New-York tribune., 1908-07-25
TICTORIA.
Il Pleasant Biography of the Queen.

good specimen of what is always popular"
the personal, gossipng somewhat sentimental
sketch. It is drawn from sources which are
already familiar, but anecdote and characterize
ton are skilfully manipulated into the SEM
blance Of something fresh and new. Its tone is
adniring, but unduly admiring and we shut
the book with renewed veneration for a woman
whose intense femininity was joined, as Lecky
has said TO clear, we'll balanced mind singu-
larly free from fanaticisns and exaggerations
exceIlently fitted to estimate rightly the true
proportion Of things"
Victoria's German mother was in most re-
spects a wise woman, and the methods she used
in training her little girl may well be commend
ed TO mothers who have nothing TO do with
thrones. She cultivated character In the child
Victoria not allowed to know the high fort
unes which were before her. She made of
more Importance In the household than was
her poverty-stricken half-sister, Feodore Of
Leiningen, and It is recorded that no sycophancy
was permitted in her attendants. She not
indulged-she would have opened great eyes
upon the luxury lavished upon American
child of to-day. When she wanted a doll she
saved her scanty allowance until she was in
funds for the purchase. It was a strong testi-
nony the chiIds tender heart that once hav-
ing bought q longed-for toy she re-entered the
precious shilIings to poor beggar who had be-
sought help at the door. Her natural kindness,
her tact and consideration for others de-
veIoped with conscientious care, and her baby
wilfulness sternly repressed. Her life wes
one Of simplicity. regularity and hard study.
Perhaps It was too hard working. for one close
observer declared that she was being overedu-
Gated. that her body was being stunted by con-
tinual poring over books. There may have been
some truth in that, for she remained little
person, though IN after years the remarkable
dignity and majesty Of her bearing made people
oblivious 10 her lack of height Her studies
were so directed as to be particularly useful to
the sovereign of great country, not TO the
luton OF literary taste She was not deeply IN
terested IN literature, Mr.. Hird tells us, and he
adds: "She was not tenperamentalIy inclined
TO subtIeties OF thought imagination, and in
all things. even in her reading. attracted by
simplicity and straightforwardness."
straightforwardness in her way OF looking at
things and IN expressing her views marked the
Queen throughout her life. A longtime feminine
friend has said of her. There is a transpar-
ency in her truth that is very striking Not
shade Of exaggeration in describing feelings or
facts like very few people ever knew Many
may be as true but I think II often goes along
with reserve. She talks all out and just it
been shortsighted in the training Of her daugh-
ter by the Duchess of Kent. IT must be said that
in this transparent truth she fnculcated noble
virtue. In one particular the teaching Of the
duchess reacted upon herself. The girl VIC
toria believed ''in every fibre of her being that
she was Queen by the will Of God. and when at
eighteen she came TO the throne she completely
dissociated her duty as a daughter from her
duty as sovereign-a thing it undoubtedly
right for her to do. In strictly personal and do
mestic matters she the duchesss affection
ate daughter, but the mother bitterly resented
the fact that the Queen never consulted her
upon public affairs, and that she entirely
excluded from matters political" Baroness
I+ehzen for many years Victoria's governess and
private secretary. suddenly found herself entire
" outside her pupils confidence so far as state
affairs were concerned though in other respects
she was treated with endearing frankness. How
complete was the dissociation Of girl and
ereign was shown the occasion Of Victoria's
return from her coronation in the Abbey. The
gold tissue crimson velvet, errnine and diamonds
that had weighed down the slender figure that
still seemed that Of child cast aside with
the feeling and demeanor that throughout the
ceremony had been truly royal and earnest-and
the little Queen proceeded 10 give her tavorite
dog bath At the state dinner that evening
Queen. It is worth noting. by the way. that
with her accession the court Of the Georges
was transformed. There was no more heavy
after-dinner drinking.
Girl though she was. she set her face sternly
against the practice the moment she became her
ton with great tact and skill. When she went to
the drawing with her lady guests and at
s senee antsT ce to the roo Te Enox
that her majesty vas Standing Until til The s gepeeR IT me
behind longer than the few minutes necessary for
the drinking Of coffee This quiet nut signincanf ga
effect, and by the time she married society was
'-tVo-bottIe' men
The story OF victoria's married life, sympe-
theticallv rehearsed by Mr.. Hird, is a story
not only OF uncommon domestic happiness but
OF the fine self -abnegation OF e strong man.
The Prince Consort set himself steadily 10 the
task OF strengthening his young wife's hands.
OF helping her wise Judgment and action
The success of her reign bears witness TO his
support and guidance. England,
tbev say did not appreciate in his lifetime that
upright generous and unsel1sh gentleman who
happened to be a foreigner; but time Will
probably move her TO Justice. AS woman ana
as queen Victoria mourned him. when, after
twenty years OF loyal devotion he laid down MS
life, and she ever after endeavored to walk
within the lines of wisdom he had indicated
II she was q great Queen full share of credit
must be given TO the man she trusted. loved
and obeye6. Oar author says of her that she
had "a somewhat disconcerting expression to
those presented to her for the first time, gazing
straight into their eyes coldly and critically"
He adds:
II was habit she had adopted only after her
widowhood. In the Queens position II was es-
senttal that every around her, from ministers
downward. should be worthy of her confidence.
TlurfnR the princes lifetime she had relied large