244 OUR FUTURE QUEEN. George the Fourth. But far otherwise we hope and pray will it be with the youthful pair who are so soon to be united in the closest and most endearing of earth's relations. The home that is rich in love is rich in everything else. The history of England and the history of Denmark are strangely interwoven. There was a time when the Danish arms were all victorious over England, and when England, in her subjugation, had to pay to the Danes in vulgar ransom for her freedom. But though there now remains to the Danes but little of their old martial spirit, though much of the might and the glory of their military renown has passed away, though the people are no longer characterised for their heroism and their independence, though Denmark itself is reduced to an inferior power among the European States, we rejoice that in our day England has conquered the heart of Denmark, and in England the heart of Denmark, in the person of her youthful and attractive Princess, will find a bright and sunny home. Whenever the time may come when they shall be called to ascend that throne on whose first step their feet now rest-and long, long may they rest there!-may they be hailed as the light, and strength, and glory of the land! The Princess Alexandra is the daughter of Prince Christian. By the law of December, 1858, he enjoys the title of Royal Highness, which gives the crown to He married, in May, 1842, Wilhelmina Frelinque him and his descendants. Caroline Auguste Julie, daughter of the Landgrave William of Hesse. The reigning king, Frederick VII., is united by a morganatic marriage to the Countess Danner, who is said to be a Danish Madame de Maintenon. He has no children. The next heir to the crown is the uncle of Frederick VII., Prince Frederick Ferdinand, born in 1792. Should he die before the king, who has just completed his sixtieth year, Christian will be the next Danish monarch. The Princess Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julie was born on the 1st of December, 1844, and has, therefore, just completed her eighteenth year. In the residence of her family at Schleswig Holstein, of which we have heard too frequently in connection with disputes between the Danes and their German neighbours, the young Princess has for the most part resided while receiving her education. Of such a life there could be little to record: happily, nothing has transpired which had not a tendency to exalt the character of the royal lady. Fame has proclaimed her lovely, accomplished, and benevolent. Rumour, not always too kind to the high-born, has in this case been no niggard of praise. To a handsome, intelligent countenance, and other attractions, an amiable disposition is said to be joined. From various quarters her praise is sounded-from some where it was least expected. At the late Chertsey Agricultural Meeting in October, we find Mr. Linsell, M.P., speaking of her, and delivering himself to this effect:-"I have recently made a short tour in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and would mention one fact of great interest to the people of this country. When I was in Copenhagen I spent an evening with a family who were intimately acquainted with the betrothed of our Prince of Wales, who had known her from her infancy, and had watched her progress; and it is scarcely possible to conceive the high terms in which that family, one and all, spoke of that young Princess. By those who know her best, she is considered well worthy to follow our good, our virtuous, and our truly noble Queen; and I believe the Prince of Wales has made a happy choice for himself, and a still happier choice for the future generations of England." If such a testimonial is grateful to the feelings of this country, not less so is a knowledge of the fact that the contemplated alliance is equally agreeable to the I Danish public. That the Prince of Wales fully appreciates the advantages of the position reserved for him, everything that has transpired assures us we may believe. At a recent meeting at Wick, to celebrate the majority of Albert Edward, the Earl of Caithness, when proposing the toast of the day, told those he addressed that when he saw the Privy Council had sanctioned the contemplated union, he wrote a congratulatory letter to His Royal Highness, who answered it by return; and from the Prince's letter his lordship felt at liberty to quote the following passage:-"I beg to return my most sincere thanks to you and the Countess, and I assure you I now know what it is to feel happy. If I can make the future life and home of the Princess a happy one, I shall be content. I feel doubly happy in the thought that my approaching marriage is one which has the approval of the nation; and I only trust that I may not disappoint the expectations that have been formed of me." That the life of the Prince and his Consort may abound with every blessing, is, we are certain, the warm, earnest, and sincere desire of every British heart. AUNT BELLA'S STORY. "I do so wonder you are not married!" "Do you my dear?" she replied smiling; "an old maid is a very common thing." "O, AUNT BELLA, is this your likeness?" | years, in which time my brother and I exclaimed, when one day, in exploring sister both married. Before I completed an old cabinet in my dear aunt's room, my twentieth year, I lost my dear mother; I came upon a small case containing a it was a very bitter trial to me, being the miniature painted on ivory, in the style youngest, I had been, perhaps, her faof five and twenty years ago. She vourite and always rather spoilt, which answered in the affirmative, and I gazed made me feel my lonely position still on the picture which represented a bright more acutely. But my spirits were dark-eyed girl of eighteen, with a beaming naturally high and they soon rose again, smile and bewitching sweetness of expres- although my heart still mourned. For sion, until I said involuntarilythe first six months I stayed with your mamma and papa, and then I went on a visit of unlimited length to my guardian, a solicitor, and very old friend of your grandpapa's. He had two daughters, and they generally resided in town, but were now spending some months at Dover, as Amy, the eldest, was recovering from an attack of low fever; and thither I repaired, under the care of Mr. Lyndhurst (my Guardian), on the 1st of August. On arriving at the town of Dover, we were met by Mrs. Lyndhurst, a fresh, pretty girl of sixteen. I gladly accepted her offer of walking home, instead of driving, and in a very few minutes we were on our road to Waterloo-place. My companion chattered gaily as we went, and suddenly, when we were nearly at our destination, she exclaimed, 'Oh, here are Amy and Captain Liston.' Yes, but not such a one as you are. Did you never care for any one, aunty?" "Yes, my love, for one person very much." "Oh, then, do tell me about it; it is raining so fast, we cannot go out; please do, Aunt Bella," I pleaded. "There is not much to tell, dear; but you shall hear it if you like, although I am getting too old to talk about love affairs." At that I vehemently disclaimed, and then, establishing myself on my favourite ottoman at her feet, Aunt Bella began: "As you know, my dear, I never recollect your grandpapa. He died when I was only two years old, and we then left our old home, and came to live in London, so that grandmamma might be near her relations. There we resided eighteen "Who is he,' I inquired. "Don't you know? Amy's fince, to be sure-he is so handsome, and so nice, we all like him immensely.' 246 "We now came within speaking distance of a young lady, leaning on the arm of a tall military gentleman; Laura imI found Amy mediately introduced me. was a fair, delicate-looking girl, very pretty as a perfect blonde, and with a Captain remarkably sweet expression. Liston was as handsome a man as I had ever seen. I was soon quite at home in liked them all, my Guardian's family; Amy especially, who only required a little more strength of character to make her well-nigh perfection. Captain Liston was, to me, most charming. And now, dear, I am going to mention the great fault of my youth; take warning if you are ever tempted to give way to it; I mean, excessive love of approbation and attention-not admiration, mind. I knew I was not pretty, but this made me still prouder of my powers of pleasing. Thus when I saw that Captain Liston liked talking to me, without thinking of the results, I gave myself up to the task of making myself as agreeable as possible, and the consequence was that his attentions were no longer confined to Amy, but more than equally divided between us. One day the conversation turned upon riding, and he inquired "if I ever rode," I replied that "I liked it better than any other exercise." "Then no doubt you are a very good horsewoman,' said he, and I really wish Miss Harcourt, you would try a beautiful Arabian of mine, which I want Amy to ride, but she is afraid to mount him; if you set her the example she would soon see that her fears are needless.' "I shall be delighted, if Mrs. Lyndhurst has no objection,' I replied. "It will be very kind of you, Bella,' said Amy, for I long to ride Conrad, only I am such a coward that I dare not, until I know that he has carried a lady.' 66 'Mrs. Lyndhurst, who was good nature personified, had no objection whatever, and the result was some charming riding for me, with Captain Liston as my escort. "One morning, when I came down in my habit, Laura exclaimed "Going to ride again, Bella? well, if I were Amy, I really should be jealous!' “Of what?' said Amy, smiling— Bella's superior horsewoman-ship? I am rather inclined to be so; but there is Ernest with the horses, dear-do not keep him waiting.' "She came to the door, watched me mount, and said good bye with a smile of such perfect confidence, that I loved her So matters proceeded more than ever. until Amy went to London for a few days, to see about the commencement of her troussean, as the wedding was to take place in December. While she was absent Captain Liston and I were more than ever thrown together. I have forHis manners were gotten to say that his regiment was stationed at Dover. most fascinating, and although I did not know how completely I had yielded to their fascination, I felt glad when Amy returned. The morning afterwards Captain Liston ca led as usual, and I deter mined to leave them alone together. I put on my things and started for a walk by myself, as Laura was taking a singing lesson. I took the road to Shakspere's Cliff and having arrived at the summit, and indulged in a not very pleasant fit of musing on the seat to be found there, I began to retrace my steps, but had not gone far on my way homeward when I saw Captain Liston approaching. 'I have "This is an unexpected pleasure. Miss Harcourt,' he said, as we met. been vainly endeavouring to persuade Amy to come for a walk; she says she too tired with her journey yesterday. I wish she were stronger.' "So do I; but she is gaining strength rapidly, and looks much better than when I came,' I replied. "We walked on together for some little time in silence, then he said, abruptly "How fast you walk! I never knew any one more active; I wish Amy had half your energy.' "She has double my amiability, to make up for it,' I said, feeling pleased, nevertheless. "Yes, she is very amiable, and until lately I thought we were admirably suited for each other; now I begin to doubt it, and feel with regret that, had I decided less quickly, I might have been happier. "Then I am sure you think quite wrong. I replied, hurriedly. 666 I hope I do.' "The gravity with which he said this made me look up in surprise, and I met his eyes fixed on me with a look which brought the crimson blood to my very temples. Fortunately. I retained my presence of mind, and, forcing a smile, said "Do you know, Captain Liston, you are talking high treason against Amy, and if you say one word more I shall impeach you.' "Compelling myself to talk, I rattled on I scarcely knew what about, excepting that it neither concerned Amy nor myself. He gave me short, absent answers, and I was heartily glad when we reached home. Pleading fatigue. I hurried into the house without waiting to see if he followed me. On the stairs I met Amy. "Did I not see Ernest with you on the Parade, Bella? she inquired, with a slight shade of annoyance on her face. "Yes,' I replied; 'I met him as I came home. He seemed quite disappointed that you could not walk with him; if you make haste you can overtake him now.' lowing post brought me the wished-for "And was that really why you never married, aunty?" I said, as she concluded. "She hesitated a moment, then went. I rushed up to my room, locked the door, threw myself on the sofa, and gave way to a passion of tears. I felt perfectly miserable. I knew the whole now. I "Yes, my dear. I have had several loved Captain Liston, and had all but, chances since, but I have never seen any one perhaps, quite gained his affections in whom I could love sufficiently to become return. For an instant the thought his wife; and although the romance of my brought happiness; then came the re-life was soon over, I am sure I am very membrance of Amy-her sweet amiable happy, and hope, not quite useless." character, her deep and sincere affection "I only trust my own life may be as for him, and the entire confidence she had useful," I replied, warmly; 66 we could placed in me. Could I abuse it, and not get on without you." bring such unhappiness upon her? crush all her bright hopes? Never. If I acted at once, no great barm might yet be done. The victory once gained over myself, all was comparatively easy. I wrote directly to Alice (your mamma), begging her to send me a pressing invitation by return of post, and I would explain everything when we met. That evening we had our dance, but I kept my resolution; was engaged whenever Captain Liston asked me to be his partner, and made myself assiduously agreeable to other people. The next day I really had a bad headache, so I did not go out at all; and the fol I did not ask any more, for I was busy wondering whether, had I been placed in the same position, my conduct would have been as noble and unselfish as Aunt Bella's. ISABEL. How TO TREAT A PERSON RESCUED FROM DROWNING. - Dr. Marshall Hall's simple and efficacious method of recovering persons who have long been in the water, is this:- All that is required is, that the body of the drowned person be placed upon its chest and abdomen, with the arms under its forehead, and then turned from side to side, as one would roll a wine-cask or beer-cask in and gently, and continuing this rotary motion unprocess of cleansing; but, of course, more slowly til full inflation of the lungs shall have taken place THE EDITOR'S LETTER. THIS month my letter must be a very brief one. First, because the space left me is so limited; secondly, because the time left me to write in is also limited-February not even containing a leap-year number of days; thirdly, because the approaching wedding of the Prince of Wales seems to absorb all other topics; and, fourthly, because I am not much inclined to write, seeing that my editorial eyes and hand have been incessantly engaged for sixteen consecutive hours. This last reason, perhaps, ought to be sufficient, without either of the others. There is a story I have heard or read somewhere of a provincial mayor who, on receiving the king at the gate of the town, commenced by apologising for not ringing the bells. "I have fifty reasons, your majesty, for not welcoming you in the customary joyful manner. In the first place, sire, we have no bells in our steeple." "Don't say a word more, Mr. Mayor," replied the king; "that one reason suffices, without the other fortynine." But will my last reason be as cogent with the readers of the "Family Friend" as the mayor's explanation was with the monarch? I am almost afraid to hazard a guess; and yet, if I go on gossiping in this inconsequent manner, I shail exhaust the little space left me without saying anything worth saying after all. This is the invariable rule. It is always the way with the gossip. He does not mean to stay a minute; but there he lingers, with his hat on and the door in his hand, and talks for an hour. And yet how glad the folk are to listen to him-he has such a pleasant way with him! If they only asked him to sit down, or stay to dinner, he would be off, literally "like a shot," out of the aperture. But then this is idle talk is it worth anything? Cannot we be serious, steady, learned? Well, not always. It is not best to be continually grave. You know the old Æsopian fable about the unstrung bow. There is a good deal of philosophy in that; and then, too, it is so pleasant to have a chat, and to know that your audience don't expect you to be wise, or even witty. You get on such good terms with yourself, holding the door in your hand, and always ready to start directly the omnibus comes in sight. And yet vehicle after vehicle passes on its way; till, at last, suddenly recollecting that there really is a small business appointment that should not be neglected, you are fain to bid your crony good-bye in the middle of a story, and hurry off-in a cab! By parity of reasoning a very newspaperish phrase—I should suddenly pull up, and commence a grave disquisition upon the topics of the day— politics, perhaps, and Bishop Colenso. But how to do it that is the question! How to string up the bow when it has gone loose so long as to ravel the cat-gut! And this reminds me that in my undignified rambling about nothing, I have forgotten to use the editorial "we," and am actually addressing my dear friends and readers in the familiar and unprofessional first person. Well, it is too late to rectify so important an error, so I must e'en go on as I began. We are so happy and wellordered a community in the "Family Friend," that we don't mind appearing in morning attire, now and then-do we? not actually dishabille, you know, but loose and comfortable garments-old coats and caps and crinolines of such moderate dimensions that we-I mean the ladies now-can actually pass out of the doorway without danger of tipping over the little girl who calls with the milk. Ah! but I |