The year 1834 was that in which the Princess was confirmed. This holy rite was administered by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Chapel Royal, St. James's, in July. Next month, mother and daughter visited Tunbridge Wells; the month following they went northwards, visited the Archbishop of York at Bishopsthorpe, and attended the grand musical festival in his cathedral. On their homeward route, they were entertained by the Earls of Harewood and Fitzwilliam, and the Duke of Rutland; passed some time with the King and Queen of the Belgians, at Ramsgate, and finally visited the Duke of Wellington at Walmer Castle. An incident which occurred during their stay at Tunbridge, must not be omitted from our biography. The husband of one of the actresses in the small theatre of the place died, leaving an impoverished wife, who was just about to become a mother. The fact came to the knowledge of the Princess, and she applied to her mother for aid. She at once gave L10 to her daughter, who added an equal sum from her own purse; she became her own almoner, hastened to the afflicted woman, conversed with her, and continued to make inquiries about her condition. Nor did this end her care. When she came to the throne, three years later, she at once sent to the poor woman a kindly intimation that an annuity of L40 would be paid to her for life. Another series of visits, and renewed intercourse with the much-loved uncle and his young Orleanist wife at Ramsgate, filled the autumnal months of 1835. CHAPTER VII. EARLY DAYS OF PRINCE ALBERT. Birth--Melancholy Story of his Mother--Brought up under the Care of his two Excellent Grandmothers--His Winning Ways as a Child--His Tutor, Florschuetz--The Brothers, Ernest and Albert--Visit to Brussels, and its Beneficial Effects--Hard Study--Tour through Germany, &c.--First Visit to England, and Meeting with Victoria--Studies at Brussels--Enters the University of Bonn--Tour to Switzerland and Italy--Public Announcement of Betrothal--Leaves Coburg and Gotha for his Marriage. [Sidenote: THE INFANT COUSINS VICTORIA AND ALBERT.]