Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-11-17
Queen Elizabeth's Youth.

was born September 7, 1888, at beauti-
fal palace on the Thames, at Greenwich
Her father was the cruel Henry VIII.
the husband of six wives in succession :;
her mother was the fair, unfortunate
Annie Boleyn. Her birth was the occa-
sion of a splendid ceremony. At her
baptism the Lord Mayor of London and
his officers came in state to Greenwich,
clad in gold and purple. The nobility
and the clergy assembled, and brought
rich gifts of gold, silver and jewels.
The trumpets sounded, the people
cheered, and the infant princess was
brought back to the palace with blazing
torches by crowd of gaily clad attend
ants. For nearly three years she was
looked upon as the heir to the crown :;
palace was given her, and she seemed
destined only to good fortune. Bat now
her cruel father cut off her mother, Anne
Boleyn's head, and married another.
Elizabeth was neglected, and was left
"lthOat S4OtiiCS hlld alIuOct MltuOuI LpSu.
"She hath neither gown, nor kirtle, nor
petticoat," wrote her governess of her,
and "no meat at home" Her father
forgot his child, and seemed almost to
desire that she might die, like her
mother.
His third wife, Jane Seymour, died,
leaving a son Edward, who was to be
King of England. Elizabeth was now
treated with kindness, and formed q
strong affection for her young brother.
She was about four years older than he
was. As they grew up they were edu
Gated together in the same palace, and
had the same tutors. They studied
Greek, Latin, Italian, French, and
learned to write well. At twelve, Eliza
beth could compose in French and Ital-
ian; and when Edward was about twelve,
he began to keep a journal, which is
still read with pleasure. Their elder
sister, Mary Tudor, afterward the cruel
queen. was sometimes with them. Their
father, Henry Will, gave them excel
lent teachers, and they lived in happi-
ness together several years. But Henry
had in the meantime divorced one wife
Anne of Cleves), cut off the head of an
other (Cathari1e Howard), and he final
ly married q widow, Catharine Parr, who
outlived him. He died in 1547. When
the news of his death was brought to
Elizabeth and Edward, who were in the
room together, they burst into floods of
tears.
Edward went up TO London and be-
came king at nine years of age. Eliza
beth fell into bad health, grew pale and
thin, and for many months seemed
scarcely to hope for life. She wrote
sometimes to Edward, and their fond
ness for each other still continued. She
grew up tall, fair, her eyes blue, her
hair red or auburn, her nose prominent,
her manners pleasant and attractive.
She played on the viol, danced, sang,
read Greek, spoke Latin easily, and was
fond of literature she made transla-
tions from the Italian, and was one of
the most intelligent persons of the time.
At this period she dressed very plainly,
and lived a studious life. In 1853 Ed
ward died, at sixteen. Mary, his eldest
sister, became queen, and at one moment
wished to put Elizabeth to death. She
was carried to the Tower, passed through
the Traitor Gate, and was prisoner
for many months. At last Mary relent-
ed, and set her free. Marry died in 1858
and Elizabeth became Queen of Eng
land.
Her life can scarcely be calleda happy
one, for she was in constant danger of
assassination, and her enemies on all
sides threatened to deprive her of her
crown. Her chief rival and foe was her
second cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots.
Mary was Queen of Scotland, and
claimed to be Queen of England. She
said Elizabeth had no right to the
throne. Mary was suspected of MUIR
dering her husband, Darnley, was driven
from Scotland by the people, and be-
came Elizabeth's prisoner for nineteen
years. She was always plotting againts