Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-02-21
ENGLAND'S QUEEN.
Some Undesirable Qualities in the
Robes Of Royalty.
Victoria not Altogether nm Attractive
Mother.i in Law-..A Shabbily
Economical Sow.
ereign.

lucy H. Hooper in Philadelphia Telegraph
Apropos of Grace Greenwood, have just
finished reading her very charming "Life OF
Queen Victoria" It is a most interesting
volume, and heartily concur with her In her
enthusiastic praises Of Prince Albert TIL
his eldest son grew up we scarcely realized
what paragon the prince consort really was
"a young and handsome man, seated beside
one of the greatest thrones Of Europe,
prince out of feiry tale for beauty and
personal fascination, yet blameAsss and noble
in bis daily life as virtuous woman. All,
there are no such princes nowadays'
The only real error Of his life as the queens
husband was his adherence to the strict rules
of the stiff court etiquette Of Germany, and
which be persuaded her to maintain--a fact
that accounts in part for tho intense unpopu-
larity that was at one tune his undeserved por-
ton. He carried his intense pride OF position SO
far as never to consent to receive any article
from the hands Of a servant Even when he
was out shooting he would not take his gun
from one Of the game-keepers; it had to be
transmitted to him through the medium OF
his gentlemen in waiting. His wife fully Inn
bibed all his ideas and followed bis example.
Once, when Queen Victoria was OH o visit to
King Louis Philippe, she expressed desire
one evening, Immediately before retiring to
rest for glass Of water. 1t was brought to
her on a golden salver by one Of the royal
Wallets. The queen refused to take the wator,
motioning its bearer from her with an
imperious gesture. Louis Philippe noticed
the action, and perfectly comprehended it's
purport He signed to one Of his sons to offer
the salver to her ma jesty. This was done,
and tho queen then condescended to accept
the desired draught.
think, too, that Queen Victoria las been
much to blame In the stand which she has
taken in regard to the marriages Of the mem.
bers OF the collateral branches Of the royal
family. 1t Is a we'll known fact she forced
the poor Princess Mary Of Cambridge to givs
up the man she sincerely loved and who
loved her, an English nobleman, and likewise
compelled her to give her hand to the duke Of
Teck. More then oncs has the queen been
compelled to intervene in the oonJugal affairs
Of this ill-assorted pair. And in more than
one instance she has refused to receive at
court German princes who have married
English ladies OF rank, because she did not
approve of tho gentlemen marrying beneath
their station, thus taking sides with her
brthright against her own countryworlen.
But tho most unprincely Of Queen Victoria's
defects is her meanness. She is economical to
degree that would be praiseworthy in a
washerwoman earning shillings a week, but
which is highly reprehensble in a sovereign
receiving large revenues from the nation.
That che should not care for dress is all well
enough, but surely the queen Of England
tn ~ 1jr IN, lal
shabby clothes, and that she does continually.
Her invariable wedding gift to any young
lady member of the British aristooracy en-
titled to receive q present on her wedding
from those august hands, is On India shawl.
The reason for this invariabe selection is said
to be the fact that a portion of the tribute
paid annually by the native princes Of India
70 their supreme sovereign, che empress, al
ways consists of a number OF fine shawls, and
so she need not disburse penny when max
ing ber wedding present. Aud the injury
that she has done to the commerce and
tradespeople Of London in her selfish se-
clusion during all these years is simply in-
calculabe. Granted that she mourned for
her lost husband .and doubtless she did, poor
wifeDwith all the passionate abandonment
duo to such love and such a loss. But a
nobler mind would have recognized higher
duty In the claims OF her people, and when
the formal period of mourning was over,
would have comprchcnded the worth of self
abnegation on such matter.
And tho poor Princess Beatrice surely
never did princess young, sprightly and In.
telligent, lead such doleful existence outside
of the enchanted tower Of fairy tale. Not
for her are the splendors OF court ball, or
the charms Of a box at the opera, or even the
luxury of drive in the park in the height Of
the London season. She is kept closely
chained to the side of her imperious, selfish
motner, fulfilling the duties Of a paid COM
panion, with never a holiday, except indeed,
when she caught the rheumatism lately, and
had to 60 to Aix-les- Bains by order Of her
physicians And l am told that the poor
princess ma!ady was caused by the strict Gu
folcement by the queen Of full dress daily at
their family dinner. That constant wearing
OF a decollets corsage in all kinds Of weather
proved too much for the health of her un-
lucky daughter. And from the queens die
tum no appeal is possible. She tyrannizes
over everybody about her, with the sole ex-
ception Of tie duchess OF Edinburg. The
naughty Russian princess once turned upon
her with the sharp remark, apropos OF some
question Of precedence, madam, you forget
that my father was an emperor, while yours
was not even a king"
Now, do not wish to decry Mrs Lip
pincott's most charming volume, or to give
the impression that do not comprehend and
appreciate the many high qualities OF Queen
Victoria But have been too much in Eng.
land and have heard too much about her to
exactly look upon her as "a thing ensk'y'd
ensainted." She has defects which are in
tolerable in private-still more in that OF a
uusen-and that have told, and are still tell
ing cruelty on hor family and her immediate
surroundings. And any prosperous American
girl may thank her stars that Queen Victoria
is neither her mother, her guardian, or her
mother-in-law.
Mary AndersOn's Admirers.