1909] on The Letters of Queen Victoria. 505 



to strive to become every day less trifling and more fit for what, if 

 Heaven wills it, I'm some day to be ! " 



Here is another extract : — 



" Thursday, 15th June. — Got up at 8. After 9 we breakfasted. 

 The children played in the room. At 10 Mary, dear Lehzen and I 

 drove out and came home at 10 minutes to 11. Wrote I ! The news 

 of the King are so very bad, that all my lessons save the Dean's are 

 put off, including Lablache's, Mrs. Anderson's, Guazzaroni's, etc., 

 etc., and we see nohody. I regret rather my singing-lesson, though 

 it is only for a short period, but duty and proper feeling go before all 

 pleasures. 10 minutes to 1. 



" I just hear that the Doctors think my poor Uncle the King 

 cannot last more than 48 hours ! Poor man ! he was always kind 

 to me, and he meant it well I know ; I am grateful for it, and shall 

 ever remember his kindness with gratitude. He was odd, very odd 

 and singular, but his intentions were often ill interpreted. 



"Wrote my journal. At about J past 2 came Lord Liverpool 

 and I had a highly important conversation with him — alone." 



And yet another. 



, " Friday, 16th June. — Wrote to Uncle Leopold. At a \ to 2 

 came Stockmar and stayed till 3. Had a long and important con- 

 versation with him." 



Her uncle Leopold of Belgium and his trusted emissary Stockmar 

 had spoken very privately, but very gravely to her, and with due sub- 

 servience to the Powers of Heaven, but to none other, she was ready 

 to take up the burden of Kingship, and with her Ministers to govern 

 her Kingdom. 



After her Accession. 



Two days after her Accession the journals strike a more girlish 

 note : — 



" Saturday, 24th June. — Saw Lord John Russell. Wrote. I 

 really have immensely to do ; I receive so many communications 

 from my Ministers but I like it very much." 



Three days later the young Queen writes with evident and con- 

 firmed delight : — • 



"Tuesday, 27th June.— Got up at J past 8. At I to 10 we 

 breakfasted. The children played in the room. Wrote my journal. 

 At about 20 minutes past 11 came Lord Melbourne and stayed till 

 J past 12. 



" A little after J past 12 came Lord Palmerston and stayed till a 

 little past 1. He is a clever and agreeable man. Saw Lord John 



2 L 2 



