The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-23
Empire upon which the

over the great Empire upon which the
sun never sets.
Alexandrina Victoria, as she was chris
tened, the only enid OF Edward,
Duke of Kent, tourtn son of George Ill,
and OF his wife, Niciorin Mary Louisa,
daughter of the Duke of SaXc-Coburg-
Saaited, and sister OF Leopold, King of
the Bclgians. Her father having uie1,
January $3.50, she was educated under
the care OF her mother and OF the Duchess;
OF northumberland.
The story of the childhood of the little
Princess, is one of absorbing interest.
She was brought up with the most alb
S2lute simplicity and her childish greet
ings to strangers whom she met in her
walks in Kensington gardens won her
many friends. Steady hard work was the
order of the day, and in her early years
the Princess acquired an ability TO ac-
complish hard tasks that stood her in
good stead. when in later years she di-
rected the affairs of the greatest nation
upon earth. She was early proficient in
singing and music and acquired languages
with wonderful facility.
Not until She was eleven years old did
the little Princess know anything of her
that early age she heard of it with q feel
ing that the responsibilities were much
greater than the slories of the crown.
position in regard to the throne, and at
Now many a child would boast She
said. - but they don't know the difficulty;
there is much splendor but there is
more responsibility" She concluded with
the utterance Il will be good a. resolu-
ton she has truly kept throughout the
long years in which a kind Providence has
preserved her to rule with i gentle hand,
the English peOple-her people.
In quiet study and in visiting the diff
ferent cities of the kingdom her girlish
years We're spent, and everywhere by her
quiet dignilied and gentle manner she
won the love and admiration of all she
met And this love for the girlish
Princess has increa sed until now that her
life of usefulness has been ended and she
has gone to her well-earned reward, it
can be safely said that she was the best
beloved sovereign that ever held the
sceptre of Il loyal and enlightened people.
Princess Victoria attained her eigh-
teenth year and her majority on May p,
1897. The mOmentou5, event was marked by
a state ball and costly gifts. a few days
after came a brilliant drawing-room at
court in her honor and a little later she
appeared at the ball held at the Opera
House for the relief Of the Spitalstield
weavers.
THE CORONATION.
One likes to imagine Her Majesty as
she appeared at the time OF her coro-
nation. twelve months after her call to
the throne-uot regal in height, but with
symmetrical figure and dignilied mien
which caused her stature to be unob-
served her neck and shoulders were OF
particular fairness, whilst her arms and
oainty hands We're singularly beautiful.
- e a clear blue. We're steadfast
in expression, her complexion delicate
D.1n ana wnlte, and she possessed rare
charm of appearance and an engaging
smile.
For a year she had grown in the love
Of the people, had shown how thoroughly
she meant TO be a queen regnant in the
largest sense of the term, devoting her
self, heart and soul, to the cares of state
and government and showing. even to
her ministers at times how absolutely
she was head Of ALL when The glorious
pageant of the coronation took place.
CALLED TO THE THRONE.
Scarcely q month had passed when the
young girl, in the first blush OF her young
womanhood was called upon to occupy
IA throne, and that the throne of the
greatest kingdom that has fourished
upon the earth since the annals of re-
corded history begun. Arising from hcI
slumbcr on the morn when the great
tidings were brought to her. she kneeled
with the Archbishop and implored his
prayers IN her behalf. n few hours later
with wonderful possession. she met
her lords in council, with Lord Mel
bourne, at all times her friend and ad-
WISER as principal Minister, and the Duke
of Wellington among the distinguished
men, gathered round her. The Queen
read her address in that clear musical
voice which has already been acknowl-
edged as one of her greatest charms, and
the only moment when her conlposure
seemed likely to desert her was when
her two aged uncleS knelt before her &c
swear homage, and the girl-queen blushed
holly, perhaps realizing, as these men to
whom she had been taught to look up
bowed humbly before her. how lofty was
her position and how absolute alone she
already stood.
Hanover was separated from England,
TO the throne. so the Duke of Cumber-
land, the Queens uncle, became King OF
Hanover.
Arrayed in her coronation robes of Grim
son velvet and ermiTe over her gown of
White satin. and with brilliants flashing
on the white throat. the Queen passed
from the robing-room to HE abbey, the
principal figure lit that most beautiful
and impressive ceremonial. OF which. PER
haps, the elimination was reached when
the Archbishop placed the crown upon
Nictoria's head. and each peeres,s raised
to her brows her gorgeous coronet. till
the abbey was a flash OF binding light.
The Queens gracious act of coming for
ward to meet TIE Veteran Lord Role as