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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2008, 12 October 1869, Page 3

Queen Victoria. —Queen Victoria is made the subject of a lonjj letter from London to the Boston Journal, m which she is described as the hardest-working sovereign in Europe. We cannot, of course, vouch for the accuracy of the details in all instances, but they are sufficiently interesting to deserve a summary. The writer says : —“ Her Majesty’s official duties usually commence at seven o’clock in the morning ; one hoar before breakfast. Wherever she is, despatches are sent daily in by messengers, who ride in first-class cars, bearing what are called baskets. These papers from all the departments arc submitted to her. These baskets are dark motocco boxes, about a foot in length. These are sent from Downing street, the Admiralty, * the Home department, the head of the army, &c. Each basket is locked by the Minister who sends it. A card, hanging from the inside, contains the name of the Minister. Every train to Windsor, Balmoral, and Osborne, carries messengers with these boxes. The Queen and the Minister alone can unlock them. All these documents have to be read by ber, for she signs nothing which she does not read. Every bill, account, treaty, document, petition, or paper, requiring her name, is subject to her personal attention. Her Majesty is admitted to be one of the best business women in the kingdom. Each day’s business is finished before the day closes. Usually the messenger waits and takes the basket, locked by Her Majesty, back to the Minister from whom it came, The Queen holds a ready pen, and carries on

her personal correspondence, which is very largo. She pays her own postage, like any lady in the land. She has always given personal attention to her children, and t cir religious training has been the object o much solicitude and care. Her favourite pastime at Balmoral is among the poor, the lowly, and the sick, with whom she talks, reads, prays, and leaves medicine food, money, and little tokens of her regard.