A CANDID QUEEN

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 16, 20 January 1928, Page 7

A CANDID QUEEN

VICTORIA'S LETTERS SHE SPOKE HER MIND HATRED OF GLADSTONE (United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Sydney Sun Cable.) (Ktceived 20th January, rioon.) LONDON, 19th January. 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 Pfirice Imperial in the Zulii War, the massacre of the British Mission at Kabul, British disasters at Isandula and Majuba Hill, Gordon 'a 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 letter's^ She wrote indignantly regarding the Prince Imperial, and said: "Such an amiable young mail would have inside such a good Emperor of France some day. It is incredible that noilS remained to try to saVe this preciouS life.'' | GORDON'S DfiATH. I When General Gordon was sent to | Khartum, Queen Victoria was intensely apprehensive, and saidi "If anything befalls him, the result will be awful." The Queen repeatedly but in vain tried to stir up the Cabinet which remained unergefcie arid tlecisionless, and even tried to prevent her coiigra* tulating and encouraging Generals. Accordingly she wrote to Lord Hartington on the point, saying that Lord Hartington's letter was very officious fend impertinent." The Queen will, not stand dictation. The Liberals always wish to milte lief feel She is it machine. She Will not! a'ceept it:" When she heard that Khartum had fallen she sent her famous telegram to the Ministers: "To think that all j this might have been prevented and precious lives saVed by earlier action is too frightful." She wrote: "Gladstone and his Government have Gordon's innoftent, 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 Woiseley, 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 riot receive support and liberty of action. Ifou must not let out a hint, but really I think the Government must be frightened." CRITIC OF LIBtiBALB. Victoria repeatedly and bitterly cri : ticised Gladstone; notably when Lord Beaconsfield's Government was defeated in 1880. She declared that Gladstone's cdndu'et fdr four years had been violent, passionate, invectivej and abuse against Beaconsiield, causing the' Tui'coEussian War. "I could riot have a particle of confidence iii Mr. Gladstone after his violent, mischievous, arid darigeroiis conduct dnd his offensive langUage against myself." Tne Queen regarded Joseph Chamberlain and John Bright as dangcr'oiisi members of t-lio 1880 Ministry. fiho declared in. a letter to the Irish Secretary that she had liberal, views-regardl ing the improvement ot the Empire, but she wbUld not be Queen of .-1 ileitiocrdtic iiiouaftsh.y. itaflical agitators must seek another monarch. "1 doubt whether they Will fliid 6tie." She blariied. the release Of Parnell1 and other leaders for the Phoenix Park municrs, 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, addings "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 pblic as, tot instance) When giie expresses regret that muieulne itr'e not ep-efied <>« Sunday*, "whUh is the best ttntidote id public houses,*' She also epjmaed the h&afy tuistlea bf beer *'which is the p6* papia'g enly beverage, H *'"»" "in i