=The Queen's Childhood at Kensington Palace.=
In further illustration of the Queen's life as a little girl with her mother at Kensington Palace, we cannot do better than quote what Mr. Holmes, writing with authority as the Queen's Librarian at Windsor Castle, tells us in his interesting work, "Queen Victoria," which, as he remarks, presents for the first time an accurate account of the childhood of the Queen. "During these early years, and before a regular course of studies had been attempted, the family life at the Palace was simple and regular. Breakfast was served in summer at eight o'clock, the Princess Victoria having her bread and milk and fruit on a little table by her mother's side. After breakfast the Princess Feodore studied with her governess, Miss Lehzen, and the Princess Victoria went out for a walk or drive. It has been repeatedly said that at this time she was instructed by her mother; but this is not the case, as the Duchess never gave her daughter any lessons. At two there was a plain dinner, when the Duchess had her luncheon. In the afternoon was the usual walk or drive. At the time of her mother's dinner the Princess had her supper laid at her side. At nine she was accustomed to retire to her bed, which was placed close to her mother's...."
[Illustration: THE PRINCESS VICTORIA IN 1825.
"It was not till the Princess had entered her fifth year that she began to receive any regular instruction.... In this determination not to force her daughter's mind, the Duchess of Kent acted on the counsel of her mother, who had advised her 'not to tease her little puss with learning while she was so young.' The advice was justified by results, for the Princess made rapid progress."
The Earl of Albemarle, who was in attendance on the Duke of Sussex at Kensington, thus describes in his "Recollections" the appearance of the Princess when seven years old: "One of my occupations on a morning, while waiting for the Duke, was to watch from the window the movements of a bright, pretty little girl, seven years of age. She was in the habit of watering the plants immediately under the window. It was amusing to see how impartially she divided the contents of the watering pot between the flowers and her own little feet. Her simple but becoming dress contrasted favourably with the gorgeous apparel now worn by the little damsels of the rising generation--a large straw hat and a suit of white cotton; a coloured _fichu_ round the neck was the only ornament she wore."