The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-25
vICTORIA's BIRTHDAY.
Her British Majesty seventy-seven

Her British Majesty Seventy-Seven
Years Old Yesterday.
LONDON, May 24-Queen Victoria to-day
celebrated her seventy-seventh birthday.
She has reigned fifty-eight years. much lon
ger than any living sovereign, and the only
older one is the King of Denmark.
Queen Victoria was born on May "a. 1919,
at Kensington Palace, and was the only
child Of the Duke of Kent fourth son OF
calling his daughter plump as partridge"
HIS affection for her had a curious con-
nection with his death. He came home with
wet feet and, instead of changing his shoes,
went to the nursery to play with her, and
in consequence, caught cod and died AT
five years the Princess Victoria is described
as having "a countenance which bespeaks
perfect health and good temper. She had
fair hair and complexion and very large
eyes. She used 10 ride donkey gay.y ca
par.soned with blue ribbons in Kensington
How do you do?" and Good morning.
She has always retained her regard for
trained her daughter very thoroughly. She
was careful that she should appear very
seldom at the court Of her uncle. George "
was the simplicity in dress which has al
ways characterized her. She was eighteen
years Old when she became Queen 6y the
death of William Nv, on June ~. 1881. AT
that time She was very sweet-looKng
young woman, with very fair hair ;arge
blue eyes and rosy cheeks. easily Diusnins;;
Above all. her appearance was fresh ana
wholesome. Writing Of the Queen's voice
as she heard 1t at the coronation, Fanny
Kemble, the great actress, said: Ine enuh-
cation was as perfect as the information was
me,odious. and think 1t impossible to hear
a more excellent utterance than that OF the
Queens English by the E Enc nrs v ths In
sisnia of the Order of the Garter, the high
est order of knighthood in England. There
should TaS s' be- worm The left arm was finally
decided on Her marriage followed three
years later. She was fortunate in finding IN
her cousin Prince Albert OF SaXe-CoDurg-
Gotha. one who was acceptable TO the coun-
try. and whom she herself loved.
The Queen had 10 propose to her husoand;
she asked him 4 he s sd %ssS Should
you ever leave it, she asked. BY little IN
9uiries of this kind she ascertained the state
OF his feelings and finally made a deciara-
ton. She ted him that he would make her
intensely happy IL he would share his hfe
The Queen and the Prince Consort had
honeymoon of three days. There were many
uncomfortable features at first about the lat
ter's position The law gave ,n MN no exaer
of the horse maintained that he had the
right to sit in the Queens carriage on state
occasions, and not the Prince Consort The
Duke of Wellington, however, gave the opin-
ion that the Queen could put Lord Albemarle
where she liked-either on top Of the coach
or beneath It. or anywhere else Ine Queen
whom she was to lose so early. In her
diary she speaks with sorrow OF his delicate
stomach. So many attempts have been made
on the Queens life that she has been under
fire more than many a soldier In all cases
she showed courage and presence OF mind.
The Queens first child, the Princess Royal.
was born in 1870. From that time she dill
gently fulfilled the scriptural injunction 20
increase and multiply. There are countless
portraits of her with her children. and some
of these are very pleasing. She has been
painted and photographed with one, two,
three. four. five, six, seven and eight chill
drer. A favorite photograph in recent years
was the one in which she holds the Princess
Beatrice's child. at the time her youngest
grandchild. The Queens domestic qualities
having been spoken OF, il will be interesting
TO hear an opinion she once expressed on the
subject of women in politics: We women
are not made for governing. and If we are
good women We must dislike these masculine
occupat lions"
During the past year her age has weighed
perceptibly upon her. and from time to time
alarming rumors about her health have cir
culated some going so far as 10 declare she
was losing her mind. and that for days at
time her mind wandered. Her public ap-
pearances are becoming very rare. She
walks with the greatest difficulty, having be-
come very stout. Despite the loss Of ;he
charms OF early life and her retirement from
public gaze, she retains undimin ished the af-
lection of her subjects There will be no un-
usual celebration OF her birthday this year.
Bits of News from Mexico.
CITY OF MEXICO. May A.-The local
-,ov& 81 f1,a Erard Arro.v ha paot,hlf. f,af1