make him
feel as little rs possible the gpsst sacrifice
he has made! told him il scgs great
sacrifice on his part. but he would not al
low it. I then told him to fetch
Ernest. who congratulated us bath, and
seemed very happy,n 81
The Queen thps rnuannces what had oc-
cHrred. the next morning, to the King of
the Ralninns t..... - - - j