HC Deb 15 March 1881 vol 259 cc1066-7
MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, I have to ask the House, with the full anticipation of a similar assent being given, to concur in a proceeding somewhat different in form, but the same in substance and intent. I move— That it be ordered, that a Message of Condolence be sent to Her Royal and Imperial Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh, and that the Marquess of Tavistock and the Earl Percy do attend Her Royal and Imperial Highness with the said Message. In regard to this Motion I need say still less than on the last one which I had the honour to move. When the Duchess of Edinburgh became the wife of the second son of the Queen, it was authentically known that there never had been a daughter in any rank of life more tenderly loved by her parents, or more worthy of that love; and when they committed her to the care of the Sovereign and the people of this country, it was the fond and affectionate desire of the Emperor that she should be cherished and appreciated here as she had been by him. The experience we have had of the Duchess of Edinburgh has convinced all who have had the opportunity of judging it of the perfect worthiness of Her Royal and Imperial Highness to fill the place which she held in the Imperial Family of Russia, and to fill the place which she holds in our own Royal Family. The qualities of character which I dwelt upon in recording the virtues and deeds of the dead Emperor are qualities happily reflected in his daughter. This sorrow is, indeed, a deep one, and one which goes to the centre and heart of her life. As a matter of fact, I follow precedent in the Motion which I make; but if I did not this would be an occasion for making one. I therefore make the Motion of which I have given Notice; and in doing so venture to say on behalf of the House that we assure Her Royal and Imperial Highness of the deep sympathy and sincere condolence which alone we can offer to her in her grief and bereavement—a grief and bereavement which I trust will draw their consolation from a higher source.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Sir, I rise to second this, as I seconded the previous Motion of my right hon. Friend. Since Her Royal and Imperial Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh has become a daughter of England, as well as a daughter of Russia, she has learned sufficient of the English character to be assured that words of sympathy proceeding from our tongues are never words coming from our lips only; and I am sure that the expression of sympathy and condolence of this House will be received by Her Royal and Imperial Highness as being as true and as hearty as it really is.

Resolved, Nemine Contradicente, That this House do condole with Her Royal and Imperial Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh, Grand Duchess of Russia, on the heavy blow which she has sustained in the death, under circumstances of so painful a character, of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias.

Ordered, That a Message of Condolence be sent to Her Royal and Imperial Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh, and that the Marquess of Tavistock and the Earl Percy do attend Her Royal and Imperial Highness with the said Message.