Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-07-10
VictOria's Children.
Harper's BarzaI

Harper's Barzar.
Among all the Royal households the
Princess Christians, at Frogmore, has
notably the air of simple home comfort.
She lives very tranquil life, her elderly
husband being devoted to her, and her
children growing up little known, even
by sight, to the Londoners w.:o so eager
ly scan the faces of the little s'Waleses''
in their daily drives. They are comfort
able looking little bodies, with their
mothers placid fairness, and that touch
of something heavily German which
marks all the Royal children. The Prin
cess Christian is particularly fond of mu-
sic and among her dearest friends are
certain well-known composers and music
ians of the past or present day. Ascot
race week always brings together large
company at Frogmore, and the Princess
carriages and her husbands drag are we'll
known sights on the brilliant ground.
In them may be seen many famous PEG
pie in the literary and musical world, and
an invitation to Frogmore at this period
is strongly coveted.
A certain special friendliness prevails
between the household of Princess Chris
tan and that of her Russian sister-i1-law.
Outsiders know little of the Duchess of
Edinburg, though her extreme cleverness
and many accomplishments are quit IA
nous. Not long ago young gentleman
of Oxford tame, who was invited to tea at
Clarence House, was almost put to shame
by his hostess brilliant knowledge Of his
special studies, and he declared he had
some difficulty in responding to her eager
inquiries, which showed so perfect a
comprehension of intricate questions OF
science and philosophy. The Duchess is
a very loving and capable mother, it is
said, and looks positively pretty surround,
ed by her babies, who have all inherited
redundant good health. Her perfect
physique, by the way, is one of her boasts
over English women, who in spite of thci1
reputation 70 strength, have nearly alwsys
some ailment. ~ wonder how many
English women could do what I am do
ing" she remarked to friend calling up
on her three weeks after severe illness
when the Duchess appeared in blooming
health, ready to entertain dinner par.
ty; and indeed this vitality, added
to her intelligence, makes the charm OF
her otherwise plain face and somewhat
stiff manner. Cold, shrewd, and penuri.
Gus, the Duke of Edinburg is not gener.
ally liked. His handsme face and fine
figure are familiar to Londoners, but he
is rarely received with enthusiasm. The
Duke Of Connaught is emphatically the
personal favorite, although the Prince Of
Wales commands the devoted admiration
of the multitude. 1t is no idle story OF
Royal praise that the young Duke OF
Connaught is the cheoa1ier sans peu,. e,
sans reproche of Englang. His life is
stainless, and his demeanor so amiable
and modest that he has made friends on
every side who have given his little bride
a loving welcome for his sake. She her.
self promises to hold place with the
people, as we'll as her new relatives. From
her first appearance at Queensborougl
her manner has been charming. There
is no regular beauty in her face, but its
expression is beautiful, the smile winning
the eyes soft brown and full OF intelli.
gence; and added to her look of girlisl,
youthtulness is frank simple dignity
which has recalled to all minds the love
ly Princess Alexandra of older happier
days.
The Queens most constant companions
are now her two unmarried children, Bea-
trice and Leopold. The former has in
herited much of her mothers cleverness
in music and scientific study, but the
people know her only by sight; her pref
ty, cold face appears photographed in
every shop window, and is familiar to all
Windsor people, for she drives, rides, and
walks in the neigborhood of the castle
constantly. Reserved and proud in tenn
permanent, she can scarcely be called a
favorite, yet many stories of her tilial de-
votion are told. Life must be wearisome
for any unmarried daughter of Royal
house; the conyentionalities which tram
mel her are SO. many and marriage is the
only means of escape; but in these days
royal parts grow rarer. Princess Bea-
trice is the only child of Victoria whose
destiny is not settled, tor Prince Leopold
will never marry. He is a confirmed in
valid, his life sometimes so nearly on the
wane that his pale face and slight, deli
cate figure are regarded anxiously. He
has many friends, to whom he is proven
bially courteous and kind, but existence
grows oftentimes burden to him, know
ing that his illness is incurable.