Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-01-30
daughter, who was brought I'D Hnder thu

prudence ana economy were especial
features of her ton and she was
taught to be self-reliant, brave and sys-
tematical.
She succeeded to the throne on the
death of William ~, third son of George
Ill, June 20, 1887, when the crowns of
England and Hanover, which had been
worn by the same person since the &C
cession of George L. in 1714, were separ-
ated, the former devolving upon the
young princess and the latter by virtue
of the Salic law, falling to the duke Of
Cumberland, the late kings younger
brother She was crowned in Westmin-
ster abbey June %, 1888. Some interest
was taken in the fact that from the first
the queen subscribed herself simply Vic
toria and not, had been expected,
Alexandria Victoria.
The early years of Victoria's reign were
full of interest and excitement. There
were the rebellion in Canada, the anti
corn league, the chartist agitation, the
Jamaica question, the never ending Irish
question, the Afghan war and the war
with China. Along with these events
came the Introduction of many of the
great discoveries in science, industry and
commerce which are now considered spe-
cially representative of modern civiliza-
ton. A reign, says one of its clearest
historians, which in it's earliest years
the application of the electric current to
the task of transmitting messages, the
first successful attempts to make use of
steam for the business Of transatlantic
| naviga ton, the general development Of
the railway system and in the introduce
ton of the penny post must be consid-
cred to have obtained for itself, had it
secured no other memorials, an abiding
place in history.
February 10, 1910, Queen Victoria was
married to her cousin, Prince Albert of
SaXe-COburg -Gotha. This was a love
match, pure and simple, but the young
SOVEREIGN IN
conduct the negotiations mainly by her
self. During the previous month she had
formally notified parliament of her inten-
ton to marry her cOusin-a step which
she trusted would be conducive to the
interests of my people as we'll to my
own domestic happiness" The announce
ment was not received with universal sat-
iSfaction, but a cordial reception was ac-
corded Prince Albert on his landing in
England several days before the marriage
ceremony A squabble arose in parlia-
ment as to the allowance to be made the
prince. The proposed annuity was $780,
600, but after a bitter debate this was
cut down to $15O.OO0.
1t was some years before the people
| thoroughly understood Prince Albert. All
his actions were closely watched. 1t was
imagined that he would endeavor to over
step his limitations as the consort of the
queen and try to influence political af-
airs. But this feeling wore off as tbs
excellent personal qualities of the prince
became known. When he died December
IA, 1861 the national grief was profound.
No man, it was admitted, had ever de-
voted himself more faithfully to high and
difficult duties and words of commenda-
ton were heard on all sides.
For many years after this bereave-
ment the queen led a life of strict seclu-
sion. She avoided all public and court
ceremonies, though her duties as a SOW
ereign were never neglected. In 1876 she
opened parliament in person for the first
time since the death of Prince Albert.
Nine children were born a result OF
the union. Their names and date Of
birth are:
The Princess Victoria, Princess Roy
all now empress dowager Of Germany,
born November y, 1910; married January
25 1858, Frederick William, then crown
prince of Prussia who died in 1888, as
Emperor William H. of Germany, after
a reign of only SO days. Her son is now
emperor, and he has had six sons and
one daughter. The empress dowager has
had four sons and Is grandchildren.
Albert Edward, prince of Wales, who
now becomes regent, born November 3.
1871; married March 10, 1853, Princess
Alexandra of Denmark. He has had three
sons and three daughters and has three
grandchildren. His eldest son died in
1892 and his second son, the duke OF
York, married Princess Mary of Teck
and has two children.
Princess Alice, born April 25, 1913; mar
ried in 1862 to Prince Frederick Of Hesse5
died December IA, 1878. She had two sons
and five daughters, of whom the young
est living is married to the ear of Rus
sia There are six grandchildren in this
family.
Prince Alfred, duke of Edinburgh, bora
1874; married 1874 Marie Alexandrovna,
only daughter of the ear of Russia; late
duke of Saxe-Gotha and Coburg. They
had one son and four daughters, one of
whom has two children.
Princess Helena, born 1916; married 1865
to Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein
They have five children. all unmarried.
Princess Louise, born 1S4S; married 1871
the marquis OF Lorne, the only one OF the
children marrying outside OF royalty.
They have no children.
Prince Arthur. duke Of Connaught.
born 1885, married 1879 to Princess Louise
of Prussia, daughter of Frederick Charles.
the famous red prince. Three children
have come to this union.
Prince Leopold duke Of Albany, born
1853; married Princess Helen of Waldeck
1882: died 1884 Two children, one postum
nous, form this household.
Princess Beatrice, born 1857; married
| 1885 to Prince Henry of Battenburg. The
prince died in 1896, leaving four children.
Death of all the prior heirs to the num-
| Der of % would make the German en-
| peror king Of England. If 4S heirs failed
England would have to take the empress
| of Russia, provided the people did not
| decide otherwise and Sc heirs would have
| to die before the queens youngest child,
| Princess Beatrice, would succeed to the
throne.
During Queen Victoria's reign there
were many notable acts of legislation.
Several reforms demanded by the chart
| lists then considered revolutionary in the
| extreme, were quietly and peaceably eff
| fected The corn laws were repealed and
| England entered upon her marvellous pros
perity under a free-trade policy The
| Irish church was disestablished and the
odious system of purchase abolished in
| the army There was a sensational feat
| ture connected with the last-named meas
| ure It was opposed by the house OF
| lords and defeated by trick. An amend
| meEt was carried to the effect that the
] lords were unwilling to agree to the pas
| sage of the bill until some comprehen-
| sive and complete scheme of army reor
ganizaticn should have been laid before
| it, Mr. Gladstone thereupon took a step
| which is variously criticised to this day.
| Purchase was permitted only by royal
| warrant and in order to checkmate the
lords Gladstone advised the queen to cam
| eel the royal warrant which made it le-
| gal.
| In 1876 Benjamin Disraeli created an
1 lxy Int Ino