"Our youthful princess has been prepared for her high position by a wise and thoughtful education, which no one was better qualified to conduct than her illustrious mother.
"The duchess of Kent was the youngest child of Francis, duke of Saxe-Saalfield-Coburg, and was married at the early age of seventeen to Enrick Charles prince of Leningen. On the death of the prince she was called to the regency; and her administration was equally popular and respected. Her royal highness was united, in 1818, to Edward duke of Kent, whose death within two years, made her again a widow. Since that period her life has been devoted to the illustrious orphan left in her charge. The character of a sovereign must influence the destinies of a people,—and careful education, though it cannot make, will mould a character. The Princess Victoria has never left her mother's side for a day. Of the confidence felt by the public in that mother, a distinguished proof was given by the act of parliament, which, in 1831, named the duchess of Kent regent, should her royal daughter be called to the throne while a minor. We may be allowed to quote a portion of lord Lyndhurst's (then lord chancellor) speech on the occasion, as general opinion happily expressed.
