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I 



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Bought with 


Money received from 


Library Klnea 



GEORGE 
DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



VOL. I. 



GEORGE 
DUKi >F CAMBRIDGE 



"t irts Ihirate Xffe 



£ " AND CORRESPONDEKCF 






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GEORGE 
DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



a Aemoir of bis prfrate Xife 

BASED ON THE JOURNALS AND CORRESPONDENCE 

OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS. 



EDITED BY 

EDGAR SHEPPARD, C.V.O., D.D. 

SDB-OEAM or HIS MAJESTY'S CHAPELS KOTAI. 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 



VOL. I. 

1819-1871 



LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 

39 PATE;RN0STER row, LONDON 
NEW YORK AND BOMBAY 

1906 
All rights reserved 







'^ 



JUL 27 1910 



Fine money 



DEDICATED 

BY GRACIOUS PERMISSION 

TO 

HIS MAJESTY THE KING 



^ 



PREFACE 



Few words are needed to introduce to the public this 
Memoir of the Duke of Cambridge. The publication, some 
twelve months ago, of Colonel Willoughby Vemer's * Bfili- 
tary Life of H.R.H. George Duke of Cambridge ' threw a 
flood of white light upon the long connexion of His Royal 
Highness with the Army, and upon the services which 
he rendered to the nation as Commander-in-Chief. It is, 
however, no disparagement of Colonel Vemer's admirable 
work, but rather a tribute to the singleness of purpose 
with which he carried out his labours, to say that he has 
left much of the Duke's life-story still to be told. With 
an his devotion to the Army and his keen enthusiasm for 
his military duties. His Royal Highness was always some- 
thing more than a soldier. Endowed by temperament 
with no small measure of the political sense, the Duke 
found himsdf debarred by the circumstances of his birth 
and position from descending into the arena of party politics. 
The activities thus checked, however, found outlet in 
countless other directions. As a Prince of the Royal 
House standing in dose proximity to the Throne, he was 
called upon in the natural order of things to take a prominent 
part in the ceremonial life of the nation, and to give his 
name and support to public institutions and charities of 



viii THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

every kind. Further, the confidence which the late Queen 
Victoria had learned to repose in his unfailing tact and 
discretion led Her Majesty to delegate to the Duke, especi- 
ally in the period which followed the lamented death of 
the Prince Consort, many public duties which she found 
herself unable to perform, and to send him upon not a 
few missions abroad, which, though they might be cere- 
monial in appearance, were often in reality diplomatic 
errands of no smaU delicacy. Upon this side of His Royal 
Highness's activity, as well as upon the details of his private 
life. Colonel Vemer has naturally been silent, and it is 
to fill in the spaces thus left vacant that the present volumes 
are published. 

Fortunately the materials for such a Memoir were ready 
to hand in the Duke's journals and papers. When a mere 
boy Prince George of Cambridge was persuaded by his 
tutor, Mr. Wood, to record day by day his doings and his 
impressions of men and things. The diary, begun mainly 
as an intellectual exercise and a stem duty, was con- 
tinued in after-life as a labour of love, and, no matter how 
crowded the hours might be, space was always found at 
the conclusion of the day (often, it is to be feared, it was 
*At the midnight in the silence of the sleep-time') for 
the writing up of the journal. The Duke himself, it should 
at once be stated, never had the slightest idea that he 
was writing for other eyes than his own. Indeed, as an 
autobiography, the diary may be said to win its chiefest 
merit from the complete absence of self-consciousness 
that it displays in every line. Tricked out with no literary 
artifices and pseudo-philosophical reflections, it is the 
simple record of a strenuous life spent in the service of 
the country, and as such must take its place in the category 
of unpremeditated art. In preparing the diary and corre- 
spondence for the press my aim has been to allow the Duke 
to teU his own story in his own words without any extraneous 



PREFACE ix 

assistance. Where I have added to the record it has been 
to bridge a gulf, to explain what might otherwise have* 
been obscure, and to provide, when possible, for the con- 
tinuity of the story. If I have fallen short of the ideal 
which originally I set before myself of confining the Memoir 
to the public and private as distinct from the mihtary 
life of the Duke, I must plead in extenuation that no man's 
life is lived in water-tight compartments, and that in the 
case of the Duke of Cambridge the nexus between the 
different sides of his activity was so intricate as practically 
to defy any nice system of dissection. 

So much, then, for the scope of the Memoir. It only 
remains for me to express my obligation to those who have 
assisted me in my task. And here I must say frankly 
and immediately that I have incurred a debt which I can 
only acknowledge and cannot hope adequately to discharge. 

Without the permission of the King, who has been 
graciously pleased to accept the dedication of this Memoir, 
the diary could not, of course, have been given to the 
world. Not only did His Majesty sanction its publica- 
tion, but he consented also to put into my hands the 
letters which the late Queen Victoria of blessed memory 
addressed to the Duke of Cambridge throughout a period 
of upwards of sixty years, together with other corre- 
spondence which passed between the Duke and various 
members of the Royal Family. But my indebtedness 
to His Majesty does not end there. In spite of the 
insistent claims upon his time he has ever been ready to 
give me the benefit of his ripe knowledge, and to pass 
final judgment in cases which I have not felt myself com- 
petent to decide. For all this I would ask His Majesty 
to accept the assurance of my himible duty and heartfelt 
gratitude. 

To the Prince of Wales I have appealed for advice from 
time to time, and have never appealed in vain. 



X THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

Throughout the long months in which I have been 
engaged upon the Memoir the Princess of Wales has taken 
the most kindly interest in my task, and has hdped me 
in a hundred wa3rs. In the midst of a life full of 
pressing engagements Her Royal Highness has found time 
to read all the proofs, to correct many errors, and to offer 
innumerable helpful suggestions. Many of the notes are 
the outcome of her knowledge, and without her assistance 
much of the Memoir that deals with the Duke's private 
life would have been impossible. 

The Grand Duchess Dowager of Mecklenbuzig-Strelitz 
also has read a large proportion of the proofs, especially 
of the first volume, and has supplied many of the notes in 
the earlier portion of the work. For the details of Prince 
George's boyhood I am indebted almost entirely to Her 
Royal Highness. The Grand Duchess has also sent me 
pictures and photographs, which I could not have obtained 
except for her gracious kindness. 

The Duke of Connaught has very kindly allowed me to 
print the letter which he wrote to the Duke of Cambridge 
when His Royal Highness retired from the post of Com- 
mander-in-Chief in 1895. 

The Duke of Teck has given me much valuable assist- 
ance with the subject matter of the Memoir, and also with 
the illustrations. 

To the family of the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel Geoige 
FitzGeorge, Admiral Sir Adolphus FitzGeorge, and Colonel 
Sir Augustus FitzGeorge, my sincere thanks are due for 
their great kindness in entrusting the diary and papers of 
His Royal Highness to my keeping for the purpose of the 
Memoir. They have also given me invaluable help with 
the illustrations. 

Lady Geraldine Somerset has been indefatigable in 
contributing to the completeness of a work which she 
ardently desired to see published. As Lady-in-Waiting 



PREFACE xi 

for so many years to the Duchess of Cambridge she brought 
to the task a large knowledge of the Duke's devotion to 
his mother, and she has given most useful aid in other 
directions, especially by furnishing me with translations 
of many letters and documents written in German. 

The chapter on the Duke's association with Christ's 
Hospital has been written for me by the Rev. E. H. Pearce, 
Vicar of Christ Church, Newgate Street. As a scholar, 
a governor, and the historian of the foundation, he is 
entitled to speak on the subject with peculiar authority. 
My debt to Mr. Pearce has been increased by his kindness 
in reading the proofe of this Memoir. 

The list of others who have helped me in various ways is a 
long one, but I must mention by name the Austro-Hungarian 
Ambassador, the staff of the German Embassy, the Duke of 
Wellington, the Duke of Abercom, the Earl of Clarendon, 
Viscount Esher, Viscount Althorp, Sir Eric Barrington, 
and the staff of the Foreign Office; Lord Knollys, who 
has been most kind and helpful in many wa}^ ; Lord Bum- 
ham ; Colonel Sir Arthur Davidson, who from his intimate 
acquaintance with His Royal Highness has rendered to me 
much valuable assistance ; General Sir Martin Dillon, Sir 
Geoige Wombwell, Major-General Sir Arthur EUis, the 
Honble. Sydney Holland, Lt.-Col. Sir Fleetwood Edwards, 
General Sir Albert Williams, Sir C. Kinloch Cooke, General 
G. H. Moncrieff, Mrs. Brodie of Brodie, Mr. Harvey, Mr. 
Newton, Colonel Willoughby Vemer, Colonel Harris, Colonel 
Young, secretary of the Royal Patriotic Fund ; Captain 
Harold Walker, ist Life Guards ; Captain J . C. Brinton, 2nd 
Life Guards ; Sir Maurice Holtzmann, Professor A. Tien, 
Mr. Mynott (Librarian of the Oxford and Cambridge Club), 
Mr. V. W. Badddey and Mr. R. Skinner (both of the 
Admiralty), Mr. H. L. Hertslet, M.V.O. (of the Lord Cham- 
berlain's office), Lady Constance Leslie, Lady Blanche 
Haygarth, and the Honble. Harriet Phipps. 



xii THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

The eyes of some of those who have provided assist- 
ance are, alas ! closed for ever, and cannot see this record 
of my indebtedness. Of these I would especially make 
mention of the late General Bateson, the late Captain 
Edmond St. John Mildmay, and the late Mr. Henry Hall, 
the Duke's confidential servant and faithful valet. 

The proprietors of * The Times ' have most courteously 
allowed me to avail myself of their reports of the speeches 
of the Duke of Cambridge, and of those made in the Houses 
of Parliament at the time of His Royal Highnesses death. 
For permission to use the reports of the Duke's early 
speeches in the House of Lords I am indebted to the kind- 
ness of the proprietors of ' Hansard.' 

My special and most grateful thanks are due to my friend 
and coUaborateur Mr. G. Murray Brumwell (Trinity College, 
Oxford), who has been unceasing in his efforts to render 
me all possible service in the compilation of this Memoir. 
His invaluable advice and assistance have been of the 
very greatest service to me, and I feel that without this 
help, which has been so freely given, I could not have 
brought matters to— as I hope — so satisfactory an issue. 

Let me say, in conclusion, that if this Memoir avail to 
set the Duke's life in a clearer, truer perspective, if it succeed 
in dispelling the mists of rumour and unreahty which 
inevitably gather around the figure of any one who has 
stood long and prominently in the public gaze, the object 
for which it has been compiled will have been achieved, 
and the labour involved in preparing it will have been well 
repaid. 

The spelling of proper names and places is that adopted 
by the Duke in the text of the diary. 

Edgar Sheppard. 

St. James's Palace, S.W. : 
StpUmhtr 1906. 



CONTENTS 

OF 

THE FIRST VOLUME 



CHAPTER I 

EARLY LIFE 

Prince Adolphns Frederick in Hanover — Created Duke of Cambridge 
— ^Tionblous times in Hanover — ^The Duke made Governor- 
General — Character and marriage— Birth of Prince George — 
Baptism — ^Blness — ^Early education — ^The Rev. J. R. Wood — 
Prince George's first diary — ^Removal to England — ^Parting from 
his mother — ^Letters from the Duchess — ^The diary again — 
Baptism of Princess Mary — Self-criticism — ^Burning of the Houses 
of Parliament — ^Political changes — Death of the Duke of Glou- 
cester — ^Serious thoughts 



PACB 



CHAPTER n 
EARLY LIFE (cofUtnued) 

I835-I837 

Self-examination — Birthdays to be remembered — Preparation for 
Confirmation — ^The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in 
England — Love of music — Racing at Epsom — ^Princess Augusta's 
birthday — Confirmation of Princess Victoria — ^And of Prince 
George— Letter to his grandfather — Order of the Garter — Illness 
of the Duchess of Cambridge — ^Approaching return to Hanover 
— ^Duke of Wellington and Prince George's education — First 
public ceremony — Return to Hanover — ^Visit to Berlin — ^A grand- 
father's anxiety— Death of William IV.— Letter from Mr. Wood 
— ^The Queen on her accession — Return to England — Continental 
tour 20 



xiv THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

CHAPTER in 

GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 
1838-1839 



PACK 



The 3^ear reviewed — St. Leonard's — ^The Duke of Cambridge as 
musician — ^The Canadian insurrection — ^Nineteenth birthday — 
Visit to St. Paul's School — ^Anniversary of Waterloo — Coro- 
nation of Queen Victoria — Removal to Kew — ^Departure for 
Gibraltar — ^Meeting with the King and Queen of Spain — ^Arrival 
at Gibraltar — ^Military duties — ^Letters from the Duke of Cam- 
bridge — Illness — A disappointment — Twentieth birthday — 
Departure from Gibraltar — Malta — ^Trips and inspections — Off to 
Corfu — ^News from home — Country festivities — Pleasant excur- 
sions — Off again — Nicopolis — Excavations — ^Visit to Delphi — 
Corinth — ^Athens — ^The political situation at home — ^The Acro- 
potis visited — ^Letter from the Duke of Cambridge .... 46 

CHAPTER IV 

DUBUN 
I839-185O 

England once more — ^First railway journey — ^The Queen's marriage 
— ^Letters from the Duke of Wellington — From the Prince Consort 
— ^Arrival in Dublin — Famine — ^M. Soyer's soup kitchen — ^The 
revolutionary movement — Anxiety in Ireland — Chartism ^- 
England as an example to the world — ^The arrest of Smith O'Brien 
— ^The Queen's visit to Ireland — Cholera in Dublin — ^Louis 
Napoleon — Death of Queen Adelaide — From son to father — 
Absurd rumours from Greece— Church and State .... 78 

CHAPTER V 

DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION 

1850-1853 

Last illness of the Duke of Cambridge — ^Attack on the Queen — ^Death 
of Sir Robert Peel — Days of terrible anxiety — ^Death and funeral of 
the Duke — ^Letters to a member of the Prince's Staff — ^His father's 
last days — Plans for the future — Good-bye to Cambridge House — 
The King of Prussia's sympathy — Position of the Cambridge family 
— ^The Duke and the House of Lords — ^Letter from the Queen — 
Charitable works — ^The Duke to his mother — ^The Great Exhibi- 
tion — ^Letter from the Emperor Nicholas — First anniversary of 
the death of the Duke of Cambridge — ^Melancholy thoughts — 
Birthday congratulations — ^Death of the Duke of Wellington — 
The Queen's grief — Funeral of the Duke — ^A French play at 
Windsor—Visit to Oxford 95 



■ 

I 
I 



CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME 

CHAPTER VI 

THE CRIMEAN WAR 
1854-1856 



FACB 



The Eastern qaestion — ^The war fever — ^The Duke's anxiety to pro- 
ceed to the front — ^Appointed to a division — Good-bye to friends 
— ^Departure for Paris — ^Meeting with the Emperor — Great review 
on the Champs de Blars — ^A council of war — ^Mission to Vienna — 
Hasty criticisms at home — ^Prussia the unknown quantity*— 
Hopes of Austrian co-operation — ^The Duke as special envoy — 
Lord Clarendon's tribute— Arrival in Vienna — ^Meeting with the 
Emperor — ^Aiarriage of the Emperor — Political conversations — 
Austria's sincerity — Success of the Duke's mission — ^Letters to the 
Duchess of Gloucester — Praise from the Queen and from Lord 
Clarendon — The need for caution — In camp near Vama — ^Lord 
Raglan's difficulties— Ravages of cholera — Oimea — Battle of the 
Alma — On the heights near Sevastopol — Battie of Inkerman — ^The 
Queen and her brave troops — Her Majesty to the Duke — Storm 
at BalaUava — ^The Duke to the Queen on the state of the Army— 
The Duke of Newcastle's tribute X13 

CHAPTER VII 

THE CRIMEAN WAR {continued) 

The Duke's shattered health— Verdict of the Medical Board— Miss 
Nightingale — ^Letters from the Queen and Prince Albert — His 
Royal Highness decides to proceed to Malta — Departure for 
England — ^Arrival home, and meeting with the Queen — Speech in 
the House of Lords — ^Dinner at the Mansion House—Visit of the 
Emperor and Empress of the French — ^The Duke receives the 
Crimean medal — Governorship of Gibraltar offered and declined — 
Death of Lord Raglan — Anxiety to return to the front — ^Visit 
to Liverpool — Invitation from the Emperor Napoleon — Peace 
negotiations — Council of War in Paris — ^The Queen's instructions 
^-Opening of the Council — A suggestion of peace — Presentation 
of Crimean medals — ^The Duke's speech — Peace at hand — Return 
to England — Confirmation of the Princess Royal — ^Treaty of 
peace signed — Naval review at Portsmouth — ' Clarendon has 
done his work ably ' — Peace celebrations 147 

CHAPTER VIII 

COMMAND OP THE ARMY — INDIAN MUTINY 

1856-1859 

Death of Lord Adolphus FitzQarence — ^Wellington College — lUnesa 
and resignation of Lord Hardinge — Entry of the Guards into 
London — ^The Duke succeeds Lord Hardinge — Satisfaction of the 



I 



xvi THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

PAGE 

Duchess of Gloucester — ^Privy Councillor — ^The Queen's appre- 
ciation of Lord Hardinge — ^Moustaches in the army— The Chinese 
war — ^Mr. Cobden's motion — ^Lord Palmerston appeals to the 
country — Death and funeral of the Duchess of Gloucester — ^Visit 
to Birmingham — ^The Indian Mutiny — ^Visit of the Emperor 
Napoleon and the Empress Eugenie — In Paris — ^The Queen and 
Indian atrocities — The Duke receives the freedom of the City— 
' May God grant that Lucknow may still be able to hold out 1 ' — 
Relief — ^Marriage of the Princess Royal — Confirmation of the 
Prince of Wales — ^Lord Canning's proclamation — ^Royal visit to 
Cherbourg — ^The Prince of Wales's birthday 174 



CHAPTER IX 

THE AMBRICAN WAR CLOUD — ^ILLNESS AND DEATH OF 

THE PRINCE CONSORT 

1859-1862 

The Duke and the Prince of Wales — Opening of Wellington College — 
The war of Italian Uberation — ^The vote of thanks to the Indian 
Army — Speech by His Royal Highness — ^Death of Baron Knese- 
beck — Family gathering at Rumpenheim — Removal to Gloucester 
House — Visit to the Prince of Wales at Oxford — Offer of colonelcy 
of Coldstream Guards — Attitude towards the Volunteers — ^The 
China expedition — Death of the Duchess of Kent — ^Forty-second 
birthday — Life at Rumpenheim — Prussian manceuvres at 
Bruhl — ^Letter from the Queen on the death of the King of Portu- 
gal — ^American war cloud — Seizure of the Southern Commissioners 
— Illness and death of the Prince Consort — ^The last hours — 
Letters to His Royal Highness from Sir Charles Phipps — Illness 
of the Duke — ^The American peril — Prince of Wales starts for the 
East 205 



CHAPTER X 

PUBLIC DUTIES FOR THE QUEEN — ^MARRIAGE OF THE 
PRINCE OF WALES — ^HOLSTEIN TROUBLES 

1862-1866 

International Exhibition — Opening by His Royal Highness on behalf 
of the Queen — Return of the Prince of Wales — Marriage of Princess 
Alice — KflU at Woolwich — Betrothal of the Prince of Wales — 
The Queen's delight — ^The cession of the Ionian Islands — ^Marriage 
of the Prince of Wales — ^Wedding festivities^Mr. Gladstone and 
charitable property — ^The Congress of Frankfort — ^His Royal 
Highness's impressions — ^Visits and interviews — ^The Schleswig- 
Holstein question— Birth of Prince Albert Victor— First shots 
exchanged between Prussians and Danes — Successes by the allies 



CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME xvii 

PACK 

li'8 entry into London — ^The ' Garibaldi fever ' — Fall ol 
Dybbdl — A Danish success — Prince of Wales and the Literary 
Fnnd — ^The Dnke at Cambridge — ^Lord Russell's declaration of 
nentrality — General Todleben in England — ^Dines at Gloucester 
House — ^Baptism of Prince George of Wales — ^Unveiling of statue 
of the Prince Consort at Coburg — ^Lord Palmerston's funeral — 
Death of King Leopold — ^His Royal Highness starts for Brussels — 
Funeral of Queen Marie Am6he 228 



CHAPTER XI 

MARRIAGE OF PRINCESS MARY — ^HANOVER'S FATE — 
TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 

186&-1869 

Betrothal and marriage of the Princess Mary — ^The Queen's promise 
to attend the ceremony — ^Austria and Prussia at war — ^The fate 
of Hanover — ^The battle of Koniggratz — ^The Duke and the policy 
ol non-intervention — Annexation of Hanover announced — 
Meeting between His Royal Highness and the King of Hanover — 
What the war involved for the Duke's family — ^The Order of the 
Elephant — Walmer Castle revisited — ^Birth of Princess Victoria 
Mary of Teck — Paris Exhibition — ^Death of the Emperor Maximi- 
lian — ^Arrival of the Sultan of Turkey — Ceremonies in his honour 
— ^A gift of Arab horses — ^Baptism of Princess May — Funeral of 
the Landgrave of Hesse — ^To Preston to open the new Town Hall — 
To Ireland with the Prince and Princess of Wales — ^The fall of 
Magdala — ^The Newspaper Press Fund — ^Her Majesty and the 
pipers of the Scots FusUier Guards — Blnesn of Princess Biay — 
Offer of colonelcy-in-chief of 6oth Rifles — ^Fiftieth birthday . 257 

CHAPTER XII 

FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 

187O-187I 

Crowded faoiurs — ^The Queen and the death of General Grey — ^Loss of 
the Captain — Outbreak of the Franco-German war — ^Defeat of 
MaTKiial MacMahon — ^The news in Paris — ^Further German suc- 
cesses — Sedan — ^The Third Republic — ^Meeting with the Empress 
Eugenie at Chislehurst — Surrender of Metz — ^Russia and the 
Black Sea — Death of Lord Frederick Paulet — Bombardment of 
Paris begins — ^The last sortie — Capitulation of the city — ^Mr. 
Trevelyan's motion in the House of Commons — ^Terms of peace — 
' Really fearful ' — ^Prussians enter Paris — ^The Red Republicans — 
Marriage of Princess Louise— Visit to Emperor Napoleon at 
Chislehurst — Queen's birthday wishes — Opening of the Albert 
Hall — ^The second siege of Paris — ^Accident to Prince Arthur — 

VOL. I. a 



xviii THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

PACK 

Paris and the Commmusts — Wb Royal Highness leaves for Ger- 
many — ^Fortnight's military operations at Aldecshot — ^Removal 
of Horse Guards to War Office— 'A sad change' — General 
Forster's resignation of the post of BiUitary Secretary . • 283 

CHAPTER XIII 

ILLNESS OP THE PRINCE OF WALES 

187I-1872 

Anxkms letters from Sandringham — ^The crisis reached — ^The Duke 
obtains leave to go to Sandringham — ^A night of ansdety — A 
nation in suspense — ^Dawning hopes — ^D^y bolletins to the 
Dnchess of Cambridge— The Princess of Wales's courage — Slow 
return of the Prince to health — ^The Duke once more at Sandring- 
ham — ^Received by the Prince-— The great Thanksgiving service 
at St, Paul's — ^The Queen's fears — ^A great national success — ^The 
Prince's illness and the Republicans 301 



Errahtm 
Page 104, line 11,/^ leceiving r«A/ reviewmg. 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

IN 

THE FIRST VOLUME 



PHOTOGRAVURE PLATES 

H.R.H. PRINCE GEORGE OF CAMBRIDGE AT THE AGE 

OF 18 FrmHt^uce 

Prmm m MtwwtJimt a/Ur m Pmimtii^ hfjpkm Lmemt. 



H.R.H. PRINCESS VICTORIA To faff, loo 

H.R.H. PRINCE GEORGE OF CAMBRIDGE {signed in 1891) .. 198 

HALF-TONE AND LINE ILLUSTRATIONS 

EXTRACT FROM DIARY (183a) 11 

THE PALACE AT HANOVER. WHERE PRINCE GEORGE 

WAS BORN as 

H.R.H. ADOLPHUS FREDERICK, DUKE OP CAMBRIDGE. 

K.G. 58 

Ftwm m. P^rtrmii if Sir W. Bttekn, R.A,, in ike tostetaim e 
Mmi^Admdrmi Sir Ad^ifkma yitAargt, K.C. V,o7 

H.R.H. ADOLPHUS FREDERICK, DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, 

K.G. ••• 96 

Fwwm « Prmrimg wmdg in 1846 h /mmt R, SwimUm, im tkg 
fma§nim ^gmr^dmirmlSir AMjkm FOwGrnrgt^ KX,VjO. 



(• 



H.R.H. PRINCE GEORGE OF CAMBRIDGE laa 

FrmmmPmnHi^mtkefmwsti^mffRtar^dmdrmiSirAdplfkmM 



THE STORM IN BALAKLAVA BAY ON X4th NOVEMBER. 
1854. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge was on board 
H.M. steam frigate ReirihUioit (Capcain the Hon. James 
Dmmmond) 14a 



Frtm mm Emgrmrimg t^fter m PmbUimi by IMmi, Momtagmt 
CtRdaj, RJf. 



XX THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

H.M. KING WILLIAM IV. AS DUKE OF CLARENCE . Tofactp. 170 
From a Paimiing hy Hop^tur at WimdMar CmttU^ 

H.M. QUEEN ADELAIDE ,330 

From a PaitUimg fy IViuUrikaiUr mi Bnekhtghmm Patau, 

H.R.H. PRINCESS MARY. DUCHESS OF TECK „ 258 

From a WaUr<;oiomr Drawing hy Jamtt i?. SwbtUa at Marl' 
borough Horn*, 

THE CHILDREN OF KING GEORGE IIL : PRINCE ERNEST 
AUGUSTUS (DUKE OF CUMBERLAND), PRINCE 
AUGUSTUS FREDERICK (DUKE OF SUSSEX). PRINCE 
ADOLPHUS FREDERICK (DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE), 
PRINCESS AUGUSTA SOPHIA, PRINCESS ELIZA- 
BETH (LANDGRAVINE OF HESSE), PRINCESS MARY 

(DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER) . .386 

From m MisooHnt by V, Grtoa ^iko Painting h S, IVttt, 



TABLE SHOWING THE DESCENDANTS OF GEORGE II. 



(I 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



CHAPTER I 

EARLY LIFE 

Pxince Addphas Frederick in Hanover — Created Dnke of Cambridge 
— Troabloiis timee in Hanover — The Dnke made Governor-General — 
Character and marriage — ^Birth of Prince George— Baptism — ^lUneas 
— ^Eariy education — ^The Rev. J. R. Wood — ^Prince George's first diary 
— ^Removal to En^^and — ^Parting from his mother — ^Letters from the 
Dncheas — ^The diary again — ^Baptism of Princess Mary — Self-critidsm 
— ^Bnming of the Houses of Pariiament — Political changes — ^Death of 
the Dnke of Gloucester — Serious thoughts 

Prince George William Frederick Charles of 
Cambridge was bom on March 26, 1819, in the Duke of 
Cambridge's palace, ' the Palais/ ^ at Hanover. His father, Prince 
Prince Adolphns Frederick, seventh son of King George HI., p^^S 
had made his home in Hanover almost continnonsly since 
the days when, as a boy of thirteen, he was sent thither 
with his brothers Ernest ' and Augustus ' to learn the 
German tongue and to prosecute his studies at the Univer- 
sity of Gottingen, and his early career was closely linked 
with the chequered fortunes of the country. Prince Adol- 
phus Frederick embraced the profession of arms, and saw 
active service in the Flanders campaign of I793» in which 
he was wounded, and again in 1794 and 1795, after- 

* Also called Cambridge House. 

' Duke of Cumberland, afterwards King of Hanover (fourth son of 
George III.). 

■ Duke of Snawx (fifth son of George III.). 

VOL. I. B 



2 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

wards returning to Hanover to complete his interrapted 
studies. 
Created In 1801, when he was twenty-seven years of age, the 

c^j^f ^ dukedom of Cambridge was revived and conferred upon 
bridge Prince Adolphus, together with the earidom of Tipperary 
and the barony of CuUoden. When, in the year 1803, 
Hanover was invested by a French corps, the Duke was 
transferred to the British Service. At the head of the 
German Legion raised for the relief of Hanover, however, 
he returned once more to Hanover. But the iron of 
Napoleon's tyranny had not yet entered into the soul of 
Europe, and as the people of Hanover appeared anything 
but ready to avail themselves of the support thus offered, 
the Duke returned to England, where he assumed conunand 
of the Home District. 

The years that followed were times of stress for Han- 
over. From Napoleon the Prussians received temporary 
possession of the coimtry in 1806, but in the following 
year a part of it was annexed to the kingdom of West- 
phalia, created by Napoleon, and the remaining portion 
was added to Westphalia in 1810. By this time the in- 
habitants had learned in the hard school of adversity the 
true meaning of French predominance, and when the final 
struggle with Napoleon was entered upon they flung them- 
selves into it with a fierceness and determination begotten 
of years of suffering. The victories of the Coalition against 
Napoleon restored Hanover to England, and the Duke of 
Cambridge returned to the country as commander of the 
forces in 1813. Two years later, at the Congress of Vienna, 
George III., as Elector, demanded that the Electorate 
should be raised to the dignity of a kingdom. The de- 
mand was granted, and the Duke of Cambridge became 
Governor-General of Hanover. 

In person tall and finely formed, with a fair com- 
Character plexion and regular features^ the Duke displayed in character 



EARLY LIFE 3 

many of those sterling qualities which were afterwards 
shown so conspicuously by his son. Wiih a keen en- 
thusiasm and a high capacity for the duties of the mihtaiy 
professi<Hi he combined a love of the beautiful in music 
and the arts, and he deUghted to gather roimd himself 
men of cultivated tastes and artistic attainments. A deep 
religious vein ran through his character, and he was a 
staunch Churchman of the old school, rigid in his observ- 
ance of the Sabbath and regular in his attendance at the 
services of the Church. That he was no * chocolate-cream 
soldier' is shown by the fact that in the campaigns in 
idiicfa he served he shared all the hardships of his men, 
and, after being woimded and invalided home, returned 
to the front at the earUest possible opportunity. His en« 
gaging manners, his quick sympathy, and his high integrity 
endeared him to the people of Hanover, and it is more than 
probaUe that if he had been able to order the afEairs of 
the country according to his wishes, the history of the king- 
dom would have been written in very different characters. 
Unfortunately, the shadow rather than the substance of 
authority was his; for Coimt Miinster virtually ruled the 
country from London, and his tendencies were entirely 
reactionary. Hanover at this period was at the cross- 
roads. The devastating tide of war which had passed over 
the kingdom had indeed receded, but it had left behind it 
the seeds of political discontent. French influence had 
awakened liberal thought and a desire for greater freedom, 
and the people of Hanover, who had done and suffered so 
much for their sovereign and their country, demanded in 
return a more generous treatment at the hands of their 
ruler. In the Duke of Cambridge they had a staunch ally, 
but unfortunately his hands were tied. 

In 18x7 Princess Charlotte died, and it became impera- Bianiage 
tive that the King's sons should marry. The Duke of 
Cambridge chose as his bride Princess Augusta, daughter 



4 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

of the Landgrave Frederick of Hesse-Cassd by his marriage 
with Princess Caroline of Nassau-Usingen. The stoxy of the 
Duke's courtship is somewhat remarkable. He had been 
commissioned by his brother the Duke of Garence, after- 
wards William IV., to seek out a bride for him, and in his 
travels, at the Court of the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, he 
met the Princess Augusta, about whom he wrote home in 
glowing terms. The Duke of Clarence thereupon suggested 
that, as he admired her so ardently, he should many her 
himself. This advice the Duke of Cambridge was not slow 
to follow, and a wife had to be sought elsewhere for the 
Duke of Clarence. The union was one of esteem and 
affection on both sides, and was most happy. The wedding 
took place at Cassel on May 7, 1818, and was also solemnised 
in England, and after a short stay in this coimtry the 
Z819 Duke and Duchess returned to Hanover, where, in the 

^th of following March, Prince George was bom. Queen Victoria, 
George it must be remembered, was not bom until May 24, 1819, 
and Prince Georere was therefore, till the time of her birth, 
the first direct descendant of King George III. The im- 
portance of the event is attested by the following declara- 
tion, which was sent by Mr. Rose, His Majesty's Envoy 
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court 
of Berlin, to Viscount Castlereagh,^ in a dispatch dated 
Hanover, March 26, 1819 : 

We the xmdersigned, His Royal Highness the Duke of 
Clarence, K.G., &c., &c., &c., the Right Honorable John 
Earl of Mayo, one of His Majesty's Most Honorable Privy 
Coimcil for that part of the United Kingdom called Ire- 
land, and the Right Honorable George Henry Rose, one of 
His Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, His Majesty's 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the 
Court of Berhn, specially instructed to attend the con- 

' Foreign Secretary. 






■r^Lii 



M 



EARLY LIFE 5 

finement of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, 18 19 
do hereby solemnly declare that, having been apprised by 
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge at a quarter 
before one o'clock of the morning of Friday the twenty- 
sixth day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and nineteen, that Her Royal Highness the 
Duchess of Cambridge's labor pains had commenced, we 
repaired forthwith to the room adjoining to that in which 
Her Royal Highness was to be delivered, in Cambridge 
House in the City of Hanover, the door between these two 
rooms remaining open during the whole of our attendance ; 
that having been previously informed by His Royal High- 
ness that Her Royal Highness would be confined in Her 
Bedroom up one pair of stairs, and that free access must 
remain from that room to Her Dressingroom immediately 
contiguous to it, and these rooms having been previously 
shewn to one of us, the Right Honorable George Henry 
Rose, the seal of the said Right Honorable George Henry 
Rose was affixed so as to dose it, upon the outside of the 
outward door of the dressingroom tmder the directions of 
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who locked 
the door and gave the key of it to the said Right Honor- 
able George Henry Rose, so that no communication with 
the bedroom could take place from without, but under 
Our eyes, we remaining in the room adjoining to the bed- 
room, and through which all persons entering that bedroom 
must pass ; that sharp labor continued until ten minutes 
past two o'clock of the morning aforesaid, when Her Royal 
Highness the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered 
of a male child, whose sex we determined by actual in- 
spection. 

Given under our Hands and Seals at Cambridge House, 
in the City of Hanover at three o'clock of the morning 
aforesaid, videlicet, of the twenty-sixth day of March of the 
year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen. 

(Seal) William. 
(Seal) Mayo. 
(Seal) G. H. Rose. 



6 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1819 Prince George's birth was announced in the London 

Gazette of Tuesday, April 6, 1819, in the following terms : 

Foreign Office, April 6, 18 19. 

Extract of a Dispatch from the Right Honorable George 
Henry Rose, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and 
Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Berlin, to Vis- 
count Castlereagh, K.G., dated Hanover, March 26, 1819 — 
Received April 6. 

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge was 
safely dehvered of a male child, at ten minutes past two 
o'clock this morning, at Cambridge House, in this City. 
His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, the Earl of Mayo, 
and myself attended Her Royal Highness's confinement, 
and have signed a formal declaration to the above effect. 

Her Royal Highness and her child have past the night 
quite well. He appears to be healthy and well grown. 

Baptism Another entry, published in the London Gazette of 
Saturday, May 22, recorded his baptism : 

Hanover, May 11, 1819. 

The Ceremony of the Baptism of Prince George William 
Frederick Charles, son of His Royal Highness the Duke of 
Cambridge, Governor-General of Hanover, and of Her 
Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, Landgravine 
and Princess of Hesse, his wife, was performed this day, 
according to the rites of the Estabhshed Church of England, 
at Cambridge House, by the Reverend John Sanford, 
Domestic Chaplain to His Royal Highness, in the presence 
of their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Clarence and Cam- 
bridge : their Serene Highnesses the Landgrave and Land- 
gravine of Hesse, the Princess Louisa of Hesse : and the 
Princess of Nassau-Usingen : the Earl and Cotmtess of 
Mayo, the Hanoverian Ministers of State, the Foreign 
Ministers, the Grand Officers of the Household, and the 
whole Court. 

The sponsors for the young Prince were His Royal 
Highness the Prince Regent, represented by His Royal 



EARLY LIFE 7 

Highness the Duke of Qarence, as proxy : His Royal High- 1819 
ness the Duke of Clarence, represented by the Earl of Mayo, 
and Her Majesty the Queen Dowager of Wurtemberg, 
represented by the Countess of Mayo. 

When about two years old Prince George was carried 1821- 
by his nurses, together with Prince George of Hanover, 
to see King George IV., who was at the time paying a 
visit to Hanover. The nurses were called Mrs. Page and 
Mrs. Ford, and the King, on hearing their names, ex- 
claimed : * Oh, oh, the Merry Wives of Windsor ! * 

In the pleasant surroundings of the Court of Hanover 
the Prince grew and prospered, but he did not escape the 
usual ills to which childhood is heir. When quite a small 
boy he contracted scarlet fever, and became so dangerously Daxiger- 
in that the doctors despaired of his Kfe. His father was ®"®*^**® 
at diimer when a message was sent to him that the Prince 
appeared to be sinking. The Duke was drinking a Rhine 
wine named Steinberger, and, unable to think of any other 
means of reviving the boy, he hurried to the sick-room 
with a glass of this wine and forced the child to drink it. 
The effect was extraordinary. From that hour the Prince 
beg^n to mend, and the fever abated, but the effects of 
the illness left him delicate for some years. Until 1837 
Steinbeiger was always drunk on His Royal Highness's 
birthday to commemorate his marvellous recovery. 

The Prince's first tutor was the Rev. Henry Harvey, The 

Prince's 

Curate-in-Charge of Ealing, who took up his duties as tutors 
preceptor to the young Prince in 1825. Finding the work 
somewhat more arduous and responsible than he had 
anticipated, Mr. Harvey procured the services of an assis- 
tant, a Mr. Welsh. Mr. Welsh's tenure of office, however, 
did not last long, for he quickly showed signs of great 
eccentricity, which developed later into madness. One 
evening the Prince's valet rushed downstairs and announced 



8 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1828 that he had found Mr. Welsh in the Prince's bedroom 
kneeling by the side of the bed, and exclaiming in a loud 
voice that he had been called upon to kill His Royal High- 
ness that night. Mr. Welsh was pronounced by the doctors 
to be insane, and was removed to a madhouse. He was 
succeeded by the Rev, John Ryle Wood, who afterwards 
became the Prince's Chaplain, and ultimately a Canon of 
Worcester Cathedral. Mr. Wood, who undertook the sole 
charge of His Royal Highness in 1831, was a strong, upright 
man and a strict disdpUnarian, and he succeeded com- 
pletely in winning his pupil's confidence and regard. The 
extent of his influence over Prince George it is difficult 
rightly to appraise, but it is abundantly dear from the 
Prince's diaiy that he played no small part in the moulding 
of his character. 

z838 At the age of nine Prince George made his first entry 

^** ^ in his first diary. It was as foUows : 

p^3^ I have taken Augusta out of bed for the first time on 

diary my Birthday. 

March 26, 1828. 

George. 



In 1830, when His Royal Highness was eleven years 
Removal ^^^* ^* ^^ decided that he should remove from Hanover 
to Eng- to England, in order that he might receive an entirely 
English education. Accordingly, he travelled to England 
with Mr. Wood, and took up his residence with the 
King and Queen. This, of course, entailed separation 
from his parents, who were detained in Hanover by their 
duties. The parting from her only son was a terrible 
grief to the Duchess of Cambridge, and when he left Han- 
over she accompanied him on his way as far as Mayence, 
where she parted from him and went to Rumpenheim, 
while he continued his journey with his father. From 




land 



EARLY LIFE 9 

Rmnpenheim his mother wrote him the following touching 1830 
letters. The first is dated August 9. ^t. ii 

My precious George, — ^These are the first words I have Lettera 
to address to you by the help of pen and paper, since it ^^^^^ 
is the first time we have ever been separated. Did I not, of Cam- 
my angel boy, well keep my promise to you to make the ^^^^ 
parting veiy quick and short ? God grant that you have 
not grieved too much, and had no return of your severe 
bad headache, like that you had at Mayence, for then you 
would have sadly needed poor Mama, who knows her 
Geoige so well and knows best what he needs and likes. 
Ah ! could I but hasten to you every two hours to exchange 
a couple of words ! But that happy time the good God 
win soon restore to us ! Be of bright and good courage, 
we shaU soon meet again. Already three days have passed 
in which we have not seen each other, thus one slips away 
after the other^ and before long the bright day of our 
happy reunion will shine for us. This will be a bad day 
for you, having to cross the sea 1 I hope the passage will 
be better than you fear. You must write to me very 
fully — ^aU details, my dear good George! Also how you 
Uke your new home — all, aU, everything. I want to know ! 
No secrets from me. Make plenty of time to write, it is 
my only consolation. If you carmot read this, my first 
letter, get your dear Papa to help you now while he is still 
with you ; your Mars, I do not wish should read either my 
letters to you or yours to me. Give my most friendly 
regards to Mr. Wood, and tell him I was quite unequal to 
taking leave of him ! The same to Prott. . . . Have you 
yet been out riding ? Tell me all, what your life is. Now 
adieu, for to-day, my angel. I kiss you in thought. Alas ! 
that I caimot reaUy myself do so. 

August 10. — Good morning, my dear good Georgie. By 
now, I suppose, you have got over the bad sea voyage 
and are on your way to London. Be always very open and 
confiding towards the Queen,' tell her everything, and all 
that you wish, very openly and frankly. With the King be 

• Queen Adelaide. Consort of William IV. 



10 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1830 respectful but not shy and nervous, which makes you 
iEx. II appear so quiet and formal. . . . Yesterday we had a quiet 
day, I was still very tired and exhausted. . . . Now God 
bless you, my sweet angel, a thousand times. Kisses you 

Your most fondly loving Mother, 

Augusta. 

When you write to me, do so quite alonCy as your heart 
dictates, not stiS and formal. God protect you I 

During these years of separation the Duchess wrote 
every day to her son loving Uttle notes containing details 
of her daily hfe, and the letters were dispatched to England 
about once a week. The sorrow of separation was lightened, 
too, by periodic visits which the Duchess paid to England, 
visits to which both mother and son looked forward with 
eager delight. Writing joyously in May 1831 to announce 
her approaching arrival in^England, the Duchess says : 

Since I love you so unutterably, my good George, I do 
not hke a single day to pass without my having written 
you at least a few words, otherwise in the evening it seems 
to me to have been a lost day. You are now, doubtless, 
quietly at Windsor. Have you no little garden of your 
own in which you can work ? It would be so healthy for 
you. Gussy ^ works industriously in hers. My sweet George 
is now, doubtless, every day thinking as I do how near 
is coming the beautiful day of our reimion. Mind you 
manage to come to meet us at Deptford, that I may 
see you at once^ and then we can drive up together to 
London. . . . 

if33 In 1832 Prince George again began the task of keeping 

a diary, but the effort was not long sustained, for the 
entries begin on January 7 and end abruptly on March 9. 
They teU of childish ailments and of visits of other boys 

' His elder sister. Princess Augusta, now Grand Duchess Dofwager of 
Mecklenburg-Strelitc. 



^t Z2 









^Jtyrrv^ 




/ULo^ ^^tnouoU ^>h4)i/^^ /^rvuf^tdco^ ^^ 

fo<yn/fij MmU^ L/(^, LJy '?U^/fm^d 
%^IUc^e.AAJ^ ix-^^p^^^ lU'^^Q^ .4:^^^ . 

EXTRACT FROM DIARY 11832). 




EARLY LIFE ii 

who came to play with him, but they are noticeable chiefly 1832 
for the frank recognition of fanlts and the conscious effort ^'^' ^^ 
to amend them, which are so characteristic of the earlier _. . 

The diary 

diaries. The diary opens at Brighton when the Court began 
was at the PaviUon : *®"™ 

January 7. — ^To^ay I am sorry to say I do not feel I 
have acted well in many respects. I showed some signs of 
cowardice on horseback. I had a very bad Latin lesson 
and made many careless mistacks in it. I mean to try 
all in my power to be better for the future. I shot through 
the bull's eye in shooting at the Target. Finished a drawing 
for my Aunt Gloucester. 

February 18. — Flayed with Dr. Everard's boys. Last 
French Lesson at Brighton this year. Yesterday Captain 
Harvey dined with us. Several of the Company left the 
Pavilion to-day. Behaved rather cowardly once during 
the ride. This ought not to happen again. I shall do my 
best to prevent it. 24^^. — Papa's and the Queen's birthday. 
Holiday. Drawing-room for the first time this year. Dined 
with the K. and Q. Went to Covent Garden Theatre 
last night with several persons, and first dined together 
at six. 27tt. — ^Went to Drury Lane theater with several 
other persons. 

March 2, — ^Went to Kew and then came on to Windsor. 
Mr. Hudson was taken very ill with an inflamation in the 
stumack. gfh. — ^Went out hunting with my cousin. We 
met at the Magpy on the London road. I am sorry to 
say I was rather afraid at first, because the horse would 
not go quietly, but I soon found out how foohsh I 
was and I was hardly at all afraid. We had good sport. 
Yesterday 2 Eton bo)^ came to see me. Their names were 
Ward and Compton. We rode together and then played 
at hocky. During the ride I am afraid I also showed some 
marks of cowardice. I do hope this will soon be over. 

Here the diary suddenly breaks off, and it was not 
resumed till January 1834, when the Prince was on a visit 
to his parents in Hanover. 



12 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1834 January 9. — ^This evening my sister Mary^ is to be 

2E/T. 14 christened. Mr. W.' advises me to make a beginning of 

a diary to-day. I hope I may have resolution to continue 

Hanover: it. loth. — Yesterday evening the christening of Mary 

^^rin^ took place. A most solemn and beautiful ceremony, and 

cessBiary the Service was very weU performed by Mr. W. The 

little baby did not cry at all. I signed my name as a 

witness. 2^h, — Yesterday evening a great ball was given 

here. ... I remarked that the Hanoverians are great 

eaters of supper. 2^h. — Though I got up late yesterday 

I did my lessons after breakfast as usual. First some 

Cicero to construe, and then I did my German for Mr. 

Siemson.' . . . Monsieur de Wangenheim^ came here in 

the course of the morning to mark some things which 

Papa sold to the King. During the operation M. de Wangen- 

hdm showed that he was very particular, and if the slightest 

thing was wanting he waited till it was found. I don't 

hke this maimer at all. 

February 6. — Yesterday I fear some more bad behaviour 
showed itself. I have not remembered so many bad 
days following so soon after each other for some time. 
This is in a great degree owing to Sunday being bad. Yester- 
day I was violent, hasty, and indeed might almost say did 
everything that was wrong. I shall however to-day give 
m)^elf the greatest pains to behave well. qth. — ^Did not 
behave very well in the morning, but better afterwards. 
A constant desire to chatter which always brings me into 
trouble. I5<A. — Yesterday morning Mr. Wood tried if 
I could construe any psut of Homer I had done before, 
but I could not. He then suggested to me to get it up for 
Papa's birthday by myself, which I was very angry about 
at first, and behaved very ill. After some time, however, 
I determined not to be so foolish, and I began with doing 
during the course of yesterday 67 Unes. iqth. — Last 
night I got rather a disagreeable letter from England. 
The Queen writes me word I am to return soon after Papa's 

' His younger sister. Princess Mary Adelaide, afterwards Duchess of 
Teck. • Mr. Wood. 

' Librarian of the Royal Library at Hanover. 
^ Oberhofmarschall to the Court at Hanover. 



EARLY LIFE 13 

Inrthday, probably therefore in a fortnight. 2i5t. — I believe 1834 
Mama answered the Queen's letter yesterday by sajring Mr. 14 
I ^onld probably not come over to England till after my 
birthday. 26/A. — In consequence of Papa's birthday I have 
been living in so many pleasures that I quite forgot to write 
my diary. On the 24th, first congratulated Papa and gave 
him my drawing, then played my music for him with my 
sister. Then I went to the Exhibition of pictures. On 
our return dressed for dinner, and dined at my Aunt's 
at 4. Came home at 7, and after resting a short time got 
ready for the great ball. At a Uttle before 9 we entered 
the drawing-rooms, and the whole began with Tableaux, 
which went off very weU. Then the ball conmienced, and 
I stayed till half-past one. 27th. — I rode out with Mama 
yesterday for the first time since her confinement. Re- 
ceived a letter from Cocks the day before yesterday, to 
thank me for having got him entered in the Coldstreams. 

March i. — ^Another month gone by. Have I been 
dihgent enough, or behaved in it as I ought ? I fear that 
but too often I have not. Chattering one of my chief 
faults. 4/A. — ^My most glairing fault now is that I desire 
to argue with everybody, and then after all I generally am 
in the wrong. I must now however make up my mind to 
conquer it. nth. — ^My little sister was vaccinated yester- 
day. Had a long talk on the origin of this excellent dis- 
covery by Dr. Jeimer, an Enghsh physician. Mr. Wood's 
sister was among those vaccinated by the discoverer himself. 
X2ih. — ^Mr. Wood very angry with me in the morning for 
my always standing near the stove. He said it was very 
wrong because Mama as well as he himself had so often 
told me of it, and on my sa3ang I could not help it, he 
explained to me the necessity of my conquering m}rself, 
because if I could not do it in trifles, I should not be able 
to do it in much greater things. 13M. — Yesterday I again 
fell into that bad fault of mine to form hasty opinions and 
speak hastily rather than first thinking them over in my 
mind, and saying my ideas quietly. I am then generally 
obliged to retract them, which will become a very unfor- 
tunate thing hereafter. I must reaUy take great pains to 



14 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1834 avoid this. 27th. — ^Had no time to write yesterday as it 
^T. 15 was my birthday. Made up my mind to behave very well 
dming the next year. Received very many pretty presents 
from various persons. In the evening a little party was 
given when we played at lottery. The Jagers * were good 
enough to bring me a ^ Fackel miisick.' ' 

Return to After his birthday, on which he made up his mind * to 
'^^^ behave very well during the next year,' Prince George 
returned to England, and there is a considerable gap in 
the diary. 

April II. — I fear I have got a very bad habit of going 
into the drawing-room not straight to the Queen, which 
is very vulgar and ill-behaved. I likewise, when I have 
saluted, have gone away and not returned sometimes till I 
have gone away. These faults must be avoided. 14/A. — Be- 
haved very ill yesterday morning about bathing, really 
quite Uke a baby. 16th. — Have not been able until now to 
write my diary, having been some time on my journey, 
and the rest being occupied in different ways. Had a very 
quick and prosperous journey. Slept the first night at 
Paderbom, second at Hagen, third at Aix-la-Chapdle, 
fourth at Tirlemont, fifth at Antwerp, sixth at Courtrai, 
and seventh at Calais. Crossed in a man-of-war steamer, 
the Dee. . . . Was very ill. Went on the same night to 
Sittingboume, and next day arrived here [Windsor]. 
Though very very sorry to leave Papa and Mama, and aU 
my other friends, at Hanover, yet very happy to see aU 
my friends here again well and happy. 

May I. — ^Arrived in London yesterday. Among other 
things went to be measured and weighed. I am 5 feet 
3 inches high and weigh 7 stone 3 pound. Sth. — . . . Had 
a lesson with Mr. Trail ' and Dr. Kiiper.* Went to the 
Charterhouse. A very nice school ; clean, but some very 

* The Hanoverian Regiment of Rifle Guards. 

' Torchlight music, formerly very common in Germany. 
' Writing-master to Prince George. 

* Chaplain at the German Chapel (now Marlborough House Chapel), 
St. James's Palace. 



EARLY LIFE 15 

oldpartsof the building. Finished ' Guy Mannering,' a very 1834 
interesting novel. loM. — ^Yesterday morning I went with Mr. 15 
the Queen to St. Paul's for the Festival of the Sons of the 
Clergy. Though the ceremony lasted very long — ^5 hours — 
yet it was a veiy fine and imposing service. In the evening 
a ball at St. James's — ^very full, animated and pretty. 
2isi. — ^Yesterday afternoon, wishing to see the boats at 
Eton go up the river, I asked Mr. Wood's leave, and men- 
tioned Lord Howe's name as a reason for going, because he 
had mentioned something about it, though I did not exactly 
understand what — I, by doing this equivocated and got 
into trouble, but I am happy to say we have made it up 
again. 24<A. — Yesterday I had a long conversation with 
llr. Wood about those persons called Saints. He thinks 
that people who are better than ourselves are generally 
called Saints by us. He then asked if amongst a party of 
young men, some of them asked me to get drunk when I 
knew it was wrong, whether I should refuse to get drunk with 
the chance of being called a Saint or not, which I hesitated 
to answer, though there ought to be no hesitation. 25/A. — 
Yesterday Princess Victoria's birthday. All went to Vir- 
ginia Water, where we dined, and came away at 7. Began 
my new plan of writing to Mama every day. 2Sih. — Yester- 
day my dear Cousin Cumberland's Urthday. May he live 
long and recover his eyesight, for I reaUy love him dearly. 
To-day the King's ' sham ' * birthday. To him likewise I 
wish a long and prosperous Ufe, particularly in these very 
singular and disastrous times. What a very disagreeable 
thing it must be to be a king ! May I never be one, but if 
one must be one, study the welfare of your people, and 
behave in a manner just, reUgious and true. 29M. — 
Yesterday King's birthday. A very full drawing-room, 
1,400 people. Mr. W. gave me a hint about behaving 
better in society, and speaking to people in a more pleasing 
manner. Dined at St. James's. A large party, among 
others the Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria, who has 
a nice countenance and is greatly improved, ^oih. — ^Went 
to the Opera last night with the Queen. Walked home 

> Official birthday. 



i6 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1834 from thence with Lord Howe. The first time I was in the 
^T. 15 Streets of London so late. Plenipo, a horse of Mr. Batt*s, 
won the Derby. . • . 

June 4. — . . . What very odd dispositions different 
people have. Lord Adolphus ^ has a most extraordinary 
turn for turning everything into ridicule and makes, I have 
no doubt, a good number of little embellishments. i8^A. — 
To-day is the anniversary of the famous battle of Waterloo, 
which took place just nineteen years ago. We can aU never 
praise God sufficiently for having allowed our arms to be 
victorious on that memorable day, which decided the fate 
of Europe, and was the overthrow of Bonaparte. May the 
Duke of Wellington live long to be a blessing to the Country. 
22nd, — . • . Received a letter from Augusta yesterday, 
very nicely written as to style. 

July 24. — . . . What a very extraordinary effect a 
thunderstorm has on different people. Poor Lady Com- 
waUis shuts herself up, as soon as there is one coming, in a 
dark room, and she stays there till it is quite over. I am 
now very fond of bathing, but I cannot yet take headers. 

August 5. — . . . Took several running footers, and a 
hedder for the first time yesterday morning. . . . yth. — 
Went to Ascot to see a horse, which I hope will do as an 
hunter for me. Showed some signs of fear when mounting 
him, which at my age is very wrong. ... I am happy to 
say that I have received the Queen's permission to begin 
to shoot. 14/A. — ^The day before yesterday I went out 
shooting for the first time, had three shots, but, as might 
be expected, killed nothing. I however at first behaved 
very ill indeed, and was quite alarmed lest the gun should 
kick, and therefore lost many good opportunities of fireing. 
I fed dreadfully ashamed of what I have done, and have 
made up my mind to try to get the better of every kind of 
useless fear. 2yrd. — It is really a most dreadful thing that 
I am as yet not perfect in spelling, particularly proper 
names, which is a tJdng of great importance for me. Mr. 
Wood has in consequence desired me to learn a certain 

* Lord Adolphns FltsClarence. In after-years an intimate friend ol 
HisRc^ 



EARLY LIFE 17 

quantity of names evexy day for five minutes after luncheon, 1834 
which, though a good thing and which will probably make ^T. 15 
me know them shortly, is yet very degrading for a boy 
of 15. 26th. — ^Yesterday I went into the little Park to 
shoot pigeons, and killed five, 3 sitting on a tree, and two 
^dng, and I Uked it unconmionly. I think I wounded a 
hare too, but we could not find it. After dinner at 8 we 
went out to catch sparrows in nets all about the ivy in the 
Park, and we caught about a dozen and a half. It was 
very good fun. 2&A. — Behaved very ill I am sorry to say 
yesterday about leaping, indeed so like a baby I was, 
that I felt afterwards very angry with m3^self , and dread- 
fully ashamed, particularly as Mr. Hudson ^ was present. 
On Monday however I am going to redeem my character, 
by leaping the hurdles near Sir Andrew Barnard's stables. 
. . . 29IA. — Yesterday at luncheon a dispute arose between 
Lady Sophia and the Queen, I having been the iimocent 
cause, by making a remark to Lady Sophia of her good 
appetite. I shall now, however, never make any more 
remarks in the King's or Queen's presence. . . . 

October 7. — Yesterday a most disagreeable thing occurred. 
The Queen's money is now by the great expenses of 
her situation found to be nearly all gone, and it will be re- 
quisite for her to reduce either her Charities or Luxuries. 
She prefers doing the latter, and in consequence some 
reductions were necessary, particularly in the Stables. 
In order to settle this. Lord Howe, who now acts as Trea- 
surer, desired to speak and arrange with Lord ErroU about 
it. This the latter took very ill, and has, in consequence, 
sent in his resignation yesterday afternoon. I hope how- 
ever that it will yet be all amicably settled. 8th. — I am 
happy to say that the business with Lord Erroll has been 
amicably settled, and he keeps his situation. 17M. — ^Last Bnniisg 
ni^t after I had gone to bed, the news came down of oUhe 
the House of Lords and Commons having been burnt down, ^^i^^ar 
A most tremendous fire it must have been, for we could ment 
see the flames for several hours, even here [Windsor]. 

■ Aftowardft Sir James Hndaon, secretary to Sir Herbert Ta}dor. He 
became eventually Minister at Tnrin. 

VOL. I. C 



i8 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



1834 



Resigna- 
tion of 
Lord Mel- 
bourne 



SirR. 
Peel sent 
for 



Death 
of the 
Duke of 
Glouces- 
ter 



i8<A. — I am sorry to say that the account which arrived the 
night before last relative to the destruction by fire of the 
two Houses of Parliament is but too true. They are both 
entirely burnt down, as is likewise the house of the Speaker, 
and of Mr. Lee, one of the Clerks. The various documents 
and almost everything of value have been saved. The 
King and Queen went to town to see the ruins. 

Brighton, November 10. — ^Yesterday morning I am sorry 
to say I behaved very ill indeed on several occasions, and 
was very unkind in my language to dear Mr. Wood. I got 
so violent at last in my arguments that I was obliged to 
leave the room, and if I do not behave well, during the 
week, I am not to hunt. 16th. — At length we have an 
important and I hope at the same time good news. Lord 
Mdboume seeing that it was impossible to carry on a 
Government any longer, in a most honourable manner came 
down on Thursday last to resign, upon which the King 
immediately sent to the Duke of Wellington, who arrived 
last night. Jimmy Hudson went off immediately to Turin 
for Sir Robert Peel, who is now there. 24th. — ... I sup- 
pose to-day or to-morrow Mr. Hudson will find Sir Robert 
Peel. The former has been heard of from Paris, having 
crossed from Dover to Boulogne in four hours in an open 
boat and six oars. 

London, December 2. — ^Yesterday before setting off from 
Brighton the melancholy news reached us of the death of 
the poor Duke of Gloucester ' — ^who expired about 7 o'clock 
on Sunday evening the 30th. ... He died very quietly in 
his sleep. ... I am sta)dng at Cambridge House, which is 
very comfortable. 6th. — Yesterday, to the great surprise 
of everybody, Mr. Hudson returned. He found Sir Robert 
at Rome, and has altogether been absent 19 days, in which 
time he has gone near 3,000 miles. He expects Sir Robert 
on Sunday or Monday next. He is looking very well, 
though rather thinner, and tells us that he has not touched 
any meat or wine the whole time that he has been away, 

* William Frederick, second Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh and 
Earl of Connaught. Bom 1776. Married in z8i6 his first cousin, the 
Princess Mary, daughter of George III. 



EARLY LIFE 19 

nor has he been in bed excepting for a few hours at Rome. 1834 
lott. — Sir Robert Peel arrived yesterday morning at ^t. 15 
8 o'dock. He went to see the King in the afternoon. He 
IS looking very well and came from Rome in 11 days and 
7 nights, which is very quick — Lady Peel came the whole 
way with him, which is really a wonderful thing for a lady 
who is not very strong, nth. — ^Yesterday at the Council 
Sir Robert Peel was sworn iq First Lord of the Treasury 
and Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Duke of Wellington 
as Foreign Secretary, and Lord Lyndhmst, having resigned 
the Chief Barony, as Chancellor. Sir James Scarlett is 
mentioned as his successor in the Lord Chief Barony. No 
other places will, I suppose, be filled up, until an answer 
arrives from Lord Stanley and Sir James Graham as to 
their intention to go in the new Cabinet. 17th. — The new 
Government is formed with the exception of a few situa- 
tions which are not as yet filled up. People are very 
sanguine, though they think that there are too many 
ultra-Tories in the Government. . . . 

Bfighbmy December 31. — To-day is the last day of the 
year. Alas ! how rapidly time flies, and what a serious 
thou^t it is that that which is once gone by can never 
be recalled. Have I so spent the last year that I have had 
no reason to r^;ret the past ? The next year will bring 
about a great change m my life. I am to be confirmed, 
and after that shall begin to consider myself more of a man. 
Great may be the changes that are awaiting us, for we are 
in very extraordinary times. Goodbye old Year I 



CHAPTER II 

EARLY LIFE {continued) 
1835-1837 

SeU-ezamination — ^Birthdaj^B to be remembered — ^Preparation for Con- 
firmation — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in England — 
Love of music — Racing at Epsom — ^Princess Augusta's birthday-^ 
Confirmatioa of Princess Victoria — And of Prince George — ^Letter to 
his grandfather — Order of the Garter — ^lUness of the Duchess of Cam- 
bridge—Approaching return to Hanover — ^Duke of Wellington and 
Prince George's education — ^First public ceremony — ^Return to Han- 
over — ^Visit to Berlin — ^A grandfather's anxiety — ^Death of '^^^Uiam IV. 
— ^Letter from Mr. Wood — The Queen on her accession — ^Return to 
England — Continental tour 

1855 ^R- Wood appears to have exercised the veiy closest 

^^ supervision over his pupil's diary. After looking over the 

and the later entries for 1834, he pronounced them ' very childish 

^iar^ ^ and bad.* * In consequence of this/ writes Prince George, 

* he gave me some good advice about the manner of writing 

it, and said he was very anxious that I should continue 

to do it well, as it would be of great use to me to store up 

my thoughts upon any particular subject. . . .* In the 

maxim that confession is good for the soul Mr. Wood 

would seem to have held a firm belief, and he encouraged 

His Royal Highness to record all his faults and failings, 

so that he nught the more easily and effectually overcome 

them. 

Diary^ January 15. — ^There is no greater duty involving 
on children than to obey their.parents, and the child should 
not even think that he knew better than they. Mr. Wood 
explained to me yesterday that the reason why this bad 
habit of disobedience had increased so much of late years 



/ 



EARLY LIFE 21 

is that the children veiy often receive now a better educa- 1835 
tioa than their parents, and in consequence think that iBr. 15 
they may — ^with impunity — ^follow their own ideas rather 
than those of their parents. 20M. — ^How different amuse- 
ments are according to one's age. But a year or two ago» 
I used to dislike talking to people whom I did not know 
veiy intimately, whereas now I like to be introduced and 
to converse with strangers. . . . 21st. — . . . Chattering is 
my great defect, and from that spring most of my other 
foults. 22nd. — I hope I shall very soon conquer my old 
fault of not liking to leap. Yesterday in the riding school, 
I certainly hesitated taking the bar for a short time, but 
at length mastered myself and went over. It is indeed 
of the greatest importance to me to get over this fault, 
for nothing is so bad as to have the reputation of a coward, 
which if I do not take care, I fear I shall have. 26th. — On 
Saturday went out hunting. At first I was very nervous, 
but I am happy to say mastered myself and afterwards 
I rode very welL I hope that this old fault is conquered. 
There is now the standing by the fire which Mama speaks 
to me about in her letter. I think that in that respect too 
I am better, though I have not quite mastered it. 2gtk. — 
In the course of the day Lord Howe's little girl rode one 
of the Queen's large horses, which she had never seen 
before, and without saying anything she mounted and 
cantered about the riding school. It struck my mind 
with shame to see so little a girl ride without any fear 
a new and very taU horse, whereas I am always very nervous 
when I have to ride a new one, and genersdly ask a great 
many questions. 

At the end of January Bfr. Wood left the Court for a 
visit to Bath, and the Prince, in recording his departure, 
wrote that, though veiy sorry to lose him, he much liked 
' the idea of being my own master for a short time.' 

March 5. — ^To-day is the dear Queen's imaginary or 
State birthday, but though not her real one, yet I cannot 
help expressing a wish for her that she may live long in 



1 



22 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



1835 health and happiness and be a comfort to the dear Kmg 
Mt.is in his age. 



Observ- 
ance of 
anniver- 



Mt 16 



Both in early and in later life His Royal Highness was 
ever most scrupulous in his observance of anniversaries. 
The birthdays of his relatives and the anniversaries of 
great battles and other prominent events in the history 
of the nation and in the stoiy of his own life were all 
remembered and recorded with ptmctilious care. Among 
his earliest papers was found the following *Ust of birth- 
days that I want to remember ' : 



January loth, 1821 
January nth, 1824 
January 14th, 1793 
January 2ist9 1796 
January 27th, 1773 
February 24th, 1774 
March 2nd, 1778 
March 26th, 1819 
April 9th, 1794 
April 24th, 1790 
April 25th, 1776 
May 9th, 1814 • 
May 22nd, 1770 
May 31st, 1818 
June 14th, 1763 

Windsor, March 30 



Cousin Lilli 

George of Mecklenburg 

Unde George 

Aunt Mary of StreUtz 

Duke of Sussex 

My Father 

Duchess of Cumberland 

Myself 

Aunt Louisa 

Unde Frederick 

Aunt Mary 

Cousin Maiy of Dessau 

Aunt Elizabeth 

Cousin Louisa of Strditz 

Great Aunt of Nassau 



. — I understand from Mr. Wood that 
it is the Queen's intention to-day to examine me in the 
39 Artides and other branches of scriptural instruction 
rdative to my Confirmation. I fed rather nervous, parti- 
cularly as Lord and Lady Howe have asked to be 
present likewise, and I only hope it will go off well. sist. — 
I am happy to say that my examination went off very 
fairly yesterday, and I hope and think that the Queen and 
Lady Howe, who were present, were satisfied. Once or twice 
my attention failed for a few minutes, but I soon recovered 



1 

ii 






n 



EARLY LIFE 23 

it- The whole lasted about two hours and a half , and I must 1835 
oooiess that at the end of that time I was very tired. ^T. 16 

April 17. — . . . Yesterday morning I went with the 
Queen to attend a Confirmation in the Chapel Rojral, a 
ooemony which I had never seen performed in the En^ish 
Oiurch, but which I find both impressive and beautiful. 

Earfy m May of this year [1835] the Duchess of Cam- visit to 

bridge and her two daughters paid a visit to England, ^^^°^ 

and Prince George went down to Dover to meet them. He I>aciwa8 

® of Cam- 

found that they had * safely landed and looked remarkably 

wdL' The day after their landing they came up to town, 
and on the road stopped at Canterbury to see the cathe- 
dral. The Duke fdlowed some days later, and Prince 
George drove him down to St. James's to see the King and 
Queen, and afterwards *took him to aU my other uncles 
and aunts.' He found the Duke * looking remarkably well 
and if anything a little thiimer than he was.' 

May 18. — ^The news in town to-day is that Miss Grant 
has run away with Mr. Sheridan, brother of Mistress Norton. 
3ott. — ^I am very happy to say that I am now getting on 
much better with my music, and drawing, and also with 
my fencing, which is remarkably good practice for me, as 
I hear that I stoop a littie. . . . 

From his feither and mother Prince George inherited a 
strong liking for music, and in his early days he played 
both the piano and the organ — * an instrument I am parti- 
cularly fond of — ^with considerable skill. But in those 
days piano-playing was r^arded as an effeminate occupa- 
tion for boys, and gradually he gave it up. 

June 5. — ^Yesterday we went to Epsom, and a very 
pretty sight we had. The road was crowded with carriages 
and foot passengers. At 3 o'clock the race commenced, 
but they made several false starts. At lengtii they came 
on in capital st^e, and at a sharp pace. Trim leading, but 
presently Ibrahim took the lead, which he however soon 



24 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1835 lost, for Mundry and Ascot soon were before him, and the 

^T. 16 former won cleverly by half a neck. Ascot being second, 

and Ibrahim third. There were not quite so many people 

there yesterday as usual, but yet an immense number. . . . 

In after-life His Royal Highness generally witnessed 
each year the principal races, and entered in his diary the 
names of the winning horses, together with the betting 
and a brief description of the race. 

June 7. — It happened yesterday when speaking to Mr. 
Wood, he warned me of a fault of mine, which is that I 
am uncivil to those of whom I have heard something said 
that I did not Uke without enquiring whether I have any 
cause for believing that they had done something worthy 
of such treatment. I also sometimes when at dinner inter- 
rupt two persons conversing, and take up the conversation 
myself. Another thing is that I speak in too high a pitch 
of voice, which is very disagreeable to others. July 16. — 
I regret to say that I have still one great fault, which I 
cannot at present get the better of, and that is that desire, 
if I may so call it, of doing nothing at odd moments. 

Windsor y 2Gth, — It was a very fine day yesterday for 
my dear little sister Augusta's birthday, and all went ofi 
remarkably well. Augusta received some very beautiful 
presents in jewellery, and a deUghtful little writing desk. 
I gave her a translation of Buffon's Natural History in four 
volumes prettily bound, z^jth, — I regret to say that my 
conduct yesterday morning was such as to cause Mr. Wood 
to order me to breakfast in my own room. After he had 
had a long and very kind conversation with me relative to 
my conduct, particularly about my riding, and had said 
that Papa and Mama were so very anxious about me, I 
said, ' That is my look out I ' an expression which is any- 
thing but proper on such an occasion, ^oth. — Last night the 
King and Queen and most of the inmates of the Castle went 
Confirma- to town to be present at the Confirmation of my cousin the 
^^^ Princess Victoria,^ which is to take place at the Chapel 

Victoria 1 Afterwards Queen Victoria. 



EARLY LIFE 25 

Ro3^ to-day. With what awful thoughts must this poor X835 
Plincess go up to the Altar of her God, considering the great ^T. 16 
responsibiUty which will probably at some future period 
be attached to her. May I also go up to the very Altar of 
my Maker with thoughts which are deeply impressed with 
a sense of the awfulness of what I am doing, and may 
God prosper the good resolutions I may then adopt. 

August. I. — ^The month which begins to-day will be to 
me a very eventful one. In the first place I am to be 
confirmed to-day week, and on the 15th I am to receive 
the Garter. The former is a most solemn and awful engage- 
ment which I take in the eyes of my God to be responsible 
for my own sins : the latter is a great honour which, as I 
have not actually deserved, I must merit by my own con- 
duct. May I then for the future behave as I ought to do. 
8ih. — ^The solemn day is come and my Confirmation is to ft tn os 
take place this day. May God give me grace to enter c^S" 
upon it with proper feelings, and may He enable me to niatioa 
give all my attention to the ceremony before me, and not 
to those vain forms of this world which are as nothing, 
when compared with Eternity, gth. — ^I am deUghted to 
say that my Confirmation yesterday went off remarkably 
well, and I thank God that I am now admitted among H^ 
real disciples. May He this day give me grace to enable 
me to receive the Sacrament worthily, and may I hence- 
forth behave in such a manner as to prove that I have 
attended to and duly appreciated the good advice the 
Archbishop' gave me. lO^A. — ^Yesterday morning I re- 
ceived for the first time the most comfortable Sacrament 
of the Body and Blood of Christ. God be praised that I 
am now admitted into the number of His people, but I 
trust also that I am admitted worthily, and that I have 
made such good resolutions as to be able to abide by them. 
I think that the whole Ceremony of the Lord's Supper is 
a most solemn one, and one that ought not to be entered 
upon without preparation. 

Writing to his grandfather, the old Landgrave of Hesse, 

* Dr. Howley^ Axchbishop of Cantecbury. 



26 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1835 ^^b whom he was a great favourite, to announce his Con- 
^'^' ^" finnation, Prince George sa)^ : 

Letter to Augusl uth. — Dear Grandpapa, As through the kind- 

fat^^ " ^^^ y^^ ^^v® ^^^ shown me I am quite convinced of the 
interest you take in my wellbeing, dear Grandpapa, I hasten 
to announce to you that last Saturday I took one of the 
most important steps of my whole life, as I was then con- 
firmed. Doubtless dearest Mama had aheady informed 
you that I was about to take this step, and I only r^et 
that I had not the pleasure and satisfaction of your pre- 
sence at this sacred ceremony. I cannot tell you how happy 
I am to hear your health has so much improved, and the 
wish soon to see you and all my beloved relatives at 
Rumpenheim has long lain on my heart, yet I fear I shall 
be obUged to postpone this wish to another year. The 
happiness I have had of having my dear parents and sisters 
with me for so long has been very great, but yet that plea- 
sure will now soon be over since we shall now in another 
three weeks have to part. . . • 

At the end of this letter the Prince's mother adds a 
few lines to her father : 

Dearest Papa, — ^As George felt it to be his affectionate 
duty himself to announce to you his Confirmation, I left 
it to him as I thought it so natural he should do so. Thank 
God, it all went wdl. His examination in the presence of 
the Lord Bishops of London passed admirably, so much 
so that the Bishop was very pleased and even astonished, 
and said to others he wished that all young candidates for 
Confirmation could pass as well as George did. It has 
been a real great happiness to me, I confess. But I am 
afraid I shall not be allowed to bring him away with me ; 
the King,' alas I will not yet part with him, and it is so 
important now to give him a military education. . . . 

TheOrder o^ August 15 the Order of the Garter was conferred 
Garter upon Prince George. The ceremony took place at Windsor 
^^f^^ce Castle at half-past six in the evenmg, and was attended 

<^^°n^ 1 Dr. Blomfidd. • Wmiam IV. 



EARLY LIFE 27 

by aU the pomp and dicumstance which the occasion 1835 
demanded. To so yomig a boy the ordeal was somewhat ^'^' ^^ 
alarming. ^ I shall not be sorry when it is over/ he wrote 
on the morning of the day. However, the ceremony was 
entirely snccessfol, and His Royal Highness was able to 
write on the following day : ' I am delighted to say that 
yesterday went off remarkably well, but I mnst say I 
think it is a very good thing over. The King has been 
kind enough to give me a most beautiful set of the Order. 
Two stars, and two splendid Georges, besides what I have 
got from the Lord Chamberlain's Office.' 

The Duchess of Cambridge and her daughters, who had 
remained in England to be present at the Confirmation of 
Prince Geoige and at the ceremony of the conferring of 
the Garter, now prepared to return to Hanover. By Prince 
George the prospect of their departure was r^arded with 
heartfelt griel 'The nearer Thursday is approaching,' 
he wrote (August 25), * the more I fed the misery I shall 
have to endure at parting, and I only pray to God that it 
may not be of long duration, and that we shall soon meet 
again in health and happiness. I now b^[in to fed that 
very natural desire of entering once more the house of 
my Parents.' 

August 28. — ^Yesterday I regret to say I was obliged to Return 
take leave of my most bdoved and respected Mother, and ^^^ 
of my two darling sisters. God grant that I may soon — of Cam- 
yes very soon — see them again. This prayer is very short, Hanover 
but it is most true and fervent, and nothing would give me 
more real satisfaction than to see it accomplished. . . . 

Soon after the departure of the Duchess and her two Tour 
daughters, Prince George, with Mr. Wood for his com- Engiauad 
panion, left Windsor for an extensive tour throu^ England ^^^ 
and Wales. * I have been making a most delightful tour in 
England/ His Royal Highness writes on his return to Windsor 



30 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1836 have to-day the first of May and I fear I shall only remain 
Srt.zy one month longer in England. May God grant that my 
stay at Hanover may not be very long, but that during the 
time I am there it may be of use to me. July i. — ^Another 
month is gone over. I suppose during the course of the 
present month I shall go to Hanover. How sorry I shall 
be to leave all my dear friends here. I hope, however, 
that I shall soon come back to see them again. God 
knows how attached I am to this country and to its in- 
habitants. 

In the spring of 1836 Queen Adelaide consulted the 
Duke of Wellington as to the course which the further 
education of Prince George should follow, and the Duke 
replied in a letter which is dated April 20. 

The * I have considered,' he wrote, * Your Majesty's most 

^^^ gracious communication r^arding Prince George with the 
ton and' attention which such a subject deserves, and with all the 
^^ , interest which I fed in His Royal Highness's welfare. His 
education Royal Highness is in that position as that it may happen 
to him to be called upon to exert all the energies of his 
mind at a very early period of his life ; his future reputa- 
tion, his self-satisfaction and happiness will depend very 
mudh upon his being prepared in such a case to perform 
his duties. It is most desirable, then, that his education 
should be completed, that his mind should be enlightened 
and cultivated to the highest degree that may be possible ; 
that his opinions and character should be formed by the 
continued pursuit of his studies to the latest period that 
may be practicable. Even if it should be supposed possible 
that the son of the Duke of Cambridge, and such a prince 
as he is, might pass his life in a private station, the culti- 
vation of his understanding and the acquirement of the 
knowledge of men and their affairs by study must be an 
advantage. Under the circumstances I confess that it 
appears to me to be most desirable that the Gentleman 
who has attended His Royal Highness ior so many years 
to the satisfaction of the King and of Your Majesty 
and of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge should be 



EARLY LIFE 31 

desired still to attend him whether His Royal Highness 1836 
should remain in England or should proceed to Germany, ^^t. 17 
I understand that he has the advantage of possessing the 
confidenoe and goodwill of His Ro3ral Highness himself. 
The study of the theory of the Militaiy profession is not 
inoxnpatihle with the other studies to which I have re- 
ferred. On the contrary, such studies must facilitate and 
promote the acquirement of a kno^edge of the sdentiQc 
branches of the Military Art. It is absolutely necessary 
for Prince George to be Master not only of the theory and 
scientific branches of the Art, but likewise of the detail 
and practice of Military discipline as well in the Services 
of Germany as of England. Of course he would require 
these. But the first thing of all is to form his mind, his 
principles and his judgment, and to give him a knowledge 
of Men, their actions, their affairs, and of their influence 
upcm the events of the world. He will thus overcome every 
difficulty — ^whether theoretical, practical, or of detail ; and 
he will be equal to the performance of any duty to which 
he may be called.' 

It was decided, however, that the Prince should be 
put under the chaige of a Military Governor, and eventu- 
ally Colonel Cornwall ^ was sdected for the post. 

Diary^ Windsor ^ May 3. — ^Sir William and Lady Gomm 
are at this moment stashing in the Castie. I think th^ are 
very good people, and that I shall get on very well with 
them. The only objection to him is that he is rather too 
old a man to travel with, &c. 9M. — ^I am to lay the first Fixst 
stone of a Church to-day, which is to be built at Upton- J^jJ^^y 
cum-XIhalvey, a village near Windsor. I must say I feel 
very nervous, as I have never done an3rthing of the sort 
befcve, but I trust all wiU go off well. zid. — ^I went yester- 
day to the Christening of Lord Denbigh's littie boy, who 
is a fine child, without being pretty. There were only one 

■ Coldstream Guards. He aooQmpanied the Duke of Cambridge to 
Hanover in 1836, when His Rojral Highness entered the Hanoverian army 
as a ' Jiger * of the Guards. 



32 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1836 or two of the family present, besides those who came from 
^T.17 the Castle. . . . June 20. — On Smiday I had a long con- 
versation with Mr. Wood, in which he told me that I was 
too apt, when in society, to think of myself before others, 
and that I constantly never spoke with strangers when 
they dine with the King, but with those that I see every 
day. He instanced a case with Sir John Fellows, who had 
remarked this behaviour to Mr. Harvey. 2yth. — ^My picture 
painted by Lucas is now entirely finished, and I am happy 
to say that it meets with the approbation of everyone. . • . 
Mr. Lucas is getting on veiy well now, and has, at this 
moment, no less than sixteen orders for various pictures. 
July II. — Colonel Cornwall came down here on Saturday 
and stayed over yesterday. To judge from appearances he 
is a very nice person and suits me very well. He is younger 
than Sir William Gonun, is of excdlent family and ac- 
quainted with most people that live in the best society 
in London. I think he will also please at Hanover, which 
is a great point. 
Return to August 13. — It is SO long since I wrote last that I must 
Hanover ^^^^ ^ £g^ words to apologise to m}rself for so long an 
interruption. Since the 17th of July great changes have 
taken place in my education, for at that time I was still 
in En^and under the direction of the King and Queen, 
and having Mr. Wood as my tutor, and at this moment I 
am in Germany, under the care of my own parents, and 
having at the same time a Military Governor in the person 
of Colonel Cornwall. Though I felt this change very 
deeply, yet I am perfectly satisfied with my present condi- 
tion, and must confess that I have been received in a most 
kind and hearty manner by everybody in Germany. Such 
being the case I must add a few Unes about my present 
pursuits, and about my movements in general. I left 
England on the 21st of July, and had a very good passage 
from London to Antwerp. From thence we travelled day 
and night to Hanover by way of Aix-la-Chapelle, Dussel- 
dorf , &c. and arrived on the morning of my mother's 
birthday. I found the Duchess of Gloucester at Hanover 
and we stayed there together a week, when we started for 



EARLY LIFE 33 

this place, Rumpenheim,^ by way of Cassd and Marbuig, 1836 
stopping one day at Rothenkirchen. My relations, thank Mr. 17 
God, are all well, though my Grandfather is looking much 
<dder. We found here besides my Grandfather and Great 
Aunt, my Aunt Lotte,' Unde George ' and Cousins Louise,^ 
and Mary* of Dessau. ... I am delighted to be once 
more at dear old Rumpenheim, and I confess I feel very 
happy to see my cousins again. Louise is very handsome 
and exceedingly amiable, and I must confess that I am 
very fond of her. November 6. — ^It has been quite out of 
my power, partly from idleness, partly from my unsettled 
life, to write my diary, ever since I left Rumpenheim, 
and as this is more than two months ago, I must recapitu- 
late the chief part of my movements from that time down 
to the present day, the 6th of November. We left Rumpen- 
heim on the 22nd of August in company with my Aunt 
Lotte, and my two cousins. Our travelling party con- 
sisted — induding servants— of about 32 people, who occu- 
pied eight carriages. The first night we slept at Fulda, 
the seamd at Cassd, the third at Pyrmont, and on the 
4th we reached Hanover. Here we stayed till Sunday the 
28th, when we took leave of my Aunt,^ who start^ for 
G>penhagen, and we went on the same day to Celle^ for 
the races. We hved at the Ch&teau, which had been newly 
fitted up and was very pretty. . . . We returned to Mon- 
brillant ' on the 7th of September, and stayed there quietly 
for about ten days, after which we went to Rothenkirchen. 



* Rmnpeohdm-CQ-the-Main, near Frankfort, was a favonrite palace 
oi the Heaae ^unily. The Landgrave Frederick bequeathed it jointly to 
fais duldien, at the same time expressing a wish that his children and 
grandchildren should assemble there every second year. The inatmction 
was laithfally observed, and the Dnke's diary contains freqnent mention 
of these family meetings. 

' A Danish princess, wife of the Landgrave William of Hesse, brother 
to the Dnchess of Cambridge. 

* Prince George of Hesse, brother to the Duchess of Cambridge. 

* Dan^ter of the Landgrave William of Hesse, afterwards Qaeen of 



• Daughter of the Landgrave William of Hesse. * ' Lotte.' 

* Queen Caroline Matilda lived and died in the Chiteau of Celle. 
''The summer residence of the Electors of Hanover, 

VOL. I. D 



34 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1837 February i. — ^From various circumstances I have been 

£t. 17 prevented from writing my diary for several months, but I 
have now come to the determination to b^in it again 
r^ularly from to-day, and if I possibly can to continue it 
as long as I live. Various events have occurred since I 
last wrote, both agreeable and disagreeable, which I have 
not the time to rdate, but there is one that gave me great 
pain, though in some respects it is a great blessing, and 
that is the death of poor dear Page^ who died at Kew 
the 19th of last month of the Influenza very calmly and 
without pain. In her we have all lost a most valuable 
friend. I have now entirely got accustomed to be at 
Hanover, and feel very comfortably settled here, ytd, — 
life in My daiys here in Hanover are spent on the whole very 
^^^^^^^ quietly. In the morning from 7J^ till i p.m. occupied with 
my studies. Then I generally ride in the School till 3, 
and then I have another lesson till dinner-time. We dine 
&t 4.30, and in the evening I either go to the play, the 
concert or some party. Three times a week I have a music 
lesson in the evening. Wednesdays and Saturda3rs I have 
more time for mjrself . 
Visit to March 4. — ... On Wednesday morning at 6 o'clock 

^^^ I had the great pleasure and satisfaction of starting with 
my father for Berlin, where I am at this moment, iith. — 
I returned to Hanover last night from Berlin, and as I 
have some time for myself, I shall employ it in continuing 
my account of what I did at Berlin. . . . Monday morning 
visited the Academy for the instruction of young archi- 
tects . . . saw the famous sculptor Ranch, who showed 
us his new busts and statues, and then went to see the 
new house of the younger Prince William, which is really 
magnificent. It is very simply furnished, but the whole 
has been done in most excellent taste and looks noble. 
There are no less than three baU-rooms, and he can give 
a sitting supper to 550 persons, which is very considerable. 
The drawing-rooms are furnished in the En^h style, and 
are all alike, being of red silk. We dined that day at the 

' An old and devoted servant of the Duchess of Cambridge, in whose 
family she had been nnzse. 



EARLY LIFE 35 

Russian ambassador's, Monsieur de Ribopierre, and then, 1837 
after having been at the play, went to a ball at Minister ^T. 17 
voa Natzmer. On Tuesday 7th went in the morning to 
the * Kunstkammer/ which is a collection of the most 
valuable antiquities of eveiy sort and kind, containing, for 
instance, the complete dress of Frederick the Great of 
Prussia, the identical hat of Napoleon, &c. There are 
really some both beautiful and curious things, and there 
are so many that you would require several days to look 
them all over minutely. We then saw the Ars^ial, which 
has been put up with great d^ance. The whole building 
is lofty and handsome. However, the arms it contains are 
very dumsy, and there are not as many there as at the 
Tower. We then dined at Baron Miindihausen, the Han* 
overian Minister, who gave us a most excdlent dinner, and 
then in the evening were present at a party given by His 
Majesty, where we first had a German and French play, a 
short ballet, a supper and then a ball. It was an ex* 
oeedingly pretty /Ae^ and was something quite new to me. 
We there all appeared in plain dothes, the only place 
during the whole time we were at BerUn, with exception 
of the mornings, when we alwajrs went about in frocks. . . . 
On Wednesday the 8th dined with the Crown Prince at 
3 o'dock, afterwards went to the ballet, and finished by 
going to a concert and supper given by the Duchess of 
Cumberland. I took leave of everybody that evening. 
My father started the same night for Mecklenburg, and I 
went off the next morning at 10 o'dock after having seen 
my Aunt Mary.^ We drove all night, and reached Han- 
over yesterday, in time for dinner, delighted with our trip 
to Berlin. 

i2ih. — Nothing has happened here worthy of notice, I 
shall therefore spend a few moments in giving an account 
of some of the persons I saw at Berlin. To b^n thus with 
the King : I think he seems to me to be a very nice old 
man, who impresses me with a certain degree of awe. He 

> Giand Dachess of Meddenborg-Strelitz, sister to the Dachess of 
Cambridge, and mother-in-law of the Grand Dachess Dowager Augusta 
of Mecklenburg-StieUts. 

D 2 



36 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1837 is still very gay and seems fond of amusing himself. Prin- 
Mt. 17 cess Liegnitz,^ his wife, is a charming person of about 40. 
She is, however, still pretty, and is the more agreeable 
because she is not the least forward or pushing. The 
Crown Prince * is a very amiising jolly person, and his wife 
extremely amiable, Prince William' a very kind and 
sensible man, and his wife ^ veiy handsome and agreeable. 
I must own she is the person that pleased me most, and I 
am happy to say we parted very good friends. Princess 
Charles,* the sister of the latter, is also handsome. 22nd. — 
I had not time the last few days to write, but will endea- 
vour to-night to finish what I wrote about last. Prince 
Albert^ I did not see much of, but the Princess,^ a sister 
of the Prince of Orange, though not handsome, is a very 
clever and superior person. . . . Prince * and Princess 
WiUiam,* the king's brother, are charming persons, and 
their two sons, Addbert and Waldemar*" two extremely 
nice young men. . . . The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg- 
Strelitz,^^ my imde, is a man rather advanced in years. 
He is passionately fond of music and indeed of all the fine 
arts. My Aunt Mary was all kindness and good nature, as 
was also my imde. Prince George of Hesse. ^' My cousin 
Louisa ^ is a very dever and pleasing girl, though I caimot 
call her pretty. My cousin Frederick ^^ is an excdlent 
hearted manly boy of about my age and hdght. Unfor- 

' Formerly Countess Harrach, morgaiiatic wife of Frederick WiUiam III., 
King of Prussia. 

* Afterwards Frederick ^^^Uiam IV. of Prussia. 

* William, afterwards King of Prussia and German Emperor. 

* Formerly Princess Augusta of Saxe-Weimar. 

* Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar. 

* Youngest brother of Frederick William IV. 

* Princess Marianne, a Dutch princess. 

* Prince William (the elder), brother of Frederick William III. 
' Formerly Princess of Hesse-Homburg. 

'* Prince Waldemar was on the Staff in India of Lord Hardinge. 

" George, father-in-law to the Grand Duchess Dowager Augusta of 
Mecklenburg-Strelitz. 

" Brother to the Duchess of Cambridge. 

" Princess Louise of Mecklenburg. 

*< Grand Duke Frederick of MecUenbnrg-Strelits, husband of Pruu 
Augusta. 



EARLY LIFE 37 

tunatdy he is very short-sighted. The Grand Duke Charles 1837 
of Mecklenburg ^ is a very clever statesman, a good of&cer, ^x. 17 
and a polished man in every respect. The Duke and 
Duchess of Cumberland, George ' and Charles ' Solms I 
know so well, that I need not mention them particularly. 
The only person that still remains to be noticed is a Prince 
of Wurtemberg,^ a young man in the Prussian Service, 
who, I must confess, I liked exceedingly. 

{From the Landgrave 0/ Hesse to Prince George) 

Your attention in writing to me on the 6th after entering 
on the New Year gave me much pleasure, a proof of your 
good heart ; the recollection of your years of childhood at 
Rumpenheim, where you were merry and contented, made 
me veiy happy. Now you are a grown-up youth, but, 
thank God, no ' dandy.* Keep your good childlike heart, 
which will bring you the love and blessing of your worthy 
parents so long as you remain in your present good senti- 
ments. . . . According to the newspapers, you are much 
occupied with himting, with your father at Biickeburg ; at 
Dessau you are expected, thus a complete hunter! But 
in fox-hunting I beg you most earnestly to use the greatest 
caution, to remembei> that ditches and fences are much 
deeper and wider than in England, and arms and legs in 
greater danger, and if you are even saved from that, damp 
and chill give colds and rheumatism that last for Ufe long. 
What do you gain by it ? A very very aged Grandfather 
of much experience, knowing what these things lead to, 
out of his heartfelt love for his Grandson, begs you to place 
this letter in your album, and to read it before every hunting 
expedition. Then at least my conscience will be free from 
an responsibiUty. I see by the papers that you and your 
sisters (to whom, pray, say all that is affectionate from 
me) have received beautiful Christmas presents, on which 
I congratulate you. Wishing that in 50 years it may still 

' The Gxand Duke George's brother, who fonned the Pmssiaii Gaards. 

' Prince George of Hanover. 

' Step-brother of Prince George of Hanover. 

* Prince Augustus. 



38 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



Military 
enthu- 
siasm 



i8 



1837 give you the same pleasure to remember your truly loving 
^T. 17 old Grandfather, 

Friedrich. 

Prince George began his military career at a very early 
age, for when he was only nine he was given the patent 
of colonel en second of the Guard Jager Regiment of the 
Hanoverian army. Upon his return to Hanover His Royal 
Highness took up active duties with his regiment, and 
served in the first instance as a private soldier, and after- 
wards as an officer. From the first he took the greatest 
pride in his work. * On May 9th of this year,' he writes, 
*I mounted my first Guard at the Palace at Hanover. 
Lieutenant Baring was on Guard with me. I must confess 
it was one of the happiest days of my Ufe, for I, for the 
first time, felt as if I was really a soldier.* Anxious that 
his mother and sisters might see his capacity as an officer, 
the Prince was in the habit of putting his men through 
their drill in the Avenue leading to Herrenhausen, near 
Monbrillant, which was now the summer residence of the 
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 

In June of this year [1837] occurred the death of King 
William. Mr. Wood, then chaplain to Queen Adelaide, 
wrote several letters during the King's last illness preparing 
Prince George for the approaching end, and as soon as the 
King was dead he addressed the following letter to His 
Royal Highness : 

Windsor Castie, June 27. 

My dearest Prince, — God's will be done! Our dear 
lamented King expired this morning at 12 minutes after 2 — 
calm, resigned, happy and without a struggle. The transi- 
tion from life to death was so easy as to be almost im- 
perceptible to those who stood by and solaced His Majesty's 
last moments. He had been gradually sinking during the 
whole day. Towards night the near approach of death, of 
which he himself was quite conscious, became more evident. 
He remained, however, sitting in his dressing-room till 



Death of 

WiUiam 

IV 



Letter 
from Mr. 
Wood 



EARLY LIFE 39 

one o'dock, when he was moved into his sitting-room, 1837 
where, in consequence of his extreme weakness, a small ^T. 18 
bed had been prepared for him. On this the dear King 
was laid, the Queen, as she had done for hours before, con- 
tinuing on her knees by his side, gently rubbing his hands 
and striving thus to restore the rapidly departing warmth. 
Under these circumstances, with his hand within those of 
the Queen, our beloved King calmly breathed his last, the 
Archbishop,' who had been summoned a few minutes pre- 
viously, pronouncing a prayer as his spirit returned unto 
God who gave it. Our lamented Sovereign's dearest friends 
could not have desired a happier, easier death. May the 
Almighty grant that it may be blessed to him and to 
ourselves. 

Hie poor Queen remained some time on her knees in 
prayer by the bedside. She then went to her room, and 
slept for some hours. She got up, however, soon after 
8 to receive Lord Con3mgham, who with the Archbishop 
had been to announce the sad event to the Princess Victoria. 
You will, with ourselves, be rejoiced to hear that Lord 
Conjmgham was much pleased with the propriety of the 
Princess's manner, which was marked by deep feelings 
dignity, and self-possession. The news had not been ex- 
pected (though Prince Hohenlohe had gone out yesterday 
with the account of the poor King's hopeless state) at 
Kensington. After some time the Queen Victoria came 
down — before 6 o'clock — ^in a dressing gown and slippers 
and received the Archbishop and Lord Con}mgham, alone. 
The former made a beautiful address to the Princess, and 
described the King's illness and death, after which Lord 
Con}mgham returned here with a very kind and feeling 
message to our poor Queen, placing everjrthing in the Castle 
at her disposal and making many affectionate inquiries 
after her. 

Of our dear Queen's conduct throughout the trials 
which she has undergone, few persons can speak with com- 
posure. Dr. Chambers, a perfect stranger, can mention 
neither the name of the King nor the Queen without tears. 

' Dr. Howley, Archbiahop of Canterbury. 



40 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1837 It would fill many a sheet of paper if I were to detail all 
iET. 18 the beautiful traits of the King's meekness and resignation, 
and truly religious feeling during his illness. These I must 
reserve for another opportunity, when I can write (if I 
do not speak) with more composure. He received the Sacra- 
ment from the Archbishop Sunday morning, who also, by 
the King's desire, frequently read prayers to him in the 
course of the afternoon and yesterday. In the course of 
the service for the visitation of the sick, when the Arch- 
bishop gave the poor King his blessing, the Queen (for the 
first time in the King's room) could no longer control her 
feeUngs, when the King gently said, * Bear up, bear up,' 
and, as the Archbishop left the room called out, * May God 
bless you, excellent, worthy man ! ' 

In a word, my dear Prince, I verily beUeve there never 
was a scene so productive of genuine consolation in the 
midst of the deepest sorrow, and I shall greatly err if the 
effect be not very great throughout the country. Greater 
and more real interest and love have never been mani- 
fested on behalf of any King. 

On the immediate effect of this great loss of one who 
was with so much sincerity a father and benefactor and 
friend to you, my dear Prince, for so many years, as regards 
yojor plans or those of the Duke, it would be almost pre- 
sumption in me to speculate. But I should be much to 
blame, if I did not inform you of the opinion which Sir 
Herbert Taylor ^ has just expressed, that you ought to lose 
no time in hastening to this country, to be present when 
the last sad offices are performed to our departed King. 
It is probable that your own affectionate heart has antici- 
pated this suggestion of public duty, and that the Duke 
and Duchess, even if necessity should detain his Royal 
Highness in Hanover, will have already proposed to you 
to come over. You will, I am sure, appreciate my motives 
in saying this much and acquainting you with the general 
expectation which all here entertain. . . . Though he was 
less certain about the Duke, yet Sir Herbert fdt no doubt 
as to your determination^ Tlie funeral will probably take 

' Private Secretary to King George IV. and King William IV. 



EARLY LIFE 41 

place in about 17 da3rs from the present time, perhaps 16. 1837 
An interval of 19 days elapsed at the death of George 4thy ^t. 18 
but now everything will be done to shorten the poor Queen's 
distressing sojourn here. Her Majesty, of course, remains till 
after the ceremony. 

The Queen's exertions have been incredible. We yet 
tremble for the e£Eects, but I am thankful to be able to say 
that Dr. Chambers foimd her Majesty this morning better 
than he could have expected. And now I must conclude. 
May the Lord bless you and protect you! My humble 
duty and respectful condolence pray express for me to 
their Royal Highnesses, and believe me, my dear Prince, 
through every changing scene of life, 

Your devoted friend, 

John Ryle Wood. 

{From Queen Victoria, on her accession, to her uncle, the 

Duke of Cambridge) 

Kensingtoa P^dace, July 4, 1837. 

My dear Uncle, — I received your kind letter a few 
da3^ ago, and beg you to accept my best thanks for it. 
I fully appreciate all your kind feelings towards me, and 
trust that Providence will protect and guide me, in the 
difficult, but proud, task I have to perform, of governing 
this great Empire. Though I am well aware that I never 
can replace my lamented Unde, I trust you will alwa}^ 
find me an affectionate niece to an Unde who has always 
been so kind to me. I rejoice to see you soon, as also, 
I hope, my Aunt and dear Cousins. Pray, dear Unde, 
give them my best love, and beUeve me alwa)^ 

Your affectionate Niece, 

Victoria R. 

When the news reached Hanover it was immediatdy 
dedded that Prince George should go over to England for 
the funeral, and His Royal Highness was not slow in 
acquainting Mr. Wood with his purpose. A second letter 
was then dispatched by Mr. Wood from Windsor Castle in 
the following terms : 



42 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1837 My dear Prince, — How much pleasure have I derived 

^T. 18 from the contents of your letter informing me of your 
intended arrival in En^^land to-morrow 1 Nothing but the 
duty of reading prayers to our poor widowed Queen in her 
private room prevents me from meeting you on your 
landing. Her Majesty is quite cheered at the prospect of 
seeing you. She had desired me to write to you with her 
best love to express her hope that when you had seen all 
your uncles and aunts in town and at Kensington you 
would then come on to Windsor, but just as I left Her 
Majesty's room, I met Sir Herbert Taylor, who had just 
received a letter from the Duke, and he expressed sudi a 
decided opinion that you ought to come direct and without 
delay to this place, not only out of a sense of duty to the 
Queen, but to the remains of our lamented King, that I 
cannot hesitate, with Her Majesty's consent, to urge you 
to act on Sir Herbert's advice. Allow me, therefore, to 
suggest that you should pay short visits to the Princess 
Augusta and the Duchess of Gloucester, and then make 
the best of your way hither, where everj^hing is ready for 
your reception. On your arrival here it will be proper 
for you to communicate thro' Lord Conyngham, who is 
in the Castle, with the Queen at Kensington. Lord Conyng- 
ham has written to his office to signify your intention of 
attending the dear King's funeral. It will be easy for you 
to go up to Town, for any purpose that may be requisite, 
sudi as mourning, etc. ... I look anxiously and im- 
patiently for your appearance early to-morrow afternoon. 
If you have any means of preparing us as to the time we 
may expect you, pray do so. 

Adieu, my dearest Prince, till we meet. 

Your sincere friend, 

John Ryle Wood. 

The Prince himself tells the story of his movements in 
his diary: 

Return to jf^y xo, — ^A messenger has arrived who has announced 

°^ to us that aU is over and that our beloved King is no 

more. • . . Upon hearing this it was immediately settled 



EARLY LIFE 43 

that I was to go to England for the funeral. At 12 o*c. 1837 
on June 28th I started with Colonel Cornwall for En^and, £t. 18 
where I now am. We travelled day and night, got to 
Rotterdam on Friday, and embarked the next morning 
at 9 o'clock. We fomid the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, the 
Queen Dowager's brother, on the steam boat. After an 
excellent passage of 24 hours, we landed at the Custom 
House. After landing, the Duke and m}^self started off 
for Windsor, where we found the Queen Dowager looking 
much better than we anticipated. ... On Wednesday at 
half-^past two I went by appointment to Queen Victoria, 
who received me most graciously. 



How much the death of King William meant to the 
family of the Duke of Cambridge is made dear from the 
following entiy : 

Jviy 12. — ^The death of our poor dear King, besides the 
sorrow we all feel for his personal loss, is in another way 
a most severe blow to us all, particularly to my own family, 
for by his death and the accession of Queen Victoria, the 
kingdom of Hanover is separated from the Crown of Great 
Britain,^ and my father is therefore removed from the 
Government of that cotrntry, where he has lived for these 
24 years, and where we have all been bom. . . . Alas! 
our connection with it is now suddenly broken off : for though 
we are still, and by God's blessing ever shall remain Princes 
of Hanover, yet we shall live for the most part in this 
country. My Unde the Duke of Cumberland has now 
become king of that country, and my cousin Princess 
Victoria is Queen of England. I am thus nearly aUied in 
Uood to two great and happy families that are governing 
two happy and prosperous nations. 

Later in the month Prince George and Odond Cornwall Conttnea- 

tal toor 

left Eni^and for a joumq^ on the Continent. Arriving at 
Rotterdam without any definite plans. His Royal Highness 
found a letter from his mother axmoundng her intention 

' The Salic Law confined the succession to the male fine. 



44 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1837 of making a short tour to Diissddorf, Bonn, Wiesbaden, 
I&T. 18 an^j so on to Rumpenheim. The Prince at once determined 
to join her, and they met at Diisseldorf . * We were charmed 
to meet again, though our separation had only lasted three 
weeks.' At Cleves, where the journey was broken on the 
way to Diisseldorf, they found the town * bustle and con- 
fusion, the inhabitants being busily employed in their 
favourite amusement of shooting at the target, an amuse- 
ment common at this time of the year throughout the 
whole of Germany.' G)mmenting on the appearance of 
some Hussars quartered at Diisseldorf, whom he saw at 
exerdse. His Royal Highness writes : * I must say, that 
though not equal to the Hanoverians, yet I was very much 
pleased with their appearance and their manner of moving. 
The horses were not as good as I have been accustomed 
to see, but yet they were not bad, though on the whole 
rather small. It is really wonderful to think that men can 
ride so well who only serve for three years.' From Diissel- 
dorf they went on to G>logne and Bonn, * where we put 
up at the Hotel called the Star.* At Bonn they went with 
Professor Schlegd ^ to see the university. * Schlegd, who 
has once been so famous and is still very dever, is really 
very eccentric, if not a little mad. We were very much 
amused at his appearance, manners, and conversation.' 
After seeing the sights in the ndghbourhood of Bonn they 
continued their journey to G)blentz, visited Ehrenbreit- 
stein, and afterwards proceeded up the Rhine in the steam- 
boat, in which the company *was not on the whole very 
sdect, though there were one or two with whom I made 
acquaintance who were nice people.' From Bingen, where 
they landed (the landing was attended with considerable 
dday ^ owing to our having to disembark six heavy car- 
riages '), they drove to Wiesbaden, where they found the 

* August WiUidm von Schlegel» German poet, translator, and critic ; 
was made a professor at Bonn University in 18 18. He died in 1845. 



EARLY LIFE 45 

Duke of Cambridge ' lookmg well and in excellent spirits. 1837 
In fact, I think his spirits are a little too good, for he is ^'^' ^° 
rather exdted.' Thence the journey was continued to 
Rumpenheim, where there was a large family gathering. 
'Of course our first arrival was most melancholy, for we 
looked for the person who was always the chief object of 
our visit, my poor departed Grandfather.^ Alas I he is no 
more, though in fact we may consider this as a blessing, 
for at his time of life existence is burthensome.' 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family 
left Hanover for England, the Duke on June 27 and the 
Duchess on July 16. Here they settled, in the first instance, 
at Cambridge House, Piccadilly, and later at Cambridge 
Cottage, Kew. 

^ The Landgrave Frederick. 



CHAPTER III 

GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 
1838-1839 

The year reviewed — St. Leonard's— The Duke of Cambridge aa mnaidan 
— ^The Canadian insazrectioo — ^Nineteenth birthday — ^Vtait to St. 
Paul's School — ^Anniversary of Waterloo — Coronation of Queen Vio- 
toria — ^Removal to Kew — Departure for Gibraltar — Meeting with the 
King and Queen of Spain — ^Arrival at Gibraltar-^^Glitary duties — 
Letters from the Duke of Cambridge— Illness — A disappointment — 
Twentieth birthday — ^Departure from Gibraltar — ^Malta — ^Trips and 
inspections — OfE to Corfu — ^News from home— -Country festivities — 
Pleasant excursions — Off again — Nicopcdis — Excavations — ^Visit to 
Delphi — Corinth — ^Athens — ^The political situation at home— The 
Acropolis visited — Letter from the Duke of Cambridge 

X838 After an interval of some months, occupied in the re- 
^^ . moval from Hanover to England and in the task of settling 
England down in new surroundings, Prince George resumed his 
diary on the first day of 1838 with the customary review 
of the year which had just closed. * 1837 ^^ been for us 
a most eventful year, and on the whole I must say very 
unpropitious, though it is wicked to complain. My poor 
Grandfather ^ is dead, the dear King * is no more, besides a 
variety of friends. Our position in the world is entirdy 
changed. My father has been obliged to quit Hanover and 
is now settled in England like the rest of the Royal family.* 

Diary, January 3. — Yesterday morning at 9J we started 
from London, and reached this place [St. Leonard's] 
without any accident at 5. The dear Queen ' is looking 

1 The Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel died on liay 20, 1837. 

' King William IV. passed away one month later, on Jone 20, 1837. 

' The Qneen Dowager (Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen). 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 47 

remaikaMy weD, and seems to be in very good spirits, all 1838 
things considered. • . • gtk. — ^Yesterday morning at 9, we ^i'- ^8 
started from St. Leonard's for London, and had a most 
rapid joomesr of 7 honrs. On our arrival, we fonnd a 
ktter from Dessan telling ns that my cousin Mary^ had 
been confined on the 29th of a daughter. Both the Mama 
and baby were going on weD, thank God, and I believe 
the only regret felt is that it is not a son. However, it is 
too late to think of that now, and I hope that perhaps at 
some other period a little gentleman may be forthcoming. 
2yd. — ^Yesterday we left London at about i o'clock, and 
arrived here at Stratfidd Saye at 5. We are on a visit of 
two days to the Duke of Wellington, and have a very nice 
party. Besides my Father and Mother, Knesebeck and 
mjTself, there is the Duke of Wdlington and Lord Douro, 
Lord and Lady Salisbury, Lord and Lady Jersey, Lord and 
Lad^ and Miss Fitzroy Somerset, and G>unt Pozzo di 
Borgo. Fdfruary 14. — To-day I have been to the Queen's * 
first Levee. It was well attended, and went ofE well. The 
Queen did not say a great deal to people, but yet she 
seemed quite d son aise. March a. — ... I went to see 
Queen Adelaide and my Aunt Augusta,' both of whom are 
at Marlborough House, which is very nice indeed and un* 
commonly well fitted up. There is a slight smell of paint 
still in the house, but it is very trifling. My Aunt Augusta 
is to go into the old Queen's house at St. James's as soon 
as possible. 4tt. — ^This evening my Either played with 
three musicians quartets. I had not heard him for a long 
time, and must confess that though he reads notes well, 
yet from want of practice, his execution is very imperfect 
and we heard unfortunately many false notes. 22nd. — Trwge 
This morning I saw the Brigade of Guards who are under ^j^uda, 
orders for Canada ^ inspected in the Park by Lord Hill. 

' Prinoess Ifary d Anhalt, lonnerly Princess Mary of Hesse, and 
nieoe to the Docheas of Cambridge. 
' Qaeen Victoria. 

* Princess Angnsta Sophia, danghter of George IIL 

* Shortly after the Queen's accession intelligence was brought to 
Kn^and of aerioos dtstnxbances in Canada. The nascent insorrection 
was qoicUy s oppr eased, but so grave was the condition of the coontry 



48 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1838 The 2nd Battalion of the Grenadiers and the 2nd of the 
£t. 18 Coldstream, form this brigade mider the Command of Sir 
James Macdonell.^ Of the 1,600 men out, there were 
hardly any imder 5 feet g inches, and so remarkably even, 
that it was quite beautiful to see them. They appeared 
to be in very high order, and executed the few manceuvres 
they had to do with the greatest precision. The inspec- 
Mt 19 tion lasted not quite two hours. . . . 26ih. — ^To-day is my 
birthday, and I am now entering upon my 20th year. An 
occasion like the present always gives rise to reflection, 
and one thinks of the past, and is also inclined to make 
plans for the future. Such is my case to-day. God grant 
that my past life has been pleasing in His sight, and that 
my future may be so too. I am now arrived at that period 
of life, when a man more or less beoomes his own master. 
Young and inexperienced, one is likely to fall into faults 
and errors, which would be better avoided. May God 
forgive me if I do so, and may He assist me to avoid them 
as much as possible. God grant that my career may be 
good and happy, and that I may be of use to my f ellow- 
CTeatures. Make me a good son, a kind brother, and a 
sincere friend. ... I had some most acceptable and nice 
presents. My father gave me £40, my mother £20, and 
the Queen Dowager £40, my sister Augusta a very elegant 
riding whip, little Mary some flowers, Aunt Augusta a 
Qock, Aunts Mary ' and Sophia ' the whole set of the Duke 
of Wellington's and Lord Wellesle}r's despatches, the Duke 
of Sussex a gold chain, Colonel Cornwall a very nice edition 
of Moli^e, Mr. Wood a remarkably good portrait of him- 
self. Lady Jersey some studs, the Queen Victoria (I beg 
her pardon for not having mentioned her before) a most 
beautiful and complete silver dressing-case, the Duchess of 
Kent some splendid prints, &c. 

that the Government saspended the constitntion of Lower Canada for 
three 3rBar8, and dispatched Lord Dnrham to Canada with plenary powera 
lor dealing with the disturbances. 

' llajor-General Sir Jamee Macdonell, K.C.B., K.CH., was a general 
OD the Sta£F in North America under General Sir John Colbome, in 1838. 

' Daughter of George III., and*afterwards Duchess of Gloucester. 

' Daughter of George III. 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 49 

May 10. — We are just come back (4 o'c) from a most 1838 
magnificent Ball at Buckingham Palace. The rooms looked Mt. 19 
remarkably well, the people were uncommonly well dressed, 
and veiy smart, botibi Ladies and Gentlemen, but more 
particularly the former, of which there were a great many 
pretty ones. The only drawback was that the thing was 
kept up too late, for almost everybody was gone before 
the Queen retired. I opened the Ball with Her Majesty, 
and I thou^t she danced really very nicely, and seemed 
to be very much amused. j6th. — ^This morning I accom- 
panied my father to the dty to St. Paul's School, where 
the boys had their annual speeches, which were really very 
good. The Head Master, Dr. Sleath, I have known some 
time. He is a very good and respectable old man, and I 
rpgret to say he is just on the point of leaving the place 
he now fills. There was a large number of bishops and 
other persons present, and at the conclusion of the speeches 
my &ther asked for an extra week's hoUda}rs, which was 
willingly granted, and seemed to give the young gentlemen 
great satisfaction, xyth. — ^To-day was appointed for the 
young Queen's birthday, and accordingly in the morning 
there was first a parade of the flank Companies of the 
Foot Guards, which looked most beautiful, particularly 
those of the third or Soots Fusihers. Then afterwards I 
went to the Drawing Room, a very large one, 2,200 people 
being there, among whom, however, there was a considerable 
cdlection of ugly ones. 2x5/. — To-day I only went to the 
Cambrian ball, which is annually given for a Welsh Charity 
school. It is called a fancy dress ball, and I must confess 
there were a great many most extraordinary and, at the 
same tiioe, vulgar lookiiig people present, who had on the 
very oddest costimies I ever saw. 2&A. — I am now quite 
a gay young man, and leading a r^;ular London Ufe, in a 
quiet sort of way nevertheless. Really, pleasure sometimes 
becomes quite a business, and in that respect is not very 
agreeable. . . . 

June 4. — ^This day, being appointed for the Eton Montem, 
I thou^t that for the honour and glory of Eton (being half 
an Etonian myself) it would be right to go down to give 

VOL. I; £ 



50 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1838 one's ^salt money/ and so I started in company with 
£t. 19 Colonel Cornwall soon after 9, driving to Cranford Bridge 
and riding the rest of the way to Salthill. It was a most 
beautiful day, and there was an enormous quantity of 
people present. The Queen was also there, and was re- 
markably well received by the spectators. The boys 
seemed in excellent spirits, and some were most beauti- 
fully dressed in fancy costumes. The thing itself is nothing 
at all, and it is more the whole sight which is interesting. 
18th. — ^To-day is the anniversary of the ever memorable 
battle of Waterloo. What a glorious victory that was to 
be sure and how that one event has inunortalized the name 
of Wellington. I only hope and trust that that great 
man may long live to be a blessing to his country. Of 
course I left my name upon him, and went to see his table 
laid out, which is certainly very handsome. He gave his 
great annual dinner to the officers who served on that 
glorious day. 
Corona- 2&A. — To-day was a very busy day for aU of us, and 

tion of Q^ fi^Q same time a most important one for the Country at 
Victoria large. Queen Victoria was crowned Queen of England. 
God grant that her reign may be happy to herself, and 
glorious to the nation, and that she may not forget the great 
duties she has to perform towards her people by maintaining 
the Constitution of this great coimtry both with r^^ard to 
Church and State. At a very early hour of the morning 
people began to assemble along the streets through which 
the procession was to pass, and the carriages rolled to 
the Abbey. At seven, the troops and the police made 
their appearance. The 20th Regiment extended from 
Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park Comer, the two batta- 
lions of Rifles from thence to the top of St. James's Street ; 
the Marines aU the length of St. James's Street : then a 
detachment of the Coldstreams occupied a part of Pall 
Mall: the two battalions of the Third the rest of Pall 
Mall, Charing Cross and Parliament Street as far as the 
Admiralty, the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, the Royal 
Company of City Artillery and the first battalion Grenadier 
Guards the rest of the space to Abbey. The three regi- 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 51 

ments of Household Cavalry, the 4th and 6th Raiments 1838 
of Dragoon Guards, the loth Hussars and the 12th Lancers £t. 19 
were interspersed along the whole line. The Artillery were 
stationed in St. James's Park. My sister, Miss Kerr, 
G>loneI Cornwall and m}^self started from hence at a little 
before nine, when we drove down to St. James's Palace, 
^ere we joined my Aunt Augusta, Prince Ernest,^ Lady 
Mary Pelham' and Sir Benjamin Stephenson,' and then 
we all went together down to the Abbey. The effect on 
entering was magnificent. The Cathedral was already 
quite fuU and looked most imposing. On the right of the 
Throne were the Peers, on the left the Peeresses, and in 
front the House of Commons. To the back of the Throne 
was the Orchestra, and all the rest of the places were filled 
by the public. We were dose to the Altar, and opposite 
to us were the Bishops. Just above us was the Queen's 
private box, and above the Bishops were the boxes for the 
foreign Ambassadors and Ministers. In our box, which 
was exceedingly small, besides our party, the three Duchesses 
and their respective attendants, were the Duke of Nemours, 
the Duke of Coburg, the Duke of Nassau (who had just 
arrived). Prince Christian of Glucksburg,^ the Princess of 
Hohenlohe, daughter of the Duchess of Kent, and the 
Prince of Leiningen. The Queen arrived a little before 12, 
and the Ceremony was conducted in the usual manner and 
without any remarkable occurrence. The Archbishop of 
Canterbury performed the Service, assisted by the Sub- 
Dean. The Bishop of London preached a most beautiful 
and ^propriate sermon. The Queen, I think, looked less 
wen than usual, but on the whole was very graceful and 
dignified. . . . The ceremony lasted till near four. Before 
it was quite over, the party with which I went started off 
for Cambridge House, where we arrived without the least 
difficulty. We here had time to take our luncheon com- 
fortably, and indeed had to wait 2 hours before the pro- 
cession came past. It was exceedingly beautiful and indeed 

* Of Hesse-PhmppsthaL 

*, ' In waiting on Pxinoesi Angnsta Sophia. 

* Afterwards King ol Denmark (1863-1906). 

B2 



52 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1838 I think one of the finest parts of the spectacle. All the 
Mr. 19 foreign Ambassadors, the various members of the Royal 
family, the Queen's attendants, and at last the Queen 
hersdf, had a most imposing effect. Some of the foreigners 
had most beautiful equipages, and of the Royal carriages 
I think my father's were the handsomest. My parents did 
not return till after six. . . . After dinner I walked all 
over London to see the illuminations, which were quite 
beautiful. At 11 there were some splendid fireworks in 
the Green Park and also in Hyde Park. We, of course, 
saw the former. Soon after 12, I went to a great full dress 
ball, given by the Duke of Wellington, and did not get to 
bed till near 3 o'clock. 
Removal September 5. — ^The only great event that has taken place 
to Kcw since I last wrote is that we have all come down to Kew 
and settled here. The houses we occupy are very bad, 
but the place itself is very cheerful, and the distance to 
London being very short, that too is pleasant. . . . yth. — 
. . . To-day is the birthday of Louisa of Hesse ^ : God 
grant her eveiy happiness and many happy returns of the 
day. We have always been very great Mends, and I am 
exceedingly fond of her, so that I naturally take a double 
interest in everj^thing that concerns her, dear little soull 
They are at this moment at Strditz, where my Aunt Lotte 
and Unde William are also to go. I believe that Louisa 
will go back with her parents to G>penhagen and I hope 
that next year we may all meet safdy and happily at 
Rumpenheim, the idea of which is, even at this moment, 
a great pleasure to me. ... I am at this moment learning 
to drive four-in-hand of a morning before breakfast, and 
get on tolerably wdl. 

The young Prince had entered the British Army as a 
colond by brevet in November 1837, ^^^r his return to 
England from Hanover, and from the first he had dis- 
played that consdentious devotion to duty which charac- 
terised the whole of his public life. But it was fdt that the 

^ Afterwards Queen of Denmark, and mother of Her Majesty Qneen 
Alexandra. 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 53 

range of his experience could not too soon be extended, 1838 
and accordingly arrangements were made for him to serve ^'^^ ^9 
for a period on the Staff at Gibraltar. The prospect of 
parting from his iannSiy left him with a heavy heart. 

Diary^ September 21. — ^To-day was the painful day of Depar- 
separation. However, to break it as much as possible, I ^^aitar 
started this evening and spent the morning quite as usual. 
I drove the four-in-hand first, and then after breakfast 
drove out again with my mother. After luncheon I rode 
out and took a long ride, riding little Hector, a charming 
little horse. Before dinner I packed up my little trifles 
and then we dined as usual. At 11.30, everjrthing being 
ready, I took leave of my dear Parents and Sisters. It 
was a most painful moment, such a one as I shall never 
forget as long as I live, and I must confess I never suff^ed 
so much. The only hope is that in less than a year I shall 
have the great good pleasure of seeing them all again. 
God bless them all I 

The journey to Falmouth, whence he was to sail, was 
uneventful. Stops were made on the 22nd at Salisbury 
and Exeter, * where we had some tea and mutton chops,' 
and the port was reached at half-past one on the 23rd. 
*The town is not pretty but dean, and the women are 
handsome.' At nine on the following day the port captain 
sent his boat to take them to the steam-vessel, and 
they were soon off. ^I felt low and very uncomfortable 
and laid down in my cabru, where I remained the whole 
day, without taking anything. There was a good swdl 
when we were off the Lizard Point, so much so that even 
Cdond Cornwall was ill.' The vessel arrived off Vigo on 
the 26th. * Here the Madrid mail is landed, and so the 
Lieutenant of the Navy in charge of it lands and delivers 
it over to the Vice-Consul. He offered to take me with 
him on shore, which I was too g^ad to do, and so I went 
with him and Colonel Cornwall to the Vice-Consul's house. 



54 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1838 . . . After staying there for half an hour we returned to the 
-^T. 19 ship, and were off again before i o'clock.* Of the passage 
up the Tagus he writes : * The effect produced upon one in 
going up this noble river is truly grand. I should think 
it must be one of the finest streams in Europe. , . . We 
passed the English Squadron, which is now alwa3rs lying 
there, and which at this moment only consists of the DonegaU, 
a 74, the Russell 74, besides the Tribune and the Scylla^ 
two i8-gun brigs all under the Command of Sir John 
Ommaney. Upon our arrival we sent a note to the Done- 
gall to request that a boat might be sent for us, so that we 
might be allowed to land without having to go to the 
Custom House, which boat was accordingly sent and took 
us ashore inunediately.' His Royal Highness lodged at 
the house of Mr. Smith, our Consul at Lisbon, who was then 
away in England. 

Diary, 2glh. — ^At 12 went in tmiform to the Palace of 
the * Neoessidades,' where I was introduced to both the 
King and Queen, as Lord Culloden. Unfortunately, how- 
ever, they sent a carriage for me in state, and so on, so 
that my incognito was entirely at an end. . . . The Queen 
is near her confinement. She hardly spoke one word. He 
has grown taller than he was, and is good looking, but un- 
fortunately he has his hair so long that he looks almost 
more like a woman than a man. He spoke a good deal with 
me and was exceedingly good natured and kind, and I think 
glad to see me again. I stayed there about haU an hour. 

His Royal Highness dined at the Palace that evening 
in plain clothes at seven — *a private dinner, servants 
well dressed and dinner beautifully served.* The next few 
days were occupied with visits to Cintra, Mafra, Torres 
Vedras, and Caldas, where they stayed at a small inn, 
'very uncomfortable, and the animals of every descrip- 
tion, such as bugs, fleas, flies, &c. were so bad, that I 
did not undress at all, but lay down in my dothes.' At 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 55 

Bataiha * we took up our quarters for the night at an old 1838 
gentleman's house, who had been a recruiting commissary, ^i*- ^9 
and was a thorough Miguelite. He was a very fine old 
fellow and quite of the old school.' The return journey 
to Lisbon was broken for the night at Rio Maior, and 
from Villa Nova His Royal Highness was rowed to Lisbon 
in a Royal barge by twenty-four men, * who did nothing but 
talk and make a noise.' After going to Court, *not in 
uniform, in order to thank their Majesties for all their 
kindness to me,' Prince George embarked in the steamer 
Ti^us, and reached Gibraltar on October 9. * At about Anivai at 
7 A.M. Colond Bridgeman, military secretary to the General, ^ ^^ 
came ofiE in a boat to ask at what hour I should wish to 
land, and we then settled to do so at 8 o'c. The General 
wished that I should come on shore in uniform, and so I 
put on my r^;imentals, and at eight a boat came off for 
me with Mr. Morret, the Governor's Aide-de-camp. When 
we landed there was a Guard of Honour of the 33rd R^- 
ment to receive me and several of the principal officers of 
the Garriscm. The Governor's carriage was waiting for 
me, and I got in with Colonel Cornwall and drove to the 
Convent, where I was very kindly received by Sir Alexander 
and Lady Woodford. I breakfasted with them, and then 
the General took me to my quarters. At 11 I went with 
him to what is called the ** neutral ground," where the 
troops were drawn up in line, consisting of 5 Companies of 
Artillery, one of Sappers and Miners, and six Regiments 
of the Line, viz. the 33rd, 46th, 48th, 52nd, 8ist and 
82nd. ... I dined in the evening at the Convent, where 
there was a large dinner, and I was introduced to several 
people, which is not the most amusing thing in the world.* 

Diary ^ Z2ih. — ^This morning, I went for the first time to 
the barracks of the 33rd to be drilled. I am to be attached 
for the present to that Raiment and learn my duty with 
them. They are a very nice Corps, and were the Duke of 



56 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1838 WeUington's old Regiment in the East Indies, i^h. — 
-^T. 19 This morning we began by a DriU on the Ahneda, of all the 
Regiments in the Garrison. Sir Alexander moved them 
about himself and did it unconunonly well, for the groimd 
is very small and yet he contrived to do a great deal with 
5 battalions. 

The rest of the month and November were spent in the 
usual daily drills and shooting and hunting expeditions. 

November 27. — ^To-day is the birthday of my dear little 
sister Mary. God bless the little darling. I am sure I 
wish her every blessing and happiness this world can offer. 
She is four years old to-day. I can hardly believe it, for 
it appears to me but yesterday that she was bom ; dear 
little Pussy, Heaven preserve the angel. 

How anxious the father was that his son should make 
the most of his opportimities may be seen in the following 
letters written from England to Prince George : 

Letters October 24, 1838. — My dearest George, we were all 

from the delighted the day before yesterday at the receipt of your 
cTm-^ letter from Gibraltar, which contained the welcome infor- 
bridge mation that you had not suffered at all on your passage 
from Lisbon and that this time you really had enjoyed 
your voyage by sea. I was also very glad to hear that 
you were pleased with the house that General Woodford 
had got ready for you, and that you fdt sensible of the 
attention he and Lady Woodford have shown you on your 
arrival. Sir Alexander writes me word that he is delighted 
at the manner in which you had received the officers of the 
garrison when they were presented to you, and that every 
one was pleased with you. This I mention to you, my 
dearest George, in the hope that this Moll encourage you 
to go on as you have begun. You are now beginning 
your miUtary career, and I do not doubt that with proper 
application you will soon learn yotu: duty under so ex- 
perienced an officer as Sir Alexander Woodford. By your 
being placed on his Staff, you have the great advantage 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 57 

of being employed in any way which he thinks is best for 1838 
you, and which would not be the case if you were attached ^x. 19 
exdusivdy to one Regiment. During the time you are 
learning the Regimental duties, you will of necessity be 
conomanded by officers who are of an inferior rank to the 
one you hold in the Army, and of course you will be bound 
to obey them. As soon, however, as you have got over 
these details, which will not detain you long if you apply 
yourself properly, the General will, I am sure, be happy 
to employ you, in a manner suitable to your rank in the 
Army. I feel very anxious to hear from you yourself how 
you are going on, and I wish that you would inform me from 
time to time of the progress you are making in learning 
the details of the Service. To-day we are going to Windsor 
to remain till Friday. . . . You will see by the Papers 
that Lord Durham has resigned. This of course wiU be a 
great annoyance to the Government, who, it is said, ap- 
pointed him to this high situation in Canada to keep him 
away. I hear that Sir J. Colbome has promised to remain, 
which is undoubtedly a most fortunate thing. The Duke 
of Lucca, whom I think you saw last year at Berlin, is 
arrived and dined with us on Sunday last, and amused us 
much by his conversation. 

December 15. — Sir Alexander says that you have got 
through the company drill veiy much to tiie satisfaction 
of Colonel Knight, and that you are to act as Major. . . . 

Writing some da3rs later (December 22) of a party 
which he had attended at a Whig house, the Duke remarks 
that politics were not mentioned, and adds : ' While I 
am upon the subject I wish to draw your attention to the 
necessity of avoiding this topic unless you are sure of the 
company you are in. ... In my opinion no soldier or 
sailor should have anything to do with politics. His duty 
is to obey the orders he receives from his superiors, be they 
Tories or be they Whigs. In sa}ang this I do not, of course, 
mean that a man shaU not have his own political opinion, 
but that he should keep it to himself as long as he is not 



58 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1838 obliged to give it, which can hardly ever be the case in a 
-^T. 19 garrison. . . . ' 

February 16, 1839. — It is now time for me to speak 
to you about your future plans and what would be best 
for you to do on your leaving Gibraltar. You are now of 
an age to be able to judge for yourself, at least to be able 
to say if you think that what is proposed will really be of 
use to you. The first consideration is, when it wiU be 
advisable for you to leave Gibraltar. My wish is, and I 
am sure your own good sense wiU tell you, that it would 
be a pity for you to give up the lessons you have with 
Major Han till you have got through the course of studies 
he has proposed. Tou will have felt the disadvantage you 
have laboured under from having been obhged to give up 
your studies under Captain Miiller, though I have heard 
with great satisfaction, my dear George, that you still 
remembered a good deal of what he had taught you. And 
therefore I am assured that you will find the advantage, 
and even I may add the necessity, of your not quitting 
Gibraltar till you fed that you have ended what you have 
begim. This I leave to you, to talk over with Cornwall 
and Sir Alexander Woodford, who will give you the best 
advice. On your leaving Gibraltar, I wish you to see 
ever}rthing that is most interesting in the Mediterranean, 
after you have been at Malta, — I mean Sicily, our posses- 
sions, or rather the Ionian Islands, parts of Greece, Con- 
stantinople. After that you would travel through Switzer- 
land, and then I trust we shall be able to fix the spot 
where we shall meet you and where you will come to us. 
I have written on this subject to Sir Alexander Woodford 
and to Cornwall, so that they are quite au/ait of my wishes. 
My sole object is that this journey should be of use to 
you and that you may derive, my dearest George, every 
benefit from it, which — ^if you profit by it — ^you will feel 
every day more and more the advantage of, the older you 
grow. After having said this I will add that your dear 
Mama fully agrees with me in eveiything I have written. . . . 

The labours of Prince George's military duties at 



DERICK. bUKE OF ClMSnitMlE, K 
IFrom a Porfniil frr Sir »'. Brr.:hrx. R.A.. in Ihc ^oswsiiui 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 59 

Gibraltar were lightened from time to time by short ex- 1839 
cnisions to places of interest within easy reach of the ^T. 19 
* Rock/ and in the course of these little trips His Royal 
Highness saw Ceuta, Tetuan, Tangier, Seville, Cadiz, 
and Granada. With so many preoccupations it is not 
surprising that the diary was somewhat neglected. ^ I had 
got so far behindhand the other day,' he writes on Jan- 
uary I, 1839, * ^^^^ i^ ^^ impossible for me to get in 
order again, and so I determined upon skipping over a part 
of last month, in which very little occurred in order to get 
right again. ... I have now been away from home more 
than a quarter of a year I I hope that as for myself I shall 
improve during the present year in every respect and be 
the source of comfort to my father and mother and indeed 
to all my friends. The present season is one certainly 
particularly adapted for thought and for forming good 
resolutions. . . .' 

In the early spring the Prince had a sharp attack of 
measles, which laid him up for ten da}^, and was respon- 
sible for his subsequent baldness, for he lost his hair during 
the progress of the malady, and never afterwards recovered 
it. As the time approached for him to leave Gibraltar, 
an incident occurred which caused him some little dis- 
appointment. The story is told in the diary : 

March 18. — . . . The officers of this Garrison had Adi»- 
kindly intended as a mark of their esteem towards me to 2f^t"*" 
present me with a sword before my departure, and had given 
directions for its being made. A letter has just arrived 
from the Horse Guards requesting that this intention may 
be given up, as being contrary to a general order given 
out on the subject of presenting officers with public marks 
of esteem or favour by means of presents in 1810. Thus 
I am unfortunately deprived of this valuable gift. The 
compliment and kind intention of the Officers towards 
me remains the same, and I feel it deeply, but at the same 



6o THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 time I must confess that I should have been glad of having 
^T. 19 the sword itself, which in after days would have reminded 
me in a most pleasing manner of my stay at Gibraltar, 
and of the good opinion of those with whom I have the 
honour of being associated. However the thing is now 
gone by, and nothing more will, I trust, be said about it. 
Lord FitzRoy Somerset's letter on the subject to the 
General is in every respect most flattering to me. 

Of this incident the Duke, his father, writes : 

The arrival of Lord FitzRoy Somerset's letter to Sir 
Alexander Woodford will have explained to you the reason 
why it was thought here better that you should not accept 
the sword which the officers of the garrison wished to 
present to you. It was the Duke of Wellington who first 
spoke to me on the subject, and he said that he thought 
it better that you should not accept it. My answer to 
him was, that the moment it was possible an unpleasant 
remark might be made upon those who had had the kind 
intention of proving their regard, I should be the first 
person to advise you to dedine it. As, however, I had not 
heard if you were aware of the intention of the officers, 
I thought it better not to write to you by the last mail. 
That you, my dearest George, fed much gratified by the 
spontaneous attention of the officers, is very natural, and 
it is most satisfactory to your dear Mama as well as to 
mysdf, to see that you have made yoursdf so popular 
among your brother officers, who certainly would not have 
thought of offering you this mark of their regard and 
affection if they had not liked you. I can equally fed 
that the being obliged to decline accepting this sword must 
be a great disappointment to you, but you have the satis- 
faction of knowing the kind intention of the officers towards 
you, whidi after aU is worth more than all the presents 
in the world. I shall be very anxious to hear when it is 
you leave Gibraltar and whether you expect the Queen ^ 
there, or are to pay her a visit at Malta. . . . 

' Qneen Adelaide. 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 6i 

Other letters there are at this period from the Duke 1839 
to his son : ^'^' ^9 

March 23. — ^Yesterday Gussy* was examined' for the 
last time, by the Bishop of London ; he has been four times 
with her, and so well satisfied with her answers, that he 
only came yesterday at her request. To-day at 12 o*cl : 
she is to be confirmed, by the Archbishop at the Chapel 
Royal, and the Queen means to be present. I am happy 
to say that she is fully aware of the importance of the 
step she is taking, and. I trust, with God's mercy, she will 
never foi^get it. Your Aunts Mary and Sophia were pre- 
sent yesterday, and the former will attend also at the 
Chapd Royal to-day. Unfortunately the latter, owing to 
her blindness, cannot be there. She is, in health, very 
tolerably well, but I grieve to say her eye is not improved. 
. . . The Duke of Sussex returned to town ... in very 
good health. He has very wisely given up all PubUc 
Dinners, and, provided that he will stick to this, I have 
no doubt he will preserve his health. / have been a good 
deal engaged of late in presiding at Public Dinners, of 
which I have had two this last week, and I have eight stiU 
after Easter. They certainly are not agreeable, but I 
have had the satisfaction to receive the thanks of several 
of the Conunittees of the different Charities at whose 
Anniversary Dinners I had presided, for the exertions I 
had made on their behalf and which had been most useful 
to them in their results. This is of course the best reward 
I can receive, and as, thank God, my health does not suffer 
from these Dinners, I certainly do not regret the task I 
have undertaken. 

April 27. — Captain Horton, who arrived by the Braganza, £t ao 
dined with us yesterday ; of course he was much questioned 
about you, and I was delighted to hear, my dearest George, 
that you had made yourself very popular not only among 
the ofScers of the garrison, but also among all dasses at 
Gibraltar. This you owe entirely to your own good con- 
duct, and you may rest assured that in going on as you 

' Mnoe George's sister. ' For Confirmation. 



62 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 have hitherto done, you are giving the greatest satisfaction to 
^T. 20 your dear Mama and to myself, who have no greater object 
at heart than to see you loved and respected in the world. 

May 9. — ^I fed great pleasure in assuring you, my 
dearest George, that nothing can be more satisfactory than 
the accounts I have received of you ever since you went 
to Gibraltar, and I am convinced that you must fed happy 
at the good name you have left there. Only continue as 
you have begun and depend upon it that you will make 
yoursdf friends wherever you go, and that the older you 
grow the more you wiU fed the advantage of your gaining 
the affection and respect of all those with whom you become 
acquainted. 

Dtary, March 26. — ^To-day is my birthday, and I am 
20 years of age. However jojrful a birthday may be, it 
also brings many serious reflections to one's mind and 
reminds one of one's duties, and the many faults of which 
one has been guilty. May God pardon me for these, and 
grant that in future I may improve in every respect by 
His blessing, and become a good man, doing my duly 
towards God, my family and friends and the world in 
general. How time does fly I To me it appears almost 
incredible that I should have already arrived at 20 : such, 
however, is the case. ... At 12 all the officers in command 
of regiments and heads of departments came to offer their 
congratulations, which I took as a great mark of attention 
and favour. 31^. — ^To-day I went to Church and took 
the Sacrament. This I had never done without some other 
member of my family being present, which of course I 
fdt. God grant that I may have taken the Holy Sacra- 
ment worthily, though I know and fed that I am a poor 
sinner, and very frequently do that which I ought not to 
do. Still I rdy upon the favour of a merdful Creator, 
who will forgive the sins of His poor repentant crea- 
tures. . . . April 10. — On Saturday (6th), I was fidd officer 
of the day, for the first time. 20th. — I was to-day Colond 
of the day, an office which is sddom or ever filled in this 
garrison. As such, however, I had charge of both districts 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 63 

with two field officers under me and commanded the parade. 1839 
... I did not go the grand rounds during the night. -^t. 20 

Prince George's service on the Staff at Gibraltar dosed Depar- 
on April 25. Up to this time the diary has been written Gibraltar 
entirely in English. From this point, however, it is written 
in German, and continues so till June 6. The reason for 
the change is given by His Royal Highness : 

April 25. — I shall in future write this journal in German 
so that, should I go this summer to Rumpenheim, I may be 
able to read to my relations there the description of my 
joume}^. ... I breakfasted at 7 in the Convent and 
went on board at 8. All officers and civil officials accom- 
panied me to the ship, and I confess honestly I said fare- 
well to many with a heavy heart, for I had lived so long 
amongst them that I felt quite as belonging to them and 
very unwillingly parted from them, they had all been so 
friendly towards me. . . . After we had taken leave of 
the excellent Woodfords, to whom I can never be thankful 
enough for all their goodness to me, we sailed, accompanied 
by the salute of the fortress and of H.M. Ship Wasp. Our 
Boat, the Actaan^ commanded by Lieutenant Kennedy, an 
excellent, worthy old man, is the best on this station and 
really a very good and fine ship. We had about 10 Pas- 
sengers, all quiet pleasant people. 30/A. — ^This morning at 
2 o'd : we reached Malta after a quick passage of not quite 
five days. At break of day the cannons of the town and 
the different ships fired. I, however, was not up to see 
it. . . . The view on the town and on the beautiful harbour 
with the superb warships made an extraordinary impres- 
sion on me. At 9 o'd : I landed and was recdved on 
the shore by Sir Henry Bouverie and a guard of honour. 
I live in the Palace, an enormous and very fine building, 
and have very pretty, large rooms, — ^the same the Queen* 
occupied. Sir Henry is a refined, amiable man, who pleases 
me very much. The admiral, Sir Robert Stopford, an 
excellent old gentleman, visited me, and then came all the 

' Adelaide. 



64 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 ships' captains and staff officers. . . . The fortifications are 
lE/i. 20 enormously strong, and the houses all large and built of 
stone. One can well see in what luxury the old Knights 
lived I We visited St. John's Church, which is very beautiful 
and where all the Knights of Malta lie buried. Their tomb- 
stones are of the finest marble and their arms are sculp- 
tured upon them in various kinds of marble. The Armoury 
contains some quite remarkable pieces. At 7 we dined at 
home, a big dinner, after which I went to the Opera. 

May 3. — ^This morning I was busy till ij, and then 
went with the Admiral on board the Princess Charlotte, 
his own ship, a three-decker of no guns conmianded by 
Captain Fanshawe, then on board the Vanguard, Sir Thomas 
FeUowes, a ship of 74 guns. Both ships in the most splendid 
order, and I must own I have never seen anything more 
beautiful. On the first one we saw how the guns are 
worked, and I have never seen such precision. The Van- 
guard is a quite new ship built by Sir Wilham Symons, 
and is said to sail much faster than any other; there is 
also more room in her. Then we went to inspection of 
the dockyard, which is not very big, yet much work goes 
on in it. . . . 4/A. — ^This morning after breakfast I rode 
out in uniform with the General who inspected the 47th. 
It all went off well and the men seemed very quietly to go 
through all the manoeuvres. . . . We afterwards went to 
the barracks, which are very handsome and in beautiful 
order. ... At 7 dined with the Officers of the 47th at 
their Mess. S^h. — ^This morning after breakfast to Church, 
which is in the house, it is very small, and I cannot say 
very pretty, therefore it is a very good thing a new one is 
about to be built. . . . &h. — Not very well to-day, but it 
is nothing of consequence. There was to have been this 
morning an inspection of the 59th, but the weather was so 
dreadfully stormy it was put off ; it was very unpleasant 
all day. . . . We dined at the Mess of the 59th, which is 
very good and we were very merry. It was over early 
and I went at once to bed. yth. — ^This morning after 
breakfast the 59th was inspected. It is a remarkably fine 
Corps and I might almost say it is the finest Line Regi- 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 65 

ment that I have yet seen, the men are all very smart in 1839 
their dress and fine strong fellows. Afterwards the bar- ^x. 20 
racks were visited, and we then came back, had luncheon, 
and then rode pretty far into the coimtry, to a height 
whence we had a beautiful view over the surrounding 
country. From here one goes to St. Paul's Bay, where it 
is said the Apostle landed after he had been wrecked in 
the storm. . . . S^h. — ^To-day again an Inspection, of the 
77th, also a fine Corps. Altogether it seems to me that 
the Garrison is extraordinarily good. Afterwards we 
visited the kitchens and barracks, and then home. After 
luncheon I played Rackets, an excellent ball game. At 7 
dined at the Mess of the 77th, a fine Mess room and good 
Mess. Afterwards to a big Ball that the Garrison gave 
me, which was very pretty. It was a fine Room, but 
I cannot say that I saw many pretty faces i At i o'd : 
to bed. 9^A. — ^At 11 o'd: this morning I went over the 
Ship Asia of 74 guns, also very fine but not so degant as 
the two others. . . . We dined at home and among other 
guests had the Tripolitans who are here, on their way on 
a Mission to Paris and London. Two of them are hand- 
some men, but the atrocious dress is greatly against their 
appearance. . . . lO^A. — ^After breakfast to-day we went 
to the other side of the harbour to see the 92nd Highlanders 
who are quartered there. I had not before seen a Scottish 
Raiment and cannot express how agreeable an impression 
the beautiful garb made on me. I have never seen any- 
thing so beautiful, and they manoeuvred admirably. We 
then visited their barracks and the Colond, Macdonald, 
gave us a small luncheon ; we only got back at 2 o'd : 
In the evening dined at the Mess of the 92nd. 11th. — ^This 
morning at 10}, I rode with Cornwall, Lockhart, and Best 
to Citta Vecchia, 6 miles from here, and the former capital 
of the island. It lies wdl, but is a very desolate town. 
A fine Cathedral in which is a picture said to have been 
painted by St. Luke. We afterwards went into a grotto 
said to have been inhabited by St. Paul when he lived on 
the Island — but this I should think is very doubtful. It 
18 a small and dark hole. We then went to the Catacombs^ 

VOL. I. r 



66 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 in which the early Christians were buried. 12th. — . . • 
iEx. 20 We have now determined to go next Thursday by steamer 
to Corfu, as the Admiral has no Ship to offer me. 13th. — 
This morning we saw the Maltese Regiment, which looked 
and also manoeuvred very well. I must say I was quite 
astonished at it, because the Regiment is so very detached 
that they can but very seldom exercise. We afterwards 
visited their barracks and kitchen, which are in the best 
order. . . . 14/A. — ^This morning after breakfast I went 
with Cornwall to the Colonel of the Engineers, there to see 
the plans of the fortress. Malta is an extraordinarily 
strong place and the fortifications are superb, only too 
extensive, so that it costs too much money to keep them 
up in proper order. . . . 15/A. — ^This morning I was several 
hours on the quay, to see the three War Ships from Corfu 
enter the harbour. It was a beautiful sight to see these 
three fine Ships arrive one after the other and gave one 
extraordinary pleasure. Two of them, the Rodney and the 
Bellerophon, had to anchor at the mouth of the harbour, 
but the Talavera sailed up the harbour. . . . 16th. — ^This 
morning at 12 the steamer from Gibraltar arrived, and 
brought me many letters and very good news from home. 
We also saw the Frigate Castor run in very prettily. After 
luncheon I occupied myself reading my letters and then 
packed my small effHs. At 6 o'd : I went, accompanied 
by Sir Henry Bouverie, on board the steamer Hermes, to 
sail in her to Corfu, and after I had taken leave of the 
Governor and thanked him for all his goodness to me, 
we sailed away under a salute from the fortress and the 
fleet, which was charming. . . . 
Corfu 20ih. — ^When I went on deck this morning I was extra- 

ordinarily surprised by the great beauty of the prospect, 
for although I had heard very much of Corfu, yet I had not 
anticipated so much of it ! The Sea here looks Uke a 
beautiful lake, it is so surrounded with land on every side. 
On one side is the Island, on the other the coast of Albania 
with enormously high mountains. At 9 o'd: I landed 
and was received by the High Commissioner with the 
Military and the Senate, as also by the Civil Officials. 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 67 

I went at once to the Castle which lies quite near the Walls 1839 ' 
and here all these gentlemen were presented to me. After- ^T. 20 
wards I breakfasted and then went to my room till 
luncheon, after which I rode with Sir Howard^ and 
Lady Douglas and was quite enchanted with the lovely 
country. The Island is very hilly and extraordinarily 
green, as it is everywhere covered with Vines and Olive 
trees and the green of these plants is soothing to the eyes 
after the endless rocks we have been seeing latterly. The 
roads for driving and riding are capital and are stDl being 
improved day by day. The villages all lie charmingly. 
The language of the people is Greek, and so is their dress, 
but the upper classes almost all speak Italian. We only 
came back in time for dinner and had a big one and after 
it a Soifie. I live in the Castle with Sir Howard Douglas 
and have quite charming rooms. 21s/. — This morning I 
remained at home till after luncheon, having very much to 
do. I also read the newspapers, in which I found a great 
deal of news. The most important is in a Venetian one, 
but it is so clearly put that it would seem to be true. This 
is that there they have par EstafeUe received the news that 
the English Government have resigned. Nothing further 
was known. God knows what will now happen and who 
can form a new Government ! In the Galignani it is stated 
that the Russian Cesarevitch has arrived in England, of 
which I am very ^ad, and also Prince Henry of Orange. 
The Belgian affair is at an end, as all the Powers, even also 
Belgium, have signed. Eight new Peers have been created 
in England, but I, however, do not personally know any of 
them. The Speaker of the Commons ' has resigned. Dis- 
turbances are expected in the country, thro' Chartists who 
are gradually getting excited. All this is very interesting. 
. . . 24/A. — ^To-day is the Queen's birthday, may Heaven 
pour upon her all that is good on earth, and may she make 
the beautiful and great country she governs happy! We 

> Lieat.-General Sir Howard Doaglas. Bart., K.C.B.. G.C.M.G, High 
Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief in the Ionian Islands from 1835 
till 1840. 

' James Abercromby, created Baron Dmifermhne. 

92 



68 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 had an extraordinarily fatiguing day. At 11 o'd: first 
^T. 20 a large Levee, which was very numerously attended. All 
the presidents of villages, called Primates, come on this 
occasion to the town, then also the Greek Bishop, a very 
handsome old man, and all the clergy, who look very 
peculiar and remarkable, with long hair. Also the Students 
and Professors, as all the Military and Civil Officials, made 
their bow. At 12 Salutes were fired from the Ships and 
Citadel, and we had a great Parade, at which the Rifles, 
three Companies of the 5th Regt., which are quartered at 
Vido and employed on the Works there, the 53rd and 
2nd battalion of the 60th Rifles, were present. First a 
ftu dejoie was fired, and then followed a very pretty little 
manoeuvre. The troops looked most uncommonly well and 
I must say they are all fine Regiments. Now aU was over 
and I quickly closed my letters as the steamer was to sail 
at 5. At 4 I rode with Sir Howard to his so-called coimtiy 
house, a pretty place, which, however, he never inhabits, 
and also to the so-called One Gun Battety, an old French 
Work. Immediately under it lies a little island called 
Ulj^ses Island, because it is said that Ulysses was there 
shipwrecked with his vessel. Also quite near it are the 
ruins of an old heathen Temple, but of what period is quite 
uncertain. At 7 I dined with the Officers* corps of £he 
60th — there are some charming people among them. At 
10 a great Ball at home, in honour of the day, and it lasted 
till 3 in the morning. The Primates also were present and 
danced their National Dance, which is not exactly very 
gay, but of a very peculiar character. At 12 there was a 
great Supper, at which many healths were drunk, and 
mine also was very kindly greeted. It was all veiy well 
and handsomely done. 26/A. — ^This morning I only went 

at II to church — ^which is not particularly pretty. 

preached, but I cannot say it was very good. He, how- 
ever, is widely reputed as a very worthy man. Church 
was over at i, and I paid visits to the President of the 
Senate, and to Sir George Berkeley.^ I was astounded to 
see that the former, who holds sudi a high and important 

> BCajor-Oeneral Sir G. H. F. Berkeley, K.C.B. 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 69 

Post here, is so Ol lodged ! At 2 we rode to a little village 1839 
about 6 English miles from here, to see there a Festa, or ^t. 20 
holy /He. There were a very large nmnber of people 
there, all in their best dothes. The women have a very 
peculiar old-&shioned costume, which is very handsome, 
their dresses are mostly of velvet or silk and have a golden 
trimming on them, on their shoes they have great buckles, 
and are all hung over with rings, and covered with all 
kinds of jewellery. A little chapel stands quite dose to 
the assembling place and all the people first went in pro- 
cession to kiss the holy pictures in it. Afterwards they 
danced, in fact it is quite like a Jahrmarkt} The dance is 
very peculiar — ^a few men dance forward, and then the 
women follow in a great drde, each one holding the pocket 
handkerchief of her ndghbour ; a violin plays to it, and I 
must confess it all seemed to me very monotonous. I saw 
a good many pretty, I may say handsome, faces. We 
only got back at 6. After (Unner Prayers were read, and 
so ended the evening. 27th. — ^To-day we had a most 
delightful expedition to the Albanian Coast. Our company 
consisted of Sir Howard Douglas and his son Captain 
Douglas, Colond EUice of the Rifles, Major Markham of 
the Jagers, Major Phillips of the 53rd, Sir George Berkdey. 
and his A.D.C., Captain Rumley, Mr. Ramsey, Conmiissary- 
General, Captain Codrington, Mr. Forbes, Sir Howard's 
A.D.C., Colond Cornwall, and my small sdf. We went 
off from here in the morning at 9, some in a boat and the 
rest in Sir Howard's yacht, Codrington had gone over the 
previous evening in the Talbot It was a divine day, and 
not too hot. In two hours we reached the opposite coast 
and there went up a little stream which connects a little 
lake with the Sea. A little way up this stream is an old 
Fort, where are some Turkish troops who look quite wretched. 
We stopped here, and conversed with them. We also had 
to sit down and smoke a pipe with them and drink coffee. 
It was a fuimy scene and amused me exceedingly. The 
whole time we might not touch any one or we should have 
had to be in quarantine, also we had two 'guardians' 

> A fair. 



70 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 with us, a sort of Quarantine police. Among these people 
Mt. 20 we saw two English deserters in Turkish garb, both miser- 
able objects! One of them belonged to the 60th Rifles 
and is quite a young fellow, he spoke with us and seemed 
very much to wish to return to us, as he fares very badly 
where he is. The other one was in the 5th. After over 
half an hour we went on to the lake, which is quite divine ! 
The lake itself is very large and is endrded by the most 
beautiful hills, which are covered with low scrub ; the shoot- 
ing in this district is said to be excellent. We sailed round 
about here a short hour and then returned down the river ; 
on the way we stopped again at the Fort. After we had 
seen the inside of the house, which was wretdied, we went 
on, and went on board the Talbot, where we found an excel- 
lent luncheon and soon devoured it I After which we 
sailed back in the Talbot and were home at 6}, dressed 
directly and dined with the Artillery and Engineers' Ofl&cers. 
zgfh. — To-day also we were much occupied and made 
another trip to the Albanian G>ast. First, after breakfast, 
we went on board the Talbot, to see the Ship fire at a target. 
I own I was quite astonished how admirably they fired! 
. . . To-morrow we are off to Athens and to the other 
Ionian Islands. 30^^. — All this morning I watched a 
match at Rackets between the Officers of the Man-of-War 
Talbot and the Garrison, which was wonderfully good, 
but the Garrison was beaten. In the evening a small 
dinner, and at 10 I embarked in an Ionian steamer, com- 
manded by Captain Galvazo, a very entertaining Italian, 
and at once sidled, after thanking excellent Sir Howard 
very much. 

315^. — ^At waking this morning we found oursdves 
quietly at anchor, by the Island of Santa Maura, and as 
soon as I had dressed and breakfasted, the interim Resi- 
dent, Captain Fitzgerald of the ist batt. of the 60th, came 
on board to see me and to visit with me the ruins of the 
andent town of Nicopolis, which lies on the Turkish part 
of the Continent and which was built by Augustus after 
the battle of Actium as a monument of his victory over 
Mark Anthony. Accompanied by a Lieutenant Butler and 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 71 

Dr. Morris of the 60th and by the Director of Police, we 1839 
went off again about 6 miles, and as oiu" old Captain was -^T. 20 
afraid on any account of going nearer in shore, we had to 
row in a boat some miles, to land at the town of Prevesa ; 
in this cruise I was very seasick. Here we took a guide, 
and a * guardian ' we had brought with us, as we were not 
allowed to touch anyone without going in Quarantine. 
After an enormous walk of 7 miles we reached Nicopolis, 
the ruins of which are very plainly to be seen, the best 
of them are the walls of the town, two still very perfect, 
the Theatre, a very large one, and Roman baths. It must 
have been a very large town, and the site is beautifully 
chosen. We then resumed oiu: tour homewards, and at 
4 o'd : reached the house of the Consul. Here was the 
Turkish Governor, who made me his bow, and immediately 
after we retmned to our boat, and under a Salute rowed 
back to our Steamer. We reached her at last with much 
trouble, as the wind was very strong against us. The 
gentlemen dined, but I and another waited till we were 
quietly back in the harbour of Santa Maura. Colonel 
Cornwall went ashore to see a Cydopic WaU. I landed 
at 7, under a Salute, and examined the Fort, in which 
are quartered 100 Infantry and 24 Artillery and which is 
very strong. I then went in a boat up a Canal which 
joins the town to the Fort, on each side is a dam, and the 
whole is very remarkable. The town is not large and 
extremdy ugly, the houses are all of wood and very low, 
on accoimt of the frequent earthquakes. At 8^ we re- 
turned on board and after I had thanked all the gentle- 
men for their civilities we at once sailed away. 

June I. — ^After a quiet night we foimd oursdves this 
morning in the bay of Samos in the Island of Cephalonia, 
opposite to Ithaca. I got up early, and at 8 o'd : Colond 
Sutherland of the 5th came on board, who is the Resident 
here and was accompanied by a Regent, or Civil Governor, 
who is an Ionian. At 10 we went ashore, and accom- 
panied by several gentlemen, offidals, we ascended a hill, 
where many sepulchres of the andent Greeks are found. 
The chief object of my visit here was to find some of these^ 



72 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 ^ ^^ ^^^ 4^ ™^^ ^^ work, to gain this object, and in the 
Mt. 20 course of the day we did find some few and opened them, 
but we found only some bones, and a few jars and coins. 
... I also inspected a portion of a Cydopic wall which is 
most remarkable. It is wonderful and almost inconceiv- 
able how it was possible for the Ancients to build these 
walls of the most enormous stones, which had to be brought 
from far and which are so large and heavy that we now 
have the greatest possible trouble to move them ! ... In 
the evening we sailed again. 2nd, — After a night in which 
I did not sleep very well, I got up at 7 and found we were 
at Patras. Close by us lay a Russian Man-of-War, a 
Schooner of 18 guns which seemed an extraordinarily fine 
ship. The Governor of Patras visited me, and was bent 
on giving me a reception, which, however, I begged to be 
let ofiE! The English Consul and the Vice Consul came 
also and with them I went ashore. There is nothing to be 
seen in the town, which is small and insignificant. . . . 
We returned at 12 and sailed away, up the Gulf of Lepanto. 
... At 4 o'd : we anchored in the bay of Salona ; then 
dined, and went ashore for an hour. This is a little village, 
but the mountainous country dose around is quite magnifi- 
cent, yd. — ^We had a very fatiguing day. Got up at 6 
and went ashore at 7. There were peasants* horses ready, 
with pack saddles, on which we mounted to ride to Ddphi ; 
besides *my insignificance' and Colond Cornwall we had 
with us also a Greek servant, whom we had taken in Corfu 
to accompany us on this journey and to arrange all for us. 
He seems to be a good, very useful fellow and all English- 
men with whom he has travelled recommend him highly. 
Three Greeks, to whom the horses bdong, accompani^ us 
on foot. It was a very long ride, but very pretty, but 
the roads were atrodous, yet the horses went very well 
indeed. We rode through the pretty village, Christos; 
on both sides the mountains are quite superb. About 11 
we reached Ddphi, a little tiny village, and dose by are 
the ruins, unfortunatdy not much of them remain. They 
show the spot where the Temple of Apollo was, whence 
chiefly the world was governed through the cdebrated 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 73 

Delphic Oracle — ^but there remain only a wall or two of 1839 
it. There are many tombs to be seen and in one which Mt. 20 
we narrowly examined place was arranged for three persons, 
and cut out of the rock at one end lay a stone kind of 
cushion on which probably the head rested; the sarco- 
phagus was mostly of marble, with figures hewn out on it, 
and is more celebrated than in truth it deserves. A foun- 
tain next to a large bath is still very perfect — ^it is asserted 
that it is there the Priestess used to wash before going 
into the Temple to proclaim the Oracle and the water of 
the spring inspired her with the god's ideas. There are 
also to be seen the ruins of a great Theatre, where probably 
the Sacred Games were held. We sat down by the fam^ 
fountain to have our luncheon and drank of its water, 
but alas! remained uninspired. Afterwards we went up 
again, another high hill, on the very worst road I ever 
in an my Ufe have ridden along. The last part of it we 
had to do on foot, or rather we had to crawl between the 
rocks, and as the day was very hot, it was really a piece of 
hard work. Arrived at length, however, we were much 
rewarded by the sight of one of the most splendid caves in 
the rock, llie finest I have ever seen. Three thousand 
Greeks, in the war with the Turks, fled thither and lived a 
long time in it. The top forms a natural arch, which is not 
supported in the centre by any stone column but only at the 
sides. Refreshed by frequent quenchings of thirst in the 
various little springs of water by the way, we returned at 
7 o'd : to the ship, very content with our work of the day 
and with all we had seen. 

4^. — ^This morning again I got up early and break- 
&sted at 7. We had sailed from Salona in the night and 
had reached Lutraki, the harbour on the one side of the 
Isthmus of Corinth. Here we said adieu to our good old 
Captain Galvazo, thanked him, and went on shore. The 
kindness of Sir Howard to lend me a steamer was unutter- 
ably great, as without that I must have gone all around 
the Morea and should have seen nothing of the Gulf of 
Corinth ; the Boat was in every way convenient and plea- 
sant. Only one unpleasantness we had, and that was that 



74 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 we could not sleep at night because of certain little 
£t. 20 animals I ! On shore we found a Royal one-horse vehicle 
awaiting us and an officer of Gendarmerie with some men 
to accompany me. William with the luggage went direct 
to Kalamaki, the harbour on the other side of the Isthmus, 
we on the contrary drove to Corinth, on tolerably good 
roads, but yet the thing jolted tremendously and I must 
confess it reminded me of the cars on which the Post in 
Germany is very often driven. On the way we saw the 
spot where the Romans tried to cut through the Isthmus, 
and the Walls that were built to resist the attacks from the 
Sea. In Corinth we got out at the house of a private 
individual, and accompanied by our little officer, a quiet 
nice Uttle man, and by the Governor of the Province, who 
received me, I went to see the curiosities of the town, 
which, du restCy are not of much importance. One Temple 
is stiU partially visible, at least 7 columns of it are stiU 
standing, whidi have the peculiarity of consisting of one 
stone. Some aqueducts, a natural Grotto, a Theatre, the 
Walls of the old town, are the rest of the objects. . . . 
When the horses had rested, we drove on in the same way, 
only the roads were better. We saw the place where 
probably the Isthmian Games were held, and a very large 
Temple. At 2 o'd : we were at Kalamaki, where we found 
a little schooner and two boats of the Man-of-War Beacon^ 
which Sir Edmund Lyons had sent for me ; this Ship has 
been already several years on the Greek Coasts, to learn 
them very accurately, as hitherto they were very little 
known. WiUiam had already arrived, so we went at once 
on board. Lieutenant Graves, the conmiander of the ship, 
his friend, a young Mr. Dixon, and two other officers, made 
up our company. The ship was certainly small, but the 
cabin was neat and nice, and we had a very good little 
dinner. The wind at first was favourable, but soon left 
us, and instead of reaching the Piraeus in 5 hours, we only 
got there at 2 o'd : in the night. We had however amused 
ourselves very well, drank tea, talked, slept, laughed and 
smoked. When we arrived Lieutenant Graves was so 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 75 

amiable as to take us on board the Beacon^ where I slept 1839 
excellently weU through the night. ^t. 20 

Slh. — . . . Sir Edmund Lyons, the English Ambassador, 
and Mr. Green, the Consul, came on board to receive me 
and the fonner is so kind as to put me up in his house. 
The King sent to offer me his Palace, horses, etc. . . . 
etc. . . . and many gentlemen came to receive me. It 
cost a good deal of trouble, thankfully to decline all this 1 
But after long discussions at length we succeeded in getting 
quit of it all. At 11 we went ashore, and I drove with 
Sir Edmund to Athens, where he has a charming house. 
The new town is larger and better built than I expected, 
but there are no regular streets. It was very hot, so I 
remained aU the morning at home and read the newspapers, 
which are full of interest. The English Government had 
resigned and Sir Robert Peel received the commission to 
form a new one, which, however, alas 1 failed because the 
Queen would not consent that some of her Ladies should be 
removed. In consequence the Melbourne administration 
has returned. I am unutterably sorry for this, and God 
only knows what now wiU happen. I hope for the best, 
and think that this Ministry will not long hold together. 
In Paris there was a revolution, in which some hundred 
people were shot, but all is again quiet there. We dined 
to-day at 4 and then drove to the Acropolis, which pleased 
me immensely. The ruins of the far-^med Temple, the 
Parthenon, are the most beautiful thing I have yet seen 
in all my journey. Unfortimatdy a great deal of it has 
been despoiled in the time of the Turks, but still enough 
is standing for one to see what a splendid and magnificent 
building this must have been. Large numbers of curiosities 
of all kinds are daily found here, and they are now occupied 
in making extensive excavations, to seek for more. A 
Mr. Pittakys who conducts all these, a clever agreeable 
man, showed us all these wonders. Veiy lovdy is the 
little Temple of Victory that has been only recently found. 
The ruins of a Theatre are exceedingily fine, and it must 
have been very beautiful. The best friezes of the Temple 
Lord Elgin carried to England and they are at this moment 



76 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1839 in the British Museum. . . . 6ih. — I stayed all the morning 
Mr. 20 at home and was much occupied writing letters, as the 
English Post goes out to-day. We dined at 4, and then 
visited the Temple of Theseus, which is still very perfect, 
and which now is used as a sort of Museum where many 
very distinguished things are preserved. We then went 
to the former place of Assembly of the People where the 
Council of the People of the Athenians met and governed 
the World. Here it was where Demosthenes and the 
great orators held their discourses. One can still quite 
plainly see the stone rostrum that served for this purpose. 
Then we went to the spot where St. Paul addressed the 
Athenians, as we read in the 17th Chapter of the Acts of 
the Apostles. This place is a hill on the rock of the Acro- 
polis, just opposite. Then we went again to the Temple 
of Jupiter Olympius, built in the time of Agrippa, 16 very 
high and very fine columns are still standing. The re- 
maining 300 were pulled down by the Turks to build the 
walls of the town with I The whole was of white marble. 
At 9 o'd : we came home, and I went early to bed. 

{From the Duke of Cambridge to Prince George) 

^ June 18. — I heard yesterday from Sir Henry Bouverie, 
expressing the general satisfaction your short stay at Malta 
had given everybody there, and the general regret that you 
had left it so soon. You will readily believe, my dearest 
George, the delight I fed at mentioning this to you, and 
I do this with the more pleasure as I flatter mysdi, indeed 
I believe, that this will encourage you to go on as you have 
hitherto done. . . . 

{From Prince Albert to Prince George^s Father) 

Coborg, December 13, 1839. 

Most Gracious Duke, — The numerous proofe of good- 
will hitherto shown me by your Royal Highness, as wdl 
as by the gradous Duchess, enable me to appreciate still 
more intensdy the good fortune that has befallen me of 
henceforth bdonging more dosdy to the English Royal 



GIBRALTAR LIFE AND TOURS 77 

Family. While I now present myself to yom: Royal High- 1839 
ness as a happy brid^room I b^ most earnestly for the Sn:. 20 
continuance as well of your gracious and kindly feelings 
as of those of her Ro3^ Highness the Duchess — ^the family 
love and friendship which unite your Royal Highness with 
your illustrious niece, my exalted bride, are my surety for 
not making any mistakes. May it be given to me to suc- 
ceed in attaining my most ardent wish, my firmest inten- 
tion, to make my dearly beloved as happy as she deserves 
to be, and as all those who have her wd^e at heart would 
wish. Pray have the goodness to commend me to the 
Duchess, as weU as to all the family. I hope soon to have 
the happiness of seeing all as well as possible and to be 
able by word of mouth to assure your Royal Highness how 
sincerely I shall for ever remain. 

Your obedient servant and nephew, 

Albert, 
Prince of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. 



JEt.20 

Return to 



CHAPTER IV 

DUBLIN 
1839-185O 

• 

England once more — ^First railway journey — ^The Qnee*.* <% marriage — ^Letters 
from the Duke of Wellington — ^From the Prince Consort — ^Arrival in 
Dublin— Famine— M. Soyer's soup kitchen — ^The revolutionary move- 
ment — ^Anxiety in Ireland — Chartism — ^England as an example to the 
world — The arrest of Smith O'Brien — ^The Queen's visit to Ireland — 
Cholera in Dublin — ^Lonis Napoleon — ^Death of Queen Adelaide — ^From 
son to father — ^Absurd rumours from Greece — Church and State 

1839 After travelling on the Continent for some months, Prince 
Geoige returned to England and joined the feimily circle 
^giand'^ at Kew in November 1839. ^ small supplementary diary 
contains the record of the dosing da}^ of the year and of 
the early months of 1840. It tells of quiet drives * with 
Mama ' or * with Augusta ' in their pony chaise, of simple 
family dinners followed by ' playing at lotto ' or by music, 
and of occasional visits to town *with Papa to get a 
horse for my cab ' or * to see my Aunts.' The entry of 
November 28 describes what was apparently Prince 
George's first railway journey. 'Breakfasted at 7,' he 
writes, 'left at 7} for Euston Square to go with the 
Railroad to Rugby ; went with my Father in his carriage, 
the servants, etc., in mine.' * The journey His Royal 
Highness found ' not at all disagreeable,' and Rugby was 
reached soon after twelve. 

* In the early days of the railway the nobility and gentry did not 
travel in railway carriages, but in their own carriages, which were fastened 
on trucks attached to the train. 



DUBLIN 79 

The following extracts from the diary are of interest : 1839 

December 15. — ^After dinner Papa got a letter from the 
young Queen, in which she announces her marriage with 
Prince Albert of Coburg. Nothing could have given me 
greater pleasure than this intelligence. I hope it may prove 
a happy union both to herself and to the Country in general. 
i8tt. — The Queen, having settled to see me at Windsor 
to-day. Papa, Mama and Augusta determined to accompany 
me, and accordingly we left Kew at 11 o.c. and reached 
the Castle at i. We were received as usual and taken into 
the Green Drawing Room, where the Queen received me 
most kindly. I think she is looking wdl. We offered our 
congratulations on the approaching marriage, and they 
aU talked a good deal about it. i. \ 

January 19, 1840. — ^I went down to White's Qub. 1840 
They have elected me a member and I went into the room ^ 

there for the first time and saw a great many of my friends. 
I am exceedin^y glad that I belong to this Club, as it is a 
very good one, and a great many of my friends belong to 
it, and it is a place to which I can always go and where I 
can dine if I like. 

February xs. — ^The Queen's marriage on February 10 went "^i* , 
off well. The Duke of Coburg came over with his two sons, S^S^Ie 
Prince Albert is very good looking and appears a very nice 
person in every respect. The Queen was married at the 
Chapel Royal at 12 in the day, and we all attended in State, 
and walked in procession from the State Apartments to the 
Church. After the Ceremony there was a great breakfast 
at Buckingham Palace to which we went, and then the 
young couple went to Windsor, where they were to stay 
till yesterday and then return to town. We, the family, 
went to dine with the Queen Dowager and afterwards 
I walked out for a short time to see the illuminations, which 
was exceedingly good fun, there being an immense crowd 
of people in the streets ! I concluded this long day by 
going to a full dress party at the Duchess of Sutherland's, 
which was a very handsome thing altogether. 

Of the years tiiat follow we have, unfortunately, no 



8o THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

record from the pen of Prince George, for the diaries from 
1840 to 1849 ^^^ missing. This break in the continuity 
of the written word is much to be deplored, for of all the 
stirring events which crowded the opening years of Queen 
Victoria's reign the Prince was a keen and critical observer, 
and in one at least, the Young Ireland movement, he had 
to play no insignificant part. Throughout those earlier 
da}^, too, when famine and pestilence stalked hand-in-hand 
through Ireland, overwhehning the people in disaster. 
Prince George was at his post in Dubhn, quick to sympathise 
and ready to help so far as the trammds of his official 
position permitted intervention. But if diaries are absent, 
there is fortunately a considerable mass of correspondence 
which throws many side lights on some at any rate of the 
leading features of the period, and serves to illustrate the 
growth of the Prince's character. 

Before giving a sdection from these letters, however, 
it will be weU to state in brief outline the salient events of 
His Royal Highness's career during the period imder con- 
sideration. In December 1839 ^^ ^^^^ attached to the 
I2th Lancers, and after joining the regiment at Brighton 
in the spring of the following year, he did duty with it for 
two years, the greater portion of which was spent in 
Ireland. While in command of the 17th Light Dragoons 
he took a prominent part in suppressing the riots in the 
manufacturing districts in 1842, and in September of 1843 
he joined the StafE in the Ionian Islands, remaining there 
for two years. After being promoted to the rank of Major- 
General he was, at the age of twenty-seven, appointed 
to the command of the Dublin District, and he retained 
this command for five and a half years tmtil 1852, when 
he became Inspector-General of Cavalry, a post which he 
held until February 1854. 



DUBLIN 8i 

{From the Duke of Wellington to Prince George) jg^ 

Walmer Castle, Ai^ust 29, 1842. — Sir, I have the 1-^^.23 
pleasure of informmg your Royal Highness that I have 
this mormng received a note from Her Majesty the Queen 
dated Windsor Castle, the 28th inst., in which Her Majesty 
has been pleased graciously to approve of your Royal High- 
ness quitting the kingdom to attend the Reviews and 
Field Operations of the Prussian Army on the Rhine, which 
is submitted to Your Royal Highness by 

Your Royal Highnesses most devoted servant, 

Wellington. 

I repeat my proposition that Your Royal Highness 
should do me the honour of dining and sleeping here if you 
should embark at Dover. I have means of taking in any 
gentleman who may attend your Royal Highness on this 
occasion. 

London, June i, 1844. — Sir, Your Royal Highness will iaf4 
be informed that Her Majesty intends that His Imperial ^^^S 
Majesty the Emperor of Russia, and His Majesty the King 
of Saxony should see some of Her Majesty's Troops imder 
Arms at Windsor on Wednesday morning next. 

The General Officers and StafiE are to appear in full 
dress, the Ribbands over their Coats. The Field Marshals 
to wear white Breeches : and Jack or High Boots, and it is 
the intention of Prince Albert as well as of myself to appear 
on this occasion in the Ribband of the Order of St. Andrew, 
the Russian Order. It is the Queen's wish that the Colonels 
of the several Raiments which will march past in Parade 
order should pass and salute the Emperor at the Head of 
their several Regiments, although dressed in the uniform 
of General Officers. 

I believe that this is all the information that I have to 
give your Royal Highness besides that which you will 
receive from this Office. 

I have the honour to be with the highest consideration 
and respect. 

Your Royal Highnesses most devoted servant, 

Wellington. 

VOL. I. G 



82 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

^ J^- {From the Prince Consort to Prince George) 

Windsor Castle, Aug. 27, 1844. — The Christening ^ is to 

take place in the evening, full dress, and we hope to see 
you and the Duchess, Augusta and Fritz, here for one night. 
Pray consider this as the invitation. . . . 

{From Prince George to his Mother , the Duchess qf Cambridge) 

1846 Dublin, January i8, 1846. — It was certainly with a 

^ ^ very heavy heart that I parted from you the other day, 

Arrival in but be assured I come here with good courage and will do 

Dublin ^y ^^^ utmost to show they may have confidence in me. 

All that I ask in return is that they also may show some 

wish to fulfil my wishes. Therefore, should Brotherton's * 

post fall vacant I hope then they would not pass me over 

for that would hurt me very much. I hope now, my 

dearest mother, that you will place real trust in me, for 

truly now I am of an age when a son may expect this and 

you may indeed be assured, my dear mother, that you shall 

never have cause to repent such trust. I only arrived here 

this morning. • . . 

Writing again from Dublin to his mother of the opening 
of Parliament, he says : 

January 19, 184&. — I am very anxious to hear what will 
now happen, for it is an important and difficult moment. 
The more I think of it the more I regret that I am not in 
Parliament. It would be exactly what would suit me, for 
you know that I take very great interest in all that goes on. 
Also I am firmly persuaded it would give me a much 
better position in the countiy and more weight, which at 
present, of course, I have not. I, therefore, do not agree 
with the objections of my Aunt, the Duchess of Gloucester, 
as I should be very careful not to take any strong partisan 

* This refers to the baptism of H.R.H. the late Prince Alfred Ernest 
Albert, Dake of Edinburgh, and Earl of Kent and of Ulster, second son 
of her late Majesty Queen >^ctoria. Bom August 6, 1844 ; died July 30, 
1900. 

' The general officer in command of the cavalry in Ireland. 



DUBLIN 83 

attitude with any party, but it is that I fed in that way I 1846 
should have a voice in the affairs of this great country. -St. 26 
It is really very much to be considered, and I wish you would 
tell me your opinion in regard to it. I think in the end 
you will agree with me. I am now in that curious position 
that I am nothing at all ; but that would give me a position, 
and since I am, as you know, a true Englishman at heart, 
it would be most agreeable to me. ... As yet I know 
veiy little of my garrison here, but gradually I shall come 
to know them. To-day I have had the Cavalry and Artillery 
out. The day after to-morrow I shall see the Infantry. 

At the time of the famine in Ireland when the misery if. So- 
of the people touched * even the heart of the Turk at the S^S^^ 
far Dardanelles, and he sent her in pity the alms of a beggar,' 
and when contributions were pouring in from England, 
the United States, and almost every country, induding 
Turkey, the Govenunent made themsdves not a little 
ridiculous by the foolish pomp with which they opened 
a public soup kitchen in which M. Soyer, a fashionable 
French cook, demonstrated what excellent soup could be 
made from the cheapest materials. Writing of this experi- 
ment to his mother, after suggesting economies in large 
households for the benefit of the poor. Prince George sa)^ : 

March 13, 1847. — ^M. Soyer's journey hither is somewhat 1847 
of an absurdity, the expenses of his kitchen are too great, ^^ ^ 
although its arrangement is certainly useful, yet altogether 
the idea is repugnant to me that a Frendi cook should make 
good the want of means of a Government ; that is very low 
form. I have seen the great hero, and he tells me he sent 
an ichantUUm of his soup to Cambridge House to be tasted. 
Fray do tell me what did you think of it. Meanwhile 
famine and need continue their dreary sway, and I much 
fear pestilence will follow. Poverty and the numbers 
of the dead so increase there is scarce time to buiy the 
latter, which must lead to terrible fever, if something is not 
soon done and measures taken to check this • . . 



c 2 



84 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1847 March 21. — M. Soyer is still here and very busy putting 
-^T. 27 up his kitchen exactly in front of my house. . . . Heaven 

knows whether it will answer — I doubt it. So ! You say 
the soup tasted quite good, 
^t 2 March 26. — I have now M. Soyer with his soup kitchen 

right under my nose, which he has built up as a model and 
for a trial. It is* to be opened to-morrow. ... I regret 
to hear that illness is sadly increasing throughout the 
country. 

ApfU 7. — Yesterday M. Soyer opened his kitchen, 
which is very prettily arranged and has many advantages, 
but as to whether it is suitable for the object for which it 
has been erected, of that I am extremely doubtful. 

April 12. — O'Conndl's ^ fimeral is over. I saw it from 
my windows. It was a very long procession and a most 
enormous concoiurse of people. All the time fearful pouring 
rain, but the people very orderly and quiet. 

September i. — ... Sir Edward Blakeney * is away in the 
country and I am alone here. DubUn is very empty and 
very dull. ... In the mornings one is always occupied, 
but the solitary evenings one does not know what to do 
with oneself. However, I occupy myself very much with 
all sorts of military affairs, and thus get some experience 
and hope that anyhow time is not wasted. It is certain 
that in this way DubUn has many advantages for me, 
and I also think that thus an opening may be found for me 
in a post that will call me to England. Such at least is my 
aim and wish. 

1848 January 17. — . . . How pleasant it could be had I but 
occupation in your neighbourhood ; and that such could 
be foimd if the Horse Guards were really well disposed 
towards me, of that I am fuUy persuaded. Often, often I 
regret not being in ParUament ! That would be of greatest 
interest to me, and I Uterally pine for it. . . . 

There* 

vQintion- 7^^ year 1848 was one of revolution. Everywhere 

arymove- ^ -r j 

ment throughout Europejthe fires of discontent were smouldering, 

* The leader of the Repeal agitation. 
' Commander-in-Chief in Ireland. 



DUBLIN 85 

and it needed only the fall and flight of Louis Philippe 1848 
to make them burst out into sudden flame. It was on ^T.28 
the Continent that the revolutionary spirit made itself felt 
most severely, but England did not go imscathed, for there 
Chartism was encouraged to make its last abortive effort, 
and in Ireland the disaffection of the * Confederates ' 
drifted into open rebellion, and the Young Irdanders fought 
their brief and inglorious fight in the cabbage-garden at 
Ballingany. Of this period Prince George writes to his 
mother : 

March 15. — . . . The news from Germany is at this time 
not pleasant, and unfortunately the Princes are now forced 
to do what they would have done very much better to have 
voluntarily yidded long ago. I am not at all for giving 
way in everything, and in the way it is now being done, 
certainly not, but to set one's sdf sharply against all changes 
that time brings — that does not do at all, and causes even- 
tually much misfortune. Prussia, it seems, has given 
absolute hberty to the Press. It was perhaps wiser than 
to be forced to do it later. Thank God, England again 
shows a fine \oy?l feeling, that is noble and beautiful and 
quite what I should have expected of her, and you will see 
and can rest assured that we in England with all our free- 
dom shall show ourselves far nobler and more aristocratic 
than aU the other countries. 

April 3. — . . . Here also we are on the point of revolution, ^t 29 
though I do not beUeve it will come. My position is difficult 
and anxious. I have so much to do that I scarce know how 
to get through it, but up to now all goes well, and I think 
our dispositions which are very extensive will in case of 
need prove efficadous. I do my utmost — ^more I cannot do. 
The troops are faithful, true and good, that is certain, and I 
think we shall easily subdue the ill-disposed. Everything 
depends upon the first moment. The people are arming 
in all directions. Horrible pikes are made, rifles sold ; 
altogether Dublin at present is as unpleasant as possible, 
and I shall be well pleased when it is well got over. Yet I 



86 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1848 am of good hope and in good spirits. Only very hard* 

^T. 29 worked and very tired at this moment. 

April 10. — . . . Most hearty thanks for yom* last two 
letters and for the enclosures from Louise.^ How I pity 
her, poor thing ; truly she is in a dreadful position with 
her four poor httle children. God grant no ill may befall 
Christian ' ; he is such a thorough good f eUow. Here we are 
still in a very unpleasant position. The people are very 
discontented, and the very smallest circumstance could 
cause an explosion, all eyes are turned to London, and 
everything depends upon how matters have gone there 
to-day.' God grant all may have gone ofi smoothly, and I 
confess that is what I fully expect has been the case, as there 
the whole of the upper and middle classes are opposed to 
revolution. Here, on the contrary, it is quite a different 
thing, for the middle class is opposed to the Government, 
and that is the worst part of it. How dreadful is everything 
in Germany. I am much afraid that there RepubUcan 
principles have very much the upper hand. In to-da3^s 
expected Chartist disturbance I hear Wellington intends to 
command in person. 

April 17. — ^Everything here up till now is quiet, but how 
long that will last God alone knows. Nothing is spoken 
or thought of here but Rebellion and Revolution from 

9 morning to night. In this way we are in constant excite- 

ment and that is anything but pleasant. But one must 
hope for the best, and anyhow I think we shall show these 
infamous people at least that the Soldiers will do their 
duty and that England has the strength and the will to put 
down revolt. But it makes my position not very pleasant, 
and right glad shall I be when the matter is settled one way 
or the other, as this uncertainty is very distressing. I wish 
the Government would act with rather more energy, for 

^ Of Glficksbnrg, afterwards Queen of Denmark. 

* Her husband. Prince Christian (afterwards King of Denmark), who 
was with the army. 

' A great procession of Chartists was to march from Kexmington to 
the House of Commons on April 10 to present a monster petition to Parlia- 
ment. The procession was declared illegal, and the demonstration failed 
miserably. 



DUBLIN 87 

unfortunately up to now very little has been done to put 1848 
down these infamous vagabonds. How infamous is this ^x. 29 
war in Denmark. Thank Heaven the first victory has been 
won by the Danes, but it is too bad that the Pnissians and 
Hanoverians meddle themselves in it. It is abominable. 
If the Danes were left to fight it out I do not for the moment 
think that they would carry the day, but against such an 
overwhdming Power it is qtiite another afifair. Poor 
Louise, how sorry I am for her. She is in a most painful 
position. May God preserve excellent Christian. And in 
Cassel too all is upside down ; where is the world going to ? 
Thank God, England has again shown herself very great 
and noble, and the world again sees what we really are 
capable of, and how great a country we still ever are, and, 
it is to be hoped, long will remain. Unde Fritz ^ is very 
right to remain with you ; whither in fact could he go ? 
Rumpenheim at this present moment would be impossible. 
Thank God, our dear Gustchen ' is at the present moment 
out of danger ; but they ought as soon as possible to find 
their way back to Strelitz, it is his proper place and he ought 
to seek to preserve it. 

I have an immense deal to do, my command is very 
extensive, about 10,000 men, all arrangements and de- 
cisions to be made, and I am occupied with them from the 
early morning till late at night. War with France seems • 

to be the probable end, and that will be far better than 
Civil War, which would be too terrible. 

April 27. — ... It would really be remarkable if Old 
England should be the one and only country to check these 
new ideas. A great country she is, that is certain, and truly 
one feels proud of her and with good reason. 

August 7. — ^I am sure you will have heard with real Arrest of 
pleasure that Smith O'Brien • has been arrested. It is a very o^Bricn 
important thing, and it is to be hoped will greatly conduce 
to the suppression of the Rebellion and to break it all up. 

* Ptince Frederick of Hesse, brother to her late Royal Highness the 
Duchess of Cambridge. 

' Princess Augusta, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. 

* William Smith O'Brien, one of the leaders of the Young Ireland 
party. 



88 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1848 He was recognised in a village called Thurles and seized, 
^T. 29 which was effected without the slightest trouble. There- 
upon he was brought here to my quarters under an escort 
of police. It was at 2 a.m. in the night of Saturday and 
Simday. Everyone here was in bed. I alone was sitting 
up. Suddenly I heard a violent knocking and ringing 
of the bell. All my servants sleep at the other end of the 
house and they heard nothing. I did not want to wake 
them, and as no one came I went myself to the door and 
opened it. Imagine my astonishment at seeing a nimiber 
of constables, all armed, and when General Macdonald, 
A.D.C., came forward to me with the information that it 
was Smith O'Brien standing before my house I could not 
believe my ears. I admitted the A.D.C. and shut the door, 
as I would not let Smith O'Brien himself in (although the 
stupid newspapers say I had a long interview with him, in 
which there is not one word of truth). I should have much 
liked to see him, but I thought it would have a bad effect 
and therefore I let it alone, of which now I am doubly glad. 
I then called Jim ^ up and sent him with the fellow and his 
escort to the prison, where he is now happily confined. 
I myself then quickly got my horse and rode off to Phoenix 
Park to announce the fact to the Lord-Lieutenant ' who also 
was in bed, and whom I had some trouble in getting at, 
as his people likewise never heard my knocking. Jim told 
me he never saw a man so quiet and collected in so critical 
a position. He is prepared for everything, and says he did 
not succeed because it was six weeks too early, that had he 
had those six weeks longer the whole country would have 
followed him. Well, Heaven be praised we have got him 
and everything is quite quiet. If they now will only act 
with energy all will go well and the whole thing will be 
suppressed, but if they show the slightest weakness then we 
shaU be in a worse condition than ever. . . • 
xa49 Dublin, August 15, 1849. — Your letters prove to me you 

•^t- 30 are satisfied. My position here during the Queen's visit was 

> Captain Jim Macdonald, His Royal Highness's Eqaerry. 
' George William Frederick, 4th Earl of Clarendon, K.G., Lord- 
lieutenant of Ireland from 1847 to 1852. 



DUBLIN 89 

all that I could possibly have wished, and the grace and 1849 
favour and affection for me shown by the Queen, and at the ^t. 30 
same time the friendly and hearty tone of Albert, were such 
that I can only be flattered, and have only a most pleasant The 
remembrance of the whole visit, and am very happy and ^^^ 
content to have been present at it. . . . My efforts and Ireland 
military arrangements are very fully appreciated here, as 
the Queen herself proved by expressing it to me on every 
occasion, and particularly through her very friendly manner 
and special distinction at every opportimity, also at the 
end by presenting me with the St. Patrick's Order. Lord 
Clarendon and Sir George Grey ' also very expressly told 
me it would have been impossible to have made better 
dispositions than I had done, and that the Queen had 
specially imparted to them her very great satisfaction with 
all I had done, and how she felt * greatly indebted to me 
for the manner in which I had conducted everjrthing, which 
had greatly added to the comfort and pleasure she had 
experienced during her visit to Dublin.' I beg of you 
not to say all this to others, as it soimds as though I wished 
to play a part, but I may tell it to my own dear mother with 
true pride, as I know what great pleasure it will give you. 
Albert also was very friendly and made me the finest com* 
pliments upon my military knowledge, which is a fresh 
proof that he is kindly disposed towards me. And he said 
to others he had never seen prettier manoeuvres and that 
the troops were magnificent under my leadership. It 
certainly all went extraordinarily favourably, not a mistake 
was made, not an escort, not a guard of honour was faulty, 
and the troops of every arm behaved excellently and did 
their utmost. The enthusiasm of the people it is impossible 
to express in words, and it is impossible any longer to doubt 
that Irishmen are at heart thoroughly Royalistically in- 
clined, if only the agitators would leave them in peace. 

September 19. — ... I have not written hoping day by day 
to get to you, but from various causes have had to put off 
my journey. I felt I could not possibly leave the garrison 
so long as the cholera was so seriously raging in the town. 

' Home Secrete'y in Lord John Rossell'a administratioo, 1846-53. 



90 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1849 Thank God, it is now diminishing day by day, and I hope 
Ml. 30 iiow positivdy to be able soon to get to you. 



{From Prince George to Captain Mildmay) 

December 3. — . . . My sister,* Fritz ' and dear Baby ' left 
Kew last Thursday week. ... It is felt by all that in the 
present state of Germany they were right to go. . . . The 
affairs in Germany are in anything but a comfortable state, 
and God only knows how they may turn out. Louis Napoleon 
is a wonderful fellow ; he does the most extraordinary things, 
apparently with impunity, and has gained popularity by 
them. StiU I fancy he cannot go on long in this way, 
and though I think he certainly has a great deal of tact and 
talent, still I think he has not enough to carry him through so 
vast an undertaking, and that he will consequently break 
down in the attempt of mciking himself Emperor or First 
G)nsul, which he is evidently driving at. . . . 

(From Prince George to his Mother) 

Death of December 4. — Yesterday I received the news of the 
Ad^de ^^^*^ ^^ *^® good beloved Queen,^ and I can assure you, 
although I had been long expecting the sad intelligence, 
when it came in truth it upset me terribly, and I fed indeed 
I have lost a true dear rdation and friend in the dear de- 
parted. It is well with her, of that I am assured, she was 
so good and pious in all her feelings that the end was 
soft and easy for her. And then, poor soul, she suffered 
so cruelly in the last months that one could really not wish 
a prolongation of her sufferings. Yet her loss is quite 
terrible for all her surroundings and for the thousands who 
depended upon her kindness. For myself she was a re- 
membrance of the dear good old times, which, alas ! are 
past and gone. I pity beyond all things the poor Duchess, 

* Princess Augusta. 

' The late Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who died in 1904. 
' The present reigning Grand Duke Adolphus of Mecklenburg-Strelitx. 

* Queen Adelaide. 



DUBLIN 91 

Ida,^ and EdwarcL' Yoa were so right to go to see them, 1849 
painful thou^ it must have been to you. Natm^y I £t.30 
shall come over for the foneral, and would not for anything 
feul to attend it, as indeed I am bound to pay my last 
duty and love to her who has ever done so endlessly much 
for me. I am only waiting to learn when the funeral will 
probably take place, and shall then come at once. . . . 

With the year 1850 the diary reopens and continues, i^ 
practically without intermission, until within a few months 
of His Royal Highness's death. The year 1850 was one 
of sorrow and change for Prince Geoigq, for in July he lost 
his father, to whom he was deeply devoted, and succeeded 
to the dukedom and all the honours of a high and respon- 
sible position. How unexpected was the death of the Duke 
of Cambridge may be gathered from the following letter 
addressed by Prince Geoige to his father on the birthday 
of the Duke : 

Dublin^ February 24. — ^My dearest Father, I cannot pos- 
sibly begin this day better than by wishing you joy from 
my very heart on its return. May you live to see many, 
many more birthdays and may each successive year find 
you in the same state of health and in the same excellent 
spirits that I am truly grateful to think that you enjoy at 
this moment. I should have much liked to have been 
myself the bearer of these my wishes, but as I am alas far 
away this letter must take my place, and I am sure that 
the contents of it will be as kindly received by you as if I 
had said them to you myself. My little offering I ventured 
to give you before I left London. I fed that it was hardly 
worthy of your acceptance, but as it had been used and 
valued by the Queen Dowager I thought that it might be 
deemed worthy of some little comer in your room. Your 
letter of the 20th has reached me, and I think I see by it that 
you have come very much to the same conclusion as myself 

' Princess Ida of Saxe-Weimar, sister to Qaeen Adelaide, and mother 
to Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar. 
' Prince Edward of Saze- Weimar. 



92 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1850 with regard to the debate the other night in the House of 

iEx. 30 Lords» that as far as Lord R ^ was concerned it must 

have been satisfactory to him as proving a general feeling of 
respect for him which has not been diminished by recent 
events ; but as a debate I think it has ended more in favour 
of Ministers than otherwise, notwithstanding the eloquent 
speech of Lord Stanley which I should hav6 much liked to 
have heard. Lord Clarendon's reply seems to me to have been 
gentlemanlike and he makes out a better case for himself 
than I expected him to have done. At the same time I 
cannot help thinking that the dismissal of Lord R. was a 
great error in judgment on his part, as being a man univer- 
sally esteemed and respected and as being at the head of a 
great, influential and most loyal party. That he had the law 
on his part I doubt not, but I certainly think that it was an 
impolitic act on the part of His Excellency. The division 
on Disraeli's motion has surprised me not a little and indeed 
everybody seems equally astonished at the result. It is a 
very severe blow to the Government and we may rest assured 
that they will be far more civil and attentive to the Protec- 
tionist Party for the future, as they are not to be despised, 
for certainly a majority for the Government of only 21 in 
so full a house is tantamount to a defeat, particularly when 
it is considered that Peel, Graham, and others of that party 
voted with the Government. I shall be very curious to 
see the division list. Gladstone has quite split with his 
former friends, which is very significant. 

I am sure you will have been as much amused as myself 
by the absurd rumours which come from Greece in regard 
to mj^f and the Greek Kingdom. I am deUghted to &id 
that I have been studying Greek so attentively at Zante ! 
as I am represented to have done. I think it very possible 
that this story has originated in some mistake about Mild- 
may ! who, you know, was detained for a considerable 
period at Zante by stress of weather. I am afraid that it 

' A discussion was raised in the House of Lords on a conflict which 
occurred at Dolly's Brae, County Armagh, in July 1849, in which several 
lives were lost, and which led to the removal of Lord Roden by the Govern- 
ment from the Commission of the Peace. Lord Stanley's motion was 
one involving general consideration of the Ministerial policy in Ireland. 



DUBLIN 93 

is now too late for the King of Hanover to do more than 1850 
protest against the conduct of Prussia and Brunswick in ^T.30 
the a£Eair of the Military convention signed by these two 
Powers. I confess I think it a most unjustifiable act, just 
as disgraceful to Prussia as to Brunswick, as the former Power 
ought not to have permitted the Duke of Brunswick to have 
committed himself in such a way. It is very evident that 
this is part of the system now, alas ! adopted by Prussia 
of mediatising underhand all the smaller states of Germany. 
Prussia is afraid to go boldly to work in the matter and 
therefore does not think it beneath her to do so by stealth. 
The conduct of Count Brandenburg astonishes me, I con- 
fess ! for I beUeved him to be a man of honour. I must now 
conclude for to-day, and remain, my dearest Father, your 
most dutiful and affectionate Son, 

George. 

The * absurd rumours ' from Greece are referred to in 
other letters. To his mother he wrote at this time : 
*Did you see in The Times of the day before yesterday 
the ludicrous account from Athens that they intend to make 
me King of Greece, and that, therefore, I am at Zante 
studying Greek ? ' Writing to Captain Mildmay, his 
Equerry, in March* he gives what he believes to be the 
origin of the rumour : 

How did you enjoy your trip to Athens, and what do 
you think of the affairs of Greece ? . . . My opinion is 
that, however ill the Greeks have behaved to us — ^and they 
have done so, nobody knows better than I do— -nothing can 
justify our recent conduct to them, and that as a stroke 
of Policy it is the very worst that ever was made, as it will 
force them into the arms of the very Powers whose influence 
we are anxious to counteract. You will be amused to hear 
that, in connexion with this affair, a correspondent from 
Athens said that I was to be made King of Greece, and 
that I was studying Greek at Zante, to qualify for this 
position. My firm belief is, that the mistake as regards 
the latter part of the story originated with your having 



94 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1850 been detained so long at Zante and having heard something 
Mt.^o of the Duke of Cambridge, you being his Equerry, they 
have no doubt jumbled all tl]ds together and made you out 
for me ! 

Prince George's opinions find strong expression in his 
letters. Of the union of Church and State he writes to his 
mother : ' I quite understand your opinion of Mr. Bennett's 
sermons and there is much in them, yet I caxmot think him 
right in his view, for I hold the union of the Church and 
State to be one of our main props. . . •' Again, a letter 
to Captain Mildmay shows his strong afiEection for England 
and his pride in being an Englishman. ' I can perfectly 
understand,' he says, 'your feelings on landing in dear 
old England after so long an absence, as I have experienced 
them myself on several occasions. The fact is that however 
one likes seeing foreign countries and however amused and 
interested one is in seeing the various customs and habits 
of others, still upon returning to England one feels that 
everything here is so very superior to what one has seen 
that one is doubly proud of being an Englishman and of 
belonging to a nation that has such a country to live in.' 



CHAPTER V 

DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION 

185O-1853 

Last illness of the Duke of Cambridge— Attack on the Qaeen — ^Death 
of Sir Robert Peel — Days of terrible anxiety — ^Death and funeral of 
the Doke— Letters to a member of the Prince's Staff — ^His father's last 
da3rs — ^Plans for the fatnre— Good-bye to Cambridge House — ^The King 
of Prussia's sympathy — Position of the Cambridge family — The Duke 
and the House of Lords — ^Letter from the Queen — Charitable works — 
The Duke to his mother-— The Great Exhibition — ^Letter from the 
Emperor Nicholas — ^First anniversary of the death of the Duke of 
Cambridge — Melancholy thoughts — ^Birthday congratulations — Death 
of the Duke of Wellington — The Queen's grief — ^Funeral of the Duke — 
A French play at Windsor — ^>^t to Oxford 

The first intimation of his father's last ilLiess is contained 1850 
in an entry in Prince George's diary for June 21. *My ^ 

Father not at all well/ he writes. The next day he found father's 
his father no better, and * persuaded him to consult Dr. ^^th 
Watson.'^ The days of anxiety that followed are best 
described in His Royal Highness's own words : 

Diary ^ June 27. — Called at the Palace to see the Queen. 
She then came to Cambridge House and in driving out, a 
miscreant, Pate by name, late Lieut. loth Hussars, struck 
her with a stick in the face. Not much injured, thank 
God, though bruised, ^olh. — My father not so wdl to-day. 
Violent attack in the stomach, not stopped till evening, 
and leaving him very feeble towards night. We are all 
much alarmed. Sir Robert Peel seriously and dangerously 
injured by fall. Collar bone smashed in several parts.' 

' Thomas Watson, M.D., afterwards Sir Thomas. 

' Sir Robert Peel was thrown from his horse on Constitution Hill on 



96 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1850 July I. — Sir R. Ped in a very bad state and not expected 
iEx. 31 to live. 2nd. — ^The Duke continues to improve, and has 
certainly gained to-day. Sir R. Ped extremely ill all day, 
Death of and died at 11 o'c. in the evening, yd. — ^My father con- 
Robert tii^^^ much the same, but without any material improve- 
Peel ment. The gloom cast over London by Sir Robert Ped's 
death overpowers ever3^hing. 5/A. — My father to-day not 
so well, and the medical men not satisfied. Great debiUty. 
6th. — My father no better, but not worse to-night, or 
during the day« The anxiety of mind and body very great, 
and we are all in a great state of suspense. Qn the whole, 
however, the day was passed more tranquilly and my dear 
father was moved on a sofa into his sitting room for a few 
hours. This, however, rather exhausted him. yth. — ^Dr. 
Bright* saw my father to-day and evidently had a very 
bad opinion of him, though he said the case was not a 
hopdess one. Towards night my father, who had been 
progressing favourably and tranquilly during the day, grew 
much worse quite suddenly and about 11 o'c. the medical 
men did not think that it could last much longer. By 
hdp of stimulants, however, he got better, after one, and 
towards morning was so considerably better that the pulse 
had regained its composure and firmness, and his mind, 
which had been very languid, had quite r^ained its energy. 
We sat up all night with him — and a fearful night it was. 
In the early part of it a short prayer was said by Hutchin- 
son,* in which, however, my poor father did not from 
exhaustion appear able to join. After one o'dock, he 
seemed to get more quiet and better and we moved him 
on to the sofa and he rallied wonderfully and got quite 
himsdf again, very collected in thought, and the swallow 
again easy and regular. 8/A. — ^At about 7 all things were 
so much improved, and he appeared going on so wdl 
altogether, that I went to Gloucester House to carry the 
better tidings to my dear Aimt. We sent for Watson. 

June 39, and mortally injured by the fall. After lingering in pain for 
three days he died on July 2. 

1 Richard Bright. M.D. 

* BCr. Hutchinson was Chaplain to the Duke of Cambridge, and re- 
ligious instructor to Princess Mary, afterwards Duchess of Teck. 



DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION 97 

I called Dr. Bright m37sdf. They came immediately and 1850 
were astonished at the rally that had been made. Mr. -^T.31 
Hills ^ was sent for from Richmond, who was to remain all 
day and reheve the other medical men in their attendance. 
The dear Duchess of Gloucester came at 8, and took me to 
Buckingham Palace, when I saw the Queen, who was most 
anxious and much affected. Returned to Cambridge House 
and went to see my father, who spoke kindly to me and 
blessed me. Went down to dine at 9.50. I received a 
message to say I was wanted immediately. I rushed up 
without a moment's delay, but ere I got there aU was 
over. My dear father had expired quite unexpectedly and Death of 
most calmly and quietly. Nobody was in the room at the *^® ^^^* 
time but Mr. Hills and the servant. My poor mother had 
just gone out of the room. Suddenly he opened his eyes 
wide, uttered a faint exclamation and feU back lifeless 
without a struggle. My feelings at what has occurred, 
and at my not having been present at the moment, are not 
to be told. They will continue to the day of my death. 
I have lost the best of fathers, the most sincere and kindest 
of friends. May we meet again in Heaven. After all was 
over we had prayers by the bedside of the dead, which was 
the only consolation left to us. . . . This is the most 
fearful blow that has ever come upon me. i&A. — The pro- 
cession for the conveyance of the body of my dearest Funeral 
Father to Kew Church, and everjrthing was most quietly 
and imostentatiously conducted. The body started exactly 
at half-past 6 o'clock. We left at 8 and got to Kew just 
before the procession, which got there at 9.30. . . . Never 
shall I forget the agony of this day I 

The story of these dark days, and of the period that 
immediately succeeded them, is vividly told in a series of 
letters which His Royal Highness wrote to a member of his 
Staff in Ireland. They are dated from St. James's Palace, 
where he now had his headquarters when in London. 

> Edward H. Hills, apothecary and afterwards family doctor at Cam- 
bridge Cottage, Kew. 

VOL. I. H 



98 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1850 July 4. — My dear , I have been so very anxious 

^T. 31 about my Father that I really have not had time or m- 
dination to think of anything else and my time is chiefly 
spent between my house and Cambridge House. The Duke 
certainly has been and is stiU very ill and at his advanced 
age one cannot help being very anxious about him. Thank 
God he has been somewhat better ever since Sunday night, 
when he was very ill, and to-day he is declared by the 
medical attendants decidedly better, and if we can only 
keep going on satisfactorily for the next two or three da}^, 
however slowly it may be, all will yet I trust be well. The 
fever has entirely left him but the great weakness that it 
has left is what we are most anxious about. If this can 
be got over there is no organic disease whatever, so that 
at all events is a great point gained. To-day my father 
is in my opinion better. He is more himself again, takes 
more interest in himself and in what is going on. His 
pulse is good and strong, his tongue, which has been very 
bad, is better and he has taken some nourishment. This is 
a great thing now, and this has been our difficulty, but 
when once he takes this I am certain that we shall mend. 
You can conceive our anxiety on his account, which is 
extreme. Nothing but horrors takes place. Poor Peel, is 
it not dreadful I He suffered fearfully, poor man, and it 
was impossible to say what injuries he had, for they will 
not allow the body to be examined. He died composedly 
at last. . . . The Queen is in a dreadful state at his loss. 

Jidy II. — I have just received your kind and amiable 
letter of the 9th, and I am certain that you fed deeply 
and sincerely for me and mine. The blow that has befallen 
us is a dreadful one and I confess most unexpected, for 
though I had misgivings from the first and always thought 
my excellent Father in a most unsatisfactory state, still I 
could not help resting my hopes of his recovery on his 
excellent constitution which had never once been shaken 
by illness or from any other cause. But we calculated in 
vain and the rapidity with which the sad event at last 
took place is not to be told. Even to the last we had 
hopes, for though the night of the Simday to the Monday 



DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION 99 

was a fearful one and we expected my dear Father's death 1850 
momentarily, still he made so wondaiul a rally, that we ^T.31 
really began to think that a crisis had taken place and 
that he had got over it. But God willed it should not be 
so. My poor sister Augusta arrived a few hours too late. 
You can conceive the state she is in, in this moment — 
besides the severity of the blow that has befallen us all. 
Thank God my dear Father did not, by all we can make 
out, suffer much, and his end was quite sudden and un- 
expected, his pulse being good to the last. Alas I not one 
of us was in the room at the moment, though we none 
of us left him for more than half an hour at a time to enable 
him to sleep. He had spoken to my Mother but a few 
minutes before his death, and his head and intellect were 
to the last as dear as possible. His last words almost 
were whether / had dined at Cambridge House that evening. 
The misery I have gone through for the last fortnight, 
the suspense, the anxiety, are not to be told, and it will 
be long, long before I shall get over it. It is a gratifi- 
cation, though a most melancholy one, to have tended my 
dearest Father to the last and to have, I trust, in some 
slight degree alleviated the sufferings of his last moments. 
I have lost a Father and the best friend I had on earth. 
I remain, your most sincere and afflicted friend, George. 

Jvly 23. — ^Jim showed me a letter to-day from you in Plans for 
which you express a wish to be informed of my plans. ^**®^*'>" 
I fed that I am much to blame in having n^ected to 
write to you for so long a period, but I have had my brain 
so fully occupied that I have been unable to attend to any 
business of my own and this I hope will plead my excuse. 
I am, however, most anxious that you should all fully 
understand that I have quite determined upon retaining 
my poet at Dublin and continuing in the Army as my 
profession, therefore you may expect me back at DuhUn 
very shortly, in fact the moment I can wind up my affairs 
here, which I hope to do in about a fortnight. I am very 
much pleased and gratified by the debate the other night 
in the House of Commons and think that in consideration 
of the present times they have done by me what is right 



100 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1850 and just. So you see I am not ungrateful and the whole 
iET.31 debate was highly satisfactory to my personal feelings as 
regards the memory of my lamented Father and as regards 
the feelings expressed towards myself, which far exceeded 
anything I had a right to expect. I find that you wish 
to come over to England. Let me not, I pray you, stand 
in your way, though perhaps in some respects it might be 
desirable that I should have returned before you came 
over. But this I leave entirely in your hands, knowing 
full well that you will do what is right and what is most 
convenient and agreeable to Sir Edward.^ I think I shall 
be over in Dublin by about the 2nd or ist week in August, 
but this must depend upon circumstances which I cannot 

as yet answer for. I had a long conversation with 

who was determined to see me though I tried hard to 
avoid him. I fear he was not much pleased with what I 
said to him. I told him distinctly that as far as I was 
concerned I should certainly not assist him in getting the 
regiment, which seemed to astonish and annoy him very 
much, but I could not help it, nor could I go off from what 
I had said when asked about him. I hope nothing dis- 
agreeable will happen during the Mayo election. Pray 

write to me, my dear . 

July 29. — ^Many thanks for yoiu: letter and I am glad 
to find that you are pleased to hear of my intention to 
return to Dublin. But I am right to go back — of that 
I fed most fully convinced. I have just seen your letter 

to Jim with enclosure from Mr. . This gentleman 

is a very great bore, and I wish you would inform him of 
this fact and tell him in reply to his letter that I could 
not hold out any promise whatever and that I decline 
making any. The fact is that my next presentations are 
promised and I do not think he has a chance. ... I think 
considering the times Parliament has been liberal to me, 
at all events has done what was right, though no more, and 
I am grateful and content. I am much annoyed to hear 

of the trouble has got into ; I wish he would give up 

aU these horrid racing transactions. They are not credit- 

> Sir Edward Blakeney. 






con; • 
I Vr.: 



' * 



« I * 

.-.1 t; >• i ^ 



.yr:vjr::¥u„„.,,-/u.r. 



DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION loi 

able to him. I wish you would write me word, a real 1850 
account of the whole affair, for I do not think it ought to ^T.31 
rest here unless his accoimt is a perfectly satisfactory one. 
I suppose the papers are likely to take it up if it gets into 
them, and then the 17th will come in for their share of 
abuse as usual for what they are in no respect answerable. 
It is too bad and I am much annoyed about it. . . . What 
a battle there has been in Schleswig and what a licking 
those little Danes have given them. I am deUghted at it. 

]vly 30. — . . - My mother and family are gone out of 
town to-day ; it was a sad break up and I assure you that 
it has affected me very much ; it is very doubtful whether 
we shall ever occupy poor dear Cambridge House again. 
Till now everything had gone on as usual, but with to-day 
all ends and the fine old estabHshment is broken up and 
scattered to the winds. Some of the servants go to my 
mother, some to me, and some go altogether. It is too 
sad and I assure you that I feel most melancholy and my 
feelings are quite gone back again to those melancholy 
days after my father's death when our interest in watching 
over his valuable hfe was gone. I own I wish I could 
get away myself, but I must wait till matters are in order 
here, which as yet they certainly are not. I hope, how- 
ever, that about a fortnight will do all that is requisite, 
and then I shall hurry off, paying a visit to my mother and 
sisters of a couple of days at Plas Newydd which Lord 
Anglesey has so kindly lent them. 

Expressions of s}mipathy reached His Rojral Highness, 
now Duke of Cambridge, from every quarter. Of these it 
will be enough to quote the following letter from the King 
of Prussia : 

July 24. — My dear and gracious Sir ; Your Royal High- Sym- 
ness has yourself announced to me the death of your Father, j^^^^i^ 
so highly honoured and loved by me. I recognise this J^ngai 
kindness and attention towards me in the fullest measure ^^^"^ 
and with deeply felt thanks, the expression of which I 
beg of you herewith amiably to accept. How much and 



102 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1850 how sympathetically have I thought in these days of 
•®T. 31 sorrow of your Royal Highness, of the widowed Duchess 
your Mother, and of your dear sister the Hereditary Grand 
Duchess. The dear departed Duke was from olden times 
a friend and patron of mine, and I may say I ever regarded 
him with truest gratitude. At quite the beginning of the 
century I saw him at Berlin and he endeared himself to 
me in those happy careless times when he condescended to 
join oiu: childish games. He enchanted me by his amiable 
kindliness and his extraordinary good looks. When I saw 
him again in the year '14 in England he knew and re- 
membered all my childish tricks and gave me the impres- 
sion that our acquaintance had never been interrupted. 
During the time Hanover was under his rule I often had 
the happiness of meeting him again, and also later on, 
and he always remained the same to me and increased 
every time my affection and regard for him. You see, my 
dearest Sir, I have reason beyond many others to deplore 
his loss, which is in every way irreparable. His memcHy 
will remain with me for ever, very precious and valued. 
I beg of your Ro3ral Highness to accept the expression of 
my warmest and deepest commiseration and to lay the 
same at the feet of your mother and your sister. Never 
has there been a more honest and sincere condolence than 
mine. Pray continue, dearest Sir, the friendship of yoiur 
departed Father towards 

Your Royal Highness' sincerely attached 

Cousin, 
Frederick William R. 

It is necessary at this point to go back somewhat in 
time and to consider the steps which were taken to con- 
solidate the Duke's position. Some days after his father's 
death he had a long conversation with the Queen and Prince 
Albert about himself and his position in the country. 
* Nothing,' he writes -of this meeting, 'could be more 
kind and considerate than the maimer in which she ex- 
pressed herself about all of us.' The House of Commons 



DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION 103 

voted £12,000 a year for the Duke, and £3,000 for each of 1850 
his sisters, the Princesses Augusta and Mary. * This income ^T. 31 
very satisfactory at the present time,' is the comment in 
the diary for July 20. The question of the Duke's seat in 
the House of Lords, however, was not so easily settled. 
Late in July he took his seat in the House, being intro- 
duced by the Duke of Wellington and the Duke of Beau- 
fort. Soon afterwards Parliament was prorogued. In the 
recess the Lord Chancellor put forward the theory that His 
Royal Highness was not entitled to rank as a Ro}ral duke, 
and that he ought only to take precedence according to 
the date of the creation of the dukedom, which was 1801. 
The Duke fought the point strenuously, and found strong 
support not only in Court circles but also among many 
distinguished lawyers, and at the reassembling of Parlia- 
ment he went down to the House and took his seat as a 
Royal duke. Neither the Lord Chancellor nor anyone else 
ventured to dispute his right, and the point was never 
again raised. 

{Letter from the Queen) 

Osborne, August i, 1850. 

I can easily imagine how painful the breaking up of 
the establishment at Cambridge House — ^the departure of 
your poor mother and sisters — ^and the return to the lonely 
house must have been I It must, however, have been a 
satisfaction to you to fed how much your affection and 
consideration have soothed your mother's painful trials, 
and that it is in your power to be of such use to her. 

Your appointments seem very proper ones. May I 
ask who is to remain as gentleman with your mother, 
and who is to have the management of yoiu: and her 
Household ? 

You will easily believe how happy we were that your 
Income was so satisfactorily voted in Parliament, and 
much rejoiced to think that we had been able to be of use 
to you on this occasion* 



104 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1850 Let me repeat again, dear George, how anxious we 

^T. 31 ever shall be to be of use to you, and to show you that 
you have true friends in both of us who entertain truly 
GeschwisUrliche GefUhle ^ towards you. 

The Duke returned to his duties in Dublin late in 
August, and remained in Ireland until October, when he 
paid a short visit to Germany. One more letter written 
during this year must be given. It is addressed to Captain 
Mildmay from Dublin : 

September 3. — ... I wish I could see Louis Napoleon 
receiving the Fleet at Cherbourg ; it will be a very fine 
sight, I think. I cannot but think that it must end by 
his being Emperor sooner or later ! Wonderful when one 
remembers the insignificant figure he cut in England. 

December found His Royal Highness again in the family 
circle at Kew, and on the i8th, we read in the diary, 
he * came up to town and was present at Mary's examina- 
tion at Gloucester House by the Bishop of London, which 
went off well, though she was much alarmed.' So ended 
an eventful year. 
1851 A few extracts from the Duke's diary will serve to 

^ indicate the nature of his life during the years 185 1 to 
1853.* The period was in the main uneventful, but the 
hours were crowded with military duties and public ser- 
vices, and periods of private leisure grew increasingly 
hard to obtain. It was speedily discovered that His lEioydX 
Highness was an admirable speaker, and that he could 
plead persuasively and successfully for those who were in 
distress. Charitable institutions were eager to secure his 
services at their festival dinners, and he seldom turned a 
deaf ear to their appeal. To the warm interest he took in 

• * Brotherly feelings.' 

* It was in January 185 1 that rooms in St. James's Palace were placed, 
by the Qneen's command, at His Ro3ral Highness's disposal. 



DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION 105 

these occasions throughout his pubUc Ufe the diary bears 1851 
abundant witness. Not only does he record the dinner, ^t. 31 
the company, and the object, but ahnost invariably he 
adds the amount collected. 

Diary, February 26, 1851. — ^Went to London Tavern at 6, 
and presided at the Dinner for the German Hospital. It 
went o£E very well and we made a collection of nearly 
£2,000. 

A letter which he wrote to his Mother on his own birth- 
day must be quoted : 

Dublin, March 26. — ^My beloved Mama, this morning Mx.^ 
I received your dear letter from Melton and as I wish to 
answer it inmiediately I cannot do better, dearest Mama, ^ 
than write to you the first thing, as this is the day on 
which you will quite especially be thinking of me first of 
all with love and affection. I need hardly teU you how 
from my heart I regret I should be absent from you all, 
and I would only too gladly have hurried over to spend 
the day with you, for such occasions are ever best spent 
within the circle of dear relations — more especially this 
year after aU the sorrow we have Uved through together 
and in which we have, true to one another, stood united to 
endure amid the depth of our misfortime. But, alas ! 
such a trip is at this moment impossible for me, and you, 
therefore, will forgive my not following my so earnest 
wish. But that I think with all my heart of you this 
letter, I hope, will prove to you, and in spirit we both are 
thinking first of our beloved departed whose dear hand- 
writing I have ever been wont on this day to see first of 
all others, and who ever sent me such loving words and 
wishes for the happiness of my future. It is well for him, 
yet I cannot deny that I deeply and sadly miss his usual 
dear letter and that I should be too rejoiced could we but 
3^t see him among us. But God has willed it otherwise, 
doubtless for His own wise purpose. ... I am very glad 
to see that your stay at Melton has been pleasant to you. 



io6 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1851 I can well fancy when you went over to Bdvoir^ that 
£t. 32 the visit brought back to you many sad reminiscences, 
yet I am glad you did pay the visit, difficult as it must 
indeed have been to you to do so. Your opinion of young 
English gentlemen I somewhat share, but I must say this 
for them, that all Englishmen are naturally reticent and 
one must first know them more thoroughly before one can 
discover their better qualities, they are naturally shy and 
you would in time find out that there is au/ond more in 
them than at first they allow to appear. For the salon 
as it is understood on the Continent they are less suited. . . . 

And also the following : 

April 17. — . . . You are very right indeed to remind 
me that this is Holy Week and I shall certainly not fail to 
go to church to-morrow. Indeed I already had that full 
intention before your dear lines reached me. With regard 
to taking the Holy Sacrament, that is a little difficult just 
now — ^here my thoughts are somewhat scattered and pre- 
occupied. But at a quieter time I would gladly do so 
and be assured, dearest Mama, that I most fully appreciate 
the value of it. . . • 

TheGreat ^^ 3^^ ^^5^ ^^ ^^^^ ^ memorable as the one in 
Exhiw- which the Great Exhibition was opened in Hyde Park. 
That great * festival of peace,' which, by drawing men 
together in the common pursuit of moral and material pro- 
gress, was to mark the end of war and the beginning of a 
new golden age of universal amity, had its opponents at 
the time in those who, like the famous Colonel Sibthorp, 
feared, or professed to fear, the gathering together of so 
many foreigners in London. In a letter to Captain Mild- 
may the Duke refers to these fears. * I hear people are 
getting dreadfully frightened about the Exhibition,' he 
remarks, * and the influx into London. I think myself that 
Ixmdon will be detestable and I wish that the Exhibition 

* Bdvoir CasUe, Grantham, the p roper t y of the Duke of Rutland. 



DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION 107 

were at the Devil ! ' In the case of the Duke, however, 1851 
these feelings were not long-lived, for of the opening of the ^T. 32 
Exhibition on May i he sa}^ : * Went to the opening of the 
Great Exhibition, a very magnificent and wonderful sight. 
Crowds inside the building and outside, but not the least 
confusion, and ever5rthing went off satisfactorily. De- 
lighted I have been present.' 

It is curious when reading the following letter from 
the Emperor Nicholas — ^written in acknowledgment of the 
Duke's having returned him the insignia of the Russian 
Orders which his father held, after the latter's death — ^to 
reflect that only three years later the Duke was in the 
field fighting against him. The Emperor writes : 

Peterhof, le 19 Aviil 1851. 

Monsieur mon Cousin, — La lettre que Votre Altesse 
Royale a bien voulu m'^crire, et k laquelle 6taient joints les 
insignes des Ordres de Russie dont 6tait rev6tu feu Son 
Altesse Ro}^e le Due de Cambridge, Son bien aim6 P^e, 
n'a pu que renouveler dans mon coeur les sentimens de 
vive afifliction que la mort de ce Prince, si justement con- 
sid6r6, m'avait fait 6prouver. En rendant ce triste hom- 
mage k la m£moire de I'auguste d6funt, je prie Votre 
Altesse de croire qu'il est aussi sincere que I'attachement 
invariable et la consideration distingute 

Avec lesquels je suis, Monsieur mon Cousin, 

De Votre Altesse Royale I'affectionne, 

Nicholas. 

When the anniversary of his father's death came round, 
the Duke wrote to his mother : 

July 8. — ^This day of mourning now returns to us which Axmivcr- 
brought us so much sorrow and lament, and a whole year ^^ ^^ 
has past since that precious life ended that we all so dearly lEather's 
loved, honoured and revered. It is well with him, our ^^*^ 
precious one, but for us, how deeply we fed what we have 
lost in him, for us it has been indeed a bad and mournful 
year ! Oh, how much I think of all the different drcimi- 



io8 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1851 stances that so quickly and sadly followed each other this 
SLt. 32 day last year. What a night was that previous one when 
we sat around the sick bed and watched and hoped, all to 
no purpose, for the end was near. How much I would 
have wished to spend this day, dearest Mama, with you 
and my dear sisters and how much I have thought of it 
all these days ; they will move you greatly and we shall 
fully mourn together. I shall of course spend this day in 
the utmost quiet, and after I have written this letter I 
intend to drive to Kew, there to visit the vault where we 
have laid dear Papa in peace and at rest. God grant that 
he looks down on us and sends us his blessing. After that 
I shall go to Richmond, where with my dear Aunt ^ I will 
spend the day and have luncheon and sit with her. Thank 
'God, she is very well and seems in good spirits, she is prudent 
and does not do too much, but yet more than I think good 
for her. . . . My dear Aunt latterly has been going out 
much more than I think prudent, yet she looks weU and 
it does not seem to hurt her. At the same time I cannot 
deny that I think her considerably aged within this year. 
She was yesterday at the concert at Court where I also 
was, and which was very fine. . . . 
Letters to /«fy 15- — I wrote to you on our day of sorrow that so 
^ brought back to me all the grief of the past dreadful year. 

After I had written to you I drove to Richmond by way 
of Kew, had luncheon with dearest Aunt, Lady Caroline,* 
and Liddell,' and found her tolerably well, although very 
low; which it was natural she should be. It unfortunately 
was a bad day and she could not drive out in her garden. 
I then went back to Kew and with good Kirby* visited 
the vaults. I was much satisfied to find all so dry and 
beautiful there, the gold as fresh as though new and not 
the sUghtest damp about the coffin. It was very edif3dng 

* Duchess of Gloucester. 

* Lady Caroline Murray, daughter of the Earl of Mansfield, lady-in- 
waiting to the Duchess of Gloucester. 

" Colonel the Hon. Gecx'ge Augustus Frederick liddell (Scots Guards), 
sixth son of the ist Baron Ravensworth. Comptroller of the Household 
to the Duchess of Gloucester. 

* Head coachman to the Duke of Cambridge. 



DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION 109 

and did my sad heart good. It was 7.30 p.m., just a year 1851 
since I for the last time had seen my beloved father sdive. ^T. 32 
Oh how vivid was that hour of sorrow before my eyes. 
With him it is well but for those who remain death is very 
terrible and sad and one feels this so thoroughly as one 
looks back. The mausoleum will look very well and the 
exterior of the church gains much by it. I then came back 
to London and spent the evening alone and still. . . . 

JuJy 22. — ^As I hope these Unes will find you, dearest 
Mama, at Rumpenheim on the 25th, I hasten to express 
to you beforehand the warmest, deepest, heartiest good 
wishes for that dear day, and at the same time my regret 
that I cannot personally offer them to you. May God bless 
and preserve you as wdl through this as also through many, 
many coming years and knit the bonds of love and trust 
ever closer and closer that unite us in such a heartfelt 
manner. We have lived united through sad and bitter 
times, may happier ones await us in the coming years. . . . 
I thought much of you all on the 19th ^ and congratulate 
you on the day. 

Jidy 25. — ^My dearest much-loved Mama, I cannot begin 
this day better than by writing to you to express to you 
my heartiest fondest good wishes for this your birthday. 
Alas, that I am far away and cannot see you which I 
greatly, greatly regret, but I cannot help it. How wiU 
you spend the day — doubtless a happy day in the family 
circle. . . . God preserve and bless you in this year and 
through many coming years and send you all conceivable 
happiness, health and contentment. May the love we 
mutually feel for one another strengthen with every year. 
Thanks to you for all the friendship you have so often and 
so warmly proved to me, for in this glorious understanding 
between dear relations consists the true happiness of life. 
I am going to-day to drive to Richmond to see dearest Aunt 
Mary, lunch there and wish her joy of this day. She is 
asked to Osborne for the 4th August and so am I, but I 
have to excuse myself as I must return to Ireland on Monday 
for good. . . . 

' The birthday of his elder sister, the Princess Augusta. 



no 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



1831 



Z852 
At 33 



Death of 
the Duke 
of Wd- 
lington 



/«/y 31. — On Monday my dear Aunt came to London 
to say adieu to me before I left. I thought her well and 
in good spirits, but I was intensely sorry to leave her, for I 
feel how very alone she is now, and I would so gladly have 
remained near her. . . . 

December 2. — ... I have no reason whatever to com- 
plain of the brevet, as I had very much rather remain a 
Major-General in employment than be a Lieutenant-General 
without employment. I told them so myself, and as I 
am a Major-General they can at any time promote me to 
the higher step. 

Diary, April i, 1852. — ^Drawing Room. Edward ^ went 
with us and his wife ^ was presented. Mary went to Court 
for the first time. July i. — ^Went to Prorogation of Parlia- 
ment at 1.30. A fioie day and fine sight. AU the people 
in the best possible humour and spirits. Speech good and 
well read. Sept. 14. — ^Heard of sudden death this day at 
3.30, at Walmer, of the Duke of Wellington. Walked up 
after dinner to Apsley House and ascertained that the sad 
event was but too true. 

Of the death of the Duke of Wellington Queen Victoria 
wrote as follows to the Duke of Cambridge : 

Balmoral, September 22. — ^My dear George, You will, I 
know, join in the grief of the whole nation at the loss of 
that great and inunortal man, whom it has been my privi- 
lege, I may truly say, to have known intimately. The 
dear old Duke's loss is an irreparable one in every sense of 
the word, and one cannot realise at all the possibility of 
his being no longer amongst us, or think of England mthout 
fHm^ i 

I give you, with the greatest pleasure, permission to 
accept and wear the Order of the Black Eagle which the 

' Field-Marshal Prince '^^lliam Augustas Edward of Saxe-Weimar 
(colonel I St Life Guards), eldest son of Prince Bernard of Saxe-Weimar 
Eisenach, and Ida, daughter of George Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. Bom 
1823 ; died November 16, 1902. 

' Lady Augusta Katherine Gordon Lennox, second daughter of the 
5th Duke of Richmond and Lennox, K.G. 



DEATH OF FATHER AND SUCCESSION iii 

King of Prussia has been so kind as to give you. I rejoice 1852 
to hear that you found Augusta quite recovered. She and £t. 33 
Fritz will, I am sure, be deeply grieved at the Duke of 
Wellington's death. 

With Albert's kind love, 

Ever, my dear George, 

Yr. afP*, Cousin, 

V. R. 

Diary y November 11. — ^Went with the Queen, my Mother, 
&c. to Chelsea Hospital to see the Lying in State of the 
Duke of WeUington. A most imposing sight. . . . ijth. — 
Went to Chelsea Hospital at 7 and saw the detachments 
there of all the regiments paraded previously to seeing 
the 'Lying in State. A beautiful and most interesting 
sight for a soldier. 18M. — ^This is the great day appointed 
for the Duke's funeral. Though most impromising in the 
morning, it turned out a most beautiful day. Up and 
dressed by 6.15 and out by a quarter before 7. I had the 
entire command and responsibiUty as regarded the troops. 
Everything went oS to perfection and without an accident. 
The masses of people enonnous : their conduct dignified 
and admirable in the extreme. The interior of St. Paul's 
very fine. I have kept detailed accoimts so shall not 
notice them here. Got home safe and sound, though a 
good deal tired, by 5.30, having first reported to Lord 
Hardinge that all was right. 

January 13, 1853. — ^Windsor Castle. Went to see the 1853 
Queen's children act a French play— excellent. -**• 33 

April 19. — Gave a dinner at home to Prince Albert, JEX.y^ 
who came at 7.30, accompanied by Colonel Seymoiu:. 
There dined besides Lords Aberdeen, Clarendon, Eglinton, 
Mahnesbury, Hardinge, Raglan, Adolphus FitzClarence, 
Duke of Wellington, Count Kielmansegge, Mr. Sidney Her- 
bert, Paulet * and self. The party went off very well and 
the dinner was a good one. June 7. — ^To Oxford with my Viait to 
sisters and brother-in-law. Drove at once to the Theatre, ^^^°^ 

' Lord William Paulet (afterwards Field-Marshal), fourth son of the 
xjth liarqnis of "^^^chester. Died in 1893. 



112 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

i8 53 where the installation of Lord Derby took place, a mag- 
-^T. 34 nificent sight, which went off to perfection. The under- 
graduates in the best possible humour ; was made an 
Honorary Doctor of Civil Law with many others. Then 
lunched at All Souls College, drove, and walked to various 
Colleges. Levee of the Chancellor at 4, dressed at Christ 
Church, and went to a great dinner at Worcester College, 
the Vice-Chancellor in the Chair. Retiuned to London by 
10 o'c. express. 



CHAPTER VI 

THE CRIBCEAN WAR 
1854-1856 

The Eastern question — ^The war fever — The Duke's anxiety to proceed 
to the front — ^Appointed to a division — Good-bye to friends— Depar- 
ture for Paris — Meeting with the Emperor — Great review on the 
Champs de Mars — ^A council of war — ^Mission to Vienna — ^Hasty 
criticisms at home—Prussia the unknown quantity — ^Hopes of Austrian 
co-operation— The Duke as special envoy— Lord Clarendon's tribute 
— Arrival in Vienna — Meeting with the Emperor — ^Marriage of the 
Emperor — ^Political conversations — ^Austria's sincerity — Success of the 
Duke's nussioQ — Letters to the Duchess of Gloucester-*Praise from 
the Queen and from Lord Clarendon — The need for caution — In 
camp near Varna — ^Lord Raglan's] difficulties — RavagesTof cholera — 
Crimea — Battle of the Alma — On the heights near Sevastopol — ^Battle 
of Inkerman — The Queen and her brave troops-— Her Majesty to the 
Duke — Storm at Balaklava — The Duke to the Queen on the state of 
the Army — The Duke of Newcastie's tribute 

The political sky, which for England had been so dear and ^3^ 
serene at the time of the Great Exhibition, had since that ^^ 34 
festival of peace been growing gradually darker and more The East- 

em Ques* 

threatening until, at the end of 1853, it was black with the tion 
storm rack of approaching war. 'The long, long canker 
of peace ' which had obtained since the heroic da}rs of the 
struggle with the First Consul was indeed * over and done,' 
and was soon to be succeeded by * the blood-red blossom of 
war.' This is neither the place nor the time to attempt to 
unravel the tangled skein of events which forced the Eastern 
question on the attention of the Western Powers. It is 
enough here to say that the dawn of 1854 f oimd the question 
in acute suspense, with the balance already turning in the 
direction of war. True, the Powers had steadily refused 

VOL. I. I 



114 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 to recognise the throwing of two divisions across the Pruth 
^T.34 to possess the Danubian Principalities as an act of war, 
and the pretence of diplomatic negotiations was still kept 
up, but the rejection of the Vienna Note, the fighting at 
Oltenitza, and the ' Massacre ' of Sinope had sealed the 
fate of peace. The poUticians of Great Britain had linked 
the fortunes of their country with those of France to 
oppose the aggressiveness of Russia, and an open rupture 
was merely a question of days. It came on that day, 
early in March, when Coxmt Nessekode informed our 
messenger that the Emperor Nicholas did not think it 
becoming in him to give any reply to an ultimatum of 
February 27. 

Or ever this happened, we had been moving troops 
towards the East. From the garrison towns men had 
marched out amid the plaudits of an enthusiastic populace. 
It is, indeed, impossible to deny that the idea of war was 
welcome to the great mass of the people, who were feeling 
the inevitable reaction after a long period of peace, and 
who saw in the coming conflict an opportunity to emulate 
the strenuous deeds of which their fathers talked so proudly. 
Anxiety The Duke of Cambridge himself had heard ^ the riunble of a 
the^front distant drum,' and was all eagerness to bear his part in the 
struggle. On February 9 he learned that 10,000 men were 
to embark immediately for the East, and the following day 
he spent * trying to find out whether or not I am to go out 
with the troops ordered on foreign service, but have heard 
nothing as yet.* On the nth he was * very busy all the 
day at the Horse Guards with a view to being employed 
with the Army to go to Turkey,* and on the 12th he was 

* still very doubtful as to whether or not I am to go.* On 
the 15th he writes : ' Went in the morning to ascertain 
what was to become of me, but could hear nothing for 
certain.* The good news came on the following day: 

* Went to Horse Guards and there heard that I had a good 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 115 

chance of going out. At 2.30 the Duke of Newcastle^ 1854 
came, who announced to me my good fortune in being ^t. 34 
appointed to a Division in the expeditionary force. Over- 
joyed at this news. Communicated it to all my friends.' 
The days were now fully occupied in making the necessary 
preparations for the campaign, and in sa}ang good-bye to 
friends and relatives. 

Diary, February 25. — Dined at White's, when 60 members 
of the Club— friends of mine — gave me a most cordial and 
kind parting dinner. The Duke of Hamilton was in the 
chair. March 4. — Dined at Boodle's, 50 members of the 
Qub giving me a dinner. Cardigan in the chair. Dinner 
excellent. 25th. — Dined at the Palace, when the Queen Mt3s 
gave a dinner in honour of my birthday and a very pretty 
little dance afterwards. April 10. — ^Ttds is my last day in 
dear old England. The departure is really fearful. Would 
it were well over ! I am off at 8.30 to-night. God bless all 
my relatives and friends. George. 

It was decided that the Duke should proceed to Paris, Depar- 
there to confer with our ally, the Emperor Louis Napoleon, pans 
Another diary begins with the following heading : 

This journal commences with the period of departure 
for the seat of war in the East, 1854. 

April 10. — ^After a sad day spent in taking leave from 
so many dear and kind friends, in short a day such as I 
should indeed be sorry to spend again, and after a small 
dinner with Adolphus FitzClarence, left London by the 
train at 8.30 and reached Dover at 11.30, accompanied by 
Lords Raglan ' and De Ros,' Jim, Tyrwhitt,* Somerset,* 

* Secretary of State for War. 

' Lord FitzRoy Somerset, son of 5 th Duke of Beaufort, created 
Lord Raglan. Chief of the Staff to the Duke of Wellington all through 
the Peninsular War, and his Military Secretary when Commander-in-Chief 
at the Horse Guards. 

' 23rd Baron. Quartermaster-General in the Crimea. 

* Captain T3rrwhitt, A.D.C. in after years to the Duke of Cambridge. 

* Colonel Poulett Somerset, son of Lord Charles Somerset, and on 
Lord Raglan's personal Staff in the Crimea. 

I 2 



ii6 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 Wellesley.^ Then embarked at once on board the Vividt 
^7. 35 Captain Smithett, and had a good passage to Calais. Were 
received by the Mayor and authorities, also an A.D.C. of 
the Emperor. Left by special train at 2.30 in uniform, 
and reached Paris at 9.30. nth. — ^Was received by Marshal 
Vaillanty a Guard of Honour, the Roydl carriages and an 
Escort, and went direct to the Embassy, where put up ad- 
mirably by Lord ' and Lady Cowley. The reception was 
excellent and hearty. Cries of * Vivent les Anglais ' heard 
in different directions, the people very respectful. After 
breakfast went in state to the Tmleries : the reception of 
the Emperor Louis Napoleon cordial and dignified; his 
conversation open and candid. I had a long conversation 
with him, when he showed me a letter, from the Emperor 
of Austria, written in a very satisfactory style. I pre- 
sented to him a letter from the Queen, which pleased him 
much. Was then presented to the Empress, who is cer- 
tainly very handsome. Went thence to Prince Jerome,' 
Princess Mathilde,^ Grande Duchesse Stephanie of Baden.* 
Thence home. Prince Jerome called. He is a clever and 
agreeable old man, but I certainly should not have any 
great confidence in him. Weather lovely, was much struck 
by the gay appearance of Paris, the improvements going 
on in all directions immense. At 7.30 dined at the Tuileries 
in plain clothes, a handsome dinner for about 50 people. 
After dinner went to the Opera Comique — VEtoile du Nord, 
by Meyerbeer, was performed. Very pretty as an Opera. 
12th. — ^Up at 8, breakfast at 10, then saw the Prussian 
Minister, Count Hatzfddt, an agreeable and intelligent 
man, who spoke most feelingly about the present position 
of Prussia with reference to the Western Powers. At 
12.30 went to the Tuileries, and at i started for the Champs 
de Mars on horseback with the Emperor, to be present at 

* Ccdoael Frederick Welledey, in diplomatic (military) service in 
Vienna. 

* Our Ambassador in Paris. 

' Prince Jerome Bonaparte, King of Westphalia. 

* Daughter of Prince Jerome Bonaparte. 

* Niece of Napoleon I., and mother of Princess Mary of Baden (Duchess 
of Hamilton). 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 117 

the Great Review he had prepared for me of aboat 30,000 1854 
men. The masses of people enormous, the enthusiasm ^1.35 
very great not only for the ^peror, but also for the English, 
which the whole way was seen by repeated cries of * Vivent 
les Anglais ' — ' Vivent nos allife ' ! The coup d'ceil on 
arriving on the Champs de Mars was magnificent. On 
our left were drawn up five Brigades of Infantry, in five 
consecutive lines of Brigades the entire length of the vast 
space. In front were 7 Batteries of Artillery (one Horse 
Artillery) and on the right were 42 Squadrons of Cavalry, 
equally in four lines of a Brigade each. We rode down 
every line ; the Emperor was received enthusiastically by 
the whole of the troops crying ' Vive rEmpereur.' Both 
in standing in line and in defiling the men looked healthy 
and well. The Artillery I thought least of, the horses 
seemed to me very mean and bad. The Cavaliy under 
General Kock were munificent, most admirably mounted, 
though varying in different Regiments. The Guides are a 
splendid Regiment, one of the very finest I ever saw, and 
quite coming up to our own Cavalry. The Carabineers and 
Cuirassiers are certainly the next finest and some of the 
light Corps are also wdl mounted. After passing the whole 
line, the Infantry got into Columns of Companies, the 
Cavalry made a very well executed manceuvi 
right by the wheel of Squadrons and formed a 
Columns by Brigades on their right Squadrons at 
then they all defiled, the Infantry leading, first 
seurs de Vincennes, admirable Corps, Infantry of 
Garde de Paris, etc., then Artillery, and lastly iiu 
by Squadrons. After this movement, the Infanti 
the Cavalry in Columns of Squadrons wheeled up 
of Columns to the left by Divisions, and made a 
this order across the Champs de Mars, a most 
sight. This terminated the proceedings, whi 
me a very favourable opinion of the French A 
proved the cordiahty of feelings which now so 
exists between the two nations, long it is to 
to last I The Empress and Royal Family were j 
a Tribune. 



ii8 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 April 13. — At 9 went to visit the Barracks of the Guides. 

-*T.35 This is a beautiful Corps, the horses magnificent, the Bar- 
racks comfortable, the men look healthy and are well taken 
care of. There is a mess established on the English system 
for the ofi&cers, which they say answers well. It certainly 
appeared to be on a good scale and well arranged. Colonel 
Fleury, a very intelligent officer, conunands this regiment. 
Then went to the Tuileries, where we had a military meeting 
consisting of the Emperor, Prince Jerome, Marshals St. 
Amaud and Vaillant, Lords Raglan and de Ros and 
myself. The affairs of the East were discussed, but no 
very definite conclusion was arrived at. After two hours 
of discussion, the Emperor drove me in his phaeton 
through the new Rue de Rivoli that he is making — ^a 
very magnificent work — then down the Champs Elys6es 
to the Bois de Boulogne, where again he is effecting great 
improvements, then to St. Cloud, which certainly on a 
fine day is most charming. We then rode and met the 
Empress, who was walking about. The Emperor had a 
good deal of conversation with me on various subjects, 
which was most interesting. He is extremely judicious in 
his remarks, and is open and candid, i^th. — ^At i the 
Emperor came and paid me a visit in State. His conversa- 
tion was as usual interesting, and he was very communica- 
tive. At 2, accompanied him in open carriages to Vin- 
cennes, where I witnessed the construction of a new bridge 
made of Gutta Percha, which appeared extremdy well and 
original, and appeared to answer to perfection. We saw 
the passage of Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery without 
the least difficulty. We then went into the Fort of Vin- 
cennes, a strong work. A Regiment of Artillery is quartered 
there. . . . Came back through the Faubourg St. Antoine, 
where there was a great deal of apparent enthusiasm, and 
thence along the entire Boulevards. The equipage is 
charming and on the principle of the old French Chevaux 
de Poste system. In fact the whole establishment of the 
Emperor is admirably arranged. Dined with Prince 
Jerome — 3, large party at the Palais Royal, and then went 
to the Theatre of that name. 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 119 

On the 17th, the day followmg Easter Sunday, the 1854 
Duke visited the Emperor, * who had sent for and wished to ^'^- 35 
see me. He proposed to me to go by way of Vienna, to visit to 
which I replied that I was quite ready to go, but must pr^^^ 
depend upon the English Government. We telegraphed 
accordingly for orders. . • .* Next day His Royal High- 
ness again visited the Emperor * and took provisional leave 
of him and the Empress, as we had not as yet received any 
reply from London. He showed me the upper apartments 
at the Tuileries, which are fine. Then waited at home for 
some time, but nothing came . . . fully made up my mind 
to start for either Marseilles or Vienna that evening. . . • 
On arrival at the Embassy the reply had come that I should 
go to Vienna. Accordingly arrangements were made to 
start at once, so that there should be no loss of time. . . • 
After taking leave of the Cowleys drove to railroad for 
Strasburg and started by special train. . • .' 

Much bitter criticism was directed against the Duke 
in certain quarters in England for his failure to pro- 
ceed direct to the seat of war. The men who made 
the criticisms saw in the visits to Paris and Vienna a 
series of brilliant pageants and a round of social enter- 
tainments and nothing more. They failed entirely to 
discern behind these outward and visible signs of friendly 
intercourse the urgent prosecution of a clearly defined 
political purpose. And yet even a superficial survey of the 
situation might have been enough to afford a due to what 
was passing behind the dark curtain of diplomacy. The 
official statement published in the London Gazette at 
the time of the declaration of war opened with references 
to the concerted efforts of England, France, Austria, and 
Prussia. It closed with the announcement that England 
was taking up arms in conjimction with the Emperor of 
the French. What, in the meantime, had become of the 
remaining members of the concert, Austria and Prussia ? 



120 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 The truth was that the attitude of these two Powers was 
^^•35 causing the politicians of England and France no little 
uneasiness. Having marched so far together with the 
allies on the road of negotiations, they seemed imwilling to 
follow the path when it led to the battlefield. As the Duke 
wrote to his aunt the Duchess of Gloucester, from Paris, 
'All still look towards Germany, wishing to know what 
may be decided there. As yet the German Governments 
will not openly declare, but I trust they may yet be brought 
to our side ; how they can take any other course I cannot 
imagine. • . .' The key to the situation was to be found 
in the position of Prussia. Her Court was closely allied 
with the Russian Court, she had fallen to a lower grade in 
the household of the nations than she had ever occupied 
before, and she did not see that any vital interest of hers 
was involved in the coming struggle. True, if she had 
boldly thrown in her lot with the aUies the success of their 
united efforts might have restored some of the splendour 
which her fame had lost after the events of 1848. But 
the King of Prussia was not of the stufE to hazard every- 
thing on the cast of a die, and Prussia held back. The 
verdict of Prussia practically determined the attitude of 
Austria. If Prussia stayed at home, Austria could hardly 
be expected to march out to war, and the evacuation of 
the Danubian Principalities and the change of the scene of 
hostilities to the Crimea afforded her an excellent excuse for 
refraining from active participation in the operations of war. 
Austria's But in April 1854, when the Duke was in Paris, the 
tions issues were not so dear as they afterwards became, and 
hopes were still entertained that Austria would take her 
place with the allies in the field. In any case it was impera- 
tive that Lord Raglan should know the intentions of Austria, 
and learn in what contingencies she would be ready to act 
against Russia, If only she could be prevailed upon to 
take the field and threaten Russia on the flank and in the 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 121 

rear, the movements of Russia would be paralysed and * 1854 
her advance to Varna effectually checked. If the young -^^.35 
Emperor and his advisers could be brought to see that it 
was more to the interest of Austria to prevent any disaster 
from befalling the Sultan than to have to come to his reUef 
after the blow had fallen, it was felt that the allies would 
have gained their end. To impress these considerations 
upon the Emperor, and to conduct negotiations so delicate, 
a special envoy was necessary. Ever5rthing pointed to 
the Duke as the person most suited for the mission. His 
high position in the Army and his intimate knowledge of the 
needs of the situation marked him out as pre-eminently 
fitted to plead the cause of the AUies to the best advantage, 
and his royal blood and approved tact ensured him a closer 
approach to the Emperor's ear than the most gifted am- 
bassador could hope to gain. It was in these circumstances, 
then, that he started for Vienna. 

Before His Ro3ral Highness left Paris, Lord Garendon 
had paid the following handsome tribute to his services in 
the French capital : 

April 15. — ... I consider that the visit of Your Lord 
Roydl Highness to Paris has been a great political success Qaren- 
as it has given the French people an opportunity of publicly tribute 
ratifying the policy of the Emperor, while on the other hand 
His Majesty will be more confirmed in that policy and more 
boimd to tixe English aUiance by receiving such unmistak- 
able proofs of the advantage he derives from it at home. 
Permit me to add, Sir, that much of this good effect is due 
to Your Royal Highness individually, to your personal 
bearing and courtesy, and to the manner in which you appear 
to have satisfied aU classes. 

Diary, April 19. — Reached Strasburg at 8 a.m. Was 
received by the Prefect and General Commanding — ^and 
after a drive went on by the ordinary mail train for Carls- 
ruhe, Heidelberg and Darmstadt to Frankfort, where we 



122 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 arrived at 4.30. Saw Mildmay there and Ho&nan to whom 
^T.35 I had sent. My Unde Frederick^ unwell and could not 
come from Rumpenheim. . • . Proceeded at 5 by train 
by Eisenach to Halle, which was reached at 5 o.c. a.m. 
{20th) after a hard night's journey. Reached Leipsig at 3» 
and there remained 3 hours. . . . Went on at 10 to Dresden, 
where arrived at 1.30, and foimd there my dear sister 
Augusta with Fritz waiting for me, having sent them a 
telegraphic message from Paris to say I was coming. Also 
Forbes and GersdorfE* were there. The former having 
foolishly announced me at the Court, an invitation was 
awaiting me to dine with the King and Queen at the Wein- 
garten, which I was forced to accept. They received me 
most graciously. After dinner had some talk with the 
King, whom I found very Russian in sentiments, and all for 
Germany doing nothing. . . . Started by train for Prague 
which was reached at 4.30 a.m. (21s/) and after an hour's 
stoppage continued our journey to Vienna which was 
Arrival in reached at 9 o.c. Westmorland' was awaiting my arrival 
lenna ^^ ^j^^ Station with his sons and attachfe and an officer from 
the Emperor. . . . Drove with Westmorland at once to the 
Embassy where I am put up. 22nd, — ^Af ter .breakfast had 
a long conversation with Westmorland, who read to me 
many papers and despatches bearing on the Eastern Ques- 
tion. . . . The Emperor returned so late that he could 
not give me an audience to-day, but fixed to-morrow for 
it at II o.c. Great preparations going on for the reception 
to-morrow. . . . 2yd. — ^After breakfast at 11 a.m. was 
received in State by the Emperor. He is a young man, 
full of life and energy, and appears also full of talent. He 
conversed long on the important topics of the day, and aU 
that he said was most just and true and, as far as it went, 
satisfactory. I congratulated him, on the part of the 
Queen, on his approaching marriage. As this was my 
first interview with him, I did not wish to press him too 

' Prince Frederick of Hesse, brother to Augusta, Duchess of Cam- 
bridge. 

* Oberhofmarschall at the Court of Saxony. 

* H.B.M/S Ambassador at Viemia. 



E oeorge: of cambi 
''•isfiliGtorKC.H.C.V 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 123 

muchy but I am confident his intentions are with us, though 1854 
he is grieved at the part he is obliged to take against Russia, '^t. 35 
After being with him for nearly i an hour, called on the 
Archdukes, the Emperor's brothers, then on Archdukes 
John and Leopold. Then returned home and went with 
Westmorland to Coimt Buol.^ Had a very lengthened 
conversation with him on all that is going on, which was 
also satisfactory, as evincing a decided and very strong 
feeling in our favour, but still could not get any very decided 
answer as to the period of action. At 3.30 to the house of 
Count Amim, the Prussian Minister, whence I .saw the 
procession of the Imperial Bride entering the town of Vienna 
in State. It certainly was a very magnificent pageant. 
The streets fuU of people and lined with troops : strong 
escorts of Lancers and Cuirassiers in very beautiful order, 
the Chamberlains riding two and two, many in magnificent 
costumes. The State Carriages of the highest nobility and 
of the Court : at length the Bride herself in a carriage and 
eight, looking remarkably well, and doing the thing most 
gracefully. It was very handsome, and gave a great idea 
of ancient grandeur. All was over by 6, and then dined at 
Embassy. . . . 24th. — In the morning received visits Marriage 
from Field Marshal Radetzky, looking wonderfully fresh of the 
and active and full of life and energy. Prince Windisch- °^P®"^ 
gratz,* Count Buol, etc. Then paid visits of form to the 
Empress Mother, the Archduchess Sophia,' a very charming 
person, the Duchess Maria of Bavaria, mother of the Bride, 
Grand Duke Tuscany, etc. Also called on the Augustus 
Coburgs,* who are living in a house over our heads. . . . 
At 6.30 went to the Augustiner Kirche, where the marriage 
of the Emperor took place. I was in a Tribune high up 
with the Coburgs, Wasa,* and Alexander of Hesse,* and we 

' Anstrian Prime Minister. 

* Field-Marshal in the Anstrian army. 

' Princess Sophia of Bavaria, mother of the Emperor of Austria. 

* Cousin of Prince Albert (Prince Consort). Married Princess Clemen* 
tine d'Orl6ans, daughter of Louis Philippe. 

* Prince Gnstav Wasa, son of King of Sweden (Wasa Une). 

* Prince Alexander of Hesse (in Russian service), uncle of Grand^Duke 
Louis of Hesse. 



124 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 did not see very well, but it was a magnificent sight. The 
iBT.35 Church crowded with spectators, and the whole most im- 
posing. The young couple acquitted themselves well, and 
she gave a very pleasing impression. 2%th. — . • . Pre- 
sented the Queen's autograph letter to the Emperor at 2» 
when he received me most graciously and had a very 
long and interesting conversation with me on the state 
of affairs in the East which gave me every satisfaction. 
2gth. — • • . Called at Buol's at 2 and had a most important 
conversation with hyn, when he read the text of the treaty 
between Austria and Prussia,^ which is most satisfactory to 
my mind. • . • Dined at Esterhazy's. 30th. — . . . The 
Emperor came to see me at 2. I had a very agreeable con- 
versation with him. He pleased me very much indeed. 
Took leave of him. • . . Said good-bye to our good friends 
the Westmorlands and started for Trieste at 9 o'c. canying 
with me a most favourable impression of my visit to Vienna. 

The It might seem at first blush that the Duke's efforts had 

attitude ^^^^^ Unavailing, but it must be remembered that Austria 
undertook a conditional co-operation, and that the co- 
operation was not given simply because the necessary con- 
ditions did not arise. Her influence, however, was exerted 
throughout the war in the interests of peace. How near 
she came to active intervention may be gathered from the 
fact that in the summer of 1854 she was on the point of 
signing a convention, offensive and defensive, with Great 
Britain and France, upon the basis of the engagement taken 
by her (Austria) to obtain the evacuation of the Princi- 
palities by force, if refused at her requirement, and that 
this arrangement was only arrested by the announcement 
that the Russian troops had received orders to evacuate 
the Principalities. To prove that Austria was in earnest 
in her determination to stand by the allies in opposing 
Russian aggression, it is only necessary to point to the 

> The arxangement was for mntaal defence in case the interests of 
either Power were placed in jeopardy by the progress of the war. 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 125 

undoubted fact that in the last days of August she would 1854 
have had 300,000 men assembled on the frontier of Moldavia^ ^'^^ 35 
and that among other exertions for the equipment of this 
force she had bought for the army since the month of 
February 1854 some 62,000 horses. As a great authority 
wrote at the time, 'The assembling of such a force is a 
tolerable proof of the sincerity of the Government in its 
adherence to its engagements. It coidd not be destined 
to the support of Russia.' 

The journey from Trieste was uneventful, and on 
May 9 the Duke's ship entered the Dardanelles, where he 
landed under a salute from the French fleet. * Found a 
most singular scene on landing, French English and Turks, 
all mixed up together, the two former on the most cordial 
and friendly terms. . . . Returned on board and sailed 
soon after six.' 

Diary y May 10. — ^Reached Constantinople. Went ashore in Con- 
at once and found Lord Raglan at the Embassy. • . . Went ^^^^ 
to see Lord Stratford de RedcUfie, our Ambassador, with 
whom had a very long talk and found him extremely civil. 
Then returned on board, and proceeded to the Palace of 
Ferez, where I took up my quarters, the Sultan having 
placed it at my disposal. On arrival was welcomed by the 
Sultan's brother-in-law. Went at once to the Palace of the 
Sultan and was received by hinu . • 1. The conversation 
was neither long nor interesting. Upon leaving him went 
below and sat some time smoking pipes with the Pashas 
present. Went over to the Barracks at Scutari in the 
afternoon, and was most enthusiastically received by the 
troops wherever I went. All appeared to be in the best 
health and spirits and seem as comfortable and happy as 
possible. A Pasha is appointed to attend me at all times. 
22ni. — . . . The mail has come in from England with lots 
of letters from the Queen, etc. All highly satisfactory and 
everybody much pleased at the success of my mission to 
Vienna and at the manner in which I had conducted it. 



126 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 The Radical Press attacked me for dela5riiig on the road, 
^T. 35 but I was wdl defended by the Duke of Newcastle in the 
House of Lords and by The Times. 

LettexB The entries that follow in the diary deal with the opera- 

x>Q]Be to tions at the seat of war, and do not find their proper place 
his aunt {^ this memoir. Extracts, however, must be given from a 
remarkable series of letters which the Duke, in the midst 
of all the preoccupations of an active campaign, found time 
to pen to his aimt the Duchess of Gloucester. The letters 
began in Paris, and were continued on the way to the front 
and in the Crimea. 

Vienna^ April 29. — . . . Just one line before I go, to 
say that I am quite delighted with my stay here and with 
the kindness of the Emperor of Austria towards me. The 
F6tes were magnificent,^ the entrance of the Empress into 
Vienna, the marriage ceremony, the State Dinner, Theatre, 
and Ball, were all magnificent, and gave one a veiy high 
impression of the wealth and splendour of this coxmtry and 
its aristocracy. Everybody has been most kind to me, 
and I cannot say too much of the good feeling that has been 
shown from all quarters. The young Empress is most 
pleasing; I had an opportunity of speaking a good deal 
with her the other day at dinner and she speaks English 
to perfection and seems intelligent and wonderfully well- 
mannered for so very young a person. To-morrow I leave 
this for Trieste, and thence direct to Constantinople by way 
of Corfu. Lord Raglan, I find, was delayed at Marseilles 
by the badness of the weather till last Saturday, so that I 
hope to be there soon after he gets there, and meantime 
my having been here has, I hope, been productive of good 
results, for it has certainly been well taken here, of that I 
fed convinced, and I am much pleased with all I have heard 
here. . • . Lady Westmorland is not at all well and wants 
a change of air, but they cannot move at this moment, it 
not being at all desirable he should leave his post when such 

* For the Emperor's marriage. 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 127 

important affairs are going on. . I think they have still a 1854 
hope of Peace, but I confess I am not so sanguine- ^t. 35 

Constantinople, May 25. — ... I have moved from 
the fine Palace I occupied in Europe to a smaller though 
extremely comfortable one in Asia, where I am close to 
the Troops, which I find an inmoiense advantage, as I have 
so much to do in order to get the Division ready to take the 
field, — so that my time is very fully occupied. Lord 
Raglan returned the day before yesterday from Varna, 
where he had been with Mar6chal St. Amaud in order to 
concert measures with Omar Pasha. The result of his 
trip is that the Allies are shortly to go up to Varna. The 
Light Division, Browne's, goes up by sea to-morrow, and 
mine is soon to f oUow, and so on till we are all there, as well 
as the French. I believe this movement is made in con- 
sequence of the investment of Silistria by the Russians. 
I think it is a judicious one, for I think it is well to prove 
to the world how much we are in earnest, and I trust that 
this will make the Austrians declare with us. The loss of 
the steamer Tiger off Odessa is a great annoyance, but we 
must be prepared for these things. Captain Gifiard, the 
Commander, has lost his leg, but it is said that both he and 
his crew, who were all taken, have been well treated by the 
Russians. The ship has been blown up. Yesterday the 
Queen's birthday was duly noticed by the entire Army^ 
Nothing can be better than the health and good spirits of 
the Troops. Lord Raglan is delighted, I think, at having 
got the * Blues ' and we are all equally happy at it. 
I cannot teU you how much I have been gratified by aU 
the kind expressions that have been made about me by all 
my friends, with reference to my Mission to Vienna. The 
Queen and Clarendon have written to me the handsomest 
letters, and nothing could be more flattering than all that 
was said upon the subject by the Duke of Newcastle in 
the House. Pray tell Redesdale with my best regards that 
I am extremely indebted to him for his having taken my 
part so gallantly and having elicited so handsome a reply 
from Newcastle. I care veiy little for the attacks made 
upon me so long as my friends back me up so well as they 



128 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 have now so kindly done. • • • I have not seen much of 

^T. 35 Prince Napoleon, he is very civil and attentive to me and 

determined to be on good terms, but, from all I have heard 

and seen of him, I am afraid he is not good for much. • • • 

The Queen's letter to which His Royal Highness refers 
above was as follows : 

Buckingham Palace^ May 3, 1854. — ^Lord Clarendon 
showed me your long letter to him, and I am anxious to 
express to you our pleasure and satisfaction at the manner 
in which you acquitted yoursdf of your delicate mission at 
Vienna. We and the Government think your letters most 
interesting, and the news they contained very important. 

We are all well and fuU of anxiety for news from the 
East and the North. May God bless and protect you and 
all our brave countrymen engaged in this cause of right 
which we have undertaken to defend. 

Lord Clarendon wrote : 

May 8, 1854. — ... I hope Your Royal Highness will 
not suppose me capable of an uimieaning compliment when I 
say that it would have been impossible for any experienced 
diplomatist to have conducted matters (imder circumstances 
certainly not favourable to business) with more judgment 
and ability and to have rendered an account of them in a 
manner more accurate and interesting. I lost no time in 
transmitting Your Royal Highness's letters to the Queen, 
who, as well as Prince Albert, was greatly pleased with 
them, and I can assure Your Royal Highness that Her 
Majesty's opinions are those also of the Government. We 
consider that Your Royal Highnesses mission has succeeded 
beyond our expectations, as it has been the means of obtain- 
ing information that was much needed but which we should 
otherwise have been without, and it has served to revive 
those friendly feelings on the part of Austria towards 
England which have too long been suspended and which 
we must now more than ever endeavour to cultivate. The 
distinguished reception given to Your Royal Highness by 
the Emperor must have been all the more gratifying as 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 129 

Your Royal Highness fdt its political importance, and I 1854 
rejoice that you found in his Imperial Majesty the judg- ^T.35 
ment, decision, and sincerity that we believed him to 
possess. He appears to be just the Sovereign that Austria 
in her present position requires, and I hope he is destined 
to take a great and useful part in European affairs. . . . 

( To the Duchess of Gloucester) 

Constantinople^ June $. — . . . We are still here, and pos- 
sibly may continue here for some time longer, or may follow 
the Light Division to Varna. I believe it is pretty certain 
that mine will be the next Division to be moved, and we 
are quite ready for a start, and, as far as we are all concerned, 
I believe should not be very sorry to leave this place, for it 
is a great bore remaining idle here. . . . The Turks are 
holding out well in Silistria, and the Russians were cer- 
tainly repulsed the other day, in an attack they made on the 
works of that place, with considerable loss. By all I can 
hear, the Austrians are doing exactly what they promised, 
and I doubt not will ere long have joined their forces with 
ours, which is eversrthing to us. Prussia is the only coimtry 
that gives us uneasiness ; the King's conduct is to me in- 
explicable, and that too after signing the treaty with Austria t 
Lord Raglan is quite well again I am happy to say. From 
Greece the news is good : the King has given way in eveiy- 
thing and has promised to behave better in future. . . . 
I am glad to find that some of us are a little missed by the 
Society of London. Edward ^ is getting on very well in the 
Guards, he is much liked and behaves very well. The 
French are beginning to move up from Gallipoli towards 
the Balkans, so that ere long I hope our forces will all be 
more concentrated than we have yet been. But people in 
England must not be in too great a hurry ! This seems the 
great fault, for we cannot move till fully prepared, and it 
takes some time to get an Army in order to take the field. 
Our Cavalry and Artillery are not yet fully come out, and, 
till they are, what can we do against a most powerful 



Edward oi Saxe- Weimar. 
VOL. I. K 



130 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 enemy ? It never would do to risk the forces unprepared. 
Mt. 35 I will write as often as I can, but should we move from here 
I may have a little more difficulty in this respect — ^in that 
case you must forgive me. . . . 
In camp Camp near Varna, June 18. — ^The order for our embarc- 

v^a ation came upon us rather suddenly at last, and on. Tuesday 
(13th) I left Constantinople with my Division, reached this 
place the following morning, and disembarked at once, and 
am now encamped with my people close to the town expect- 
ing to move more forward in a day or two, so as to make 
room for other troops. This is a most dreadful place, 
the picture of filth and misery, but it is singularly busthng, 
since French and English are all disembarking in great 
numbers, and near and around the town in all directions. 
We expect the concentration of the entire Armies here, and 
as soon as possible I presume we shall be marched forward 
with the view of still saving Silistria if this be possible, 
which, however, I confess I very much doubt. Should it 
fall, I really have no idea what we shall do, but I expect 
we shall have a hardish time of it, for though the country is 
fertile and beautiful to look at, I cannot say much in favour 
of its inhabitants, and I much fear they are more against 
us than for us, which is very awkward I think when we 
once begin to move. However ! ... if the Austrians will 
but declare themselves, the campaign will be an easy one 
enough. ... I have grown so brown from exposure to the 
sun and air that I think you would hardly know me. 

June 29. — . . . The raising of the Siege of Silistria will 
have astonished and delighted all in England as much as it 
has us here, where we were all taken by surprise. As yet we 
know not the real cause of it, nor towhat extent the Russians 
have retired, but we imagine it must be owing to our 
arrival here in force, and to the firm language and attitude 
assumed by Austria. . . . Some imagine the Russians are 
going to withdraw behind the Pruth. In that case I 
presume it is with a view to further negotiations, when I 
fear the greatest of all difficulties would arise, as the German 
Princes would be satisfied with much less I imagine than 
the Western Powers. ' Should, however, a Peace and a 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 131 

good one really result it would be a very great event, 1854 
for certainly these people are hardly worth fighting for ! Mt. 35 
though imdoubtedly the Turks have behaved most nobly 
in the defence of Silistria, which is a bright page in their 
history. 

July 29. — ... I am sorry to say that our men have been 
rather more sickly of late and we have had some cases of 
cholera, so we thought it better to change our quarters, and 
have moved up upon some higher ground, and I hope and 
think more healthy, where I trust we shall shake all this 
off. ... As to our future movements I really know nothing 
as yet. It is supposed that we are to go somewhere by sea, 
but whether this is to be the Crimea or Anapa, I know 
not. ... I hardly think so great an operation as the 
Crimea will be' undertaken this year, as it has got so late. 
... I still hope confidently in Austria, but the doubts 
and hangings back in that quarter are painful and much to 
be regretted, though I know they have a very diflficult 
card to play with Prussia, which is always throwing 
obstacles in the way. . . . 

August 9. — I should not much wonder if we were ere 
long to embark and find ourselves on some more distant 
shore, possibly the Crimea, to which place the good people 
of En^and seem quite determined to send us at all hazards 
and risks. The Government appears very weak and is 
too much guided by the Press, which knows very little, 
but on that account writes all the more. It is very pro* 
voking, all this, for I think the abuse of our Commanders 
is not judicious and only apt to annoy and do mischief, 
but I am told this was always so, even during the Penin- 
sular War. . . . Lord Raglan continues well, in spite of all Lord 
the anno3rance he must fed, and I only hope that between SSfcS-'* 
heat of climate and abuse from home it may not prove too ties 
much for him. 

Varna, August 19. — . . . You will have heard we have 
had our people attacked by cholera and have suffered greatly 
from this dreadful epidenuc, as well as from fever. The 
Fleet are as bad as the Armies, and the French have suffered 
infinitely more than ourselves. I hope it is going off now, 

X3 



132 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 but it has been a very saxl drawback to all our proceedings 
^1*- 35 and operations, and has both delayed and to some extent 
disheartened us, but still I think, when we get something 
to do, the men will be aU the better for it. . . . We have 
now moved again nearer to Varna, and I for my part have 
been for a few days into town to get all right again. I find 
it, however, so exceedingly disagreeable and nasty that I 
infinitely prefer my tent, and mean to go back to that again 
as soon as possible. . • . We can count upon Austria as a 
certainty, I am very glad to say. . . . 

Therapia, August 28. — ... I expect about the 2nd 
September we shall be ofi for the Crimea. It is a great and 
hazardous operation, but I trust it may all go ofi well ; my 
regret is that it is begun so late in the year. I think it would 
have been better had we made a start a little sooner. . . • 

* Crimea^ September 18. — ... I am well and in excellent 
spirits. We landed all right. ... I doubt not we shall 
have some hard work, but I do not question the result for 
a moment. We are already getting much more com* 
fortable, and have as yet not been molested at all. . . . We 
know Uterally nothing of the Russians as yet, but imagine 
that if they had been in force they would have attacked us 
before now, which, however, they have not done. Our men 
have wonderfully improved in health and spirits, and we are 
all looking forward to a brilliant campaign after our long 
inactivity. . . . 

Alma, September 22. — My dearest dear Aunt and Mother, 
though I wrote a hue yesterday in great haste, I find it 
is not gone, and I therefore add a few more particulars 
of the great affair of the 20th. The newspapers will give 
you full accounts no doubt, but I will just give a short 
Battle of description of my own. On the evening of the 19th we 
the Alma ^^^ came in sight of the enemy, but it was merely Cavalry, 
with a few guns. These were soon driven back by otur 
Cavalry, supported by Horse Artillery guns, which made 
excellent practice. On the morning of the 20th the whole 
Army was under arms at 7 o'clock. The French were 
on tiie right, and we on the left. We marched in order 
of battle across a plain, and found the Russians posted in 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 133 

a very strong position, to defend the passage of the River. 1854 
It appears there were about 55,000 men with 50 guns, -^T.35 
entrenched. I was on the left with my Division, in support 
of Sir George Browne. The action began on the right, 
when the French crossed the river, dose to the sea, and 
ascended the heights. They were not much opposed till 
they reached the top, and the first Artillery gun was fired 
at i^ o'clock. When this fire increased the whole of the 
line took it up and gradually advanced. Browne's Division 
was in front of the village, Alma, which was in flames, 
a heavy batteiy of at least 12 guns playing upon the road 
and the bridge. At about 3 o'clock he passed the stream 
and went to the attack. His Regiments got into the 
Batteiy but were very hard pressed. My Division was a 
little more to the left. I saw the difficulties with which 
he had to contend, and went forward in line to support. 
We had to get through a vineyard and the river and were 
exposed to a murderous fire of grape from the Batteiy 
in our front. The Light Division, being hard pressed, 
gave way a little and got mixed up with the Fusilier Guards, 
who suffered severely, but the rest of the Division, having 
formed under the bank, was able to advance steadily, 
which it did, and taking the place of the Light Division, 
went boldly to the front, firing whilst so doing. We then 
soon carried the Battery, ascended the heights in rear 
of it and to the left of it, and the day was won. We have, 
however, experienced a great loss I But by God's blessing 
both myself and my whole StafE have been miraculously 
spared in spite of the fearful fire to which all were exposed. 
I had some narrow escapes and Jim had his horse shot 
under him. The Division has lost about 400 killed and 
wounded, and the loss of the Army amounts to 2,090 men 
and 112 officers killed and wounded. Amongst the Guards 
we have, killed, Capt. Cust, Coldstream, wounded, some veiy 
severely. Colonels Percy, Haygarth, Berkdey, Daliymple, 
Hepburn, Captains Baring, Lord Chewton, Lord Ennis- 
more, Bulwer, Bulkdey, Astley, Gij^, Annesley. It was 
a very serious affair, but the moral effect will, I trust, be 
proportionately great also, and it appears that the Russians 



134 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 have abandoned the idea of again resisting in the open 
-^T. 35 field and have retired into Sevastopol, where we shall now 
have to foUow them. God grant us further success. I am 
grateful to have been thus spared the fate of so many of 
my brave comrades. It is said that the Russians expected 
to hold this position three weeks and had their entire Army 
there ; they have held it but three hours ! Mentschikoff 
was here himself, and his carriage and servants were taken. — 
God bless and protect you, my dear Aunt and Mother. 
Pray give all these details to all relations and friends, not 
forgetting dearest Augusta. Your most affectionate nephew 
and son, George. 

A pathetic incident in the battle of the Ahna was de- 
scribed by the Duke of Cambridge to his mother and sisters 
on his return home. The story is given as he told it. When 
the British soldiers had mounted the hill at the battle of 
the Alma, and the Russians had retreated, our men dis- 
covered a Russian General — ^with both legs shot off — 
lying on the crest of the hill, in a dsong condition. Greatly 
impressed at the indomitable pluck and bravery of the 
British soldiers, he expressed a wish to see the officer in 
conmiand who had effected this victory. Upon the 
Duke of Cambridge being told this, he hastened to the 
spot to see the woimded General. Upon seeing His Royal 
Highness, the Russian exclaimed, ^Mais je veux voir le 
G^dral, pas ce jeime homme-d.' ' Mais, c*est moi, Mon- 
sieur,' repUed the Duke. Thereupon the two embraced and 
shook hands, and soon the Russian General died. 

On the Heights near Sevastopol^ October 3. — . . . We are now 

heights encamped on the Heights within view but just out of range 
S^Jiato- of Sevastopol, at which, however, I have had one or two 
poi excellent looks. It is a fine looking place, but certainly 

appears to have all its strength concentrated on the sea 
side, whereas the land defences are nothing very for- 
midable — though they are hard at work improving them by 
earthworks, which are being thrown up in all directions. 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 135 

Our Engineers, however, say that we command them 1854 
completely from the Heights upon which we are. . . . The ^x. 35 
Russians have sunk at the mouth of the harbour eight 
Line of Battle Ships, so as to prevent the entrance of our 
Fleet. This has been done in such a hurry that it is said 
that guns, stores and arms were sunk with them. They 
are evidently in a great fright, and Mentschikof! is said to 
have harangued the Garrison to give them confidence, and 
told them not to despair, as a large army was marching to 
their relief. This we presume to be Oster-Sacken from 
Odessa and General Wrangd from Anapa. These, with the 
remains of the Army defeated on the Alma, will make up a 
large force, but they are greatly dispirited and will be 
fatigued from their long march, and I doubt their attacking 
us in the very strong position we at present occupy. Still, 
it will be well to get Sevastopol over, for delay would be a 
great disadvantage to us. We have as yet done nothing 
but land our siege train and stores, but it is hoped that 
ground may be broken to-night and thus the work of 
destruction commenced. It is said we shall have a fire of 
200 gims upon them, and in that case I doubt not that 
they will be overwhelmed by the fire. My Division has 
heea detained down at BalaJdava till yesterday, covering 
the approaches to that place. This has given my men 
time to recover a little from their fatigues. Yesterday 
we marched up here, and are now on the extreme right of 
the position, in support of the Light Division. I regret 
to say that the cholera is again visiting us very severely, 
and is thinning our ranks sadly. . . . Winter quarters 
at this advanced season are most desirable, and, therefore, 
the sooner we complete our work, the better for us all. 
. . . Mar^chal St. Amaud has been seized with the cholera, 
and, though better, it is feared he will hardly reach France 
alive. He has resigned and Canrobert has succeeded 
him. He is said to be an excellent officer and is a man 
I like much. . . . While writing, the music of great guns 
is going on. They are constantly firing from Sevastopol 
upon some of our Army or Navy, but have as yet hurt 
nobody. . . . 



136 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 On board the Caradoc, November 8. — ^My dearest Mother, 

-^T.35 Aunt and Sisters. By God's merciful providence I have 
been providentially spared, and am enabled to write to you 
inkennan this day to tell you that we have had a fearful and desperate 
battle and have gained the day, but that our victory has 
been gained at a most fearful sacrifice. Though you will 
see far better accounts of what happened in the Papers 
than I can give you, I will endeavour shortly to relate 
what occurred. On Simday last, just at daybreak, firing 
was heard to our extreme right front, where the former 
attack had been made on the 2nd Division. I hurried out 
and found that Division hotly engaged and very hard 
pressed. There is no doubt that they had been, more or 
less, taken by surprise. On coming up I found no time 
was to be lost, and took the Division or rather the Brigade 
of Guards with the guns to the right of the position. We 
pushed forward and found heavy masses of Russians to 
our front, in a small Battery we had erected in front of our 
line. I saw that there was no help for it and that we must 
re-take this — ^this was accordingly done, after a sharp 
struggle, and the Guards held it. My poor horse was then 
hit in the leg, and I was obliged to get on an Orderly Dra- 
goon's horse, — I was m3rself struck in the arm, but most 
fortunately only grazed without broken skin, though my 
two coats and shirt are completely torn by the ball, which 
I think was turned by a pair of gold buttons that I wear 
with your hair in them. I saw that the moment was 
exceedingly critical, and hurried back to drag up more 
troops. Sir George Cathcart, poor man, was at that 
instant coming up with his Division — I rode up to him and 
pointed out to him what I thought he should do to help, 
but he unfortunately was not of my opinion, and would send 
his troops into the valley to my right, instead of their 
being placed as my support on the left. I then foimd heavy 
masses of troops coming up on our left flank, and saw 
that we stood a good chance of getting cut off, but my 
men, led on with ardour, had joined in the 4th Division 
below, and I could not get them back as quickly as I wished. 
Upon this I went with Jim to seek for other troops, when. 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 137 

on my endeavouring to get back to our position, I 1854 
found the very thing had happened that I dreaded — ^the ^T.35 
Russians had got in between the ist and 2nd Divisions 
and the former, with the 4th, Cathcart's, were isolated. 
With diflftculty Jim and myself avoided being taken prisoners, 
having to ride for it between a Russian hue of fire and that 
of some of our own men. Fortimately some French Bat- 
talions then came up in support, and the Russians, who had 
then made their fourth attack, were driven back with fearful 
slaughter.^ On mustering the Guards at first I could 

* Dr. Anton Tien, some time Oriental Secretary on Lord Raglan's 
Stafi during the Crimean campaign, writing in 1S60, gives the following 
interesting acconnt of the Duke's escape : ' It is with a feeling of thankful- 
ness that I look back to Sunday, 5th November, 1854, that eventful 
day of the Battle of Inkerman, when with my valued friend the late 
Captain Sir William Peel, R.N., of the Frigate Diamond, who commanded 
Battery No. 2 Naval Brigade, we were, under God, the means of saving 
H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge and the handful of Guards under him. 
During the night of the 4th of November thick mist and drizzling cold 
rain prevailed and continued almost the whole of the 5 th, obscuring the 
air and embarrassing the movements of our troops ; at early dawn we 
were aroused by the roar of Cannon and Artillery, not the ordinary 
cannonade between trench and fortress, but a quick and vigorous out- 
burst of shot and shell ; the thirty-two pounder shells coming through the 
air, and bursting into fragments with their harsh grating " Serishi," the 
most hated of aU batUe sounds, and underlying quick rattle of musketry 
The Russian attack was sudden and simultaneous all along the line, 
from the French at Kamiesh to the English right at Mount Inkerman, 
about the red sand battery; the hottest attack, however, was on the 
Second Division, Home Ridge, which was commanded by Sir De Lacy 
Evans (he was absent from illness and General Pennefother took the 
Command), the Guards Brigade, and also a litUe later, near the Wind- 
mill. The Guards had already driven back, and down the " Kitspur '* 
ravine, five or six times a huge attacking party of Russians, and were hard 
pieesed, as they were attacked by about 20,000 men led by General 
Pauloff, and the Second Division dose by was attacked by about 40,000 
men led by General Soimonoff, who was killed in front of Second Division, 
and also of the Guards. An enormous slaughter of Russians and many 
English took place. 

' Captain Peel hurried to his battery, saw that everything there was 
in a proper state ; came back to the Second Division to fetch his india- 
rubber bed from the tent of Captain Conolly of the 30th Regiment, where 
he slept the previous night, but found most of the tents of the Second 
Division, especially those of the 30th Regiment, had been destrosred by 
the Russian fire from the " Shell Hill " ; Captain Conolly and his servant 
Caasidy were killed. I had just returned with the A.D.C.. Cokmel Steel, 
from delivering the General's orders to the Turkish troops, and met 



138 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 collect but three companies ; however, by their gallantry 
-^T. 35 and courage the remainder were saved, though for a long 
time cut off and having no anmiunition left. For the 
remainder of the day the EngUsh Troops held the position, 
in which they were most fearfully shelled, whilst the French 
pushed forward and followed the retreating Russian Army, 
which saved all its guns, I regret to say, though the loss in 
men to them has been quite awful. We for our part have 
been dreadful sufferers — ^the whole loss amounts to at least 
2,500 men, that of the Brigade of Guards alone to 589 
killed and wounded, out of them 12 officers killed and 21 
wounded. The general officers have suffered frightfully — 
poor Sir George Cathcart, Generals Strangways and Goldie 
were killed, Generals Bentinck, BuUer, Torrens, Adams 
and Sir Geoige Browne are wounded. My A.D.C, CUfton 

Captain Peek on the back of the " Home Ridge " behind the Headquarters. 
He asked me to go with him to the red sand bag battery. On our way 
we passed through many killed and wounded — ^English and Russian. 
Bullets, shell and shot were whizzing in all directions. A Russian Officer, 
who was badly wounded, cried, " Water I Give me water to drink 1 " 
I dismounted and gave him some from my flask, and he said with great 
animation — " Tell your people to come out of that battery, they are going 
to be surrounded." And, in fact, they were nearly cut off by a large 
force, the Irkutsk, Yakutsk, and other Regiments. I told Captain 
Peel what the wounded man had said, and sure enough we saw with 
our field glasses through the mist that the Irkutsk Regiment from the 
ground behind the Guards on the slopes of " Mount Head " were firing 
on the red sand bag battery as they came down, whilst the Yakutsk 
and other Regiments were advancing upon the left front of the Guards. 
Captain Peel conveyed this intelligence to Captain Higginson of the 
Grenadier Guards, and he to H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, who im- 
mediately ordered the men to fall in, put the Colours in the midst and 
made a rush, with fixed bayonets, at the Irkutsk Regiment which was 
coming down the hillside, and cut their way through the fire. The Duke 
of Cambridge rode past the enemy with his A.D.C, Major Macdonald, 
but not unscathed, for he was hurt by a ball which grazed his arm, and 
his charger was shot under him. Half of the soldiery who were under 
him (a small body of men they seemed to be, possibly not more than 
200 or 300) scraped past the Russian soldiers, and so saved the Colours. 
About half of the troops were killed and wounded during the rush. So 
the Russian Officer's important and timely information, conveyed through 
Captain Peel, saved the Duke of Cambridge, the handful of soldiery, 
and the Colours of the Grenadier Guards. Captain Peel presented me 
to H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, who still remembers my connexion with 
the Army in the Crimea, and can recall the incident.* 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 139 

is wounded in the cheek and had his horse killed under him, 1854 
but thank God he is himself not severely hurt — Jim had ^T.35 
his horse also shot under him. I understand from the 
prisoners that two Russian Grand Dukes have arrived with 
large reinforcements of troops, at least two fresh Divi- 
sions, that they came by waggons and carts from Odessa 
in 9 days and are the Corps of Generals Dannenberg and 
Liprandi, who have been in the Principalities, and who I 
suppose can be spared, as Austria seems fully determined 
to do nothing for us. It then appears that these young 
Princes abused all the Generals and Admirals, and said 
they were not fit for their positions, and had allowed 
themselves to be most shamefully beaten, — ^whereupon a 
great attack was determined upon and carried out with these 
fresh troops as I have explained it. It is generally imagined 
that in this action the Russians have lost nearly 20,000 
men, which if true is certainly most fearful. Our position 
now has become a very serious one, and what is to be done 
I really hardly know, though I consider it next to impos- 
sible to remain here in the winter, as I find is the wish and 
intention of the Government. . . . We have now but 
14,000 left out of 24,000 with which we landed in the 
Crimea. ... I myself am so completely worn out that 
I have been advised to go on board a ship for a few days 
for change of air, and they even want me to go to Constan- 
tinople. . . • The officers of the Guards killed are Pakenham, 
Sir Robert Newman, and Neville, Grenadiers — ^Dawson, 
Cowell, McKennan, Greville, Disbrowe, Bouverie, Ramsden 
and Elliot, Coldstream — ^and Colonel Blair of the Fusiliers. 
The wounded are too numerous to mention ! but amongst 
others are Lord Charles Fitzroy, Halkett, Sir Robert 
Fergusson, Fielding, Baring, Sturt. . . . Bentinck is not- very 
bad, but still it has shaken him much and he will have to 
go home, I fear, though Lord Raglan is very anxious he 
should not. . . . 

After the battle of Inkerman the Queen wrote to the 
Duchess of Cambridge to congratulate her upon the safety 
of her son : 



140 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 My dear Aunt, — I must wish you joy that our precious 

^T. 35 George has been preserved. God watched mercifully over 

him in the glorious battle of the 5th. How many have 

^^ fallen — ^four generals killed and five wounded. We live in 

and her a State of terrible tension and excitement, for though we 

tgQ^ have no son there yet all our heroes are so precious to us 

and we take such deep interest in their sufferings that it is 

almost the same thing. You expressed it so truthfully 

and beautifully in writing to Mama when you said how 

proud I must be that these brave troops are my children. 

Yes, dear Aunt, I am greatly proud of it I must say. All 

the more what they have to suffer and endure so deeply 

affects and upsets me ; my good Albert thinks of nothing 

else. What then must your feelii^ be ! Tell me honestly, 

would you with Mary like to come here towards the end of 

next week, or beginning of the following ? You would find 

no party, as during all this time we have had very few 

people here. Albert greets you heartily, and also Mary. 

Ever your affectionate Niece, 

V. R. 

To the Duke himself. Her Majesty wrote : 

Windsor Castle, November 18, 1854. — ^Thank God I that 
you are safe after this fearful but glorious Battle of the 
5th. But how many have we to deplore ! four General 
officers killed and five wounded, and how many of them 
we know may not have fallen I It is dreadful to wait in 
uncertainty till we know the fate of so many ! Alas ! one 
sad and irreparable loss we know already, that of poor 
Sir G. Cathcart ! This is a serious public loss, for he was 
a most distinguished officer and an excellent and able 
man! Poor Gen. Strangways too, after waiting so long 
for advancement — ^to be killed I War is indeed awful. 
It must be fearful to witness, and the anxiety and uncer- 
tainty for the future, with the privations, which you have 
all to endure, most trying to everyone. But, my dear 
George, you none of you can know what it is for us, who are 
at home, living in agonies of suspense and uncertainty 
from day to day, hour to hour, trembling and hoping I It is 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 141 

a most awful time of excitement and agitation to us all, 1854 
and then to see and know so many poor families in un- ^t.35 
certainty for the loss of husbands, sons, brothers, friends, 
etc., is heartbreaking ! But, in the midst of this all, there 
are great consolations and many causes of pride, which 
are — the heroic and glorious conduct of our noble troops. 
I cannot say, dear George, what feelings of pride fiU my 
heart when I read, which I never can without emotion, 
the accounts of such gallantry, such devotion, such courage 
under privations ! It has, besides, raised the feeling of the 
whole country. There is but one unanimous feding of 
pride and sympathy in the whole nation, among high and 
low, which is most gratifying to witness. We think of 
nothing else. If we could both be with you and share your 
toils and dangers we should be happy. I never regretted 
more than I have done these last few months that I was 
a poor woman and not a man ! 

I hope that you wiU soon be well provided with many 
warm things and that reinforcements will be daily coming 
in to cheer you all. God grant this fearful siege may soon 
be over for you all ! 

With his health broken by recurring attacks of sickness 
it might have seemed to the Duke that Fate had done its 
worst. But other terrors were in store ; within a few days 
a storm of almost unexampled violence swept down upon The 
the ships lying outside Balaklava harbour, carrying havoc b^ ** 
and death in its train. The story of his escape is told by the ^^^* 
Duke in his diaiy : 

Tuesday, November 14. — ^This was without any exception 
the most fearful day of my Ufe. At about 5 o'c. this morning, 
the wind, which had hitherto been strong, began to freshen 
and was soon a gale, and by 8 o'clock it was blowing a 
perfect hurricane, with a most fearful sea on. It came upon 
us so suddenly and unexpectedly that we could not get to 
sea and were obliged to lie there (just outside Balaklava 
harbour) making the best of it and hoping for the best. It 



142 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 soon, however, became evident that ourposition was a most 
-^T. 35 critical one and that we were in great danger from our 
proximity to the shore and the coast, a fearfully steep 
and roclq^ one. The transports near us were driving fear- 
fully at their anchors, and the Rip-van-Winkle as nearly 
as possible got foul of us, when we must have gone. Provi- 
dentially this was avoided, but the unfortunate transport 
soon was ashore, and all hands but two or three perished. 
At 10, our rudder was carried away, and then all the upper 
deck guns and shot were thrown overboard. This lightened 
the ship considerably and no doubt principally contributed 
to saving her. At 12 two Anchors went out of her, and 
we had now only one left and our steam that could pos- 
sibly save us. At 2 a thunderbolt fell and struck the 
ship, with a heavy shower of hail. This cleared the atmos- 
phere, and the wind went gradually down, though the sea 
continued as fearful as ever. Had we had a rudder, we 
would have made a start, as several others did, but, totally 
helpless without one, we were obliged to remain in our 
most critical position about 200 jrards from the shore. 
Thus we lay all night, hoping for the best, and a most 
fearful and awful 24 hours we spent, but God's Mercy came 
to our rescue and we were most providentially saved. 
I5^A. — ^After a most anxious night and no sleep, the morning 
broke calm and with only a heavy swell on. A boat was 
sent in for a tug, which at length arrived at about 12, took 
us in tow and brought us safely in to Balaklava harbour, 
where we received the congratulations of our friends on 
our most providential escape. The scene both inside 
and outside the harbour was marvellous in the extreme. 
Eight transports were lost outside, including the unfor- 
timate steamer Prince^ and with the exception of about 
50 all hands perished. All the other transports without 
exception that were outside were dismasted. Inside too 
the damage done was fearful, the vessels in endeavouring to 
run in having regularly cut one another down by * fouling.* 
Never was there such a sight, and the loss in stores and 
provision for the army is most distressing. ... I found 



if 



ii^l 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 143 

myself so unwell that I wrote for leave to proceed to 1854 
Constantinople. -^x. 35 

Before he was compelled to embark on board the The needs 
Caradoc the Duke had realised that all was not well with our ^^y 
forces and that their sufferings from the rigours of the 
coming winter would be intense. His views on these ques- 
tions are set out in a letter which he wrote to the Queen on 
November 2 from the Heights above Sevastopol : 

My dear Cousin, — I have long delayed writing to you, 
hoping from day to day to be able to tell you of the fall 
of Sevastopol, but this operation has, alas ! proved itself 
so far more protracted and difficult than we at first antici- 
pated that it really is now impossible to tell how much 
longer it may last, and I, therefore, cannot let another 
post leave us without thanking you and Albert most 
sincerely for the veiy kind and flattering letters I received 
from you upon hearing of t]}e Battle of the Alma. I am 
truly grateful, I assure you, for my personal safety, and 
with you deplore the heavy loss we there sustained. Cer- 
tainly the moment of victory was a heart-stirring moment 
to us all, and to none more than myself, who found m3rself 
providentially saved, whereas so many of my brave Division 
around me had fallen. War, however, is a fearful scene, 
and I assure you the scenes we had afterwards and which 
we have since witnessed have given me the greatest horror 
of it. Still we at least have the feeling that we are fighting 
in a just cause, and with God's blessing I trust we may ere 
long accomplish our task and then may look forward to 
peace. Still, I fear we may yet have some hard blows to 
give and receive, and the season is advancing with rapid 
strides. The cold is now intense, and I assure you oa these 
heights with frost on the ground, in small tents, and without 
the least warmth or comfort, it is a most unpleasant position 
to be in. We, therefore, pray for a speedy termination to 
this dreary work, and then hope and pray for winter quar- 
terSi for how it will be possible to exist without covering 
for either man or horse, I cannot imagine. We have an 



144 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 immense number of sick, and it is with difficulty we keep 
^T.35 well. This army wants a thorough rest and reorganisa- 
tion, otherwise I fear it will be found by next Spring very 
few of us will be left. . . . The firing has now continued 
more or less for nearly a month, and, as fast as one Russian 
Battery is destroyed, another seems to spring up. Still I 
hope from all accounts the Garrison is much disheartened 
and has suffered severely, and, as the French are getting 
very close to the town, I trust that in a few da3^ more they 
may be able to make a lodgment in it. We shall then see 
whether or not the Garrison will hold out much longer. 
The Ships wiU, I fear, prove our great difficulty — of these 
there are still, I believe, 20 left, and they will rake the whole 
town, I apprehend, after we have entered it. Our great delay 
has been on the part of the French, and we can do nothing 
till they get in, on our left. We had two very exciting days 
last week. One was a very sharp attack on Balaklava, 
which fortunately was saved, tho' our Allies the Turks 
ran away and abandoned their guns in the most shameful 
manner. It was on this day that our Heavy Dragoons 
made a splendid and most successful charge, entirely routing 
a veiy superior force of Russian Cavalry, and afterwards, 
by a sad mistake, our Light Cavaliy Brigade made one of the 
most brilliant but senseless attacks that ever could have 
been imagined, and suffered most severely. In fact they are 
more than half destroyed. Still, the gallantry of the thing 
nothing that can be imagined could surpass. The following 
day a sortie was made, upon the position of General Evans. ^ 
About 8,000 came out of Sevastopol in the most determined 
manner, but they were so badly met by Evans with the 2nd 
Division, that they were completely routed, with very 
heavy loss indeed on their side. It is estimated at about 
600 men. The amount of Artillery that we could bring 
against them was very fortunate and the 2nd Division 
behaved most nobly and Evans conunanded them to per- 
fection. On both occasions I had nothing to do, with my 
Division, further than to look on, as on both days I was 
sent in support. We are now extremely anxious about 

■ Sir De Lacy Evans, commanding 2nd Division. 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 145 

Balaklava, in front of which the Russian Army is posted, 1854 
and the whole Brigade of Highlanders are now there under -^t. 35 
Sir Colin Campbell ^ for its defence. I am thus reduced to 
a veiy small personage up here with my one Brigade of 
Guards, and now we have the whole Russian Army in our 
rear, and it is to this point that I specially look. Since 
the day at Balaklava they have established themselves in 
front of that place and to our rear, and are there in con- 
siderable strength, indeed I should think it was their whole 
Army, but how strong they are I do not know. It is an 
interesting and a critical moment, but I hope under God's 
blessing all . will end. well. We have had the misfortune 
to lose while here that excellent officer Colonel Hood 
of the Grenadier Guards, and Captain Rowley of the same 
regiment, and Captain Cameron. Mr. Davis and Edward 
Weimar have been wounded, the latter I am happy to say 
veiy slightly, by the bursting of a shell in the trenches ; 
his escape is perfectly miraculous, he was contused all 
about his legs, so near him did the shell burst, but I believe 
the thickness of his doak saved him. I am delighted 
it was no worse, for he is really a most excellent officer and 
has borne his privations and hardships in a most exemplary 
manner. . . . 

Little more remains to be told of the Duke's service in Tribute 
the field, but a tribute which the Duke of Newcastle paid Dnke ot 
to his conduct in a letter addressed to the Duchess of ^^^ 
Cambridge after the battle of Inkerman must be quoted : 

November 22. — Madam, Permit me to congratulate Your 
Royal Highness first upon the honourable mention of the 
Duke of Cambridge in Lord Raglan's Despatch published in 
the Gazette this day, and secondly upon the happy escape 
of his Royal Highness from the wounds and death which 
have deprived the Countiy of the services of so many of the 
gallant men in that Division of the Army which he com- 
manded on the memorable 5th of November. In case 
Your Royal Highness should not have received letters after 
the battle from the Duke of Cambridge, I write to infonn 

> Afterwards Lord Clyde. 
VOL. I. f 



146 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 Your Royal Highness that Lord Raglan has advised the Duke 
^T. 35 of Cambridge to go down to Constantinople for a few days 
to recruit his strength, which has somewhat suffered from 
the anxieties of the Siege, the exposure to a tent life, and 
the want of rest. Lord Raglan expresses the hope that 
His Royal Highness will return to the Army very shortly 
in fresh strength and vigour — so that I think Your Royal 
Highness need be under no imeasiness on account of this 
temporary surrender of the comimand of the ist Division. 
I must apologise to Your Royal Highness for the lateness 
of this communication, but when I inform Your Ro3ral 
Highness that the business entailed upon me by the arrival 
of the Mail this morning kept me incessantly occupied 
in my office from 9 o'clock this morning till past 9 o'dock 
to-night, I am sure Your Royal Highness will acquit me of 
intentional neglect. Your Royal Highness will hear with 
pleasure that Lord Raglan speaks in the highest terms of 
praise of the services rendered to the Duke of Cambridge 
by Major Macdonald and of his admirable conduct in the 
field on eveiy occasion. Your Royal Highness will, I am 
sure, greatly rejoice in the great and glorious victory of the 
British Arms, — ^almost ecUpsing the brilliant day at the 
Ahna. I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Royal 
Highness's obedient humble servant, Newcastle. 



CHAPTER VII 

THE CRIMEAN WAR — {COfUinued) 

The Dnke's shattered health — ^Verdict of the Medical Board — ^Miss 
Nightingale-^Letters from the Queen and Prince Albert — ^His Royal 
Highness decides to proceed to Malta — ^Departure for England — 
Arrival home, and meeting with the Queen — Speech in the House of 
Lords — ^Dinner at the Mansion House — Visit of the Emperor and Empress 
of the French — The Duke receives the Crimean medal — Govemoiship 
of Gibraltar offered and declined — ^Death of Lord Raglan — ^Anxiety 
to return to the front — ^Visit to Liverpool — Invitation from the Em- 
peror Napoleon — Peace negotiations — Council of War in Paris — ^The 
Queen's instructions— Opening of the Council — ^A suggestion of peace 
— ^Presentation of Crimean medals — ^The Duke's speech — ^Peace at 
hand — ^Return to England — Confirmation of the Princess Royal- 
Treaty of Peace signed — Naval review at Portsmouth — ' Clarendon 
has done his work ably ' — ^Peaoe celebrations 

As the health of the Duke of Cambridge showed no im- 1854 

iEt* Vi 

provement, His Royal Highness obtained leave to go to 
Constantinople for a time, and left the Crimea in the Trent Depar- 
on Saturday, November 25. The change of air, however, Constan- 
brought little alleviation ; the attacks of fever and ague **^°P^® 
recurred with distressing regularity, and at the end of 
three weeks His Roydl Highness was compelled to write to 
Lord Raglan for permission to return home on sick leave, 
* as I could not in my present state of health face a winter 
Campaign in the Crimea.' In reply Lord Raglan suggested 
that it would be well if the Duke went before a medical 
board before going home, and in this course His Royal 
Highness gladly acquiesced. 

Diaryt December 27. — I had my medical board to-day, 
who agreed with Gibson ^ in thinking that I ought to go 

> The Duke's penonal phyaidao. 

L2 



148 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 home for the present, so I shall now be ofi as soon as I can. 
-^T. 35 I am glad it is at length settled, for the doubt and uncer- 
tainty were most distressing to me. 2gth. — ^Went by boat 
to Scutari and accompanied Lady Stratford over the 
Hospital. I confess I was very well satisfied with all I 
* saw there, and think they really have done as much as they 
possibly could to make it comfortable. However, it was a 
sad sight. Such a fearful number of sick and wounded 
men, many in the very last stages of disease. Miss Nightin- 
gale is a most unaffected nice looking person. On my 
return had a long visit from Prince Napoleon,^ who was 
anxious to open his heart to me on the present state of 
affairs. I found him very disheartened and dejected. 

It wUl not, perhaps, be out of place at this point to 
quote the Queen's opinion of Miss Nightingale : * We have 
made Miss Nightingale's acquaintance,' she wrote in the 
autumn of 1856, in a letter to the Duke of Cambridge, 
* and are delighted and very much struck with her great 
gentleness, simplicity, and wonderful clear and compre- 
hensive head. I wish we had her at the War Office. Her 
modesty and unselfishness are really hardly to be believed, 
and she is so ladylike. She and her father are staying at 
Sir J. and Lady Qark's. . . .' 

Diary y December 31. — I spent a very sad evening, and the 
New Year did not open to me under very bright auspices. 
Would that so much which has lately happened could be 
tmdone. 

Writing home to his mother, aunt, and sisters, a few 
days before the end of the year, the Duke said : 

... I think I have been rather less well again the 
last day or two. The weather is horrid, and this makes 
one fed chilly and ague-ish. ... I certainly am now con- 
vinced my medical adviser is right in sajdng I am not now 
fit, at this season of the year, to return to camp. ... If 

* Prince Jerome's son (' Plon-ploo '). 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 149 

I go home now and get myself all right again ... by next 1854 
year, please God, should this sad war last, I shall be ready ^t. 35 
and fit to take my place again in the field with my brave 
and gallant comrades. ... I hear that Admiral Dmidas has 
resigned and is to be up here to-morrow on his way home. 
Poor General Adams ^ died here yesterday ; his death was 
very imexpected. His wound was not at all serious, nor was 
that the cause of death, but he sank under fatigue and from 
a complete prostration of his nervous system. It is singular 
how we all have felt this more or less, the hardest men have 
given way under it. I cannot help thinking it must have 
been caused by our stay in Bulgaria, whence we at once 
fell into the hardships of a very hard campaign in the 
Crimea. . . . 

Both the Queen and the Prince Consort watched the Letters 
Duke's doings at the front with the keenest interest, as the QuSn^* 
following letters show : ^^ 



{From the Queen) 

Windsor Castle, December 25, 1854. 

My dear George, — These lines will, I hope, find you 
quite well, and, I hope, back with your noble Division, and 
I trust that you will find things more comfortable, and some 
cover and shelter, which is most necessary. Let me wish 
you, in both our names, a happy Christmas, and a happy, 
and let us hope, a glorious New Year ! Alas ! '54 has been 
a sad one to many, many English families ! Many brave 
and noble hearts have bled for a just and righteous Cause, 
and have left a glorious name behind them ! Of course 
the War — ^the Criiman — ^is our constant object and thought 
— a constani anxiety to us all. At last I can send you my 
comforter, which is less romantic than the scarf embroidered 
by the Ladies for the Knights of old, but equally useful if 
not mare so ; I hope that you will wear it often. It has 
given me much pleasure to knit it. The whole female part 
of this Castle, begiiming with the girls and mj^elf and 

1 Commanded a brigade of infantry, 41st, 47th, and 49th, in the 
and Division (Evans's), at Alma. 

I. L3 



Albert 



150 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 ending with our maids, are all busily knitting for the Army, 
^T. 35 and our work is intended in the first instance for the Guards. 
Arthur received last night a new uniform according to the 
new Regulations, which he is going to put on to-day. 

{From Prince Albert) 

Windsor Castle, November 13, 1854. 

Dear George, — I must once again give you a sign of hfe. 
Yesterday Evening at length the despatches of the fights 
of the 25th and 26th reached us. We mourn the heavy 
losses of the brave Cavalry deeply, yet at the same time 
must admire the valour with which the poor fellows have 
fought. That we are in terrible anxiety concerning all you 
dear ones, you can imagine. One is a thousand times 
calmer when in the presence of danger, than at a distance, 
a prey to aU the suppositions of one's imagination. Added 

to that, the d d telegraphs which three times a day 

bring the most contradictory news (tell-lie-graphic, as Lady 
Morley calls them). In this way we get news through 
Petersburgh often 5 days earlier than through Bucharest, 
and natiu'ally of the most unfavourable colour for us. 
Now, it is said that on the 4th breaches were made. God 
grant it may be true ! 

How much I regret that the Turks behaved so iU on the 
25th, for now you will not care to have more of them, and 
yet all seems to me to depend upon reinforcements, and the 
Turkish are the only ones near at hand. Of ours, the 
46th Regt. must, by now, have reached you, as also the 
97th from Athens, and 62nd from Malta. The 90th goes 
from here, and 3,000 drafts are on the way to the Crimea, 
as also masses of warm clothing which you sorely need. 
The French at last are becoming anxious and will send out 
20,000 more men, but they are very short of means of 
transport. We have again fitted out a fresh transport 
fleet which will be by the 25th at Toulon, and will trans- 
port thence 8,000 men. Unfortimately our recruiting goes 
very badly : the Grenadiers alone are short by 700 men, and 
the bounty has been doubled, the money to the bringer also, 
the standard again lowered an inch, and the age raised to 28. 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 151 

God does not fail His own ! and if any one has ever 1854 
deserved His Help, it is you all ! It does good to one's ^t. 35 
heart to see so much courage, endurance, devotion, cheerful 
obedience, and proves that our nation has not degenerated. 

But we need success ! 

• •••••• 

May God's best blessing rest upon you. 

Ever your faithful cousin, 

Albert. 

You will believe me that I deeply envy you, being in 
it all! 

Windsor Castle, November 18, 1854. 

Dear George, — ^Again a fierce battle on the 5th ! We 
know as yet only the loss in Generals, which is awful ! and 
makes us tremble as to what names the death roll will 
contain. God be praised that you have escaped so well. 
Poor Cathcart^ I regret immensely: he was a most dis- 
tinguished man, of whom we could still expect the best 
services. Pray tell Sir George Browne of my warm S3mi- 
pathy in his loss of an arm, and enquire in my name how he 
is going on. I tremble for Edward, for Seymour, Gordon, 
James Murray, Charles FitzRoy, for the poor Guards seem 
again to have been in the thick of it. We send them 5 to 
600 men reinforcements who will start on the 22nd in the 
Royal Albert. The affair of the 5th must have been one of 
the most brilliant feats of arms of which the English Army 
has to boast, and if the warmest wishes could bring you 
luck, it must be yours, and through those the whole Nation 
sends to Heaven for her brave fellows in the Crimea. 
I have had made 50 sealskin coats lined with fur, as a 
present to the Ofl&cers of my Regiment, which will go off 
to you with the next mail, and I beg of you to accept one 
of them for yourself and one for Major Macdonald : something 
warm will be greatly needed. 

God be with you ! 

Your faithful cousin, 

Albert. 

* General Sir George Cathcart commanded the 4th Division, and 
was killed at the battle of Inkerman. 



152 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1854 Also tell Bentinck, Torrens and Butler how much I 
-St. 35 fed for their wounds and how warmly I wish for their 

recovery. 

Nov. 29th. 

Dear George, — I must send you one line to express my 
rejoicing that you have come through the awful day of the 
5th so happily and with so great reputation and honour, 
and to add that from my heart I envy you. A short 
absence from the scenes of horror of the Crimea will cer- 
tainly have restored your nerves. To-morrow I shall see 
General Bentinck, who has arrived safely and will have 
much to tell us. On Sevastopol hangs the whole fate of 
European politics, therefore also the Russians lay such 
store upon it and you have to make so firm a stand. Upon 
Sevastopol depends Austria's decision, and on that, that of 
Germany. On Sevastopol depends the existence of the 
Emperor's independence, the honour of England and her 
prestige in the East, which teUs upon India, Persia, etc. 
etc. . . . The siege therefore is worth the trouble ! and 
you will take it, of that I do not for one moment doubt. 
The Winter vnil be worse for the Russians than for you, as 
they hardly know how to feed themselves. AU tiiat we 
can send you of reinforcements, clothing, huts, ovens, etc. 
etc. . . . shall reach you, and the spirit of the country is 
patriotic and courageous in the extreme. I wish very 
much that we might have a great Reserve depdt for your 
Army, at Malta — ^3,000 miles is too far from your Reserves — 
a letter and its answer require 6 weeks. Farewell, dear 
George, ever 

Your faithful cousin, 

Albert. 

1855 Diary, January i, 1855. — ^Thus commences another 
year. Alas ! its commencement is anjrthing but cheerful ! 
. . . Letters from England to the 15th all strongly 
urging upon me to go back and not to come home. ... At 
last decided under the advice of Lord Stratford, who has 

From behaved most kindly to me, to go to Malta and wait there, 
tinoi^to ^^ ^ events for a time, to let matters pass on a little, and 
Malta see what might turn up. I am sture this is the wisest thing 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 153 

to be done. 2nd. — ^Embarked at 4 on board the Tamar, 1855 
Prince Napoleon walking part of the way down with me. -^t.ss 
A good many sick and woimded men on board. (Ah. — In 
sight of Malta at daybreak. After getting in, Admirals 
Dimdas and Houston Stewart as well as the Governor, Sir 
William Reid, called on me. Landed at 12. Took up my 
quarters in a very nice Family Hotel. The Tamar proceeds 
to Marseilles for French troops. I have consequently 
landed my 2 horses and heavy baggage. 2is^. — ^At length 
my long wished for letters (from England) have arrived, Deiw- 
and are so satisfactory that I have determined upon starting ^^ ^or 
for England at once with the first boat that goes. °^ 

On his way home His Royal Highness made a halt in 
Paris. 

January 28. — ^At 3 went to pay a private visit to the 
Emperor, who received me most graciously, and with whom 
I had a long conversation of nearly two hours on all subjects 
connected with the Campaign. I then accompanied him 
to the Empress, who also received me most graciously. 

Dover was reached on the 30th. ' I landed at once, and 
met with a most hearty reception from the inhabitants. 
It was truly gratifsdng. An address was presented to me 
to which I replied in a few words. Left for London at 2. 
Reached town at 6, and drove at once to St. James's, 
where I found my dearest Mother and Mary, and where I 
dined and then went to my dearest Aunt Gloucester. 
Early home, and thankful to God for having once again 
restored me to my dear family and friends.' 

Diary, January 31. — ^The Queen, having come to London 
in consequence of the defeat of the Ministry ^ and their 
resignation, sent for me and received me most kindly and 
graciously, together with the Prince. I was some time 
with her, and limched with her. 

February i. — ^I can think of nothing but the Crimea, 

' The Aberdeen CoalitiQa Ministry was defeated on Mr. Roebuck's 
motion for an inquiry into the condition of the Army in the Crimea and 
the conduct of the departments at home. 



154 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1855 and the sufferings of our dear comrades there. The kindly 
-^T. 35 feeling toward me is most gratifying and tmiversal. The 
calls on me are most numerous, but as yet I have not seen 
a soul. yd. — I am daily getting better and stronger, and 
the disagreeable symptoms of fever rapidly leaving me ; my 
nerves also getting stronger. 

{Later to the Hon. W. Ashley) 

St. James's Palace, February 3. 

I am deeply sensible of the great kindness I have received 
from all my friends, and amongst those I am happy to think 
you are one of the very oldest, I am a poor creature, 
but certainly much better for the journey, and for the 
society of my family and friends, so that I doubt not a very 
short time ydll set me all to rights again. . . . 

Diary ^ February 10. — Started at 4 by train for Windsor, 
arriving at 5. It was the Queen's Wedding Day, and the 
children played a little German piece entitled * Roth- 
kopfchen.' ^ It was very nicely done, and went off very well. 
All most kind and considerate to me. March 3. — ^Went 
with the Queen and Albert at 9.30 by railroad to Chatham, 
to see the sick and wounded men returned from the Crimea. 
She went in State, and accompanied by Lord Hardinge. 
The number of men seen was about 500. They were 
enthusiastically delighted and really looked wonderfully 
well. The effect produced by this visit was excellent. 
yth. — ^At 4 attended Meeting of the Central Association for 
soldiers' wives and children. Took the Chair. The Meeting 
a large and influential one, and I most cordially received. 
Made, I think, a good speech. The Queen dined with me at 
8. The party consisted of herself, Albert, Lady Canning, 
General Bouverie and Captain Du Plat, Mama, Kidmansegge, 
Clarendon, GranviUe, Hardinge, Tyrwhitt. It went off 
very well, was a very good dinner, and the Queen was 
much pleased. The Duchess of Kent and Mary, with their 
ladies, came in the evening. 11th. — ^Had a long interview 
with Mr. Roebuck on the subject of my examination before 
the Committee to-morrow ; also with Panmure as regards 

' ' Red Cap.' or ' Red Riding Hood.' 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 155 

my return to the Army, which he does not consider neces- 1855 
sary at all at present. 12th. — Busy in the morning pre- ^'^•SS 
paring for my examination. Went at 12 to the House of 
Lords and gave evidence before the Committee. It was 
satisfactory, I believe, and was well thought of. I was 
two hours and a half under examination, 16th. — ^To the Speech in 
House of Lords, where I made my first short speech on the ^f L^^g*® 
subject of the transport of Cavalry Horses. It went off 
well and was well received. 

The Duke of Cambridge strongly condemned the con- 
veyance of cavalry by sailing transports when steamers 
could be obtained, and he urged that an arrangement 
might be devised by which some of the vessels lying idle in 
Balaklava Harbour could be brought home and rendered 
available for the transport of horses from this country. 
* I would strongly impress upon my noble £riend the Minister 
of War,' he continued, *the advantage which would be 
gained by establishing a service of steam transports, to be 
despatched regularly once a week, or once a fortnight, as 
the case might be, by each of which you would be able to 
send out 300 horses in the most simple and easy manner.' 

Diary, March 31. — ^Accompanied the Queen to the ^^ 3^ 
Crystal Palace at Sydenham at 10 o'c. This will be a most 
beautiful place when finished, and is a vast and most 
interesting undertaking, reflecting great credit on those 
who devised it. The interior much advanced, but the 
gardens with waterfalls will be the finest portion, no doubt, 
when finished. View lovely. April 9. — ^At 6.15 went to 
the City to dine with the Lord Mayor. Tyrwhitt and Clifton 
accompanied me. My reception both in the streets going Honour 
along and in the HaU was excellent and all passed ofi well, qJ^<^ 
and my speech, I felt, was certainly a good one. We sat London 
down about 300 to dinner — a very fine sight. 

In the comse of his speech the Duke said that it afforded 
him great pleasure at any time to pay his respects to the 
Chief Magistrate o£ the City of London, but he fdt especial 



156 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1855 gratification in being able, under God's protection, to meet 
^T.36 the distinguished company assembled in that hall. He 
must be allowed to say that the enthusiastic manner in 
which he had been greeted, not only in that assembly, but 
out of doors while on his way to the Mansion House, had 
been to him a matter of high gratification. Since he last 
had the honour of addressing the citizens of London he 
had witnessed many varied scenes — some of great excite- 
ment and glory, and others of a more painful and heart- 
rending description — ^but it was an ample reward to those 
who had been participators in such scenes to receive on 
their return the hearty welcome of the citizens of London 
and of the general population of the country. When he 
found himself placed in such a proud and honourable posi- 
tion, he asked himself how he could have attained it. For 
himself, he had done nothing more than his duty, but he 
felt that he had had the honour and satisfaction of being 
placed in conmiand of troops who had nobly and gallantly 
served their country. A general placed in high command 
had, indeed, an easy task when he was supported as he 
(the Duke of Cambridge) had been by such ofificers and 
soldiers as were to be found in the First Division and in 
other Divisi6ns of the British Army with which he had been 
connected. So long as that gallant, that intrepid, that 
indomitable courage existed in our Army, which, thank 
God, had been manifested from the highest to the lowest, 
the country might be assured that its honour would be safe. 
He must not omit to say that the British Army had been 
assisted by allies whose co-operation was a subject of the 
greatest pride. He saw near him a gallant Admiral * in 
the French service, who had been in command in the 
Mediterranean, and he felt great pleasure in assuring that 
gallant officer of the sense he entertained, in common with 
the officers of the British forces, of the exploits which had 

' The Vicomte de Chabannes. 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 157 

been perfonned by their brave allies, the French. The 1855 
alliance which had been established between the two ^T.36 
countries would, he hoped, be cemented by the anticipated 
visit of the illustrious Emperor of the French and his 
Consort, and he was sure he expressed the sentiments of the 
country when he said that the Emperor of the French would 
be received here with a cordiality which would not only be 
most grstifying to our distinguished visitor, but would 
also tend to cement the feelings of amity between the two 
nations. He begged to return thanks for the honour which 
had been done the Army, not only in his own name, but also 
on behalf of those brave and gallant men whom he had had 
the honour to command, and with whom he felt himself 
completely identified. 

Diary t April 16. — Started by train for Windsor with vi^toi 
T3awhitt to be ready to receive the Emperor and Empress Emperor 
of the French. Albert had gone down to meet them at and 
Dover. I was ready in uniform in the State Apartments of^r^ 
at 6, but, there having been much fog, the passage from French 
Calais was long, and they did not arrive till past 7 o'c. 
The drive through London is said to have been magnificent, 
the reception by the public excellent. I was at the foot 
of the Staircase with the Queen, Ro3ral Children, Leiningen 
and the whole Court in uniform. Nothing could have gone 
ofE better than the meeting. The Queen conducted them to 
the State Apartments on the North front, which had been 
remarkably well done up for the occasion. The dinner 
was in St. George's Hall. lyth. — ^At 4 went on horseback 
to a Review in the Park of the 2nd life Guards, Blues, 
Carabineers, and the Chestnut Troop Horse Artillery, the 
whole under Cardigan. It went off remarkably well. 
The troops looked weU and did well. The Emperor rode 
his favourite and handsome horse, the Queen and Empress 
were in a carriage. The crowd was great. Dinner at 8, and 
there was a dance in the Waterloo Gallery. 18th. — Soon 
after 3, investiture of the Garter took place, when the 
Emperor received the Order. He seemed really overcome, 



158 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1855 for a momenty by the greatness of his position. The 
Mt. 36 Empress looked very well on the occasion, and her manner 
is excellent, and she gets on admirably with the Queen and 
indeed with everybody. After it was over the Emperor 
took me to his private rooms and gave me the Grand Cross 
of the Legion of Honour, accompanied by some most 
flattering expressions of approbation of my military service 
with the French Army. igth. — ^Left Windsor by special 
train with the Royal Children at 10. Came up in the 
carriage with them. They are very nice and affectionate, 
and seem fond of me. At one, went in State to the Guild* 
hall to meet the Emperor and Empress, who had meanwhile 
come up from Windsor by the S.-W.R. with the Queen and 
Prince. The crowds in the street enormous, but all in 
excellent order and spirits. I was mj^f much cheered. 
My horses very awkward and all but ran away near Temple 
Bar. My entry in the Guildhall most gratifying. The 
whole ceremony went ofi to perfection. The Hall admirably 
decorated and crowded, but all in the best order. The 
address of the City good — ^Emperor's reply admirable. 
The luncheon handsomely done and not too long. The 
return through the streets equally good, and to m}rself 
most flattering^ for I was cheered the entire way. At 9 
went to the opera. The streets crowded and illuminations 
beautiful. At 10, the Queen and Emperor arrived in 
State and the whole thing looked extremely handsome, 
the house being crowded with well-dressed people. . . . 
They only stayed an hour. 2isU — ^To the Palace at 9.30, 
and soon after 10 started with the Emperor, Empress and 
Albert for the Bricklayers' Arms Station, after having taken 
leave of the Queen and Children at the Palace. Crowds in 
the streets, who cheered very much. Went with them in 
the carriage to Dover, where we arrived soon after one, and 
at once proceeded to the Pier and accompanied them on 
board the Empress Steamer, when I took a hearty leave of 
them all. They seemed both of them delighted with their 
stay in England, as did their suite, and seemed really sorry 
to go. I think it is quite settled that he is to go shortly to 
the Crimea in the event of peace not being made, which 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 159 

is not probable. They sailed at once, heartily cheered all 1855 
the time. ^t. 36 

May 18. — ^A lovely morning for the distribution of the Distribu- 
Crimean Medals. Went to the Parade at 945. The cSi^ 
Queen came at ii. I commanded the Parade and was the medals 
first to receive the Medal. Ever5rthing went off to per- 
fection. The weather was lovely, and it was a beautiful 
sight. To me it was indeed a proud moment, when I 
stepped forward to receive the Medal at the Queen's hands — 
I shall never forget it as long as I Uve. I was much cheered 
on my return home. June 8. — Panmure has, on the part offer of 
of the Government, offered to me the Government of ^e 
Gibraltar now vacant, which, however, I have thought it ahip^^ 
advisable for many reasons to decline^ and have done so Oibraitar 
accordingly. 19/A. — ^Accompanied the Queen and Albert to 
Enfield to see the Small Arms Factory. It was a great deal 
further than they had calculated upon, and having no 
change of horses, the ftninigils got dreadfully knocked up 
and with difficulty got back, leaving two on the road. It 
was a very disagreeable adventure, and we did not get back 
till 8.30. 

Throughout the year the diary is full of references to the 
Crimean War. Every danger to which our troops were 
exposed, every suffering which they were compelled to 
undergo, touched and awakened a responsive chord in the 
heart of the Duke of Cambridge, who S3mipathised with 
them in their trials and tribulations as only those who 
know can s}mipathise. ' ... All amusements,' he writes 
in a letter, * are to me, I confess to you, a positive horror 
at this time, while I know that our poor beloved conu^des 
are suffering so terribly. I infinitely prefer my own quiet 
little room, with one or two friends, with whom I can open 
my heart about it. All social life is to me dreadful at this 
moment.' The end of June was a period of deep anxiety. 
The telegraph was out of order, and while no positive news 
reached England of the operations the wildest rumours were 
abroad. When at last the ominous silence was broken, 



i6o THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1855 the news was of the worst. * This was indeed a most sad 
-^T. 36 and melancholy day to all of us/ writes His Ro3ral Highness 
Death of q^ j^j^^ ^o. * I received a message from the Queen to say 
Raglan that they had just received a telegraphic message from the 
Crimea to the effect that poor dear Lord Raglan had sud- 
denly become worse in the afternoon of the 28th, and had 
died that evening at 9.30 o'clock. This is a fearful catas- 
trophe, a sad and most painful blow. It has filled all 
hearts with moiuning and sorrow, and has affected me 
personally most deeply. His death at such a moment is 
an irreparable loss to the Coxmtry. All are plunged into 
the deepest grief and sorrow. I could not think of going 
anywhere, but dined quietly at the Travellers* and went 
early to bed.' 

His Royal Highness was perfectly ready to go out to 
the front should the necessity arise, though he saw clearly 
that the mission would be tmattended by honour or by 
glory. *I am very unhappy that they do not send me 
back,' he says in a letter written from Scotland ; * I would 
so gladly go and feel if only I might be of some use 1 . • • 
I like this place very much, but I have no rest, for it is so 
distant from all news, the London Post takes two days, and 
that at the moment when one is daily expecting to hear of 
a great battle is terrible to me. Altogether it annoys me 
more and more every day to have nothing to do. . . . 
I shall, therefore, really be quite glad to be again in the 
neighboturhood of London, there again to make further 
attempts to obtain some employment. Above all what 
I should like best would be to return to the Army in the 
field, for that after all is my profession or vocation, and 
my whole heart clings so entirely to it.' 

Diary, July 11. — ^Had letters from the Crimea, with 
detailed accounts of poor Lord Raglan's death and last 
moments. It seems to have been a most sudden event 
and to have taken all on the spot by surprise. 2^h. — 



THE CRIMEAN WAR i6i 

Edward arrived, and I saw him for a long time. He is 1855 
looking wonderfully well and is most happy to have got ^T.36 
safely back, which does not surprise me. He told me a 
great deal about the Crimea and the prospects of the cam- 
paign. October 3. — ^Went to Horse Guards, where I saw all 
the authorities and heard a great deal of news of various 
sorts and kinds. Simpson ^ has certainly resigned, but his 
successor is not yet known. I wish they woidd send me. 
5tt. — ^Saw Lord Panmure, with whom I had a long con- 
versation about myself and my anxiety to command the 
Army in the field. He seemed to fear there were great 
difficulties, but was very kind in all he said. 

October 9. — ^This was a great day at Liverpool, and a Visit to 
more successful or more enthusiastic day I never saw in aU ^^^'P^* 
my experience. We arrived at the Town Hall at 11. The 
streets were crowded with people and were decorated with 
flags. The enthusiasm was unbounded from all classes. 
In short it can only be likened to an ovation, and to me it 
was more gratifying than any words can describe. An 
address was presented to me at the Town Hall, to which I 
replied. I then went on to the Exchange, thence in the 
carriage with the Mayor, Mr. Tobin, a most gentlemanlike 
man. Lord Derby, and Mr. Horsfall, the Member of thie 
borough, we drove over the whole town, visiting the Schools 
first, then the Public Baths, the Derby Museiun, the Blue 
Coat School, the Albert Docks, where we had lunch, the 
Observatory, the Sandham Docks, the new North Fort and 
the Industrial Schools. At 6.30 dined with the Mayor, 
and after that a great ball for upwards of 600 persons. 
Never was there such a successful day, such enthusiasm, 
and wherever I appeared I was received in the most marked 
manner, and, as said before, it was literally an ovation. We 
did not return to Knowsley till nearly i o'c, a good deal 
tired after 14 hours' work. November 5. — ^This is the 
anniversary of the Battle of Inkerman. What reflections 
and recollections does this great event bring with it, and how 

* General Simpson, who had been sent oat as Chief of the Staff, 
succeeded Lord Raglan in the supreme command. 

VOL. I. M 



i62 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1855 difierently the day was spent this time last year 1 How 
^T. 36 grateful I fed to God for being alive and well. 

A few days later the Duke left for Paris on a visit to the 
Emperor at his express invitation. 

Diary, November 14. — ^Arrived at Calais at 2 p.m. 
In Paris Arrived in Paris at 10.15 a.m. and drove to the Tuileries. 
Was met by the Emperor at the door, and met with a most 
cordial and hearty welcome. Dressed, and breakfasted with 
the Emperor and Empress, and then at 2 went to the 
Exhibition, which, though in great confusion preparing for 
the morrow, is certainly very fine. Saw as much of it as I 
could and was much struck by the English jewellery and 
by the Annex containing all the machinery. 15/A. — ^Went 
at 12.30 in great State and in procession to the Palace of 
the Exhibition with the Emperor and Empress and the 
whole Court to dose it. I myself went in the Emperor's 
carriage. Troops lined the streets on both sides. It was 
a magnificent sight, as was also the interior of the building, 
occupied as it was by about 20,000 persons. The Emperor 
made a very fine speech, which was admirably received. 
I cannot say as much for that of his cousin, whidi I did not 
like at all. After distributing the Medals and Orders we 
looked at the Prizes, which were aU put up bdow, and then 
returned in the like order in which we went, being at home 

by 3. 

Ceremonies and reviews followed, and on the 22nd the 
Duke of Cambridge * started at 8.30 by railroad for Ferri&res, 
a charming place of the Rothschilds, where the shooting 
is most excellent. He gave us a wonderful breakfast and 
then excellent shooting, chiefly pheasants. It was most 
agreeable. Had a long interview after my return with the 
Emperor, who communicated his views most fredy to me 
on all subjects. Attended a large dinner and afterwards 
took leave of the Emperor and Empress, and started by 
special train, by invitation, for Boulogne, instead of for 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 163 

Calais, at which latter place a boat was waiting for me 1855 
with our friend Smithett.' ^T. 36 

Here it is necessary to turn back and to review briefly Towardi 
the progress of the war. The operations against Sevastopol ^^^^ 
had been vigorously prosecuted by the allies ; the desperate 
effort of the Russians of August 16 to raise the siege had 
failed completely and disastrously, and though the En^ish 
had been unable to hold the Redan on that memorable 
September 5, the Russians had been so shaken and weakened 
that they had been glad to abandon the position, leaving 
to the allies, as the Russian ccnnmander said with truth, 
not Sevastopol, but the burning ruins of the town to which 
the Russians themselves had set fire. But if Sevastopol 
was lost, Russia was far from beaten. The giant, indeed, 
had been injured in an extremity; but the heart, the 
vitals, and the rest of the body remained intact. The 
military operations of the allies had failed, and failed com- 
pletely, to end the war. Diplomacy, in the meantime, 
had not been idle. A conference had been held in Vienna 
in the summer, but the negotiations for a basis of settle- 
ment had broken down because Russia would not agree to 
the limitation of her supremacy in the Black Sea. Diplo- 
macy too had failed. Yet for all this the fall of Sevastopol 
practically marked the end of the war, for the simple 
reason that forces higher and more powerful than arms or 
diplomacy were tending steadily towards a conclusion of 
hostilities. One of the protagonists in the tragedy had 
disappeared from the stage. The Emperor Nicholas of 
Russia, whose high ambition and rigid determination had 
been the head and fount of the war, had died in March, of 
a broken heart, men said, sick unto death with the despair 
that comes from shattered hopes and vanishing dreams ; 
and though his successor, Alexander II., had perforce to 
carry on the policy which his father had initiated, it was 

felt that his heart was not in the work, and that he would 

Ma 



i64 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1855 embrace the first occasion for an honourable peace. The 
-^T.36 Emperor of the French was tiring quickly of a war that 
brought little honour and threatened to cause domestic 
disaster. Finally, in England, the war fever was abating. 
The peace crusade of the Manchester School, if it did not 
meet with favour, was at any rate received with greater 
tolerance. When the people are tired of war, said Lord 
John Russell in a letter to Cobden, * they will blame any 
Minister wha does not make peace.* That was in Novem- 
ber 1855, and if the people were not then tired of war they 
were tiring of the methods of war in the Crimea. They 
might remain as convinced as ever of the justice of their 
cause, but they were shocked and alarmed by the disclo- 
sures of the Sevastopol Inquiry Committee. 

While the forces of peace were thus converging, the 
allies determined upon the holding of a great Council of 
War in Paris to discuss the future course of hostilities, and 
the Duke of Cambridge was chosen by the Government 
to attend it. 'Clarendon,' he writes on December 13, 
* called and told me of the intention of sending me to Paris 
to attend the Council of War to be held there, and also the 
giving the Crimean medals to the Imperial Guards.* 

One other extract from the diary of 1855 must be given : 

December 31. — ^The last day of the year : an eventful one 
in many respects, and still it is one that has brought much 
that is good with it for our country. I think the end of a 
year is always to be more regretted than rejoiced at. It 
is as if an old friend were leaving one. . . . Good-bye, dear 
old Year, I am sorry you are come to an end I 

Z856 It was arranged that the Duke of Cambridge should 

leave London for Paris on January 9. Before his departure 
the Queen wrote him the following letter : 

Windsor Castle, January 8. 

faoinrthe ^ ^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ lately written to the Emperor, I wish 
Qneen you would say that I don't trouble him again, but beg you 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 165 

to repeat all our affectionate good wishes both to him and 1856 
to the Empress, as well as our earnest hope that this Comicil ^t. 36 
of War may lead to glorious results for our Arms. 

Should you have to make a speech on the occasion of 
the Medals, you should say something about the pleasure 
with which I confer them on les braves camarades of my 
gallant troops who had fought side by side. 

I hope you will let me hear how matters go on and 
stand, and should you not have time to write to Lord 
Clarendon on the same day you write to me, I should 
always communicate yours to me to him. You will not 
forget my messages to Canrobert ^ and Bosquet.' 

With our best wishes for a pleasant journey, &c., &c. 

Upon His Royal Highness's arrival in Paris on the Arrival 
evening of the 9th, the Duke writes, * The Emperor received ^ 
me most graciously, and I am put up at the Tuileries. . . . 
Dined in my apartments quietly, and I then went to the 
embassy, where I had a lengthened interview with Cowley 
and Lyons.' ' 

Diary, January 10. — ^The Council ^ met this morning for Meeting 
the first time, under the presidency of the Emperor, at 9.30. Q,^^of 
The Emperor made an opening address. Two Sub-Corn- War 
mittees were formed on the subject of the Baltic and Crimea 
to which certain questions were put to be thoroughly 
examined before the general discussion was to come on. 
We then adjourned to Saturday, but the Sub-Committees 
continued their deUberations the greater part of the day. 
12th. — ^We had a long meeting of the Council from 2 till 5, 
when the various most interesting reports were read, and 

' Mfl"f^^^ Canrobert. * General Bosquet. ' Admiral Sir £. Lyons. 

* The Council of War was composed of the following members : Prince 
Jerome Bonaparte, Prince Napoleon Bonaparte, the Duke of Cambridge, 
Lord Cowley, Count Walewski, Marshal Vaillant, General de la Marmora, 
Marshal Canrobert, Admiral Hamelin, Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, 
Admiral the Hon. R« Dundas, Admiral Penand, Admiral Jurien de la 
Graviire, General Bosquet, General Niel, General Martimprey, General 
Sir Richard Airey, General Sir BL Jones. General Niel acted as Secretary 
of theConndL 



i66 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1856 a long discussion took place on the most important points 
^T-36 connected with them. . . . Went to the Opera on the 
occasion of the Emperor sending 800 men of the Crimean 
Army to the theatre. 

In the midst of the warlike deliberations of the Comicil 
came a strong suggestion of peace, which the Duke hastened 
to communicate to the Home Government : 

Tnilexies, Jannary 15. 

My dear Clarendon, — Your letter of the 14th reached 
me this morning, and I would not trouble you with a reply 
were it not that I have much of interest to communicate. 
As regards the wish of the Queen and of the Government to 
have the two armies divided for the approaching campaign, 
nobody feels the necessity for such division more than 
myself and all my colleagues, but after speaking on the 
subject to Cowley, we are both of opinion that it would be 
impossible to press this matter in the Council, but that it 
must be impressed as an absolute necessity on the mind of 
the Emperor. This I have not failed to do on all occasions, 
so has, I believe, Cowley, and I shall continue to do so. 
As, however, no resolution will be come to by the Council, 
and as this is a matter which I think will have to be settled 
by the two Governments after our deliberations are dosed, 
I cannot help thinking that if we produce the desired 
effect upon the mind of His Majesty and on that of his 
Minister of War, all that we can desire will have been 
attained. There may be further some difficulty as to how 
the division of the Forces is to be effected, if the entire or 
almost entire force of the allies should be required for the 
Crimean campaign in the first instance. This I have 
explained in my private letter of the I2th instant to Pan- 
mure which you will no doubt have seen. I will give the 
Queen's message to La Marmora about his coming to 

I now approach a subject of great importance ; last night 
the Emperor sent for me ; he tdd me M. de Seebach had 
returned, and that the tenor of the message of which he 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 167 

was the bearer from the Emperor of Russia had been made 1856 
known to him. It was to this effect : That the Emperor ^t. 36 
of Russia sincerely desired peace, that he would be prepared 
probably to accept even the question of the Bessarabian 
Frontier at present refused by him, provided the question 
were submitted to him in another form, and that it was 
the form to which exception was taken more than the 
substance of what had been proposed to him. That the 
Emperor's feeling was strongly against Austria, and that an 
Austrian ultimatum was most galling to him. That being 
most anxious to make a peace which would be acceptable 
both to France and England, united, and not with a view 
to separate the two Governments, he proposed that pleni- 
potentiaries should meet at Paris, each with full instructions 
from their respective Governments, that they should 
exchange their ideas, and that, if after having been twenty- 
four hours in the same locality it were evident that no 
agreement could be arrived at, they were at once to return 
to their respective Courts, and that the war would be con- 
tinued. That, on the other hand, if at the expiration of 
the twenty-four hours it was evident that a peace could 
be arrived at, preliminaries for concluding it should at once 
be opened and agreed upon. The Emperor Napoleon then 
added that the idea appeared to him not a bad one, that he 
should see M. de Seebach to-day, and would thereupon 
communicate with the Government of the Queen upon the 
result of that interview, that he should object to Paris as a 
place of meeting, as it might appear as if he was disposed to 
influence the conference, which he did not, and that instead 
of it, he should pmbably name Brussels, and added that he 
wished the British Government to have the conviction that 
nothing had been stated or proposed to him which he had 
not communicated to them, that he had no reserve in the 
matter, but wished to act openly and fairly, and hoped this 
would be felt and appreciated in England ; and he assured 
me again and again that he was determined to hold by the 
alliance, that nothing would shake him in this respect, and 
that his only object was to attain a peace after due consulta- 
tion between the two Governments, such peace to be alike 



i68 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



1856 honourable to both the aUied countries. This is exactly 
^T. 36 what passed, and I am certain that the Emperor is most 
sincere in what he ssys. I have not seen the Emperor 
again since M. de Seebach has been with him, so I can add 
no more at present. It is right, however, that you should 
meanwhile loiow what passed between us. 



Presenta- 

tionof 

the 

Crimean 

medals 



Diary, January 15. — This was the day fixed for giving 
the Crimean medals. All the morning busy writing my 
speech and preparing for the great ceremony. At one it 
took place in the Court of the Tuileries, the troops occupying 
that Court and the Place du Carrousel. About 15,000 men 
were present, chiefly Guards and the four raiments of the 
Line just returned from the East. After going down the 
line I made my speech to them, which was well taken and 
appeared to give satisfaction. Then I handed the medals 
to the Generals, superior Officers and a portion of all ranks, 
and then the troops defiled with much enthusiasm. . . . 
By 3 it was all concluded. 

The Duke's speech was as follows : 

Her Majesty the Queen of En^and has deigned to 
charge me with the office of presenting to the Generals, 
Officers, and rank and file of the French Army, my brave 
and worthy comrades, these medals, as a token of the 
cordial esteem and friendship which exist between the 
two nations, and of the admiration which Her Majesty and 
the English nation have felt in seeing the glorious feats of 
arms performed by the Army of the East. It was in the 
great combats of the Alma, Inkerman, and Sevastopol that 
the alliance of the two nations was ratified by the two 
armies. God grant that this great alliance may always 
continue, for the advantage and gloiy of both nations ! 
As for myself, my dear comrades, the honour which has 
been conferred on me is the greater that I have served 
with you, and have seen with my own eyes your bravery, 
your great militaiy qualities, and the devotedness with 
which you have supported so many fatigues and so many 
dangers. I sincerely thank the Emperor for his kindness 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 169 

in allowing me to have the honour of distributing these 1856 
medals in his presence. ^t. 36 

The enthusiasm displayed at the presentation of medals 
made a deep impression on the Duke, who referred to it in 
a letter to Lord Panmure. *I have just returned/ he 
wrote on the 15th, * from distributing the medals. Nothing 
could have gone ofiE better, and the greatest enthusiasm 
pervaded the troops. It is thought here that this ceremony 
will produce a very favourable effect in France, and be 
advantageous to the Alliance.' Again, writing to his 
Mother on the following day, he said : 

One line to say that I am well, thank God, and that so 
far everything has gone off veiy well, but that I have been 
so busy that it has been impossible for me to write to you 
before, and even to-day I have but a few minutes for doing 
so. The fact is that, what with Councils of War, seeing 
people, writing dispatches, and being with the Emperor, I 
have not one moment to myself, and I shall not be sony 
when I find myself established again at home. I can enter 
into no particulars ; these you will hear when we meet, 
but I can only say I am extremely satisfied with the Emperor, 
who is all kindness and friendship. . . . The distri- 
bution of the medals yesterday went off to perfection, the 
enthusiasm great, the troops looked veiy well, about 15,000 
men, all in the court of the Palace and on the Place du 
Carrousel. My address to the Army you will read in the 
papers and I hope approve. We had a handsome Ball last 
night at the Cowleys*, the Emperor and Empress there. . . . 
It is still thought that Peace is possible. Austria is going 
on very well, and I only hope that we shall not make too 
many difficulties. . . . The feeling of the Countiy here is 
most decidedly for Peace. This should be known and felt 
in England. . . . 

The efforts of Austria to bring about peace were in- Peace in 
deed beginning to bear fruit, and rumours of a settlement ^^ ^ 



I70 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1856 were in the air. They were quickly to assume a tangible 
^T.36 shape. ^ 

Diary, JaniMory 17. — ^We met in Council again at 9.30. 
The opinions of the various Members forming the Council 
were read, and our formal meetings therefore closed. Great 
news has just arrived. Russia accepts the Austrian ulti- 
matmn, and Peace may be said therefore to be at hand. 
It has caused immense excitement here, but still some 
difficulties present themselves. May they be got over. 
Had long interview with the Emperor on the altered state 
of things. ... At 4 went with Cowley to the Emperor, 
and together with him and Walewski ^ had a conference 
till 6 o'clock, which convinced me that matters are still in 
a very ticklish state, but still I trust all difficulties will be 
got over. 20th. — After dinner at the Tmleries, when all 
the Military Members of the Council of War dined, had a 
Meeting at which the Emperor gave us his views on the 
Campaign — in the event of the continuation of the War. 
It was a very satisfactory one. 

Return to The Duke returned to London on the 22nd, and travelled 
°* to Windsor, where he paid a short visit to the Queen. 

Diary, February 21. — Dressed early to go to the House of 
Lords to hear Lord Derby put a question to Paiunure with 
reference to the duties of ^e Horse Guards and Secretary 
for War. The reply was highly satisfactory, and the 
Government are pledged to maintain the Commander-in- 
Chief as he at presents exists. This is a great point gained. 
22nd. — ^At 5 to the House of Lords for debate on the 
Wensleydale Peerage. Government were beat by 35 on 
this question, Lord Lyndhurst carrying his motion, dedaring 
the Peerage for life to be illegal. I cordially agree with 
Lord Lyndhurst, but did not vote, as it was a case affecting 
the Queen's Prerogative.* 29/A. — ^The Queen dined with 

* French Ambassador at the Court of St. James's. 

' The Govermnent proposed to confer a peerage for life on Sir James 
Parke, one of the judges. The proposal met with txitter opposition, 
and, in the House of Lords, Lord Lyndhurst urged that it was the 



•a by H^Ppner .,1 ' 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 171 

me this evening, and besides herself and Albert, Lady 1856 
Clementina Bouverie and Du Plat, there were Mama, Mary, ^t. 36 
Panmure, Persigny, Van de Weyer, Lyons, Scarlett and 
Jim. Granville was to have come, but was taken ill with 
the gout at the last moment, and Mary kindly replaced him 
at short notice. The dinner passed off satisfactorily and 
well, with the exception of the upsetting of a dish of fish 
sauce over the Queen, which, however, did not hurt her dress. 
The Princess Royal and her Lady in Waiting came in the 
evening. March 19. — ^Left for A^ndsor. A large party 
there for Princess Royal's Confirmation. The King of the Confirma 
Belgians has come over expressly for the occasion. 20/A. — ^^ °^ 
The Ceremony of Confirmation took place to-day. The Princess 
Archbishop of Canterbury^ ^ made an address which lasted ^^^^ 
nearly three-quarters of an hour, and of which I could not 
hear a single word. The Princess behaved remarkably well 
and was very dignified and composed. 



The Congress of Paris had opened on Februaiy 26, and 
on March 30 the Treaty of Peace was signed. 



JEt37 



Diary 9 March 30. — ^Heard that Peace had been signed Treaty of 
this day at Paris at 2 o'clock. No particulars known. . . . ^®*^ 
At 10 p.m. the guns in the Park were fired on the announce- 
ment of the Peace — ^51 guns. It had a curious effect upon 
one's feelings. The war has just lasted two years and two 
days, it having been proclaimed March 27, 1854. I cannot 
regret the Peace, which is said to be a good one, though 
perhaps for England, well prepared as she is, another year 
of war might have been an advantage, but after all this is 
problematical, and so it is as well as it is. I only hope the 
Peace may be a good one. 

It is safe to say that the Duke's feelings were shared 
at the time by the great majority of Englishmen. The 

beginning of an attempt to introduce a system of life-peerages which would 
destroy the character of the assembly. The Government solved the 
difficulty by creating Sir James Parke Baron Wenslesrdale in the ordinary 
way. 

' Dr. John Bird Sumner. 



172 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1856 failure of the attack on the Redan was a blot on our military 
^T. 37 escutcheon which the Army and the nation were alike eager 
to erase. Nor was this all. The opening of the conflict 
had found us with the sinews of war dangerously enfeebled 
and relaxed ; its continuance had seen a steady improve- 
ment in military organisation and effectiveness. The 
frank and fearless criticism of the Press, which withheld 
nothing and spared no one, did not fall on deaf ears, and so it 
came about that, when the curtain was rung down in the 
spring of 1856, the Army in the field, as the saying runs, 
had f oimd itself, and order had taken the place of chaos in 
the departments at home. England was better prepared 
to wage successful war than she had been at any period 
during the two previous years. At the same time, if she had 
insisted upon prosecuting the struggle, it is certain that she 
would have been compelled to plough a lonely furrow, for 
her comrades in arms were tired of the war and determined 
to withdraw from the conflict. And in truth there was no 
valid reason why Great Britain should constitute herself 
the sole arbiter of the destinies of the European Continent 
or the unaided champion of any cause, however righteous. 
No other course was open to her except to make peace, 
and to see that that peace was as good as possible in the 
circumstances. 

It only remains to give a few extracts from the diary 
which deal with the conclusion of hostilities : 

April 23. — ^Accompanied the Queen and Prince, with 
five of the children, to the great Naval Review at 
Portsmouth. Reached Gosport at 11.30. Embarked at 
once on board the Victoria and Albert. She is a most 
beautiful vessel and far superior to the former one of the 
same name. The Queen was attended by Sir Charles 
Wood and the other Members of the Board of Admiralty, 
also by Sir Edward Lyons, the French Admiral Gurier, and 
many others. . . . Passed through the fleet, which was 



THE CRIMEAN WAR 173 

l}dng at anchor in two lines. The gunboats then passed 1856 
in succession, after which we limched, and then the ^T.37 
fleet weighed and passed around the two first ships near 
the Nab Light. On returning the gunboat flotilla made a 
supposed attack on Southsea Castle. It was very inter- 
esting and a fine sight. We got back to Gosport at 5.30 
and London at 8.30. 28th. — ^To House of Lords, where 
Clarendon laid on the table of the House the Treaty of 
Peace signed at Paris, duly ratified. I think the treaty 
is as favourable a one as we had any right to expect. 
Clarendon has done his work ably and well. 

May 8. — ^To House of Lords, when thanks were moved 
by Panmure to the Army, Navy and Militia for their con- 
duct during the recent contests. It was seconded by Lord 
Derby, and I then made some few observations, which were 
extremely well received. 29/A. — ... At 9 went to 
Buckingham Palace to see the fireworks on the Proclama- 
tion of Peace, which lasted till past 11. The crowds were 
dense in the Parks and Streets, but the people were in 
excellent order, and the greatest good humour prevailed 
and no accidents occurred. The fireworks were good as 
regards rockets, but the rest were poor and not worthy of 
the occasion. 



•CHAPTER VIII 

COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 

1856-1859 

Death of Lord AdoLphns FitzQarenoe — WeUington CoUege— Illness and 
resignation of Lord Hardinge — Entry of the Guards into London — 
The Dake succeeds Lord Harding^— Satisfaction of the Duchess of 
Gloucester — Privy Councillor — The Queen's appreciation of Lord 
Hardinge— Moustaches in the army — The Chinese war — Mr. Cobden's 
motion — ^Lord Palmerston appeals to the country — ^Death and funeral 
of the Duchess of Gloucester — ^Visit to Birmingham — The Indian 
Mutiny — ^Visit of the Emperor Napoleon and the Empress Eugenie — 
In Paris — ^The Queen and Indian atrocities — ^The Duke receives the 
freedom of the City — 'May God grant that Lucknow may stiU be 
able to hold out I ' — Relief — ^Marriage of the Princess Royal — Con- 
firmation of the Prince of Wales — ^Lord Canning's proclamation — 
Ro3ral visit to Cherbourg — ^The Prince of Wales's birthday 

1856 In the last chapter were chronicled the conclusion of peace 

and the festivities which were held in honour of the end 

Death of of the war. Amid the general rejoicing, death brought the 

Adoiphus Duke of Cambridge a private sorrow, for on the i8th of May 

Qarence *^^ melancholy intelligence reached His Royal Highness 

that Lord Adoiphus FitzClarence had died at Newburgh ^ 

on the previous night. ' No words can describe the grief 

I feel at this most sad event — ^I lose with him my oldest 

and dearest friend : God's will be done ! * The funeral 

took place at Newburgh on the following Friday, and was 

attended by the Duke. * After the funeral I returned to the 

house, and I confess my heart was very fuU at bidding a 

last adieu' to my poor dear friend. May his soul rest in 

■ Newburgh Park, Yorkshire, the property of Sir George Wombwell, 
Bart. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 175 

1856 
peace. I am confident he would himself have wished ^T.37 

to have been buried where he is placed in the Grave.' 

Diary, May 22. — ^Went with Prince Edward to 
Palmer's trial. It was the medical case for the defence 
and was interesting, though at times rather heavy. I do 
not think they made a very strong case in Palmer's favour. 
Palmer ^ is an uninteresting person ; he appeared very calm 
and composed, and did not look as if he much felt 
his position. June 2. — Started off with KnoU}^ and 
my Staff on horseback for Wellington College. The weather 
ddiightful and no dust. The Queen arrived at i o'c, by 
which time ever5^thing was ready. The Ceremony' took 
place at once and went off well ; Lord Derby reading an 
excellent address, which was well replied to by the Queen. 
The Archbishop ' said a prayer, and the stone was then 
laid amidst the cheers of tiie pubUc. The Queen then 
lunched, and inmiediatdy after that the marching past 
commenced, and then a few movements were made under 
my orders. Considering the smallness and badness of the 
Ground, the troops did admirably well, and looked re- 
markably well, no regiment better than the German Rifles. 
It was all over by 5, when the troops had a long and fatiguing 
march home. 15^*. — ^To the Chapel Royal, where Dr. Hook 
of Leeds preached a most excellent sermon on the mode of 
keeping the Sabbath, in which respect he took a most 
liberal view. July 5. — ^Went to Aldershot to welcome 
home my Regiment. Was deUghted with their general 
appearance. Rode about the Camp, where there was a 
good deal of confusion from the various Regiments coming 
in and going out. The 79th Highlanders marched in as I 
arrived, looking wonderfully well. The Guards Brigade 
were out for my inspection, and magnificent they looked 
— ^3>ooo men on parade, every man a soldier in feeling and in 
bearing. It was a most glorious sight, and did one's heart 
good. Had some luncheon with the Grenadier Guards, and 

* The Rugdey poisoner. 

' The ceremony of laying the first stone of the college. 

' Dr. John Bird Somner. 



176 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1856 after inspecting the three Battalions and their marching 
-^^•37 past, rode to North Camp to see the Cavalry. The 4th 
Dragoon Guards under Hodge, whom I saw, had just arrived, 
jth. — ^Went down to Aldershot with my Mother, Mary, 
Edward, the young Prince of Hesse,^ etc., to attend the 
Review of troops returned from the Crimea. The whole 
morning I had been busy driving about. On arrival it 
came on to rain and continued to do so the whole after- 
noon. I therefore showed Mama and Mary the Camp, 
and we went to all the old Regiments of my Division. 
All looked admirably well and received me witii the very 
greatest cordiality and good feeling. Finding there was 
no review, the Duchess returned to London and I remained 
with Panmure at his hut at the Camp. In the course of 
Sudden the aftemoon. Lord Hardinge,' while conversing with the 
LotT °^ Queen and Albert, was seized with a paralytic attack. The 
Hardinge Queen thought it was a slip and fall, and was not in the 
least aware of what had occurred. Lord Hardinge's head 
remained perfectly dear all the time. They were unable 
to remove him to London, and he remained at his hut next to 
ours. I dined with the Queen, meeting all the Commanding 
Officers of Regiments. I saw poor Lord Hardinge for a 
moment. He spoke dear and collected. Locock * was 
present, he having been sent for. 8/A. — Poor Lord Har- 
dinge was moved to London at 8 o*c. I saw him before 
he started. His head was dear and collected, but his 
right side is hdpless. At 11 the troops were out in spite 
of the most desperate weather. Besides the Brigade of 
Guards, we had the ist Royals, ist Battalion 7th, 19th, 
79th, ist Battalion Rifles, 4th Dragoon Guards, of Crimean 
Regiments, and the rest of the Garrison to look on. It 
was a noble sight, in spite of the weather. The Queen 
made a beautiful address to the Troops after they had 
marched past in splendid style. Nothing could be more 
beautiful than the manner in which all went ofi. Re- 
turned to London with the Queen in her special train. 

* The Landgrave of Hesse, and nephew to the Duchess of Cambridge. 

* Field-Marshal Henry ist Viscount Hardinge. 

' Sir Charles Locock, ist Baronet, the celebrated physician. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 177 

This was the anniversary of my late poor dear Father's 1856 
death. How many things have happened since that sad ^T.37 
event. g^A. — ^This was the day fixed for the entry of the 
Guards into London. At 11 the Guards under Rokeby ^ 
and Crawford left the Station. The streets were crowded. 
The enthusiasm immense, and everj^thing went off most 
satisfactorily. In Hyde Park the four other Battalions of 
the Guards were drawn up to receive their comrades. On 
their arrival I took the command and everything went ofE 
admirably, and the enthusiasm was unbounded. The troops 
looked to perfection. I was greatly cheered on my return 
home. Poor Lord Hardinge is going on favourably, but he 
has resigned, and it is said I am likely to succeed. 

After the resignation of Lord Hardinge, the Cabinet Resigna- 
met and decided to recommend the Duke of Cambridge to L^d' 
the Queen as his successor. His Royal Highness was Hardinge 
quickly informed of this decision, and immediately wrote And 
to his mother to announce the joyful news : d^^ 

July 13. — ^Although nothing is yet known, yet I think of Cam- 
I can tell you that it is decided and that I am Commander- i>ndge 
in-Chief. I have received the following letter from Lord 
Panmure. ' I have much satisfaction in informing your 
Royal Highness that the Cabinet has cordially concurred 
in recommending you to the Queen as Lord Hardinge's 
successor. This is a step to which I rejoice in having been 
a party, and I have no doubt that it will be beneficial 
to the Queen, the Country and the Army to have your 
Royal Highness at the head of the latter.* It is a very 
great undertaking : may God grant it will be successful. 

A few hours later on the same day the Duke was able 
to write to his mother : 

So it is all settled and I am Commander-in-Chief. 
I heard from Lord Palmerston, and the Queen sent for me 
to come to her this evening and announced it to me in the 
presence of Albert. She was very much moved, and I saw 

■ General Lord Rokeby, G.C.B. (6th Baron). 
VOL. I. N 



178 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1856 it touched her very nearly, but she was exceedingly gracious 
-Et. 37 and friendly and kind to me, and we had a very nice con- 
versation together, with which I was very well satisfied. 
It is a tremendous imdertaking, but yet I am quite of good 
courage, for all are for me. 

His Royal Highness was indeed deeply sensible of the 
great responsibilities of the high position to which he 
had been called, and firmly determined that so far as in 
him lay nothing should be wanting in their discharge. If 
further evidence of his feelings be needed, it may be found 
in the closing words of the entry made in his diary at the 
end of this eventful day : ' Thus I am placed in the proudest 
military position that any subject could be placed in. 
It is an onerous one, but I will do my best to do m3rself 
credit.* 

It is not necessary to enlarge on the satisfaction felt 
by the members of his family. By none was it felt more 
keenly than by his aunt the Duchess of Gloucester, who 
for years had cherished the hope of seeing him at the head 
of the Army. Some years before she had written on his 
birthday to the Duchess of Cambridge : 

My dearest Sister, — I cannot let so many hours pass 
of this dear day without wishing you joy before we meet, 
and I thank God I have been allowed to live to receive you 
all once more again on dear George's birthday at Gloucester 
House. I trust you may have many happy returns of the 
day and enjoy many with him, and may he ever be as 
beloved and liked and as popular as he is now, and may you 
have the comfort and consolation of seeing him placed in the 
course of time at the head of the Army, which aU those 
who love him most wish to see him promoted to. As we 
shall meet by and by I will add no more than just to say 
I have had a most kind word from Leopold,^ who was full of 
the praises of George, and how much he liked him and how 

■ The King of the Belgians. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 179 

I 

he admired his speech at the City dinner yesterday, and 1856 
said it had been highly commended and approved of at ^t. 37 
Windsor by Victoria and Albert. 

Yours affectionately, 

Mary. 

Now when her hopes were fulfilled, she wrote to his 
mother : 

JtUy 14; — ^You may judge by your own feelings what 

mine are at our dear George's distinguished appointment. 

. . . He is so looked up to and beloved by the troops, and 

the Queen is so fully sensible of all his merits, that the 

moment she could make him Commander-in-Chief she has 

done so. Dear sister, as you doubted when we parted that 

I should see you to-day, I write this note to wish you joy 

of this great and jo}rftd event, which I know you have been 

so long looking forward to with so much anxiety, and it 

must make you feel very proud to be the mother of a son 

who has made himself so popular and beloved by all classes, 

and that the confidence of the Queen has so clearly shown 

itself as to have given him this responsible situation. From 

my heart do I wish you joy, and dear Mary also. George 

wrote me a kind Uttle note last night to inform me of this 

event and of the Queen's great kindness to him when she 

saw him on the subject. I could not fly to Kew at 11 

o'clock last night, or I would have done so, and having no 

notice of when you might come to town to-day I put ofi 

writing, hoping you might call in passing Gloucester House. 

... I wrote of course to the Queen the first thing this 

morning to express my joy and happiness, and I have 

had a letter from her full of afifection and feeling for him. 

God bless you. 

Yours affectionately, 

Mary. 

Diary, July 14. — ^To Woolwich, where the Queen received 
the whole of the Artillery returned from Crimea. i6<&. — 
Went to Aldershot in the Queen's train, where the whole of 
the troops at Aldershot were received by the Queen, several 



i8o 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



ia-Chief 



1856 Regiments having just arrived, looking remarkably well. 

-^T. 37 After seeing the last Crimean arrivals, there was a little 

field day of the other troops, ending with a general march 

First past. I was there for the first time as Conmiander-in 

SE^* Chief. 

ance as 
Com- 
mander- After the Review the Queen sent the Duke of Cambridge 

the following letter : 

Osborne, July ig. — ^We had a charming field day on 
Thursday, which I enjoyed more than any I ever saw, 
and was on horseback for 4 hours amongst all the Troops : 
the day was beautiful and the Troops manceuvred admir- 
ably. 

We saw the i8th Royal Irish arrive in camp yesterday 
morning in excellent order. Altogether we spent a most 
agreeable time at Aldershot. The Afiray with the German 
Legion ^ was and is much exaggerated, but still very 
vexatious. 

Diary, July 28. — ^Went down with the Members of 
the Government to Osborne to attend a Council, when I 
was admitted as a Privy Councillor, and took my seat 
accordingly. 

Throughout August the health of the Duchess of Glou- 
cest^ gave groimd for considerable anxiety and the Duke's 
diary shows that he felt this anxiety keenly, and that 
hardly a day passed without a journey down to Richmond 
to make eager inquiries for more reassuring news. 

' Several collisions occurred between the ist Regiment of Jagers and 
the English Rifles and Highlanders, and undoubtedly a number of heads 
were broken. The authorities at Aldershot were unwilling at first to 
afford any information concerning the disturbances, and the wildest 
rumours were current. On the day before the Queen wrote to the Duke 
of Cambridge, Sir J. Fergusson had called attention in the House of 
Commons to the rumours, and had asked whether the a£Eray had been 
attended with loss of life, and Mr. Peel, the Under-Secretary for War. 
had replied that he ' had no intelligence of such an afEray.' The matter, 
however, was sufficiently serious for General KnoUys to lay the facts 
before the Duke of Cambridge, and His Royal Highness at once gave 
instructions for the immediate removal of 3,000 Germans to another 
camp. 



Blade a 
Privy 
Council- 
lor 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY i8i 

Diary ^ September 17. — ^My sister Mary has refused the 1856 
offer made to her by the King of Sardinia, and I think she ^t. 37 
is quite right. 2ist. — ^Accompanied by Airey ^ and Chap- 
man ' went over the Royal Asylum at Chelsea to look at it 
for a Barrack, for which it is certainly most admirably 
adapted with some additions and alterations. The inten- 
tion is that the children should be sent to Kneller Hall. 

After the death of Lord Hardinge on September 24 Death of 
the Queen wrote to the Duke of Cambridge : Hiufdinge 

Balmoral, September 27. — I was just writing to you to 
desire you to issue a General Order to the Army expressive 
of my deep concern at the death of poor dear Lord Hardinge 
and my high and grateful sense of his invaluable services 
to myself and the country, when I received yours. I would 
wish you to have this done without delay. 

You are right in supposing how very, very much shocked 
and grieved we are at the loss of one whom we regarded 
as a true and valued friend and whose loss is one of those 
which caimot be replaced in these days, for how few possess 
now his experience ! Lord Hardinge's loss is a very serious 
one, for a more loyal, fearless and devoted public servant 
this country and the Sovereign never possessed ! It came 
so very suddenly, for he was recovering wonderfully. Most 
truly r^retted will he be by all who knew him, for he was a 
most amiable kind-hearted man. 

{From the Queen) \y'i 

Balmoral CasUe* October 6. 

• • • Albert has had no sport during this weather, but 
his bad luck was made up for by his killing a splendid stag 
last Thursday, which weighed 20 stone (dean), a very rare 
thing in any forest, and unknown in this neighbourhood. 
I am not a little proud of it, I assure you, both for my dear 
husband's sporting renown, and for the honour of our forest i 

> Genend Sir Richard Aixvy, Chief of the Staff to Lord Raglan in the 
Crimea, and Adjutant-General to the Duke of Cambridge when Commander* 
in-Chiel 

* An officer of the R.E. in the Crimea. A battery was named after him. 



i82 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1856 I am delighted to see by the letters I have received from 

^T. 37 your Mother and Augusta that you gave them so favourable 
a report of our dear Highland Home, which after all you did 
not see under favourable circumstances. 

Diary, November 14. — ^This is the second anniversary of 
our fearful storm in the Mediterranean. How many recollec- 
tions it revives in one's heart and thoughts, and how grateful 
one feek to God for our wonderful deUverance. December 
31. — ^The last day of the year — 2l year that has been to me 
a most eventful one, and of which I have indeed no reason 
to complain ! Dined at Kew, where we sat up till just 12 
to see the New Year in ! 
1857 January i, 1857. — Began the year quietly and cheerfully 

at Kew with my Mother and Mary. We thought of all those 
most near and dear to us, who were absent, and wished them 
every happiness, joy and comfort that this world offers. 
A lovely day, and the year begins brightly. God grant it 
may so turn out, and that at the end of it I may be myself 
a wiser and a better man. 

{From the Queen) 

Windsor Castle. February 6. 

In the midst of so much that is so important, I forgot 
a trifle, but still which I think ought not to be any longer 
overlooked. It is the moustaches, as regards the men and 
officers serving (I don't mean any of the old Generals, etc., 
etc.) should no longer be optional, but ordered to be worn. 
The effect in the Ranks altogether is bad, when you see some 
with and some without them. I think this should now be 
done without delay. . . . 

The In the Autumn of 1856 events had happened in China 

c^^eae ^y^jj ^^j.g destined strangely to affect the political world 
at home. The lorcha Arrow while sailing in the Canton 
river was boarded by Chinese who seized some twelve 
of her crew on a charge of piracy. The owners of the 
Arrow declared that she was a British vessel and appealed 
to the British Consul at Canton for redress. On the other 



war 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 183 

hand, the Chinese Governor Yeh contended that the Arrcm 1857 
was not a British but a Chinese vessel, which had wrongly ^'^' 37 
obtained possession of a British flag. There can be little 
doubt that the Chinese contention was perfectly right, 
but our Consul refused to listen to the Chinese represen- 
tations, demanded the immediate restoration of the men 
who had been seized, and enlisted the support of Sir John 
Bowring, our Plenipotentiary at Hong Kong. Sir John 
was not slow to act. In addition to the surrender of the 
captives he called for an apology from the Chinese and a 
promise of good behaviour in the future, adding that if these 
conditions were not fulfilled warlike operations would be 
begun in forty-eight hours. Yeh surrendered the men 
and gave promises for the future, but professed himself 
unable to make any apology since he still maintained that 
the Arrow was not a British vessel. Thereupon Sir John 
Bowring, faithful to his threat, ordered the bombardment 
of Canton. The Government at home supported this action 
on the part of its representative ; but among a large section 
of the political world the news aroused feeUngs of deep 
regret and resentment, and memorable debates took place 
in both Houses of Parliament. In the Lords a motion, 
introduced by Lord Derby, condemning the action of the 
British authorities in China, was lost by a majority of 
146 to no, but a resolution on similar lines, moved in the 
House of Conmions by Mr. Cobden, met with a different 
fate. The debate lasted four nights, and Mr. Gladstone, 
Mr. Disraeli, Lord John Russell, and Lord Robert Cecil 
(afterwards Lord Salisbury) ranged themselves on the side 
of Mr. Cobden. The Duke of Cambridge listened to the 
debate, and his views on the subject may be inferred from 
the following entry in his diary : 

March 3. — ... At 11 back to the House of Conmions 
where I heard Gladstone, Palmerston, Disraeli and Cobden 
in reply. It was very interesting. They all spoke well with 



i84 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1857 *h® exception of Palmerston, who I think was very feeUe 
-^T. 37 in argument and too personal to Cobden. 

Mr. Cobden's motion was carried by a majority of 
sixteen. Defeated at Westminster, Lord Pahnerston ap- 
pealed to the country, and the Government was trium- 
phantly returned to power. As military operations were 
to be carried on, the Duke of Cambridge, as a loyal servant 
of the Crown, was ready to see that they were prosecuted 
as efficiently as possible. 

Diary, March 6. — It has been decided to send out a 
force to China direct from home, the four Regiments of 
Infantry going to India, four Companies of Artillery, and 
one of Engineers. Sir Colin Campbell^ is to be offered 
the Command, with two Brigades under him. It is a wise 
and prudent measure, jth. — Sir Colin has declined the 
conmiand, which I much regret, though it does not surprise 
me much. Panmure has been to tell me that the Cabinet 
has decided upon sending Pennefather ' to China, a very 
good man, no doubt, but I am afraid of his health, lotk. — 
It has been decided to send troops at once to China and we 
are now busily engaged fitting out the expedition. It gives 
a great deal of trouble. AU day engaged on these matters. 
24iA. — ^Left London for Althorp for the Northampton races. 
There is a large party at Althorp consisting, besides the 
family, of the Bedfords, Wiltons and Lady Catherine, Corks, 
Enfidds, Cavendish Boyles, Charles Greville, Coopers, De 
Mauley, George Fitzwilliam and Jim. The house is an 
old-fashioned, but very fine one, and there is a wonderful 
iEt. 38 collection of pictures and books. 2Gth. — My 38th birthday. 
This is rather a serious consideration, and one that gives 
cause for much reflection. April 3. — ^Drove to Jones the 
Sculptor to give him a sitting for my bust, a present by 
Lord Yarborough to the 2nd Life Guards. 

' Afterwards Lord Qyde. 

' Sir John Penne&ther commanded a brigade of the and Divisicm at 
Alma, and sabeequently a division. Was commander of the troops in 
Hialta after the war. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 185 

For some time the health of the Duchess of Gloucester 1857 
had given cause for grave alarm, and in the last days of -^^.38 
April it was seen that the end was near. 

April 30. — ^After sitting up during the whole night, at Death of 
2 o'c. the end of our dearest Aunt was evidently approach- ^q^ 
ing. Mama and the Sisters, with her immediate household, cester 
had also remained. Towards 3 all were in the room and 
Hawkins and Hills ^ watching attentively said that it would 
not last many minutes. St^ the struggle, without being 
apparently painful, was a long one, and at 5.15 after a 
deep sigh our beloved Aunt breathed her last without 
pain or suffering. It was an awful and most distressing 
moment. All behaved nobly, and none more so than poor 
Mrs. Gould,' who held her head to the last. Be$ides myself 
there were present Mama, Augusta, Mary, the two LiddeUs,' 
Lady Caroline Miuray,^ Miss Adams,^ Nepean,* and the 
two Medical men, Hawkins and Hills. We had a short 
prayer before death and another after it. Nothing could 
surpass the solemnity of the moment. . . . Dined alone 
at my home, and felt most wretched, for I have lost the 
best friend I possessed on earth. May i. — ^We went and 
took a last look at that dear face we loved so weU. It was 
as beautiful in death as it had been in life. 

The Duke of Cambridge felt the blow acutely. In the 
course of a letter written just after the death of the Duchess 
he says : * My dearest Aunt left a letter which I have, 
in which she expresses the wish to be buried at Windsor 

' Her Royal Highness's medical attendants. 
' Dresser to the Duchess of Gloucester. 

* Colonel the Hon. George Angnstos Frederick liddell, bora i8i2« 
died 2888 (sixth son of Sir Thomas Henry liddell, ist Lord Ravensworth), 
Comptroller of the Household of the Duchess of Gloucester, and after- 
wards Deputy-Ranger of Windsor Park. His wife was Cecil Elizabeth 
Jane, fourth daughter of the Rev. and Hon. Gerald Valerian Wellealey, 
D.D., Canon of Durham. 

* Daughter of the 2nd Earl of Mansfield. 

* A relative of the Duchess of Gloucester's nuxse, who paid yearly 
visits to Her Royal Highness. 

* Canon E. Nepean, M.A., chaplain to the Duchess of Gloucester. 



i86 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1857 as privately as is compatible with her rank, and without 
Mt. 38 State. ... I am very deeply moved, one feels it always 
more after a time.' 

Diairy, May 2. — ^Saw the Queen and Prince, and ar- 
ranged about the carriages going in State with six horses 
to Windsor, to accompany the body from Slough to St. 
George's Chapel, jth. — ^At five to Gloucester House, when 
the body was carried downstairs and deposited in the large 
Dining Room. It was all quietly and nicdy done. At ten 
the body was placed in the outer coffin. It lasted nearly 
an hour and was most affecting. The household alone 
besides mj^self present. 8^A. — ^This painful day had the 
advantage at all events of fine weather. At 8.15 I went 
with Tyrwhitt ^ to Gloucester House. Every thing was 
Funeral ready, and at nine punctually the procession started for 
Paddington Station. It was a most dreadful moment to 
see the body of the beloved one carried lifelessly out of the 
house she had been mistress of and loved so well. . . . 
Returned home to the Palace to breakfast, and at 10.15 
drove with Macdonald to the Queen's Private Station of the 
S.W.R. Thence by special train with the Prince of Wales 
to Windsor. Mama and my sisters joined us at Richmond. 
We were at Windsor at 11.30. Prince Albert had already 
arrived. At 12 the mournful procession began to arrive 
from Slough. All was admirably conducted. The funeral 
ceremony then commenced and was beautifully performed 
by the Dean ' reading, and the Choir singing. Nothing 
could be more beautifully impressive, and not a dry eye 
was to be found in the Church. As to myself, no words can 
describe all I felt on the occasion. I was conducting to its 
last resting place that being whom I most respected and 
Generated on earth. May God have mercy on her soul, and 
may I have the happiness of joining that blessed soul in 
Eternity, however miserably unworthy I am. qlh. — ^At 12 

* General Charles Tyrwhitt, Equerry to the Duke of Cambridge, and 
Deputy-Ranger of Hyde Park. 

' The Very Rev. the Hon. Gerald WeUesley, M.A., Dean of Windsor, 
third son of the ist Earl Cowley. Bom 1809 ; died 1883. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 187 

went to Gloucester House, where I met the four other 1857 
Executors — ^Lord Verulam, Colonel Liddell, Mr. Vincent -^t. 38 
and Mr. Mortimer Drummond — ^in order to hear the Will read 
by Mr. Clarke the Solicitor. It is a beautiful Will, not 
anybody is forgotten, and her kindly feelings of charity 
expressed throughout aU quite beautifully. There are 
things left to everybody : annuities to the servants, the 
plate to Mary and a good many jewels — and aU that is not 
willed away to myself as her absolute heir. How beautiful 
she has ever behaved to me, really in a maimer for which I 
can never fed or prove myself sufficiently grateful. 

June I. — Reached Birmingham at 12. Dressed in visit to 
Unifonn, and proceeded in the Mayor's (Mr. RaddifEe) ^iS^^" 
carriage, and accompanied him to the Town Hall. The 
streets crowded to excess and the reception quite magnifi- 
cent and most enthusiastic. It was a really fine sight, 
contentment and goodwill being visible upon every coun- 
tenance. The whole population must have been in the 
streets. After partaking of luncheon went into the Hall, 
filled with people, where I received the addresses of the 
Corporation and of various other bodies. Then the Children 
of the National and Free Schools sang the National Anthem ; 
and then we went in procession in the same way we came to 
Calthorpe Park, which was to be inaugurated this day. 
Dense masses lined the streets, all most loyal. After 
planting three trees as an emblem of opening the Park, 
drove to the Mayor's private house, which is nicdy situated 
just outside the town, and rested there for two hours. At 
6.30 went to the King's Arms Hotd, where there was the 
public dinner for 300 people, which went ofi admirably, 
and I made an excellent speech. 2nd. — ^At 11.30 I started 
to go round the various manufactories of Bronzes, Buttons, 
Arms, Electro-type, &c. It was most interesting and 
gratifying, the people in the greatest enthusiasm, and 
evincing the best feding and spirit throughout our progress. 
ifyth. — ^Dined at the Palace last evening to meet the Arch- 
duke Maximilian of Austria,^ brother of the Emperor, 
who had just arrived — an extremdy nice young man. 

* Afterwards Emperor of Mexico. 



i88 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1857 At 12.30 to-day went to the Palace for the Ro}ral Chris- 
-^T. 38 tenmg of the little Princess Beatrice. It was a State Cere- 
mony in the Private Chapel, and aftexwards a very hand- 
some luncheon in the new Ball Room, which had a very 
fine effect, igth. — ^The Archduke Maximilian has pre- 
sented me with the Order of St. Stephen in the name of 
the Emperor of Austria. 22nd. — ^Went to St. John's Wood 
to be photographed by Mr. Lucas, the painter, to whom I 
am to sit for the Goldsmiths' Company. Dined with the 
Members of the Junior United Service Club, when there was 
a very large and handsome inaugurative dinner of the new 
Club House just built, of 130 Members, Sir James Scarlett ^ 
being in the chair. I am told that I made an excellent 
speech on Education in the Anny, and Scarlett made an 
excellent chairman. 26th. — ^The Parade took place in 
Hyde Park at 10 o'c, the Queen riding. Crowds of people 
were present, and the greater majority saw well. All went 
off to perfection and entirely without accident. The 
Queen distributed the Crosses ' with her own hand, and the 
troops marched past in excellent order. 

J^, On Jime 23 London had celebrated the hundredth 

Indian 

Mntiny anniversary of the battle of Plassey, and discussed the 
raising of a monument to Clive. Amid all the talk which 
took place on that occasion of the present state and future 
prospects of the great empire of the East, no word was 
said to suggest that an3rthing but peace reigned within its 
borders. But before four suns had set news arrived of a 
natiure so grave as to strike terror into the hearts of those 
who knew that as yet our sway over the millions of India 
was foimded on military ascendency, and on that alone. 
The Duke of Cambridge was, of course, among the first 
to receive the news, and his diary from this time forward 

> Sir James Yorke Scarlett commanded the Heavy Brigade of cavalry 
at Balaklava (4th Diagoon Guards, 5th Dragoon Guards, Greys, Innis> 
killings), and made the famons charge there. 

* The Victoria Cross was presented on this occasion to some sixty 
officers and men. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 189 

is full of references to the peril of the hour. Some of 1857 
these will be quoted here in so far as they come within the ^"^^ 3^ 
limits of this work. If they appear somewhat brief and 
disjointed* it must be borne in mind that His Royal High- 
ness began about this time a Military War Journal, in which 
he dealt fully and minutely with the progress of the cam- 
paign. This war journal, which treats also of the Italian 
campaign of 1859, the American Civil War, and the Franco- 
German War, has already been published in its proper 
place in the MiUtary Life of the Duke. 

June 27. — ^Bad accounts have arrived from India, 
where the Mutinies amongst the Native troops are spread- 
ing and several Corps are in open revolt at Delhi. Went 
to Gloucester House to take over the keys from Liddell, 
who has finished his business there. 28/A. — Went to 
Palmerston to talk over the Indian news with him, which is 
certainly most alarming and painful, the Native Army 
of Bengal being in a state of open mutiny. July 5. — ^Had 
a visit from the Prince of Wales, who is really a charming 
unaffected lad. iiM. — ^Was startled by bad news from 
India, the death of poor General Anson,^ and the extension 
of the Mutiny throughout Bengal. ... Sir Colin Campbell 
is to start for India to-morrow night to Command in Chief 
and succeed Anson. He accepted without hesitation. 
i2tk. — Colin Campbell came, and I took him to the Queen 
to take leave of her, and she was most gracious to him. 
He then took leave of my mother and sister, and then I 
said goodbye to him, with really a very heavy heart, for 
I love that fine soldier and respect him far more than any 
words can describe. 15/A. — Paid a visit early to the Queen 
of the Netherlands, who has just arrived. She is a most 
agreeable woman, but has grown much (dder. August 3. — 
Four more regiments of Infantry, one of Cavalry, and 
1,000 ArtHlery are ordered oat to India. This will still 



Hon. George Aiiaoo« uncle of the and Eazl of Ti*»i»|iHij, Conunaiider- 
lief in India. Died of choleni when ttaiting for the front to com- 
mand in pemn at the «ege of DdhL 



190 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1857 further reduce our force at home, and how we are to get 
^T. 38 the men to replace them I cannot tell, but we must do our 
best. This all gives a great deal of trouble, and we are 
very hard worked. 
Vtaitoi August 7. — Left for Osborne on a visit to meet the 

^® Emperor and Empress Napoleon. T. M. looking remarkably 

Napoleon Well and in the best possible spirits. They are, as ever, 
Snpr^ most gracious to me, and the visit is going off to perfection. 
Eng^nie Sth. — ^Had a long talk to the Emperor in conjunction with 
Albert on the grave compUcations that have taken place 
at Constantinople on the question of the Principalities. 
He was firm in his views, but I cannot say he was un- 
reasonable. Afterwards there was an interview between 
him and Palmerston and Clarendon, when the difficulties 
were arranged and got over, I trust, satisfactorily. It 
was fortunate the Emperor was here in person. This 
facilitated the solution. 13^*. — ^Went with Wetherall by 
train to Kneller Hall to see the new Musical School I have 
formed there. It seems admirably established and is 
working most satisfactorily. Major Whitmore, ist Foot, 
superintends and seems to take a great interest in it. A 
charming locality, and they play and sing wonderfully 
well. I then rode to Twickenham, where I paid a visit 
to the Due d'Aumale, a charming place, and they were 
most agreeable and kind. 18/A. — ^Went to look over 
Gloucester House. It is certainly a very fine house, but 
I'm afraid would never be comfortable to me as a man. 
However, there is no immediate hurry in deciding the 
question. 26<A. — ^Left London for Worcester. Wood ' was 
at the station, quite delighted to see me and looking very 
well, with his little boy, who is a very nice httle fellow. 
Had luncheon and then went over to the Cathedral to hear 
the end of the Oratorio. Then went to the Deanery — 
an excellent house but very large. Mr. Peel, brother of 
the late Sir Robert, is Dean. Went in the evening, after 
a walk in the town and dinner, to a Concert in the Chapter 
House. 

> Canon John Ryle Wood, the Duke's fonner totor. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 191 

About the middle of September the Duke paid a visit 1857 
to France. He arrived at ChSlons on the 17th and went -^t. 38 
direct to the Emperor's quarters. After breakfast the visit to 
Emperor drove His Royal Highness round the camp. 

Diary, September 17. — ^The enthusiasm of the Troops 
for the Emperor is very remarkable. The men looked 
healthy and well taken care of. 18th, — Up early, and at 7 
for a great manoeuvre. The Emperor commands in person 
and does it remarkably well and with great coolness and 
reflection. 20th. — The anniversary of the glorious battle 
of Alma. Singular that I should be here on this very day, 
after three years, in the midst of the French Army. We 
had a Mass for the whole force at 9 o'clock. The effect 
was very grand. The troops were all in full dress and 
looked remarkably well. They defiled after Mass was over. 
It was a magnificent and heart-stirring spectacle. After 
breakfast the Emperor conversed with me for a long 
time on the state of affairs, and all he said was most 
just and reasonable and made a great impression on 
me. 22nd. — . . . To-day ended my visit to Ch&lons, to 
which I shall ever look back with the greatest interest and 
pleasure. 

October 2. — I had long despatches to-day from Sir G>lin 
Campbell. They gave a gloomy picture of the state of 
affairs. It is all a question of time as to whether the 
present forces can hold out till the reinforcements arrive 
— God grant it I Sir Colin seems to be acting with energy 
and vigour. 11th. — ^The telegraph has arrived from India. 
Though nothing very decisive has taken place the accounts 
are much better and more reassuring. Troops are arriving 
from all quarters. Delhi was likely to fall soon, Lucknow, 
it was hoped, would be able to hold out till rdieved, and 
Havdock's force seemed perfectly safe. All this sounds 
and is very cheerful, the more so as the Bombay and Madras 
armies appeared steady and likdy so to continue. 

Numerous letters passed between the Queen and the 
Duke of Cambridge on the subject of the Indian Mutiny. 



192 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1857 One written by Her Majesty is worthy of the dosest 
^T.38 attention: 

yJindaoK Castle. October 19. 

I return you these interesting and satisfactory letters 
from our dear old Sir C. Campbell with many thanks. 

The news really is far better, and it is evident that 
this revolution has not extended to the Inhabitants, for 
which reason great justice and forbearance must be shown 
towards them, while (alas !) summary punishment must 
be dealt to the mutineer soldiers. I think it will, however, 
turn out that a good many of those dreadful stories of torture 
and mutilation, &c. are not true, or at least greatly exag- 
gerated. Several instances (a Colonel and Mrs. Farquhar- 
son amongst others) have proved to be sheer invenHons, 
and our evidence depends almost entirely upon the evidence 
of Natives. . . . 

When it is remembered that at this time the wildest 
stories of outrage, torture, and mutilation were accepted 
without question by the whole of the inhabitants of these 
islands, from peer to peasant, and that even a Cobden, with 
his cautious habit of mind, could write of * awful atrocities 
perpetrated upon women and children,* and 'fiendish 
outrages upon the defenceless,' the dear, dispassionate 
view of Her Majesty appears the more remarkable. The 
verdict of history has amply confirmed the Queen's prophecy. 
The blood of women and children was indeed ruthlessly 
spilt, but of outrages upon women, of premeditated tor- 
tures, and of wanton mutilations the soul of India is dear. 

inShef- Diary, October 21. — ^Started for Sheffidd, changed at 

station into unifonn. Was received by Sir Henry Smith, 
the Ma3^r of Sheffidd, and Colond Hodge. Drove in 
procession through the town. Streets crowded and recep- 
tion everjrthing one could wish. Laid the stone for the 
Monument to the Crimean heroes connected with Sheffidd 
and its neighbourhood. Recdved addresses of Corpora- 
tion of Sheffidd and Cutlers' Company, to which I replied. 



field 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 193 

Drove then to Cutlers' Hall, where had a coUation m the 1857 
Hall presided over by the Mayor. Made a speech, which ^T.38 
was enthusiastically received. Everything passed ofi well. 
Returned to station, where I changed my dress and returned 
to London. 26th. — ^Heard that the telegraph had arrived 
bringing an accoimt of the taking of Delhi after six days' 
hard fighting and considerable loss on our side. It is 
a great event and I trust it may turn out for the best, 
though it is serious to reflect that this mutinous Army 
will now, for some time, be scattered all over the country, 
endangering, I fear, our smaller detachments. 

November 4. — ^This was the day appointed for my Honoar 
receiving the freedom and sword from the City of London, ^^^f^ 
Left St. James's Palace a little before 5, accompanied by the London 
whole of my Staff in two carriages. Went to Guildhall, 
which was well filled and lighted up with gas, and had a 
very fine appearance. Sir John Key, the Chamberlain, 
addressed me and I had to reply. The whole went off well. 
Then I accompanied the Lord Mayor to the Mansion House, 
where there was a"great dinner for 280 in the Great Hall. It 
was a fine entertainment, and my speech was well received. 
I cannot say as much for that of Granville, who endeavoured 
to make a laboured defence of Canning, which would not 
go down. Altogether it was a most satisfactory day for 
me, and one of which I may feel justly proud. lo^A. — 
Staying at Windsor, and when out shooting arrived an 
account from Garemont of the sudden death of the poor 
Duchess of Nemours^ after her confinement, over which 
she appeared to have got perfectly well. This unexpected 
event cast a deep gloom over the Queen, Albert and all the 
family. I offered to leave for London, and the Queen 
sent to see me and seemed to wish to be left quiet and 
alone, Albert having gone at once to Claremont. I there- 
fore returned by the 4.30 train, nth. — ^Received the 
telegraph whilst out of the arrival of the Indian mail, giving 
an account of the complete evacuation of Delhi by the 
rebels on the 21st, the surrender of the old King with his 

' A princess of Coborg ; first oousiii of the Queen and Prince Albert, 
and wife of the Dnc de Nemonis, son of King Louis PhiMppe. 

VOL. I. O 



194 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1857 favourite wife and also of two of his sons. The former 
Mt.^B were spared, but the two latter at once shot. General 
Nicholson had died of his wounds and we had a loss there 
of 61 Officers and 1,170 men killed and wounded. Also 
heard of the relief of Lucknow on the 25th September, 
in which affair General Neale was killed, besides 400 men 
killed and wounded. In all other respects the accounts 
are satisfactory. 12th. — ^A second td^ram has arrived 
to-day from Calcutta which gives a less favourable account 
about Lucknow. It appears from it, that, in consequence 
of the numerous enemies surrounding the force under 
Havdock, Generals Outram and Havelock could not take 
the garrison away with them, nor take the town, but only 
strengthen the place and retire themsdves upon Cawnpore. 
This is very serious and most disagreeable and has rather 
damped our pleasure. The monetary crisis seems calming 
down, but the pressure has been very great and many 
houses have been ruined. 14th. — ^The Indian mails have 
both come in. The Calcutta one, with letters from Colin 
Campbell, is very serious. The last accoimts from Lucknow 
say that none of the force there can get out or return to 
Cawnpore. This is most distressing, as I do not see whence 
troops are to be provided to reheve this gallant band. 

December 2. — Heard of the sudden death last night, 
in a fit, of my poor dear friend Norman MacDonald.^ It gave 
me quite a shock when I heard the news, and I feel I have 
lost with him a real friend. He will be a great loss to society 
in general, and was invaluable in his office. He was seized 
when paying a visit to poor Lady Ely. $th. — ^Drove down 
in my brougham to Kensal Green to join and attend poor 
MacDonald's funeral. It was kept quiet and private, 
there being nobody present, beside myself, but Dr. Martin, 
Breadalbane, Carlisle, Raglan, Ernest Bruce and Phipps. 
With deep sorrow we committed him to his last resting 
place. With him I have lost a dear and most valued 
friend. A better hearted man I never met with. 8M. — ^With 
difficulty, owing to a dense fog, the like of which I have 
never seen before in my life, hurried down on foot to the 

> Comptroller in the Lord Chamberlain's department. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 195 

House to make some observations on the pension to be 1857 
granted to Sir Henry Havelock, which passed without ^T.38 
opposition in both Houses, the Commons only insisting 
that it should be for two lives instead of for one, as pro- 
posed. A special Steamer has reached us with letters from 
Sir Colin Campbell, still very gloomy about Lucknow. 
He is himself moving up to Cawnpore to take the conmiand, 
and left Calcutta on the 27th of October. 

{From the Queen) 

Osborne, December 10. 

I retiun you these very interesting letters, which cer- 
tainly give serious cause for anxiety. 

May God grant that Lucknow may still be able to hold 
out I Don't you think Havelock's Despatch ought to be 
published in the Gazette ? It is the only authentic account 
yet received. 

I should like to have a copy of Sir Colin Campbell's 
letter. How admirably he orders and arranges everjrthing I 
Pray say everything kind and flattering to him in our 
name, and express a hope he won't expose himself unneces- 
sarily — on him depends everything there now. 

Diary, December 23. — Heard of the arrival of the tele- Relief of 
gram with news of the relief of Lucknow by Sir Colin L'*^^**^ 
Campbell, after several days' hard fighting. The ladies, 
children and wounded rescued and sent ofi to Cawnpore. 
This is a very comforting event. 3is<. — ^Went down to 
Windsor to stay at the Castle. At 12 the New Year was 
ushered in by general congratulations, and all retired to 
rest. Many absent friends were thought of and many 
reflections of the past year (a most eventful one) come 
across one. To me the end of one year and the conunence- 
ment of another, so far from being a source of rejoicing, 
is always rather one of regret that another year should have 
passed away with all its joys and its troubles. But these 
events are in the hands of God, and we mortals must do 
our best to perform our duty and prepare for that end 
which none of us can avert. A blessing and happiness 

oa 



196 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1857 then I wish to all my friends far and near, and trust that 
^i** 38 the Year upon which we are about to enter may be a source 
of comfort and happiness to all. Good-bye then to this 
eventful year 1857 ! 
<358 January 12, 1858. — ^The Indian Mail has arrived, but 

I had no letters from Sir Colin. . . . There is a long 
and interesting account of the defence of Lucknow by 
Brigadier Inglis,* and an interesting despatch from Sir 
Colin, giving full particulars of his advance for the relief 
of the garrison and subsequent retirement from Lucknow 
and return to Cawnpore. 

(From the Queen) 

Windsor Castle, January 15, 1858. 

I return you your paper signed. I had yesterday 
morning written to Lord Falmerston urging this ^>ety 
thing to be done for that most gallant and heroic officer. 
Colonel Inglis, and also urging the consideration of rewards 
for these Heroes. How I wish I could fly there and place 
a wreath of laureb on dear old Sir Colin's and Colond 
Inglis's brows. 

On January 25 the Princess Royal was married to Prince 
Frederick William of Prussia. The marriage had been 
arranged in the Spring of 1856, but the news of the engage- 
ment had, at the time, been communicated only to the 
members of the Royal family. The Duke of Cambridge 
was, of course, one of the first to be informed in a letter 
which the Queen wrote to him on April 4, 1856. 

Buckingham Palace. — I write to you to-day to announce 
to you an event which I know you will take much interest 
in, and which now that Vicky's Confinnation has taken 
place ought no longer to be kept a secret from the members 
of our family : it is that she is engaged to Prince Frederick 
William of Prussia. 

As the marriage itself is not to take place till Vicky 

' Biajor-General Sir John Eardley-Wilmot IngUs, K.C.B., in command 
of the defence of Lucknow. 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 197 

has attained her 17th year, it will not be officially announced 1858 
or publicly till a short time before that takes place. ^7* 38 

We expect Fritz WiUielm here about the middle or 
latter part of next month. He is so excellent, and both 
young people are so decidedly attached to each other, that 
we have every prospect of the future happiness of our 
beloved child being thereby secured. 

The King of Prussia has been extremely kind about it, 
and says that it is the fulfilment of his sehnUchsten Wunsch} 

That the Queen^s news was not unexpected by His Ro3ral 
Highness we may see from a letter which he had written 
while in Scotland in 1855 : ' On the railroad yesterday a 
young man came up and spoke to me. To my astonish- 
ment, it W3S the young Prince of Prussia en route to Balmoral, 
so evidently that marriage is to be. He came on in my 
carriage and pleased me very much ; his views and opinions 
are excellent.' 

Diary, January 25. — ^This was the great day of the Marriage 
wedding. It was a lovely day, cold, but fine and bright. pJ^J^^ 
At a quarter before 12, we all assembled for the ceremony at Royal to 
St. James's. The processions and the whole arrangements p^^^^ck 
were admirably organised and went ofi to perfection without wuuam 
the least confusion or drawback. Altogether it was most ®*p™«»* 
gratifying and everybody seemed deUghted. The young 
couple looked well and happy and carried ofi their part 
of the ceremony remarkably well. The marriage over 
and the signatures affixed to the deed, we all proceeded 
in State to Buckingham Palace for luncheon. The Park 
was crowded with people, all in the best temper and spirit, 
though seeing very little or nothing. The members of 
the French Royal family joined us in addition to all the 
Royalties that are in England. February 2. — ^At zi.30 
went to Buckingham Palace. The taking leave then was 
painful in the extreme and most affecting. Punctually at a 
quarter before twelve we all started in carriages and four. 

> ' Most heartfelt wish.' 









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tiOQ Oi 

thcFPrive •* 

t ii • I '< •' 

[»ol i. V. . 

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/S//, 






198 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1858 I accompanied them, driving with Prince Alfred, Lady 
lE/i. 38 Churchill and Comitess Perponcher. We went right through 
the City to the Bricklayers' Arms Station. The cold was 
intense, and it snowed hard, but in spite of all this, crowds 
of people lined the streets, and their loyalty was imbounded. 
By train to Gravesend, and in the pony phaetons to the 
Pier, where embarked at once on board the Royal Yacht. 
The arrangements at Gravesend were extremely good, but 
required a much finer and warmer day. Had limcheon 
at once on board and then the moment arrived for taking 
leave of Albert and the two boys. This was most sad, 
and at three exactly, with a heavy heart, we saw them 
sail ! Poor dear child ! May God bless and protect her 1 
g/A. — ^Accounts have arrived from Germany giving a most 
favourable report of the reception of the Princess Royal, 
which appears to have gone off with very great enthusiasm, 
both at Berlin and everywhere along the road, including 
Hanover ! This is very gratifying and I trust augurs 
well for the future of the dear Princess. 26th. — ^Had the 
mail in from India, with letter from Sir Colin Campbell, of the 
15th of December. It is a most interesting mail, and one 
that is on the whole satisfactory. So far all has gone well 
and Sir Colin is preparing for his great attack on Lucknow. 
He must be thoroughly backed up and supported by us, 
for he is doing admirably. 
jBt. 39 April I. — ^At 12 o'c. attended the ceremony of Confirma- 
Confinna- tion of the Prince of Wales, which was performed in the 
ttoP^ce private Chapel of the Castle by the Archbishop of Canter- 
of Wales bury,^ supported by the Bishops of Oxford and Chichester, 
the Dean of Windsor, &c. Besides the family and house- 
hold, some of the leading Statesmen were present, and aU 
the Officers connected with the Duchy of Cornwall. The 
Archbishop made an address to the Prince, and all was over 
by I o'c. Then had luncheon and look leave of the Queen. 
17/A. — ^Dined at the Palace to meet the Due de Malakofi,' 

* Dr. John Bird Sumner. 

' Marshal P61i8sier, Due de Blalakoff. Commanded French army in 
the Crimea, and was subsequently French Ambassador at the Court of 
St. James's. 



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COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 199 

who arrived on Thursday. He seems quite new to his 1858 
position, but I like his frankness and the general tone -^T.sg 
of his conversation, though he is evidently no courtier. 
22nd, — ^Dined at the United Service Club, when I was 
in the Chair at a large dinner given by the Club to the 
Due de Malakofi. We sat down 150 to dinner. It was 
well arranged and all went off very satisfactorily and well, 
and he appeared much pleased. It lasted till twelve. 
My speeches are pronounced to have been judicious and 
good. 28<A.-rMr. Russell's ^ accoimt of the taJdng of Luck- 
now is most mteresting. The troops behaved most nobly, 
and the whole affair appears to have been most admirably 
managed by the Chief. We have heard, alas ! of the death 
of several fine fellows, amongst others of poor Ingram 
of the 97th — a very good fellow and a great friend of mine. 
May 7. — ^To the House of Lords, where we had a very 
animated discussion on a Proclamation ' of Lord Canning's 
to the people of Oude, confiscating their property, and a 
consequent despatch disapproving of said Proclamation by 
Lord Ellenborough on the part of the Government. It 
appears to me that this latter document is a most unf ortimate 
one, and that it may lead to renewed difficulties in India, 
and not unlikely to the resignation of Lord Canning as 
Governor-General, which would be greatiy to be deplored. 
18th. — ^Heard this morning by letter from the Due d'Aumale 
of the sudden and most unexpected death of the Duchesse 
d'0rl6ans ' after a short illness. This event is melancholy 
in itself and a great blow to the whole of the family, of 
which she was the life and soul in late years. 20th. — 
Derby day. Went down to the Race with George Wombwell 
and others at 10.30. Sir Joseph Hawley's horse, Beads- 

* Correspondent of TAd Times; afterwards Sir William Howard Russell. 

' Lord Canning never intended to carry oat a policy of general con- 
fiscation, and in a private letter to Mr. Vernon Smith, ex-President of 
the Board of Control, he expressly stated that the proclamation woold 
require further explanation, which he had not time then to provide. 
Lord Ellenborough assumed full responsibility for his dispatch, and 
resigned office, and the attack on the Government failed in both Houses. 

' A princess of Mecklenburg-Schwenn ; mother of the Comte de Paris 
and the Due de Chartres, and widow of the Due d'Orl6an8, eldest son of 
Louis Philippe. 



200 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1858 man, won easy, Toxopholite, Lord Derby's horse, second. 
^T.39 I had backed the second horse, who, however, was fairly 
beaten. Hawley is said to have won £50,000— an immense 
sum. Lunched in my carriage just behind the Stand. 
30<A. — Chapel Royal re-opened to-day and exactly restored 
to what it was before the Royal Marriage, with the exception 
of leaving the window over the Altar in its improved state. 
June 15. — ^Started for Marlborough with Lord Ailesbury 
and other Governors. Dr. Cotton, Bishop of Calcutta, 
received us at the school. I heard the Speeches and was 
present at the distribution of the Prizes. Lunched in Hall 
and then returned to London. 

Royal When it was decided that the Queen should pay a visit 

^^.*® to Cherbourg, in order to meet there the Emperor and 

^>ouig Empress of the French, the Duke of Cambridge, who was 

desirous of being one of the party, wrote to Her Majesty 

to ask if he might accompany her. The Queen replied : 

Osborne, July 11. 

There will be no difficulty in your accompanying us, 
but I think you should not determine the length of your 
stay at Cherbourg without consulting the Ministers, who 
may think it advisable for you to stay longer. 

The visit took place in August. 

Diary, August 4. — At 11.30 attended the Queen on board 
the Viciaria and Albert and sailed at 12 for Cherbourg. The 
Queen and Prince are accompanied by the Prince of Wales, 
Lady Desart, and Miss Bulteel, Malmesbury, Packington, 
De la Warr, Phipps, Hood, Du Plat and self, with Tyrwhitt 
and Col. Chapman of the Engineers. Five miles off Cher- 
bourg the fleet under Lord Lyons were waiting for us, and 
the whole steamed in together under a thundering salute 
from the French fleet and batteries ashore. It was a noble 
sight and most interesting. After dining the Emperor 
and Empress came off at 8.30 to welcome the Queen, and 
a cordial meeting took place which certainly was very 
interesting. They remained about an hour and then 



COMMAND OF THE ARMY— INDIAN MUTINY 201 

returned to shore, and we spent a quiet evening. The 1858 
place looks a very fonnidahle one, and there are several ^T.39 
battle-ships — some of which are fully manned. $th. — ^At 
12 we landed in uniform under heavy salutes, going into 
harbour in the Little Fairy. The Emperor and Empress 
met us at the landing and we proceeded to the Prefecture 
Maritime, where the Emperor is staying, and where we 
breakfasted, or rather ^ luncheoned.' Then we drove 
up to the fort overhanging the Town, whence the view is 
a most beautiful one. The fort is not very strong nor do 
I think it of great use from a military point of view, but it 
forms a sort of citadel to the whole place. On our return 
went off on board imder a heavy salute. These salutes 
amount in all to 3,000 guns each time, as they are com- 
posed of a succession of three broadsides. At seven the 
Emperor came off to the Bretagne, and the Queen with 
ourselves immediately followed him to that noble vessel 
of 140 guns, where we dined. It was handsome and we sat 
down 60. The Emperor spoke well in giving the Queen's 
health, and Albert answered satisfactorily in French. 
After dinner we had fireworks and illumination of the 
fleet, and this ended the day's work, the Emperor bringing 
the Queen back to the Yacht in his barge. 6th. — ^The 
Emperor came off to take leave of the Queen, accompanied 
by the Empress. They stayed about an hour and the 
meeting appeared a cordial one. On his leaving the Yacht 
we inmiediately got under weigh, and steamed out in the 
same order, with the English fleet as an escort, as we came 
in, the French fleet and batteries giving another heavy 
salute. The day was lovely and it was a most magnificent 
sight. Reached Osborne at five, when I left for London, 
having taken leave of the Queen. 

Windsor, November 9. — ^The Prince of Wales's birthday. The 
After breakfast a feu de joie was fired by the troops in S^, ®' 
garrison. The Prince of Wales called on me in uniform birthday 
to report himself on his appointment this day to Colonel 
unattached in the Army. He looked very well in his dress 
and seemed very happy. At dinner he wore the Garter 
for the first time. London, December 5. — ^The Indian Mail 



202 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1858 came in this morning, bringing letters from Sir Colin with 
^T.39 good accounts. The campaign has opened well in every 
direction and Michel ' has been very successful in Central 
India. The Proclamation announcing the transfer of 
authority to the Crown had been issued on the ist of Novem- 
ber, and was well received at Bombay and in other parts. 
igth. — ^The mail from India has come in bringing letters 
which give good accounts, excepting as regards the wish of 
some of the European soldiers of the late Company's service 
to be discharged. This is an awkward question, but I hope 
it will be handled with tact by the authorities in India. 

The Diary on December 31 ends as follows : 

May God in His mercy grant us all a happy Year upon 
which we have now entered, and forgive us for the many sins 
and neglects of which I know and feel that I have been guilty 
during the one just ended. Thus ends the Year 1858. 

> General Sir John Michel, who afterwards became Commander-in- 
Chief in Ireland. 



CHAPTER IX 

THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD — ILLNESS AND DEATH OF THE 

PRINCE CONSORT 

1859-1862 



The Duke and the Prince of Wales — Opening of Wellington College 
The war of Italian liberation — ^The vote of thanks to the Indian Army 
— Speech by His Royal Highness — Death of Baron Knesebeck — Family 
gathering at Rumpenheim — Removal to Gloncester House — ^Visit to 
the Prince of Wales at Oxford — Ofier of colonelcy of Coldstream 
Guards — Attitude towards the Volunteers — ^The China expedition — 
Death of the Duchess of Kent — ^Forty-second birthday — ^Life at 
Rumpenheim — ^Prussian manoeuvres at ^^hl — ^Letter from the Queen 
on the death of the King of Portugal — ^American war cloud — Seizure 
of the Southern Commissioners — Illness and death of the Prince Con- 
sort — ^The last hours — ^Letters to His Royal Highness from Sir Charles 
Phipps — ^niness of the Duke — ^The American peril — Prince of Wales 
starts for the East 

The pages of the diary of the Duke of Cambridge and 1859 
his correspondence bear constant testimony to the affection 
which His Royal Highness felt for the members of the for the 
Queen's family, and the interest which he took in all their ^^[^ 
movements. * The children are very darling, the Princess 
Royal much grown,' he writes to his mother, when on a 
visit to Windsor after his return from the Crimea. * I think 
the children are fond of me,' is an entry which occurs 
more than once. As the members of the family grow up 
and begin to play their part on the great stage of the world, 
the Duke marks their appearance with satisfaction, and 
records their success with pride. Two instances at this 
point will suffice by way of illustration. Early in January 
1859, the Prince of Wales went down to Folkestone to 
present colours to the looth Canadian Regiment. The 
Duke accompanied him and wrote of the ceremony : * The 



204 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1859 Prince of Wales did it very well, and made an excellent 
^T. 39 address to the Regiment. After the Colours had been given 
the looth and all the troops in Garrison then marched 
past. The lOOth then gave us a very handsome luncheon, 
and at 4.30 we rode back to Folkestone Station. Then I 
took leave of the Prince, who proceeded to Dover on his 
road to Italy, where he is going for some months, and I 
came back to London by the Special.' Again : * We heard 
last night * (January 27) * the charming intelligence from 
Berlin that the dear Princess Royal had at 3 o'c. yesterday 
been confined of a son and heir. Both mother and child 
are doing extremdy weQ. It is a great source of joy, both 
in England and Germany. The news arrived in England 
by telegraph in six minutes, which is almost marvellous.* 

ChP^ning Diary, January 29. — ^Went to-day at 10 o'clock by 
lington special train, with the Governors of the College to the 
Cc£ege Wellington College to attend its formal opening by the 
Queen. We arrived there at 11.30, and the Queen and 
Prince came at 12.30. After walking over and inspecting 
the building, an address was read to the Queen, to which 
she replied. We took luncheon and then returned to 
Windsor. The building is convenient, but I cannot say I 
admire the architecture much. It was built by Mr. Shaw. 
There ane at present 61 boys there, and it will hold 240 
boys, but at present the funds of the Institution would not 
admit of this number being admitted. 

February 14. — ^Had to attend at a trial, Dickson v. 
Wilton, brought by Lt.-Colonel Dickson against Wilton for a 
libel and defamation of character.^ I had to give evidence 

' The plaintiff was Lieu tenant-Colonel Dickson, formerly of the 
2nd Tower Hamlets BCilitia, and he sued the defendant, the (2nd) Earl 
of Wilton, who was colonel of the regiment, to recover damages for the 
publication of slander, and also of two libels, imputing to the plaintiff 
a misapplication of funds belonging to the regiment. The defendant 
pleaded the general issue, and also that the slander and libels complained 
of were true in substance and fact. The jury found for the plaintiff on 
all the issues, negativing the defendant's bona fides and pleas of justifica- 
tion, and assessing £200 as damages for the slander and £$ for the libels. 



THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD 205 

on some military matters. I think to give evidence 1859 
in the Courts of Westminster Hall is one of the most dis- ^T.39 
agreeable things possible. There is much excitement about 
this case and the Court was greatly crowded. Sir FitzRoy 
Kelly was leading counsel for Lord Wilton, and Mr. Edwin 
James for Dickson. I5<A. — ^The trial has been given 
against Wilton, with considerable damages. This is most 
disagreeable. 

The year 1859 was one of wars and rumours of wars. The war 
Count Cavour had determined that Italy should be free uberatioa 
and that France should be the agent of her liberation, 
and when Cavour was determined others had to bend to his 
dominant will. Louis Napoleon was persuaded that the 
Austrians must be expelled from Italy, and the coming of 
the open rupture was merely a question of time. The 
first rumblings of the storm were heard in Paris on New 
Year's Day» when the Emperor told the Austrian Ambassa- 
dor that the relations of the two countries were not such as 
he could desire. On January 13, the Duke of Cambridge 
wrote : ' There are great fears of war in Italy. The Em- 
peror Napoleon made some sharp allusion to Baron Hiibner, 
Austrian Minister at Paris, on New Year's Day. The King 
of Sardinia has made a strong speech in the same tendency 
on his opening the Sardinian Chambers and the Prince 
Napoleon is to marry the King of Sardinia's daughter. 
These events combined lead to the rumours which are 
prevalent, and which are most unfortunate. The funds 
have been much affected and large Austrian reinforcements 
are moving into Italy.' 

During the early months of the year the English Govern- 
ment offered France and Austria much good advice in the 
cause of peace. But Count Cavour had no intention of 
allowing Louis Napoleon to draw back till he had dis- 
charged his bond, and in April the Duke had to write : 
'Accounts from abroad are most unsatisfactory. Large 



2o6 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1859 bodies of Austrians are moving towards Italy ; the French 

^^- 40 Army is being rapidly placed on a war footing ; Sardinia 

refuses to disarm and ever)^hing looks most serious. We 

are ordered to look to our Mediterranean Garrisons, and 

strengthen them. To me war appears inevitable.* 

The war came and was soon over, for the Austrian 
Army was no match for the forces of France and Sardinia. 
But, in view of the threatening attitude of the German 
States, Louis Napoleon, who had set out to free Italy from 
the Alps to the Sea, was content to make peace on the 
imderstanding that Lombardy should be liberated from 
Austrian rule. 

The vote Diary, April 14. — ^Went to House of Lords, when Lord 
to the^^ Derby moved a vote of thanks to the Indian Army and 
Indian officials On the conclusion of hostilities in that country. 
Anny jjjg speech was a very good one, and he was followed by 

Granville, myself and EUenborough. It passed off very 

well. 

To the Duke was assigned the task of filling up the void 
supposed to be left by the list of meritorious names em- 
bodied in the resolution. This he did, mentioning such 
names as those of Brigadier Jones, Brigadier Horsford, 
Brigadier Barker, Brigadier Showers, Brigadier Troup, and 
Brigadier Douglas. But he did more ; in the course of a 
careful review of the operations he paid a tribute of praise 
to the ready co-operation of the civil authorities. * When 
I come to ask myself how the recent fearful outbreak 
has been brought to so rapid and so complete a termination, 
I cannot doubt that the chief cause of this auspicious 
result has been the cordiality and good feeling which exisied 
between the civU and military authorities of India. But 
for that I believe it would have been impossible for the 
gallantry of our troops, however heroic, or for the skill 
of their conunanders, however admirable, to have brought 



THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD 207 

India so speedily to its present tranquil condition.* After 1859 
a happy reference to the world-wide fame of Lord Clyde ^T.40 
and the services of Sir William Mansfield, the Duke turned 
to the combinations which had marked the campaign. 
' It is in this that this Indian campaign has been remark- 
able — ^not so much for hard fighting as for the great com- 
bination it has required, and the bringing of different 
columns to bear upon various points. I believe there never 
was an instance of any campaign in which the evolutions 
of columns were so ably carried out as in this. I am not 
aware, in the whole course of it, of a single occasion on 
which any column intended for a particular post, and 
required to take a considerable share in any operation, 
was not found at its appointed place and did not carry out 
the duty assigned to it in the general combination.' Of 
the work of Sir Hugh Rose in Central India he said : * Cer- 
tainly if any officer ever performed acts of the greatest 
daring, valour, and determination, those acts were per- 
formed by my gallant friend, Sir Hugh Rose. I personally 
had an opportunity of seeing what manner of man my 
gallant friend is, and of what stuff he is made, and I was 
satisfied at the time that if ever the right occasion presented 
itself he would be found to distinguish himself in the extra- 
ordinary manner which he has lately done.' After men- 
tioning the names of General Mitchel, Brigadier Park, 
Brigadier Smith, and Brigadier Lockhart, the Duke con- 
tinued : ' In remarking on the military operations of the 
campaign I cannot pass over some other department of the 
service without which the military movements would have 
been paralysed ; I would mention the commissariat and 
medical departments, which by accident, no doubt, have 
been omitted from mention. But I must think, when we 
reflect on the state of the country . . . that it was wonderful 
how the commissariat kept the troops as efficiently supplied 
as it evidently must have done. ... I think that the 



208 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1859 medical department of the Anny has also well discharged 
^T.40 jjg JJ^^^ important and most valuable duties.' Then he 
turned to the future of India : * It is a question of deep 
and vast importance. I think that now the military officers 
h^ve performed their portion of the work that of the civilians 
will really and truly begin. I am perfectly aware that 
the first duty of the civil govenmient is to control its ex- 
penditure, but on the other hand, economy may be carried 
too far. Every effort should be made to keep down the 
military establishment, but I hope every reduction wiU be 
made with the caution and attention so important and 
difficult a matter fairly deserves.* Mention was made of 
Sir John Lawrence and Sir Sydney Cotton, and the Duke 
concluded : * My Lords, combined with the tribute of 
our thanks we have also expressed the pain and sorrow we 
fed for the losses we have sustained in the great men who 
have died noUy and gloriously ; they felt that they died 
doing their duty, and it is ours to do honour to their names 
and their memory. It is a feeling that lies deep in the 
heart of every Englishman. That feeling wXL not lightly 
be eradicated, and as long as history speaks of the great 
events that have taken place in India, the world wiU never 
forget the valour and daring performed by a Havelock, a 
Nicholson, a Neale, an Adrian Hope, and many other 
heroes.' 

Diaryy May 24. — Called at the Duchess of Kent's, who 
is extremely ill. It is a sad thing, as to-day being the 
Queen's birthday, the Duchess was to have been at Osborne. 
It appears to be a violent attack of erysipelas with great 
prostration of strength. 

June I. — ^Derby Day. Went down in my phaeton with 
Prince Edward. Musjed won the Derby, belonging to 
Sir Joseph Hawley. It was a beautiful race, Sir Joseph 
winning about £100,000. 

June 24. — ^At a little before 8 this morning I was 



THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD 209 

summoned to the deathbed of my poor dear friend Knesebeck. 1859 
I was dreadfully shocked to hear that this melancholy event ^t. 40 
was impending, for though he had been very seriously ill 
for some days, none of us had any reason to expect that ^^ ^ 
matters wotdd so soon end thus. It was indeed a most Knese- 
painful moment. My dear Mother and sisters were aU ^^^ 
present with me. He was quite unconscious when I arrived 
and at a little before 9 breathed his last without any severe 
effort. His loss to my family is quite irreparable. To us 
all for years he has been the kind and devoted friend and 
follower. I don't believe he would have had an enemy 
in the world. May his soul rest in peace ! 29^*. — Drove 
down to Kew to attend the funeral of poor Knesebeck, 
and many personal friends attended uninvited. It was a 
most melancholy ceremony. The inhabitants of Kew 
showed the best possible feeling. The body is deposited 
in our own vault at Kew. August 13. — ^Dined at the 
Grocers' Company, where I was enrolled as a member of 
that ancient Guild. 

The Duke left London on August 23, and two dajrs Rnmpen- 
later reached Rumpenheim, * where I foimd an inmiense ^^ 
f anuly party, who received me most graciously and kindly, 
and I felt at once at home among them aU.' 

On arrival I heard of the death of Count Decken,^ 
my Aimt Louisa's husband, on the 20th. I found my poor 
Aunt very composed, but to her it is a dreadful blow and 
altogether most sad that it should have occurred here 
during our family meeting. There are at present 35 in 
the house, who dine daily together, besides little children 
too yoimg to come to table. Besides my three uncles — 
WiUiam, Frederick, and George — Mama and my two sisters, 
with Fritz and Adolphus, Lady Geraldine, Wenckstem, and 
young Knesebeck and myself, there are Aunt Lotte, Fritz 
Hessen with his wife, Aima, child, and Lady and Monsieur 
de Oertzen, their Gentleman, Mimmi with two daughters 
and a Lady, Mademoiselle de Bus, Louisa with Christian 

* General von Decken, a distinguished officer in the German Legion. 
VOL, I. P 



210 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



z86o 



1859 and 6 children and a Lady, Countess Reventlow, Aunt 
£t. 40 Marie, Lilli, Countess Plessen, Adelheid Nassau with Lady, 
Mademoiselle Bartolin and Count Holke. Rumpenheim is 
in every respect immensely improved ; all the old recollec- 
tions are retained, but the comforts of the place are looked 
to and it is kept in admirable ord^. 

His Royal Highness returned to London on September 9, 
and the autumn was spent in military and public duties, 
varied from time to time by brief visits to personal friends. 

Diary y November 17. — ^Attended at 11 o'c. at St. George's 
Church, Hanover Square, the wedding of Lady Cecilia 
Lennox ^ with Lord Bingham.' There was a large family 
party collected for the occasion, and all went ofE well, the 
bride looking very nice indeed. Thence to Portland Place 
to see the young couple off. 

January 21, i860. — Had letters this morning from Lord 
Clyde giving some details as to the China Expedition,^ which 
he is preparing, and giving an excellent accoimt of the state 
of affairs in India, where he says tranquillity is being entirely 
restored, and all the troops have returned to their respective 
Presidencies, so that in Bengal the only troops left are 
those belonging to the Presidency. TWs is truly satis- 
factory and the Mutiny may be considered as completely 
at an end. 

March 27. — ^To-day, alas ! I leave my dear apartment 
at St. James's in order to remove to Gloucester House. 
I confess I am very low and miserable about it, but it must 
be done and there is no help for it. For 19 years I have 
lived in these dear rooms and many are the happy hours 
I have spent there. Went down to Oxford to pay a visit 
to the Prince of Wales. I arrived there for lunch and 
drove at once to Frewen Hall, where he lives. It is a 
nice old house and he is very comfortable there. After 
luncheon we walked about the town and saw the Bodleian 

> Daughter of the 5th Duke of Richmond. 
' Afterwards 4th Earl of Lucan. 

* The object of the expedition was to insist on the reinforcement of 
the Treaty of Tien-tain. 



^t4Z 

Removal 
to Glou- 
cester 
House 



Visit to 
the 

Prince of 
Wales at 
Oxford 



THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD 2ii 

Library, Christ Church, Exeter College, etc. I was much i860 
pleased with my visit. On my return to London in the £t. 41 
evening, went direct to Gloucester House. It is, at present, 
very uncomfortable and feels particularly large and dis- 
jointed. 2&th. — Busy all the morning, endeavouring to make 
myself more comfortable, which is not an easy matter with 
the quantity of things that are about in all directions, 
both belonging to the house and of my own. 31s/. — ^At 
home all the morning and very busy hanging pictures and 
trying to arrange the house, which is improving, though I 
still fed very much lost in it. April 4. — ^Went down to 
Windsor for the Confirmation to-morrow of Alfred.^ 5<A. — 
Went to St. George's Chapel to see a very handsome and 
appropriate monument erected by the Queen to dear 
Aunt Gloucester. It is really in excellent taste. At 12 
the ceremony of Confirmation was performed by the 
Archbishop of Canterbury,' supported by the Bishop 
of Oxford.' It took place in the private Chapel of 
the Castle. May 2. — ^Was in the Chair at the London 
Tavern for the London Hospital. Had a most excellent 
Meeting and collected the unprecedented simi of £23,700. 
It was a great effort to make good a deficiency by the loss 
of Long Annuities falling in this year, and it was a most 
successful result. 

{From the Queen) 

Buckinghain Palace, June 4. 

I was just going to write to you on the subject of poor 
Lord Strafford's death, which we heard of from Lord 
Enfield la^t night, when I received your note. When 
the dear old Duke of Wellington died you expressed a wish 
to have the Coldstream Guards, as yom: poor Father had 
had it, but Lord Strafford did not wish to give it up, 
and therefore you got the Scotch Fusiher Guards, when 
Albert got the Grenadiers, but if my memory is correct, 
you said at the same time that you hoped I would 
remember your wishes on the subject, on some future 

* Duke of Edinburgh, second 8on of Queen Victoria. 

* Dr. John Bird Snamer. • Dr. Samuel Wilberforce. 

P2 



212 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

i860 occasion. I therefore write at once to ask you if you still 
^T.^i wish to have the Coldstream Guards in preference to the 
Scots Fusiliers, as, if you did, I should be too happy to 
give you the Regiment. 

Diary, June 16. — ^Dined with the Grenadier Guards, 
who had a great gathering in the Banqueting Room at St. 
James's, the Prince Consort in the Chair, on the occasion 
of the 200th anniversary of the formation of the Regi- 
ment. Upwards of 200 sat down to dinner, and the Prince 
spoke and presided remarkably well. 18th. — Busy to-day 
arranging the house for the reception of the Q^een at 
dinner, she having signified her gracious intention of dining 
with me. She came at 8, accompanied by the King of the 
Belgians, Prince Consort, Princess Ahce, Count of Flanders, 
Lady Gainsborough, Miss Stopford, General Seymour, 
de R06, General Moekerk,^ and I invited to meet her, my 
mother, Augusta, Mary, Edward Weimar, Lords Derby, 
Granville, Palmerston, Clarendon, Peel, Van de Weyer, 
Kielmansegge, Tyrwhitt and self. The house looked its 
best, the dinner was very good, and everything passed ofi 
in a most satisfactory manner. It was Waterloo Day. 



The The year i860 saw new interest aroused in the Volunteer 

mavl^**^ forces and great additions made to their numbers. The 
ment cause is not far to seek. The boundless ambitions imputed 
to Louis Napoleon had for some time been producing 
a feeling of growing disquietude and distrust on this side 
of the Channel, and when it became known that Sardinia 
had been compelled to surrender Nice and Savoy as the 
price of French co-operation, uneasiness became hardly 
distinguishable from panic. The word * invasion ' was 
on every man's tongue, and the citizen was everywhere 
keen to bear arms in defence of his home and coimtry. The 
Duke of Cambridge manifested a warm interest in the 
movement and gave it strong support. Writing of the 
Queen's levee for the Volimteers on March 7, he said : 

^ In attendance on the King of the Belgians. 



THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD 213 

* It went off remarkably well. The Volunteer officers i860 
really looked wonderfully well and smart.' On the evening ^t. 41 
of the same day His Royal Highness took the chair in St. 
James's Hall at the Volunteer Dinner. Of the great 
Volimteer Review on June 23 he wrote : * Was early in the 
Park, the day looking very promising for the great Volunteer 
Review which is to come off to-day. At 2 proceeded to 
the Park, where there were dense masses of people. All the 
Corps came in in rapid succession and looked remarkably 
well. At 4 the Line of Columns was formed, the Queen 
arrived, the march past took place, and the whole thing 
passed off most admirably. Nothing could possibly be 
finer than the whole appearance of the Corps, and the 
impression produced was one of astonishment and delight. 
About 20,000 men were imder arms. After the last salute 
and general cheering for Her Majesty, the troops moved off. 
Not an accident happened of any sort or kind and the day 
was magnificent.* 

{From the Queen) 

Bacldngham Palace, June 29. 

I am extremely sorry to hear of this^^^sA attack of gout, 
and it is really quite necessary that you should go to some 
of the German Baths this summer or autunm, for you want 
health and strength for your duties, and / and the country 
cannot do without you, and you know that, and therefore 
it is a real duty to try and get rid of this tiresome tendency 
to gout. . . . 

Diary, July 2. — At 2.30 drove down to Wimbledon to 
see the Queen open the National Rifle Shooting ; a great 
many people present. The Queen and Prince received 
addresses, and it was arranged she should fire the first shot, 
which she did. 3irf. — ^Dined at United Service Club, where 
I took the chair at a dinner given to Lord Clyde. It w£^ 
very handsomely and well done ; about 150 sat down and 
aU went off well, though Lord Clyde had a great difficulty 
in making a speech. October 22. — ^Went to Windsor by 



214 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

i860 6.30 train to meet the Russian Grand Duke ^ and Duchess 
^'^' 4^ there with their suite. Much pleased with their appearance 
and general bearing, and nothing could be more agreeable 
than his manner to me, and the mode in which he spoke 
of the Crimean War, etc. She is the sister of the Princess 
of Leiningen and a very pleasing person. November 3. — 
Inkermann Day. How many recollections are brought 
to mind by the Anniversary of this great event in my 
career through life, now six years ago ! I shall ever think 
with grateful feelings at having been spared through that 
glorious day to our British Army. Windsor, December 4. — 
Attended the Queen at her reception of the Empress 
Eugenie, who came for luncheon and on a visit, soon after 
I o'clock. She looked changed, since last I saw her, but 
not ill, in the ordinary acceptation of the term, but 
certainly much depressed. It was rather a painful meeting, 
when one remembers how gay and hopeful the last visit 
was. At 2 we lunched as usual, and at 3 she returned by 
special train to London. Albert met her and took her 
back to the Station. The Queen with all of us received 
her at the entrance. The Emperor's name was only men- 
tioned by her once. She had with her Madame de Monte- 
bello and de Sauley, Monsieur de la Grange and Colonel 
Fun6. 

The The China Expedition, to the preparations for which 

expedi- ^^ Duke referred in the early part of the year, had gone 
ti<» rapidly forward. The British and French forces had cap- 

tured the Taku forts and occupied Tien-tsin with little 
difficulty, and had then proceeded to march on Peking. 
Eager to prevent the foreigners from entering the capital, 
the Chinese authorities at last prevailed upon Lord Elgin 
to enter into negotiations at Tung-chau, and Lord Elgin's 
secretaries, Mr. Parkes (afterwards Sir Harry Parkes) and 
Mr. Loch, were sent forward with an escort to arrange for 

■ The Grand Dnke Idchael Nicholaievitch, soa of the Emperor Nicholas, 
married in 1857 the Princess Cecile of Baden, who afterwards took the 
name of Olga. 



THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD 215 

a meeting between the envoys and the Chinese Commis- i860 
sioners. On their return journey the party had to pass ^T. 41 
through the Chinese lines, and a chance quarrel led to a 
general engagement. Mr. Parkes and Mr. Loch and a 
number of their companions were seized, in spite of the fact 
that they carried a flag of truce, and hurried away to 
captivity and torture. The Duke of Cambridge writes of 
these events : 

December 8. — ^A telegram arrived from China which says 
that Parkes and Loch are returned safe. Anderson ^ and 
de Normann ' died from the effects of ill-treatment ; Bra- 
bazon and Bowlby ' unaccounted for. Two principal Gates 
of Peking in our possession ; Emperor's Summer Palace 
sacked and large amount of treasure found there ; the 
Emperor fled to Tartary. The force to winter at Peking 
and Tien-tsin. I am much shocked at this news, particu- 
larly at the death of young de Normann, which is truly sad, 
more particularly on account of his poor Mother, who will be 
heartbroken. I also confess that I do not like the accounts 
of the flight of the Emperor, and the wintering of the force 
in that populous country. 15th. — ^The mail from China 
has come in. The sufferings of poor Messrs. de Normann 
and Anderson before their death seem to have been fearful. 
Messrs^ Parkes and Loch seem also to have been much ill- 
treated. Some doubts still exist as regards Messrs. Bra- 
bazon and Bowlby. Altogether the news seems good. 
There seems every prospect of a treaty being signed and 
of the troops not having to winter at Peking, but rather 
at Tien-tsin, which certainly would be preferable, as a 
secure mihtary position. 20th. — ^A telegram has arrived 
via St. Petersburg, saying that the treaty with China has 
been signed and that the Army evacuated Peking on the 
9th November. All the other prisoners not returned had 
been ill-treated and died from the effects of it. 25th, — 
News has come in of the signature of the Chinese Treaty 

* Lieut. Anderson, in command of the escort. 

' Son of the Baroness de Normann. ' Correspondent of Tkt Timts, 



2i6 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

i860 and that Mr. Loch and Major Anson are on their way home 
^T.41 with it. As far as we can at present judge, the Treaty 
seems a good one. 28th. — ^Major Anson arrived last night 
with his despatches. He called upon me this morning 
in conjunction with Mr. Herbert, and gave us a great many 
most interesting particulars of everyihing that has taken 
place. He gives an excellent accoimt of the general state 
of efficiency of the force. 
z86i January i, 1861. — ^Thus begins another year, which to 

my mind always gives rise to reflection and thought. The 
aspect of the world is not so tranquil as to justify the behef 
that serious troubles may not take place in the course of 
the present year, but God*s mercy will watch over us. 
February 4. — ^The Emperor Napoleon's speech has been 
received on opening the Chambers this day. It is an 
imprudent speech in my opinion, and not as peaceable as 
some people are inclined to think. 

March 15. — ^Heard to-night from Albert that bad news 
had been received from the Duchess of Kent and that the 
Queen, having been sent for, had gone down to Frogmore 
at 7 o'c. Later had telegram from Albert, sa3ang they 
Death of had found the Duchess very ill. i6^A. — ^Had telegram 
Duchess ^^^ Albert announcing death of Duchess of Kent. She 
of Kent expired this morning at 9.30. 17th. — ^Went to Chapel 
Royal in the Royal Pew upstairs, where I was told that the 
Queen had expressed a wish to see us to-day at Windsor. 
Left Church therefore before the Sermon, and went with 
Mama and Mary to Windsor. Saw the Queen and Albert. 
The Queen much affected and greatly overpowered. Alto- 
gether the impression we had from the interview was an 
agreeable one, however melancholy. 

The Duke returned to London the same day. 

25<A. — ^A very melancholy day on which the dear Duchess 
of Kent was to be buried. A wet and dreary morning. 
Left London by special train at 9.25. Met in the Corridor 
of the Castle, where Albert and the other Princes asked to 
attend joined us. Then at 11 went to St. George's Chapel, 
where the ceremony was performed in a most impressive 



THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD 217 

manner, though as privately as possible. 26th. — My 42nd 1861 
birthday ! rather a serious day than otherwise when age ^t. 42 
creeps on. Thank God, however, health and strength are 
still continued to me, and I have therefore no right to 
complain, nor do I. How many old recollections are 
connected with this day ; how many happy days, alas ! 
gone by, never to return. I am thankful for those I have 
enjoyed and for the many blessings which have been vouch- 
safed to me. My Mother has given me a very handsome 
bookcase for the rooms downstairs, a second being given me 
by the Queen. 

April 21. — ^Went to St. Paul's Cathedral to attend after- 
noon service, upon which occasion the whole of the London 
Rifle Volunteers were present by invitation, and in the 
presence of the Lord Mayor, the Corporation and the 
Judges. It was a very fine sight, though the day was dark 
and cold. The service was well performed, singing good, 
and not too much of it, glad to say, and the sermon was a 
very eloquent and good one. 24/A. — ^Went to War Office 
to attend meeting about the Forts at Spithead. Palmerston 
and several of the Ministers present. It was decided they 
should be built of iron. 26/A. — Went to Harwich and 
visited the various points in the Harbour we wanted to look 
at carefully, with a view to improving the works of defence. 
June 5. — ^Went with Mary to the Horticultural Gardens, 
which were opened in form by Albert, who was accompanied 
by all his children and a full Court. We walked around the 
Grounds in procession ; an address was presented to him 
to which he replied ; trees were planted, and we then passed 
through the new Glass House which looked very beautiful 
with the various flowers then exhibiting. July 10. — ^Drove 
to Guildhall to attend a trial of AUen, late Lieutenant 
82nd, in which he brings an action against me for iUegal 
imprisonment. They did not call either mysdf or Lord 
Clyde, though both were prepared to give evidence, and 
in spite of the opinions to the contrary the Jury gave 
Allen £200 damages : a most singular and unwarrantable 
verdict, very prejudicial to discipline. 20th. — ^Dr. Weber 
reconmiended me to go to Wiesbaden for my gout, but 



2i8 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1861 I have a great dislike to it, and shall still try to get off it 
^T. 42 if possible. 

Visit to On August 18 His Royal Highness left London for 

^mpen- Rimipenheim. * Found the whole family collected there, 
all deUghted to see me and most amiable in their reception. 
It is wonderful how little my uncles and aimts and indeed 
all are changed.' Life at Rumpenheim was of the most 
simple nature. After an early breakfast came a drive ; 
dinner was at five, and the party went early to bed after a 
game of lotto or a small family dance. 

Diary^ August 28. — ^Had a nice Uttle dance got up by 
Mary, who sent for two musicians privately, to play for us. 
AU danced, both young and old, and we all enjoyed it 
extremely and kept it up tiU half-past twelve. 

The Duke left Rumpenheim on September 13 for Briihl 
to witness the Prussian manoeuvres, and returned to London 
four days later. Of his visit to Briihl he wrote to his 
mother : 

I am very glad to have been there, for one always thus 
sees and hears much that is interesting. I cannot suffici- 
ently say how amiable and gracious the King was to me, 
the Queen also, and all the family, my only difficulty was 
to get away, as all wished me to remain to tiiie end. Wales 
played his part extremely well, modest and unpretending 
without being awkwardly shy — of course receiving the 
highest position there. The reception at Cologne was very 
fine, the illumination of the Cathedral magnificent. The 
troops looked very well, and their manoeuvres were good, 
but I think they will still have to change a good deal in 
their system, for it is not possible in these days to hold by 
the heavy columns and masses which would lead to too 
great losses. We had many English officers there, a very 
nice set, also many French, and among them General 
Forey, whom I know very well from the Crimea. The 
Princess Royal was very friendly and dear. She rode at 
the Manoeuvres in wind and rain, for which she did not 



THE AMERICAN WAR CLOUD 219 

seem to care the least. She spoke with me of Louise ^ and 1861 
Alix»' but without referring to anything particular. . . . ^t. 42 
She said of Alix that she was very lovely, asked much of her 
mind and heart and character, and I answered her most 
satisfyingly and satisfactorily. . . . Manchesters and 
Elchos were at the Manoeuvres, the gentlemen in their 
Volunteer get-up. . . . 

Diaryy October 31. — ^At 2 went to the Temple to be pre- The 
sent at the ceremony of admitting the Prince of Wales as a ^^^ 
Bencher of the Society, when he, at the same tune, opened Bencher 
the new Library just finished there. The whole thing 
passed of! well, the Prince performing his part with great 
tact. 

(From the Queen) 

Wiodaar Castie, November 16. 

I was sure that you would share in the universal feeling 
of sorrow at the untimely end of that dear, excellent and 
rardy talented young King of Portugal ! His loss is 
irreparable for his country, who adored him, and his family I 
We loved him as a son. The warmest friendship existed 
between him and my dearest Albert, of whom he was a 
worthy nephew, and we were justly proud of him, and his 
loss causes us the deepest affliction I To me this has been 
a new shock, which I little required in this sad year, and 
during this sad winter, so unlike any I have ever spent 
here ! For our poor cousin King Ferdinand it is indeed too 
dreadful to lose 2 sons within 6 days ! And we fed also 
deeply for the present poor young King, who never dreamt 
of being called to the Throne, and who was totally unpre- 
pared for this misfortune. He and his brother arrived on 
Sunday at Lisbon. The youngest son ts, I hope, safe 
now. 

Diary ^ November 28. — ^The news from America is very The 
warhke. An American Man-of-War has taken by force ^^^ 
the Southern Conmiissioners ' proceeding to Europe, out 

s 
' Afterwards Queen of Denmark. 

' Daughter of Qneen Lonise, now Qaeen Alexandra. 

• Meam. Kason and SUdeU. 



220 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1861 of the English steamer Trent. It is a most impertinent 
^T.42 proceeding and is very likely to lead to a war with us. 
Went to Willis's Rooms to preside over a Meeting for a 
Testimonial to the late Lord Herbert. It was a laiige and 
influential Meeting. Palmerston, General Peel, Gladstone, 
Newcastle, Bishop of Oxford, -de Grey, besides myself, 
spoke. 20th. — ^The Cabinet has decided on the opinion of 
the Law Officers of the Crown that the seizure of the Com- 
missioners was an illegal act. Satisfaction is, therefore, to 
be demanded and the restoration of the two Conmiissioners 
seized. December 2. — It appears almost from news from 
America, that the act was not ordered, but that it wiU be 
accepted having been done. Matters therefore look very 
warlike — these are anxious times and I don't like being 
away from London. 6th. — Matters look very warUke and 
every preparation is accordingly being made for any emer- 
gency which may arise. Our Government is evidently in 
earnest. Many important decisions were taken, more par- 
ticularly that the troops should, at all events, be sent at 
once to Canada. 

Illness The year had been one of deep gloom for the Queen and 

o?ti»^^ the Royal House. It ended in the blackness of despair. 
r!!^!i^f ^ December 8 the country learned through the Court 
Circular that the Prince Consort was confined to his room 
by a feverish cold, and on the evening of the 14th the 
melancholy tolling of the great bell of St. Paul's announced 
to the City that the Prince had breathed his last. The 
loving circle round the sick bed at Windsor was hardly 
more prepared for the tragic suddenness of the end than was 
the country at large, and upon both the catastrophe fell 
with the stunning force of a swift and sudden blow struck 
in the dark. Terrible as must have been the loss of the 
Prince Consort at any time to the Royal Family and to the 
nation, it was felt more acutely in those dark days at the 
dose of 1861, when our relations with America were strained 
to the breaking point, and peace and war trembled in the 



Consort 



ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE CONSORT 221 

balance. Truly it might have been said of the Prince 1861 
Consort as the poet sang of another, * England hath need of ^'^' 4^ 
thee,' for when the passions roused by the seizure of the 
Confederate envoys ran riot, the wise voice of the Prince 
Consort was one of the few raised in influential places to 
counsel calmness and forbearance. The story of the last 
sad days at Windsor is told in a series of letters which Sir 
Charles Phipps sent to the Duke of Cambridge. 

Windsor Castle, December 7. — . . . The Queen has 
directed me to thank your Royal Highness for the letters 
in which your Royal Highness details the arrangements 
proposed for reinforcing the Army in Canada of which Her 
Majesty entirely approved. The Queen is entirdy taken 
up with attendance upon the Prince, who I am sorry to say 
is not any better, indeed his disorder has again declared 
itself as a fever of the kind sometimes called Gastric Fever. 
Symptoms are I am glad to say all favourable, but it is a 
very tedious disorder, and we must not expect improve- 
ment for a fortnight yet. Your Royal Highness knows 
the Queen well enough to be aware that Her Majesty can- 
not bear to be alarmed and therefore if your Royal High- 
ness writes to Her Majesty it should be in a cheering tone. 
I do not think that Her Majesty could at present see anyone, 
but she is perfectly calm and cheerful. 

December 11. — ... The Prince Consort is not worse, 
which in His Royal Highness's disorder must be considered 
as gain, because it leaves him more strength to go through the 
days of fever that have yet to come. The nights have been 
very good, for the last three nights, and all the s)anptoms 
are favourable. . . . The disease however will have its 
course and requires great care and anxious watching. The 
Queen is quite well and keeps very cheerful, looking always 
at the bright side, but she is constantly, except when she 
takes a drive, attending the Prince, and if I am to speak 
sincerely to your Royal Highness would, I think, not be 
disposed to see anybody at present. The Prince is of course 
quite unequal to receiving anybody. I believe that the 
disorder is likely to continue for a week longer, but certainly 



222 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

x86i in the last two days His Rojral Highness has not lost any 
JET.42 ground. 

December 13. — . . . Although the Prince had not a 
good night last night the material sjmiptoms have not, I 
am assured by the doctors, been prejudicially afEected by 
it, and His Royal Highness is not considered worse than he 
was yesterday. Every day upon which such a Report can 
be sent is a day gained, because the remaining days of the 
fever have a stronger frame to contend with. His Royal 
Highness maintains his strength wonderfully. 

December 13. — . . . Your Rosral Highness will believe 
with what unspeakaUe grief I have to aimounce to you 
that the Prince Consort's illness has taken a very unfavour- 
able appearance, and the doctors are in much and deep 
anxiety. They are not without fear for the night. 

December 14. — . . . The most dreadful event that 
could, I believe, occur to this country has fallen upon it. 
My beloved master expired at 10 minutes before 11, 50 
peacefully and tranquilly that it was hardly possiUe to say 
when his last breath was drawn. The Queen, the Prince of 
Wales, and the Princesses, with the Prince and Princess of 
Leinjngen, surrounded the bed and watched the last moments 
of the best man that I ever met with in my life. The 
Queen has shewn herself to be possessed of great strength 
of mind. Overwhelmed, beaten to the ground with grief, 
her self-control and good sense have been quite wonderful. 
If aid and support and assis t ance can be given her by those 
far below her — how many thousands there are who would 
give their lives up to such a task. But I am not fit to write 
to your Royal Highness for my heart is broken — though 
my feelings at such a time should not be mentioned. 

It is now necessary to turn to the Duke's diary : 

December 14.— Went to Windsor at 7.15 a.m. Found 
the Prince had got over the nigl 
but I observed from the countei 
that they entertained but Uttle 
Saw the Prince of Wales, who hi 
during the night. Did not see 



DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT 223 

who has behaved most beautifully throughout. At one 1861 
o'clock in the morning was woke with the news that the ^T.42 
Prince had expired very quietly at 11 o'clock. 15/*. — It 
is impossible to realise as yet the blow that has so suddenly 
struck us. It is a fearful and awful calamity, and nobody 
can have any idea of how great the loss must be to the 
poor dear Queen and to the country. I went to Windsor 
by 8 o'clock train, arriving soon after 9. Found all at the 
Castle in an awful state of consternation and despair, 
though as calm and resigned as it was possible, under the 
circumstances, to conceive. Saw the Prince, AUce, the 
Leiningens and Phipps. I attended Prayer in the Chapel 
at 12, and after that saw the Queen for a moment. I found 
her fearfully affected, but still able to give vent to her 
feelings in a profusion of tears. She is behaving nobly in 
her heavy afBUction. 

(From Sir Charles Phipps) 

OsbornCt December 20. — I have the honour to receive 
Your Royal Highness's letter, together with its enclosures. 
I had last night an opportunity of ascertaining from Her 
Majesty Herself her wishes upon the subject of the firing 
of minute guns upon Monday next by ships or batteries 
within hearing of Osborne. The Queen informed me that 
with all she would have to go through upon that most 
trying day the soimd of those minute guns would be more 
than she could bear, and Her Majesty therefore commanded 
me to desire that gims that could be heard at Osborne 
should not be fired upon that melancholy occasion. Her 
Majesty would, however, wish that, in countermanding 
the firing of these guns, the Order should be so worded as 
to dedare that it was to avoid the shock to Her Majesty's 
feelings that these guns that could be heard at Osborne 
were silent. The Queen wishes also that an Order should 
be immediately given that until f lurther orders no gims for 
practice or other duties should be fired at Portsmouth, or 
within reach of being heard at Osborne. There has been, 
unfortunately, constant firing at Portsmouth all this 
monung, which has annoyed and distressed the Queen 



224 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1861 dreadfully. Until that commenced Her Majesty was very 
^T. 42 calm. I merely submit the enclosed for Your Rojral 
Highness's consideration as a suggestion. I have written 
to the Admiralty. 

Enclosure. — In order to avoid the shock that would be 
occasioned to the Queen's feelings from hearing the minute 
guns upon Monday next, it is hereby ordered, with Her 
Majesty's sanction, that no guns shall be fired, by ships or 
batteries, the report of which could possibly be heard at 
Osborne. 

Osborne, December 21. — I am sure that Your Royal 
Highness will be glad to learn that the Queen continues in 
the same calm, composed state, and that her health has not 
suffered. I dread Monday, but I hope and believe that 
after that tr3dng day Her Majesty's deep grief will resume 
the same quiet, unexcited character. 

niness of During all these dark days of personal sorrow the Duke 
of Cam- ^^ Cambridge was in constant touch with the Cabinet, and 
bridge shared in all the cares and anxieties occasioned by the 
state of our relations with America. Overwork and anxiety 
told their tale, and on December 20 His Royal Highness's 
health broke down. ' A violent cold has taken hold of the 
nerves of the face. Gibson and Dlingworth have seen me 
together, and declaredit to be a slight case of facial paralysis.' 

Diary, December 21. — I consented to see Dr. Fergusson,^ 
who came and gave the same opinion as the other medical 
men, sasdng that I need be imder no anxiety. He said at once 
that I was not to go to the Funeral. This has annoyed me 
dreadfully and I still hope to go. I had a blister on my 
neck after breakfast, and felt very fidgetty and uncomfort- 
able all day. At 6.30 Gibson came to take o£E the blister. 
23rd. — ^The medical men came at 8, and with a heavy heart, 
at their recommendation, I gave up going to the Funeral. 
. . . Wrote to the Prince of Wales to make my excuses. 

I Aftenvards Sir William Fergusson, ist Baronet of Spitalhaugh. 



DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT 225 

Having settled not to go I got more calm and composed in 1861 
mind. -*t. 42 

The opinion of the medical men was set forth in the 
following document : 

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge having 
determined to attend the funeral of his late Royal Highness 
at Windsor to-day, we thought it right, in conjunction 
with Dr. Fergusson, who is absent from town to-day, most 
strongly to represent to His Royal Highness, that the cold 
of St. George's Chapel to which he would be exposed during 
the ceremony might seriously aggravate the cold in the 
nerves of the face from which he is suffering. His Royal 
Highness nevertheless continued, until we visited him at 
8 o'clock this morning, in his determination to go to Windsor 
at all hazards, and has only }delded to our renewed repre- 
sentations of the risk that he would incur in doing so. 

F. Gibson 
H. Stanhope Illingworth. 

With kindly consideration, the Prince of Wales, on the 
day before the funeral, had sent a letter to the Duke re- 
gretting his indisposition and saying that he would quite 
understand the reason of His Royal Highnesses absence on 
the morrow, if unfortunately his illness should prevent him 
from being present. 

Diary J December 25. — Christmas Day ! This is indeed a 
sad Christmas to me, shut up more or less in a sick room. . . . 
I read my prayers and a sermon. 2gth. — ^The news has come 
from America of the arrival of our Ultimatum. Nothing 
decisive yet in reply, but matters look decidedly warlike. 
30<A. — ^To-day the gout has shown itself in my right foot, 
but not very badly. The doctors rejoice at it, and say I 
shall be able to do now without another blister for the 
original malady. I hope It may be so, but for the moment 
it is decidedly most disagreeable. 31s/. — ^The last day of 
the year, which ends sadly and gloomily enough for me, as 
I am completely confined to my couch with a violent 
attack of gout in my right ankle. 

VOL. I. Q 



2a6 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



1862 
£t.42 



{From Sir G. C. Lewis ^) 

War Office, January 6. — I beg leave to inform Your 
Vacant Royal Highness that it is Her Majesty's wish that you should 
*^ act as Grand Master of the Order of the Bath until she is 
able to make a permanent arrangement for filling the 
office. It is the Queen's intention to appoint the Prince of 
Wales Grand Master of the Order after His Royal High- 
ness shall have come of age. 

(From Sir C. Phipps) 

Osborne, January 6. — ^The Queen with a feeling which 
Your Royal Highness will well understand and appreciate 
feels an insuperable objection to an inunediate filling up of 
the offices which have by so lamentable a misfortune 
become vacant. Such a course would be repulsive and 
intolerable to Her Majesty. But the Queen thinks that it 
may be satisfactory to Your Royal Highness to learn that 
it is Her Majesty's intention, whenever the time for such 
appointment shall come» to offer to Your Royal Highness 
the Colonelcy of the Grenadier Guards. This is a subject 
upon which you may well imagine the Queen finds it impos- 
sible to write herself, as realising the loss which makes all 
the rest of her life a blank to Her Majesty. 

The Diary, January 7. — ^The Europa has arrived. We have 

^^j^^^^ no answer to our demands, which have been handed in by 
Lord Lyons, but good accoimts from Canada and Nova 
Scotia. The Persia had got up the St. Lawrence ; the 
Australasia, after lasdng to in a snow-storm, had to put back 
to Halifax. I regret this, as I should have wished both 
Regiments to have got up. Other troops are beginning to 
arrive, gth. — ^News has arrived from America that the 
Government of the United States has given in, and that 
Messrs. Mason and Slidell are given up. Thus ends the 
great Treni difficulty, and with it the prospect of war for 
the present moment. iSth. — ^We heard from Halifax by 
the Persia of the safe arrival of the ship with Scots Fusilier 

^ He succeeded Lord Herbert of Lea as War Secretary. 



DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT 227 

Guards, about which ship there was a disagreeable report 1862 
that she had been lost. All the ships are arriving at Halifax £7.42 
in rapid succession and Doyle is doing admirably there. 
23rd. — ^Went early to Buckingham Palace to see the Prince The 
of Wales, who is about to start for the East. 24/A.— Had ^^*^ 
a meeting at Horse Guards on Indian Army matters with visit to 
Lord Elgin, who is just going out to India as Governor- ****^*** 
General. February 6. — ^Went to Palace to take leave of the 
Prince of Wales who leaves to-night for the East, where he 
is to remain till June. 25/*. — Went with Mary to New 
Lodge (Monsieur Van de Weyer*s place) to pay a visit to 
Princess Alice, who is staying there for a few days' change of 
air. I did not find her looking as unwell as I expected, but 
the change is necessary for her. She was most amiable and 
affectionate and the visit was a very nice one. March 26. — Mt 43 
My 43rd birthday ! How time passes by and what changes 
it brings with it. How many thoughts and what a variety 
of feelings are attached to such an occasion. I have much 
to be grateful and thankful for, and have in many ways 
been a most fortunate man, for which I am truly grateful. 
31s/. — ^Went to Mr. Desanges's to sit for my picture in his 
great work of the Battle of Inkerman, going to the Exhibi- 
tion. AprU 8. — ^Went with Duke of Somerset and large 
party of professional men to witness some experiments 
against the Warrior Target with Sir William Armstrong's 
300 lb. smooth-bored gun. The experiment was most 
wonderful and highly satisfactory. At 200 yards' range the 
gun put four shots through the targets, the two first with 
40 lbs. of powder smashing the target only, the two last 
with a 50 lb. charge going clean through it. Nothing could 
be more complete or satisfactory and it will have a counter- 
acting effect to that produced by the engagement between 
the Merrimac and the ManUar in America. Other experi- 
ments against iron plates were further made, but none that 
came up to the first in interest or importance. Fairbaim's 
target stood weU this time, whereas with the last trials it 
had failed to resist the 68 or no pounder. 



03 



CHAPTER X 

PUBLIC DUTIES FOR THE QUEEN — MARRIAGE OF THE 
PRINCE OF WALES — HOLSTEIN TROUBLES 

1862-1866 

International Exhibition — Opening by His Royal Highness on behalf of 
the Queen — Return of the Prince of Wales-^Marriage of Princess 
Alice— A tHe at Woolwich— Betrothal of the Prince of Wales— The 
Queen's delight — ^The cession of the Ionian Islands — Biarriage of the 
Prince of Wales — ^Wedding festivities — ^Idr. Gladstone and charitable 
property — ^The Congress of Frankfort — ^His- Royal Highness's impres- 
sions — ^Visits and interviews — ^The Schleswig-Holstein question — ^Birth 
of Prince Albert Victor — First shots exchanged between Prussians and 
Danes — Successes by the allies — Garibaldi's entry into London — ^The 
' Garibaldi fever ' — ^Fall of Dybbdl — A Danish success — ^Prince of Wales 
and the Literary Fund — ^The Duke at Cambridge — Lord Russell's 
declaration of neutrality — General Todleben in England — ^Dines at 
Gloucester House — ^Baptism of Prince George of Wales — ^Unveiling of 
statue of the Prince Consort at Cobu^g — ^Lord Palmerston's funeral — 
Death of King Leopold — His Royal Highness starts for Brussels — 
Funeral of Queen Marie Am^e 

Z862 The lamented death of the Prince Consort imposed upon 
the Duke of Cambridge new duties and responsibilities. 
During the last weeks of his life the Prince Consort had 
been busily engaged in the task of organising another 
The Great International Exhibition which was to be opened in 

tStoS^" London on May i, 1862, in a building erected for the purpose 
Uaa*S' ^* South Kensington. The death of the prime mover 
1862 in the scheme struck a severe blow at the success of the 
project, but the arrangements for the opening of the Exhibi- 
tion were too far advanced to admit of any postponement, 
and the work went forward. The Exhibition brought to 
our shores large numbers of distinguished foreigners who 
were interested directly or indirectly in the success of the 
undertaking. The Queen in those early days of her bitter 



PUBLIC DUTIES FOR THE QUEEN 229 

bereavement was in strict seclusion, the Prince of Wales 1862 
was far away on a journey in the East, and the other children ^^- 43 
of Her Majesty were too young to undertake the duties 
of receiving the guests of the nation. Upon the Duke 
of Cambridge, therefore, devolved the task of opening the 
Exhibition and entertaining the foreign ddegates. 

Diary, May i. — ^The morning opened very unfavourably, 
with rain and fog, but soon after 8 o'c. began to dear up 
and ended by being a most lovdy day for the great occasion 
— ^the hottest sim but no dust. Before breakfast, 9.30, I 
walked to Buckingham Palace and saw Fritz William,^ 
who had come up from Windsor the evening before. Then 
called on Prince Oscar of Sweden, who is living in Stratton 
Street. At 12.15 I l^^t my house with two State carriages 
with State liveries. We drove to Buckingham Palace 
where the Royal Commissioners met, and picked up the 
two Rojral Princes. From thence we proceeded in pro- 
cession to the Exhibition Building, up Constitution Hill, 
down Hyde Park, out at Albert Road and to Cromwell 
Road, where we set down. The streets were lined by the 
Life Guards Blue and 5th Lancers, all looking remarkably 
wdl. Crowds of people were in the streets. The greatest 
order and regularity prevailed throughout, and there was 
much cheering. A procession being formed within the 
building, we proceeded to the Western Dome, where a 
Throne was erected, in front of which the Commissioners 
took their places, I in the centre, with the two Princes 
right and left of me. * God save the Queen ' having been 
performed by the great orchestra in the Eastern Dome, 
Lord Granville, on the part of the Exhibition Commissioners, 
addressed me, handing me an address to the Queen, and 
the key of the building, to which I replied, reading an 
answer prepared by Sir George Grey, as Home Secretary. 
The procession then went the full length of the nave, one 
of the Princes on each side of me. Arrived at the Eastern 
Dome, we took up our position, with our backs to the 



* Pxince of Pni8Bia» afterwards German Crown Prinoe, and eventually 
Emperor* 



^o THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1862 orchestra, and facing the general public. Here we found 
£t.43 assembled in reserved seats, the Royal family, Houses of 
Parliament, Corps Diplomatique, Civic Authorities, etc. 
It was a most magnificent sight ; the sun shone brightly, 
and there were about 30,000 persons, all weU dressed, in 
the building. The special music by Meyerbeer, Auber 
and Stemdale Bennett was then performed, followed by a 
prayer, which was said by the Bishop of London.^ We had 
then the ^ Hallelujah Chorus,' which was truly splendid, and 
then the International Exhibition opened. This was 
followed by * God Save the Queen,* after which the pro- 
cession was re-formed and we went to the Picture Galleries, 
which are beautifully arranged with excellent light. We 
then returned to Buckingham Palace in the same order 
in which we went. The success was complete and every- 
body appeared pleased. 2nd. — ^After breakfast rode to 
the Exhibition ; went over the English Picture Gallery, 
which is certainly very fine. • . . Gave a great Dinner 
to the Royal Commissioners. The party consi&ted of the 
Prince of Prussia and General Piichler, General HiUer, 
and Colonel de Ros, Prince Oscar of Sweden and M. de 
Cronne, Musurus Pasha,' Apponyi,' Brunnow,* Von 
Brandenburg,* Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Chancellor, 
Duke of Buckingham, Derby, Palmerston, Sydney, Russell, 
Granville, Mr. Dilke, Fairbaim, Sandford, Jim Macdonald 
and self. 5/A. — . . . Went to the Exhibition, where met 
Granville and looked carefully over the Foreign Collection 
of Pictures, with the several Foreign Commissioners, very 
much pleased with the French, Dutch and Belgian pictures 
— ^particularly the latter, which are quite beautiful — ^but 
I think ours shine very much by comparison. . . . 30/A. — 
Mardchal Canrobert came to see me after breakfast, looking 
remarkably well. He is over here for only a few days. 
He stayed with me a long time. 

June 12.— Visited the Pasha of Egypt to-day at 12 
at Sir Moses Montefiore's House where he is staying. He 

> Dr. Archibald Campbell Tait. 

', *, * Turkish, Austrian, and Rontan Ambassadors. 

* Prassian Charge d'j 




', QUEEN ADELAIDE. 



PUBLIC DUTIES FOR THE QUEEN 231 

was in a very good humour and gave me a pipe and coffee. 1862 
15/A. — Saw the Corps of Commissionaires under Captain ^T.43 
Walter, a most excellent body of valuable old soldiers, 
who are doing a great deal of good by making themselves 
generally useful. They seem much respected and are 
creditable in their appearance and conduct. Much praise 
is due to Captain Walter for the trouble he has taken with 
the formation of this valuable Corps and the care and 
attention with which he looks after them. xjth. — ^The 
Prince of Wales came to see me, having returned on Return 
Saturday night from his trip to the East. He looks par- ^^^ ^f 
tlcularly well and is grown, and I was charmed with his Wales 
manner and with all he said. 

July I. — ^To-day was AUce's wedding day ' — ^a duU 
morning with a great deal of wind. The family break- 
fasted together at 9, then I walked out and smoked a cigar 
with Ernest and Augustus Coburg. At one the ceremony 
took place in the Dining Room, prepared for the occasion. 
The Queen was present 'and got through it wonderfully. 
A good many of the Ministers and other guests came dovm 
in the morning from London. The Archbishop of York ' 
performed the ceremony. Alice looked very well and was 
most handsomely dressed, and both she and Louis got 
through the ceremony well. The Queen was in the room 
before the rest of the company, including ourselves, entered, 
and we all left again before she did. The Duke of Coburg 
gave away the bride. After the ceremony the Royal Family 
lunched together, the rest of the party in a large tent. 

July II. — ^At 12.30 went to the Exhibition, accompanied Distnba- 
l^ my 4 A.D.C.'s to distribute the prizes to the Exhibitors, ^^^^^^ 
having been requested by the Queen to perform this duty, the ExM- 
We went in uniform, and first entered the Horticultural ^^^^ 
Gardens. There I was received by the Commissioners of 
the Exhibition and met the foreign personages sent to dis- 
tribute the prizes to their respective countrymen. Lord 

' This maniage took place at Osbome, between Prince Louia of Hesse, 
Grand Doke of Heese, who died in March 1893, and Princess Alice BCaud 
llary, second daughter of Qaeen Victoria, who died December 14, 1878. 

' Dr. Charies Thomas Longley. 



232 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1862 Taunton handed to me the award of the jurors, Lord Gran- 
£t. 43 ville made an address, and I read a reply. The juries then 
passed in succession. After this was over a procession 
was formed and we marched all round the building, handing 
the awards, as we proceeded, to the several Classes. 
Crowds of people were in the Garden and building, all in 
the best humour, and we were well received. Several 
French and foreign military bands had come over for the 
occasion, and everything passed off with great ickU^ and 
undoubted success. On returning to the dais *God save 
the Queen ' was performed by the united English Military 
Bands and the ceremony concluded. 14/A. — ^Went down to 
the Crystal Palace to distribute prizes of the National 
Rifle Association. A vast number of persons assembled, 
as many as 20,000. I handed the prizes after they had 
been read out by Lord Elcho.^ This being completed, Lord 
Palmerston addressed the vast assembly in moving a vote 
of thanks to myself as Chairman. He was most compli- 
mentary in his observations. I then replied, and made 
some remarks of my own, and, Lord Elcho having also 
spoken, the ceremony ended. Dined at United Service 
Club, where I was in the Chair, at a great dinner given to 
the Viceroy of Egypt, who replied to the toast of his health 
in a few words in French that were well spoken. jfAh. — 
Went down to Woolwich to the Viceroy of Egypt's 3racht, 
which was moored off the Arsenal, and on board of which 
he gave a f Ste to my mother and sisters and all those whose 
hospitality he had accepted whilst in England. It was 
very sad to see so beautiful a ikXz so much spoiled by the 
badness of the weather. The after-deck was most taste- 
fully arranged with flowers. The saloon below was extremely 
handsome. The dinner was a most gorgeous one for 
about 40 people, in the after-cabin, served in Egyptian 
style. We had to partake of about 24 of the most peculiar 
and mixed dishes. He was in excellent humour, and 
all passed off well. There was a service shown to us, but 
not used, of the greatest splendour. The whole was inlaid 
in diamonds and emeralds. After dinner it had cleared up 

* Ninth and present Earl of Wemyss. 



PUBLIC DUTIES FOR THE QUEEN 233 

sufiSciently for our going on deck, when we smoked with 1862 
the Viceroy. 22nd. — ^To-day was my nephew Adolphus's -^t. 43 
14th birthday. I called at St. James's and fomid they 
had gone — ^aU of them — to Windsor. Later in the day 
saw Adolphus and wished him joy of the day. I was 
deUghted to find that the visit to the Queen at Windsor 
had gone ofi so well, and that she had given Fritz ^ the 
Garter, which has dehghted him immensely. 

The Duke of Cambridge left London for Scotland about 
the middle of August and went direct to Brechin to stay 
with Lord Dalhousie at his shooting box at Invermark. 
During his stay there he was joined one day by the Prince 
of Wales and a party who had ridden up from the Balmoral 
side to meet His Royal Highness. *The Prince,' wrote 
the Duke, ' looked extremely well and seemed in excellent 
spirits. He is an extremely inteUigent and nice young 
man ; his manners charming, and the more I see of him the 
more I like him.' Before many weeks had passed the news The 

Prince of 

became public of the approaching marriage of the Prince waies's 

to the Princess Alexandra. The Duke's diary is full of approach- 

"^ ing mar- 

references to the engagement and bears clear witness to riage 

the universal joy with which the happy event was heralded. 
September 12. — * The marriage of the Prince of Wales with 
Alexandra of Denmark — of which I had been told privately 
in a letter from the Queen — ^is now pubUdy announced. 
It is a charming marriage.' And again, November 8.— 
' When I reached home Christian of Denmark ' came to 
see me, having just come up from Osborne, where he arrived 
on Wednesday with dear Alix, all well. He looks very 
well and in excellent spirits.' As soon as the engagement 
became known the Duke had hastened to offer his con- 
gratulations to Prince Christian, and he received in reply 
the following letter : 

* The late Grand Duke of Mecldenbiirg-StreliU. 
' Prince Christian of Holstein-Glncksburg. afterwards King of Den- 
mark (1863-1906). 



234 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1862 Bernstorff, October 10. — Through the hand of your 

'^T.43 eldest sister I was pleasantly surprised by so kind and 
sympathetic a letter from you that I ought at once to have 
answered and thanked you for it. Unfortunately, I have 
up to now been hindered from doing so, and am only now 
that we have returned home able to express to you my 
warmest and most sincere thanks. Even yet I can still 
scarce grasp our good fortune, and often ask myself, even 
now, is it not all a dream, for the dear young man is truly 
as you say one of the most charming 3roung fellows I have 
met, while also he seems truly to love our precious child, 
and she is really much in love with him, and brighter 
and gayer than I have ever seen her. May God long pre- 
serve to these two dear children these feelings for one 
another, and may they never up to ripe old age have to 
learn great cares or sorrows. May my dear loved Alix 
also in its other aspect rightly and conscientiously fulfil 
her future position, which will not be quite easy, but her 
chief aim and effort must ever be towards that — ^to be 
the best and most loving of wives to her future husband, 
and at the same time the obedient tender affectionate 
daughter of his mother the Queen. What a pity it was 
you were not able to accompany your elder sister Augusta 
to Cologne. There we all should have so heartily rejoiced 
to see you, Alix particularly, to meet her beloved favourite 
Unde.* For the rest I hope very soon to have the pleasure 
of seeing you in England, since Ahx, as you doubtless have 
already heard, is to go in November to spend a few weeks 
with the Queen, whither I shall take her, and return to 
fetch her again. Please give my heartiest greetings and 
warmest regards to your dear Mother, and to your sister 
Mary. 

In a letter to the Duke dated Schloss Coburg, Octo- 
ber 14, the Queen wrote : 

Bertie's Verhbung* promises, as far as we can tell 

* AU the Quel's children caUed the Duke of Cambridge ' Uncle 
George.' 

* Betrothal. 



PUBLIC DUTIES FOR THE QUEEN 235 

beforehand, to be the source of future happiness to 1862 
himself and to England, and I fervently pray that God's £t. 43 
Blessing may rest upon the dear young couple. . . . 

. . . Dear Alexandra is lovely, fair, and above all else, 
sweet and good. Her expression pleased me much, and 
I am most anxious to get to know her well during the few 
weeks which she is shortly to pass with me. I shall do all 
I can for her. . . . 

Diary, November 9. — ^This is the Prince of Wales's 21st 
birthday, a very important day in his life. May he be 
blessed and happy through life. His approaching marriage 
is a very happy event. 

During the visit of Princess Alexandra to the Queen 
the Duke went down to Osborne for one night. *0n 
arrival (November 11) the Queen sent for me at once and I 
was with her for nearly an hour before dinner. • . . She 
then dined in company with myself, Alix and Helena and 
we talked a great deal and remained together till past 
10 o'clock. Dear Alix is lopking charmingly well and 
seemed delighted to see me. She appears full of spirits 
and courage and seems quite happy. It was a very great 
pleasure to see this.' 

Diary, December 16. — It has been decided to give up The 
the Ionian Islands to Greece on the formation of the new ^**"* ^' 
Kingdom of Greece.^ I regret this extremely, and think Ionian 

Islands 
* The question of the Ionian Islands had for some time been exer- 
dstng the minds of British statesmen. Nominally a lepublic, the islands 
had, in fact, under the protectorate of Great Britain, little but the shadow 
of power, and the burning zeal of the islanders for union with Greece 
manifested itself in a steady opposition to British rule and governance. 
To inquire into the causes oi discontent. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, the 
Colonial Secretary, despatched Mr, Gladstone to the Septinsular Republic, 
in 1858, as Lord High Commissioner Extraordinary. Everywhere in the 
islands Mr. Gladstone was received with open arms as the man who was 
to deliver the people from the detested protectorate, and it was entirely 
in vain that he protested that he came not to upset but to place on a 
firmer basis the **««*^«g r/gime. The result of Bfr. Gladstone's mission 
was that the discontent of the islanders became more intense, and their 
agitation more vehement, and that the British Govenmient was glad to 



236 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1862 the abandoning Corfu a gross political mistake. It has 
-^T. 43 taken everybody very much by surprise. It is said that 
King Ferdinand of Portugal, to whom the Crown of Greece 
has been offered by the three Great Powers, has declined 
the offer. Meanwhile Alfred ^ has been unanimously 
elected King, which is to be refused. 
1863 February 4, 1863. — ^Attended the Prince of Wales when he 

took his seat in the House of Lords. We were in uniform ; 
the house was crowded and the whole thing passed off very 
well. After returning home to change our dress, the Prince 
went again with me to the House, and sat out the debate till 
9.30. The subject was as regards the cession of the Ionian 
Islands to the new Kingdom of Greece, which Lord Derby 
greatly condemned. 8/A. — ^Went to Chapel Royal with Prince 
of Wales, who was there for the first time. z^th. — ^Went to 
the Horse Guards to deUver the Field Marshals' B&tons to 
Lords Gough and Clyde. Afterwards to the Levee, held for 
the first time for the Queen by the Prince of Wales. He 
did it remarkably well, upwards of 3,000 persons were 
presented. It lasted till 5.15, and I was dead tired from 
standing so long after my bad attack of gout. Went 

take the first opportanity of receding gracefully from a position which, 
in the opinion of many, had already become intolerable. That oppor- 
tunity came with the reconstruction of the kingdom of Greece under a 
prince of the House of Denmark after the fall of King Otho. It must 
not be thought that the' Duke's was the only voice which was raised 
against the cession of the Ionian Islands. To the minds of many of the 
foremost politicians the step was a ' gross poUtical mistake/ but for the 
moment the new policy held the field, and criticism was powerless to 
alter its decrees. The reasons which governed the Duke's opinions are 
not far to seek. The poUtical value of the protectorate to Great Britain 
was indisputable, and with the Duke the welfare and prestige of his country 
were ever the first consideration. But there was another side to the 
shield. He had visited the islands and he had visited Greece, and he 
was well aware that under the €Bgis of Great Britain the islanders enjoyed 
material advantages of good government and economical administration 
which they could not hope to secure in the new political connection. 
That they should abandon these tangible realities for visionary ideas of 
race union and larger liberty appeared to his practical mind at once 
impolitic and irrational. 

> Prince Alfred, afterwards Duke of Saxe-Coburg, was the first choice 
of the people, bat, for reasons which will be suffidenUy obvious, he 
was unable to accede to the request. 



MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 237 

thence direct to Chelsea to present the Field Marshal's 1863 
B&toH to Sir Edward Blakeney, who was much gratified ^T.43 
by the compliment paid to him. 

Match 7. — ^This was indeed a great day for old England. Marriage 
It was the day of arrival of Alexandra and her parents, ^^* 
and the solemn entrance of the Prince of Wales and his Wales 
bride into London. The morning was fine with a prospect 
of so continuing. I was busy all the morning. At 12 
o'clock I left on horseback, and in uniform, with T)Twhitt 
and Chfton, and we rode to the Bricklayers' Arms to be 
ready to receive the young couple on their arrival. Crowds 
of people were in all the streets. We got there without 
difiiculty. The arrangements were excellent, the Station 
tastefully decorated. I was there at one, and exactly at 
1.40 the Royal train arrived, and the young couple alighted, 
looking very happy, Alix in great beauty. After a hearty 
welcome and after taking some refreshments, the pro- 
cession started exactly at 2 o'clock in good order. A 
sharp shower came on just as they left the Station Yard, 
but it did not last many minutes. I then rode home, 
and at 3.30 again mounted and rode'through the streets 
as far as Waterloo Place. The whole line looked magnifi- 
cent, crowds of people in excellent humour, the houses taste- 
fully decorated. The streets were kept by the Police and 
Cavalry combined. I was most cordially received along 
the entire route. The procession did not reach Hyde 
Park till about 4.30. The crowds in the City had been 
so dense and the City authorities had managed so badly 
that the procession could not get through for a long time. 
At last they came, the enthusiasm tremendous all along 
the route. I rode by the carriage through the line of 
Volunteers, 17,000 stationed in the Park, and continued to 
accompany them up to the Paddington Station, which they 
left at 5.15. It then came on to rain heavily and we got 
home in the wet about 6 o'clock. Altogether nothing 
could have been more magnificent than the public ovation 
they received and they must have been greatly gratified. 
Everybody seems to have been delighted with the appearance 
and pleasing manners of the bride, who has won all hearts. 



238 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1863 9fA.--Left for Windsor at 3. 15, On arrival there settled 
^T.43 the military arrangements for the foUovnng day. Gave 
my bracelet as a wedding present to Alix with which she 
was much pleased, and at last dined at 7.30 in S. George's 
Hall, a party of 109, very handsome and well done. After 
dinner there were fireworks in the lower portion of the 
Home Park. 10th. — ^The Wedding Day. The morning 
was fine, though a little foggy. We all breakfasted to- 
gether at 9, the Danes in their own rooms. I then walked 
out a short time, saw that all the miUtary arrangements 
were properly carried out : then saw the Queen in Louisa's 
room, who was looking very well, and then dressed for 
the ceremony. The foreign princes started at 11.30, the 
Bridegroom at 12, and the Bride at 12.15. I drove down 
in the same carriage with the Bride and her Father, and 
was one of her supporters. She looked perfectly lovely, 
and did the whole thing with an immense amount of grace 
and with a peculiar charm which won all hearts. The 
arrangements in the Chapel were admirable. The whole 
ceremony passed o£F most beautifully, and most success- 
fully. Everybody seemed pleased and gratified. The 
Queen was in the Ro3ral Qoset, but was seen by all. The 
Prince of Wales performed his part with infinite dignity 
and grace. The Knights of the Garter in their rob^ 
and stars looked most dignified and noble. We returned 
to the Castle in procession by half-past one o'clock, when 
we first congratulated the Queen and married couple, and 
then all proceeded to sign the Marriage Register, which 
lasted some time. Then there was a Itmcheon for the 
Royal Family and a large one for the company in the State 
Apartments. At 3.30 the young pair started for Osborne, 
looking supremely happy. Left Windsor at 5.30 by special 
train. Had dinner at home, and went out afterwards to 
see illuminations, but saw really nothing. Was three 
hours going round by Bond Street, Oxford Street and 
through Marble Arch. However started ofi again at i 
o'clock in the morning as far as Trafalgar Square to see the 
National Gallery lighted up, which was certainly very 
fine ; also to see Poole's the Tailor's, which was excellent. 



BIARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 239 

My own illtuninations were most creditable. Home at 1863 
2.30. 20**. — Received a visit from the Prince and Princess ^t. 43 
of Wales who have come up to town to-day. She looked 
most channing and both looked supremely happy. Having 
shown them the whole of my house they left me. . . . 
Attended a full-dress reception at St. James's Palace at 
which the * Society* were introduced to the Prince and 
Princess. She looked quite lovely and was most charming 
in her manner to all. 26th. — ^My 44th birthday. The ^Et44 
Queen wrote to me most kindly and has given me an excellent 
picture of poor Albert, a copy of Winterhalter's picture. 

April 24. — ^Went to Windsor for the night. On arrival 
at the Castle the Queen walked me down to the Mausoleum 
at Frogmore and showed me the interior and the recumbent 
figure of Albert by Marochetti, which is certainly very fine. 
Altogether I think it will be a fine thing when filched. 
She also showed me the Mausoleum of the Duchess of Kent. 
From there weiwent into Frogmore House, which is kept up 
as if it were lived in. 2yth. — ^Went down to Windsor to 
attend the Christening of Alice's ^ little girl.' ... A 
German clergyman from Darmstadt performed the ceremony, 
supported by Mr. Walbaum.' May i. — Dined at Marl- 
borough House. The Prince and Princess' first dinner 
party. 2nd. — ^The Royal Academy Dinner. The Prince 
of Wales and Louis of Hesse made their maiden speeches 
and did so exceedingly well. 4th. — ^Accompanied a deputa- Mr. Giad- 
tion to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of J^JJ^^ari. 
putting the Income Tax on Charitable Property. It was table pro- 
a very large deputation. I had to address the Chancellor ^^^ 
on the part of Christ's Hospital. He replied, and was 
evidently not pleased at the great opposition raised to this 
plan. I was accompanied by the Archbishops of Canter- 
bury and York, Bishop of London, Lord Shaftesbury and 
many more. 6th. — ^Mr. Gladstone having on Monday last 
brought forward his proposals for putting the Income Tax 
on Charities, and having made a long speech in favour of $ 

' Princess Alice of Hease-Darmstadt. 

' Afterwards Princess Louis of Battenberg. 

* Pastor at the German Chape!, St. James's Pftlace. 



240 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1863 his measure, was compelled to withdraw his resolution with- 
^T. 44 out going to a division, in consequence of the great opposition 
which met his proposal from all quarters. 

Sth. — Gave my first dinner to the Prince and Princess of 
Wales. I had to meet them Mama, Mary, Lady Geraldine, 
Derbj^, Hardwickes, Grosvenors, De Grej^, St. Albans, 
Newcastle, Granville, Hartington, Peel, Lady Macclesfield, 
in waiting, Teesdale, Jim and self. It went off remarkably 
well and they seemed much pleased. 16th. — ^Attended the 
Drawing Room held by Alix for the Queen. It was enor- 
mously full. 1,900 ladies presented, and it lasted till 6 
o'clock. We were all dreadfully tired. June 8. — ^Went 
in State to the City to the Ball given to the Prince and 
Princess of Wales. It was a really magnificent fSte and 
well organized in every respect. Dancing went on till 
11.30, when there was a sit-down supper, all very well 
done and in good style. 11th. — Drove to Claremont to 
be present at the breakfast given in honour of the Due 
de Chartres' marriage with the daughter of the Prince de 
JoinviUe. All the Royal family of France were assembled 
there and a large number of French supporters and friends 
of the Orl&ms family. Queen Am61ie was present, looking 
remarkably weU. The yoimg couple looked very happy. 
The Prince and Princess of Wales were also present. At 
6 went to Merchant Taylors' Hall to be present when the 
Prince received his freedom of the Company, after which 
there was a large and handsome dinner. 26th. — ^Went 
to the Guards' Ball in uniform as a Guardsman. It was 
a magnificent f6te, given at the Exhibition Building. 
About 2,000 persons were invited to meet the Prince and 
Princess of Wales. Nothing could have gone off better 
and it was a great success. I opened the ball with Alix. 
30/*. — ^Lord Derby brought forward the case of the Ionian 
Islands and objected to their cession to Greece in an excel- 
lent speech, feebly answered by Lord Russell. July i. — 
My Mother gave a breakfast to-day at Kew. Alix's not 
going was a very sad disappointment to my Mother and 
Mary. The breakfast or rather dinner was charmingly 
arranged in a tent room that had been fitted up in the 



MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 241 

garden. We dined 75 persons — ^an excellent dinner — ^and 1863 
danced in the Drawing Room. The garden was illuminated. ^^T. 44 
It was altogether a most successful i&te and admirably done. 

In the autumn of 1863 was held the Congress of the The Con- 
German princes whom the Emperor of Austria summoned ^^]^^ 
to Frankfort to determine upon a scheme of reform for ^^^^ 
their conunon country. Though nearly all responded to 
the invitation it cannot be said that the Congress was pro- 
ductive of any far-reaching results. One chair at the 
round table was left empty. The King of Prussia refused 
to attend, and without the sincere sympathy and the loyal 
support of Prussia the Princes could accomplish little. 
To discover the reason for the abstention of Prussia, it is 
only necessary to remember that Bismarck was now in 
control of the destinies of Prussian foreign policy, and 
that one of his most cherished objects was the determina- 
tion of the long struggle for supremacy in Germany between 
the House of HohenzoUem and the House of Hapsburg. 
In prevailing upon the King of Prussia to withhold his 
support from the Conference convened by Austria, Bismarck 
saw that he was striking no light blow at the supremacy of 
the House of Hapsburg, and paving the way for the great 
contest which was to come some three years later. The 
Duke of Cambridge, who had left London on August 12 
and travelled by easy stages to Rumpenheim, was brought 
into close contact with the Frankfort Congress, for the 
Chateau of his Hessian relations was no further from Frank- 
fort than Kew is from London, and the Duke was able to 
make daily excursions to the scene of the meeting. Of the 
impressions which he gathered he has left an interesting 
account in his diary. 

AugHst 15. — ^Went in to Frankfort soon after 12. . . • 
Called on Sir Alexander Malet.^ Dined with Fritz Wilhelm,* 

' Our Minister to the Bond. 

* Prince of Hesse, and the Duke's cousin. 

VOL« I. R 



242 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1863 Herr von der Liihe ^ and Clifton.' Saw the entrance of 
^T.44 the Emperor (of Austria) into Frankfort at 6 o*cl., from 
a house on the Rossmarkt, belonging to Mis. Koch, our 
Consul's sister-in-law. The day magnificent, numbers in 
the streets. The Emperor was in a carnage with a pair 
of horses, very simple. Several of the other Princes fol- 
lowed soon after. Frankfort looked very smart, the 
German National Flag waving in aU directions. We did not 
get back to Rumpenheim till about 10 o'clock. I saw the 
Duke of Brunswick, who was looking remarkably well and in 
good spirits. i6ih. — ^After church drove into Frankfort 
at 12. . . . Called on several of the Princes, including 
the King of Hanover, with whom I sat for a long time and 
who was most amiable and affectionate, and is looking 
particularly well. . . . Saw dear Ahce with Louis of Hesse 
and was introduced to the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt. 
Saw all the Princes returning from a great dinner given 
by the Emperor of Austria ; most of them had their own 
equipage; it was a very interesting sight. All are here, 
with the exception of the King of Prussia. Back at Rum- 
penheim at 10. lyth. — ^Went again early in to Frankfort. 
. . . Sat for some time with the King of Hanover, saw 
also Prince Henry of the Netherlands. Dined at 4 at the 
Hotel with Fritz Hessen, Adolphus' and Qifton. At 5 
went to a house opposite the Romer Saal to see the Em- 
peror and Princes arrive there for the great dinner given 
by the town of Frankfort to the AUied Princes. It was 
an interesting sight. Besides all the Rumpenheim party, 
Ahce and Louis were with us, also the wife of Prince 
Alexander of Hesse. From thence we went to M. Koch's 
house, where we had tea, and later drove to a Villa on 
the Main to see the Grand Fireworks prepared for the 
occasion by the Town of Frankfort ; it was a most successful 
ffete and the fireworks were good. We did not get home 
till past 12. The Princes met to-day, for the first time. 
The Emperor^ addressed them in a speech he read, and 

* The Equerry of his aster the Grand Duchess. 
' Equerry of the Duke. 

* The Hereditary Graad Duke of MecMenburg-Strelitje. 

* Of Austria. 



THE CONGRESS OF FRANKFORT 243 

formally laid before them the proposals of Reform which 1863 
he advocated. A proposal was then made to send a joint ^x. 44 
invitation to the King of Prussia to join them, such invi- 
tation to be carried by the King of Saxony in person, — 
the King to be the bearer of a letter signed by every member 
of the Confederation. Thus the matter stands at present. 
I saw Granville yesterday on his way through. To-day 
I saw Clarendon, who has been requested by Lord Russell 
to come over and remain at Frankfort for a few days to 
watch the course of events. i&A. — ^Went in to Frankfort 
at 4, to dine with the King of Hanover at 5. He Uves 
at the Hdtel de Russie. He was in excellent spirits and 
talked a great deal of old times. Clarendon was of the 
party. After dinner sat with the King and Charles Solms 
for some time. Called on the Elector (of Hesse) who was 
not at home, and returned to Rumpenheim by 9 o'clock. 
Several of the Princes had come out (to Rumpenheim) 
to tea and to pay visits to the family. 19/A. — ^Drove in to 
Frankfort at 2, direct to the English Legation, where I saw 
Apponyi ; dressed and dined at 4, with the Emperor. 
He is a charming person ; such excellent manners, and a 
beautiful figure. I never saw anybody so much improved 
in every respect. The King of Holland dined there, very 
amiable to me. The Emperor seems remarkably well 
disposed to the English alliance. We had a very large 
party, chiefly the Ministers of all the German Princes. 
I wore the English Uniform. After dinner drove to the 
Embassy and had a long talk with Clarendon. At 8 went 
to the Opera, given by the Town of Frankfort to the 
Emperor and Princes. Everybody was in full uniform, but 
the Theatre is small and not pretty, so the e£Fect was nothing 
extraordinary. Patti sang well, in the Barbiire^ the others 
were bad. 

2Qih. — ^To-day at 12 the Emperor arrived (at Rumpen- 
heim) to pay a visit to the whole family. The more I see 
of him the more I like him, his manners are excellent, 
and he is prudent, and full of thotight in all he says. He 
remained till near 2. ... At 6 the King of Bavaria came 
(Maximilian), also a most amiable man, but not good looking. 

R2 



244 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1863 We were again all in uniform — ^which is rather troublesome, 
£t.44 requiring constant change of dress. He stayed till 8. 
2isL — I drove in to Frankfort in good time, about 12, and 
had a long interview with the Duke of Coburg, whom I 
found most reasonable and rational, then called on Clarendon 
for a long time, then went to the Duke of Meiningen, who is 
very sensible in his views. Dined at the Hotel with Fritz 
Hessen at 4, and at 6.30, having dressed in uniform, went 
by special train to Darmstadt with the King of Hanover 
and most of the Princes, to attend the Theatre, which was 
specially got up for the occasion. The Opera given was 
LaReine deSaba by Gounod, a new opera and very fine, but 
rather heavy and long, being in five acts. We had supper 
in the entr'acte, and did not get back to Frankfort till 12, 
and to Riunpenheim till i, very tired indeed ! 22nd. — ^At 
8 P.M. we drove in to Frankfort to attend the Ball 
given by Monsieur Bethmaim the Banker to the Emperor 
and assembled Sovereigns. The house is a good one, but 
hardly large enough for the occasion. The heat was very 
great. We managed to get home by 12 o*cl. 23rd. — ^After 
church in the morning ... at 3 drove in to Frankfort, 
called on Malet, dressed in Hanoverian uniform, and dined 
with the King of Hanover, a family party of all the Rum- 
penheim people. . . . After dinner I saw the King alone, 
also the Dukes of Brunswick and Nassau. I am afraid 
things are not going very well. The Kings are making 
difficulties, assert their position in the new Directory, and 
I fear may complicate matters. It is not good to hold so 
many private meetings, and the long delays that occin: are 
most objectionable. I have endeavoured to give the King 
as much good advice as possible. 24/*. — ^Drove to Frank- 
fort and started by train for Darmstadt at 2.45 ; arrived 
there about 3.30. Found Alice and Louis at the Station, 
waiting to receive me, and drove with them to their country 
house in the Park, a very nice old place which they have 
managed to make very comfortable. We dined at once, at 4, 
and then they showed me their present town house, which 
is very small, and the one that they are building, which 
will be a large and good building. Afterwards we drove 



HOLSTEIN TROUBLES 245 

in the Forest, or Park, till it was dark. The Forest is 1863 
beautiful, full of Wild Boars and Red Deer, of both of '®T.44 
which we saw a good many. We had tea at 8, after which 
they again accompanied me to the train and I left, much 
pleased with my visit, by the 9.20 train, reaching Frankfort 
at 10 and Rumpenheim before 11. z6ih. — ^This was poor 
Albert's Birthday! I wrote to the Queen. . . . Went 
into town at i o'd. Paid several visits. Dined at the 
Hdtd de Russie with Fritz Hessen, Alexander of Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Count Waldstein, Clifton, and Steuber, at 4, 
and then went to the Circus of Monsieur Henn£, an excellent 
Company, very well done, and it was crowded. Returned to 
Rumpesiieim at 10.30. 2yth. — In to Frankfort about i. 
Called on the King of Hanover, who desired me to stay 
for dinner, at 3, which I did. Then accompanied Fritz 
Mecklenburg to the Darmstadt railroad. Most of the Sove- 
reigns and some of the Rumpenheim party went to the 
Opera at Darmstadt. I was glad of an excuse not to go, 
as it was awfully hot, and retiuned to Rumpenheim. 
30/A. — ^Went to Frankfort for the English Service at 11. 
Then made some calls. Saw the Duke of Nassau. Matters 
do not seem to be going so smoothly at the Congress, and 
it is high time that it should come to an end ! . . . The 
Elector (of Hesse) and Schwerin (Grand-Duke of Mecklen- 
burg-Schwerin) came to dinner (at Rumpenheim). Sep- 
tember I. — ^At 4 drove in to dinner with the King of Hanover, 
with Frederick of Hesse, and the Gentlemen. Took leave 
of the King, who was very kind — ^he starts to-morrow 
morning. The Conferences are over. The last meeting took 
place to-day, and passed ofi better than was expected. All 
signed the resolution come to, excepting Baden, Schwerin, 
Weimar, Altenburg, and Waldeck. Altogether the result 
is not without hope for the future of Germany. 

Barely had the Duke of Cambridge returned to London The 
when a new convulsion shook northern Europe. The ques- ^^hoI- 
tion of the political status of the Duchies of Schleswig- ^^^ 

'^ ° question 

Holstein and Lauenburg had long been an apple of discord 
among the Powers most nearly concerned. Linked with 



246 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1863 Denmark by the bond of a common crown, the Duchies were 
^^- 44 distinct and separate States, and their population was to a 
large extent of German nationality. Any efforts, then, 
which the King of Denmark might make to bind the Duchies 
more closely to his Throne were deeply resented by the 
Germans, who saw in the racial kinship of the inhabitants 
with themselves a sufficient reason for bringing the Duchies 
into the Teutonic Confederation. The question was further 
complicated at this time by the succession to the Danish 
Throne. While in Denmark the Crown could descend by 
the female line, in the Duchies the descent was limited to 
the male line. As Frederick VII., the King of Denmark, 
had no direct heir, the Great Powers, who had no wish to 
see the status quo upset and the Duchies divided from 
Denmark, met in conference, and after arranging that the 
Duke of Augustenburg, the next heir to the Duchies, should 
renounce his rights, settled the succession upon Prince 
Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Gliicksburg, the 
father of the present Queen. Into the successive steps 
which led to the final breach between Denmark and Germany 
it is not necessary here to enter. It will suffice to say that 
when, after the death of Frederick VII. and the accession 
of King Christian, Prince Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein- 
, Sonderburg-Augustenburg disregarded the pact which his 
father, the Duke of Augustenburg, had made, and claimed 
the succession to the Duchies, he found that the German 
Confederation, which had not been a party to the Conference 
of the Powers, was quite ready to .embrace his cause, or 
rather to take advantage of it to strike a blow at Den- 
mark. In the events which followed, Prussia (under 
the guidance of Bismarck) and Austria {dayed the leading 
parts. The occupation of Holstein was followed by the 
invasion of Schleswig, and Denmark found herself pitted 
against the combined power of Prussia and Austria. 
Throughout the short struggle which she made against 



HOLSTEIN TROUBLES 247 

overwhelming odds, there is no doubt that she continued 1863 
to hope for foreign intervention, and especially for English ^'^' 44 
help. Had not Lord Pahnerston said in the House of 
Commons that, if any violent attempt were made to over- 
throw the rights and interfere with the independence of 
Denmark, those who made the attempt would find in the 
result that it would not be Denmark alone with which they 
would have to contend ? And were not the people of 
England known to be eager to fight the battles of the weak 
against the strong and to embrace the cause of the King 
whose gracious daughter had won all hearts as Princess of 
Wales ? But British sympathy was not to be translated 
into active assistance. If Lord Pahnerston had been 
unanimously supported by his Cabinet, if he had found the 
Emperor of the French willing to co-operate with him, and if 
the Queen had not been averse from war, the Duchies might 
have been saved for Denmark. But the Cabinet hesitated, 
the Emperor Napoleon refused to interfere, and the Queen 
saw clearly, more clearly perhaps than any other at the time, 
the strength of the forces which were making for German 
unity. All that the Government could do was to attempt 
to put an end to hostilities. A Conference met in London, 
but it proved unavailing, and when Denmark afterwards 
made peace on her own initiative it was at the cost of the 
Duchies. This brief note will serve to introduce the refer- 
ences which the Duke of Cambridge makes to the question 
in his diary. 

November 16. — ^Heard to-day of the unexpected death 
of the King of Denmark from an attack of erysipelas in the 
face. It is a very serious and important event at this 
moment, but I cannot regret it for Christian's and Louise's 
sake. 2Gth. — ^The accounts from Holstein are not satis- 
factory for Denmark. The feeling is strong in that country. 
The Duke of Augustenburg has claimed the succession to 
Schleswig-Holstein and Lauenburg, and has been recognized 



248 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



1863 
MT.44 



Z864 



Birth of 
Prince 
Albert 
Victor 



by the Duke of Coburg and other small German Sovereigns. 
It is a great complication and matters look serious. 
December 31. — ^The last day of a very eventful year. The 
new one forebodes much mischief and sorrow. May it turn 
out better than it looks ! 

January i, 1864. — ^New Year's Day ! God grant that the 
New Year may bring with it blessings for all those most 
near and dear to me. At present matters look very serious, 
and it looks very much as if we were drifting into a war. 
The accounts from Holstein and Schleswig are extremely 
bad. The Germans seem to have gone perfectly mad on the 
subject, and nothing will restrain their violence. Holstein 
is now nearly occupied by the Germans, and they arc now 
calling for an occupation of Schleswig. yd. — ^The Holstein 
difficulties are very great. There was a Cabinet about 
it yesterday, but I have not heard what decision was come 
to. 10th. — Went to Windsor to see the Prince of Wales 
at Frogmore, and found him very deUghted at being the 
father of a charming little boy.^ I saw the baby, which 
has a nice little countenance with very decided and marked 
features. 315^. — ^The Austrians and Prussians are rapidly 
bringing their forces together on the Eider, and it appears 
to me that war is now next to certain, for the Danes wOl 
oppose the advance of the German troops and these seem 
determined to proceed in their determination to occupy 
Schleswig. February i. — ^Have heard to-day of the first 
shots having been exchanged between the Prussians and 
Danes. Thus this lamentable war has now commenced. 
How will it end ? The Prussians, it appears, attacked 
the Danes at Missimde, but after a cannonade of some 
hours were imable to advance. 5/^. — I confess I think 
matters look as ill as possible for Denmark. We heard 
to-night that the Prussians had crossed the Schlei, below 
Missunde, by means of 300 fishing boats, that thereupon 
the Danes had abandoned the Dannewerke, leaving all 
their heavy gims and were in full retreat hotly pursued by 
Austrians and Prussians. Though foreseen, this has cast a 
gloom over everybody. What will now happen it is difficult 

* Prince Albert Victor, died 1892. 




HOLSTEIN TROUBLES 249 

to tell, but the Duchies seem to me to be lost to the Danes. 1864 
8/A. — ^The Danes are severely pressed by the Allies. I doubt ^t. 44 
very much their making good their retreat to the Island 
of Alsen. In that case the Danish Army would be lost. 
gih. — It appears probable to-day that the Danes will succeed 
in reaching Alsen, for which object they seem to have 
fought most gallantly both at Oversee and Flensburg, 
at which places the Austrians have lost heavily. 10th. — 
Things generally look bad and the German Powers seem 
disposed to abandon the treaty of 1852. 12th. — ^The 
Austrians and Prussians have, I hear, refused an armistice, 
suggested by England, France, Russia and Sweden. This 
looks bad. 

March 10. — ^The Christening of the Prince Albert Victor 
at Buckingham Palace. I represented my Uncle, the 
Landgrave of Hesse, as Sponsor. 14th. — ^Went to Mr. 
Maguire's the painter, to have a last sitting for my picture 
for the Artillery Mess. igth. — ^The operations against 
Dybbol have begun, but as yet without any serious effect, 
though some loss of life on both sides. The Danes at 
present object to an Armistice. 

April 8. — ^Went to Southend to see the Shooting at ^t45 
Shoeburyness with the experimental guns of Sir W. Arm- 
strong and Mr. Whitworth. All the guns we saw tried 
seem to be admirable in their way, and leave but little 
to choose between them. We also saw one shot fired 
from the 600 lbs. at 200 yards range, the target being com- 
posed of 25 inches, y^ of which were Iron. The result 
was most interesting and astounding, the shot passing 
clean through the target with but little injury to the pro- 
jectile, which dropped on the other side of it upon passing 
through. ii^A. — ^This afternoon Garibaldi made his entry Garibaldi 
into London. There were crowds of people and great ^ 
enthusiasm. It is really too ridiculous the way that people 
behave, and very disgusting, so I think. 12th. — ^Went down 
to Woolwich to attend the funeral of poor Bingham, a very 
imposing ceremony. It was a military funeral and attended 
by every officer of the Garrison and by many Artillery 
officers from other Stations. The feeling of deep regret 



aso THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1864 and sorrow is most general. 13th. — ^The ridiculous fuss 
^T.45 that is being made with Garibaldi is truly melancholy, 
and wUl, I fear, have very iU effects as regards our 
relations with the Continental Powers. iftA. — ^The Gari- 
baldi fever still rages as at first. To-day he was at the 
Crystal Palace, and dines with Lord Palmerston. This is 
quite deplorable. 19M. — ^We heard to-day of the fall of 
Dybbol after an assault which took place yesterday. This is 
a very sad bit of intelligence and very unfavourable, I fear, 
to the poor Danes. 2isL — ^When in House of Lords, during 
a sitting. General Garibaldi arrived. He has a good coun- 
tenance, but his dress, a red shirt with grey mantle over it, 
is so peculiar that it gives him a most eccentric look. The 
sort of regal manner in which he is treated by everybody 
seems to me to be too ridiculous. 27th. — ^The Conference met 
on Monday, but nothing was done and the Ministers are now 
all waiting for instructions relative to an Armistice. We 
have now got an account of the Storm of Dybbol. The 
Danes must have lost in all upwards of 5,000 men, of which 
more than 3,000 prisoners. It is a melancholy and sad 
affair. It is much to be deplored that they did not 
withdraw into the Island of Alsen when Dybbol had be- 
come imtenable. Orders from Copenhagen prevented this. 
Soth. — ^The Conference has not met again, nor does it appear 
at all dear when it will re-assemble. Meanwhile Fredeiicia 
has been evacuated by the Danes, and the Germans are 
occupying the whole of Jutland. Where it is all to end 
God only knows. 

May 10. — ^There has been a naval engagement between 
the Austrians and Danes at the mouth of the Elbe in which 
the Danes had the best of it, and the Austrians had to 
retire under the protection of Heligoland. This news 
has been received here with great satisfaction. An armis- 
tice has been agreed upon by the Conference for one month, 
commencing from the 12th. 18th. — Attended a public 
dinner at St. James's Hall for the Literary Fund, over which 
the Prince of Wales presided. His first appearance in the 
Chair at a public dinner. He officiated most admirably 
as Chairman, and did it remarkably well, speaking without 



HOLSTEIN TROUBLES 251 

any difficulty. Everybody was quite delighted with his 1864 
success. 23rrf. — It appears now the general impression ^t. 45 
that Holstein, the Southern portions of Schleswig, and 
Lauenburg are to be severed from Denmark, but to whom 
they are to be given seems quite doubtful. 30th, — ^Drove 
down to Garemont for the breakfast after the wedding of 
the Comte de Paris with his cousin, the daughter of the 
Due de Montpensier. The old Queen Amdlie looked won- 
derfully weU and she gave the young couplers health. 

On June 2 the Duke went to Cambridge where His Honour 
Royal Highness was made LL.D. at the same time as the u^^ 
Prince of Wales. After dining with the Vice-Chancellor, ^^^ 
Dr. Cookson, at Peterhouse, he witnessed some private bridge 
theatricals by the undergraduates, and then went on to a 
Ball at the FitzwiUiam Museum. The next day he spent in 
sight-seeing, and returned to London on the 4th. 

Diary, June 27. — In House of Lords Lord Russell made 
his Statement on the Conferences and their failure ; also the 
decision of the English Government to maintain their 
neutrality. It was a painful speech to make for an English 
Minister, and was received with a depressed feeling by the 
House of Lords. 

July 4. — ^Went to the London Hospital to receive the 
Prince and Princess of Wales, the former of whom laid the 
foundation stone for the new wing of the Hospital. After 
the ceremony they went into one or two of the wards and 
then proceeded to a large marquee where there was a 
luncheon. I presided. The collection was enormous, 
amounting to upwards of £30,000. 

General Todleben, the distinguished defender of Sevas- General 
topol, paid a visit to England in the autumn of 1864, and visits 
under the Duke's hospitable roof he met in friendly inter- England 
course Sir John Burgoyne, Sir Richard Airey, and many 
other officers against whom he had fought so gallantly ten 
years before. 



252 THE. DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1864 Diaryy October 28. — In the evening gave a dinner to 

^T. 45 General de Todleben, the distinguished General of Russian 
Engineers, to whom the defence of Sevastopol is due. He is 
a most agreeable and intelligent man, full of interesting 
conversation, and of extremely good manners. He is come 
to pay a visit to this country, having not as yet been in 
England. He is a young man for his high position in the 
Russian Army. ... He made himself most agreeable and 
it was a very pleasant party. He is going to Portsmouth, 
Hymouth, etc., and proposes to see all our military estab- 
&hments. November 21. — General Todleben called to see 
me and take leave. He seems charmed with England. He 
is a most agreeable man. He dined with me — ^the Duchess 
my Mother, Lady Westmorland, Lady Geraldine, Bnmnow,' 
General Todleben, Burg03me, Fred Paulet, Colonel Purvis, 
Chapman, Blakeney, and Jim Macdonald.' 

General Todleben was indeed charmed with his visit 
to England, and before he left our shores he placed on 
record his gratitude to the Duke for all his kindness in the 
following letter : 

Before my departure I hold it a pleasing duty to lay 
at Your Royal Highness's feet my warmest and most 
earnest thanks for the great favour and grace with which 
you have gratified me personally, as also for your excep- 
tionally kind authorisation to see all great military progress 
and advances. Your photograph and your precious lines 
I will have preserved in my family for evermore as precious 
souvenirs of your especial favour. In the short time I 
have been in England I have seen so much that is instruc- 
tive and most interesting, have been on all sides received 
with such rare amiability and open hospitality, that almost 
unconsciously the wish arises ardently within me at the 
earliest possible opportimity to return again to England 
for a more lengthened sojourn. 

* Count Bninnow, Russian Ambassador. 

' It is of interest to record the fact that at this dinner General Todleben 
sat between Lady Westmorland and Lady Geraldine Somerset, sister-in- 
law and niece respectively of Lord Raglan, his old opponent in the Crimea. 



HOLSTEIN TROUBLES 253 

Diaryy March 15, 1865. — ^Went to the Free Masons' i 865 
Tavern to take the chair at the Festival dinner of Royal ^t. 45 
Society of Musicians. Mr. Gladstone was present and made 
a most eloquent speech. April 4. — ^To the Speaker's Stairs, ^t 46 
whence I embarked on a River boat with Bertie ^ and 
Alfred ' and went down with the Members of the Board of 
Works, to open the new main drainage below Woolwich. 
July 7. — ^Went to Windsor by special train to attend the chnstcn- 
Christening of the little baby of the Wales's, who is to be i^g of 
called George, the King of Hanover and myself being his George 
godfathers. The child behaved very well and was very 
good. 

During an autunm visit to Rumpenheim the Duke went 
over to Coburg for the imveiling of the statue of the Prince 
Consort. 'Drove in uniform (August 26) to the Market 
Place, where the statue of the Prince Consort is placed. 
The ceremony was short but impressive, and went ofi 
remarkably well. The Queen got through it wonderfully, 
though it was very affecting for her. She, with her younger 
children, came direct from the Rosenau in her own carriage, 
and we drove in procession from the Castle. The Burgo- 
master made a very good address.' 

Diary ^ London^ October 27. — ^Attended Lord Palmerston's Lord 
funeral in Westminster Abbey as one of the mourners from gton's '^" 
Cambridge House, and drove in a mourning coach with the ftmeral 
Archbishop of Canterbury' and the Speaker.* The grief 
and mourning very general. Thus has been deposited in the 
grave one of England's greatest statesmen, a man thoroughly 
an Englishman, and one who appreciated the feelings and 
interests of the country better than any other living man. 

On December 14, while he was on a visit to Waresley Death 
Park, the Duke received a tdegram from the Prince of iSl^eralof 
Wales, asking in the Queen's name if he was going to the r^^i^ 

1 Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII. 

' Dake of Edinburgh. ' Dr. Charles Thomas Longley. 

* B£r. J. Evelyn Denison, afterwards created Viscount Ossington. 



254 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1865 funeral of King Leopold I., who had died on the loth (* a 
^T. 46 ygjy melancholy event and a great loss to Europe *). His 
Royal Highness hurried to London on the following day 
and ' f oimd on returning home that it was the Queen's wish 
that I should go to Brussels. Consequently left that 
evening by train, with Tyrwhitt, for Dover, where I em- 
barked for Calais, leaving that same night for Brussels.' 

Diary, December 16. — On reaching Brusseb at 9 a.m. 
was met at the Station by an Orderly Officer, who told me 
we were expected to be dressed and ready for the ceremony 
at 10. Had only just time to go to the Hotel de Belle Vue, 
where I am put up, to have breakfast, dress hurriedly 
and reach the Palace by 10 o'clock. There saw the King, 
the Count of Flanders and the Princes assembled for the 
mournful ceremony. We have here the King of Portugal, 
Prince of Wales with Arthur,* Prince of Prussia, Arch- 
duke Joseph, George of Saxony, Nemours, Joinville, Aumale, 
Nicholas Nassau, William of Baden, Hohenzollem. We all 
proceeded to the room in which the King's body was de- 
posited, where an address was made over the coffin in very 
bad French by the late King's German Chaplain, Mr. Becker. 
We then entered the Royal carriages, and an immense pro- 
cession was formed, all being on foot excepting ourselves. 
I drove with George of Saxony. William of Baden and the 
Duke de Nemours. The day was dreary and bitter cold. 
We did not reach Laeken, where the body was interred, 
till 3 o'clock, having left the Palace at 12. Crowds of 
people were in the streets, their demeanour was most 
regular and respectful. The troops and National Guards 
lined the streets. Another oration was made in a tem- 
porary Chapel and then the body was deposited without 
much ceremony in the Roman Catholic Church of Laeken, 
next to the remains of the late Queen. This part of the 
ceremony was not edifying — all the rest was most satis- 
factory. We got back at 4.30. lyth. — ^Went to the Palace 
in uniform, the King having sent Monsieur Rogiers lo^ the 
morning to present the Belgian Order to me, and I wore it 

* Duke of CoQiiaught. 



HOLSTEIN TROUBLES 255 

as a matter of course. From the Palace all the Royal per- 1865 
sonages drove together to the Palais de la Nation, or Legis- -^t. 46 
lative Chamber, to be ready to receive their Majesties. 
The Queen and her Court came first in three carriages and 
six horses, all in state, extremely handsome, and the livery 
much like our English State liveries. She was received 
with great enthusiasm, both in the streets and in the body 
of the Chamber. We entered with her. The King fol- 
lowed soon after with the Count of Flanders, having entered 
Brussels from Laeken on horseback. The enthusiasm 
was very great in the streets and within the Chamber 
a perfect ovation awaited him. He did the thing remark- 
ably well, read a most excellent speech after having taken 
the oath to the Constitution which was received by re- 
peated acclamations and by the frequent rising of the 
Assembly. This deUvered, he retired, and we shortly 
followed with the Queen, and proceeded in procession to 
the Palace. The streets were crowded, the enthusiasm 
very great. At the Palace he appeared on the Balcony and 
was received with renewed cheers. His son and daughter 
were with him, and the Queen having withdrawn, he spoke 
to the Foreign Princes, and addressed some most affec- 
tionate words when I took leave of him, as did also the 
Queen. I went to lunch with Bertie, where all the Foreign 
Princes were assembled. The National Guards arrived, 
and expressed a desire to be allowed to defile before the 
King. This, after considerable delay, was granted, and 
the whole body passed with deafening cheers, the King 
being on the Balcony. 

On Easter Monday, April 2, 1866, the Duke was in ^3^ 
Brighton for a Volunteer Review. * A very handsome ^^ 47 
luncheon was laid out at the Pavilion, but it was quite 
painful for me to enter the old Palace where I had spent 
so many happy days, under such altered circumstances. 
I can only look on it as a sad desecration.* 

Diary, April 3.-^Went with the Prince of Wales and 
Edward Weimar by special train to Weybridge to attend 



256 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



Funeral 
of Queen 
Marie 
Am^lie 



1866 the funeral of Queen Marie Am61ie.^ The body is 
-^T. 47 deposited in a private vault, belonging to an old Roman 
Catholic gentleman and family of the name of Taylor, 
being close to Weybridge. We had to wait nearly an hour 
before the procession arrived from Claremont, a distance of 
6 miles. All the Orleans Family were, of course, present 
including the King of the Belgians and a large concourse of 
Frenchmen, including Guizot, Thiers, and many distin- 
guished men. The ceremony in the small Chapel was very 
short, the coffin was then carried into the vault and 
another short service followed, which concluded the religious 
portion. 



' Queen of the French, wife of King Louis Philippe. 



»< 




CHAPTER XI 

MARRIAGE OF PRINCESS MARY — HANOVER*S FATE — 
TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 

1866-69 

Betrothal and marriage of the Princess Mary— The Queen's promise to 
attend the ceremony — ^Austria and Prussia at war — ^The fate of 
Hanover — ^The battle of Kdniggratx — ^The Duke and the policy of 
non-intervention — ^Annexation of Hanover announced — ^Meeting be- 
tween His Royal Highness and the King of Hanover — ^What the war 
involved for the Duke's family — ^The Order of the Elephant — ^Walmer 
Castle revisited — Birth of Princess Victoria Mary of Teck — Paris Ex- 
hibition — Death of the Emperor Maximilian — ^Arrival of the Sultan of 
Turkey — Ceremonies in his honour — ^A gift of Arab horses — ^Baptism of 
Princess May — ^Funeral of the Landgrave of Hesse — ^To Preston to open 
the new Town Hall — ^To Ireland with the Prince and Princess of Wales 
— ^The fall of Magdala — ^The Newspaper Press Fund — ^Her Majesty 
and the pipers of the Scots Fusilier Guards — Illness of Princess BCay 
— Offer of colonelcy-in-chief of 6oth Rifles — Fiftieth birthday 

From the gloom in which the last chapter closed it is 1866 
pleasant to turn for a moment to brighter scenes. The ^' 

year 1866 was an important one for the House of Cam- 
bridge, for it witnessed the engagement and marriage of Betrothal 
the Duke's younger sister, Princess Mary Adelaide. In riageof 
the autumn of 1864 the Prince and Princess of Wales had ^^ess 
met, at the Court of the King of Hanover, Prince Teck, the Mary 
only son of Duke Alexander of Wurtemberg by his marriage 
with Claudine Comtesse de Rhddey. So favourable an 
impression did the young prince make upon their Ro]^ 
Highnesses, that he was invited to pay a visit to Sandring- 
ham in the following December. 

He came to England in due course, and immediately 
won all hearts by his amiable qualities and engaging manners. 

VOL, I. s 



258 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1866 In the following year he was again in England, but it was 
-^^•47 not till 1866 that he met Princess Mary Adelaide, at a 
dinner given at St. James's Palace by the Duchess of 
Cambridge to the Due and Duchesse d'Aumale. Princess 
Mary tells the story of the acquaintance which ripened so 
quickly into love. * The wooing was but' a short affair. 
Francis only arrived in England on the 6th of March, and 
we met for the first time on the 7th at St. James's. One 
month's acquaintance settled the question, and on the 
6th of April he proposed in Kew Gardens and was accepted.' 
The Duchess of Cambridge was delighted with the engage- 
ment. * I am happy to say,' she wrote, ' I fed sure of dear 
Mary's happiness. Prince Teck seems to be a most excellent 
young man, good-principled, most religious, perfect manners 
— ^in short, I call Mary a most fortunate creature to have 
found such a husband.' Nor was the satisfaction of the Duke 
of Cambridge less. ^ On arrival at Kew this afternoon 
[April 6] heard that Teck had been and had proposed to dear 
Mary, had been accepted, and both Mary and Mama were 
quite delighted. The young couple looked and seemed 
supremely happy. It is a great event in my family, and I 
must say I think it is a very happy one. He is a charming 
person and likdy to make dear Mary an excellent husband. 
It is a real pleasure to see Mary so thoroughly satisfied at 
the resolution come to.' 

In accordance with the wishes of Princess Mary, it was 
arranged that the wedding should take place at Kew, and 
the Queen, in spite of her bitter sorrow, promised to grace 
with her presence the marriage of her dearly loved cousin. 

* As you aU wish me to be present at dear Mary's marriage,' 
she wrote from Osborne, in a letter to the Duke on May 2, 

* and though painful as every wedding is to my poor widowed 
broken heart — ^as it is to be at Kew, and I condude not in 
evening dress, I would certainly comply with your wish. 
But I shall not be back till the 13th June from Scotland, 



where I am aiudoos to have/uil three weeks' rest and cc»n- 1866 
plete change of air after much fatigue and anxiety this S,t.4,'j 
winter and spring, and woold therefore wish it to be after 
the 13th — any day after would suit me. I would not 
object to be down in the body of the Church and to take 
part in any luncheon or breakfast at which the family only 
were present, but if it is intended to have a large breakfast 
for everyone, I should wish to go away before that.' 

Subsequently, however, the Queen altered her airange- 
ments, and the wedding took {dace on June 12. Writing 
four days later to the Doke of Cambridge, Her Majesty 
said : ' Though it was very trying for me, it was a satis- 
faction to witness dear Harjr's marriage, which I trust was 
the beginning of many years of happiness. Nothing could 
be better managed and arranged than everything was at 
Kew, and it did Col. Purves * the greatest credit.* The 
Duke's account of the wedding is as follows : 

7»ne 12. — ^This was the day fixed for dear Mary's 
wedding. I took Teck down to Kew with me. ITie 
wedding took place in Kew Church at 12, the Queen and all 
her family being present. The arrangements were simple 
and excdlent and gave general satisfaction. After the 
ceremony, which was performed by the Archbishop of 
Canterbury,' we had a luncheon at Kew Cottage for the 
Queen and the Members of the Family in the Library, and 
for the guests and suites in one of the Tents. The Queen 
left again at 3, and Mary with Teck started for Ashridge ' 
to spend the honeymoon, after which we all returned to 
London. 

The bright happiness of Princess Mary's honeymoon was wu 
destined to be of short duration. On the Continent the amwT 
torch of war was smouldering, and needed but a breath to ^d 
fan it into sudden flame. * The news from the Continent 
' Equeny to Uie Dnchesa of Cambridge. 

* Di. Chailes Thomas Longley. 

* Lent by Lord Brownlow (and Eari) and Lady UiLriau Alford. 



26o THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1866 is most warlike/ the Duke wrote on May 4 ; ' matters look 
^T. 47 quite as bad between Austria and Italy as they do between 
Austria and Prussia.' The outlook, indeed, was not one 
that the Duke could view with the mental detachment of 
the philosophic spectator, for the events which were hurrying 
to their climax were pregnant with far-reaching conse- 
quences for the Cambridge family. Austria had done a 
bad day's work for herself when she sided with Prussia in 
wresting the Duchies from Denmark, and retribution was 
now near at hand. Not only had she shared with Prussia 
the odium to which this act of spoliation gave rise, but she 
had, at the bidding of Bismarck's cimning diplomacy, 
unconsciously helped to lay the foundation stone of Prussia's 
new hegemony in Germany. Bismarck saw clearly that 
there was room for one Great Power in Germany and one 
alone, and he was fully determined that Prussia should be 
that Power. But Bismarck had no intention of precipi- 
tating a conflict with Austria before all his preparations 
were made ; accordingly a temporary understanding was 
reached by the Convention of Gastein in 1865, by which 
Lauenburg went to Prussia for a monetary payment and 
the administration of Holstein and Schleswig was confided 
respectively to Austria and Prussia. Austria, however, 
was for making the Duchies into a separate State, and to 
this end she supported the claims of the Duke of Augusten- 
burg. To this Prussia, who had marked the Duchies out 
for her own, was of course vehemently opposed. The 
matter was referred to the Frankfort Diet, which decided 
in favour of the Duke. This decision was the beginning 
of the end. The final struggle could no longer be dela}^, 
and Prussia in the spring of 1866 approached King Victor 
Emmanuel, with whom she entered into an aUiance by the 
terms of which Italy was to attack Austria so soon as 
Prussia fired the first shot. The blow fell in June, on the 
7th of which month the Prussians entered Holstein and won 



HANOVER*S FATE 261 

a bloodless victory, inasmuch as the Austrians retired 1866 
without making any resistance. ^^' 47 

In the stem conflict that followed and was so soon over Hano- 
we are, of course, in this memoir most concerned with the 
fate of Hanover. * The Diet of Frankfort yesterday voted 
for the mobilisation of the Federal Army,* the Duke of 
Cambridge wrote on June 15. ' This Prussia looks upon as 
a Declaration of War, which is now certain to break out at 
once. It is a fearful state of things for Germany, and we 
are on the eve of great events.' In the voting on this 
fateful June 14, Hanover finally and irrevocably threw 
in her lot with Austria. Prussia immediately presented 
an ultimatiun to Hanover, requiring her to observe an 
unarmed neutrality, and as Hanover rejected the demand, 
the Prussians hastily crossed the frontier and occupied the 
capital. 

Diary, June 16. — ^The Prussians have occupied Hanover, 
Hesse, and Saxony. The Sovereigns of those countries 
have retired from their Capitals and are endeavouring to 
collect their Armies. 18/A. — ^The King of Hanover has 
been driven from Hanover with his Army by the Prussians, 
who have also taken Cassel and occupied Dresden and the 
greater part of Saxony. This I hold to be a great loss to 
the Austrians, who are either quite unprepared or very 
slow as usual I 2^h. — ^The news from Germany is very 
serious. The King of Hanover is most probably surrounded 
and cut off. From Italy we hear that a great battle was 
fought yesterday between the Austrians, under the Arch- 
duke Albrecht, and the Italians under the King and La 
Marmora at Custozza between Verona and Peschiera, in 
which the Italians were entirely defeated and driven back. 
This is a most important and very f ortimate event. 30/A. — 
The accounts from Bohemia are bad, the Austrians being 
worsted in every encounter, the Prussians pushing forward 
towards Prague. Nothing more known or heard of the 
King of Hanover. Ji4ly i. — ^The news from abroad very 
bad. The Prussians evidently victorious in their encounters 



a62 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1866 with the Austria&s. The Austrian Corps seem to be being 
-®T.47 beaten and destroyed in detail. The Austrian Anny is 
retiring on its position between Josephstadt and Konig- 
gratz. The Hanoverians have laid down their arms. The 
King and Crown Prince are gone to a Chateau of the Duke 
The of Saxe-Altenburg. 4/A. — ^Accounts have reached me to- 

iwSg-^ day of a great battle fought near Koniggratz yesterday 
gratJB between the whole Prussian and Austrian Armies, in which 
the eight Prussian Corps took part and five Austrian Corps, 
besides the Saxons. Benedek^ was entirely defeated by 
the King of Prussia, who commanded in person. The 
Needle Musket of the Prussians, it appears, is so offensive, 
that all the gallantry of the Austrians cannot stand up 
against it. The slaughter seems to have been terrific, and 
the losses on both sides fearful. The battle lasted eight 
hours. Prince Frederick Charles first engaged the enemy 
with the first Army, but could not make way against her, 
but in the afternoon the Crown Prince of Prussia came up 
with the second Army and took the Austrians on flank and 
rear, which decided the fate of the day. What is now to 
happen God only knows, but Germany, as it used to be in 
my time, seems to be lost. 5th. — ^To-day we have received 
the astoimding news that Austria has offered to cede 
Venice to the Emperor of the French, and has requested 
the Emperor Napoleon to mediate peace between himself 
and his adversaries. The Emperor Napoleon has at once 
entered upon the task, with what results nobody can as 
yet tell. 7th. — ^The Armistice is said to have been accepted 
by Prussia and Italy on certain conditions. 11th. — ^The 
complete overthrow of the Austrians in the battle of Sadowa 
is more and more confirmed, and the accoimts from all 
quarters are most painful. I am afraid that Lord Derby * 
and Lord Stanley ' are going to carry the principle of non- 
intervention to a very far extent. I deplore this more than 
words can say. The position of affairs is fearful to con- 
template and the line taken by England is painful in the 

* General Benedek, Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian army. 

* First Lord of the Treasury. 

* Foreign Secretary. 



HANOVER'S FATE 263 

extrenfe. It amounts to a total abstention from all interest 1866 
in the affairs of Europe, lyih. — ^The Prussians have ^T.47 
defeated the Bavarians and 8th Federal Corps near Aschaf* 
fenburg, and have since entered Frankfort and Darmstadt. 
26M. — ^An armistice of five daj^ has been agreed upon 
between the contending Powers, which will probably lead 
to peace. The exclusion of Austria from the German 
G>niederation is to be the main condition of peace, and the 
cession of Venetia. The Emperor Napoleon acts as Mediator. 
It is a very sad and melancholy business. 315^. — ^Have 
heard to-day that it is the intention to annex the whole of 
Hanover, Hesse-Cassel and Nassau, but not Saxony. My 
heart bleeds for poor Hanover and to think that this ancient 
country, the Cradle of my family, should thus be wantonly 
destroyed, and that nobody should interpose in its favour. 

August 8. — ^The news from abroad is very bad. It is 
now decided that Hanover, Hesse and Nassau are to be 
annexed to Prussia. Nothing can exceed the deep feeling 
of sorrow and regret to the Hanoverian people, but I 
don't suppose anything will save them. lyth. — Received 
letter from Osborne stating that the only chance for Hanover 
consisted in the King's abdication in favour of his son, and 
asking me to use my influence in that sense. I returned 
to London instead of proceeding to Scotland. iSih. — It 
appears that the annexation of Hanover has been publicly 
announced to the Prussian Chambers. In that case I 
fear it is too late to do anything. I, however, telegraphed 
to the King of Hanover asking him to give me a rendez- 
vous somewhere, if an}rthing could still be done. i^h. — 
Have received a telegraphic message from the King of 
Hanover, stating that he would meet me at Ratisbon. 
I have therefore decided to start for that place to-morrow. 
20ih. — ^Left London at 8.30 p.m. for Dover for Ratisbon. 
I fear that little good can now be done, as the annexation 
of Hanover, Hesse-Cassel, Nassau and Frankfort has been 
laid officially before the Prussian Chambers, but it is well I 
should have an opportunity of talking matters over with the 
poor King, who, though I fear he has committed grave 
faults, is still to be greatly pitied. 23rd. — . . . Arrived 



ver 



264 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1866 at Ratisbon at 2.45. No tidings of the King or from 

£t. 47 Bloomfidd.^ I really was in blank despair and telegraphed 

again to Vienna. 24/A. — ^This morning after hearing 

nothing, and having nearly decided upon at once returning 

to England, at last, after being dressed, an A.D.C. of the 

King of Hanover, Captain von Klenk, appeared stating 

that His Majesty would arrive at 2.45 and had been delayed 

from having been quite overpowered by the sad tidings 

which had reached him of the annexation of the Kingdom 

of Hanover, and the expulsion of the Dynasty. This can 

Meeting easily be understood. ... At 2.30 we went to the Station 

tho^Cing *^ Taeet the King who arrived at 2.45 with the Crown 

ofHano- Prince, Count Pleten and his A.D.C. Count Weidel. We 

drove together to the Inn, and I then had a lengthened 

conversation with him on the questions of the day. His 

position is a most sad one, and unfortunately he stiU seems 

to delude himself into thinking that matters are not so 

bad as they are. He left again at 10.30 p.m., and I took 

night mail to Frankfort. 

After a flsdng visit to Rumpenheim the Duke returned 
to London. 

It has been stated that the dash of arms on the Continent 
and the political and d3mastic changes which ensued were 
of deep import to the House of Cambridge. To Princess 
Mary the war meant a rude disturbance of the halcyon 
days of the honeymoon among the roses of Ashridge, for, 
as Prince Teck had only left the Austrian service in March, 
he deemed it his duty to offer his services to the Emperor 
in the event of an outbreak of hostilities. * We were but 
too soon awakened from our bright dream of life to its 
terrible reality,' Princess Mary wrote in a letter to the 
Hon. Mrs. Dakymple,' * by having to get ready and start 
at two days* notice to enable Francis to join the Army. 
After dropping me at Ludwigsburg, once the summer 

* H.B.M.'8 Ambassador at Vienna from i860 to 1871. 

* A Memoir 0/ H.R.H. Prtncess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Tech, by 
C Kinloch Cooke, voL x, chap. xiiL 



HANOVER'S FATE 265 

residence of my Aunt, the late Princess Royal and Queen 1866 
of Wurtemberg, where he left me under the care of his ^T.47 
Aunt, the Queen Mother of Wurtemberg, Francis went on to 
Vienna on the ist of July, and reached it just as the 
disastrous news of the defeat of Koniggratz had arrived. 
After a week of cruel uncertainty for him and terrible 
anxiety for me, during which he vainly sought for an 
audience, and never even succeeded in seeing any of the 
military authorities, so great was the general confusion, 
he gave it up in despair and came back to me, and a week 
later we proceeded together to Vienna. . . . For five weeks 
we were at the Hdtel Munsch, Francis in hourly expecta- 
tion of an appointment, which he only succeeded in obtain- 
ing just before the peace was signed, after which, on the 
20th of August, we moved to my father-in-law's Villa at 
Liesing, an hoiur's drive from Vienna.' Nor was the Grand 
Duchess of Mecklenburg-StreUtz in happier case. * I was 
quite suddenly called away, together with the Grand 
Duke,' she sa)^ in a letter from Strelitz dated July 20, 
* to return to this poor country where war and horrors of 
all kind are being committed. The seat of War is not 
dose to us, but we feel the effects of it, and have to bear 
the degradation of being drawn into it. . . . Poor Mama 
is much shaken by all she has had to undergo and suffer for 
our sakes ! Both her poor daughters in divided camps, 
though our hearts are naturally all in the one camp of 
right and justice. . . . Poor Hanover ! What is to become 
of our old d}masty ? ' Finally it is only necessary to add 
the words of the Duchess of Cambridge herself : * Alas ! 
All the dearest countries that my heart loved best have 
been stolen (I can't give it another name). . . . Hanover, 
which is the cradle of our English family, Hesse is mine, 
and Nassau was my dearest own Mother's ; so you may 
judge of my feelings at this moment.' [September 6, 
1866.] 



266 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1867 Dtaty, January 11, 1867. — Saw Kielmansegge who had 

Mt. 47 just arrived from Hanover. He gives a deplorable account 
of the state of things there. March 26. — ^My forty-eighth 
JEt. 48 birthday. How time passes and how things change in this 
world ; every year this appears to me more and more 
marked. The King of Denmark with the Queen ^ (of Den- 
mark) came to breakfast with me, the King bringing me 
The his Order of the Elephant as his birthday present, which is 

th^Eie!* a great compliment and pleasure to me. April 10. — ^Went 
phant to St. Bartholomew's Hospital to be present when the 
Prince of Wales took up his charge as President of that 
Hospital, iglh. — ^Matters look very warlike between 
Germany and France on the subject of Luxembmrg — ^the 
Emperor being determined that the Prussian Garrison 
should be withdrawn from the Fortress, and the Prussians 
are positively refusing to evacuate it. 20th, — Left London 
At for Walmer Castle. It is a most quaint old place and it is 

^^^ thirty-two years ago since I slept last at the Castle, as the 
guest of the great Duke of Wellingtcm on my way to the 
Continent. Now I am actually living in the great Duke's 
room, which is left just as it was in his time, excepting that 
the bed has been removed. The furniture is simphcity itself. 

Throughout the diary in the early part of the year 
there are niunerous references, full of tender anxiety and 
loving solicitude, to the health of the Princess of Wales, who 
was suffering from some acute form of rheumatism. 

May 10. — Went to Marlborough House to attend the 
Christening of the little Princess which took place in Alix's 
room and in her presence, she, poor dear child, having had 
her bed brought in for the occasion. It is a charming 
Uttle child and very pretty, and is called Louise Victoria 
Alexandra Dagmar. The Archbishop of Canterbury ' per- 
formed the Ceremony. After congratulating Alix we all 
lunched together, the whole family, including dear Mama, 
who seemed quite well, and Arthur and Gleichen. The 
Household were present, also Doctors Farre, Paget and 

* They were staying at Marlborough House. 
' Dr. Charles Thomas Longley. 



\.^ ■■ 



TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 267 

Hewitt. 20th. — ^Attended the ceremony at Kensington 1867 
Gore of the Queen laying the foundation stone of the ^T.48 
Central Hall. It was a very fine sight, about 7,000 people. 
The Queen looked well and was most gracious, and the 
public very enthusiastic. I only wish the Queen would 
oftener consent to appear in public, as it is so very much 
desired by everybody and is so necessary and essential in 
these times. 22nd. — ^This is the Derby Day. Mr. Chaplin's 
Hermit won to the surprise of everybody, he having been at 
100 to I at starting. Hastings has lost nearly £100,000, 
Chajdin has won £140,000 and with J. Calthorpe and Captain 
Machell they are said between them to have won £230,000, 
which is really too awful to contemplate ! 26th. — Drove 
down to Kensington and was in the house when dear Mary 
was confined at one minute before twelve o'clock. Every- Birth of 
thing passed off wonderfully well and we have to be most ^^^^ 
grateful for God's mercy to us in this respect. The little Mary of 
girl is a charming, healthy little child with powerful lungs. ^®^ 
Drs. Farre and Hills attended dear Mary, and there were 
present in the room with her, Augusta, the Duchess of 
Aumale, Lady Elizabeth Adeane, and Francis. Lady 
Macclesfidd and myself were in another room. 

June I. — Went to War Office to be present at the 
unveiling of the late Lord Herbert's Statue in front of that 
office looking towards Pall Mall. A large number of 
persons, friends of the late Lord Herbert, were present. 
Mr. Gladstone made me an address. The Statue by Foley 
was then unveiled, and I then answered Mr. Gladstone's 
speech, standing in the Court of the War Office. 

Late in Tune the Duke left London with the Prince of The Puis 
Wales to visit the Paris Exhibition, and on the day after tion 
his arrival he dined at the Tuileries, * Bertie and Arthur 
being of the party, Cowley and many English — ^it being 
Cowley's last official dinner.' 

June 30. — Received the Prince Imperial with Bertie 
at the Embassy, a very nice lad and looking quite well 
again — ^he has excellent manners. After he left I had 
luncheon there and then went to the Tuileries to see the 



268 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1867 State entrance of the Sultan with the Emperor; a very 
-^T. 48 fine sight, handsome equipages, troops lined the streets and 
looked remarkably well. We saw them descend the Stairs 
on leaving. The Sultan, a very good looking man, rather 
stout, with an enormous retinue. July i. — ^Accompanied 
the Prince of Wales to the Sultan. He received us most 
graciously and I was agreeably surprised at his general 
appearance, which was very much more favourable than 
that of his brother, the late Sultan. His two nephews 
and son were present at the interview, which lasted 
about a quarter of an hour. At 1.30 I accompanied the 
Prince to the Palais de Tlndustrie, where the ceremonial 
for distributing the Prizes took place. The Emperor and 
Empress's procession quite magnificent, the Sultan's equally 
fine. The interior of the building occupied by about 
17,000 persons, a splendid sight. The Crown Prince of 
Prussia arrived expressly for the occasion, and all the 
Princes and Princesses in Paris . . . were present and had 
seats assigned to them. Monsieur Rouher ^ read an address, 
rephed to by the Emperor, who then distributed the awards. 
The music was fine. After proceeding in procession around 
the building we all dispersed and returned to our respective 
homes. . . . There heard of the shooting of the Emperor 
Maximilian of Mexico on the 19th June — ^a most terrible 
event, and produced a profound sensation. 2nd. — ^The 
death of Maximilian seems to be confirmed and the Review 
for to-morrow as well as the Imperial FStes are conse- 
quently put off. 

London^ July 5. — ^The Queen has decided not to hold the 
Review in the Park arranged for to-morrow, in conse- 
quence of the death of Maximilian. 6IA. — Drove down to 
Ham to attend poor Purves's * funeral who was buried in 
the Cemetery there. It was a very sad duty to perform, 
for I had a very great esteem and regard for my poor 
departed friend, who was a most devoted servant of my 

* Minister of State. 

' Colonel Poxves died of lockjaw. The carriage in which the Duchess 
of Cambridge was driving, attended by Colonel Porves, was overturned, 
and while the Duchess escaped without injury, her Equerry sustained 
severe injuries to his leg, and subsequently lockjaw supervened. 



TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 269 

family. 12/A. — ^Went down to Dover with the Prince of 1867 
Wales and Viceroy to meet the Sultan, who arrived from -^t. 48 
Boulogne at eleven in the French Steam Yacht La Reine Arrival of 
Hartense. An English Fleet of six sail, chiefly Ironclads, snitaa of 
under Admiral Warden,^ was lying in the Roads and saluted "^nrkey 
the Sultan as he neared the shores, a French Ironclad 
Squadron escorting the Sultan over and saluting equally 
in this fashion as they parted from the Yacht. ... At 
12.30 started again for London, the Prince, Viceroy, myself 
and Fuad Pasha in the saloon carriage with the Sultan, who 
is a man of good appearance and excellent manners, but 
unfortunately speaks nothing but Turkish. Reached 
Charing Cross at 2.30 and drove in State carriages through 
the Horse Guards and up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, 
the whole way lined with troops, crowds of people, and the 
reception very enthusiastic. The cortige looked very hand-; 
some, thirteen State carriages and pairs, most of them open. 
I drove with the Sultan, Bertie and Fuad Pasha, and His 
Majesty seemed most gratified with his reception. . . . 
Dined at the United Service Club, when I was in the Chair 
at a great dinner of 120 people, given to the Viceroy, who 
seemed much gratified. 16th. — ^The morning was not 
favourable for the intended excursion to Woolwich and the 
Crystal Palace. I left London at 12.30 accompanied by 
Colonels Curzon and Johnson to receive the Sultan on the 
Common, where I had assembled 9 Batteries of Artillery^ 
horsed. As we neared Woolwich it came on to rain most 
heavily, and the troops were thoroughly drenched. The 
Sultan and Prince of Wales arrived at 2.30 in a dreadful 
downpour of rain. I received them on the Common and 
took them down the line of Batteries, during which period 
we were wetted through. We went direct to the Mess House 
and the whole of the Batteries ranked past the Sultan who 
was standing at an open window. We had then a very 
handsome luncheon, the Sultan and a party of ten in the 
large Mess Room, another party of ten, Princes, etc., in 
another room, and the suites, etc. in another room to the 

* Rear-Admiral Frederick Warden, CB., in command of the Channel 
Squadron. 



370 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1867 number of 70. Everything very properly and nicdy done. 
■^T. 48 ... At 5.30 I accompanied the Sultan and Prince, with a 
large suite, to the Crystal Palace, where we were first driven 
around the Garden, when the whole of the waters j^yed ; 
then bad dinner at the building, and then attended a portion 
of a Concert in the Central transept, which was really 
munificent both in sound and in appearance. About 
26,000 persons were present, after which there was a display 
of the fhiest fireworks I ever saw, ending with an illumination 
of the playing fountains. The success was complete. 
The reception of the Sultan by the public magnificent, and 
the evening with beautiful moonshine quite lovely. 

lyth. — Up soon after six, and at eight started with the 
Sultan's and Prince's train from the Queen's private Station 
at Nine Elms for Gosport, which we reached at 10.30. The 
day was dry, but a heavy gale blowing. We at once 
proceeded, under a salute, on board the Osborne, had 
breakfast, and then proceeded to Spithead, again under 
Naval a salute, where the Fleet, forty-nine sail of various sizes, 
"^'^ was at anchor ... in two magnificent lines ; as we neared 
it the Fleet saluted and manned yards — a most imposing 
sight. We steamed through the Fleet, followed by a large 
number of accompanying steamers, in one of which, the 
Helicon, was the Viceroy of Egypt, towards Osborne, where 
the Queen, on board the Victoria and Albert, was awaiting 
om- arrival. After a heavy squall of rain had passed over 
we went on board the Victoria and Albert, followed by the 
Viceroy, when the Queen received the Sultan most graciously. 
We then again steamed through the Fleet, which saluted 
and manned the rigging, and then anchored for luncheon 
ofi Ryde. It was blowing so hard that it was thought 
safer the Fleet should not weigh, so signal was made to 
engage at anchor, and the effect of this was grand in the 
extreme. After a continuous bombardment for some time, 
the action was suspended, and the gun boats were sent in to 
attack the land batteries. T ' ' ' -• ~ 

invested the Sultan with the C 
he appeared greatly gratifiet 
with a party of ten lunched in 1 



TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 271 

below. We then returned to Osborne through the Fleet, 1867 
which again saluted. The Queen took leave of the Sultan, ^t. 48 
etc. . . . and went on shore in the Alberta, and the Sultan 
returned to Portsmouth, passing through the Fleet in the 
Royal Yacht, and landed about seven o'clock at Clarence 
Yard. I started at once by special train for London and 
reached home about 9.30, very tired, but much gratified. 
i&A. — ^Went to State Ball given to Sultan at Guildhall, 
when H.M. received the freedom of the City. ... I danced 
once with the Duchesse d'Aosta. 

After leaving the City the Duke went with the Prince 
of Wales to the Islington Hall, where an enormous Ball was 
given to the Belgian Volunteers, who were then ^paying a 
visit to England. ^This also was a fine sight, the Hall 
was handsomely decorated and about six or seven thousand 
persons present — a, very mixed company.' 

July 19. — ^At eight the Sultan came to dine with me, 
accompanied by his son and two nephews, Fuad Pasha, 
Ezzim Effendi, Musurus,^ Raglan and Hood, and I had 
to meet him, the Prince of Wales and Sir W. Knollys, 
Fritz,* Louis of Hesse, Edward Weimar, Francis,' Derby, 
Hartington, de Grey, Stratford de Reddiffe, Strathnaim, 
DisraeU, Cardigan, Lucan, Bentinck, Burgoyne, Penne- 
father, Codrington, Scarlett, Paulet, Hope-Grant, Forster, 
Peel, Packington, Jim — thirty-five in all. It was an 
extremely handsome dinner, the servants in State Liveries, 
and he seemed much gratified and pleased. Some of the 
Suite came after dinner and joined us as we went upstairs. 
... At 10.45 the Sultan left and I followed him to the 
Great Ball at the India Office, a most magnificent Fete, 
which was admirably managed and arranged. The Ball 
Room, a large Court3rard temporarily roofed over, was 
particularly splendid, and the supper room was all that 
could be wished for. Nothing would have marred the 
success of the evening, but the melancholy seizure of 

* The Turkish Ambassador. 

' Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-StreliU. ' Prince Teck. 



272 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1867 Madame Musurus ^ at supper, which I witnessed, being 
£t. 48 dose to her, and which, alas ! ended fatally in a few hours 
afterwards. No doubt it was caused by a diseased heart 
and the fatigues consequent upon these numerous f^tes, 
added to a rapid ascent of a long staircase to reach the 
supper-room. 

At the Review which was held in honour of the Sultan 
on Wimbledon Common on the following day the Duke was 
in conunand of the troops. The Belgian Volunteers were 
present and headed the march past. ^The crowds broke 
through, and we had some difficulty in returning to Lord 
Spencer's tents where a magnificent entertainment was 
prepared for the Sultan, who seemed altogether much 
gratified and pleased. As it rained very heavily at last I 
excused myself to the Spencers, changed my things at the 
Robin Hood, and came direct home.' 

July 22. — ... At 1.30 the Sultan came to pay me a 
visit to take leave and thank me for my attentions during 
his stay. He was most gracious. Was accompanied by 
Fuad Pasha. . . . Dined at Stafford House to meet the 
Sultan, where there was afterwards an Italian Concert — 
altogether a handsome fete. At eleven we went to the 
Horticultural Gardens, where there was a large assembly 
of people to see the Sultan. The Garden was to a certain 
degree illuminated with lamps, but the weather, which was 
extremely bad, spoilt this to a certain extent. Blue lights 
were also burnt. The crowd was great, and the company 
very mixed. We had supper in the Gallery, and got home 
by one, very tired. 2yrd. — Went to Buckingham Palace 
at 10.15 with Curzon to accompany the Sultan to Dover. 
The morning was broken and showery and it rained as we 
passed down the Mall, lined with Troops as on his arrival, 
to Charing Cross Station. There were, however, large 
masses of people to see him go, and they were very enthu- 
siastic. We reached Dover at 1.30 and the Sultan went 
for a short time to the Hotel, doubtful whether or not to go, 

' Wife of the Turkish Ambassador. 




TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 273 

the weather being fine but a strong breeze blowing. How- 1867 
ever, he decided upon starting, and embarked at 2 in the ^'^' 4^ 
OsbamCy the Ironclad Fleet being in the Roads to escort 
him to Calais. There was a very cordial leave taking on 
board the Yacht, after which they sailed at once, and we 
stood on the pier watching their progress for some time. 
The passage across was, I hear, very satisfactory and good, 
nobody being ill. 

In remembrance of his visit to England the Sultan The 
sent over four fine Arab horses as a present to the Duke thanks to 
of Cambridge, and this gift was afterwards followed by ^^c^^"'" 
an autograph letter to His Roysl Highness. The Turkish 
Ambassador, in forwarding the letter, appended the following 
translation : 

Lettre Autographe de Sa MajesU Impenale le SuUan 
a Son Altesse Rayale U Due de Cambridge 

C'est avec im plaisir infini que j'ai la lettre que Votre 
Altesse Ro3^e a bien voulu M'6crire le 20 Septembre 
dernier 4 Toccasion des chevaux qui Lui ont £t6 offerts 
de Ma part. Ai-je besoin de dire k Votre Altesse Royale 
combien je suis sensible k tout ce qu'EUe Me dit de si aim- 
able dans Sa lettre et k la manidre pleine de distinction 
dont Elle veut bien accueillir ce faible pr^ent? Votre 
Altesse ne pent pas douter que de Mon c6t£ je n'oubherai 
jamais les pr&neuses marques de sympathie que j'ai €t€ si 
heureux de rencontrer lors de Mon rdcent voyage k Londres, 
auprte de la glorieuse Dsmastie dont Votre Altesse est un des 
plus illustres omements, et que rien ne M'est plus agr^ble 
que de saisir toute occasion qui s'ofire pour en t^moigner 
ma vive gratitude. 

En M'empressant done de Vous en r6itdrer id Pexpres- 
sion, Je prie en m£me temps Votre Altesse de croire toujours 
k Tinaltdrable estime et k Taffection que je professe pour Sa 
personne, et aux voeux que Je ne cesse de former pour la 
prosp6rit6 de Sa Famille. 

Sur ce Je prie Dieu qu'il Vous ait en Sa Sainte Garde. 

Donn6 le 8 Chaban 1984. 

VOL. I. T 



274 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



1867 Jvly 27. — ^Went to Kensington Palace to be present 

^T. 48 at the Ctuistening of Mary's little girl, who was called 
Christen- Mary, when I stood as one of the Sponsors.* The Arch- 
bishop * performed the Ceremony. 



ingof 

Pnncess 

May 



Funeral 
of the 
Land- 
grave of 
Hesse 



About the middle of August the Duke left London for 
Germany, and a month later, when he was in Frankfort, 
he saw the King of Prussia arrive from Berlin at the West 
End Halle. ' He had no reception at all, the feeling against 
the Prussians being very strong and not disguised.' From 
Frankfort His Royal Highness went on to Rumpenheim 
to be present at the funeral of the Landgrave of Hesse, the 
ddest brother of the Duchess of Cambridge. 

September 27. — ^This was the day fixed for the funeral 
of Unde William. The day was cold, but a lovely autumnal 
day without any wind. The body of the late Landgrave 
had arrived under Hoiks' charge during the night, and 
was deposited in front of the house, in a large and handsome 
coffin. The ceremony conunenced at ten in the morning 
in the presence of forty-two family personages and the suites 
of those present, besides several Hessian Officers. The 
entire family was there, with the only exception of the 
King of Denmark and his son Waldemar and the poor 
Duchess of Nassau, who was not well enough to travel. 
Besides the family the Grand Duchess Constantine with 
son and daughter, Louis and Alexander of Hesse, the Land- 
grave of Hesse-Phihppsthal and his brother, and Prince 
Bentheim were present. The Duke of Nassau with his son 
came from Frankfort, and William Lippe arrived over- 
night. The address was spoken by Herr Lohr, Willi Hesse's 
tutor, and was an admirable one, in excellent taste and good 
in substance. The whole thing was most solemn and 
imposing, and could be only considered as most gratifying 
to the relatives and friends of the deceased. Poor dear 

> The other sponsors were the Queen, represented by Princess Biary, 
the Duchess of Cambridge, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelits, 
and the Prince of Wales. 

' Of Canterbury (Dr. Longley). 



I 



TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 275 

old man ! he was a worthy good man and a fine specimen 1867 
of the old school. He was ever kind and good to me and -^T. 48 
I had a deep attachment and regard for him. May God 
have mercy on his soul ! 

October saw the Duke of Cambridge back in England. 

October 2. — ^Went to Preston by special train. At Opening 
Preston was received by the Mayor and, accompanied by newTown 
him in his carriage, there being a long procession of other HaU at 
carriages, I proceeded through the streets, densely crowded, *^®*^^^ 
and the people all in excellent humour, to the new Town 
Hall, where an address was presented to me by the Mayor 
and Corporation to which I replied, and then declared 
the Hall to be opened. It is an extremely handsome 
building, the Architect being Mr. Scott,^ and it has cost 
nearly £70,000. . . . We then went in the same procession 
to the Parks to be opened for the public, nicely laid out, 
and a great advantage to the Town. Here another address 
was presented to me, to which I again replied, and having 
walked all through them, whilst they were crowded with 
people, we returned in procession to the Town Hall, in 
the lower room of which, to be used as the Exchange, 
a large luncheon for 450 persons was prepared. We sat 
down to it at four, healths were drunk and I made a speech. 
This part of the proceedings was much hurried, as we had 
to return by special train. It was a satisfactory day, as 
so much loyalty and good feeling was displayed by the 
people who crowded into the Town. 

November 5. — Inkerman Day, a glorious recollection 
of the past, though combined with many sad reflections 
of the friends and good soldiers that were lost to us on 
that occasion. How time flies ! It was thirteen years ago. 
2gth. — ^Drove to Kensington to see Mary and admire her 
baby, certainly a lovely child. 

March 9, 1868. — Dined at Willis's Rooms, where I took 1868 
the Chair at the Dinner given by the Officers of Artillery 
and Engineers to their two Field Marshak, Sir Hugh Rose 
and Sir John Burgosme. Unfortunately the latter was 

1 Afterwards Sir Gilbert Scott, R.A. 

xa 



m 



276 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1868 taken ill and could not come, but the former was present 
^T.48 and the dinner went off most satisfactorily. About 
two hundred sat down to dinner. 26th. — My birthday. 
^*- 49 I received a great many kind and affectionate letters of 
congratulation from a number of dear rdatives and friends 
and certainly cannot but fed gratified at the kindness 
and affection evinced towards me from so many different 
quarters. 
With the April 14. — ^Left London with the Prince and Princess 
iwnce ^ Wales and Franz ^ for Ireland. Entered Kingstown 
Princess Harbour next morning under a salute of the Ironclad 
°' iJ^wid ^^t o' ^^^^ ships, under Admiral Warden, the Minotaur^ 
AchUleSf Duke of Wellington and Defence. . . . Landed 
under salutes, drove up by road to Dublin, crowds all the 
way up, and all most enthusiastic. Drove with Bertie» 
Alix and Franz. The escort was given by the loth Hussars. 
Reached the Castle at 1.30. Great enthusiasm. . . . 
Lunched at the Castle with the Abercoms who had met us 
with their Court and Lord Strathnaim. Afterwards drove 
out to the Chief Secretary's Lodge, where I am most admir- 
ably put up.* 

On the i6th and 17th the Duke went to the Punches- 
town Races, and in the evening of the 17th he attended 
the Lord Mayor's Ball at the Mansion House in uniform. 

April 18. — ^This was the Installation Day. . . . Went 
to the Castle at 1.30, lunched there and then dressed for 
the great Ceremony of the day. At three we all started 
in procession from the Castle, the Lord Lieutenant and 
Lady Abercom preceding the Prince and Princess of Wales, 
who were in their State carriage opened, my State carriage 
following, and the rest in ten carriages following mine. 
The streets were lined by the troops. Dense masses df 
the people thronged all the streets, balconies and house- 
tops. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed throughout, not 
a dissentient voice was heard. We got to St. Patrick's by 

I The Duke of Teck. 

* By Lord Biayo (6th Earl), Chief Secretary for Ireland, and after- 
wards Governor-General of India. 



TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 277 

about 3.45, then robed, and then entered the Church in 1868 
procession, a magnificent sight, all admirably arranged and ^t. 49 
not a single hitch or confusion of any sort or kind. We were 
sixteen Knights present out of twenty-two. The music 
was very fine and not too long. The Procession again 
escorted the Prince and Princess out of the Church. Re- 
turned to the Castle in the same order of procession in 
which we went there, accompanied by the same crowds 
and the same enthusiasm. We got back at 5.30 after one 
of the very greatest successes in point of pageantry and 
enthusiasm I ever experienced or was present at an3rwhere. 
In short thus far the entire visit has been an ovation. 

The programme of festivities included a great review 
in Phcenix Park, and a visit to Trinity College, where His 
Royal Highness, together with the Prince of Wales, was 
made LL.D., and where there were orations in honour of 
Mr. Burke, whose statue in front of Trinity College was 
unveiled by the Prince's command 'amid the deafening 

acclamations of the Students and people outside.* 

# 

London, April 26. — ^Heard of the telegraphic news XheiaU 
of the fall of Magdala after Theodore had been defeated daia" 
outside on Good Friday^ had then given up the Captives 
unscathed and had stood an assault himself in Magdala 
on Easter Monday. Theodore himself was killed in this 
assault, and 14,000 Abyssinians had laid down their arms — 
only a few men wounded, none killed. It is an enormous 
victory, and comes most opportunely. 27^*. — Attended the 
new Royal Conunission of the Patriotic Fimd, of which 
I have been named President. May 4. — Dined with the 
Gentlemen at Anns at their Mess at St. James's, and a 
very good dinner, and weU-conducted establishment. Lord 
Exeter, the present Captain of the Corps, presided. 13th. — 
Went to the laying of the foundation stone of St. Thomas's 
Hospital by the Queen, which ceremony was performed 
this morning at 11.30, just over Westminster Bridge and 
between that and Lambeth. The Queen and suite went 
in open carriages. Ascot Liveries, herself having six horses 



278 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1868 in her carriage, an arrangement I never saw before. We 
£t. 49 were in uniform. The day was fine, the route lined by 
Cavabry, the reception good. The large tent, containing 
about 5,000 people, under which the ceremony took place, 
was very handsomely decorated. The Queen looked 
well and performed her part of the ceremony well. 22nd. — 
Have heard that the House of Commons have unanimously 
thrown out the Bill for pulling down my house. This is 
to me a great relief and a great triumph, and I trust may 
definitely settle the point, as they have added a recom- 
mendation for opening Hamilton Place. June 6. — Pre- 
sided at Willis's Rooms at a public dinner for the Newspaper 
Press Fund. 



The It has been stated before that the Duke was singularly 

p^^ happy in pleading the cause of any deserving charity. 
FwSd Words which he used on this occasion were so just, so true, 
and so striking, that they are still quoted year by year 
in the report presented at each recurring festival dinner 
of the Newspaper Press Fund. * The Press,' he said, * is 
a valuable, an important, and an essential institution. 
I believe no country could get on without it. On the other 
hand, the position which it assumes requires great prudence, 
great caution, great forbearance, and a great amoimt of 
talent ; and the question is, how these great requirements 
can be best attained. There is no doubt that the best 
mode of strengthening a profession or a service is to give 
it security ; and what is that but imparting the conviction 
that those who are connected with it will never be alto- 
gether forgotten ! That those who have shown great 
ability, great vigour of intellect, great physical power of en- 
durance, when the time of sickness or old age comes, may 
feel that they are not a burden to themselves or a cause of 
distress and anxiety to their friends. It is with a view 
of meeting this emergency, which may arise in the case 
of any man in any profession, that this Newspaper Press 



TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 279 

Fund has been so judiciously, so wisely, and so properly 1868 
established. It is my anxious hope and sincere belief that ^'^' 49 
an institution established on so large a basis, and with 
such generous motives, will receive the measure of support 
to which it is fully and fairly entitled from all well-wishers 
of the country.' 

{From the Queen) 

Balmoral, June 11. 

I hear that the feeling respecting the aboUtion of the 
Pipers in the Scotch Fusilier Guards is very much divided, 
and I think it would be well to reconsider the subject, 
and not decide on it in a hurry. Any distinctive mark 
in a Regiment should, I think, be encouraged and kept up. 
I myself should much regret the aboUtion of the Pipers in 
the S. F. Guards, but I would not have refused my consent 
if there was a unanimous feeling in favour of it. If they 
were to be retained, I think great care should be taken 
in the selection of the Piper Major— on whom so much 
would depend, and I think they should be more hand- 
somely dressed. 

The Queen's unfailing solicitude for the comfort and 
welfare of her * gallant troops' is well illustrated in a 
letter which she wrote to the Duke on the morrow of the 
Great Volimteer Review held at Windsor on June 20. 
* Nothing,' she wrote, * could have been more successful 
in every way than the Volunteer Review, but I am much 
afraid some of the men suffered from the fearful heat and 
also from want of food and also drink, as I heard to-day. 
Would you kindly enquire if the men did suffer ? ' 

In the month of July the Duke, with the whole of His niness of 
Royal Highness's family, was thrown into a state of great May 



anxiety by the serious illness of Princess May. ^She 
was seized on July 18 with sickness,' Mrrote Princess Mary 
in a letter to the Hon. Mrs. Dakymple,^ * for which proper 



■ A Mimoif of H.RJi. Princess Mawy Adshide, Duchess of Teek, by 
C Kinloch Cooke, voL 2, chap. ziv. 



28o THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1868 remedies were at once and apparently very effectually 
^'^' 49 applied, for on the Tuesday following May was out again 
for half an hour in the cool of the day. Whether she 
caught a slight chill, or the effluvia from the pond in Ken- 
sington Gardens, which was in a very unhealthy state, 
and which the nursery windows face, affected her, I know 
not, but that very night she had an alarming relapse, and 
all the next day lay in a state of collapse. Dr. Farre was 
called in, and towards evening, thank God, the treatment 
began to tell upon the child, and the attack to 3deld to it. 
From that time she mended steadily, although slowly, and 
on the 4th of August her Grandmama very wisely insisted 
in carrying her off to Kew, to be away from the pond, and 
out nearly all day in the garden, under the shade of the 
old chestnut tree.' The Queen was kept informed of the 
little patient's progress by the Duke of Cambridge, and her 
letters to the Duke in reply show a keen anxiety and a quick 
S3anpathy with the parents and relatives of Princess May. 

Dtaty, October 3. — ^Went to Kensington where, at four 
o'clock, Mary's little boy ' was christened by Mr. Harrison.* 
He is a large and beautiful child stnd behaved very wdl. 
I was one of the sponsors. Mama, Augusta, Adolphus, 
Duchess of Inverness, Prince and Princess Philip of Wurtem- 
berg, and a few others were present. All passed off very 
well. 26/A. — ^Took leave of Alfred who sails in the Galaiea 
on Saturday or Monday next on his lengthened voyage to the 
Cape, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Ceylon and 
India. 
Carriage Diaty, November 29. — On my way to dinner in Queen 

Street, the horse in my brougham suddenly, in Hertford 
Street, ran away, and I was only enabled to jump out in 

■ The little Prince was christened Adolphiis Charles Alexander Albert 
Edward George PhiHp Louis Ladislaiis. 

* Rev. William Harrison, M.A., Hon. Canon of St. Albans, and some 
time Rector of Great Birch, Essex. Chaplain, in the first instance, to 
Adolphos Firederick. ist Doka of Cambridge, and afterwards to H.R.H.'s 
widow, Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge. 



accident 



TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 281 

Curzon Street, when the horse suddenly turned round. 1868 
He then started afresh, and was brought up to a standstill ^t. 49 
in Lansdowne Passage, which he could not enter. Neither 
myself, nor Brown, the Coachman, nor the horse was hurt, 
but the brougham was much damaged in the under part. 
It was a frightful thing altogether, but by God's mercy 
we escaped without injury. 

January 7, 1869. — ^Went to Curzon House to a wedding 1869 
In^eakfast given on the marriage of Lord Hamilton ^ with 
Lady Mary Curzon, Lord Howe's youngest daughter. 
The bride and bridegroom looked very happy, and it was 
a most cheerful party. Quantities of lovely presents 
and a very large and handsome luncheon. I had to give 
the health of the young couple. Afterwards saw them 
start for Apethorpe to spend their honeymoon. 

(From the Queen) 

Windsor Castle. BCaxch 6. 

I have thought you might like to have the Colondcy-in- 
Chief of the 60th Rifles. If so, it would give me great 
pleasure to appoint you to it. 

Diary, March 26. — Good Friday and at the same time JEt. 50 
my 50th birthday, a very serious matter for reflection, 
though I have everything to be most grateful for. Still 
years are creeping on fast, and one feels that one is getting 
older. 31s/. — ^Went to Windsor for the baptism of Christian 
and Helena's second little boy,' to whom I stand as one 
of the sponsors. The Archbishop of Canterbmy ' per- 
formed the service very impressively in the Private Chapel, 
the Queen, Louise, Arthur and Leopold, besides Monsieur 
de Fabrile, the Saxon Minister, standing in the place of 
several absent Sponsors, in addition to myself. Mary 
and Francis are prevented from coming, as their little 
girl May is supposed to have a very slight attack of 

' Second and present Dnke of Aberooni, eldest son of the 2nd Maiquis, 
afterwards created Dake of Abercom. 

' Pdnce Albert John Charles Frederick Alfred George of Schleswig- 
Holstein. G.CB., G.CV.O., Captain in Prussian Hussars of the Guard. 

' Dr. Archibald CampbeU Tait. 



282 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1869 scarlatina. After the ceremony, which was only attended 
^T. 50 by the Court and a few officials from London, Imiched with 
the Queen in the Oak Room, and then went down to Frog- 
more with Helena and Christian to remain there till the 
morrow. April 21. — ^Dined at the Cannon Street Station 
Hotel, where I was in the Chair for the Anniversary Dinner 
of the Hospital for Diseases of the Chest. The peculiarity 
about this dinner was our having Ladies present as well as 
Gentlemen. July 21. — Presided (at Woolwich), at a Mess 
Dinner given in honour of Arthur on his leaving for Canada. 
He made an excellent speech in reply to my giving 
his health. About 200 sat down to dinner. BHgkkm^ 
October 5. — ^Walked to the Pavilion and went over the 
poor old rooms there, and also the old stables, the latter 
quite altered and transformed into a large Music Hall. 
It was sad to see the changes that had taken place. 
December 31. — ... Thus ends 1869. To me the com- 
mencement of another year has always more of sorrow 
than of rejoicing about it, and yet I feel that I have 
much to be thankful for, and I try to be grateful for my 
many mercies and my many blessings. 



CHAPTER XII 

France's dark hour 
1870-1871 

Crowded hcmn — ^The Queen and the death of General Grey — ^Loss of the 
Captain — Outbreak of the Franco-German war — Defeat of Marshal 
MacMahon — ^The news in Paris — Further German successes — Sedan — 
The Third Republic — ^Meeting with the Empress Eugenie at Chisle- 
hurst — Surrender of Metz — ^Russia and the Black Sea — ^Death of 
Lord Frederick Paulet — ^Bombardment of Paris begins — The last 
sortie— Capitulation of the city — ^Blr. Treveljran's motion in the House 
of Commons — ^Terms of Peace — ' Really fearful ' — ^Prussians enter 
Paris — ^The Red Republicans — ^BCarriage of Princess Louise— Visit to 
Emperor Napoleon at Chidehurst — Queen's birthday wishes — Opening 
of the Albert Hall — ^The second siege of Paris — Accident to Prince 
Arthur — ^Paris'and the Communists — ^His Royal Highness leaves for 
Germany— Fortnight's military operations at Aldenhot — Removal of 
Horse Guards to War Office—' A sad change ' — General Forster's 
resignation of the post of Military Secretary 

The days of the Duke of Cambridge were now fully occupied 1870 
with military and other duties, and his diaries in conse- J^^^ 

Busy 

quence consist mainly of the record of tours of inspection, days 
reviews, and busy labours in the cause of charity, with 
occasional hours snatched for the relaxation that he needed 
so much. His energy, indeed, was prodigious, and no 
programme seems to have been too long or too arduous 
for his immense activity. The recital of one or two days, 
chosen at random, will show how full was his life, and how 
unsparing he was of himself. In June 1870 he was visiting 
the Prince of Wales at Cooper's Hill, Englefield Green, for 
Ascot week, and on one of the days the Prince gave a great 
ball, which was kept up with much spirit, and the Duke did 
not get to bed till three o'clock. Yet of the day following 



284 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1870 he writes : ' Up early and went to London by the 8.50 
^T. 50 train, riding to the station and getting to Gloucester House 
for breakfast at ten. At 10.45 drove with Johnson to 
Woolwich for the Public Day at the Academy ; ever3^thing 
went off well and after making the Cadets a speech I 
returned to London at 3.30. Went to St. James's to see 
dearest Augusta ^ and Fritz/ who arrived this morning from 
Germany looking very well. Returned* by train from 
London at 4.45, and rode out to join the rest of the party 
at a picnic on Virginia Water, the evening lovely after some 
showers. We went on the Water both before and after 
dinner and did not get home till nearly one o'clock, when I 
was very tired.* Again, to take another day : * To Alder- 
shot by 8.10 train with Hope Grant, Egerton, Gambier, 
and Clifford. Day charming after a little rain* Saw the 
Troops on Case Common and had a very pretty Field Day 
under Scarlett. Several new Raiments were seen by me 
for the first time, and I was well pleased with them. Re- 
turned to town by 1.25 train and got home by three. At 
4.15 drove Macdonald down to Chiswick for Prince of 
Wales's second breakfast. Afternoon charming, place 
looked lovely. Back by seven. Dined with Chichester- 
Fortescue and Lady Waldegrave ; and afterwards to a 
State Concert at Buckingham Palace, home by two.' With 
the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, however, the 
character of the diary changes, and the progress of the 
great struggle is noted day by day with the keenest interest. 
Excerpts from the portion of the diary which deals with 
the war will be given very fully in this chapter, in so far as 
they show the Duke's careful observation, and reveal his 
sympathies ; but before the fateful outbreak of hostilities is 
reached, it is necessary to deal with one or two other matters. 

* Grand Duchess of MecUenbnrg-Strelits. 

' Grand Dnke of Mecklenbnrg-StreliU, [Sister and brother-in-law.] 

' To Englefidd Green. 



FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 285 

Diary^ March 10.— Went to Kensington to be present 1870 
at the christening of Mary's second boy,' a fine little fellow : ^t. 50 
only the family and a few immediate belongings. April i. — 
Took the Chair at United Service Institution at a Lecture ^t 51 
given by Captain Brackenbury on the Campaign in Han- 
over. It was very ably done and most interesting. 

(From the Queen) 

Windsor Castle. April 3. 

I was sure you would grieve for poor General Grey, so 
old and true a Friend, whose experience was of the greatest 
value. His da}^, however, were numbered, and for some 
time I felt sure he would be unable to go on. Still, so 
fearful a catastrophe we did not apprehend. In many 
many many ways he is a very serious loss, and to lose one 
friend after another is most trying and painful, and makes 
one tremble for those who remain. But a Higher Power 
over-rules all for the best, and we may be sure that He will 
assist and support me in my weary and arduous task. 

In the course of a tour of inspection in the month of 
April His Royal Highness visited Portsmouth, and went on 
board the ill-fated Captain. * Steamed up to Dockyard,' 
he writes on April 21 : * landed there and accompanied the 
Admiral, Sir James Hope, and Admiral Key, the Super- 
intendent of the Yard, on board the Captain^ the new iron- 
clad turret ship built by Captain Cowper Coles and Mr. 
Laird of Birkenhead, and just commissioned by Captain 
Burgoyne, who showed us all over her. She is an extra- 
ordinary looking vessel, but I prefer the Monarch, Captain 
Commerell, which vessel lies dose to her. The latter vessel 
has the high freeboard, the Captain the low freeboard. 
The accommodation aboard the Monarch is very preferable.' 
Before five months had passed, the Captain had gone down Loss of 
with aU hands. 'Heard this morning [Sept^nber 10] of qU^^ 

' Prince Ftanda Joseph Leopold Ftederick, bora Janaaiy 9 at Ken- 
nngton Palace. 



286 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1870 the loss of H.M. Ship Captain with all hands, in a gale in 
^T.51 ^Yie Bay of Biscay. She was cruising with the Fleet and 
must have gone down in the night, the ships of the Squadron 
not having seen her disappear. She was the model of the 
low freeboard turret ship, commanded by Captain Burg03nie, 
the son of Sir John Burg03me. Captain Cowper Coles was 
himself on board. It is a fearful calamity ! Five himdred 
officers and men have gone down in her. There were sons 
of Mr. Childers, Lord Northbrook, Lady Herbert of Lea, 
and Lady Himtly on board. I confess I did not like the 
looks of the ship when I went over her at Portsmouth in the 
spring.* 

Dtary, June 3. — ^Drove to Marlborough House, to con- 
gratulate my little godson George on his birthday, a most 
charming little fellow. 

Jtdy 14. — ^The news from abroad is most serious, and 
war is on the eve of breaking out between Germany and 
France. All preparations going on with great rapidity on 
both sides. The extent of such a contest it is impossible 
to conceive. 18/A. — ^Went to House of Lords, when Gran- 
War ville ^ announced the declaration of war by France to Prussia. 

25th. — ^A secret draft of a treaty was published to-day in 
The Times proposing for France to take Belgium, and 
Prussia Holland, said to have originated with the Emperor ; 
it has caused an immense sensation in England. A ugust 1 . — 
No further news from thie Armies, which are still concen- 
trating and organising. The loss of time seems fatal to the 
French ; the Emperor is gone to Metz and the King of 
Prussia has left for Mayence. yd. — ^Heard this afternoon 
that the French had made an attack on Saarbnick with 
success and had taken up a position dose to the town. 
5th. — Heard to-day of the Prussians having attacked and 
defeated a Division of Marshal MacMahon's Corps at Wissem- 
bourg, having evidently taken them by surprise. The 
Prussians were under the Crown Prince. 6/A. — Heard this 

* The Earl of Clarendon died on June 26, and was succeeded as Foreign 
Secretary by Earl Granville. 




13 

m 






i Hit 

X ft. = ^ 5 



i 5!J 



FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 287 

evening after dinner, by telegraphy of the defeat of Marshal 1870 
MacMahon's Corps by the Crown Prince of Prussia between ^T. 51 
Worth and Hagenau, with heavy loss on both sides, the 
Prussians continuing their advance after the battle, jth, — 
We were startled by the news that the Crown Prince had The 
attacked Marshal MacMahon with overwhelming forces at ^5^^^°^ 
Worth yesterday, and had entirely defeated him with the 
loss of 5,000 men, 10,000 prisoners, 30 guns, 6 mitrailleuses, 
&c. These reports were fuUy confirmed in the course of 
the day. It is an astounding event, and nobody can 
understand it. MacMahon seems to have had only his 
Corps and a small portion of de Failly's to support him, 
and is not supposed to have had more than about 40,000 
men, while the Crown Prince had in his Corps about 120,000. 
London was greatly excited all day, and the news from 
Paris was depressing for the Emperor and France, gth. — 
Paris is in a most fearfully excited state and consternation 
is extreme, and all seem to have lost their heads. The 
fall of the poor Emperor seems inuninent. I am so glad, 
though, that this good fortune should have fallen to the 
lot of the Crown Prince, a high-minded and generous man 
and a good soldier in every sense of the word. 10th. — ^The 
accounts from Paris are most alarming. The Chambers 
have met, and are greatly excited. The violence of some 
Members of the Left is prodigious ! MacMahon has re- 
turned to Nancy. Generd Frossard was attacked also on 
Saturday evening at Saarbriick, and driven back with 
very heavy loss on Metz. He seems equally to have been 
unsupported. The whole thing is incredible, and the 
Generalship on the part of the French seems horrible, 
whilst the gallantry of the troops was sublime. The 
Germans behaved splendidly, and are well manoeuvred, 
but their losses, too, are fearfully heavy. The French seem 
to be in great want of provisions, which is incredible, ijfh. — 
It is said to-day that the French have evacuated Nancy, 
and are retiring on Ch&lons. The Emperor remains with 
the Army, but Marshal Bazaine has assumed the Chief 
Command, General Changamier is with him. Marshal 
Le Bceuf has resigned. Things are more calm at Paris, and 



288 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1870 another great battle seems imminent. i6<A. — ^A great 
^T.51 battle was fought on Sunday afternoon before Metz with 
heavy loss on both sides and resulting in checking the 
Gennan retirement of the French Army under Bazaine to Verdun 
?Sfo^ and Chalons, an operation they commenced on Sunday. 
Metz Things look bad for the French. 18th. — ^Another batfle 
was fought on Tuesday, resulting in a success to the German 
Armies. The battle seems to have been a most serious 
one and to have entirely cut off the French Army from 
Paris and Calais, and in fact driven it back into Metz. The 
loss again fearful and a desperate effort made on both sides 
to attain the object in view, the French to press through, 
the Germans to prevent this movement. The German 
Cavalry seem to have played a great part in this operation. 
How the French Army is now to extricate itself from Metz 
is more than I can say. The question is what will now 
happen ? The Crown Prince, it is said, is nearing Ch&lons, 
where MacMahon has got about 80,000 men of various 
kinds. 3is^. — We are all most anxious to hear news from 
France. MacMahon has evacuated Ch&lons, and is marching 
on Sedan, vi& Rheims. He is endeavouring to make a 
junction with Bazaine. It seems to me an extremely false 
move, and nothing but disaster can result from it. It is 
said that a battle is imminent, as the Crown Prince is in 
pursuit and the Prussians around Metz will bar the way in 
that direction. 

September 2. — Heard to-day of the great battles going 
on between MacMahon and the Prussian Corps now rapidly 
surrounding him. There seems to have been an action on 
Tuesday, ending in MacMahon being driven back towards 
Sedan, he endeavouring to move towards Metz. The 
battle was renewed on Wednesday and on Thursday again, 
and the last accounts from the King of Prussia state that 
the French were entirely beaten, and surrounded and 
driven into Sedan. Marshal Bazaine made an effort on 
the 26th and 27th to force his way out of Metz, but after 
very severe fighting was also driven back into Metz with 
very severe loss on both sides. MacMahon's movement has 
thus completely failed, as I anticipated and as was to be 



FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 289 

easily seen. 3ri. — Heard to-day from Mr. Cardwell^ of 1870 
the entire defeat of the French under MacMahon, and their ^t. 51 
being shut up in Sedan. He had hardly left me when the 
astounding telegram reached me that the whole Army of 
MacMahon, who was grievously wounded, had capitulated catas- 
under the order of General de Wimpflfen, the Emperor ^^|J^ 
having surrendered himself as a prisoner to the King of 
Prussia. It is so overwhelming that one hardly knows 
how to realise it, but it is true. As yet Paris seems still 
determined to hold out, but it has hardly yet realised the 
overwhelming news and blow. The Prince Imperial seems 
not to be taken with his father. 8ih. — ^The Republic in xheThird 
Paris has been constituted, and seems determined not to Rci»»^^ 
make peace, but to defend Paris. The Prussians are 
marching on Paris. General Trochu is placed at the head 
of the Government, as Governor of Paris, with Messieurs 
Arago, Jules Favre, Gambetta, and other Republicans to 
support him. The Prince Imperial has reached England in 
safety and is at Hastings. Marshal MacMahon is not dead, 
but recovering from his severe wound in the thigh. lo/A. — 
The Prussians are pressing on Paris. Laon has surrendered, 
the fortress has been blown up, either by accident or design, 
and many lives were lost. 25^A. — ^All hopes of peace are 
at an end, as the Provisional Government will not agree to 
the terms of Armistice of the Prussians. Thiers has gone to 
Petersburg, which I don't think he likes. 

October 13. — Went to Chislehuist. At the Station had Meeting 
my Phaeton, and drove up to Camden House, a place ^^^ 
belonging to a Mr. Stock, where the Empress of the French is of the 
now residing. Asked to see her, and was at once admitted ^'^"^ 
and most graciously received. I found her much altered 
in appearance and naturally much depressed. She entered 
very fully into all that has happened and is happening, and 
was very unreserved in all she said. I felt most deeply for 
her. I was with her over an hour, and the conversation 
which passed was most interesting, igih. — Matters before 
Paris continue in the same state, and peace, though it cannot 
be very distant, one could imagine, seems still far from 

* War Secretary. 
VOL. I. U 



290 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1870 accomplishment, as neither side will advance towards the 

^T.51 views of the other, zg^h. — ^Yesterday evening I heard of 

the surrender of Metz, the whole of Bazaine's Army of 

Surrender 173,000 were laying down their arms, and becoming prisoners 

^ *** of war, with 3 Marshals of France and 6,000 Officers ! This 

is a most awful catastrophe for France, whose position now 

seems to be entirely hopeless. 30^*. — ^Heard more of the 

details of the surrender of Metz, and it becomes more 

and more extraordinary to my mind how such an Army 

should have surrendered without making a much more 

decisive effort to cut its way out, which one would 

suppose must have succeeded, had it been vigorously 

attempted. 

Ncw^mber 4. — ^There are prospects of an Armistice, 
Monsieur Thiers being now at Versailles to negotiate with 
Coimt Bismarck on the subject. 7th, — ^The negotiations 
for an Armistice have entirely failed and Monsieur Thiers 
Russia has left the Prussian Headquarters. 14/A. — Everybody is 
Md the full of an arrogant demand made by Russia to annul some 
Sea of the most important stipulations of the Treaty of 1856, 

as regards the neutralisation of the Black Sea.^ lyth. — 
Granville has written a very firm and most excellent de- 
spatch in reply to the Russian demands. It is very strong 
in the position it takes up. The state of affairs is extremely 
precarious, and it must now be seen what line Prussia is 
disposed to take, and whether she backs up Russia. Mr. 
Odo Russell^ is gone to Versailles on a mission in this 
sense. 18th. — ^Went to open the two new blocks of buildings 
for the Working Classes, erected off Ebury Street by Sir 
Sydney Waterlow and a Company. They are admirably 
built, and seem very perfect. After going over them, pre- 
sided at a large luncheon in a Marquee in the groimds. I 
was supported by the Lord Mayor, Shaftesbury, Ebury, &c. 

' By the Treaty of Paris the Black Sea was neutralised ; its waters 
and its ports thrown open to the mercantile marine ol every nation were 
formally and in perpetoity interdicted to the flag of war, either of the 
Powers possessing its coasts or of any other Power. 

' Third son of Major-General Lord George William Russell, G.C.B., 
and brother of the 9th Duke of Bedford. H.B.M.'s Attacks at Paris, after- 
wards Ambassador to the Court of Berlin. Created Baron AmpUuU, 1881. 



FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 291 

26th. — ^The Russian answer is come to Granville's despatch. 1870 
It is said to be conciliatory in language, but to adhere in ^t. 51 
every respect to the position originally taken up.* 

Late in the month the Duke made a short stay at 
Sandringham : ^ The new house seems quite charming, 
a very great improvement on the old one, and nicely 
furnished. It is warm and very comfortable, and feels 
quite dry.' 

December 2. — ^There has been a great sortie from Paris 
on Tuesday, when Generals Trochu and Ducrot headed the 
troops, and succeeded in driving the Germans back and 
holding a position which they had carried about five miles 
outside of Paris. The losses are very heavy on both sides 
and both parties daim a victory, yd. — ^The Prussians 
attacked the French yesterday in the position they had 
taken up, and are said to have driven them back upon 
Paris. The army of the Loire has also had a defeat by the 
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg's Army. ^ist. — ^The year 
ends very sadly, and a very melancholy year it has been in 
many respects, and the new one opens imder a very serious 
aspect. May God grant that under His blessing the 
prospect may yet mend. 

January i, 1871. — ^The year begins sadly and anxiously. 1871 
I am myself still far from well and begin the year alone, 
and moreover in bed. PoUtical matters are in a most 
serious and precarious state, and the future is most dreary. 
Added to this my poor dear old friend. Lord Frederick 
Paulet,' died at eleven o'clock to-day, as the result of the 
serious operation he had undergone. It is too sad — too 
melancholy. . . . 4th. — ^The bombardment of the Forts 
around Paris has commenced, and with apparent success 

' Aa a way oat of the difficulty, Bismarck suggested the holding in 
London of a conference of the Powers who had signed the Treaty of 1856. 
The suggestion was accepted, the conference assembled in January 1871, 
and eventually agreed to a Treaty abrogating the clause for the neutralisa- 
tion of the Black Sea. 

' Iieat.-General Lord Frederick Paulet, C.B., fifth son of the 13th Mar- 
quis of Winchester. Comptroller of the Household and Equerry to her 
late Royal UighneiS Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge. 

u 2 



292 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1871 for the Prussians. 6th, — There has been a severe engage- 
£t. 51 ment in the North of France near Arras, at a place called 
Bapaume, between General Faidherbe and the Army of 
Mantenfiel under General Goeben. Both sides claim the 
victory, but the French have certainly not been able to 
advance upon Paris. The bombardment continues, nth. — 
Matters look very bad for the French. The Bombardment 
of Paris has commenced. The Army of the Loire thoroughly 
defeated, and Le Mans taken by the Germans. The accounts 
of the French continue very bad, and their chances seem 
quite hopeless. 20th, — ^General Chanzy has been entirely 
defeated, and Le Mans has been occupied by the Germans. 
Bourbaki is equally defeated by General Werder near 
Bdfort. A sortie has again been made in force from Paris, 
but without any results. The object of the French, it is 
said, was Versailles, but this has entirely failed, zisi. — 
Saw Mr. Gladstone, who came to discuss the question of 
removal of the Horse Guards to Pall Mall, which he and 
Cardwell advocate, but to which I object. 23rd. — ^A great 
sortie has taken place on the 19th from Paris, but has been 
repulsed. It is supposed that this will have been the last 
effort of the Garrison to get out. Have heard that Jules 
Favre was at Versailles to treat for the Capitulation of 
Capituia- Paris. 2gih. — ^The Capitulation of Paris has been signed, 
Paris°' ^^^ ^^ ^^ ^ carried out at once with an armistice of three 
weeks throughout France, both by land and sea. A Con- 
stituent Assembly is at once to be called together in 
France, to decide upon Peace or War, the meeting to be at 
Bordeaux. I cannot but think that Peace will now be 
made, and I most sincerely hope so. 315^. — The armistice 
of Paris, and its Capitulation, has been finally agreed to. 
The revictualling of that great city will be a matter of 
great difficulty. 

February 2. — ^The terms of Peace, as stated from Berlin, 
are fearfully exacting I think. The whole of Alsace and 
Lorraine, twenty Ironclad Ships, Pondicherry in the East 
Indies, and four hundred miUions sterhng as an indenmity. 
It is thought that these cannot be really intended. The 
ships and the demand for Pondicherry imply an insult to 



FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 293 

England. 4/A. — ^The extravagant terms of Peace, or rather 1871 
demands for peace, are denied from Versailles. There are -^t. 51 
differences regarding the elections between the Delegate 
Government at Bordeaux and the Government at Paris, 
and M. Gambetta is very violent. 21s/. — ^Mr. Trevelyan 
brought forward his motion to-day in the shape of an attack 
upon myself, and my administration. Nothing could be 
more satisfactory than the debate, whidb was entirely in 
my favour, and in which many friends spoke out well, 
nobody more so than Bemal Osborne. The Division gave a 
majority of 118 against Mr. Trevelj^an, the numbers being 
202 against 83, so I hope this disagreeable question is now 
disposed of.^ 26^A. — ^Heard this Afternoon that Peace was 
to be signed to-day at Versailles. The terms are said to be 

' Mr. Trevdtyan'B motion, so far as it conoemed the Duke of Cam- 
bridge, was to the effect that in the opinion of the House no scheme for 
military reorganisation conld be regarded as complete which did not 
alter the tenure of the Command-in-Chief in such a manner as to enable 
the Secretary of State for War to avail himself freely of the best adminis- 
trative talent and the most recent military experience from time to time 
existing in the British Army. Mr. Treveljran, while admitting that the 
present occupant of the post of Commander-in-Chief had always done his 
very best for the Army and his country, insisted that the permanent holding 
of the office was not to the advantage of the Army or the country. After 
the motion had been seconded by Mr. Anderson, the feeling of the House 
speedily became clear. Speaker after speaker rose to defend the Duke. 
Lord Eustace Cedl gave the opinion that if the officers of the Army were 
polled, they would say by an immense majority that the Duke of Cam- 
bridge was the best man who could be found for the office of Commander- 
in-Chiel Until a more efficient man was discovered, he thought Mr. 
Trevelyan had better cease to say anjrthing about the merits or demerits 
of the present holder of the office. Viscount Bury, Colonel North, and 
others followed on the same side. Blr. Osborne, for whose defence the 
Duke has a spedal word of thanks, slyly suggested that Blr. Trevelyan 
was only repeating a speech that he had made on several previous occa- 
sions when he was ' starring ' it in the provinces. In blunt language he 
described the motion as one as to whether the Duke was to be turned 
out of the Horse Guards. Of His Royal Highness he said : ' I believe a 
more honest and conscientious man, and a man better fitted for the post, 
never presided at the Horse Guards.' Turning with scorn to Mr. 
Trevelyan, he said : ' He endeavours to raise a cloud around the Horse 
Guards ; he talks of purchase. Army agents, flogging, marking with the 
letter " D,*' and contagions diseases. He puts all these together, and he 
endeavours to saddle the Duke of Cambridge with this otta podnda, 
What has the Duke to do with it ? I protest against making the 
Commander-in-Chief the object of all this abuse.' 



294 



THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 



1871 



Peace at 
last 



Marriage 
of the 
Princess 
Louise 
and the 
Marquis 
of Xx)me 



fearfully hard. The cession of Alsace and Lorraine, in- 
cluding Metz, but excluding Belfort, ^£200,000,000 as an 
indemnity for the war, and the entrance of the Prussians 
into Paris. I think these terms are really fearful. 27th. — 
Peace was agreed upon at Versailles yesterday, and has 
now only to be ratified by the Assembly at Bordeaux. 
Everybody thinks the terms fearfully hard and quite over- 
powering for any country. March i. — ^The treaty of Peace 
has been ratified at Bordeaux. The Prussians, 30,000 
strong, entered Paris to-day without any opposition or con- 
fusion, after having been reviewed by the Emperor William 
at Longchamps. They are confined to the quarter of the 
Champs Elys6es up to the Place de la Concorde. 2nd. — 
Ever3rthing quiet at Paris, thank God. The National 
Assembly have ratified the treaty of Peace by an over- 
whelming majority, yd. — Paris was evacuated by the 
German Army this morning, and all passed off without 
accident, I rejoice to say. 19/A. — News arrived to-day of 
the rising of the Red RepubUcans in Paris, in the districts 
of Montmartre and Belleville, against the Government and 
National Assembly. They seized and shot two Generals 
in a most brutal manner. The troops have fraternised with 
the National Guard and people of disorder, and Vinoy with 
the Government and such troops as he could get to go with 
him have retired to Versailles. 

Windsor, March 21. — ^At twelve assembled in full dress 
for the marriage of Louise and Lome. Drove in proces- 
sion to St. George's Chapel, the Queen and bride following 
in another procession. There were Guards of Honour and 
Escorts ; the Hill was lined with Eton boys and public. 
The Chapel looked bright and beautiful. The Bride and 
Bridegroom behaved uncommonly well, and the Queen, 
who gave Louise away, seemed as happy and pleased as 
possible. Nothing could have gone off better, or been 
better arranged. After the ceremony, we all signed our 
names to the Marriage Register. Then the Queen saw the 
Guests in the State Drawing Room, and then the Royalties 
lunched with the Queen in the Oak Room, a party of twenty- 
four, the Queen herself giving the health of the newly 



FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 295 

married couple. At four they started for Claremont under 1871 
a positive shower of old shoes, and through a dense crowd, -®T. 51 
all through Windsor and along the Long Walk. 

London, March 22. — ^The news from Paris continues 
very bad. The Reds have taken possession of the Head 
Quarters of the National Guards and the Place Vend6me. 
23fii. — The Emperor Napoleon having arrived at Chisle- Meeting 
hiust on Monday, I went down to-day by train from Charing Emp«w 
Cross at 11.45, to pay him a visit. He received me most Napoleoa 
warmly and kindly, and I found him looking remarkably 
wen, grown stout, and she also much improved in looks. 
He was much more cheerful than one would have expected. 
He talked much of all that was going on, and I was with 
them for over an hour. They were sadly distressed at the 
events at Paris, where we heard to-day that there had 
been a sad collision between the Reds and a demonstration 
of the well disposed in the Rue de la Paix, the latter having 
gone unarmed to attempt to force their way into the 
Place Vend6me, which was resisted by the Montmartre 
and Belleville men, who fired on the well disposed, and 
many were killed and wounded. Paris seems to be in a 
most complete state of anarchy. 

(From the Queen) 

Windsor Castle, March 35. 

Let me wish you many happy returns of your Birthday iEt 52 
in health and happiness ! You know how sincere my 
wishes for your welfare ever have been, and I pray that 
you may long be spared to your relations, and to your 
country, to which, as well as to your Sovereign, 3^u have 
ever shown yourself so devoted. 

Diary y March 29. — ^The Queen to-day opened the Albert Opening 
Hall, going there in State. Mary, Francis and myself were ^^ 
invited there to meet her, and went there in uniform. The HaU 
Hall looked very handsome and was very full, the music 
sounded well. The Queen performed her part admirably 
and with great dignity, and appeared in good spirits. 



296 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1871 Louise and Lome accompanied her, besides all the members 
^T. 52 of the family. After an address to the Queen, read by the 
Prince of Wales, and her short response, and a Prayer by 
the Bishop of London,^ the Queen remained in her box for 
a reUgious Cantata by Sir Michael Costa, and then retired. 
... As a speculation the Hall seems to be too large and 
vast, and will never answer, but the success of the cere- 
monial was complete. 
The April 3. — ^The Paris Commune made a Sortie from 

li?^e of ^^"^ towards Versailles yesterday. The troops of the 
Pftris Government went out to meet tixem and the Socialists 
were thoroughly defeated, and many of them killed. The 
Troops seem to have been staunch and to have fought well. 
Flourens and Duval, leaders of the Communists, were killed. 
The state of Paris itself continues to be as bad as possible, 
and a fearful reign of terror seems to be going on among 
the population. 

May I. — ^Mary and Francis came to breakfast with me, 
and we went together to the opening of the Annual Inter- 
national Exhibition. The Prince of Wales opened it in 
the Queen's name, the Count and Coimtess of Flanders, 
who have just come over, accompanied him, he going in 
State with the road Uned with Cavalry. The day was 
lovely, and all went off very well. The Ceremony of pre- 
senting deputations and opening the Exhibition took place 
at the Glass House of the Horticultural Gardens, and we 
afterwards went round the rooms occupied by the various 
things that are exhibited. The chief objects of interest 
seemed to be the pictures, which are numerous and appeared 
good. lyth. — Dined at the Cambridge Asylum Dhmer at 
Willis's Rooms. It was not a successful meeting as regards 
money, for we only got £500, though many people dined there 
we knew. igth. — Dined at Willis's Rooms, in the Chair for 
the Annual Dinner of the Royal Engineers. At ten to the 
Palace for a State Ball. On arrival there was horrified to 
hear that Arthur had met with an accident, having fallen 
out of a window, leaning against a wire blind across an open 
window, which broke. He is much bruised and shaken, 

' Dr. John Jackson. 



FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 297 

but it is, thank God, nothing serious, though it might have 1871 
been. 25th. — Paris has been entered by the Versailles ^T. 52 
troops since Simday. Fighting has been going on ever 
since. Paris is in flames. The Tuileries, Hdtel de Ville, 
parts of the Louvre and Palais Royal, and various Minist^res 
and public buildings are all burned down. The destruc- 
tion is deplorable and fearful. Petroleum has been largely 
used by the Communists to cause this destruction. The 
loss of life is said to be fearful, the destruction of property 
terrible. The troops are gaining groimd in all directions, 
but poor Paris is in ruins. It is a fearful and awful catas- 
trophe, by far the most painful event of modem times. I 
trust it may be a warning and lesson to all other countries. 
Most of the leaders of the Conunune have either been shot 
or are taken. . . . 27th. — Paris is said to be in a fearful 
state : fighting is still going on, but the town is nearly in 
possession of the Government troops imder Marshal Mac- 
Mahon. The destruction of life and property is quite 
awful. June 13. — ^Went down to Chislehurst and paid a 
visit to the poor Emperor Napoleon, whom I found looking 
better and in fair spirits, though he had been, and who can 
wonder, very ill. The Empress only came in for a moment, 
as she was going to London. I had a most interesting 
conversation with him on all the grave events that have 
occurred in recent times. 14th. — ^To Wellington Barracks 
where I looked carefully at the Prussian 4 lbs. breech- 
loading field-gun, which had been sent over as a present by 
the Prussian Government. It is an interesting gun, but I 
much prefer our own gun and its manufacture, as far as I 
could judge of it in a very cursory manner, lyth. — Drove 
with Arthur to the Soldiers' Daughters' Home at Hamp- 
stead, where I took the Chair at their Annual Meeting. 
I had to speak and others also, and all passed off well. 
The children, 159 in number, looked very nice, and the 
buildings seem quite excellent. A good many people were 
there, and Lord Overstone made a most amiable speech 
about myself in seconding a vote of thanks to me. 21s/. — 
Was present to-day when the Queen opened St. Thomas's 
Hospital. All the Members of the Royal Family were 



298 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1871 present. The Ceremony was short and very simple, and 
-St. 52 the buildings are very spacious, z^rd. — ^Went at five to 
the Queen's Breakfast Party at Buckingham Palace. It 
was an imfortunate afternoon, very cold, and came on to 
rain, which spoilt very much what otherwise would have 
been a very pretty fSte. Jtdy 19. — ^Went to Covent Garden 
to join my family there, it being Mario's ^ last night before 
retiring from the stage. He sang quite beautifully in 
La Favorita, and had a most magnificent ovation from 
the entfre audience. 

In August the Duke left London for Germany, ^ taking 
charge of Mary and her three children as far as Rumpen- 
heim.* Upon the arrival of the party in Brussels *the 
King of the Belgians came to fetch us in his carriage and four 
and take us to Laeken for luncheon, the suite following in 
another carriage and four. Laeken is a charming place, a 
large Park, through which we drove to the Palace, nicdy 
situated. Some of the Corps Diplomatique were asked to 
meet us. We had an excellent luncheon, almost a dinner. 
The King drove us home again to the Hotel, and thence 
we went to the Station to proceed with our journey, . . . 
Reached Cologne an hour after time, and the train to 
Frankfort had left. Mary with her children decided to 
remain for the night in the Belgian carriage we had to 
Frankfort. CUfton and I tried to get in at the Station 
Hotel, and also at the Hdtel du Nord. Both were full, and 
after having a light supper at the latter place returned to the 
Station, and also remained for the night in the carriage.' 

Throughout a part of September, after his return from 

the Continent, the Duke was in residence at the Queen's 

ManoBu- Pavilion at Aldershot, and at the close of the manoeuvres 

Aldershot which took place he writes : ' Thus ended a most successful 

fortnight of military operations, which I think has been 

creditable to the Army, and has satisfied the Foreigners 

' Giuseppe Mario (1810-83), the famous tenor. 



FRANCE'S DARK HOUR 299 

that it is in a far better state than they had any idea of. 1871 
Of course faults were committed, but they are all correct- ^'^' 52 
able. Having said good-bye to our foreign visitors on the 
Ground, who expressed themselves as extremely grateful 
to us for our dviUty and hospitality, I had a meeting of 
General and Commanding Officers at the PaviUon Hut, 
when I expressed to them my satisfaction generally at the 
proceedings that had taken place, pointing out such defects 
as seemed most salient. Then returned to London after 
a most happy and interesting and successful fortnight's 
stay, which has done me a great deal of good in every 
respect.* 

Diary y September 23. — ^Went to War Office, where, alas ! 
the dear old Horse Guards are now estabUshed. It is a 
sad change, and the state of discomfort from all being 
unfinished is something really quite dreadful, and makes 
me feel very imhappy. 

Describmg his arrival at the end of September at Raby 
Castle to join the Duke of Cleveland's shooting party, the 
Duke of Cambridge writes : * A very fine old house. You 
drive actually into the Hall, and get out of the carriage 
with a large fire by your side.' On the following day, * the 
Duke showed me the Baron's Hall, a magnificent old oak 
room and very ancient, in which it is said the rising of the 
North was decided upon. It is completely furnished as a 
very large Drawing Room, but not often used. After 
luncheon the Duchess showed me the Kitchen, which is old 
and curious.' The weather was most unpropitious, for it 
rained continuously imtil the day of the Duke's return to 
London, when it was fine. ^ It was a provokingly fine day 
after aU the very bad weather we have continuously had 
whilst in the North.' 

October 30. — Saw poor dear old Forster,* who gives up 

* General Foftter. 



300 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1871 office on the ist as my Military Secretary. I lose him with 
^T. 52 the greatest regrets, and think that it is hard upon him that 
he should be obliged to go at such short notice. Nobody 
could have worked harder for and with me than he has done, 
and he has been in every sense a most faithful pubUc servant, 
and a most loyal coadjutor to me. 



CHAPTER XIII 

ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 

1871-72 

Anxioas letters from Saadringham — ^The crisis reached — ^The Duke 
obtains leave to go to Saadringham — ^A night of anxiety — ^A nation in 
sospense— Dawning hopes — Daily bulletins to the Duchess of Cam- 
bridge-*-The Princess of Wales's courage — Slow return of the IVince 
to health — ^The Duke once more at Sandringham — ^Received by the 
Prince— The great Thanksgiving service at St. Paul's — ^The Queen's 
fears — A great national success — The Prince's illness and the 
Republicans 

In the last weeks of 1871 the nation learned with con- 1871 
stemation that the Prince of Wales was l]Hng at Sandringham ^ 

dangerously ill with typhoid fever. To all the news 
brought a thrill of genuine sorrow and unaffected alarm, 
but to the Duke of Cambridge, who entertained for the 
Prince the warmest regard and affection, it meant of course 
much more. 

Throughout the early days of the malady, when hope 
and fear were alternately in the ascendant, the Duke 
remained in London eagerly looking for the messages which 
followed one another in rapid succession. Later, when 
the crisis of the disease was approaching, he could no longer 
stand the strain of waiting, and hurried to Sandringham 
to be as near as possible to the patient. So large a place 
did the Prince's iUness occupy in the Duke's thoughts, and 
in his diary, that the subject demands a chapter to itself. 

Diary^ November 23. — ^Heard this morning from Sand- 
ringham that the Prince of Wales has been taken very ill 



302 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1871 with t3rphoid fever. He had been far from well, but it 
^T. 52 has now fully declared itself. Of course this makes one 
Early feel very anxious. 24/A. — ^Received anxious letters from 
tiT^iSi^^ Sandringham, the Prince being very ill, but — thank God 
— without any bad symptoms thus far. 25/A. — ^Heard of 
the Prince of Wales being most seriously iU with typhoid 
fever. The impression is that it was taken at the party 
at Londesborough Lodge, Scarborough, as Chesterfield is also 
seriously ill with a similar fever, and all those who were 
of the party were more or less affected. It is a most serious 
matter and we are all fnost anxious. 27th. — ^The accounts 
from Sandringham are very alarming. Sir W. Jenner 
and Dr. Gull ^ are in constant attendance ; the fever is 
excessive, the deUrium severe. 28th, — ^Matters very grave 
at Sandringham. The Prince was very ill indeed yester- 
day and great anxiety felt. He is very deUrious and in a 
high state of fever. 2gth. — ^Accounts from Sandringham 
veiy anxious. I asked leave to go, but was requested 
not to come at present. The Queen, I rejoice to say, 
goes there to-day. December i. — ^Poor dear Alix's birth- 
day, a painful day for her, dear child I The news is not 
good, I grieve to say, and to-day we have heard of the 
death of poor Chesterfield, which took place early this 
morning unexpectedly, as he had been going on better and 
hopes were entertained for his ultimate recovery. It is 
too melancholy, and I am much distressed. 2nd. — ^The 
accounts from Sandringham this morning prove that the 
crisis on Thursday night was a most grave one, and that 
great danger existed for a time, but that it is happily gone 
over for the moment. 4/A. — Matters seem gradually to 
improve, but the fever, alas, continues. 8th. — The accounts 
this morning from Sandringham are most alarming. Last 
night a serious crisis seems to have set in. The fever has 
greatly increased, with decided congestion of one lung. 
Alfred ^ came to see me in great distress, poor boy I He 
is going at once to Sandringham. The Queen is also going 
again with Louise. . . . Worse telegrams kept reaching 

* Aiterwardi Sir William GttU. 
' The Duke of Edinburgh. 



ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 303 

me all day, and this afternoon one from Alice ^ was so bad, 1871 
that the end seemed at hand. I telegraphed for leave Mt.^z 
to go down myself, for I felt most miserable. I decided 
upon going down in the morning at all hazards, gth. — 
Got a telegram from Alfred during the night, sajdng I 
might come. Sent ofiE for a special train. Got rather a 
better account this morning. The night was quiet and 
the spasm seemed to have passed away. Left by special The Duke 
train from Shoreditch Station at 10.45, and reached Wol- |^^j^- 
ferton at 1.30. Found on arrival that the day had been so ham 
far quiet. I limched with the young people, who are all 
here — Louise, Beatrice, Alfred, Arthiu", Leopold : then saw 
Alice, whom I thought looking very ill and much distressed ; 
then dear Alix, who was wonderfully calm and self-possessed, 
but looking better than I had anticipated. Later on I saw 
the Queen, who was calm and anxious. Saw Jenner and 
Gull, both more hopeful. The danger is great, but it is not 
quite a hopeless case, they say. The anxiety of the House- 
hold, high and low, is intense. I am put up at KnoUys' 
house. Dined with the young people. After dinner I 
thought Gull more anxious, and the prospect for the night 
seemed grave. Bertie has been frequently sick, and seems 
less disposed to take nourishment. We all went to bed 
soon after eleven, very anxious and downcast, lolh, — 
This morning's account was slightly less bad, but yet the 
anxiety continues intense. The fever still continues to 
rage, and the Itmg seems much affected, or rather the air 
tubes of the lung. I went to Church for the second part 
of the Service, as Alix wanted to go alone into her pew for 
the first part. Had luncheon with the Queen and family. 
We remained near at hand in great anxiety all the after- 
noon. Frequent paroxysms of difficulty of breathing 
took place, and the fever still continued to rage violently. 
Went to bed anxious and with a heavy heart. 11th. — ^The 
awfulness of this morning, I shall never, never forget as long 
as I live. Between six and seven the General'' knocked 
at my door to say we were sent for to the house. I rushed 
out of bed, dressed hurriedly, and ran to the house in 

* Princess Alice ol Hesse. ' General Sir William Knollys. 



anxiety 



304 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1871 intense agony. The morning was desperately cold, and 
^T.52 the damp rose from the snow on the gromid. On arrival 
found all assembled near the dear patient's room : a severe 
Anight paroxysm of difficulty of breathing having come on after 
^n-rtf%»v frequent attacks of a similar character during the whole 
of a most restless night. All looked bewildered and over- 
come with grief, but the doctors behaved nobly, no ffinch- 
ing, no loss of courage, only intense anxiety. I went into 
the outer lobby, where the medicines were being prepared, 
and nourishment mixed, and could hear the heavy breathing 
of the dear Prince, but was struck by the power of his dear 
voice, for he continually talked wanderingly, whenever the 
breath was sufficient to do so. After some time of intense 
anxiety, the paroxysm subsided and we began again to 
hope, but our hopes were faint indeed ! However towards 
ten, matters seemed rather to mend, at all events to quiet 
down. Later, however, matters looked very bad again, 
as at four violent delirium again set in. Had a long inter- 
view with Jenner and Gull, who said the case was not hope- 
less yet : but the anxiety was great. Went back with the 
General at 11.30, fearing we might again be summoned. 
12th. — The night was bad, no rest ; constant delirium 
and incessant talking, the air tubes greatly congested, 
constant difficulty of breathing, but still another twenty- 
four hours had been gained, and hope was thus kept up. 
Saw dear Alix for a few moments at tea. She was rather 
more hopeful. Her conduct is truly splendid — ^firm and jret 
overwhelmed with grief. Everything looks bad this evening, 
and the doctors are most anxious. Again went home with a 
heavy heart. 13^*. — Grateful again this morning that we 
were allowed to pass through the night without having 
been called, but the night was bad, and the delirium with 
incessant talking continues uninterruptedly. The anxiety 
and grief at the house are intense, all looking forward to 
to-morrow with intense alarm, that being a most ominous 
day, the anniversary of the death of the Prince G)nsort. 
Everybody writes, everybody telegraphs, aU being intent 
for news. The alarm and consternation and excitement 
in London are terrific, the loyalty displayed by the entire 



ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 305 

nation is sublime. The newspapers write quite beautifully 1871 
without any distinction of party. This was the most ^T.52 
intensely painful day I ever spent in my life. Saw the 
doctors frequently ; their anxiety is on the increase. Still 
nourishment is taken, but no abatement of the delirium, 
and the pulse slightly giving way. Musurus * came from 
London, sent expressly by the Sultan to make personal 
inquiry. Went away with the General at eleven, fully 
expecting he could not possibly outUve the night. 14/A. — 
The ominous day has arrived and yet, praised be God, 
he lives, and he has slept at times during the night, with 
a less amoimt of deliriimi, so that again we hope. . . . 
The coimtenances at the house are certainly more cheer- Dawning 
ful, the doctors more happy. . . . Sat about all day ^°P®* 
waiting anxiously for better news. By degrees this came, 
and the evening bulletin was decidedly more hopeful, 
the breathing easier, a good deal of sleep, pulse and tempera- 
ture better, the fever evidently subsiding. Went back 
to bed with far more cheerful thoughts. i$th, — The 
Prince has passed a quiet night with a great deal of sleep, 
all the symptoms are improved, and we begin to look with 
hope to the future. . . . Had tea with dearest Alix, 
She looked much happier and easier in her mind. Had a 
long conversation with Gull, who is now most hopeful and 
cheerful. God has, in His mercy, heard all our prayers, and 
we have indeed cause to be grateful to Him. Am going to bed 
comparatively happy, after these fearful days of suspense. 

To the Duchess of Cambridge, who was at this time BuiietinB 
in Strelitz, the Duke sent almost daily bulletins. * Thank Duchess 
God,' he wrote on the 15th, * things have taken a more ^^d*™ 
favourable turn, and with God's blessing our dear Prince 
will be spared to us yet. But it has been a fearful crisis. 
No words can describe the agony we have all endured, 
particularly last Wednesday, when he appeared to be gradu- 
ally sinking — ^nobody here thought it possible he could 
outlive the night. Happily sleep supervened, and since 

> The Torkish Ambassador. 
VOL. I. X 



306 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1871 then he has been gradually, though very slowly, improving. 
^T. 52 We see daylight ahead, but still it is an anxious time, as he 
is very prostrate, but it is from the effects of the fever and 
not from actual fever. Things are so hopeful that the 
younger members of the family go to-morrow, but I propose 
to stay, with Alix's leave, till Monday. I have just had 
tea with dearest Alix. She sends you her affectionate 
love, as to all of you. She is, thank God, well and bears 
up splendidly. The Queen is most kind. She now goes 
to his bedside and he just recognises her, and to-day actually 
kissed her hand and thanked her for coming. Gull has 
been an angel in this dreadful trial, and deserves the blessings 
of the nation.' The progress of the Prince towards recovery, 
if slow, was now steady, and on the following Sunday the 
Duke of Cambridge, who had remained at Sandringham, 
went again to Church. *With what different sentiments 
did we enter that sacred edifice the week before. Then 
we prayed in fear, now in hope and comparative assur- 
ance.' On the following day His Royal Highness retimied 
to London. *The feehngs with which I have returned 
are indeed hopeful and jo3rful, and very different from those 
with which I went down to Sandringham, when I little 
thought that dear Bertie could recover from his fearful 
illness.' Fluctuations, of course, there were in the Prince's 
progress, and for some time they continued to cause no 
little alarm. 'Got an uncomfortable account from 
Sandringham to-day [December 27]. Bertie was more 
feverish, and had a nasty pain above his hip, and had also 
had some spasms in the throat. His recovery is thus 
retarded, and it is extremely slow.' Or again, on the follow- 
ing day, * Went early to Clarence House to see Alice, who 
has come up to London for one night. She gives but a 
tolerable account of her brother.' Of the Queen's anxiety 
during these terrible days, when the Prince lay between death 
and life, we catch a glimpse inuone of her letters to the Duke 



ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 307 

of Cambridge. * It was, if not a sad, yet at any rate a very 1871 
serious Christmas to us all,' she wrote in answer to the ^^.52 
Duke's Christmas wishes, * from the recent weeks of terrible 
anxiety and also for the consciousness that dear Bertie is The 
still in an anxious state. His recovery is so slow, and there anxiety 
are such fluctuations from day to day, that I must own I 
do not feel easy about him. Sir William Jenner is gone 
down there to-day, and I am going down either to-morrow 
or Thursday, when I shall hope to hear more about the 
real state of the dear patient.' 

In spite of the occasional relapses and sudden alarms 1872 
which mark the period of convalescence after a ravaging 
disease, the Prince fought his way surely and steadily back 
to health, and at the beginning of February the Duke of 
Cambridge was able joyously to write : * Went down to 
Sandringham, arriving at 9 p.m., and was received by His 
Royal Highness looking wonderfully well, really younger 
than before his great illness. He sat with me whilst I had 
my dinner, and talked over all the events which had hap- 
pened during his illness. Nothing could be nicer or more 
affectionate than he was, and I really was more gratified 
at seeing his general condition than I could have beheved 
possible after such an illness.' The Duke's visit lasted 
for four days, and on the morrow of his arrival, Saturday, 
February 3 : * We breakfasted together soon after ten, 
the Prince being up and dressed and looking wonderfully 
well. Edward,^ with Gleichen,' Lord Hamilton,' and Teesdale,^ 
then left for London, and the Prince rode out, for his 
first ride, with dearest Alix, who looks happy and 
well, Alfred, myself, and some of the gentlemen. He 

' Prince Edward of Weimar. 

' Connt Gleichen (Prince Victor Hohenlohe-Langenburg). 

' Afterwards 2nd Dnke of Abercom. Groom of the Stcde to the 
Prince of Wales. 

* Afterwards Sir Christopher Teesdale, K.C.B. Eqoerry to the Prince 
of Wales. 



3o8 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1872 enjoyed it much and it did not seem to hurt him. Returned 
^T.52; at two for limcheon, and then walked out with the Prince, 
Alfred, and Onslow ^ for an hour. He is still rather lame, 
but it is not much seen and is going ofiE. At five, to tea 
in Alix's room. Sir William Gull joined us, having come 
down from London, and we talked away till dinner-time at 
eight, when I dined with Bertie, AKx, and Alfred, and we 
remained together till 10.30. Sunday. — . . . Went to 
Church at 11.30, the Prince going also for the first time, 
for the Prayers only ; I remained to the end of the Service. 
Then at home till luncheon time, after which we all walked 
out together, including the Prince and Princess, and looked 
at the horses, dogs, etc. . . . Afterwards wrote letters, 
and had tea with AUx at five. Dined at eight, sat together 
till 10.30. Monday. — Breakfasted at ten, then took leave 
of the dear Prince and Princess, and started for London by 
the 10.57 from Wolferton, with Alfred, Gull, EUiot Yorke, 
and Fitzmaurice, arriving at St. Pancras 3.30. Went to 
the Horse Guards. Dined at Granville's, a full-dress 
dinner for the Queen's Speech, and afterwards to a party 
at Mr. Gladstone's.' 

Although the Prince continued to make such good 
progress, the Queen could not contemplate without some 
anxiety his taking part in the great Thanksgiving Service 
The great at St. Paul's. * I cannot deny,' Her Majesty wrote to the 
ving Duke of Cambridge the day before the Service, *that I 
look with considerable dread to the dreadful fatigue of 
to-morrow, which I think will be too much for Bertie, 
and for which / am not feehng either very equal. I 
was willing and very anxious to show my warm acknow- 
ledgment of the loyalty and sympathy shown on this 
occasion, but do not — I must say — like religion to be made 
a vehicle for a great show. That is what I so much dis- 
like. The simple. Thanksgiving, more than a month ago, 

' Rector of Sandringham. 



ervice 



ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 309 

was the right religious act, and this public show ought — 1872 
in my opinion — to have been for a different object. ^T.52 
I know many feel this very incongruous, but it seems it 
would have been difficult to manage anything else, and 
so we must hope that we shall have fine weather, and 
my good people wiU be gratified. If only no accidents 
occur ! ' Happily, on the eventful day Her Majesty's 
fears were not realised, as is shown by the entry in the 
Duke of Cambridge's diary : 

February 27. — ^Thanksgiving Day. The morning looked 
fine and the day turned out beautiful for the occasion, 
though the wind was cold. At 11.30 drove to Buckingham 
Palace with my two State Carriages and three Equerries 
with an escort. There joined the Queen's procession, 
which started exactly at twelve, the Speaker leading, 
then the Lord Chancellor,^ then myself, and then the 
Queen's procession following. It was a most glorious 
sight, the crowds enormous, their enthusiasm and loyalty 
overpowering and unbounded, the troops lining the Streets 
the entire way there and back. We went by Stable Yard, 
Pall Mall, the Strand, Temple Bar, Fleet Street and Ludgate 
Hill. The ceremony in the interior of the Cathedral was 
simple but very impressive. About 14,000 people were 
accommodated. The Archbishop of Canterbury * preached. 
We returned by the Holbom Viaduct and Holbom, Oxford 
Street, the Marble Arch, Hyde Park and Constitution Hill, 
and were home by 3.30. The whole thing was magnificent, 
and a great national success. The Queen was delighted, 
and the Prince got through it well, though he was fatigued 
at last. Lord Lucan commanded the troops. Prince 
Edward the Infantry, and Sir Thomas MacMahon the 
Cavalry. The order and regularity were splendid. 

One aspect of the Prince's illness — ^its effect upon the 
republican movement in Great Britain — did not escape 
the attention of the Duke of Cambridge. In most countries 

> Lord Hatherley. • Dr. Archibftld Campbell Tait. 



310 THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE 

1872 governed under monarchical institutions there is an under- 
-^T. 52 current of republicanism which comes to the surface from 
^^ time to time with varjdng degrees of strength. In Great 

Pdnce's Britain in the early seventies the movement assumed 
and the ^ vigour and an audacity which it had not shown for many 
H^M^ a long year. The continuing success of the great Trans- 
atlantic Republic and the triumphant erection of the 
Republic in France encouraged the opponents of the 
Monarchy in this country to preach their doctrines with 
open and redoubled vehemence, while the seed which they 
sowed fell on ground already prepared by social discontent 
and economic disaster. To the Republicans it seemed as 
if not only the hour had struck, but the man too had been 
found in the person of Sir Charles Dilke. The series of 
lectures on the expenses of Royalty, which the young 
baronet delivered throughout the North of England in the 
Autumn of 1871, provoked a torrent of stormy indignation 
and a good deal of noisy declamation of vague republican 
principles. When the agitation was at its height, however^ 
the Prince of Wales f eU ill, and in the national anxiety for the 
Prince's life and the universal rejoicing for his recovery 
the prophets of republicanism were forgotten, and their 
altars were allowed to grow cold. In his letters to his 
mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke makes many 
references to the discomfiture of the Republicans. * The 
Country behaves splendidly, there is but one feeling of 
loyalty and attachment to the Throne. They are sound 
to the backbone. The Republicans say their chances are 
up — ^thank God for this. Heaven has sent us this dispensa- 
tion to save us.' Or again : ^ The beautiful loyal feeling 
of the nation has shown itself in a most striking manner. 
Even old Geoige Bentinck said to me last night he was 
perfectly happy now, for he saw that the old loyalty of 
the nation existed in as marked a manner as ever and 
would, he thought, save the Country, in which I fuUy 



ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 311 

agree with him.* Finally, after describing the Thanks- 1872 
giving Service, he writes : * It really was the most heart- ^'^' 52 
stirring thing I ever witnessed and the success complete, 
a most perfect success. I wish, dear, you could have seen 
it, for it would have done your heart good to have witnessed 
the loyalty and good feeling of the people, and England has 
again shown itself a great and powerful and monarchical 
nation.' 

It only remains to be added that the Duke of Cambridge 
was present at the fete held ' imder the auspices of Alfred 
and the other members of the Royal Family ' at the Crystal 
Palace, on May i, in celebration of the Prince's recovery, 
and at the concert a few days later at the Albert Hall, of 
which he writes : * Went to the Albert Hall, where there 
was a large vocal and instrumental concert, conducted by 
Monsieur Gounod, with a " Te Deum " for the Prince of 
Wales's Recoveiy. The Queen, the Empress, and King of 
the Belgians, and aU the Royal Family, attended. The 
music sounded weU, and the Hall was quite filled.' 



END OF THE FIRST VOLUME' 



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