BRITISH HISTORY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 96, 21 January 1928, Page 9

BRITISH HISTORY

FROM 1862 TO 1885 AS RELATED IN QUEEN VICTORIA’S LETTERS LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN GLADSTONE The second series of Queen Victoria’s letters deals with a period in which Birtish prestige was shaken by a number of calamities. The letters are not. able for their outspoken criticism of the Liberals. BY TELEGRAPH.— PRES 3 ASSOCIATION. Copyright. London, January 19. The second series of Queen Victoria’s letters from 1862 to 1885 coincides with a series of calamities shaking British prestige all over the world, including the death of the Prince Imperial in the Zulu War, the massacre of the British Mission at Kabul, British disasters at Isandula and Majnba Hill, Gordon’s death at Khartum, the Phoenix Park murders, and the dynamiters’ crimes. All these tortured and distressed the Queen, and the tragedies were largely] reflected in her letters. She wrote indignantly regarding the Prince Imper-. ial, and said: “Such an amiable young man would have made such a good Em-; peror of France some day. It is m creditable that rone remained tn try; to save this precious life.” Moved by Gordon’s Death. When General Gordon, was sent to Khartum, Queen Victoria was intensely apprehensive, and said: “If anything befalls him, the result will be awful ” The Queen repeatedly, but in vain, tried to stir up the Cabinet which remained unenergetic and decisionless, and even tried to prevent her congratulating and encouraging Generals. Accordingly she wrote to Lord Hartington on the point, saying that Lord Hartington’s letter was very officious and impertinent. “The Queen will not stand dictation. The Liberals always wish to make her feel she is a machine.She will not accept it.” When she heard that Khartum had fallen she sent her famous telegram to the Ministers: “To think that all this might have been prevented and precious lives saved by earlier action is too frightful.” She wrote: ‘Gladstone and his Government have Gordon’s innocent, noble, heroic blood on their consciences. It is awful. May they feel it and be made to feel it.” Victoria so distrusted the Government that she wrote to Lady Wolseley, intending her remarks to be passed on to her husband, General Wolseley, Officer Commanding in Egypt: “In strict confidence I must tell you that the Government are more incorrigible than ever. Your husband should hold strong language to them, even threaten to resign, if he does not receive support and liberty of action. You must not let out a hint, but really I think the Government must be frightened. - Gladstone Denounced. Victoria repeatedly and bitterly criticised Gladstone, notably when Lord Beaconsfield’s . Government was defeated in 1880. She declared that Gladstone’s conduct for four years had been violent, passionate, invective, and abuse against Beaconsfield, causing the TurcoRussian War. “I ■ could not have a particle of confidence in Mr. Gladstone after his violent, mischievous, and dangerous conduct and his offensive language against myself.” The Queen regarded Joseph Chamberlain and John Bright as dangerous members of the 1880 Ministry. She . declared in a letter to the Irish Secre- .) tary that she had liberal views regard-i ing the improvement of the Empire,., but she would not be Queen of a demo- ‘ cratic monarchy. “Radical agitators.) must seek another monarch.* I doubt i whether they w.ill find one.” Radicals In Cabinet. She blamed the release of Parnell and other leaders for the Phoenix Park murders after which she sent a letter to the late King Edward ordering him to remonstrate with Lord Hartington, reminding him of his assurance that Cabinet would not include dangerous Radicals, adding: “All the worst men, not respecting Kings and Princes as landmarks of the Constitution, are put into the Government despite me. Mr. Gladstone’s mischief is incalculable.” Many passages show a sympathy with 'the public, as, for instance, when Victoria expresses regret that museums are not opened on Sundays,-"which is the best antidote to public houses.” She also opposed the heavy taxation of beer “which is the poor people's only beverage.”—Sydney “Sun” Cable.