work of her wise-hearted mother, and chiefly accomplished by female agencies. That her education was of the highest and most perfect order for her station, there are ample proofs; it has given to the greatest monarchy in the world the best sovereign the world contains; the best of her own royal line; the best, morally speaking, that ever sat on England's throne. More than this, Victoria was trained to perform all her duties; she is an accomplished lady, as perfect in her feminine as in her queenly character; a dutiful daughter, a loving wife, a watchful mother, a kind mistress, a generous benefactor, an exemplary Christian; there are no startling contrasts nor weak inconsistencies in her conduct Such uniform adherence to the right and proper under circumstances where selfish propensities are so often stimulated and so easily gratified, must be the result of the conscientious principle early and unceasingly cultivated.
Before the birth of this precious child, the Duchess of Kent had shown, in the previous circumstances of her life, and particularly in the personal sacrifices and risks she endured when, leaving her own home in Germany, she hastened to England so that her off-spring might be British born, her deep devotion to duty, and that innate wisdom which has guided her through every task and trial. Perhaps nothing at the time more strikingly marked the moral delicacy of the woman and the decision of character so necessary to sustain it, than the resolution she evinced to trust herself to the care of the midwife whom she had summoned from Germany to attend her.
In spite of the remonstrances of those who fancied scientific knowledge was confined to masculine practitioners, the Duchess of Kent was firm in her purpose to employ only Dr. Charlotte, as she was called; and thus, under a woman's care and skill, Victoria was ushered into the world. The Duchess of Kent nursed her infant at her own bosom, always attended on the bathing and dressing, and, as soon as the little girl could sit alone, she was ' placed at a small table beside her mother's at her meals, yet never indulged in any but the prescribed simple kinds of food. Thus were the sentiments of obedience, temperance, and self-control early inculcated and brought into daily exercise.
The Duke of Kent died in debt for money borrowed of his friends. The duchess instructed the little princess concerning these debts, and encouraged her to lay aside portions of money, which might have been expended in the purchase of toys, as a fund to pay these demands against her deceased father. Thus were awakened and cultivated those noble virtues, justice, fortitude, fidelity, prudence, with that filial devotion which is the germ of patriotism. And thus, throughout all the arrangements during the first seven years, the order, the simplicity, the conscientiousness of the teacher were moulding the ductile and impressable mind and, heart of the pupil to follow after wisdom and do the right. Love, in her mother's form, was ever around the little princess; the counsels and examples of that faithful Mentor, like an inspiration, served to lift up the young soul to have hope in God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well was it that the Duke of Kent left his wife sole guardian over their child. The Duchess could arrange the whole manner of Victoria's education, and superintend it; and from the day of
