QUEEN VICTORIA’S LETTERS PUBLISHED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17781, 26 February 1926, Page 1

QUEEN VICTORIA’S LETTERS PUBLISHED.

INTERESTING SIDELIGHTS THROWN ON HISTORY AND REVELATIONS MADE.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received February 26, .9.55 a.m.) LONDON, February 25. The newspapers quote extensively from a new series of letters of Queen Victoria, written during the period 1862-78, edited by G. E. Buckle and published by the King’s authority. The letters are vivid in character, and make many memorable disclosures. They are published together with extracts from Queen Victoria’s private journal. The letters are from leading statesmen, from Prince Edward and from German royalties. The main features of the book are (1) Queen Victoria’s vehement letters to Lord Beaconsfield and others during the crisis of 1877-8, demanding action to prevent the Russians taking Constantinople; and (2) the first full revelation of the overwhelming grief of the Queen on the death of the Prince Consort. Incidentally, Queen Victoria mentions Disraeli’s suggestion that two of her sons should be known as the Duke of Canada and the Duke of Australia. Queen Victoria did not object, but the suggestion was abandoned. The following is typical of Queen Victoria’s comment on various topics of Germany in 1870: “Powerful Germany can never be dangerous to England.” The reverse was the case with Prussia in 1875: “The Prussians, unfortunately, are unpopular, but nobody will tolerate any Power wishing to dictate to all Europe. England, with the greatest wish to go in hand with Germany, cannot, and will not, stand it!”