“THE HAPPIEST OF HUMAN BEINGS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3714, 27 December 1912, Page 8

“THE HAPPIEST OF HUMAN BEINGS.”

A ROYAL LOVE MATCH. HOW QUEEN VICTORIA PROPOSED MARRIAGE TO PRINCE ALBERT. Some of the most interesting glimpses into Queen Victoria’s youthful life are vouchsafed by the publication, authorised by the present King, of excerpts from her diaries between 1832 and 1840.

It is interesting to read what Princess Victoria, as she was then, thought of her future husband at first sight:— Albert, who is just as tall as Ernest, but stouter, is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same color as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and lie lias a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful; e’est a la fois full of goodness and sweetness, and very clever and intelligent.

Here is a later glimpse of the Princess and her destined husband:— I sat between my dear Cousins on the sofa and we looked at drawings. They both draw very well, particularly Albert, and are both exceedingly fond of music; they play very nicety on the piano. The more I see them the more I am delighted with them, and the more I love them. They are so natural, so kind, so very good and so well instructed and informed. It is delightful to he with them; they are so fond of being occupied,' too; they are quite an example for any young person. Again:—

They are very clever, naturally clever, particularly Albert, who is the most reflecting of the two, and they like very much talking about serious and instructive things, and yet are so very, very merry and gay and happy, like young people ought to be. So during the next few years. Victoria developed a sincere regard for Prince Albert, ampty reciprocated ; and in the young Queen’s journals is traced the course of the attachment and the culminating interview when, in her capacity as Sovereign, she had to propose, appears under date Tuesday, October 15, 1839 : At about \ p 12 I sent for Albert; be came to the Closet where I was alone, and after a few minutes I said to him, that I thought ho must be aware why I wished them to come here—and that it would make me too happy if he would consent to what I wished (to marry me).

We embraced each other, and ho was so kind, so affectionate. I told him I was quite unworthy of him—he said he would he very happy ‘‘das Leben mit dir zu zubrigen” (‘‘to spend my life by your side”), nudi was so kind, and seemed so happy, that I really felt it was the happiest, brightest moment in my life.

Wo have all a young girl’s joy in the possession of a happy secret in ail entry made a day later : Talked of Albert’s behaving so wonderfully, so that no one could imagine that anything had taken place. Ernest’s saying he couldn’t bear it if be was in such a situation. “I find you must declare it in Council,” said Lord Melbourne. ‘‘You assemble the Privy Councillors and announce it to them ; tliat is what George 111. did.” ‘‘l feel the happiest of human beings,” sho wrote, and her happiness was sealed with the marriage ceremony, whose chronicle bv the Queen herself fills the last pages of this most engaging book.