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THE
PUBLIC LIFE
OF
QUEEN VICTORIA.
BY
JOHN McGILCHRIST.
FELT AND DILLINGHAM,
455, BROOME STREET, NEW YORK.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| ANCESTRY. | |
| Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, the Protector of Luther—Staunch Protestantism of the Queen’s Saxon Forefathers—Houseof Saxe-Coburg—A Saxon Desperado of the Middle Ages—A Fighting Hero of the Eighteenth Century—TheQueen’s Grandmother a Woman of Extraordinary Excellence—Great Alliances in the Marriages of her Uncles and Aunts | [1] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| THE GREATEST OF THE MODERN COBURGS. | |
| Romantic Career of Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, the Queen’s Uncle—His Continuous, Kind, and Fatherly Care of hisOrphaned Niece—The Duchy of Coburg held by Napoleon—Sufferings of the Ducal Family—A Temptation resisted—TheTide turned—Leopold’s Popularity in England—Betrothal and Marriage to the Princess Charlotte of Wales | [8] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| PARENTAGE AND BIRTH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. | |
| How the Princess Victoria came to be Heiress Presumptive to the Throne—Death of the Princess Charlotte—Marriages of theRoyal Dukes—Of the Duke of Kent—Birth of the Princess Alexandrina Victoria—Prediction of George IV.—Death ofthe Duke of Kent—His Character—His Liberal Opinions—Public Condolence with the Widow and Orphan—Early Life of the Duchess of Kent | [14] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| FIRST YEARS OF CHILDHOOD. | |
| Old Memories of Kensington Palace—Enlargements of the Structure by William III., Anne, Queen Caroline, and the Dukeof Sussex—Maids of Honour—Rank and Beauty in the Gardens—Wilberforce and the Infant Princess—Victoria atRamsgate—A Picture of Victoria when Five Years Old—Her Physical Training—Popularity as a Child—Her YouthfulCharities—A Narrow Escape from Death—Early Development of Quick Intelligence—Anecdotes—Love of Nature—Pronenessto Self-Will—But Counterbalanced by Candour—Waggishness—A Portrait of the Child-Princess by Leigh Hunt | [23] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| EDUCATION OF THE PRINCESS VICTORIA. | |
| Additional Grant by Parliament for the Maintenance and Education of the Princess—Wise Lessons learned at her Mother’sKnee—A Visit to George IV. at Windsor—Assiduous Pursuit of Knowledge—Accession of William IV.—Victoriabecomes next in Succession to the Crown—Regency Bill—Satisfaction of the Good Grandmother at Coburg—HerDeath—Joy of Victoria at the Elevation of her Uncle to the Belgian Throne—Parliamentary Inquiry into the Progress ofher Education—Satisfactory Report in Response—Presented at Court—Great Ball on her Twelfth Birthday at St. James’sPalace—Court Scandal and Baseless Rumours—The Duchess of Northumberland appointed Governess—The Princess and the Poet Southey | [37] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| THE PRINCESS IN HER TEENS. | |
| Visits paid to many parts of England—Love of Cathedrals and Church Music—Trip to North Wales and the MidlandCounties—Visit to a Cotton Mill—To Oxford—Gala Day at Southampton—Interview with the Young Queen of Portugal—Confirmationof the Princess—Tour to the North—York Musical Festival—At Ramsgate with the King of the Belgians—A Noble Deed at Tunbridge Wells | [47] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| EARLY DAYS OF PRINCE ALBERT. | |
| Birth—Melancholy Story of his Mother—Brought up under the Care of his Two Excellent Grandmothers—His Winning Waysas a Child—His Tutor, Florschütz—The Brothers, Ernest and Albert—Visit to Brussels, and its Beneficial Effects—HardStudy—Tour through Germany, &c.—First Visit to England, and Meeting with Victoria—Studies at Brussels—Entersthe University of Bonn—Tour to Switzerland and Italy—Public Announcement of Betrothal—Leaves Coburg and Gotha for his Marriage | [52] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| THE PRINCESS VICTORIA BECOMES QUEEN REGNANT. | |
| First Meeting of the Princess Victoria and Prince Albert—Coming of Age—Festivities on the Occasion—Death of William IV.,and Accession of Victoria—The Queen holds her First Privy Council—Her Address—Proclamation as Queen at St. James’s Palace—BeautifulTraits of Character displayed by the Queen—Stirring and Gorgeous Scene—Delight of the People at the Queen’s Accession | [61] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| THE MAIDEN QUEEN. | |
| Removal to Buckingham Palace—First Levée—Dissolves Parliament—Beauty of her Elocution—Splendid Reception by theCity of London—Settlement of the Queen’s Income—Her Daily Life—Her Admirable Knowledge of, and Devotion to,the Business of the State—Reverence for the Lord’s Day | [69] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| THE QUEEN CROWNED. | |
| Novel Features in the Coronation—Its Cost—Large Amount of Money Circulated—Splendour of the Procession—EnormousCrowds—The Scene within the Abbey—Arrival of the Queen—The Regalia and Sacred Vessels—Costume of the Queen—Astonishmentof the Turkish Ambassador at the Scene—The Coronation Ceremony—The Queen’s Oath—The Anointing—TheCrown placed on her Head—The Homage—An Aged Peer—The Queen’s Crown—The Illuminations andGeneral Festivities—Fair in Hyde Park—The Duke of Wellington and Marshal Soult at the Guildhall | [75] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| THE BEDCHAMBER PLOT. | |
| Resignation of Lord Melbourne’s Cabinet—Sir Robert Peel sent for—Fails to form a Cabinet—His Explanation—The Queenrefuses to Dismiss her Ladies of the Bedchamber—Supported by her late Ministers—Sir Robert Peel’s Objections—TheQueen will not give way—The Whigs recalled to Power—Public Opinion on the Dispute—The Whig Ministers blamed, and the Queen exculpated | [84] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| COURTSHIP AND BETROTHAL. | |
| Desire of the Coburg Relatives for a Marriage between Victoria and Albert—Favourable Impressions mutually made byVictoria and Albert—Prince Albert’s Letter on the Queen’s Accession—Opposition of King William IV. to the Marriage—Correspondencebetween the Cousins—King Leopold Urges on the Marriage—The Queen’s Reluctance to become Betrothed—Her subsequent Regret at this—The Princecraves a definite Determination—His Second Visit to England—Betrothed at Last—Returns to Germany to say Farewell | [91] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| THE QUEEN WEDDED. | |
| Announcement of the Intended Marriage to the Privy Council and Parliament—Parliamentary Settlement of the Prince’sRank, &c.—Annoying Circumstances—The Prince’s Protestantism—His Income—Arrival of the Bridegroom—Receivesa National Welcome—The Wedding—Honeymoon Spent at Windsor | [100] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| EARLY YEARS OF MARRIED LIFE. | |
| Difficulties and Delicacy of Prince Albert’s Position—Early Married Life—Studies continued—Attempts on the Queen’sLife—Courage of the Queen—Birth of the Princess Royal—Parting from the Whig Ladies of the Bedchamber—DarkDays for England—Birth of the Prince of Wales—The Queen Described by M. Guizot—A Dinner at Buckingham Palace—State Dinner at Windsor | [110] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| THE QUEEN IN SCOTLAND. | |
| Christening of the Prince of Wales—Manufacturing Distress—The Queen’s Efforts to alleviate it—Assesses Herself to theIncome Tax—Resolves to Visit Scotland—Embarks at Woolwich—Beacon Fires in the Firth of Forth—Landing onScottish Soil—A Disappointment—Formal Entry into Edinburgh—Richness of Historical and Ancestral Associations—TheQueen on the Castle Rock—A Highland Welcome—Departure from Scotland | [126] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| WHAT ENGLAND OWES TO PRINCE ALBERT. | |
| The Prince’s Study of our Laws and Constitution—Two Misconceptions Outlived—His Versatility—His First Speech anAnti-Slavery one—His Appreciation and Judicious Criticism of Art—Scientific Side of his Mind—As an Agriculturist | [141] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| FOREIGN TRAVEL AND HOME VISITS. | |
| Visit to King Louis Philippe at Eu—A Loyal Corporation—Splendid Reception of the Queen in France—Anecdote ofthe Queen’s Regard for Prince Albert—Visit of the Czar Nicholas—Home Life in Scotland—Visit to Germany—Illuminationsof the Rhine—A Rural Fête at Coburg | [149] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| THE QUEEN IN IRELAND. | |
| First Visit to Ireland—Rapturous Reception at Cork—Queenstown so denominated—Enthusiasm at Dublin—Its GracefulRecognition by the Queen—Visit to the Dublin Exhibition—Encouragement of Native Industry—Visit to the Lakes of Killarney—The Whirligig of Time | [157] |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| THE WORLD’S CONGRESS OF INDUSTRY. | |
| Prince Albert the Inaugurator of International Exhibitions—Proposes, Unsuccessfully, his Scheme to the Government—Tothe Society of Arts, Successfully—First Steps towards Realisation—Objections to be Met—Perseverance of thePrince—The Royal Commission—The Prince’s Speech at York—The Opening Ceremony—The Royal Procession | [164] |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| THE WAR CLOUD. | |
| Bright Hopes of Peace Dispelled—An Era of War all over the World—The Russian War—The Queen’s Visits to theWounded Soldiers—Presentation of the War Medals—Crimean Heroes—The Volunteer Movement | [172] |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| THE QUEEN IN HER HIGHLAND HOME. | |
| The Queen as an Author—“The Early Years of the Prince Consort”—“Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in theHighlands”—Love for Children of all Ranks—Mountain Ascents on Pony-back—In Fingal’s Cave—“The Queen’sLuck”—Salmon-spearing, and a Catastrophe attending it—Erection of a Memorial Cairn—Freedom of Intercourse withHumble Highlanders—Visits to Cottagers—“Mrs. Albert”—Travelling Incognito—Highland Dinners—“A Wedding-Partyfrae Aberdeen”—A Disguise Detected | [186] |
| [CHAPTER XXII.] | |
| THE WIDOWED QUEEN. | |
| Unbroken Happiness of the Queen’s Life up to 1861—Death of the Duchess of Kent—The Prince Consort slightly Ailing—CatchesCold at Cambridge and Eton—The Malady becomes Serious—Public Alarm—Rapid Sinking, and Death—Sorrowof the People—The Queen’s Fortitude—Avoidance of Court Display—Good Deeds—Sympathy with all BenevolentActions—Letter of Condolence to the Widow of President Lincoln—The “Albert Medal”—Conclusion | [194] |