The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-01-20

ell. rode out to Kensington to tell the littl.
Princess Victoria that she was Queen oi
about the girl who was destined to be the
greatest woman ruler the world has ever
known-great by reason Of her own per-
sonality and the importance of the posi-
tions Of her descendants.
The little Princess Victoria was reared In
strict seclusion by her mother. the Ouch
Strathearn died he left his widow and
child In straitened circumstances So poor
was he during the year preceding his death
wife back to England, 30 that their child
might be born on British soil. Her mother
was Victoria Maria Louisa, Princess Dow
Belgium.
vIcToRIAs EARLY
TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
The Duchess Of Kent carefully trained and
eoucsted her daughter. especially when, in
ner twelfth year. the little Princess be-
came. through the death Of George w heir
presumptive to the throne. 1t was possible
that her uncle, William w. who had sue
eeeded his brother George. might marry
ana nave children. but as he was GA yeas
Old. and showed no inclination in that IT,
rection. Victorta. from her twelfth year was
reearoed As almost certain to be Queen of
Great br1tafn and Ireland. This anticipa-
tion only caused her good mother 10 devote
nersen more closely to the work of instfll-
ing into the mind Of her daughter the
nave borne such excellent fruit.
lnere was much anxiety among the lead
.S En,I 2. .ne TWO great political parties of the
government the inexperienced girl OF Is
would take. Her disposition was known to
rev outside her mothers household, and II
Vas reared that. like most young women
she was frivolous and undecided in charac-
yer. required q very short time how
ever. 70 show that the young Queen hal q
oeternineo and resolute nature. and in her
girinoods seclusion had taken advantage
oI the opportunity given her to acQuaint
nerseiI with the political history OF her
country. She knew her own mind at tlI
times. and throughout her long reign was
never dominated BY any OF the brilliant
strong minded leaders OF men who have
been at the head OF the English Cabinet
during that period
one or the hrst acts of her reign sho we'd
me me sooeness OF her heart She wrote a
letter OF coincidence TO her widowed aunt
queen consort OF William w and ad-
dressed IL as usual to Her Majesty, the
s.ieea; queen; one Of her attendants called rer
mistake. and remarked that her relative
"sy now Queen dowaser."
Queen: but she shall not first receive her
aitered title from my hand
HER REIGN HAS SEEN
MARVELLOUS PROGRESS.
the world was still under the influence of
the Eighteenth Century. Her reign has
been synchroneous with al We are &C
customed to regard as the progress CT
this century. Perhaps no clearer account OF
tne marvellous changes which were 20 be ac- I
eomplished in the ensuing fifty years could /
be given than that of Walter Besant.
IN @ tne year lss1, he has written, I'VE !
were stu TO ali intents and purposes. in the |
Elgnteenth Century. AS yet the country |
was untouched by that American influence |
which is now filing all peoples with new |
Ideas. Rank was still held in ancient rev |
erence; religion was still that of the Eight |
eenth Century church: the rights of labor
were not yet recognized: there were no |
trades unions; there were no railways to
speak OF; nobody travelled except the rich:
their own country was unknown TO the
people; the majority of country people
could not read or write: the good old disc,-
pine OF Father Stick and his children. Cat
?. Minerals. Ropes End, Strap, Birch,
Ferrule and Cane. was wholesomely main
tanned; landlords, manufacturers and en-
ployers OF all kin1s did what they pleased
Vim Vim tnsir own; elections were carried by
pen bribery; the civil service was full OF
great mems nominees: the church was de-
scured by pluralists; there were no COM
pettive examinations: the perpetual PEN
IONS and their progeny the State was pro-
V1ded with any number of einecures The
country was crammed full Of abuses and |
ne ship or state to outsiders seemed as
The Wing Ministry OF Lord Melbourne |
Eas In power against the will Of the people |
PENAL settlements stin nourished Travel |
Ess still by stage coach. as not a rail-
EVENTS
oF HER LONG REIGN.
The more noteworthy events Of the early
ivnf1e ton. which was to come. The re-
'ellion in Canada. the anti-Corn-LaW
league. t19 Chartist agitation. the Jamaica