The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1739: Chapter 75: Summoning Scotland Yard Deputy Hasting to Court (Part 2)

King William IV took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions: ”But since we’re talking about Delina’s studies, I’m curious: apart from her language grades, how did she fare in other subjects? Don’t tell me she can’t even draw a map of Britain.”

Taylor, hearing this, quickly presented the second stack of documents before the throne: ”Your Majesty, according to the supplementary report from the Duchess of Northumberland, Her Highness the Princess has performed adequately in mathematics, having already grasped basic algebra and arithmetic. The geography course covered the main counties of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as the distribution of the colonies, showing good map-reading skills.”

King William IV nodded slightly, but his eyes still failed to show satisfaction.

”And what about history?” He leaned back in his chair, frowning slightly: ”Don’t tell me Delina only knows the Genesis from the Bible and doesn’t understand the Glorious Revolution.”

”Currently, Her Highness the Princess’s focus is on the history of the Kingdom and the Church, but she has yet to delve into constitutional history.” Taylor paused: ”However, since Sir Arthur Hastings became the tutor, Her Highness has begun studying excerpts from the ’Bill of Rights 1689’ and the ’Great Charter’.”

”The ’Great Charter’ and the ’Bill of Rights’?”

King William IV placed the cup back on the silver tray gently, emitting a dull sound.

”Not bad, not bad.” The old King deliberately dragged out his words, his voice slow and low, pretending not to understand though obviously aware: ”It’s better to read these things early rather than late. But as I recall, wasn’t Sir Arthur employed at the Foreign Office? How did he suddenly appear at Kensington Palace?”

Taylor bowed slightly: ”Sir Arthur resigned from the Foreign Office earlier this year, due to matters related to the Caucasus.”

”The Caucasus matter?” King William IV slapped his forehead: ”How could I forget that? It seems that young man got involved with David Eckett, didn’t he? These two are quite a handful.”

Taylor nodded: ”As you said. After Sir Arthur resigned earlier this year, he took up a position as a professor at the University of London, eventually becoming the Dean of Academic Affairs. As for Kensington Palace, they probably admired his reputation, so they paid a high price to invite him back as a tutor.”

Upon hearing this, King William IV couldn’t help but snort coldly: ”Admire his reputation? More likely it was Brougham or Dalhousie’s recommendation, right? Hastings is their protégé, and aside from Conroy, that German woman listens most to this group of Radical Party nobles! I heard she previously even forbade Delina from reading novels. If it weren’t for Dalhousie convincing her to let Delina read some of Miss Harriet Martineau’s storybooks, my niece would only be reading boring sermons or incomprehensible poetry. I don’t see how this benefits the child; it will only make her detest reading.”

Taylor did not immediately respond to the King’s complaint but took the opportunity to flip open another page, cautiously replying: ”Your Majesty, actually, recently Her Highness the Princess has begun engaging with popular literature.”

”Popular? You mean she’s started reading novels?”

”Yes.” Taylor smiled slightly: ”According to the ennobled female scholar, the Duchess of Northumberland, this was Sir Arthur Hastings’s suggestion. Sir Arthur shares your view; he believes that rather than making Her Highness averse to reading, she should gradually build an interest through the works of Shakespeare and Sir Walter Scott.”

”That’s not wrong.” William picked up the wine glass the attendant had just filled: ”At Delina’s age, it’s about time she read Shakespeare. Of course, make sure not to show her ’Romeo and Juliet’.”

”On that point, you need not worry; I believe Kensington will most likely not show it to her.” Taylor continued: ”Yesterday, as per your request, I attended as an observer during a test held for Her Highness. It included excerpts from Shakespeare’s plays in the classical literature exam, and Her Highness did quite well. Especially the monologue about St Crispin’s Day in ’Henry V’.”

William raised his eyebrows, looking at Taylor with a half-smile: ”Oh? She can recite that part?”

”Although slightly faltering, her spirit was strong.” Taylor added: ”Sir Arthur Hastings has quite a knack for teaching. Not only in classical literature, but in natural philosophy, Her Highness’s progress also surpasses the average standard of noble youth of her age. Especially in electromagnetism, to be honest, I even believe Her Highness’s understanding of electromagnetism has reached an initial level of professional knowledge.”

”Electromagnetism?” King William IV murmured the word, then burst out laughing in his characteristic hearty manner: ”Is Sir Arthur planning to teach my little niece how to summon lightning, or does he intend for her to become a lightning rod herself?”

Taylor’s mouth twitched, not engaging with the joke.

However, King William IV set down his glass and stood up, his hand firmly on the ground as he moved to the fireplace, gazing at the leaping flames in silence for a moment.

”I really wish to see with my own eyes if this little doctor of electromagnetism, the orator of St Martin’s Church, can draw a map of Britain in my presence.” He muttered, then slowly turned to call his attendant: ”Send word to Kensington. Tell them I plan to personally assess the recent progress of my heir and wish to meet the new-style lecturer praised by Brougham and Dalhousie.”

”Should we set a date?”

”No need.” King William IV waved his hand, ”Just this afternoon at four. Tell that German woman that I hope Delina will dress like a crown prince, speak like an Englishman, and recite like a devout Anglican. If she cannot do these, then at least let me see if Sir Arthur Hastings’s talents are worth drawing from the royal treasury.”