St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-20

Victoria Alexandrina was uneventful. Left
fatherless during her first year, she was
carefully trained and educated by her
mother. In 1881 it became almost certain
that she would succeed to the throne of
England, and in May, 1887, when she at
tanned her majority, she stood at the foot of
the throne, for King William ~. was then
dangerously ill. On the Goth day of June
following, at five o'clock in the morning, the
young princess was awakened out of her sleep
to hear the news that she was Queen of
Great Britain and Ireland, and at eleven
o'clock of the same day she met Lord Mel
bourne and the Privy Council, read her
speech to them, took the oath, and the
proclamation of her accession was signed.
On the following day the ceremony of the
proclamation took place. and on June 18th of
the next year her majesty was crowned at
Westminster, the occasion being one of
magnificent festivities.
The first and most important event of the
Queens reign was her courtship and mar
rage to her cousin, Prince Albert of Sake
Coburg. Queen Victoria was not more than
sixteen-sweet sixteen-when she met and
fell violently in love at first sight with her
cousin, the prince a manly fellow of seven
teen, rather short and thick-set, but fine
looking, rosy-cheeked, natural and simple in
his manners, and Of a cheerful disposition.
Victoria, at this period, was slight, grace
full and interesting girl. Albert took great
deal of interest in everything about him,
and while on his visit to England he spent
much of his time in playing on the piano
with his cousin Victoria. She fell in love
with him at once. but he was not, it seems,
so badly smitten. He wrote to his Uncle
Leopold that he liked his cousin, and found
her very bright and amiable girl.
Soon after this Albert returned to the Con-
tinent, and spent some time in travel and
study, writing occasionally to Victoria, and
she to him. When the young prince next
visited England Victoria had become queen.
The object of the young princes visit this
time was to plead for the hand and heart of
IDENTIFY rekindled upon the sight Of Albert,
judging from the following, which she wrote
to her Uncle Leopold:
'tAlbert's beauty is most striking, and he is
most amiable and unaffected-in short, very
fascinating"
And she was not wrong in her opinion Of
Albert, for the short, thick-set boy had grown
into tall, comely youth, with elegant man
ners, and strikingly handsome face The
gods smiled upon the suit of Prince Albert.
A few days after his arrival, Victoria had
made up her mind, and sending for Lord
Melbourne the Prime Minister, told him that
she was going to marry Prince Albert. The
next day she sent for the prince, and sin
genuine outburst of heartiness and love-
she declared to him that he had gained her
whole heart, end would make her very happy
If he would snare her life with her. He re-
sponded with warm affection, and thus they
became betrothed. The Queen not only thus
popped the question" but insisted that the
marriage should take place at an early day.
This was in the summer of 1889, and in the
early winter Of 1910 the young couple were
married in the Royal Chapel Of st. James.