INTERESTING MEMOIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1928, Page 3

INTERESTING MEMOIRS

QUEEN VICTORIA’S -LETTERS

[“Sydney Sun” Cables.]

(Received this day at 9.30 a.in). LONDON, V[an. (19,

A second scries of Queen Victoria’s letters to coincide with a series of calamities shaking British 'prestige throughout the world, including tho death of the Prince Imperial, massacre of a Britsh Mission at Ka ul. British disasters at Isandu!:;a and Majuba Hill, Gordon’s denis. • koenix Park murders and dynamiters’ crimes. All tortured and distressed the Queen. Tragedy is largely reflected in her let-

tors. She wrote indignantly regarding the Prince Imperial. She said: “Such an amiable good man would have made such a good Emperor of France some day. Jt is incredible that none remained to try and save his precious life.” When Gordon was sent to Khartoum, Queen A'ictoria was Intensely apprehensive. She said: “If anything lx? fsil Is him the result will he awful.”

Queen Victoria repeatedly, but vainly, stirred up Cabinet, which remained energetic and decisionless. It even tried to prevent her congratulating and encouraging Generals. She accordingly wrote to Lord Hartington on the subject saying: “Hartington’s letter was very officious and impertinent. The Queen will not stand dictation. Liberals always wish to make her feel she is a machine. She will not accept it.” When she heard Khartoum had fallen she sent her famous telegram to Ministers stating: “To think all this might have been prevented and precious lives saved bv earlier action is too frightful.” She wrote: “Gladstone and Government have Gordon’s innocent noble heroic blood on their conscience. It is awful. May they feel it and he made to feel it.” Queen Victoria was so distracted with the Government, that she wrote to Lady Wolseley, intending her remarks should be passed on to her husband, commanding Egypt: “In distinct confidence I must tell you the Government is more than incorrigible. Your husband should send strong language to them, and even threaten to resign if he does not receive -support and liberty of action, Wolseley must not let out a hint, but I really think the Government must he frightened.”

Queen Victoria, repeatedly bitterh criticised Gladstone, notably when Beaconsfield’s Government was defeated in 1880. She declared : “Gladstone’s conduct for four years has been a violent passionate invective of abuse against Beaconsfield, causing the Turko-Russian war. I could not have a particle of confidence in Gladstone after his violent, mischievous, dangerous conduct and offensive language against myself.” The Queen regarded Chamberlain and Bright as- dangerous members of the 1880 Ministry. She declared in a letter to the Irish Secretary that she had Liberal views regarding the improvement of the - Empire, hut | would not be Queen of n-Democratic i Monarchy. Radical agitators must] seek another monarch. She doubted whether they would find one. She blamed the release of Parnell and other leaders for the Phoenix Park murders, after which she sent a letter to the late King Edward, ordering him to remonstrate with Lord Hartington, reminding him of the assurance that Cabinet would not include dangerous Radicals, adding: “All the worst men not respecting'the King’s and Prince’s landmarks of the constitution are put into Government despite me. Cladsone’s mischief is incalculable.” Many passages show sympathy with the public, as for instance when she expresses her regret that the museums were not opened on Sundays, which was the best antidote for public houses. She also opposed heavy taxation on beer, which was the poor man s (July beverage. ■■