Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-01-30

o"N "eS H"iy Aopl tnrougOut
the long years in which u kind Prov.
idence has preserved her 10 rule with
gentle hand, the English people
her people.
In quiet study aud in visiting the
different cities of the kingdom her
giriish wears were spent, and every
where by her quiet. dignified and gen
tie manner she won the love and ad.
miration of all sho met. And this
love for the girlish Princess has in.
creased until nov that her life of use
fulness has been ended and she has
gone to the well-earned reward, it can
be safely said that she was the best
beloved sovereign that even held the
sceptre OF loyal aud enlightened
people.
Princess Victoria attained her
eighteenth year and her majority OH
May -, 1896. The momentous event
was marked by state ball aud costly
gifts. 4 few days after came q bril-
liant drawing. room AT court in her
honor, and little later she appeared
at the ball held at the Opera House
for the relief of the Spitalsfield weav-
ers.
One likes TO iuagiue Her Majesty
AS she appeared at the time of her
coronation, twelve month after her
call to the throne-uot regal in height
but with a symmetrical figure and
dlguitied mien which caused her stat
ne 10 be unobserved; her neck and
shoulders were of particular fairness,
whilst her arms and dainty hands
we're siugularly beautiful. Her ewes
OF clear blue, we're stead fast in eI-
preston, her complexion a delicate
pink aud white, and she possessed
rare charm of appearance and an en-
gagiug smile.
For q year she had grown in the
love Of the people, had shown how
thoroughly she meant TO be q queen
regnAnt in the largest sense of the
term, devOting herIelf, heart and soul,
to the cares of state and government,
and showing, even to her ministers at
times, how Absolu tely she WAS head of
all, when the glorious pageant of the
coronation took place.
Scarcely . month had passed when
the young girl, in the lrst blush of
her young wOmAnhoOd, Was called
upon to occupy q throne, and that
the throne Of the greatest kingdom
that has flOurished upon the earth
since the annals recorded history be-
gun. Arising from her slumber on
the morn when the great tidings were
brought to her, she kneeled with the
Archbishop and implOred his prayers
in her behalf. A few hours later.
with wonderful self possession, she
met her lords in council, with lord
Melbourne, at sll times her friend
and adviser, - prlncipal Minister,
and the Duke of Wellington among
the distinguished men, gathered
round her. The Queen read her nd
dress in that clear musical voice
which has already been acknowledg-
ed 80 one of her greatest charms, and
the only moment when her compo-
sure seemed likely to desert her was
when her two aged uncles knslt be-
fore her to swear homage, and the
girl-queen blushed holly, perhaps re-
alizing, as these men 20 whom she had
been taught to look up, bowed bumb-
ly before her, how lofty was her posi-
ton and how absolute alone she al
ready stood.
In the first year of the Queens
reign Hanover was separated from
England, its laws requiring . male
heir 70 succeed to the throne, SO the
Du ks Of Cumberland, the Queens
uncle, became King of Hanover.
Arrayed ih her coronation robes OF
crimson velvet and ermine over her
gown of white satin, and with bril-.
liants flashing on the white throat,
the Queen passed from the robing
room to the abbey, the principal fix
ure in that most beautiful and i'm.
pressivs ceremonial, Of which, per.
hsps. the elimination was reached
when the Archbishop placed the
crown upon Victoris's head, and each
peeress raised to her brows her gor.
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