The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-21
VICTORIA'S CHILDHOOD.
Where the Queen Was Born-HeI
Mother Forced to EcOnOmixe.

In the year 1916 George III was King of
England: his son Edward, Duke of Kent,
was always in monetary embarrassment.
On this account he was obliged to go to
Brussels, to live there more in accordance
with his means In 1918 he became forty-one
years of age, and married the widowed
Princess of Seinigen. whose residence was
at Amorbash, in Baden (Odenwald), to
which they moved. Here he was visited by
Sir Moses Montefore, who was personally
acquainted with the duke on account of
money transactions. Sir Moses drew the at
tention of the prince to an expected change
in the English crown, and advised the duke
to return TO England. His departure from
Germany was. however, delayed by sick
ness, and he wanted to recover his health
before he could introduce his young wife
to the court of England. Sir Moses turned
privately to the young duchess, and
claimed her attention to the fact that only
q native of England could be heir to the
throne, and that. under existing circum-
stances, she owed it to herself and off
spring to return to England without delay
At this time George Nv, second Oldest
brother of the Duke of Kent, ruled In Eng
land, and he was childless, as his only
daughter died In 1917, and whose successor
to the throne. Henry III, son of George
III, who under the name Of William ~
took possession of the throne on the
OF June 1880. never had any children at all.
MontefiOre explained to the young duchess
all the possibilities of the case The duch-
ess understood the matter in it's proper
light, and concluded to SO to England at
orce so they went to Sdmouth. a bathing
place in Derbyshire. from which place they
were escorted to the court. There, in the
palace of Kensington, the duchess gave
birth TO a female child on the 21st of May,
1919, who received the name of Victoria.
Her father died the next year. leaving her
mother in circumstances not at all pro-
portioned financially to her responsible
ties.
The little princess is spoken of by con-
| temporaneous writer's, and Is represented
| in pictures of the day, as a beautiful child,
round aced, bright-eyed and possessed of
| from which she sprung. The Duchess of
J Kent led retired and almost secluded life
| during the first year of her widowhood.
Her most constant adviser was her BROTH
| er, Leopold of Belgium. AS a child the
| princess was not alone in the family at
Kensington and Clermont. The Duchess of
| Kent had been twice married. and had
| children by her first husband. One of these,
/ the Princess Fedora. who became the
| Princess Hohenlohe. was the constant COM
| panion of Princess Victoria although some
| years her senior.
Strict economy was practiced I'm the fam
| lily OF the Duchess of Kent. The course OF
study that was marked out for the princess
was more arduous than was prescribed for
other children of her age. and II was not
until she became conscious of being heir
| to the throne that she could satisfactorily
| account to herself for the severity of the
| tasks laid upon her. She was taught 20
4 observe all her expenditures. and TO appor-
I ton them strictly and judiciously to her
income. 1t Is asserted that she was not
permitted TO know the position which she
| occupied until she had arrived at the age IF
/ thirteen. When. in 1880. George w died
| she was brought so near the throne that
| I'm case of William Tvs death before she
became of age IL would have been neces-
| sary TO provide for q regency during her
1 Parliament. which settled the possible re-
| gency on the Duchess of Kent. her mother.
] After this IL was not practicable nor de-
/ sirable that she should remain longer IN
| Ignorance of her true relation to the nation.
Having made the young girl acquainted
with her prospects and responsibilities i'm
| life. ii became necessary TO instruct her I'm
| the nature OF her kingdom. The routine of
study was continued. but interrupted
| occasionally by excursions into different
| parts OF England. The broader liberty
which was given to the young princess be-
came matter of national discussion. and
| the press arrayed itself on one side or tho
/ other. according 10 political prejudices BY
| some II was regarded as imprudent and os-
| tentatious on the part of the girls guar
| dams 10 make a show of her throughout
/ the country. while the other hand Ii
| was said that by keeping her shut out
| from public view she would learn notions OF
| self-importance. which would cost her many
| a pang TO rid herself of when IL Became
necessary for her to do From the age
| OF thirteen TO her succession she was large
| ~ under the tutelage of the Duchess Of
| Northumberland. but throughout what may
| be called the years OF her private life hey
mother held the real guiding hand over