The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-04-06
THE QUEEN'S ENSsASs ANA INT AND
Row 1T CAME ABOUT.

AAVW H VA ME EbOOls
An inquisitive contributor to the Ftgars
(says a London correspondent of tho
Chicago 1ribune), who writes under the
name of 'Ignatus," has apparently been
diving deep into the secrets of Balmoral
and Windsor. Some of his discoveries
would considerably surprise her Majesty, I
fancy; but, on the whole, the revelations
of "Ignatus" are sufficiently sober, and, if
unreliable, at least charmingly recorded
The following extract in which he tells the
story of royal courtship, is, I think, as
dainty bit of writing as any have seen
in paper this many day:
Certainly, the young Queen thought less
of England than of marriage. The Minis
ters would fain have made her marriage
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 in the Garden of the Luxem-
bourg. She told her mother that she
would wed with no one whom she did not
love. The Duchess of Kent re-
ported the speech to the Ministers, who
thought it revolutionary in the extreme.
Coronation-day came, and next day the
ball at Windsor. Among the dancers was
tall, handsome, slender student, 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 he NJ loved, he would have
stayed; and he loved But his cousin was
the Queen! Here the woman had to make
the advance. Victoria, deeply touched as
she was by this love (Which was newer more
to leave herr could not easily conquer the
maidenly timidity due to her severe educa.
ton. Nevertheless, morning came.
assure you I invent nothing. Although
the Queen has not consented to relate these
delightful incidents, Prince Albert has told
them to his friends.
Nevertheless, then, morning came.
They were riding together, he and she,
down the great avenue Of oaks at Windsor.
,, Those oaks were younger then, but old
enough already. After gallop they found
themselves alone. We know how danger
ous it is for a man and woman to ride to-
gether, Suddenly the Queen took a sprig
of honeysuckle frem her bosom, and,
stopping, offered it to Prince Albert.
Bending to reach it, his lips touched the
tips of his cousins gloves. Perhaps twas
the fault of the horses. The woods of Eng
land and of France know well how many
loves the noble brutes have been the cause
!, Of. A silence followed, more sweet
than anything ever sung to the heart by
!, Mozart.
Next morning Prince Albert still wore
the honeysuekls in his button-hole. He
kept it even when it had faded. A fort
aight after that ride the plenipotentiary
| minister handed King Leopold of Belgium
tiny letter, closed by an enormous red
q seal, as though it hid mighty secret
g of state. 1t began "My Dear Uncle" and
o was signed, Victoria"
@ month later, the Queen mentioned he,
1 intention to marry Prince Albert of SAKE
t Cobourg- Goth to her Ministers. She asked
!, their counsel, but with pretty air o.
9 decision which caused them to reply with {
o unanimous Eyes" The wedding tool
place on the 10th of February, 1s40. Th'
: Queen of England had married for love-
t like boargeoise, was going to say, bu
the bourgeoises marry but little for low
:, now. Lord Melborne was right when h
8 told England that "the Queens marriag
, was the Queens romance"