Most of the future Queen's early years were passed at Kensington Palace in great privacy and retirement. She was often seen, however, in Kensington Gardens, her constant companion in her walks being Miss, afterwards Baroness Lehzen. Leigh Hunt, referring to this period, mentions in his "Old Court Suburb," having seen her "coming up a cross path from the Bayswater Gate, with a girl of her own age by her side"--probably the Princess Feodore, her beloved half-sister and constant companion of her girlhood--"whose hand she was holding, as if she loved her.... A magnificent footman in scarlet came behind her." The youthful Princess was sometimes driven in a goat or donkey carriage in the park and gardens, and, as she grew older, in a small phæton, drawn by two diminutive ponies. The following gives a little glimpse of our Queen at this early period of her life: "A party consisting of several ladies, a young child, and two men servants, having in charge a donkey gaily caparisoned with blue ribbons, and accoutered for the use of the infant ... who skipped along between her mother and sister, the Princess Feodore, holding a hand of each." =The Queen's Childhood at Kensington Palace.= In further illustration of the Queen's life as a little girl with her mother at Kensington Palace, we cannot do better than quote what Mr. Holmes, writing with authority as the Queen's Librarian at Windsor Castle, tells us in his interesting work, "Queen Victoria," which, as he remarks, presents for the first time an accurate account of the childhood of the Queen. "During these early years, and before a regular course of studies had been attempted, the family life at the Palace was simple and regular. Breakfast was served in summer at eight o'clock, the Princess Victoria having her bread and milk and fruit on a little table by her mother's side. After breakfast the Princess Feodore studied with her governess, Miss Lehzen, and the Princess Victoria went out for a walk or drive. It has been repeatedly said that at this time she was instructed by her mother; but this is not the case, as the Duchess never gave her daughter any lessons. At two there was a plain dinner, when the Duchess had her luncheon. In the afternoon was the usual walk or drive. At the time of her mother's dinner the Princess had her supper laid at her side. At nine she was accustomed to retire to her bed, which was placed close to her mother's...." [Illustration: THE PRINCESS VICTORIA IN 1825. (After a picture by G. Fowler.)] "It was not till the Princess had entered her fifth year that she began to receive any regular instruction.... In this determination not to force her daughter's mind, the Duchess of Kent acted on the counsel of her mother, who had advised her 'not to tease her little puss with learning while she was so young.' The advice was justified by results, for the Princess made rapid progress."