THE VICTORIAN AGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 18

THE VICTORIAN AGE

INFLUENCE OF THE QUEEN

MIDDLE-CLASS AFFINITY The influence of Queen Victoria upon her times was discussed by Professor W. A. Sewell at Auckland University Collope last night in the first of a scries of three extension lectures entitled, " The Victorian Age." In dealing with Victoria's influence, Professor Sewell drew a distinction between the mind of an age. as expressed in its literature, public policy and " drift," and its climate, as found in the daily lives of the mass of tho people. The mind of the Victorian age. lie said, was foreign to tho Queen, and she shared very little in it. She regarded democracy with suspicion, and concerned herself with preserving the rights of the Throno amid the changes of her times.

Tho human spirit was tending toward the disinterested mind, the belief that it was good to follow the argument whithersoever it might lead. Signs of this in public policy were the enfranchisement of Jews and Roman Catholics, the admission of women to universities and the vindication of Charles Bradlaugh. who wished to be both an atheist and a member of Parliament. Such a principle was not foreign to Prince Albert, who interested himself in science and university reform. Victoria, however, seldom mentioned in her writings any of the mighty achievements of the new age, and she coukl never abide Cobden and Bright, who exemplified the new industry and commerce.

On the other hand, under Albert's influence, she typified and partly formed the moral climate of her England. Tn time she came to reflect entirelv the prejudices, temper and family life of the middle class, and its character grow more and more liko hers. Although the Victorian age had gone, said the lecturer, there still remained faint echoes of its intellectual courage and moral stability. Victoria had little of that intellectual courage, but she contributed a great deal to that moral stnhilitv in her own way.

The two later lectures will be upon Tcnnvson and Carlvle, respectively.