But of all the sad events of this reign, the one which has been longest and most deeply felt is the death of the Prince Consort, the good and beloved husband of the Queen. Until he died, the people themselves did not know how needful he was to her in relieving her of the cares of governing, how much good he had otherwise done them, and how truly he loved them. Many of the improvements made in this reign were owing to him: he planned better houses for the poor to live in; he encouraged farmers to cultivate their land more carefully and to rear good cattle; he patronised and encouraged Arts and Sciences; in short, I cannot tell you how wise and prudent he was, and how many good things he did, nor how much and how sincerely he is regretted. Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort had nine children; the eldest of whom, the Princess Royal, is married to the Crown Prince of Prussia; the second, the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, is married to the Princess Alexandra of Denmark; and the third, the Princess Alice, who was married to Prince Louis of Hesse, died in 1878; the Princess Helena is married to Prince Christian; the Princess Louise, to the Marquis of Lorne, son of the Duke of Argyle; the Duke of Edinburgh is married to the only daughter of the Emperor of Russia, and the Duke of Connaught to the daughter of Prince Charles of Prussia; Prince Leopold, and Princess Beatrice. And now, dear Arthur, before I end the story of what has happened thus far in our beloved Queen’s reign, I have to add something that seemed likely to be one of its saddest events, but I trust may prove, by God’s blessing, one of the happiest. Just ten years after the death of the good Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales was seized with the same sort of fever, at the age of thirty. He was so ill that prayer was made for him in all the churches; but three days afterwards he began to get better. The love shown by the Queen and all the Royal family in watching round his bed made them dearer than ever to the nation; and the deep anxiety of all the people for their Prince gave such a proof of their loyalty as I scarcely remember. I want my dear Arthur to learn well the great lesson of _loyalty_ as well as _liberty_. It is our happiness always to enjoy a settled government, not subject to change, under a royal family, kept quietly and regularly at the head of the state; so that we may show love and honour to our country by loving and honouring _them_; and especially when we have a Queen and royal family whose virtues deserve all our love and loyalty. But it is time to finish our little History, which I hope you will remember; and I also hope that it will help you to understand larger and better histories by-and-by. THE END. Transcriber’s Notes pg 2 Changed: they had coarse earthern bowls and pitchers to: they had coarse earthen bowls and pitchers pg 51 Changed: WILLIAM III.—1087 to 1100. to: WILLIAM II.—1087 to 1100.