"I will be Good”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6626, 12 August 1931, Page 10

"I will be Good”

Who: QUEEN VICTORIA When: Nineteenth century. Where: England. Why famous: One of tho greatest of British sovereigns.

It was indeed a happy destiny which, in 1837, placed tho crown of England on tho head of Alexaudrina V'ictoria, the slender young daughter of the Duke of Kent. The period of tho Hanoverian monarchs had not been too felicitous. The. good-natured incompetence ot George 111 had been followed by the ill-natured extravagance of George IV; and in William IV, England had a monarch kindly, but tactless and crude. For many years the crown and court had presented anything but a good example to the English people; and the people were accordingly, losing faith in kings and queens. Victoria was brought up by her mother in the strictest rigidity, in such manner as tho Duchess of Kent believed would best lit the Princess for the high destiny she would probably fill. When, as a child, she was told that she was heir-presumptive to the throne of England the little Princess answered, “I will bo good.” That promise, it might be said, became the motto to which her life was dedicated. Her accession was hailed everywhere with rejoicing; and her long reign more than justified the hopes that were entertained of the new sovereign. To an interest in all tho affairs of her great Empire, she united a sound common sense, unbounded energy, and deep affection for her people. It was impossible that her reign should escape its difficulties, which were often serious, and twice led to war; but in spite of its political harassmonts, the Victorian era was one of marked prosperity and enligktmcnt, and witnessed a general advance in scientific discovery and political and industrial reform. The England of Victoria was also remarkable for its notable men of letters, representing a literary activity and accomplishment unrivalled since the days of Elizabeth.

Victoria’s manner of living was as simple as her high position allowed. To her domestic circle sho brought an interest as keen as to the gravest political situations; no servant was too insignificant to be beneath her notice. Tne peace and happiness of her private life went far to endear her to her subjects, for in their sovereign they saw one whom they could respect and love and understand as a person as much as they revered her at their Queen. Her personal integrity and the higli regard in which she held her office restored the British crown to tho full measure of respect not only in the eyes of the British Nation but of tho whole world. She became tho symbol ot sovereignty, uniting the remotest parts of her wide empire in a singic idea; and it is this iuca of a great people, one in puipiose and ideal though scattered over vast distances, that tlie British Grown represents to-day.