THE QUEEN AND MRS. STAUNTON.

Kumara Times, Issue 414, 23 January 1878, Page 4

THE QUEEN AND MRS. STAUNTON.

On -the Sunday preceding the day ?ifixed for the execution of the Stauntons, the mother of the two men travelled •Alone to Balmoral, in order to -obtain •an intervew with the Queen and beseech clemency for her wretched sons, •so at least saya " Touchstone." On •reaching Ballater, after leaving Aberdeen, the last station .some twelve miles *frora Balmoral, the poor woman sought some conveyance to take her the re- < mainder of the journey. Nothing could be obtained, and the people, on hearing the melancholy mission of the unforrtunate mother, showed their sympathy •by obtaining:for her a seat on the mail bag in the kittle cart, which contained •only one small seat for the driver. The mail bag was Sthrown into the cart, and the poor woman was allowed to seat herself upon at. So she travelled through the cold ;and dismal night the twelve dreary .miles to Balmoral. On .reaching the Castle, thenextand most formidable difficulty ik&t met her was obtaining an audience of the Queen. After explaining vtihe object of her journey to the attendants, she at last obtained an interview .with Sir Thomas Biddulph, who, after patiently listening to what she had to say., promised to let the Queen immediately know the object of her being at the Castle. With little delay, the setting aside all etiquette and formality, entered the apartment in which Mrs Staunton was seated, and with a true Sovereign's and woman's heart listened to the appeal and humble prayer ,p^,,one .of her subjects in her deep distress. The poor petitioner prayed for mercy and that the lives of ler children might be spared. The Queen, no doubt with 7 art-aching 'heart, could only explain that she was entirely; in the hands of her responsible Minister. The painful interview prided, the 'petitioner, grateful for the condescension .of her Sovereign,- sought now to return to Ballater, heart-broken that the last .hope of saving her wretched sons had failed her. The servants enquired how she intended getting back: the twelve miles to Ballater. There was no,•eoaveyance, and they plainly saw the'poor woman was quite incapable of walking the distance. Again the Queen was in formed of the circumstance, and with that consideration ,so characteristic of her nature, she ordered that one of her •own carriages should be got ready to take Mrs Staunton hack. Scarcely had the poor mother left the Castle when the ms il bag containing her Mnjesty's letters and dispatches was opened, and, to the gratification and relief of the Queen, the Home Secretary's despatch recommending the. reprieve, was amongst the number. The lonely mother went on >her way back, worn out and dejected. The >Qneen at once instructed a special -.messenger to rrooeed rai horseback and take the sjlad tidings to her sister in •soitow. Such -deeds require no com--jnenti' tout raise the Monarch to the 3iigbest-'eminence. Mrs Staunton, on *<eaehing Ballater, <was instantly inarmed'of the g3ad tidings, and that the nail 'bag, on which she had sat with a Me'-ding heart contained the .reprieve which , ; sho had travelled so smany miles to obtain. Such is a •simple a<ieojiht;«rf an episode in the life •of the Qnee», well harmonising with •all that her subjects already *kuow of * her.