Queen Victoria | Page 4

a great friend and favourite. She always had her breakfast and
supper with her mother, and at nine o'clock retired to her bed, which
was placed close to her mother's. Until the time of her accession she led
as simple and regular a life as thousands of other little girls.
Many stories are told of her early years to illustrate the thoroughness of
her home training. Even as a small child she was absolutely truthful,
and her chief fault--that of wilfulness--was due to some extent to her
high spirits and abundant energy. She was especially fond of dolls, and
possessed a very large number, most of which were dressed as
historical personages. She had practically no playmates of her own age,
and in later life she often spoke of these early years as being rather dull.
A description of her at this period runs: "She was a beautiful child, with
the cherubic form of features, clustered round by glossy, fair ringlets.
Her complexion was remarkably transparent, with a soft and often
heightening tinge of the sweet blush rose upon her cheeks that imparted
a peculiar brilliancy to her clear blue eyes. Whenever she met any
strangers in her usual paths she always seemed by the quickness of her
glance to inquire who and what they were."
There was, as was natural, much correspondence between England and
Saxe-Coburg, the home of the Duchess, for the second son of the Duke
of Coburg, Charles Albert Augustus Emmanuel, was already spoken of
as being destined to be Victoria's husband in the future.

Prince Albert had been born at Rosenau on August 19, 1819, and was
thus slightly younger than his cousin. He is spoken of as being a very
handsome boy, "like a little angel with his fair curls," and was for a
time much spoilt until his father interfered and superintended the
children's education himself.
Ernest, the elder son, gives us a charming picture of his father:
"We children beheld in him, and justly, our ideal of courtesy, and
although he never said a harsh word to us, we bore towards him,
through all our love and confidence, a reverence bordering on fear. He
never lectured, seldom blamed; praised unwillingly; and yet the effect
of his individuality was so powerful that we accomplished more than if
we had been praised or blamed. When he was once asked by a relative
whether we were industrious and well behaved, he answered: 'My
children cannot be naughty, and as they know well that they must learn
in order to be worthy men, so I do not trouble myself about it.'"
The Duke liked both his sons to listen to the conversation of their
elders and to take an interest in art and literature. Outdoor exercise,
riding, fishing, hunting, and driving formed part of their education;
they were taught from the first to endure cold and discomfort without
complaint or murmur. The religious teaching they received had a deep
and lasting influence upon the two boys, both at that time and in later
years. But they had a thoroughly happy boyhood and did not suffer
from a lack of companions. After their confirmation their father took
them on a visit to several Courts in Germany, and also to Vienna--a
journey which was intended to open their minds to the great world of
which they had learnt so much and seen so little; and it was about this
time that King Leopold, the brother of the Duke of Coburg, thought it
wise to make a careful inquiry into the life and character of the young
Prince.
CHAPTER III
: Early Years God save thee, weeping Queen! Thou shalt be well
beloved! The tyrant's sceptre cannot move, As those pure tears have

moved! E.B. BROWNING
When she was five years old the Princess Victoria began to have
lessons, chiefly with a governess, Miss von Lehzen--"my dearly
beloved angelic Lehzen," as she called her. These two remained
devotedly attached to one another until the latter's death in 1870. The
young Princess was especially fond of music and drawing, and it was
clear that if she had been able to devote more time to study she would
in later years have excelled in both subjects.
Her education was such as to fit her for her future position of Queen of
England. The Princess did not, however, know that she was likely at
any future time to be Queen. She read much, chiefly books dealing with
history, and these were often chosen for her by her uncle, the King of
the Belgians.
The family life was regular and simple. Lessons, a walk or drive, very
few and simple pleasures made up her day. Breakfast was at half-past
eight, luncheon at half-past one, and dinner at seven. Tea was allowed
only in later years