The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-11-03
HE.

At this point the editors have a word TO
say about the Princess's character n
temperament. High spirited and ever
wilRul she was, but devote6ly anectionate
and almost typically feminine. She had
a strong sense OF duty and dignity. but
also strong personal prsJudiCes. Self
confident In a sense though she was. she
yet had strongly developed the feminine
instinct OF dependence upon some male
adviser. Az q young woman che was fuN
Of animal spirits and enjoyed excitement.
This lie a fact which those who had the
privilege Of seeing her only In her later
years may find ii hard to realize. In hOr
youth she liked the stir Of London. was
fond OF dancing, OF oonCerts, plays and
operas. and devoted to open air exercise.
Another important trait in her character
is here noted. She had strong monarchical
views and dynastic sympathies. but she had
no predictions for tho so-called arsto-
cracy. At the same time Il must DO eco
nized that she had no democratic princi-
pies. but firmly believed in the due subordi-
nation Of classes.
II she had ever put her instructive pre-
possessions into words she probably would
nave acknowledged that she believed In
the divine right Of kings. but was equally
convinced that the right could only DO
upheld through the depression Of h arDs-
tocracy and an intimate alliance with the
middle class. Now. at tho ome whom
the Princess Victoria came to h throne
Of the United Kingdom he Ave years
outcome OF the Parliamentary and mu-
nicipal reforms OF tho reign OF william
Nv. had been to give the middle class q
large and soon to be preponderant share
in the government Of the country, n Il
was fortunate that the Queen by tempsra-
ment and training understood we'll tho
middle class point OF view. We should
add that the Queen was q religious. almost
a pious. woman. Behind her political
sympathies lay q deep sense OF religion.
the religion which 10 impatient Of dogmatic
distinctions and subtloties.
Bearing in mind that the Princess Vic
toria was to ascend the throne In a period
Of transition. the authors Of this work deem
it one Of her chief blessings that in her girl
hood she was brought under the influence
Of n large minded man. Leopold OF SAKE
Coburg, her maternal uncle, who became
King Of the Belgians. A practical proof OF
Leopold's interest in his niece is the fact
that for years he contributed between three
dIlu AOuI LuOuFhAlu DuuhAD AAlAlANlAy w gAAW
expenses OF her education.
After he took UP his residence in Brus-
sells he kept up a close correspondence
with Victoria. both before and after her
accession to the throne. and paid her sew
eraI visits in England. His wisdom. good
sense and tenderness as we'll as the close
tie OF blood that existed between him and
the Queen placed him in a unique position
with regard to her. and II was plain that
he was fully aware OF he high response
bility thus imposed upon him. II 10 evil
dent. indeed. from the letters here repro
duced that by example and precopt he
inspired his niece with a high sense Of duty
and from the first instilled into her mind
the necessity Of s~cqusinting herself with
the details Of political administration.
Another person h had a large share
in forming the character Of the future
Queen was Louise LehEen. the daughter
Of a Hanoverian clergyman. who came
TO England as governess to Princess RsO-
dOre Of Leiningen. Queen Victoria'S half
sister, shortly before the Queens birth.
In 1924 she became governess to the Princess
Victoria. and three years later George Nv.
conferred upon her the rank Of a Hanoverian
baroness. When in 1890 the Duchess OF
Northumberland was appointed the Prin-
cess's official governess the Baroness
Lehzen remained as lady in attendance.
The Princess was devoted 10 her. but
greatly in awe OF her