gh the
troubled years of revolution in comparative tranquillity. King Leopold
was a model ruler; his deportment was grave and serious; he was
conspicuous for honesty and integrity; he was laborious and upright,
and at the same time conciliatory and tactful.

He kept up a close correspondence with Queen Victoria, and paid her
several visits in England, where he was on intimate terms with
many leading Englishmen. It would be difficult to over-estimate the
importance of his close relations with the Queen; by example and
precept he inspired her with a high sense of duty, and from the first
instilled into her mind the necessity of acquainting herself closely
with the details of political administration. His wisdom, good sense,
and tenderness, as well as the close tie of blood that existed between
him and the Queen, placed him in a unique position with regard to her,
and it is plain that he was fully aware of the high responsibility
thus imposed upon him, which he accepted with a noble generosity. It
is true that there were occasions when, as the correspondence reveals,
the Queen was disposed to think that King Leopold endeavoured to
exercise too minute a control over her in matters of detail, and even
to attempt to modify the foreign policy of England rather for the
benefit of Belgium than in the best interests of Great Britain; but
the Queen was equal to these emergencies; she expressed her dissent
from the King's suggestions in considerate and affectionate terms,
with her gratitude for his advice, but made no pretence of following
it.

For her aunt, Queen Adelaide, the Princess Victoria had always felt
a strong affection; and though it can hardly be said that this gentle
and benevolent lady exercised any great influence over her more
vigorous and impetuous niece, yet the letters will testify to the
closeness of the tie which united them.

[Pageheading: QUEEN ADELAIDE]

Queen Adelaide was the eldest child of George, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen;
her mother was a princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

At the age of twenty-six she was married to the Duke of Clarence, then
in his fifty-third year, without any preliminary courtship. They
lived for a year in Hanover, and then principally at Bushey Park. Two
daughters were born to them, the elder of whom lived only a few hours;
the younger, Princess Elizabeth, died in the first year of her age.
Their married life was a happy one, in spite of the disparity of
age. Queen Adelaide wa