The feelings of gratification with which the people welcomed the accession of Victoria cannot be depicted in terms too strong. To most, the course of years seemed very short during which they had been eagerly watching the growth and training of the Princess. It seemed--at least, to all but the young--but a matter of yesterday that the newspapers had informed them of the birth of the Royal babe; of the Duke of Kent's illness: how he had come home from a walk with wet boots, and, "beguiled by the smiles of his infant Princess," had played with her, instead of changing his clothes, and thus caught the cold of which he died. And here she was now, a woman, and the sovereign ruler of a hundred million of souls. All they had heard of her was favourable. Sinister rumours and alarms there had been, but they had been dissipated and dispersed like the morning's mist before the rising god of day. Her morals were pure, her conduct spotless, and in all arts and accomplishments she had been carefully trained. From her earliest days she had been abroad in all weathers; having been often seen, when it was stormy, on a windy common, with a warm cloak and thick boots. She kept early hours, and was so exactly and proverbially punctual, that it was mentioned as a marvel that she once had to apologise for being half a minute late in an appointment. She had never been known to exceed her pocket-money in her personal expenditure, or to be sixpence in debt--an extraordinary novelty in a descendant of George III. In the first year of her reign the people were delighted to find that she had paid her father's debts, including considerable sums advanced by his warm friends, Lords Fitzwilliam and Dundas. Next she paid her mother's debts--debts unavoidably contracted, as she knew and acknowledged, on her account. She provided with royal munificence for the whole family of the late sovereign, and honoured them with courtesies and kindnesses, which almost obliterated the pain arising from their dubious position. Yet she lived within her income, and paid as she purchased. CHAPTER IX. THE MAIDEN QUEEN. Removal to Buckingham Palace--First Levee--Dissolves Parliament--Beauty of her Elocution--Splendid Reception by the City of London--Settlement of the Queen's Income--Her Daily Life--Her admirable Knowledge of, and Devotion to, the Business of the State--Reverence for the Lord's Day.