Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-22
England (vI of sootland), George of Eng
Fortunat. in Her Parentase.

The queen was wonderfully fortunate In
her parentage Her father, the Duke OF
Kent, was Of a character far different from
that OF some Of the sons of George Ill
His sincerity. his uprightness and his be-
lief in popular rights did not greatly com
mend him to the favor Of his royal father.
For many years he served with distinction
in military command In Germany, the West
Indies, British America and at Gibraltar
The dukes position at court involved heavy
expenditures, for which parliament Tailed
to make the customary provisions, the re-
suit being that he gradually became over
whelmed with debts, and In 1915. four years
before his marriage. decided to dismiss his
retinue of servants and to quit England for
a residence in Brussels, where his expenses
could be greatly reduced.
Eight months after the birth of Victoria,
her father, the Duke Of Kent, died sud
denly. His death left the now twice widow
ed German princess, Mary Louise. with her
infant daughter Victoria, in what was
practically a strange land, and In straight
ened finances, for the belated provision OF
an annual sum by parliament two years
previously had not awaited to clear the
dukes debts. Her brother. Prince Leopold
of SaXe-Coburg, who. In after years. became
King of the Belgians, came promptly to
her help with an annual allowance OF
$1,000 and his watchful affection In wise
counsel. 1t so happened that the future
queen had little to do with the court until
within few years of the time when. with
character soundly based and wisely formed.
she took her place as its central and con-
trolling figure.
Education of the Future Queen.
The Duchess Of Kent was supplemented
In her care and effort for her child by the
governess Baroness Lehzen. daughter of a
Hanoverian Clergyman, who took general
charge of Victorias education from the
age of five years. The Rev. George Davys,
afterward bishop of Peterborough, was
also her regular Instructor, and specialists
were employed in certain branches. She
became proficient in music and drawing.
OF an earlier period it is recorded that AT
the age of eleven she could speak French,
Italian and German, and had made sooo
beginning In Latin and Greek. At this age,
too, she was started on the systematic
study of the English constitution she
was directed also into an unusually thor
ough study of general history. Mean
while, she had plenty Of play and exercise.
and became an admirable rider. Her
mothers wise theory was to prolong her
childhood.
All accounts of those years agree that
she was pretty child, brilliantly fair, blue
eyed, with manners natural. simple ana
vivacious. She showed in Girlhood the pos
session of will of her own. but she show
ed also a disposition affectionate to her
friends and thoroughly kind toward the
distressed.
When Victoria was twelve years Of age,
in 1881. she made the first of her Few APP
pearances at court, and parliament voted
for her support as heiress presumptive dn
additional appropriation OF 10000 year.
During the years Immediately succeeding
she was seen on various public occasions.
But her mother made use of the last van
fishing possibility of the birth OF other
heirs who would take precedence OF her. 10
keep the child as long as propriety would
permit out of the whirl of court life ana 10
allow her education to proceed without In
terruption. The result was that victoria
assembled the throne in excellent bodily,
mental and moral health
May "a 1897 Victoria attained the age
Of eighteen-the age of legal majority. The
birthday was observed with grand pubic
celebration throughout the country. To an
address of congra tulation from the city
council Of London the duchess replied ior
her daughter, who then said simply,
My mother has expressed all my feei-
ings." Within less than Il month. or on
June 90 1897, she was on the throne.
Death of King William.
At half-past two in the dark morning
hours of June 20, King William died. The
archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Con-
yngham soon started for Kensington pal
ace Arriving at early dawn, after long
knocking at the gates. they reused serrl
tor and requested Immediately to see the
queen on business of state. After some
delay an attendant appeared reporting mat
the princess was asleep and could not DE
disturbed. The visitors assured her that
their business required immediate atten-
ton. Very soon thereafter the young
queen entered. clad in a dressing gown ana
shawl and with slippers on her feet
1t Is reported that when Lord Conyngham
uttered the significant word, your majes-
ty," she put forth her hand to be kiS> ed
before he proceeded. and that he. dropping
Oh one knee, kissed her hand and then gave
the tidings of the kings death. When the
archbishop had made the formal announce
tr ha hnr
first words We're: II ask your prayers on
my behalf" The prime minister. Lord Mel
bourne, was then summoned, and a meet
ing of the privy council was called for IL
o'clock. The queen entered the room in
which We're assembled a hundred Of the
leading mobiles and statesmen of the realm,
bowed to the lords, took her seat and read
her declaration. The assembly was COM
pletely captivated by the wonderful COM
posture and the easy dignity of their girl
queen, whose entire self-possession was
mingled with charming modesty and an
air of pensive difiidence
Victoria promptly took in hand her court,
which was sadly in need Of correction. She
was of a notably gracious disposition, but
fortunately she knew how to frown and
whom to frown upon. She removed the
royal residence and court to Windsor Cas-
tie which has since become one of the
most famous palaces on earth. She was
thoroughly a girl and entered with high
Zest, yet with discretion, into an enjoyment
alton. Meanwhile the public admiration
grew into wild enthusiasm, so that on the
day of the coronation in Westminster Alb
hey, July %. 1898, the public was described
as CORONATION mad" The pageant was one
of marvellous Splendor
Monarchy Under Cloud.
1t has long been known that under the
four Georges monarchy had suffered an
eclipse. and that at the end Of Williams
reign the British throne had lost nearly Its
hold on public affection and sentiment AL
together, it seemed bad time for girl to
ascend the throne 1t is saying far too
much to say that Victoria, at her accession,
saved the monarchy. but she may have
saved it from the necessity of sustaining it
self by a struggle.
The marriage OF Queen Victoria at the
age of twenty, to her cousin. Prince Albert
of SaXe-COburg and Gotha. Of the same
age, was a romantic one. 1t was a strong
contrast to royal marriages IN general, die
tated by mere convenience or by ambition.
Its ricn love deepened through twenty-one
years. The day previous to the reading Of
her formal announcement of the forth
coming marriage, the queen was asked if
she was not nervous in the prospect. She
replied, Yes; but 1 did much more ner-
yous thing little while ago; 1 proposed to
Prince Albert" One who is not a sover-