CHAPTER V.

EDUCATION OF THE PRINCESS VICTORIA.

Additional Grant by Parliament for the Maintenance and Education of the Princess--Wise Lessons learned at her Mother's Knee--A Visit to George IV. at Windsor--Assiduous Pursuit of Knowledge--Accession of William IV.--Victoria becomes next in Succession to the Crown--Regency Bill-- Satisfaction of the Good Grandmother at Coburg--Her Death-- Joy of Victoria at the Elevation of her Uncle to the Belgian Throne--Parliamentary Inquiry into the Progress of her Education--Satisfactory Report in Response--Presented at Court--Great Ball on her Twelfth Birthday at St. James's Palace--Court Scandal and Baseless Rumours--The Duchess of Northumberland appointed Governess--The Princess and the Poet Southey 37