The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-03-20
The Queens Engagement and How Ii
Came About.


An inquisitive contributor to the
Figaro (says a London correspond
ent Of the Chicago Tfibane), who
writes under the name of "Ignatus,"
has apparently been diving into the
secrets Of Balmoral and Windsor.
Some of his discoveries would con
siderably surprise her Majesty, i
fancy: but on the whole, the reye-
lations of "Ignatus" are sufficiently
sober, and, if unreliable, at least
cbarmingly recorded. The following
extract, in which he tells the story OF
royal courtship, is, / think, as dainty
a bit of writing as any ! have seen
in q paper this May a day:
Certainly, the young Queen thought
less of England than of marriage.
The Ministers would fain have made
her marriage a sort of international
treaty. Beyond all doubt, Victoria
was the finest match in the world.
The Queen, however, was full OF a
host of little projects. ever shifting
and changing, like the little heaps of
sand the children raise 10 the Garden
of the Luxembourg. She told her
mother that she would wed to no
one whom she did not love. The
Duchess of Kent reported the speech
to the Ministers, who thought it revo-
lutionary in the extreme. Corona
tion-day came, and next day the ball
at Windsor. Among the dancers
was q tall, handsome, slender stu
dent, from the University of Bonn
her cousin a Cobourg, like herself.
The Queen noticed him. and Prince
Albert did not return to Bonn.
Even had be not loved he would have
stayed and be loved. But his cous-
in was the Queen! Here the wo-
man had to make the advance. Vic
toria, deeply touched as she was by
this love (which was never more to
leave herr could not easily conquer
the maidenly timidity due to her
severe education. Nevertheless, q
morning came. l assure you ! in
bent nothing. Although the Queen
das not consented to relate these
delightful incidents, Prince Albert
vas told them to his friends.
Nevertheless, then, q morning
came. They were riding together, be
and she, down the great avenu of
oaks at Windsor. Those oaks were
younger then, but old enough al
ready. After a gallop they found
themselves alone. We know how
dangerous it is for q nan and woman
to ride together. Suddenly the
Queen took a sprig of honeysuckle
from her bosom, and, STOPPING, offer
ed it to Prince Albert. Bending to
reach it, bis lips touched his cousins
gloves. Perhaps twas the fault Of
the horses. The woods Of England
and France well know how many
loves the noble brutes have been the
cause OF. A silence followed more
sweet than anything ever sungto the
heart by Mozart.
Next morning Prince Albert still
wore the honeysuckle in bis button
hole. He kept it even when it had
faded. A fortnight after that ride
the plenipotentiary minister handed
King Leopold of Belgium a tiny let.
ter, closed by a mighty seal, as
though it bid a mighty secret Of
state. 1t began my Dear Uncle"
and was signed, Victoria"
A month later, the Queen mention,
ed her intention to marry Prince Al
bert Of Saxe-C obourg-Goth to her
Ministers. She asked their counsel,
but with q pretty air of decision
which caused them to reply with a
unanimous yes The wedding
took place on the 10Th of February,
is4G. The Queen If England had
married for leve-like q bourgeoise,
1 was going to say. hnt the bour-
geoises marry but little for love now.
Lord Melborne was right when be
told England that the Queens mar
rage was the Queens romance"