The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-01
THE QUEEN LOVES HER TROOPS
Never Forgets That She l. the
Daughter of u soldier.

II NAV be interesting to recall Queen
Victoria's attitude in the early days of her
reign toward her soldiers. Of whom she
once said. NNoble fellows. / feel as If they
were my own children, my heart beats for
them as for my nearest and dearest The
Queen has never forgotten that she is a
soldiers child. and when presenting colors
On one occasion to the Scots Fusilier
Guards she said. Il have been associated
with your regiment from my earliest in
fancy. as my dear father was your colonel.
He was proud OF his profession, and / was
always taught to consider myself a sol
dier's child when an infant in arms Her
Majesty was present at a review ~ Houus-
low Heath. TO the no little annoyance Of
the prince regent who said "Tha; infant
is leo young to De brought into public.
The faithful attendant Of he- early child
hcci was an old soldier, who had been her
fathers b0dyguard. In her youth the
Queen heard the Duke OF Wellington
spoken of with batpd breath and on his
death she spoke OF him as Our immortal
hero.
In the earliest years Of her reign the
Queen was accustomed to review her
troops mounted on a charger dressed in
military costume as portrait of her in
the next uursDer of the "Lady's Realm, TO
which We are indebted for these carly
remit Essences of Her Majesty. shows. Two
months after her ascension. mounted Ca a
gray charger she wore trim blue cloth
cCat and skirt with e star on the breast
and a round cap with 2 peak 0-uamented
with q deep gold band in reviewing for
the first lime the Household troops at
Windsor. Later on the Queen was dressed
in a long habit with 2 GETAWAY jacket and
a large hat oruameuted with military
plumes
Al some reviews in Hyde Park the
Queen was IN tight-ftting bodice and hCr
form encircled with a bandolier; while in
reviewing the troops on their return from
the Crimtd. Her Majesty were habit Of
fine srlet cloth. the collar Of which Uas
embroidered la gold and silver with the
devices Of a field marshal; across the left
shoulder was the blue ribbon or the Gar
ter. while a brilliant star cleaned on he
breast and fastened round her Wai.t was
a crimson and gold net sash fIiuged with
gold tasseis Her hal was OF black felt,
with a round crown ornamented with an
officers plume Of red and white feathers.
The Queen rode ON that memorable coca
SIGN a splendid chestnut horse.
In old times. too. the Queen Delighted 10
stay az the Pavilion al AldershOt. where
she often received crowned heads and dis
tinguished soldiers From hef sitting
room window she commanded q view Of the
long valley stretching from Caesars camp,
and could witness the evolutiOns Of the
troops with ease. Her Majesty subscribed
literally toward the three churches. nu-
merous schools. reading rooms. hospital.
and theatre AT Aldershot. and in every eff
fort to improve the condition Of the pri-
vate soldier she has taken the keenest
personal interest The first death var
rant she was called or TO sign was that Of
a criminal who had formerly been in the
army are there no eEteuuatng circum-
stances o." asked the Queen OF the minister,
and the reply was that he was once re-
ported for gallant action in the field All,
then he has fought for his country in the
field said the Queen and at once jOyfully
wrote the word "PaIdoned" across the
warrant.
u viii thus be seen that the Queens in
tense personal sympathy with her soldiers
in the field now. and with their wives and
children. is only the continuation OF
settled policy which has characterized
her whole life While in the piping times
of peace the common soldier has. save by
nursemaids been held in little esteem by
his fellows. the estimation in which he
has been held by his sovereign has always
been O. high one. For his interests aud
comforts she has been at all times con-
cerned. and the devoted loyalty which in
spires all ranks from the field marshal 10
the drummer boy is caused by a thorough
appreciation and recognition Of q long
continued and never wayering devotion ON
the part OF their beloved sovereign TO sol
diers considered by her as specIaIiy ner
own children