a time, flannel next my skin. Up to my 5th year I had been very much
indulged by every one, and set pretty well _all_ at defiance. Old
Baroness de Spaeth, the devoted Lady of my Mother, my Nurse Mrs Brock,
dear old Mrs Louis--_all_ worshipped the poor little fatherless child
whose future then was still very uncertain; my Uncle the Duke of
Clarence's poor little child being alive, and the Duchess of Clarence
had one or two others later. At 5 years old, Miss Lehzen was placed
about me, and though she was most kind, she was very firm and I had
a proper respect for her. I was naturally very passionate, but always
most contrite afterwards. 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