The young Prince determined from the first to master both national
and European politics, for it must always be remembered that as he
was a foreigner everything in this country was for some time strange
to him. In addition to being his wife's right hand he took a leading
part in all movements which might help to improve the education and
conditions of life of the people. His fine training and sympathetic
nature enabled him, little by little, to be the means of helping on
important reforms. In addition to this, both he and his wife found
time to work at drawing and music, which they studied together under
the best masters. Throughout the Queen's correspondence one reads
of his devotion to her both as husband and helpmate.

The times were hard; discontent with poverty and bad trade kept the
nation ill at ease, and, as is always the case, there were many who
did their best to stir up riot. As a consequence, possibly, of this
unrest, attempts were made on the Queen's life, once in 1840 and twice
in 1841.

The relief and joy felt by the whole nation at their young Queen's
lucky escapes from death by an assassin's hand are expressed in the
following lines by an anonymous author:--

God saved the Queen--all thoughts apart
This crowning joy fills every mind!
She sits within the nation's heart,
An angel shrined.

The assassin's hand the steel enclosed,
He poised his ruthless hand on high--