As for the public and the private life of the Queen I have told you that I know no more than you yourselves. That she ascended the throne, a young girl of eighteen; that she married happily; that she has been blessed with many children; that she has lost her husband and two of her children, and more than two of her grandchildren, you know already. Despite the fierce light that beats upon the throne, there is nothing--absolutely nothing--in her long occupation of that seat which has to be concealed or defended. No prince has ever occupied a throne with greater loyalty to his people’s liberties; nay, those liberties have increased and broadened without a word from the Queen to stay their advance. Religious disabilities have vanished: the Catholic, the Dissenter, the Jew, the Atheist are on the same level with the Anglican; the Franchise has widened, without a sign of opposition from the Queen. It may be said that she has been admirably advised. Perhaps you will acknowledge, however, that it is the first characteristic of a noble mind that it can understand, and will listen to, advice. Foreigners cannot, perhaps, fully understand the depth and the reality of that loyalty of which I have spoken--it is a personal as well as constitutional loyalty--they can, however, understand, and they will acknowledge, that there has never lived upon the earth a woman who in her lifetime has created, and has inspired, and has possessed so much affection, respect, and confidence from all parts of the world. Of the good woman what sayeth the wise King Lemuel--who wrote too little--from the oracle which his mother taught him? She spreadeth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hand to the needy. Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she laugheth at the time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And the law of kindness is on her tongue. Her children rise up and call her blessed: A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER II TRANSFORMATION OF THE PEOPLE “Bless thee, Bottom! bless thee! thou art translated.”--_Midsummer Night’s Dream._ “Above all things, gentlemen,” says Goldsmith’s prisoner for debt, “let us guard our liberties.” What were the liberties of the people? They were very real; but they did not open the debtor’s prison; nor did they include representation. You will hardly believe that the old condition of things should have lasted so long.