Queen Victoria’s diary, 1872

To kirk at twelve, with Baby and the ladies, etc. Dr. Macleod preached a very fine ser- mon, full of love and warm feeling, upon future life and hope. The text was…

Saw and wished good Dr. Macleod good-bye, with real regret and anxiety. Towards the end of dinner, yesterday, he cheered up, having hardly talked at all during the…

Brown came in soon after four o'clock, saying he had been down at the waterside, for a child had fallen into the water, and the whole district was out to try and…

Drove up to the Bush to warn Mrs. William Brown never to let dear little Albert run about alone, or near to the burn, of the danger of which she was quite aware.…

After luncheon, at a quarter to three, drove with the two children up as far as the West Lodge, and then just descried the sad funeral procession slowly and sadly…

We had come home at five minutes past eight ; I had wished Brown good-night, and was just going to my dressing-room, when he asked to come in again and say a few…

When I awoke the sad truth flashed upon me, which is doubly painful, as one is unaware of the reality on first waking. After breakfast, when I thought of my dear…

At six I left sweet Osborne with Leopold and Beatrice, Marie Leiningen, and the Duchess of Roxburghe, Flora Macdonald,* Colonels Ponsonby and De Ros, Mr. Collins,…

I had a good deal of rest, and was up and dressed by eight, or a little past. But we had already passed Melrose, and there was so much fog, and the air so thick,…

Again a very foggy morning. Breakfasted at half-past nine. Beatrice and Leopold started to go and see Roslin Chapel. Walked a little in the garden at half-past ten,…

A thoroughly wet day. At half-past eleven I walked out with Flora Macdonald (whose name attracted great attention in Edinburgh), right across the court to the…

Did not sleep much or well — it was so very hot, and I was too much excited, and then we had to be roused up and to dress hurriedly before seven, by which time we…

A dull but fair morning. Breakfasted with the children before nine o'clock, and at half-past nine I left dear Balmoral in the open landau and four with Beatrice and…

I will now describe my rooms. They are very high ; the bedroom is the largest and very hand- some, with a beautiful bed with white and gold flowers and cloves at…

A fine bright morning. Breakfast as yesterday. Directly after it, at a quarter-past ten, walked with Beatrice along the Ladys Walk, as it is called, which commences…

Raining a little early in the day. After break- fast drove in the wagonette with Beatrice and Jane Churchill to the Kennel, a remarkably nice and clean one to the…

Very fine. Our usual breakfast. At half-past ten got on my pony Maggie, Annie and Jane Churchill walking, and went to see the Golspie Burn Falls. We made two…

A dull morning. The military manoeuvres in the South seem to be going on very satisfactorily, and every one praises dear Arthur, his indefatigable zeal and pains.…

I had not slept much, but the journey was very quiet. At eight we were at Ballater. A splendid morning. We drove off at once, Beatrice, Leopold, and I in one…