Year: 1875

-
subject of the present memoir. lie was born with
sne natural dispositions, sincere love of beauty,
taste for the refnemens of art deep sense Of per-
sonal responsibility, which were quckened and do
veloped into lively action by happy concurrence
sf circumstances, but with mental faculties not so
remarkable for keenness or vgor rs for cearness OF
perception and certain rectitude of thought
In his composition. there was nothing bril-
liant OF commanding; his sphere was linn
tied to the exercise Of plain common
sense; even his moral instincts Lacked
originality so that he was singu.arly dependent
ppon sympathy and counsel but he confronted the
duties of his exalted station with courage ana
fidelity that called forth the admiration of Europe,
and has surrounded his memory with WIDE and az
fectionate interest If not with respendent glory.
Prince Albert was born on tho Goth of August 1919.
near Cohurc at the Summer residence Of his father,
tbe Duke of Saxe-C -Coburg-Saalfeld. He was nearly
of the same age rs Queen Victoria, who was born IN
the previous month Of May. her mother, the
Duchess of Kent, being the sister Of the princes
father. Young Albert early gave signs of juvenile
precocity. As child he possessed remarkable per-
ponal beauty while his gentleness and vlvacity
made HIM universal favorite. At the same time
be showed great thoughtfulness and love OF knowl-
edge He learned quickly and was always learning
Although rather delicate boy, his force OF charsc





who soon learned to look up to him 90 their superior
He always dlsplayed perfect moral purity both In
word and deed which formed the basis OF his pecu-
liar sweetness of disposition With keen sense OF
tbeludicrops he possessed great turn for hunor
and a talent for mimicry. which, however, he al
ways exercised in the kindliest way.


His early education was Of the broad and compre-
hensive character that suited his position. 1t in
cluded history. geography mathematics, phlioSo-
pby. religion. Latin and the modern European Ian
ruaaes relieved by the study of music and drawing
for which he had decided prediction. lie was
also fond of natural history. which served to cuti-
yate the habit Of exact observation, for which he
was distinguished in later life.


The death Of the Duke of Kent soon after the birth
of the Princess Victoria threw the care OF the future
queen upon bis brotber-in-aw, Prince Leopold, who
at once assumed tho place of her her and devoted
himself TO its duties with faithful assiduity In
this way "tho little May Flower" became an object
of the deepest interest to her relatives at Coburg
Long before her accession to the throne was consid
cred certain the idea OF her marriage Win one OF
her COburg cousins had taken such root IN the family
that Prince Abert's nurse was in the habit of talk
ing to him, when only three years old, OF his des-
tined bride in England. In 1885, there was no longer
any doubt of the succession of Victoria, and
probably at TO very distant date. Several aspirants
for her hand were already in the field. King
Ieopod was decided in his preference for Albert as
the husband of lis nece but be loved the princess
too we'll and felt too sensibly The Importance OF the
situation to act without the utmost care and deb-
eration The first introduction of the young couple
took place at KeusiDgton Palace, the residence of
tho Duchess of Kent, to which her brother. the
Duke of Coburg, and his sons, had been invited for
visit. The ducal family arrived in England in
MAY. 1885, and remained about four weeks, The


ol, oh
could not have been concealed from Prince Albert
20 whom the subject had been frequently mentioned
by the friends of the family favorable impress
son seems to have been made at once on the heart
of Victoria King Leopold lost no time in dis
closing 20 her his own wishes. The answer left
no room for doubt to the feelings of the princess
"I have only to beg OF you. my dearest uncle" she
wrote in reply to Leopods letter. to take care Of
tbe health of one dear 10 me, and to take him
under your special protection. hope and trust that
all will 90 on prosperously and we'll this subject
now of so much importance to me-" The prince.
however, was sill left in the dark but the plan of
his education with view to the possibility of his
one day becoming the Prince Consort carried
steadily into effect. For this purpose the prince
and his brother went to Brussels leaving nglald
in which capital it was thought he coud pursue his
studies to greater advantage than in German uni
yeritv. For ten months he was closely occupied
with history and the modern languages Under the
guidance of NJ Queteet, the celebrated statistcian,
he pursued the study of the higher mathematics
and the application of the law of probabilities to
social and natural phenomena The line of inquiry
thus opened was ever afterward favoritc one with
the prince VINO took frequent opportunities sHbse
uueutly 10 express his admiration and gratitude to-
wards bis distinguished instructor.


From Brussels the young princes went in the
Snripr of 1891 to Bonn where they remained for the
next eighteen months. Under the eminent men who
then grace1 that university. HOllweg. Schlegel the
youuger Fichte, Kaufman, Perthes DAlten. and
Others Prince Albert eagerly continued his studies
making rapid progress in thonatural sciences espe-
cialiy. in political economy, and in philosophy.
Among all the youug men of the university ho was
distinguished for his knowledge, his diligence and
his fine social manners. lie delighted in the discus
sion of questions of public law audmetaphysics bat
IN spite of his absorption in studies always
kent up his training IN the manly exercises appro
pirate to his youth. In these his superiority was
marked and at one time he carried off the prize in
fencing match from about thirty competitors. From
a child he was passionately fond of music, and had
already shown no ordinary gifts as a composer.


Soon after the prince had settled in Bonn, the
death Of King William ~, June 90. 1887, placed
Victoria then only eighteen years DID, upon the
throne of England. The prince not likely to look
with indifference Oh what was taking place He at
once congratulated his dearest cousin" the
great change which had taken place in her life
"You are now )" hc writes June 36, queen Of the
mightiest land of Europe, in your hand lies the
HAPPINESS OF millions May Heaven assist you and
strengthen you with its strength In that high but
difficult task. IhOpe that your reign may be long,
happy, and glorious. and that your efforts may be