Life of Her Majesty Queen Victoria (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ...quickly passed, together with other remedial legislation. But the season in London, always inexorable, was not without its gaieties. The theatre saw the reappearance of Fanny Kemble, whilst at the Italian Opera a new prima donna appeared, concerning whom the Queen thus wrote: 'Her acting alone is worth going to see, and the piano way she has of singing, Lablache says, is unlike anything he ever heard. He is quite enchanted. There is a purity in her singing and acting which is quite indescribable.' The new operatic star which thus suddenly came upon the horizon was that popular favourite, Jenny Lind. Lord Campbell records an amusing incident which occurred at Court in February of this year: 'I had an audience, ' says his lordship, who was then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, 'that her Majesty might prick a sheriff for the county of Lancaster, which She did in proper style, with the bodkin I put into her hand. I then took her pleasure about some Duchy livings and withdrew, forgetting to make her sign the parchment roll. I obtained a second audience, and explained the mistake. While she was signing, Prince Albert said to me: "Pray, my lord, when did this ceremony of pricking begin?" Campbell--" In ancient times, sir, when Sovereigns did not know how to write their names." Queen (as she returned me the roll with her signature): "But we now show we have been to school."' One day, in the following month, Lord Campbell and his wife and daughter dined at Buckingham Palace, and his lordship thus vivaciously describes the event: 'On our arrival, a little before eight, we were shown into the picture gallery, where the company assembled. Bowles, who acted as master of the ceremonies, arranged what gentleman should...