Queen Victoria and the Faithful Servant.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 21, 25 May 1907, Page 36

Queen Victoria and the Faithful Servant.

To one accustomed i Queen Victoria was to the adulation of Iler courtiers, and the orofound deference of her attendants, it may well be tliat the rough, blunt, out-spoken utterances of John Brown were like a fresh breeze in a hothouse athmosphere. She must have grown weary at times of merely hearing her own views and opinions re-echoed by those around her, and would willingly pardon even rudeness in a faithful servant for the sake of now and again hearing the plain, honest truth without gloss or paraphrase. Of John Brown’s absolute devotion io his Royal mistress there can be no question. That this devotion did not extend to all the other members of the Royal family is also certain. Brown was in the habit of expressing his opinion of some of them with eharact' ristic plainness of speech. It was his custom also to refer to exalted personages without taking the trouble to give their titles. This habit was-by no means appreciated by the persons mainly interested. "Alfred,” “Beatrice.” “Arthur,” and “Helena” were frequently referred to by John Brown in this informal manner. To carry complaints to the Throne was worse than useless, as a very few unsuccessful experiments quickly convinced the aggrieved persons. Lord Beaconsfield always shook hands with John Brown, tin attention which not only gratified the worthy Highlander, but also in a scarcely less degree hi ; Royal mistress, as the astute Minister was doubtless verv well aware.

With the other attendants of Queen Victoria Brown was unpopular. They resented his immense influence with her

Majesty; the favours she showed him, and his rough, over-bearing demeanour to all and sundry. They naturally objected to l»eing obliged to obey the orders of a low born Sevtsmau, who not infrequently made a harsh use of his power. The liberties he took with their august mistress excited their indignation, while her boundless generosity and indulgence to her favourite servant aroused their envy. JOHN’S SOFT SIDE. For at least a quarter- of a century John Brown might not inaptly have been compared to the ante-chamber through which all desiring to enter the Royal closet had to pass. His favour obtained, the passage into the Royal presence was quick and easy; without his approval, it was almost impossible to obtain an audience with her Majesty. On the occasion of a Royal wedding, Sir John Bennett, the famous jeweller and watchmaker, went to Windsor Castle for the purpose, if possible, of displaying some of his glittering wares to her late Majesty. Hours -assed, and there seemed no immediate prospect of his ambition being gratified, when an attendant suggested lunch. Sir John accepted the offer, and the hanv” thought occurred to him of requesting a servant to take a message to Mr. John Brown, begging for the honour of his compan-’ at the meal. Gratified b- this attention on the part of an ex-Lord Mayor of London, John Brown consented, and took upon himself to play the part of host. Rare and eostl.' wines from the Royal cellars appeared at his coim.iand. The guest treated his host with profound deference and respect. John, well pleased, was most affable, like all "reat men, and a very delightful hour passed. Then Sir John laid his ease before Mr. Biown, and begged for" his assistance, which was fully and freely given. John sought the presence of his Royal mistress. A word from him was oil-power-ful. as the clever Sir John had taken care to remind him, and almost immediately the jeweller was summoned to the Roval closet. An unusually handsome order was given, and Sir John Bennett returned to London a richer as well as a happier man.