CHAPTER IV.

FIRST YEARS OF CHILDHOOD.

Old Memories of Kensington Palace--Enlargements of the Structure by William III., Anne, Queen Caroline, and the Duke of Sussex--Maids of Honour--Rank and Beauty in the Gardens-- Wilberforce and the Infant Princess--Victoria at Ramsgate--A Picture of Victoria when Five Years Old--Her Physical Training--Popularity as a Child--Her Youthful Charities--A Narrow Escape from Death--Early Development of Quick Intelligence--Anecdotes--Love of Nature--Proneness to Self-Will--But Counterbalanced by Candour--Waggishness--A Portrait of the Child-Princess by Leigh Hunt 23