Year: 1867

Queen Victoria has written book. or
at least a good part of one. and carefully
supervised the remainder, on the early
life OF the late Prince Consort, in which
there are some singularly frank and plea
SAINT revelations of the inner life and
heart work of royalty. We find two
letters copied by the Londoi. correspond
ent of the New York Times which will
be read with interest, and deepen the
good will which is felt for the writers in
the minds of all right minded people.
The first is from Albert to his grand
mother, apprising her that the matter be-
tween him and Victoria had been ar
ranged. --is- ..1aJ. 20 dsli ,ff,


"The subject which has occupied us
so much of late is at last settled. The
Queen sent for me alone to her room
few days ago, and declared to me in z
genuine outburst of love and affection
that had gained her whole heart, and
would make her intensely happy if 1 !,
would make the sacrifice of sharing
my life with her, for she said she looked
on it as n sacrifice the only thing which
troubled her was that she did not think
she was worthy of me. The joyous open
ness of manner in which she told me this
quite enchanted me, and 1 was quite car
ried away by it. She is really most good :
and amiable, and / am quite sure heaven
has not given me into evil hands, and
that we shall be happy together -


"Since that woman Victoria does what
ever she fancies l should wish or ike,
and we talk together great deal about
our future life, which she promises me .
to make as happy as possible. Oh, the
future! does it not bring with it then
ment when [ shall have to take leave of
my dear, dear home, and of you can
not think of that without deep melancho-
ly taking possession of me. it was on
the 10Th of October that Victoria made
ME this declaration, and / have hitherto
shrunk from telling you but how does
delay make it better ?" -r-f- e


This is very charming and quite in
character with the man. The next is
still better, wherein Victoria tells her r
uncle, the King of Belgium, all about 1t:


WINDSOR CASTLE, Oct. Is, 1889.
= My DEAREST UNCLE: This letter will,
am sure, give you pleasure, for you
have always shown and taken so warm
an interest in all that concerns me. Ny
mind is quite made up, and l told Albert
this morning of it. The warm affection
he showed me on learning this gave me
great pleasure. He seems perfection, and
l think that l have the prospect of very
great happiness before me- l love him
more than / can say, and shall do every
thing in my power to render this sacri-
tice (for such in my opinion itis) as small 3
as can. He seems to have great tact,
a very necessary thing in his position.
These last few days have passed like
dream to me, and am so much bewil-
dered by it all that know hardly how
to write, but do feel very happy. 1t is
absolutely necessary that this determine
ton of mine should be known to no one
but yourself and to Uncle Ernest until
after the meeting of Parliament, as it
would be considered, otherwise, neglect
fll on my part not to have assembled
Parliament at once to inform them of it.


Lord Melbourne, whom | have of
course consulted about the whole affair,
quite approves my choice, and expresses
great satisfaction at this event, which he
thinks in every way highly desirable.


Lord Melbourne has acted in this busi-
ness as he has always done towards me,
with the greatest kindness and affection.
We also think it better, and Albert quite
approves of it, that we should be married
soon after Parliament meets, about the
beginning of February. ='i


Pray, dearest uncle, forward these two
letters to Uncle Ernest, to whom | beg
Won will enioin strict secreSy, and explain
these details which | have not time to
do. and to faithful Stockmar. think
you might tell Louise of it, but none of
her family. sis .-ir


wish to keep the dear young gen le-
man here until the end of next month.
Ernest's sincere pleasure gives me great
delight. He does so adore dearest AL
bert. Ever, dearest uncle,


Your devoted Niece, v. Il.