[
417]
The death of George the Fourth, in 1830, and the accession of William the Fourth, sixty-five years of age, and without an heir, though twelve years married, rendered it all but certain that the Princess Victoria, a graceful girl of eleven, would one day be called to the throne.
Until then, we are told, she was not herself aware of the destiny before her; but had been reared in every respect like any other child of an intelligent family of respectable but limited fortune.
She became a highly interesting object both to her family and the people of
England.
The queen has lately published the cordial letter which her grandmother wrote to congratulate her mother upon the eleventh birthday of the princess:--
My blessings and good wishes for the day which gave you the sweet blossom of May!
May God preserve and protect the valuable life of that lovely flower from all the dangers that will beset her mind and heart!
The rays of the sun are scorching at the height to which she may one day attain.
It is only by the blessing of God that all the fine qualities he has put into that young soul can be kept pure and untarnished.
How well I can sympathize with the feelings of anxiety that must possess you when that time comes!
God, who has helped you through so many bitter hours of grief, will be your help still.
Put your trust in him.
A few months later, when Parliament had named the
Duchess of
Kent to the regency of the kingdom, in case the king should die before the princess came of age, the same kind grandmother wrote :--
I should have been very sorry if the regency had been given into other hands than yours.
It would not have been a just return for your constant devotion and care to your child if this had not been done.
May God give you wisdom
