The two articles on
Prince Albert's death in this day's 'Times' are admirable. The second contains
a true and faithful account of all that happened during his last days. I met
Lady Ely to-day at Gifford's. She had been at Windsor. The Queen had passed a
tolerable night, having been completely exhausted. She had desired that nothing
should be said to her about the funeral, and that the Prince of Wales and Duke
of Cambridge should settle everything. It is to take place next Monday. King Leopold
had telegraphed to recommend that the Queen should be removed from Windsor,
partly that she should leave the atmosphere of fever, partly to avoid the
preparations for the funeral. The Queen showed some reluctance to leave the
Castle, but has determined on going to Osborne on Wednesday. The Duchess of
Sutherland offered her Cliveden, and she was at one moment inclined to accept
it, but it was thought best she should go to Osborne, where King Leopold is to
meet her. As long ago as last Wednesday, Prince Albert, when alone with
Princess Alice, asked if the Queen was in the room. She said 'No.' He then told
her he knew he was dying, and desired her to write to the Princess Royal to
that effect. The Princess quite believed him, and from this moment abandoned all
hope. She left the room to write-on her return the Prince asked her what she
had written. 'I have told my sister,' she answered, 'that you are very ill.'
'You have done wrong,' he said: 'you should have told her I am
dying-yes-I am dying.' The Queen told the Duchess of
Sutherland she did not know what she should have done but for Princess Alice.
The Prince of Wales had shown much feeling, and threw himself into the Queen's
arms, and said she might depend upon his doing all in his power to console and assist
her. Granville saw him yester day, and says nothing can be more perfect than
his behaviour.
Flahault told me the
Emperor had frequently telegraphed for news of the Prince and had sent a
message on hearing of his death, full of the most lively expressions of sorrow.
Flahault considered this to be quite an European calamity.
The Queen has
already begun to act up to her resolution to exert herself and to fulfil the
duties of her position, and is to see Palmerston to-day.
Sir Edward Bowater,
who accompanied Prince Leopold to Cannes, has died there. Prince Albert had
arranged that, if he died or was disabled by illness, Lord Rokeby, who is at
Nice, should go to Cannes and take charge of the boy, until Frederick Cavendish1
could be sent out to replace him.
_______________
1 Grandson of Lord George Cavendish, who was
created first Earl of Burlington.
SOURCE: Alice
Countess of Stratford, Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville:
1857-1861, pp. 419-20
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