QUEEN VICTORIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 53, 16 March 1887, Page 3

QUEEN VICTORIA.

How She Lives and What She Does.

Thk Queen's life at Balmoral is very simple and quiet. Her suite is large. Her Majesty is always accompanied to the Highlands by her Royal Highness the Princoßa Beatrice, whoae devotion t_ her mother ia a splendid example to every English, or, as tha Queen would her self say, every ." British" daughter. Since the Princess's marriage she is, of coursa, frequently accompanied by her husband, Prince Honry of Battenberg, whoso ploasant fraDkneas of manner and genuine kindness of nature have won for him a high placo in the regard of the Highlanders. Occasionally other members of the royal family visit the .Queen. The Prince and Princess of Wale 3 often come to Abergeldie, which ia quite near Balmoral ; and this season tho young widowed Duchess of Albany has been staying at Birk Hall. Frequently her Majesty invites some of hor friends to reside at Abergeldie Mains, aud a visit to them there for an afternoon call or an afternoon tea makes a ploasant drivo. A lady in waiting, two young ladies—maida of hononr-a Cabinet Minister, an equerry, one of tbo Queen's secretaries and the doctor may be said to make up tho suite! and the Quoen's able and indofatigable commissioner, Dr. Profeit, is always at hand, Her Majesty, here, as everywhere, works very hard, and gives much of her time to the businees of the nation, tho management of her own estate, and the welfare of tho people among whom eho Uvea. Sho spends aa much as possible of her time in the open air, reading and writing outside when tho weather permits, and sometimes breakfasting and taking tea iD one of the summer-houses ; in walking about the lovoly grounds, with a single attendant, aud one or more of her fine collie dogs ; and in taking long drives to places of interest and beauty in the neighbourhood, and frequently honouring somo of the neighbouring gentry with a visit. The Queen also visits a great deal in the homes of the cottars, in many of which there are tokens in the shape of photographs, pictures, books and other valuable presents of her Majesty's affection and regard for her humble eubjects and friends. It ia most touching to hear them speak of the Queen's kindness, and the interest they take in all tho membors of the Royal family is very groat, and almost intimately personal in its character. She frequently shares in their domestic joys by attending in their homes the " kristnin " (christening) of a baby, and in their sorrows by being present at the short religious service performed by the minister on the occasion of a funeral.