[The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume 1 (of 3), 1837-1843) by Queen Victoria]@TWC D-Link book
The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume 1 (of 3), 1837-1843)

CHAPTER II
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I was taught from the first to beg my maid's pardon for any naughtiness or rudeness towards her; a feeling I have ever retained, and think every one should _own_ their fault in a kind way to any one, be he or she the lowest--if one has been rude to or injured them by word or deed, especially those below you.

People will readily forget an insult or an injury when others _own_ their fault, and express sorrow or regret at what they have done." [Pageheading: THE EDUCATION OF THE PRINCESS] In 1830 the Duchess of Kent wished to be satisfied that the system of education then being pursued with the Princess was based on the right lines, and that due moral and intellectual progress was being made.
A memorandum, carefully preserved among the archives, gives an interesting account of the steps which she took to this end.
[Pageheading: LETTER TO THE BISHOPS] [Pageheading: RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION] The Duchess therefore brought the matter under the consideration of those whom, from their eminent piety, great learning, and high station, she considered best calculated to afford her valuable advice upon so important a subject.

She stated to the Bishops of London and Lincoln[3] the particular course which had been followed in the Princess's education, and requested their Lordships to test the result by personal examination.

The nature and objects of Her Royal Highness's appeal to these eminent prelates will be best shown by the following extracts from her letter to the Bishops:-- "'The Princess will be eleven years of age in May; by the death of her revered father when she was but eight months old, her sole care and charge devolved to me.

Stranger as I then was, I became deeply impressed with the absolute necessity of bringing her up entirely in this country, that every feeling should be that of Her native land, and proving thereby my devotion to duty by rejecting all those feelings of home and kindred that divided my heart.
"'When the Princess approached her fifth year I considered it the proper time to begin in a moderate way her education--an education that was to fit Her to be either the Sovereign of these realms, or to fill a junior station in the Royal Family, until the Will of Providence should shew at a later period what Her destiny was to be.
"'A revision of the papers I send you herewith will best shew your Lordships the system pursued, the progress made, etc.


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