queen victoria-第19节
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he thoughts of the great Klopstock into their depthsthough in this； for the most part；〃 he modestly added； 〃I do not succeed。〃 He wrote an essay on the 〃Mode of Thought of the Germans； and a Sketch of the History of German Civilisation；〃 〃making use；〃 he said； 〃in its general outlines； of the divisions which the treatment of the subject itself demands；〃 and concluding with 〃a retrospect of the shortcomings of our time； with an appeal to every one to correct those shortcomings in his own case； and thus set a good example to others。〃 Placed for some months under the care of King Leopold at Brussels； he came under the influence of Adolphe Quetelet； a mathematical professor； who was particularly interested in the application of the laws of probability to political and moral phenomena； this line of inquiry attracted the Prince； and the friendship thus begun continued till the end of his life。 From Brussels he went to the University of Bonn； where he was speedily distinguished both by his intellectual and his social activities； his energies were absorbed in metaphysics； law； political economy； music； fencing； and amateur theatricals。 Thirty years later his fellowstudents recalled with delight the fits of laughter into which they had been sent by Prince Albert's mimicry。 The verve with which his Serene Highness reproduced the tones and gestures of one of the professors who used to point to a picture of a row of houses in Venice with the remark； 〃That is the Ponte…Realte；〃 and of another who fell down in a race and was obliged to look for his spectacles； was especially appreciated。
After a year at Bonn； the time had come for a foreign tour； and Baron Stockmar arrived from England to accompany the Prince on an expedition to Italy。 The Baron had been already； two years previously； consulted by King Leopold as to his views upon the proposed marriage of Albert and Victoria。 His reply had been remarkable。 With a characteristic foresight； a characteristic absence of optimism； a characteristic sense of the moral elements in the situation； Stockmar had pointed out what were； in his opinion； the conditions essential to make the marriage a success。 Albert； he wrote； was a fine young fellow； well grown for his age； with agreeable and valuable qualities； and it was probable that in a few years he would turn out a strong handsome man； of a kindly； simple； yet dignified demeanour。〃 Thus； externally； he possesses all that pleases the sex； and at all times and in all countries must please。〃 Supposing； therefore； that Victoria herself was in favour of the marriage； the further question arose as to whether Albert's mental qualities were such as to fit him for the position of husband of the Queen of England。 On this point； continued the Baron； one heard much to his credit； the Prince was said to be discreet and intelligent； but all such judgments were necessarily partial； and the Baron preferred to reserve his opinion until he could come to a trustworthy conclusion from personal observation。 And then he added： 〃But all this is not enough。 The young man ought to have not merely great ability； but a right ambition； and great force of will as well。 To pursue for a lifetime a political career so arduous demands more than energy and inclinationit demands also that earnest frame of mind which is ready of its own accord to sacrifice mere pleasure to real usefulness。 If he is not satisfied hereafter with the consciousness of having achieved one of the most influential positions in Europe； how often will he feel tempted to repent his adventure！ If he does not from the very outset accept it as a vocation of grave responsibility； on the efficient performance of which his honour and happiness depend； there is small likelihood of his succeeding。〃
Such were the views of Stockmar on the qualifications necessary for the due fulfilment of that destiny which Albert's family had marked out for him； and he hoped； during the tour in Italy； to come to some conclusion as to how far the prince possessed them。 Albert on his side was much impressed by the Baron； whom he had previously seen but rarely； he also became acquainted； for the first time in his life； with a young Englishman； Lieutenant Francis Seymour； who had been engaged to accompany him； whom he found sehr liebens…wurdig； and with whom he struck up a warm friendship。 He delighted in the galleries and scenery of Florence； though with Rome he was less impressed。 〃But for some beautiful palaces；〃 he said； 〃it might just as well be any town in Germany。〃 In an interview with Pope Gregory XVI； he took the opportunity of displaying his erudition。 When the Pope observed that the Greeks had taken their art from the Etruscans； Albert replied that； on the contrary； in his opinion； they had borrowed from the Egyptians： his Holiness politely acquiesced。 Wherever he went he was eager to increase his knowledge； and； at a ball in Florence； he was observed paying no attention whatever to the ladies； and deep in conversation with the learned Signor Capponi。 〃Voila un prince dont nous pouvons etre fiers；〃 said the Grand Duke of Tuscany； who was standing by： 〃la belle danseuse l'attend； le savant l'occupe。〃
On his return to Germany； Stockmar's observations； imparted to King Leopold； were still critical。 Albert； he said； was intelligent； kind； and amiable； he was full of the best intentions and the noblest resolutions； and his judgment was in many things beyond his years。 But great exertion was repugnant to him； he seemed to be too willing to spare himself； and his good resolutions too often came to nothing。 It was particularly unfortunate that he took not the slightest interest in politics； and never read a newspaper。 In his manners； too； there was still room for improvement。 〃He will always；〃 said the Baron； 〃have more success with men than with women； in whose society he shows too little empressement； and is too indifferent and retiring。〃 One other feature of the case was noted by the keen eye of the old physician： the Prince's constitution was not a strong one。 Yet； on the whole； he was favourable to the projected marriage。 But by now the chief obstacle seemed to lie in another quarter； Victoria was apparently determined to commit herself to nothing。 And so it happened that when Albert went to England he had made up his mind to withdraw entirely from the affair。 Nothing would induce him； he confessed to a friend； to be kept vaguely waiting； he would break it all off at once。 His reception at Windsor threw an entirely new light upon the situation。 The wheel of fortune turned with a sudden rapidity； and he found； in the arms of Victoria； the irrevocable assurance of his overwhelming fate。
II
He was not in love with her。 Affection； gratitude； the natural reactions to the unqualified devotion of a lively young cousin who was also a queensuch feelings possessed him； but the ardours of reciprocal passion were not his。 Though he found that he liked Victoria very much； what immediately interested him in his curious position was less her than himself。 Dazzled and delighted； riding； dancing； singing； laughing； amid the splendours of Windsor； he was aware of a new sensationthe stirrings of ambition in his breast。 His place would indeed be a high； an enviable one！ And then； on the instant； came another thought。 The teaching of religion； the admonitions of Stockmar； his own inmost convictions； all spoke with the same utterance。 He would not be there to please himself； but for a very different purposeto do good。 He must be 〃noble； manly； and princely in all things；〃 he would have 〃to live and to sacrifice himself for the benefit of his new country；〃 to 〃use his powers and endeavours for a great objectthat of promoting the welfare of multitudes of his fellowmen。〃 One serious thought led on to another。 The wealth and the bustle of the English Court might be delightful for the moment； but； after all； it was Coburg that had his heart。 〃While I shall be untiring；〃 he wrote to his grandmother； 〃in my efforts and labours for the country to which I shall in future belong； and where I am called to so high a position； I shall never cease ein treuer Deutscher； Coburger； Gothaner zu sein。〃 And now he must part from Coburg for ever！ Sobered and sad； he sought relief in his brother Ernest's company； the two young men would shut themselves up together； and； sitting down at the pianoforte； would escape from the present and the future in the sweet familiar gaiety of a Haydn duet。
They returned to Germany； and while Albert； for a few farewell months； enjoyed； for the last time； the happiness of home； Victoria； for the last time； resumed her old life in London and Windsor。 She corresponded daily with her future husband in a mingled flow of German and English； but the accustomed routine reasserted itself； the business and the pleasures of the day would brook no interruption； Lord M。 was once more constantly beside her； and the Tories were as intolerable as ever。 Indeed； they were more so。 For now； in these final moments； the old feud burst out with redoubled fury。 The impetuous sovereign found； to her chagrin； that there might be disadvantages in being the declared enemy of one of the great parties in the State。 On two occasions； the Tories directly thwarted he
