A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland
VICTORIA,
Reigning Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, was born at Kensington Palace, May 24th., 1819. Her father was Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George the Third, and her mother was Victoria Maria Louisa, daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg. Left a widow when her delicate infant was but eight months old, the Duchess of Kent devoted herself to the great purpose of training her daughter to be worthy of the crown which it seemed probable she might wear. Queen Victoria is, therefore, the exponant of female nature rightly cultivated for the highest station a mortal can inherit by birth. The means by which this instruction was perfected, and the results to humanity, are studies for the statesman, philosopher, and Christian.
In our brief sketch we shall only allude to some of the seemingly small circumstances, yet really great events, because influencing a mind which was to have a vast influence on other minds.
The ordering and training of Queen Victoria was entirely the work of her wise-hearted mother, and chiefly accomplished by female agencies. That her education was of the highest and most perfect order for her station, there are ample proofs; it has given to the greatest monarchy in the world the best sovereign the world contains; the best of her own royal line; the best, morally speaking, that ever sat on England's throne. More than this, Victoria was trained to perform all her duties; she is an accomplished lady, as perfect in her feminine as in her queenly character; a dutiful daughter, a loving wife, a watchful mother, a kind mistress, a generous benefactor, an exemplary Christian; there are no startling contrasts nor weak inconsistencies in her conduct Such uniform adherence to the right and proper under circumstances where selfish propensities are so often stimulated and so easily gratified, must be the result of the conscientious principle early and unceasingly cultivated.
Before the birth of this precious child, the Duchess of Kent had shown, in the previous circumstances of her life, and particularly in the personal sacrifices and risks she endured when, leaving her own home in Germany, she hastened to England so that her off-spring might be British born, her deep devotion to duty, and that innate wisdom which has guided her through every task and trial. Perhaps nothing at the time more strikingly marked the moral delicacy of the woman and the decision of character so necessary to sustain it, than the resolution she evinced to trust herself to the care of the midwife whom she had summoned from Germany to attend her.
In spite of the remonstrances of those who fancied scientific knowledge was confined to masculine practitioners, the Duchess of Kent was firm in her purpose to employ only Dr. Charlotte, as she was called; and thus, under a woman's care and skill, Victoria was ushered into the world. The Duchess of Kent nursed her infant at her own bosom, always attended on the bathing and dressing, and, as soon as the little girl could sit alone, she was ' placed at a small table beside her mother's at her meals, yet never indulged in any but the prescribed simple kinds of food. Thus were the sentiments of obedience, temperance, and self-control early inculcated and brought into daily exercise.
The Duke of Kent died in debt for money borrowed of his friends. The duchess instructed the little princess concerning these debts, and encouraged her to lay aside portions of money, which might have been expended in the purchase of toys, as a fund to pay these demands against her deceased father. Thus were awakened and cultivated those noble virtues, justice, fortitude, fidelity, prudence, with that filial devotion which is the germ of patriotism. And thus, throughout all the arrangements during the first seven years, the order, the simplicity, the conscientiousness of the teacher were moulding the ductile and impressable mind and, heart of the pupil to follow after wisdom and do the right. Love, in her mother's form, was ever around the little princess; the counsels and examples of that faithful Mentor, like an inspiration, served to lift up the young soul to have hope in God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well was it that the Duke of Kent left his wife sole guardian over their child. The Duchess could arrange the whole manner of Victoria's education, and superintend it; and from the day of her husband's death till Victoria was proclaimed Queen she new separated herself from her daughter. They slept in the same apartment; the first lessons were given by maternal lips, and when careful teachers were employed, still the mother was ever present, sharing the amusements and encouraging the exercises and innocent gaiety of the child. Thus was Victoria trained. Her intellectual education was as thorough as her physical and moral. From her cradle she was taught to speak three languages—English, German, and French. In her fifth year her mother chose as preceptor for the princess the Rev. George Davys, now, through the gratitude of his pupil Bishop of Peterborough. In the co-operation afforded by this gentleman with the wise plans of the duchess for her daughter's instruction, he evinced great excellence of moral character, and his faithfulness was well rewarded. The duchess confided in him fully. When the princess became heir presumptive to the throne, and it was intimated to her mother that some distinguished prelate should be appointed instructor, and Earl Grey named the Bishop of Lincoln, then was the conscientious and truly noble mind of the duchess displayed She expressed her perfect approval of Dr. Davys as her daughter's tutor, declined any change, but hinted that if a dignified clergyman were indispensable to fill this important office, there would be no objection if Dr. Davys received the preferment he had always well merited. He was soon afterwards made Dean of Chester. Such traits deserve notice, because illustrative of the good influences which surrounded the young princess, and also because they exhibit the constancy of woman's esteem when gained by worthy conduct.
Besides her preceptor, Victoria had an excellent instructress, the Baroness Lehzen, whose services were likewise retained through the whole term of her education; and the long harmony so happily maintained between the mother and her auxiliaries in this important work of preparing a sovereign to be worthy of a throne, is an example worth consideration by those who would seek the best models for private education.
It has been stated repeatedly and never contradicted, that the Princess Victoria was not aware of her claims on the succession until a little before the death of her uncle, George the Fourth. The duchess had thus carefully guarded her child from the pernicious flattery of inferiors, and kept her young heart free from hopes or wishes which the future might have disappointed. When the accession of King William placed her next the throne, she had completed her eleventh year, "and evinced abilities and possessed accomplishments very rare for that tender age in any rank of life." "She spoke French and German with fluency, and was acquainted with Italian; she had made some progress in Latin, being able to read Virgil and Horace with ease; she had commenced Greek and studied mathematics, and evinced peculiar aptness for that science of reality; indeed, in all the sciences connected with numbers, the royal pupil showed great skill and powers of reason." She had also made good proficiency in music and drawing, in both of which arts she afterwards became quite accomplished. Thus happily engaged in acquiring knowledge of every kind necessary for her royal station, among which the knowledge of the people was not neglected, nor the arts, sciences, and employments which most conduce to the prosperity and advancement of a nation, this young princess passed the intervening years till her minority, May 24th., 1837. The day was kept as a general holiday throughout the kingdom. The city of London voted addresses of congratulation to the Princess Victoria and Duchess of Kent on that occasion, "Which we notice in order to give a few sentiments from the reply of the duchess; she said, "The princess has arrived at that age "Which now justifies me in expressing my confident expectation that she will be found competent to execute the sacred trust which may be reposed in her; for, communicating as she does with all classes of society, she cannot but perceive that the greater the diffusion of religious knowledge and the love of freedom in a country, the more orderly, industrious, and wealthy is its population; and that, with the desire to preserve the constitutional prerogatives of the crown, ought to be co-ordinate with the protection of the liberties of the people."
In four weeks from that day the sudden death of William the Fourth gave the sovereignty of the British empire to this young maiden of eighteen. Beautifully has she fulfilled the expectations of her mother and the hopes of the nation. The manner in which the duchess relinquished her power over her daughter was a fitting sequel to the faithfulness with which she had exercised it. The great officers of state and privy counsellors, a hundred or more of the noblest in the land, assembled on the morning of June 20th., 1837, at Kensington Palace. They were ushered into the grand saloon. Soon Victoria appeared, accompanied by her mother and the officers of her household. After the duchess had seen her royal daughter enthroned on a seat of state prepared for the occasion, she withdrew and left the young queen with her council. From that hour the duchess treated her august daughter with the respectful observance her station, according to court etiquette, demands. No more advice, no farther instructions, not even suggestions, were ever offered. Doubtless, if the queen seeks her mother's counsel in private it is always given in love and truth; but the good seed had been sown at the right time; it put forth, by the blessing of God, spontaneously. The soul, like the soil, must bear its own harvest.
On the 17th. of July, 1837, the young queen made her first public appearance as sovereign over her realm; she prorogued Parliament in person; never was the act done more royally.
On the 28th. of June, 1838, she was crowned in Westminster Abbey. Never were the long and tedious ceremonies more gracefully endured. From that time onward there has been no diminution in her zeal; every duty devolving on her, every form prescribed, every custom held important in the old and cumbrous British government, Victoria has performed, observed, and cherished. She has been the model of female royalty. But this is a trifling matter, compared with the salutary influence her high principles, refined taste, and graceful propriety of manners have wielded over those who give the tone to fashionable society in England. Vice and folly retired abashed from her presence.
This example of strict virtue on the British throne was imperatively needed; hence the great blessing conferred by the reign of Victoria, who is, in her private life, a model for her people. She was married on the 10th. of February, 1840, to her cousin. Prince Albert, of Saxe-Coburg, who had been, for a time, her associate in childhood, and whose development of character and talents has fully justified the wisdom of her choice and the worth of her influence. The union was one of mutual affection, and has been remarkably happy and fortunate. The royal pair have already nine children—Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa, Princess Royal, born November 21st, 1840; Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, born November 9th., 1841; Alice Maud Mary, born April 26th., 1843; Alfred Ernest Albert, born August 6th., 1844; Helena Augusta Victoria, born May 25th., 1846; Louisa Carolina Alberta, born March 18th., 1848; Arthur William Patrick Albert, born May 1st., 1850; Leopold George Duncan Albert, born April 7th., 1853; and Beatrice Mary Victoria Feodore, born April 14th., 1867. All these children are carefully trained under the supervision of their royal parents, and the family of the Queen is one of the best governed and guided in England.
We might record royal journeys by sea and land more extensive than any made since the Revolution; these are only of importance to our purpose as showing the activity of Victoria's mind, and the wise economy with which all her private affairs are managed. She finds time for all she wishes to do, and the means from her allowed income. She is never in debt. She is liberal in her charities, and, ft-om her private purse, has pensioned many deserving persons, including a number of the literary ladies of England. Compare Victoria's character and conduct since she came to the throne with the best sovereign of her royal line.
He who has been vaunted the good king, George the Third. He was narrow-minded, cruel, and selfish. It is notorious that be delighted in signing death-warrants, and never would grant a pardon to the condemned unless driven by the greatest importunities. Victoria pardons even against the remonstrances of her advisers; and so painful to her is the signature of her name to the death-penalty that she has been relieved from the duty, though the delight of the pardoning power she holds firmly. Of the manner in which their respective sentiments of honour and honesty contrast, the following, from the pen of an English gentleman, will testify. "Frederick, Prince of Wales, father of George the Third, died considerably in debt, of which his son, rich as he was, never paid a single farthing. So much for George the Third as a son; let us look at him as a Father. No sooner was George, Prince of Wales, (afterwards George the Fourth,) born, than his father laid hands on the Duchy of Cornwall and all other property to which the son was entitled, appropriated the rents and profits thereof to his own use, and never accounted to the latter for any part of them whatever, (as he was bound to do on the son's coming of age,) but sent the son to Parliament for the payment of his debts!
How different the conduct of Victoria!
With an income of not much more than half the amount of that possessed by her grandfather, George the Third, her almost first act on coming to the throne, was to pay her father's (the Duke of Kent's) debts out of her own privy purse; and on the birth of her son, (the Prince of Wales,) she had his Duchy and other property put into the hands of responsible commissioners to be protected and made the most of for him till he was of age."
It is impossible to study carefully the manifestations of character in the sexes, without seeing on every side proofs of the superior moral endowments of the female. Woman is the conservator of truth and purity; the first teacher and best exemplar of the Christian virtues. When God, by whom "kings reign," exalts a woman to the government of a great kingdom, we are led to believe it is for the purpose of promoting the best interests of virtue, religion, and social happiness. There was never a time when moral power might "be so effectually and gloriously employed as at the present. The empire of physical force is crumbling into ruins. It is fitting that the reign of feeling and intellect, of industry and peace, should be ushered in by a woman.
One of the last and certainly the greatest pageant in which Queen Victoria has performed her part so admirably, was the opening of the "World's Fair," at the Crystal Palace, London, May 1st., 1851. Leaning on the arm of her beloved and revered husband, Prince Albert, who had originated this wonderful and most successful enterprise of bringing together into London the world's work and "wealth, the Queen, leading their princely son while the husband led their royal daughter, appeared before the vast assemblage of men from all nations as one who had the "monarch power," yet sweetly modified by the character of wife and mother. She came to give publicly her sympathy and her approval to a great movement whose influence on the happiness of the world, will, probably, be more important than any which has taken place since the Reformation. The opening of the great Industrial Exhibition was an act worthy of a Queen; worthy of Victoria; and no less so was her openly-expressed sympathy with the friends of those who fell in that fearful Crimean struggle of 1855-6. Her frequent visits to the wounded at Fort Pitt, Chatham, and other military hospitals, her manifest emotion on these sad occasions, and tender regard and care for the poor victims of the horrid wars, have given her a deeper and warmer place in the hearts of her subjects than she before occupied, much as she has always been respected and beloved with us. "Long Life to Victoria!" is no parrot cry; it is not vox et præterea nihil, but the expression of a nation's most earnest wish and prayer—the utterance of a people's devoted love.