Page:Alexandrina Victoria - 18th Birthday Tribute.pdf/6

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"‘The question which your lordships will naturally ask is—whom we propose as the guardian of her royal highness under the circumstances inferred? I am sure, however, that the answer will at once suggest itself to every mind. It would be quite impossible that we should recommend any other individual for that high office than the illustrious princess, the mother of her royal highness the Princess Victoria. The manner in which her royal highness the duchess of Kent has hitherto discharged her duty in the education of her illustrious offspring,—and I speak upon the subject not from vague report, but from accurate information—gives us the best ground to hope most favourably of her royal highness's future conduct. Looking at the past, it is evident that we cannot find a better guardian for the time to come.'

"The residence of the Princess Victoria has been at Kensington palace, but every summer she has visited some part of England. Hastings, the Isle of Wight, Matlock, &c. have been honoured by her sojourn. The advantage is greater than even the beneficial influence on the health which has thus been strengthened. It has made our young princess acquainted with the various aspects of her native country, and in the affectionate loyalty which she has ever been received, has shown her the feelings of the English people to her illustrious line.

"The royal horizon is now one of happiest promise; and we may conclude by a hope, the expression of a universal feeling, that long years of blessing and prosperity may follow the majority of the Princess Victoria."