The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-02-16

DEAR CHILDREN.-I expect some of you
have read recently OF the sad death that has
caused all England to lnourn for the papers
have been filed with al the incidents con-
nected with the death of Prince Albert's old
est son, Clarence, the duke of Avondae, and
grandson of Queen Veto ia. 1t was q very
sad death for many reasons he was young,
and fine young man, 2lld in one month he
was to have been mariled to Princess Mary of
Teck, and it was real love match. Kings
and queens, princes nd prncesses do not Of
ten marry for love; their marriages are all ar
ranged for them. so wien it happens to be a
real love match everybody is greatly inter
ested.
his family, and especially his grandmother the
queen, for her Marriage was real love match,
and l thinkN will interest you to know some
thing ot-I5. Reading of the death of Clarence
hasSrecalled Vctoria's early life, and will tell
sou something about it.
Victoria and her husband, Albert, were first
cousins, Albert's father and Victoria's mother
having been brother and sister. Victoria was
the young queen of one of the mightiest and
proudest empires on earth, while Albert was
only the younger son of a poor German prince.
They had an old uncle whom they both dearly
loved, old King Leopold. of Belgium, and he
was the first person who thought OF making
the match, but he was too sharp to say word
to either Of them about it, but when they were
about seventeen years old he sent Albert to
England to pay a visit TO his aunt and cousin
Albert was rather short and thickset, but fine
looking and rosy checked, and very cheerful
and pleasant in disposition. He was delighted
with England and everything he saw, and
spent much of his time playing on the piano
with his cousin, Victoria, who was very in
terestngand graceful girl.
She fell in love with him at once, but while
he liked her, he did not write to his uncle in
very strong terms of praise, only that he
thought her "vcry amiable." He thenireturn-
cd home and spent his time in travel and study,
writing TO Victoria now and then and she to
him.
Soon after King William " died, and Vic
toria, in her eighteenth year, assembled the
British throne. The year after she became
queen, Albert went back, and this time to
plead for her heart and hand. He had altered
from the short, th;ckset boy. and was a tall
youth, with elegant mannerssand very hand
some face. Victoria was more in love than
ever, and wrote to her Uncle Leopold, CAL
bert's beauty is most striking and he is most
amabe and uDatfected-in short, very faScin-
ating." Very soon after she sent for her
primo minister and announced that she was
going to marry Albert and she sent for him
and told him he had gained her whole heart,
and it would make her very happy if he would
share his life with her. OF course he was do
lighted, and responded with warm affection.
She not only popped the question but fixed
the time for an early marriage. Historians
do not tell us whether this took place during
leap wear, but we will imagine itidid). ANY
way the young couple were married III the
Royal chapel of St. James, in the midst of
great rejoicing and much pOmp and grand
eur.
This was tde beginning of happy life to-
gether for more than twenty years, and their
love increased constantly, and as Victoria grew
older She learned more and more of his excel
lent character, and leaned on him and had him
for her adviser in public and private affairs.
He was devoted to his children. and from first
to last was as tcndcrly devoted to the queen as
a lover.
1t was Prince Albert who proposed and plan
ned tho great London exhibition of 1851, the
first Of the series of Worlds fairs which have
been so frequently held since. Prince Albert
died in 1861, and the queen was broken-heart-
ed 1t was many years before she recovered
from the blow, and before she could bear to
show herself in public or to take part III any
social or state ceremony. He was placed in a
tomb in the beautiful Windsor park, where
they had so often walked together in their
early welded life. Every year on the sad an
niyersary of his death. Victoria goes to his
grave to pray and carry flowers.
Windsor CASTLE one of the queens homes, is
beautifully situated. 1t overlooks the river
Thames, and from its tower twelve counties
may be seen. The home park of the palace
contains 500 acres and this is connected with
Windsor great park, which has an area of l.
800 acres.
Now, ] have told you real true love story,
and it viii always make you think pleasantly
of Queen Victoria. Don't you suppose the
death of Clarence and his love for Mary made
her think sadly. of her own young days? Clar-
ence was buried in st. Georges chapel, where
are the tombs of Henry VIII, Charles /,
Georges III and ", and William ". In this
chapel is said to be one of the finest monu-
ments in the world. It represents a dead
princess, with a sheet thrown over the body
and couch, as though she had Just died. Above
il the spiritof the maiden is shown in the form
of an angel ascending to heaven. It is the
tomb Of the Princess Charlotte. who great
~ beloved by the English people, Yours,
AUNT SUSIE"