FOR THE GIRLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 125, 28 May 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOR THE GIRLS.

ABOUT EMPIRE DAY, TWO FAMOUS QUEENS OF OLD ENGLAND. Dear Girls, — Tuesday last was Empire Day and the one hundred and thirteenth anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth. "Lest we forcet," the 24th of May h™ been Jamed Empire Day in memory of a 3 re ai Queen and one of th. most glorious reigns in history. In this remote corner of the Empire, each succeeding 24th of May Queen Victoria s memory is kep. green by the Victoria League. Beautiful wreaths are placed round her β-titue in Albert Park. All of us have read of this girl Queen, upon whose very young shoulders was thrust the heavy burden of State—she was only eighteen— and how, in spite of her youth and inexperience, she coon proved herself competent to fulfil her regal destiny. Always willing to learn, she encouraged the best men to help the Government of the country, and never hesitated in giving her consent to new laws that were shown to be easier and ocJter than the old ones and made for the happiness of her people. And what statesmen there were in those days! That modern wonder the cinema has b.-ousht them to lite again. In their queer, prim clothes they walk and talk before our eyes in fascinating stories of those far-away times. Victoria was an ideal wife and mother, as well as a Queen, and her deeds of kindness to high and low helped her to gain the love and loyally of her subjects. The ether great Queen who will ever be remembered is Elizabeth, or good Queen Bes* as *he has been affestionatelly called. I have before me her inspiring words to her soldiers at Tilbury, when England was threatened with invasion by the Spanish Armada. Hera they are:— "I am come among you at thin time, not for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of battle, to live or die among: you all: to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart of a king, and of a King of England, too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms. To> which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself will take up arms; I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of your virtues in the field. I know already by your forwardness you have deserved reward* and crowns, and we do ossure you, on the word of a Queen, they shall be duly paid to you. "In the meantime my lieutenant-general shall be in my stead, than whom never Sovereign commanded a more noble and worthy subject! not doubting by your obedience, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field we shall A j^ shortly have a famous victory," I \ « iJU'^'iS' -^ Now, girl elocutionists, how abput learning t?»ie thrilling speech, which came true in every word?