In July, 1834, the Princess Victoria was confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Howley) in the Chapel Royal, St. James’s. The remainder of the year was distinguished by no very remarkable events; but a little incident occurring at Tunbridge Wells gives a pleasing idea of the young Princess’s benevolence. The husband of an actress employed at the town theatre died under circumstances of poverty, leaving his wife on the eve of her confinement. Distressed at what she heard, the Princess obtained £10 from her mother, added an equal sum from her own resources, and personally carried the amount to the sufferer. After the accession of her Majesty to the throne, she conferred on the actress an annuity of £40 for the remainder of her life. The years 1835 and 1836 passed very quietly; but 1837 was destined to be a date of great importance. On the 24th of May, the Princess completed her eighteenth year, and was declared legally of age, according to the provisions of the Act of Parliament to which reference has before been made. The day was kept as a general holiday: Kensington was especially festive, and a serenade to the Princess was performed under the Palace windows at seven o’clock in the evening. Among the numerous birthday presents was a magnificent pianoforte from the King. Within a month from that time, William IV. had breathed his last. [Illustration: COWES HARBOUR.] CHAPTER II. EARLY EVENTS OF THE NEW REIGN. First Council of the Queen--Her Address to the Assembled Dignitaries--Admirable Demeanour of the young Sovereign--Proclamation of Queen Victoria--Condition of the Empire at the Time of her Accession--Character of Lord Melbourne, the Prime Minister--His Training of the Queen in Constitutional Principles--Question of the Royal Prerogative and the choosing of the Ministry--Removal of the Queen to Buckingham Palace--First Levee--Her Majesty’s Speech on the Dissolution of Parliament--Amelioration of the Criminal Laws--Results of the General Election--Meeting of the New Legislature--The Civil List fixed--Relations of the Queen towards the Duchess of Kent--Daily Life of her Majesty--Royal Visit to the City--Insurrection in the Two Canadas--Measures of the Government, and Suppression of the Revolt--The Melbourne Administration and Lord Durham--Reform of the Canadian Constitution.