THE GIRLHOOD OF QUEEN VICTORIA THE GIRLHOOD OF QUEEN VICTORIA A SELECTION FROM HER MAJESTY’S DIARIES BETWEEN THE YEARS 1832 AND 1840 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING EDITED BY VISCOUNT ESHER, G.C.B., G.C.V.O. IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. I LONDON JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. 1912 In the preparation of this book much is due to the ungrudging help given to the Editor by the late Mr. Hugh Childers in the tedious and complicated task of tracing the numerous references to persons and places mentioned in the Queen’s Journals. Mr. Hugh Childers rendered valuable service to the Editors of _The Letters of Queen Victoria_, and in the preparation of this book his labour and trouble were no less freely expended under trying circumstances of failing health. His loss is deeply regretted by the Editor. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PREFACE These extracts from the early Journals of Queen Victoria have been edited by command of her son, King Edward VII., and under the gracious auspices of her grandson, King George V. The Editor feels bound to express his humble gratitude to the King, and his deep obligation to the Queen, for the encouragement and assistance he has received from their Majesties in the preparation of these volumes. Without the Queen’s help and exact historical knowledge of the period covered by the Journals, many imperfections in the editing of them would have passed unnoticed. The Editor must also return his warmest thanks to H.R.H. Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, whose retentive memory of the persons mentioned in the text has been unreservedly and generously brought to bear upon the notes to these volumes, and to H.R.H. Princess Henry of Battenberg, to whose pious regard for her Mother’s memory, as Executrix of Queen Victoria’s Will, the publication of the Journals may be ascribed. Furthermore, he is anxious to thank Lord Rosebery for his friendly co-operation in having read the proofs, and for many valuable suggestions. And, finally, he cannot sufficiently acknowledge the care lavished upon the publication of this book by his friend John Murray, junior, whose inherited gifts have been placed unreservedly at the disposal of the Editor. CONTENTS PAGES INTRODUCTION 1–41 CHAPTER I 1832