Helena wrote:
> I think I read somewhere that Queen Victoria was breastfed by her own mother, a
> rare thing in those circles. If so, it might account for her longevity.
> I do not know if she did same for her own children, suspect not.

In her letters to various family members Queen Victoria expressed
quite some distaste for breastfeeding, which she considered rather
base. She would chastise them if they were still breastfeeding!
Outside Buckingham Palace in London, on a large pedestal, there is a
statue of Queen Victoria facing down Pall Mall.  On the other side
of the pedestal, facing the palace, is a beautiful statue of a woman
breastfeeding a baby, her arm around a toddler at her side (waiting
his turn?), and a younger child sitting playing at her skirts.  I
like to assume it is the wet nurse for Queen Victoria's numerous
children (she lacked the contraceptive protection of breastfeeding).
Has anyone else seen it?  It is such a prime location right where you
watch the changing of the guards.

Ros Escott IBCLC
Tasmania, Australia