The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-02-04

once summoned That she might not
keep them waiting, she is said to
have appeared with a shawl thrown
over her gown. her feet thrust into
slippers. and her hair falling in dis
order over her shoulders Her eyes
were filled with tears for after all
she loved the gruff old sailor king,
and was grieved at his death Her
arst words on being informed Of her
accession were 20 the archbishop of
Canterbury y beg your grace to
pray for me- owing to the deplor-
aole state Of the court during the two
previous rcigns she had lived In Sc
ciusion, but with all her youth and in
experience, she astonished the min.
listers and councillors. whom she was
summoned to meet on that rame day.
Lord Melbourne. a friend Of her father
had trained her fer her duties. and she
moved about them with perfect self.
possession turning her eyes oniy
once in awhile towards him for the
look Of approval which said all was
going well
AT this meeting the oaths were adj
ministered TO her and she in turn re-
celved the oath OF allegiance on the
part of the minister's She bmshed
hotly when these aged ministers. Wei
iington among them. bowed before
her as II SHE felt the unhtness. Lord
Role who was between eighty and
ninety, stumbled as he mounted the
steps; afterward when he came again
she said MAY not go to himg" and
without waiting for a reply she step
ped quickly down greeting him before
he reached the troublesome steps.
In 1889, Victoria announced to the
priry council her intention Of wedding
her cousin. Prince Albert. of saxe-Co-
burg. All were delighted for while it
was indeed love match. it had been
carefully planned and brought about
by the contracting states The court
ship was probably an that oourtships
should be. but the queen had one very
difficult step to take-the proposal of
marriage must come from her as the
prince was not IN line OF succession
and the queens rank made it impos-
sible for the proposal to come from
him. Il would not have been such
formidable task had 1t been merely
state marriage, but both were deeply
IN love However we are told that the
prince Gid all ne could to rcnder the
task easy and we know that she must
have performed the same satisfactorily
70 all parties Prince Albert proved to
be a true helper, but in 1861. Victoria
was left to live for her children and
her empire Her life since then has
been quiet. most OF the social duties
having been left to the rtincc Of
Wales.
cannot give You much Of an idea
Of what this reign means to England.
Victoria was the first constitutional
England has had. thus open
ing uew era in English history. In
her time were brought In the much
needed reforms that have so bettered
the condition Of the common people
the penny postage, extension of fran
chise. repeal of tho corn laws. educa-
tion bin changes in parliamentary
representation and home rule for Ire
land, and religious liberty
Perhaps Victoria had not the states
qualities OF Elizabeth, IN.
stead OF taking upon herself those
burdens she was content to have her
name go down into history, nlumin.
ated by the reflected brilliancy OF
scores OF great men who have felt the
inGuonce OF her strong personality
Golden Peel. Bright and Gladstone,
who set industry free and widered
the bonds OF commerce. Palmerston.
Derby Salisbury, types OF English con
seryatism; DiSraell, who acquired con
troI Of the suez canal, and presented