Leaves from the Journal From our life in the
Highlands from 1848 to 1861 (1868)
EDITOR’S PREFACE
The circumstances which have led to the publication
of this Volume are, briefly, these.
During one of the Editor’s official visits to
Balmoral, her Majesty very kindly allowed him to see several
extracts from her journal, relating to excursions in the Highlands
of Scotland. He was much interested by them; and expressed the
interest which he felt. It then occurred to her Majesty that these
extracts, referring, as they did, to some of the happiest hours of
her life, might be made into a book, to be printed privately, for
presentation to members of the Royal Family and her Majesty’s
intimate friends; especially to those who had accompanied and
attended her in these tours.
It was then suggested to her Majesty by some persons,
among them a near and dear relative of the Queen, and afterwards by
the Editor, that this work, if made known to others, would be very
interesting to them as well as to the Royal Family and to her
Majesty’s intimate friends. The Queen, however, said, that she had
no skill whatever in authorship; that these were, for the most part,
mere homely accounts of excursions near home; and that she felt
extremely reluctant to publish anything written by herself.
To this the Editor respectfully replied, that, if
printed at all, however limited the impression, and however careful
the selection of persons to whom copies might be given, some
portions of the volume, or quite as probably incorrect
representations of its contents, might find their way into the
public journals. It would therefore, he thought, be better at once
to place the volume within the reach of her Majesty’s subjects, who
would, no doubt, derive from it pleasure similar to that which it
had afforded to the Editor himself. Moreover, it would be very
gratifying to her subjects, who had always shown a sincere and ready
sympathy with the personal joys and sorrows of their Sovereign,—to
be allowed to know how her rare moments of leisure were passed in
her Highland home, when every joy was heightened, and every care and
sorrow diminished, by the loving companionship of the Prince
Consort. With his memory the scenes to which this volume refers
would always be associated. Upon these considerations her Majesty
eventually consented to its publication.
While the book was being printed, the Editor
suggested that it would gain in interest if other extracts were
added to it, describing her Majesty’s progresses in England,
Ireland, and the Channel Islands.
The Queen was pleased to assent; and the additions
were accordingly made.
It will easily be seen that this little work does not
make any pretension to be more than such a record of the impressions
received by the Royal Author in the course of these journeys, as
might hereafter serve to recall to her own mind the scenes and
circumstances which had been the source of so much pleasure. All
references to political questions, or to the affairs of Government,
have, for obvious reasons, been studiously omitted. The book is
mainly confined to the natural expressions of a mind rejoicing in
the beauties of nature, and throwing itself, with a delight rendered
keener by the rarity of its opportunities, into the enjoyment of a
life removed, for the moment, from the pressure of public cares.
It would not be becoming in the Editor to dwell
largely upon the merits of this work. He may, however, allude to the
picturesque descriptions of scenery in which the work abounds; to
the simplicity of diction throughout it; and to the perfect
faithfulness of narration which is one of its chief characteristics;
for in every page the writer describes what she thinks and feels,
rather than what she might be expected to think and feel.
Moreover, he may point out the willingness to be
pleased, upon which so much of the enjoyment of any tour depends :
and also the exceeding kindliness of feeling—the gratitude even—with
which the Royal Tourists recognize any attention paid to them, or
any manifestation of the cordial attachment felt towards them, by
any of her Majesty’s subjects, from the highest to the humblest,
whom they happen to meet with in the course of their journeys.
The Editor thinks that he should not be doing justice
to the Royal Author’s book—not doing what, if it were any other
person’s work which was entrusted to his editing, he should do—if he
were to forbear giving utterance to the thoughts which occurred to
him in reference to the notes to the Volume.
These notes, besides indicating that peculiar memory
for persons, and that recognition of personal attachment, which have
been very noticeable in our Sovereigns, illustrate, in a striking
manner, the Patriarchal feeling (if one may apply such a word as
“patriarchal” to a lady) which is so strong in the present occupant
of the Throne. Perhaps there is no person in these realms who takes
a more deep and abiding interest in the welfare of the household
committed to his charge than our gracious Queen does in hers, or who
feels more keenly what are the reciprocal duties of masters and
servants.
Nor does any one wish more ardently than her Majesty,
that there should be no abrupt severance of class from class, but
rather a gradual blending together of all classes,—caused by a full
community of interests, a constant interchange of good offices, and
a kindly respect felt and expressed by each class to all its
brethren in the great brotherhood that forms a nation.
Those whose duty it has been to attend upon the Queen
in matters of business, must have noticed that her Majesty, as a
person well versed in the conduct of affairs, is wont to keep
closely to the point at issue, and to speak of nothing but what is
directly connected with the matter before her. But whenever there is
an exception to this rule, it arises from her Majesty’s anxious
desire to make some inquiry about the welfare of her subjects—to
express her sympathy with this man’s sorrow, or on that man's
bereavement—to ask what is the latest intelligence about this
disaster, or that suffering, and what can be done to remedy or
assuage it—thus showing, unconsciously, that she is, indeed, the
Mother of her People, taking the deepest interest in all that
concerns them, without respect of persons, from the highest to the
lowest.
The Editor thinks that one point of interest which
will incidentally be disclosed by this publication, is the aspect of
the Court in these our times. What would not the historian give to
have similar materials within his reach, when writing about the
reigns of the great Queen Elizabeth or the good Queen Anne? There
is always something in the present which has the appearance of being
trivial and prosaic; but the future historian will delight in having
details before him furnished by this book and by the Life of the
Prince Consort, which will enable him fully to describe the reign of
Victoria, and justly to appreciate the private life of a Sovereign
whose public life will enter so largely into the annals of the
nineteenth century.
One more remark the Editor cannot refrain from
making; namely, that it is evident that her Majesty never takes for
granted the services and attentions which are rendered to her, and
which we all know would be rendered to her from dutiful respect and
regard, but views them as especial kindnesses shown to herself, and
to which she makes no claim whatever from her exalted position as a
Sovereign.
This latter trait, very characteristic of the Royal
Author, gives, throughout, an additional charm to the book, which,
on that account alone, and apart even from its many other merits,
will, the Editor doubts not, be gratefully and affectionately
welcomed by the public.
More Leaves from the Journal
Of a Life in the Highlands
From 1862 to 1882 (1885)
PREFACE
The little volume “Our Life in the Highlands,”
published fifteen years ago, with its simple records of the
never-to-be-forgotten days spent with him “who made the writer’s
life bright and happy,” was received with a warmth of sympathy and
interest which was very gratifying to her heart. The kind editor of
that volume is no longer here to advise and help her, trough
friendly assistance has not been wanting on the present occasion.
But remembering the fee'ing with which that little book was
received, the writer thinks that the present volume may equally
evoke sympathy, as, while describing a very altered life, it shows
how' her sad and suffering heart was soothed and cheered by the
excursions and incidents it recounts, as well as by the simple
mountaineers, from whom she learnt many a lesson of resignation and
faith, in the pure air and quiet of the beautiful Highlands.
The writer wishes at the same time to express her
gratitude to those who are mentioned throughout this volume for the
devotion and kindness which contributed so much to her enjoyment of
the varied scenes and objects of interest of which these pages
contain the unpretending record.
Osborne :
December 22, 1883.
TO
MY LOYAL HIGHLANDERS
AND ESPECIALLY
TO THE MEMORY OF MY DEVOTED PERSONAL ATTENDANT
AND FAITHFUL FRIEND
JOHN BROWN
THESE RECORDS OF MY WIDOWED LIFE IN SCOTLAND
ARE
GRATEFULLY DEDICATED
VICTORIA R. I.
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon
(4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was the wife of King George VI and
the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, Countess of
Snowdon. She was Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the
Dominions from her husband's accession in 1936 until his death in
1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen
Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter. She was the last
Empress consort of India.
Born into a family of British nobility as The Honourable Elizabeth
Bowes-Lyon, she became Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon when her father
inherited the Scottish Earldom of Strathmore and Kinghorne in 1904.
She came to prominence in 1923 when she married Albert, Duke of
York, the second son of King George V and Queen Mary. The couple and
their daughters embodied traditional ideas of family and public
service. She undertook a variety of public engagements and became
known as the "Smiling Duchess" because of her consistent public
expression.
In 1936, her husband unexpectedly became King when his brother,
Edward VIII, abdicated in order to marry the American divorcée
Wallis Simpson. As Queen, Elizabeth accompanied her husband on
diplomatic tours to France and North America before the start of
World War II. During the war, her seemingly indomitable spirit
provided moral support to the British public. In recognition of her
role as an asset to British interests, Adolf Hitler described her as
"the most dangerous woman in Europe. After the war, her
husband's health deteriorated and she was widowed at the age of 51.
On the death of her mother-in-law, Queen Mary, in 1953 and with the
former King Edward VIII living abroad and her elder daughter, the
new Queen, aged 26, Elizabeth became the senior member of the
British Royal Family and assumed a position as family matriarch. In
her later years, she was a consistently popular member of the
family, even when other members were suffering from low levels of
public approval.[6] She continued an active public life until just a
few months before her death at the age of 101, seven weeks after the
death of her younger daughter, Princess Margaret.
Queen Mother's Funeral
HM The Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II taken in May 2022 at
Windsor
The Duke Of Edinburgh: In His Own
Words - British Royal Documentary
Relive the fairy tale wedding that
captured the world's imagination. To mark the first anniversary of
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the future might hold. Featuring respected commentators, this
one-hour special gathers all the delectable detail, intimate moments
and juicy gossip. Relive the big day in all its glory, from the
first glimpse of Kate in that dress to the two kisses on the balcony
and the buzz about Pippa's posterior. Take a peek at private moments
from their dream honeymoon in the Seychelles and the hype that
followed their first trip to North America and Canada as husband and
wife. Amid the growing hunger for news of an heir, commentators
speculate about the challenges that lie ahead for William and Kate
who seem determined to be a modern couple.
Prince of Wales: King in Waiting (2024)
Prince William, now Prince of Wales, first-born son of King Charles
III and Diana, Princess of Wales, has always been in the spotlight.
Born second in line to the throne - he was destined for a life of
duty, and of service. Following the death of his dearest and most
revered grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Williams’ father,
now Charles III, ascended to the throne and Prince William took the
title of Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness, Prince William is now
second in line to the throne, but he has his work cut out, following
in his father’s footsteps, and keeping up the tradition of duty and
hard work. His destiny is to inherit the crown and succeed to the
throne. But how does a Prince prepare to become King?
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