queen victoria-第21章
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duchy； and miscellaneous onlookers。 There were also present； besides the Duke and the Dowager Duchess； their Serene Highnesses the Princes Alexander and Ernest of Wurtemberg； Prince Leiningen； Princess Hohenlohe…Langenburg； and Princess Hohenlohe…Schillingsfurst。 Dr。 Jacobi； the Court chaplain； presided at an altar； simply but appropriately decorated； which had been placed at the end of the hall； and the proceedings began by the choir singing the first verse of the hymn； 〃Come； Holy Ghost。〃 After some introductory remarks； Dr。 Jacobi began the examination。 〃The dignified and decorous bearing of the Princes；〃 we are told in a contemporary account； 〃their strict attention to the questions； the frankness； decision； and correctness of their answers； produced a deep impression on the numerous assembly。 Nothing was more striking in their answers than the evidence they gave of deep feeling and of inward strength of conviction。 The questions put by the examiner were not such as to be met by a simple 〃yes〃 or 〃no。〃 They were carefully considered in order to give the audience a clear insight into the views and feelings of；the young princes。 One of the most touching moments was when the examiner asked the hereditary prince whether he intended steadfastly to hold to the Evangelical Church； and the Prince answered not only 〃Yes！〃 but added in a clear and decided tone： 〃I and my brother are firmly resolved ever to remain faithful to the acknowledged truth。〃 The examination having lasted an hour； Dr。 Jacobi made some concluding observations； followed by a short prayer； the second and third verses of the opening hymn were sung； and the ceremony was over。 The Princes； stepping down from the altar； were embraced by the Duke and the Dowager Duchess； after which the loyal inhabitants of Coburg dispersed； well satisfied with their entertainment。
Albert's mental development now proceeded apace。 In his seventeenth year he began a careful study of German literature and German philosophy。 He set about； he told his tutor； 〃to follow the 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
