The Washington herald., 1912-03-12
ANECDOTES OF
QUEEN VICTORIA

QUEEN VICTORIA
Though the inSfer life OF royalty is
rarely IL ever written. so much gets into
print about kings and queens that IT. Is
possible to sift fair amount OF good
from the voluminous matter before u.s.
The latest addition to this class OF read
ing Is In the Early Court Of Queen VIC
toria," by an Englishman, and in 1t the
author is anxious TO show that queen as
really human" person, having faults
as well as virtues.
We are told that 1t was the dreariness
OF the childhood and girihood of the
young princess that led her when she
came to power so early in life to be-
have with an arrogance and haughtiness
almost unbelievable in so young girl.
and especially in such period. How she
promptly put her own mother, the Ouch
ess OF Kent. "in her proper place Is an
old story. and. though devoted and al
most ideally attached TO her consort, she
kept him also 'in his place" to such
degree that he was not even allowed TO
propose 10 her.
We have the Queens own words for 1t.
For she told the Duchess OF Gloucester
that she had to propose to her dear
Albert" explaining how impossible II
would have been for a Duke OF Coburg
to propose to the Queen OF England, and
that he would have never dared to take
such a liberty"
With all due respect TO the ashes of her
sainted majesty, that was ''bosh;" that
was foolish talk of a silly girl; that was,
to use an Americanism, the conceit Of a
"sweiled head" Because the Dukes of
Coburg and Gotha, OF which house, by
the way. she herself was an offspring, be-
long to a historic family every bit as
great, every bit as proud, and a great
deal older than the present reigning
house of England-and, oh, perverse fate,
her own son. the Duke Of Edinburgh, was
glad TO exchange his royal British prince
ship for the throne of that very dukedom
of Coburg Gotha, and her grandson Is its
ruler at the present day.
Lord Melbourne even, on whom the
young Queen lavished much affection, got
snubbed when he dared TO offer a correc-
ton. Presiding at her first ministerial
council, Victoria began reading as fol-
lows: This act Instituted" (Which is the
British legal way Of spelling "entitled").
Entitled. your majesty. entitled" has
tily corrected Lord Melbourne in a loud
voice. aside.
The young girIish Queen slowly drew
herself up and said quietly and firmly: Il
have said it Then. after a pause, once
more the childish voice rang out:
This act instituted
But withal this most precocious of
young women had her youthful moments.
At her coronation her dignity. the seri-
BUSINESS with which she took in the
smallest details and observed them. was
n marvel 10 the witnesses. But when it
was all over, mind you, this girl hur-
ried back to her palace and impatiently
tore OF her royal robes that she might
give her beloved spaniel. Dash, its bath"
As matter Of fact, a similar incident Is
related of her return from opening her
first Parliament.
An old court official watched her as she
re-entered Buckingham Palace, and curl
ously followed her as she went through
a door leading to the staircase which
led UP 10 her own apartments. There, at
the foot Of that staircase, he saw her
majesty" roll the long court train of her
state dress around her arm. then pick
mp her gown. and, two stairs at a time.
run up 10 the next floor, calling to her
oags
The liberal reader will make allow
ances for the head OF a young girl being
turned by all the grandeur so unexpect-
edly hesped upon her. Tor she never had !
the remotest idea of ever wearing a !
on earth-had not an ineXorable fate re- |
moved the several personages by death |
who were between her and the success |
sion. She was human after all. Her
almost ideal family life bears the most |
convincing testimony OF It
The current week-ends, the royal |
and all court activities will |
be renewed as long as the King and !
Queen are in residence at Buckingham |
Palace.
OF all the youthful ladies to bow be-
fore the British maJesties this month as |
brides few are so tan and divineIy |
fair as Lady Leconfield. who. on her |
wedding day last October. lowered a full |
head and shoulders above her father. |
Col. Rawson. over the heads of the Of
fciatlng prelates. and over the bride
groom. all men Of goodly height. Lady |
Leconfeld's Jewels will eclipse the gems 1
worn by her contemporaries in the throne |
room. She has choice of half a score OF
tiaras, crowns. and parurcs worthy OF a
queen, and IL is said the ramlly emeralds |
are finer than the famous green stones
which belonged to Catharine Of Russia.
Such a galaxy Of youth and beauty has
not been seen at court these many years,
for the list OF other brides awaiting
Lady Camoys, Lady VaIletort Lady
Fielding. Lady Anson. Lady Hardwicke.
Lady Gormanston. Lady Gort, Lady
Hood, Lady OHagan, Lady Violet
Charters IA future Countess wemyssD.
Lady Worsley, Lady Monkbretton. and
three ladies. the brides zen secondes
noces" of Lord SuffieId. Lord Downe,
and Lord st. John. of BletsOe.
Lady Rosabelle Bingham is another re-
cent bride, whose presentation will, how
ever, be deferred until that OF the young
wife of her cousin. Lord Stafford, who
will be presented to their majesties by
the Duchess of Sutherland. The latter
was hostess for her brother, Lord Ross
Iyn, when Stafford House was en- fete
for the wedding of his only daughter.
Lady Rosabelle, who married Mr.. David
at the Guards Chapel. The
gorgeous mansion. which IS tucked away
N the solitude of Stable Yard, st. James.
made a glorious setting for the reception,
10 which 1000 guests were hidden. os-
tensibly 20 view the presents. but at the
,ame time to meander through the gilded
,alons. the long gallery of old masters,
and TO listen to the inspiring lit of Scot
tish airs which met ones ears on all
sides, for although Mr.. Bingham belongs
10 the old Hibernian family of Lord Lu-
ran. his bride is a daughter OF High st.
Clair"