The Education of a Royal Princess.
Volume 11, 1900, pgs. 34-41
[We have long wished to present our readers with some memorial of the early days of our beloved Queen, feeling that every mother would read between the lines, and learn something from the "Education" of this "Princess." A quaint little volume bound in green watered silk, published at the date of the Accession, has come into our hands, which appears to answer our purpose. It is called Victoria; An Anecdotal Memoir of Her Majesty.--Ed.] [Google dates this from 1838; an author's name has not been found.--Proofreader.]
I.
The Birth.
Granted in the answer to a nation's prayer to replace the loss it had so recently sustained, the day, and eve--the very hour of her birth, for it was that of sunrise, seemed to guarantee those hopes which from the dawn of her existence have been fixed upon her, which have gradually gathered strength as, rising day by day towards maturity, she has been presented lovely and beloved to the gaze of her future subjects; and which, now that she is beheld a Virgin Queen, proudly seated upon the throne of her ancestors, we may humbly trust are rapidly advancing to fulfillment.
The accouchement of the Duchess of Kent took place amongst all those forms of state and etiquette which are prescribed by our laws for the guardianship of the royal succession. The privy councilors and great officers of state assembled in the saloon adjoining her Royal Highness's bed-chamber, and there, at a quarter past four in the morning of the 24th of May, 1819, it was announced to them that the Duchess was safely delivered of a Princess; the state attendants immediately entered the apartment, the infant was presented to them, and they signed, conjointly with the physicians, a certificate of its birth, together with a report of its perfectly healthful appearance. The Duke of Kent, with his own hand, signified the joyful news to all his relatives, both at home and abroad, before he retired to rest.
The Duchess Her Infant's Nurse
It was very speedily announced that the Royal Duchess intended to suckle the infant Princess herself, and this expression of maternal tenderness so unusual in royalty, was received with the highest satisfaction by the English people, who rejoiced to find that their future Queen was not likely to be reared amidst the cold forms of etiquette, but under the free and uncontrolled influence of the affections of the heart.
The satisfaction which this circumstance universally excited was heightened by the gradual progress of the Royal Mother towards convalescence, and by the thriving condition of the infant Princess, who grew and advanced daily in health and strength.
On Wednesday, June the 9th, the physicians announced that the Duchess of Kent was so far advanced in convalescence that the regular daily bulletins would be no longer issued; and the infant Princess was also reported in the best of health. During the succeeding fortnight the Royal Lady gained strength rapidly, and the Duke of Kent, with that pious principle which presided over all his conduct, appointed Thursday, the 24th of June, the very earliest day that the restored health of his invalid Princess would permit for initiating his beloved child, then exactly a month old, into the church of Christ.
During the ensuing six months, although the Duke and Duchess of Kent occasionally joined in the friendly circles of the nobility, and frequently visited the theatres, their appearance was never expected early in the evening, as it was known to be the constant habit of the Duchess to devote her whole attention to the nursery, until the satisfied nature of her lovely babe had sunk into sweet repose.
The Christening and a Review
The first few weeks of helpless infancy glide unconsciously away, leaving little to record, even of the royal babe, save the watchful anxiety of the mother, and the exulting joy of the father as he proudly presents his smiling cherub to each succeeding guest, and listens with unwearied delight to their perpetually repeated praises of its activity, intelligence and beauty. During this period, however, the ceremony of baptising the infant Princess was performed with all the pomp of circumstance in the grand saloon at Kensington Palace, her Royal Highness receiving the names of Alexandrina-Victoria; and the Prince Regent, Alexander, Emperor of Russia, the Queen of Dowager of Saxe-Coburg standing sponsors.
Not long afterwards a grand review took place on Hounslow Heath, at which the Prince Regent was present attended by a splendid train of military officers, amongst whom was the Duke of Kent. The Royal Duchess was on the heath in her carriage and four, accompanied by the Princess Victoria and her attendants. The Prince Regent is said to have objected to this early display of parental pride, and, turning to the Duke of Kent, asked with some displeasure, "Why was not that infant left at home? She is too young to be brought into public." Into public the royal babe was brought no more during the short period of her father's life; and it is believed that, to this expression of the Regent's opinion, may be in some measure attributed the extreme retirement in which the first ten years of the young Princess's life were passed.
A Picture of Domestic Happiness
The Duke and Duchess of Kent spent the whole of this summer at Kensington, in the enjoyment of the most perfect domestic felicity and retirement. Every day they were to be seen walking arm and arm in the beautiful gardens which surround the palace, mingling with pleasure amongst their delighted countrymen. The interest of the scene was much increased by the presence of the royal infant, who, in the arms of her nurse, would answer with her innocent smiles to the occasional caresses of her fond parents, and the more respectful notice of the spectators. No strangers were permitted to approach her too closely; but the cheerful accents of her prattle, and her blooming healthful countenance were sufficient evidence of her flourishing condition. Her Royal Highness was vaccinated in the month of August, the operation perfectly succeeded, and in the course of a fortnight all signs of indisposition had disappeared.
Adoption by the Duke of York
It pleased Providence, however, in a few short months to overcloud this interesting scene, and to snatch from the amiable Duchess and her infant offspring, by a sudden stroke of his Almighty arm, the loving husband and the tender father. Their Royal Highness had removed during the winter months into Devonshire, for the benefit of its milder climate, but had scarcely domesticated themselves in their beautiful retreat, Woolbrook Cottage, Sidmouth, before the illustrious Duke was seized with severe indisposition, the effects of neglected cold, which, defying all the efforts of medicine, terminated fatally within a fortnight from the first attack. The Duchess was immediately withdrawn from the scene of her bereavement; and returning to her apartments at Kensington Palace, received there the kindest attention from the various members of the Royal Family; Prince Leopold and the Duchess of Clarence, now the amiable Queen Dowager, were especially distinguished for their affectionate solicitude.
At the first visit paid by the Duke of York to his afflicted sister-in-law, the following interesting incident occurred. The Duke having inquired for his infant niece, she was no sooner, in compliance with his desire, brought into the room, than recognizing, it is supposed, his great resemblance to her deceased father, she stretched out her little arms towards him and called him Papa. The Duke was greatly affected, and clasping her to his bosom, promised to be indeed a father to her; this promise, as far as circumstances would admit, he always faithfully observed; he watched with paternal solicitude over the growth and early education of the interesting orphan, and was repaid by her infantine love and gratitude, particularly exemplified in his Royal Highness's last illness, when she visited him daily, always carrying in her hand a beautiful bouquet of choice flowers, with which the Duke delighted to decorate his private sitting-room, until it was replaced the following day by a fresh supply from her own store of sweets.
The Infant Princess
The following interesting description of the Princess at the age of fifteen months, has been supplied from an authentic source: "Walking one day at Kensington Gardens, accompanied by my sister, we were fortunate enough to meet, quite unexpectedly, with the infant Princess Victoria, whom we had before seen. She was riding in a very elegant child's phaeton, painted bright yellow, and bearing upon the panels the initials and coronet of the young Princess. Her Royal Highness was tied into it by a broad black ribbon round her waist; the carriage was drawn when we first saw it by the Princess Feodore, and two ladies and a man-servant were in attendance. On approaching the dear child, she immediately noticed us by the name of "Lady;" we walked, by permission of her attendants, alongside the carriage for a considerable distance, which appeared to please her Royal Highness greatly, as she never once turned her face from us, but continued talking the whole time very distinctly, and with great intelligence for her age; she noticed with vivacity everything that passed; and continually addressed us as "Lady," as though unwilling to part company. On taking leave we requested permission to kiss her hand, but we were told by the Baroness de Spaedth, that the Duchess's permission should be asked, and if obtained, an early opportunity should be taken to gratify our wishes.
A few days afterwards, passing through the court of the palace, the young Princess overtook us on her return from her usual airing. The window of the carriage was drawn up, notwithstanding which, our little darling had no sooner seen us, than, to our great surprise, she assumed the most intelligent smile of recognition; and turning quickly to her nurse, said in a loud and authoritative tone, "Lady." The Princess having been lifted out and carried into the hall, in the arms of the Baroness de Spaedth, her nurse returned to the door, and requested us to walk in "to have the honour of kissing the Princess's hand." We did so accordingly, and the Baroness Spaedth addressing herself to us, said, "The Princess knew you were to be invited to kiss her hand, and she pointed you out to me the moment she saw you." Surely this was a most extraordinary instance of acuteness in so very young an infant.
She held out her pretty, fair, fat little hand to be kissed with the utmost grace and dignity, and on our taking leave some minutes after, said, "Thank you." of her own accord, most plainly and distinctly. She was at this period a most beautiful child, bearing a very strong resemblance to her father, and indeed to the Royal Family generally. Though small and delicately formed, she was very fat, and might be called a remarkably fine child for her age; her eyes were large and blue, her complexion extremely fair, with a rosy colour expressive of high health, and her curled lips continually parted, shewed her four pretty white teeth; she was forward in her speech, very lively, and appeared of a gentle, happy temper; occasionally a sweet and merry smile animated her intelligent countenance. She was dressed in a white cambric pelisse, neatly frilled at the bottom, and a large straw bonnet trimmed with black ribbons. We were informed by her nurse, that she did not yet run alone; indeed she was not entirely short coated until more than a year old, doubtless to prevent her being placed upon her feet too early."
With the Public in Kensington Gardens
During these evanescent but interesting years of early childhood, the little Princess was daily to be seen riding or running about in Kensington Gardens, and her intercourse with the visitors there was of a very endearing description.
In addition to her little carriage she had a favourite donkey, presented by the Duke of York, which, gaily caparisoned in blue ribbons, bore his royal mistress daily round the gardens to her great delight; so fond indeed was she of him, and of the exercise he procured her, that it was generally necessary to persuade her that the donkey was tired or hungry to induce her to alight.
Even at this very early age the Princess took great pleasure in mixing with the people generally, and seldom passed anybody in the gardens, without accosting them with, "How do you do?" or "Good morning, sir, or lady;" and always seemed pleased to enter into conversation with strangers, returning their compliments, or answering their questions in the most distinct and good-humoured manner. Her Royal Highness was a particular admirer of children, and rarely allowed an infant to pass her, without requesting permission to see it close; she always expressed great delight at meeting a young ladies' school, had something to say to most of the children, but particularly distinguished the younger ones. When a little older it was exhilarating to witness her infantine activity as, holding her sister Feodore in one hand, and the string of her little cart in the other, with a moss rose fastened into her bosom, she would run with astonishing rapidity the whole length of the broad gravel walk, or up and down the green hills with which the gardens abound, her eyes sparkling with animation and glee, until the attendants, fearful of the effects of such violent exercise, were compelled to put a stop to it, much against the will of the little romp: and although a large assemblage of well-dressed ladies, gentlemen, and children would on such occasions form a semicircle round the scene of the amusement, their presence never seemed in any way to disconcert the royal child, who would continue her play, occasionally speaking to the spectators as though they were partakers in her enjoyment, which in very truth they were. If, whilst amusing herself in the enclosed lawn, she observed, as sometimes happened, many persons collected round the green railing, she would walk close up to it, and curtsy and kiss her hand to the people, speaking to all who addressed her, and when her nurse led her away, she would again and again slip from her hand and return to renew the mutual greetings between herself and her future subjects.
A private letter written in January, 1822, says, "Walking this morning in Kensington Gardens, I met my little friend, the Princess Victoria, most curiously dressed in a duffield cloak, lined with pink, made to fit her, and reaching quite to the ground; I could not help laughing at her grotesque appearance as she walked slowly along, holding her cloak quite tight with her two little hands: the Duchess, who was stooping down endeavoring to arrange it more commodiously for her, seemed as much amused as I was, and observed to the Baroness de Spaedth, "that she looked like a little matchwoman." She very soon, however, grew tired of her new accoutrement, and complaining of the heat, induced her mother to take it off: after which, she ran about much at her ease in the gravel walk, bearing a very altered appearance, her dress as now exhibited, consisting of a purple velvet pelisse most elegantly made, and a very becoming white beaver bonnet; she looked extremely beautiful. On seeing me, the Princess as usual wished me a good morning, I wished her Royal Highness many happy new years, to which she replied with a sweet smile, "And I wish you a happy new year too."
One day, walking with her sister, she met a little girl, something younger than herself, who had hold of her mother's hand. The Princess curtsied to the mother, who returned the salute, then to the child, who took no notice; she curtsied again, but the little creature stood still: "Make a curtsy to me baby," said the Princess, "why don't you make a curtsy to me?" And after repeating her desire several times unavailingly, she turned away saying in a pitying tone to her sister, "Poor baby, she can't make a curtsy, she won't speak."
Archness
Some ladies, who were much in the habit of walking in Kensington Gardens, and were delighted with the opportunity thus afforded of frequently seeing the little Princess, perceiving that she was very fond of flowers, seldom failed to present her with a small nosegay, which was accepted with pleasure, until her Royal Highness began to look upon it as a matter of course, and would ask for her flowers as soon as the ladies appeared; but this, she was told by her governess she must not do, but wait till they were offered to her. It happened a short time after this that the ladies were seen without the usual bouquet, and the Princess, knowing that she was not to ask for it, and chancing at the moment to meet a little girl with a reticule in her hand, addressed her with "Little girl, have you any flowers in that bag? at the same time glancing her blue eye towards the ladies who had disappointed her with a very merry and arch expression.
Her Royal Highness was one day met upon her walk by the late Bishop Fisher of Salisbury, who affectionately saluted her, but without attracting her attention; his lordship repeated, "How do you do, my Princess;" still she took no notice. He then spoke to the attendants, and entreated her Royal Highness's attention--he even went on one knee to court it--and the ladies threatened the Duchess's displeasure if she did not speak to the bishop; but all in vain, the willful child made her escape at the earliest opportunity, running as fast as her little legs would carry her, till she was fairly out of reach; she then turned round, and, with a quick and graceful air, kissed her hand repeatedly to the venerable prelate.
(To be continued.)
Proofread by LNL, Jul. 2011