And now let me acknowledge the many expressions of sorrow that have come from all quarters, I may say from every civilized land, claiming to mourn with us as for a common loss. Here also let me gratefully record that, among the first messages of sympathy which came to me, was a letter which our gracious Queen (ever in sympathy with the sorrows of her subjects) was pleased to write with her own hand. Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to allow this letter, and another with which I was afterwards honoured, to appear in this volume. Let me return thanks to all those whose sympathy and kindness, so freely shown, did all that human means could do to lessen the bitter blow and loss; to those whose prayers and thoughts were unceasingly with my brother from the time of his leaving England in January, 1884, until the end; and to the public press which, joining in the sympathy of individuals, stood by him so loyally to the last. In return for all this kindness and affection, let me offer my most heartfelt thanks and gratitude. SOUTHAMPTON, M. A. GORDON. LETTERS FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ΤΟ MISS GORDON. OSBORNE, 17 Feb. 1885. DEAR MISS GORDON, How shall I write to you, or how shall I attempt to express what I feel! To think of your dear, noble, heroic Brother, who served his Country and his Queen so truly, so heroically, with a selfsacrifice so edifying to the World, not having been rescued. That the promises of support were not fulfilled-which I so frequently and constantly pressed on those who asked him to go-is to me grief inexpressible ! indeed, it has made me ill! My heart bleeds for you, his Sister, who have gone through so many anxieties on his account, and who loved the dear Brother as he deserved to be. You are all so good and trustful, and have such strong faith, that you will be sustained even now, when b real absolute evidence of your dear Brother's death does not exist-but I fear there cannot be much doubt of it. Some day I hope to see you again, to tell you all I cannot express. My daughter Beatrice, who has felt quite as I do, wishes me to express her deepest sympathy with you. I hear so many expressions of sorrow and sympathy from abroad: from my eldest daughter, the Crown Princess, and from my Cousin, the King of the Belgians, the very warmest. Would you express to your other Sisters and your elder Brother my true sympathy, and what I do so keenly feel, the stain left upon England for your dear Brother's cruel, though heroic, fate! Ever, Dear MISS GORDON, Yours sincerely and sympathizingly, Letters from the Queen. xix DEAR MISS GORDON, WINDSOR CASTLE, It is most kind and good of you to give me this precious Bible,1 and I only hope that you are not depriving yourself and family of such a treasure, if you have no other. May I ask you, during how many years your dear heroic Brother had it with him? I shall have a case made for it with an inscription, and place it in the Library here, with your letter and the touching extract from his last to you. I have ordered, as you know, a Marble Bust of your dear Brother to be placed in the Corridor here, where so many Busts and Pictures of our greatest Generals and Statesmen are, and hope that you will see it before it is finished, to give your opinion as to the likeness. Believe me always, yours very sincerely, 1 The Bible here referred to was one used by my Brother for many years, and was his constant companion when at Gravesend, Galatz, and during his first sojourn in the Soudan; it was then so worn out that he gave it to me. Hearing that the Queen would like to see it, I forwarded it to Windsor Castle, and subsequently offered it to Her Majesty, who was graciously pleased to accept it. The Bible is now placed in the South Corridor in the private apartments, enclosed in an enamel and crystal case, called the "St. George's Casket," where it lies open on a white satin cushion, with a marble bust of General Gordon on a pedestal beside it. |