Stories of Queen Victoria.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 February 1885, Page 5

Stories of Queen Victoria.

In the book just published concerning the life of the Queen, there are some interesting stories told. It is now nearly half a century since the young Princess of Kent was called to the Throne of England. The author tells how the Duke of Kent was wont to say, showing his baby daughter to his friends, " Look at her well, for she will be Queen of England." The manner in which the news of her accession to the Throne was conveyed to the Queen has often been told, and the self-possession with which the young Sovereign first met her counsellors at Kensington Palace is again recalled in these memoirs. Telling of the eventful Coronation Day, the author relates how "It was said that the Q leen's crown was too cumbrous, and disturbe the arrangement of those soft braids of hair, the simple modest fashion of which called forth Sir David Wilkie's praise, and that, as her Majesty drove along in her state carriage, she was seen laughingly sub mittin j to the good offices of her beautiful companion, seeking to loop up afresh the rebellious locks which had broken loose. .. . She was very fond of dogs, and possessed a favourite little spaniel, which was always on the look - out for her. She had been away from him longer than usual on this particular day. When the state coach drove up to the Palace on her return, she heard his bark of joy in the hall. She cried, ' There's Dash,' and seemed to forget crown and seep tre in her girlish eagerness to greet her small friend." There is also an account of the Queen's marriage, and a lively sketch of the famous " Plantagenet Ball," at which the Court of Edward 111. was revived for one evening, and the warlike monarch, his consort Philippa, Anne of Britany, Ga^t-'n de Foix, Bayard, and Chaucer reappeared at Buckingham Palace. The first vifit to Scotland, where her Majesty and Prince Albert passed so much of their time, was in 1842, when the Royal party made the short voyage from Woolwich to Leith, escorted by a considerable squadron. Among the many anecdotes included in these volumes is that of a child, who declined ' ' to receive a graoious advance made to him by the Queen,"

asserting with the utmost oandour, " 1 don't likeyoV " But why don't you like me, my boy ?" inquired the loving mother of other little children, in some bewilderment. " Because you are the Queen of England, and you killed Queen Mary," the ardent champion of the slain Queen answered boldly.