The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 222, 17 April 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1868.

In the midst of the excitement caused by the late disturbances, it is pleasant to turn to more enjoyable subjects, either social or general, and to relax somewhat the high strain upon our nerves, caused by political or party strife. The most pleasing reminiscence of the old country that has come to hand by the last mail, is the Queen's new book, written by her when the duties of her station were put aside, and when in the seclusion of Balmoral and other places, she could live the life of a British matron, happy in the society of her husband and her children. Seldom has it been our lot to read a work of such charming simplicity, and kindly sentiment, and when we consider that it is the highest lady in the land, who is giving us a glimpse into her privacy, the charm is increased tenfold. No higflown sentiment—no exalted language appears in the volume, but in terms that a child might understand,- we are told of her enjoyment for the beauties of nature—her love for the late Prince Consort —her earnest and thoughtful love for her children — her kindly recognition of any services rendered to her —her keen relish of humor-the fine chord of sympathy which viabrates in a moment to a tale of woe—her thoughtful desire to study the wellbeing of her subjects—her painstaking zeal in enquiring into and redressing wrongs and the whole general character of the book, add such a charm to it, that, whilst forgetting the dignified position of the writer, we are made to look upon her in her womanly capacity, and to feel that she was never more a Queen than when detailing to us the charms of her domestic circle. We cannot adequately express the genuine feeling of pleasure one feels in its perusal, and at a time like this, when we are all anxious to show our devotion to our Queen, the perusal of this book, which we hope, will find its way into every household, will add materially to the love borne for our Sovereign, and will enhance

her in the estimation of her people, more than the whole of her long and happy reign. The following extract will show the deep love she bore her husband: year my heart becomes more fixed in this dear paradise, and so much more so now, that all has become my dearest Albert's own creation, own work, own building, own laying out, as at Osborne; and his great taste, and the impress of his dear hand, has been stamped everywhere. He was very busy to-day settling and arranging many things for next year." After detailing the preliminaries of a stag-hunt, at which the Queen assisted, the book finishes the account thus. "He was a magnificent animal, and I sat down and scratched a little sketch of him on a bit of paper that Macdonald had in his pocket, which I put on a stone, while Albert and Vickey, with the others, built a little cairn to mark the spot. We heard, after I had finished my little scrawl and the carriage had joined us, that another stag had been seen near the road ; and we had not gone as far as the Irons before we saw one below the road, looking so handsome. Albert jumped out and fired ; the animal fell, but rose again, and went on a little way, and Albert followed. Very shortly after, however, we heard a cry, and ran down and found Grant and Donald Stewart pulling- up a stag with a very pretty head. Albert had gone on, Grant went after him, and I and Vicky remained with Donald Stewart, the stag, and the dogs. I sat down to sketch, and poor Vicky unfortunately seated herself on a wasp's nest, and was much stung. Donald Stewart rescued her, for I could not, being too much alarmed. Albert joined us in twenty minutes, unconscious of having killed the stag. What a delightful day! But sad that it should be the last day ! Home by half-past six. _ We found our beautiful stag had arrived, and admired him much." We can, in conclusion, only offer our apologies that we cannot extract more, for the two given above are by no means a fair sample of the charm of the work, which to be appreciated must be read.