The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-07-10
VictOl'ia's Children.

AioipcA IdELdF.
Among all the Royal households the
Princess Christians, at Frogmorc, 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 "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 Cnristian is particularly fond of mu-
sic and among her dearest friends arc
certain well-known composers and music
ians of the past or present day. Ascot
race week always brings together large
company at Frogmorc, and the Princess
carriages and her husbands drag are we'll
known sights Oh the brilliant ground
In them may be seen many famous peo
pie in the literary and musical world, and
an invitation to Frogmorc at this period
is strongly coveted.
\ certain special friendlincss prevails
between the household of Princess Chris
tian and that of her Russian sistcr-ix- law.
Outsiders Know little of the Duchess of
Edinburg, though her extreme clcverness
and many accomplishments are quit IA
nous. Not long ago young gentleman
OF Oxford fame, 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 !,
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 their
| reputation fo strength, have nearly alwsys
some ailment. ~ wonder how many
English women could do what l am do
ing,' she remarked to friend calling up
on her three weeks after a 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, shrcwd, and pcnuri-
Gus, the Duke of Edinburg is not gener-
! ally liked. His handsme tace and fnc
figure are familiar to Londoners, but he
is rarely received with enthusiasm. The
! Duke of Connaught is cmphatically the
personal favorite, although the Prince of
Wales commands the devoted admiration
of the multitude. It is no idle story Of
Royal praise that the young Duke Of
! Connaught is the cheDalier sans peur ct
sans reproche Of Englang. His life is
stainless, and, his dcmeanor so amiable
and modest that he has made friends On
every side who have given his little bride
q loving welcome tor his sake. She her
self promises to hold place with the
people, as we'll as her new relatives. From
her first appearance at Queensborough
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-
gcnce; and added to her look of girlish
youthtulncss is frank simple dignity,
which has recalled to all minds the'lovc-
| 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
hcrited much Of her mothers clcvcrness
in music and scientific study, but the
people know her only by sight; her prct,
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
favorite, yet many stories of her tilial de-
votion are told. Life must be wearisomc
tor any unmarried daughter Of Royal
house; the conventionalities 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 provcr-
bially courteous and kind, but existence
grows oftentimes burden to him, know
! ing that his illness is incurable.