Queen Victoria Read Online Free PDF

Academician since 1794, and was now of considerable age; he carefully trained the great natural gifts of his pupil, who early showed a talent which, had there been sufficient time for its exercise in after years, would have placed its possessor in the first rank among amateur artists. The facsimile of a drawing by the Princess is given at the end of this chapter; it is a copy from a design by her master, and is also interesting as being the last birthday present given by his niece to George IV; on the back of it is written, in the King’s hand, “Drawn by the Princess Victoria, and given to me by her, August 12th, 1829.” The drawing is also dated and signed by the youthful artist.
    At the time these various accomplishments were being taught, the Princess was well grounded in English, and knew something of French, which she studied under M. Grandineau. German was not allowed to be spoken; English was always insisted upon, though a knowledge of the German language was imparted by M. Barez. The lessons, however, which were the most enjoyed were those in riding, which has always been since one of the Queen’s greatest pleasures.
    In January, 1827, at the Duchess of Rutland’s house in Arlington Street, the Duke of York died childless, bringing the Princess Victoria one step nearer to the throne. The stories which have been printed of the great attachment between uncle and niece, and of the constant visits paid to him by the Princess, are without foundation, as, in fact, the Queen never visited him till the last months of his life, when he was living at a house in King’s Road, belonging to Mr. Greenwood, where the Duke had “Punch and Judy” to amuse the child. In the year following, the Princess Feodore, who had been her half-sister’s constant companion, married Prince Hohenlohe-Langenburg. This parting was the greatest sorrow the Princess Victoria had then known, as she missed her society not only at Kensington, but even more in those visits to Ramsgate, Tunbridge Wells, and other watering-places, which the Duchess was accustomed to pay with her family in the summer months.
    The death of the Duke of York, and the remote probability of the Duke and Duchess of Clarence having other offspring, drew increasing attention to the movements of the Duchess of Kent and her daughter. Many stories are current of the behaviour and appearance of the young Princess. The simplicity of her tastes was particularly noticed and admired. It was this simplicity of living and careful training in home life which endeared not only the Princess but her mother also to the hearts of the whole nation. Leigh Hunt and Charles Knight have both recorded the pleasing impression made upon them by the young Princess. The latter, in his “Passages of a Working Life,” says: “I delighted to walk in Kensington Gardens. As I passed along the broad central walk, I saw a group on the lawn before the Palace… The Duchess of Kent and her daughter, whose years then numbered nine, are breakfasting in the open air… What a beautiful characteristic it seemed to me of the training of this royal girl, that she should not have been taught to shrink from the public eye; that she should not have been burdened with a premature conception of her probable high destiny; that she should enjoy the freedom and simplicity of a child’s nature; that she should not be restrained when she starts up from the breakfast-table and runs to gather a flower in the adjoining pasture; that her merry laugh should be as fearless as the notes of the thrush in the groves around her. I passed on and blessed her; and I thank God that I have lived to see the golden fruits of such a training.”
    Another and more celebrated writer, Sir Walter Scott, has written in his diary of May 19th, 1828: “Dined with the Duchess of Kent. Was very kindly received by Prince Leopold, and presented to the little Princess Victoria, the heir-apparent to the Crown, as things now stand… This little lady is