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Article American River Parkway Reference Walk on 110223 Lunch Celia'

1703 -
1703 -    ..
1704 - Summary/Objective
1705 -
170501 - Follow up ref SDS 25 0000. ref SDS 24 0000.
170502 -
170503 -
170504 -
170505 -
170507 -  ..
1706 -
1707 -
1708 - Progress
1709 -
170901 - Letter to Kathy saying...
170902 -
170903 -    1.  Subject: Re: Practically Paradise
170904 -        Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:49:12 -0800
170911 -         ..
170912 -    2.  Thanks very much for a really great letter.  Makes writing up
170913 -        the record and follow up much, much faster and easier. ...[
170914 -        received on 110224 1019. ref SDS 25 PD5J...]  I'd forgotten
170915 -        about gargling with salt water. [...mentioned in Kathy's letter
170916 -        on, ref SDS 25 4I6X...]
170917 -
170918 -    3.  "Young Victoria" was broadcast again last night.
170920 -         ..
170921 -    4.  As you explained, the "regency" issue is presented in the
170922 -        opening minutes. [...discussed at lunch on 110223 1130.
170923 -        ref SDS 24 AJ4J...]  I had missed that on prior viewings.
170924 -        Seems to be an English tradition to award guardianship of royal
170925 -        power until the sovereign by birthright comes of age.
170926 -        Procedures for awarding regency authority are hazy.  Evidently
170927 -        Parliament can pass a law, but this has not been done often in
170928 -        1000 years.  The King could have signed an order, but in the
170929 -        movie he was against it.  Victoria could have signed a document
170930 -        granting regency, but she, too, resisted.  Had she been a few
170931 -        years younger, Victoria might have signed away royal power for
170932 -        a puppy.
170934 -         ..
170935 -    5.  This was actually a political struggle.   The King favored the
170936 -        Liberal political party, which led to election of Lord
170937 -        Melbourne as Prime Minister.   In exchange, Melbourne guided
170938 -        Parliament to advance the King's power and interests.  The
170939 -        opposing Tory party allied with Sir John Conroy, who evidently
170940 -        managed the household expense budget for the heir-apparent
170941 -        sovereign, Victoria.  As part of the live-in staff, Sir John
170942 -        was a convenient love interest for mom, and had direct daily
170943 -        contact with Victoria.  With these assets, the Tories favored
170944 -        regency hoping, Sir John could influence the duchess toward
170945 -        favoring the Tory agenda.
170947 -         ..
170948 -    6.  Sir John tried hard, suggesting expectation of significant
170949 -        reward.  The movie centers on Lord Melbourne and Sir John
170950 -        competing to influence "Young Victoria" toward and against
170951 -        regency that would swing political power.  Sir John, though
170952 -        skilled in charming the mother, was clumsy, heavy handed, and
170953 -        ineffective with Victoria.  Lord Melbourne on the other hand
170954 -        became a "friendly puppy."  He in any case had the easier task
170955 -        influencing Victoria to resist regency, and thereby gained her
170956 -        confidence as close adviser, at least until marriage to Prince
170957 -        Albert.  Interesting movie seeing personal relationships in the
170958 -        context of world power and state-craft, underscored in the
170959 -        movie with Victoria feeling like a "piece" on a chess board -
170960 -        indeed the most powerful piece, the Queen.
170962 -         ..
170963 -    7.  Lovely day in the park.  Enjoyed lunch, the walk and
170964 -        conversation very much. [...referencing meeting on 110223 1130.
170965 -        ref SDS 24 K65L...]
170967 -         ..
170968 -    8.  Looks like it might start raining at any moment, so better get
170969 -        going.
170971 -         ..
170972 -    9.  Thanks again for taking time to write this morning.
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