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background: inherit; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: normal;} + + </style> + </head> + + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume 1 (of +3), 1837-1843), by Queen Victoria + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume 1 (of 3), 1837-1843) + A Selection from Her Majesty's Correspondence Between the + Years 1837 and 1861 + +Author: Queen Victoria + +Editor: Arthur Christopher Benson and Viscount Esher + +Release Date: December 5, 2006 [EBook #20023] +Most recently updated: May 3, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS QUEEN VICTORIA *** + + + + +Produced by Paul Murray, Lesley Halamek and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<table align="center" summary="note" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 2em;"> +<tr><td class="note1"> +<p>This is the first volume of three. +The index of this three-volume work is in Volume III, with links to +all three volumes; and some footnotes are linked between volumes. +These links are designed to work when the book is read on line. For +information on the downloading of all three interlinked volumes so +that the links work on your own computer, see the +<a name="tn" id="tn"></a><a href="#tntag">Transcriber's Note</a> +at the end of this book. +</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<h3>Links to</h3> +<h3><a href="../../24780/24780-h/24780-h.htm">Volume II</a></h3> +<h3><a href="../../28649/28649-h/28649-h.htm">Volume III</a></h3> + +<p> </p> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/spine-i-300.png"><img src="images/spine-i-99.jpg" width="99" height="500" alt="book-spine, Volume I" border="0" /></a> +<a href="images/cover-i-800.png"><img src="images/cover-i-345.png" width="345" height="500" alt="cover, Volume I" border="0" /></a> +</div> +<a name="frontisi" id="frontisi"></a> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"> +<a href="images/frontis-1200.jpg"><img src="images/frontis-600.png" width="600" height="428" alt="QUEEN VICTORIA RECEIVING THE NEWS OF HER ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, JUNE 20, 1837" border="0" /></a> +<p class="center"><b>QUEEN VICTORIA RECEIVING THE NEWS OF HER ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, JUNE 20, 1837</b></p> +<p class="center"><b>From the picture by H. T. Wells, R.A., at Buckingham Palace</b></p> +<p class="author"><b><i>Frontispiece, Vol. I.</i></b></p> +</div> +<br /> +<a name="pagei.i" id="pagei.i"></a> + +<h1 style="font-size: 3.5em;">THE LETTERS OF<br /> +QUEEN VICTORIA</h1> + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 2em;"><span style="letter-spacing: 2px;">A SELECTION FROM HER MAJESTY'S</span><br /> +CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE YEARS<br /> +1837 <span class="sc">and</span> 1861</h2> + + + +<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0;">PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF</h3> +<h2 style="margin-top: 0;">HIS MAJESTY THE KING</h2> + + +<h3>EDITED BY ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON, M.A.<br /> +AND VISCOUNT ESHER, G.C.V.O., K.C.B.</h3> + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">IN THREE VOLUMES</h3> + + +<h3>VOL. I.—1837-1843</h3> + + +<h4 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 0;">LONDON</h4> +<h3 style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;">JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.</h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: 0;">1908</h4> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.ii" id="pagei.ii"></a>[page ii]</span> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 5em;"><i>Copyright in Great Britain and Dependencies, 1907, by</i> +<span class="sc">H.M. The King</span>.</h5> + +<h5><i>In the United States by</i> Messrs <span class="sc">Longmans, Green & Co.</span></h5> + +<h6><i>All rights reserved.</i></h6> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.iii" id="pagei.iii"></a>[page iii]</span> + + + +<h1 style="margin-top: 5em;">PREFACE</h1> + + +<p><span class="sc">Entrusted</span> by His Majesty the King with the duty of making +a selection from Queen Victoria's correspondence, we think it +well to describe briefly the nature of the documents which we +have been privileged to examine, as well as to indicate the +principles which have guided us throughout. It has been a +task of no ordinary difficulty. Her Majesty Queen Victoria +dealt with her papers, from the first, in a most methodical +manner; she formed the habit in early days of preserving her +private letters, and after her accession to the Throne all her +official papers were similarly treated, and bound in volumes. +The Prince Consort instituted an elaborate system of classification, +annotating and even indexing many of the documents with +his own hand. The result is that the collected papers form what +is probably the most extraordinary series of State documents +in the world. The papers which deal with the Queen's life up +to the year 1861 have been bound in chronological order, and +comprise between five and six hundred volumes. They consist, +in great part, of letters from Ministers detailing the proceedings +of Parliament, and of various political memoranda +dealing with home, foreign, and colonial policy; among these +are a few drafts of Her Majesty's replies. There are volumes +concerned with the affairs of almost every European country; +with the history of India, the British Army, the Civil List, the +Royal Estates, and all the complicated machinery of the +Monarchy and the Constitution. There are letters from +monarchs and royal personages, and there is further a whole +series of volumes dealing with matters in which the Prince +Consort took a special interest. Some of them are arranged +chronologically, some by subjects. Among the most interesting +volumes are those containing the letters written by Her +Majesty to her uncle Leopold, King of the Belgians, and his +replies.<sup>1</sup> The collection of letters from and to Lord Melbourne +forms another hardly less interesting series. In many places +Queen Victoria caused extracts, copied from her own private +Diaries, dealing with important political events or describing +momentous interviews, to be inserted in the volumes, with the +evident intention of illustrating and completing the record.</p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 1: A set of volumes containing the Queen's letters to Lord John +Russell came into our hands too late to be made use of for the present publication. +</p> + +<p>It became obvious at once that it was impossible to deal with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.iv" id="pagei.iv"></a>[page iv]</span> +these papers exhaustively. They would provide material +for a historical series extending to several hundred volumes. +Moreover, on the other hand, there are many gaps, as a great +deal of the business of State was transacted by interviews of +which no official record is preserved.</p> + +<p>His Majesty the King having decided that no attempt +should be made to publish these papers <i>in extenso</i>, it was necessary +to determine upon some definite principle of selection. +It became clear that the only satisfactory plan was to publish +specimens of such documents as would serve to bring out the +development of the Queen's character and disposition, and to +give typical instances of her methods in dealing with political +and social matters—to produce, in fact, a book for British +citizens and British subjects, rather than a book for students of +political history. That the inner working of the unwritten +constitution of the country; that some of the unrealised checks +and balances; that the delicate equipoise of the component +parts of our executive machinery, should stand revealed, was +inevitable. We have thought it best, throughout, to abstain +from unnecessary comment and illustration. The period is +so recent, and has been so often traversed by historians and +biographers, that it appeared to us a waste of valuable space to +attempt to reconstruct the history of the years from which +this correspondence has been selected, especially as Sir Theodore +Martin, under the auspices of the Queen herself, has dealt +so minutely and exhaustively with the relations of the Queen's +innermost circle to the political and social life of the time. It +is tempting, of course, to add illustrative anecdotes from the +abundant Biographies and Memoirs of the period; but our +aim has been to infringe as little as possible upon the space +available for the documents themselves, and to provide just +sufficient comment to enable an ordinary reader, without +special knowledge of the period, to follow the course of events, +and to realise the circumstances under which the Queen's +childhood was passed, the position of affairs at the time of her +accession, and the personalities of those who had influenced +her in early years, or by whom she was surrounded.</p> + +<p>The development of the Queen's character is clearly indicated +in the papers, and it possesses an extraordinary interest. We +see one of highly vigorous and active temperament, of strong +affections, and with a deep sense of responsibility, placed at an +early age, and after a quiet girlhood, in a position the greatness +of which it is impossible to exaggerate. We see her +character expand and deepen, schooled by mighty experience +into patience and sagacity and wisdom, and yet never losing +a particle of the strength, the decision, and the devotion with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.v" id="pagei.v"></a>[page v]</span> +which she had been originally endowed. Up to the year 1861 +the Queen's career was one of unexampled prosperity. She +was happy in her temperament, in her health, in her education, +in her wedded life, in her children. She saw a great Empire +grow through troubled times in liberty and power and greatness; +yet this prosperity brought with it no shadow of complacency, +because the Queen felt with an increasing depth +the anxieties and responsibilities inseparable from her great +position. Her happiness, instead of making her self-absorbed, +only quickened her beneficence and her womanly desire that +her subjects should be enabled to enjoy a similar happiness +based upon the same simple virtues. Nothing comes out more +strongly in these documents than the laborious patience with +which the Queen kept herself informed of the minutest details +of political and social movements both in her own and other +countries.</p> + +<p>It is a deeply inspiring spectacle to see one surrounded by +every temptation which worldly greatness can present, living +from day to day so simple, vivid, and laborious a life; and it +is impossible to conceive a more fruitful example of duty and +affection and energy, displayed on so august a scale, and in the +midst of such magnificent surroundings. We would venture +to believe that nothing could so deepen the personal devotion +of the Empire to the memory of that great Queen who ruled +it so wisely and so long, and its deeply-rooted attachment to the +principle of constitutional monarchy, as the gracious act of His +Majesty the King in allowing the inner side of that noble life +and career to be more clearly revealed to a nation whose +devotion to their ancient liberties is inseparably connected +with their loyalty to the Throne.</p> + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 2em;">EDITORIAL NOTE</h2> + +<p class="note"><span class="sc">Our</span> special thanks, for aid in the preparation of these volumes, are due +to Viscount Morley of Blackburn, who has read and criticised the book in its +final form; to Mr J. W. Headlam, of the Board of Education, and formerly +Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, for much valuable assistance in +preparing the prefatory historical memoranda; to Mr W. F. Reddaway, +Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, for revision and advice throughout, +in connection with the introductions and annotations; to Lord Knollys, +for criticism of selected materials; to Lord Stanmore, for the loan of valuable +documents; to Dr Eugene Oswald, for assistance in translation; to Mr +C. C. Perry and M. G. Hua, for verification of French and German +documents; to Miss Bertha Williams, for unremitting care and diligence +in preparing the volumes for press; to Mr John Murray, our publisher, +for his unfailing patience and helpfulness; and especially to Mr Hugh +Childers, for his ungrudging help in the preparation of the Introductory +annual summaries, and in the political and historical annotation, as well +as for his invaluable co-operation at every stage of the work.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.vi" id="pagei.vi"></a>[page vi]</span> + + + + +<h1 style="margin-top: 2em;">TABLE OF CONTENTS </h1> + + + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> + <td><h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.1">CHAPTER I</a></h3></td><td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%">PAGES</td> + </tr> + +<tr> +<td><span class="outdent">Ancestry of Queen Victoria</span>—Houses of Brunswick, Hanover, +and Coburg—Family connections—The English +Royal Family—The Royal Dukes—Duke of Cumberland—Family +of George III.—Political position of the +Queen</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.1">1-7</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.8">CHAPTER II</a></h3> +<span class="outdent">Queen Victoria's early years</span>—Duke and Duchess of Kent—Parliamentary +grant to Duchess of Kent—The +Queen of Würtemberg—George IV. and the Princess—Visits +to Windsor—Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld—Education +of the Princess—The Duchess of Kent's +letter to the Bishops—Religious instruction—Result +of examination—Speech by Duchess of Kent—The +Princess's reminiscences of Claremont—William IV. +and the Princess—The accession—Queen Victoria's +character and temperament—Her sympathy with the +middle classes</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.8">8-21</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.22">CHAPTER III</a></h3> +<span class="outdent">Queen Victoria's relations and friends</span>—King Leopold's +influence—Queen Adelaide—Baroness Lehzen—Baron +Stockmar</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.22">22-26</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.27">CHAPTER IV</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1821-1835</h4> +<span class="outdent">Observations on the correspondence</span> with King Leopold +and others—First letter received by Queen Victoria—Her +first letter to Prince Leopold—Birthday letters—King +Leopold's description of his Queen—His +valuable advice—The Princess's visit to Hever Castle—King +Leopold's advice as to reading, and the +Princess's reply—New Year greeting—On autographs—The +Princess's confirmation—King Leopold's advice +as to honesty and sincerity</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.27">27-42</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.vii" id="pagei.vii"></a>[page vii]</span> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.43">CHAPTER V</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1836</h4> +<span class="outdent">Visit of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg</span>—Invitation to +the Prince of Orange—Arrival of Princes Ernest and +Albert—The Princess's appreciation of Prince Albert—King +Leopold's advice as to conversation—Crisis in +Spain—Farewell letter—The Princess and the Church—Death +of Charles X.—Abuse of King Leopold—Revolution +at Lisbon—The Princess's name—Newspaper +attacks on King Leopold</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.43">43-55</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.56">CHAPTER VI</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1837</h4> +<span class="outdent">Spain and Portugal</span>—Music with Princes Ernest and +Albert—Parliamentary language and political passion—The +throne of Greece—Queen of the Belgians' dowry—The +English Press—The Princess's establishment—Young +Belgian cousins—Irish Municipal Bill—Whig +Ministers—Birthday rejoicings—King Leopold's advice +and encouragement—Accession imminent—Condition +of the King—Reliance on Lord Melbourne—The +Princess and the Church—The Accession—The Queen's +journal—Interview with Lord Melbourne—The +Queen's first Council—Letter from the King of the +French—Congratulations from King Leopold—Nationality +of the Queen—The Queen and her Ministers—Reflection +advised—Baron Stockmar—Important +subjects for study—Sister Queens—Letter +from Queen Adelaide—Buckingham Palace—Madame +de Lieven—Parliament prorogued—England and +Russia—Discretion advised—Singing lessons—The +elections—Prevalence of bribery—End of King Leopold's +visit—Reception at Brighton—Security of +letters—England and France—France and the Peninsula—Count +Molé—The French in Africa—Close of the +session—Prince Albert's education—Canada—Army +estimates—Secretaries of State</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.56">56-101</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.102">CHAPTER VII</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1838</h4> +<span class="outdent">Lord Melbourne</span>—Canada—Influence of the Crown—Daniel +O'Connell—Position of Ministers of State in +England and abroad—New Poor Law—Pressure of +business—Prince Albert's education—Favourite +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.viii" id="pagei.viii"></a>[page viii]</span> +horses—Deaths of old servants—The Coronation—Address +from Bishops—Ball at Buckingham Palace—Independence +and progress of Belgium—Anglo-Belgian +relations—Foreign policy—Holland and +Belgium—Coronation Day—Westminster Abbey—The +enthronement—Receiving homage—Popular enthusiasm—Coronation +incidents—Pages of honour—Extra +holidays for schools—Review in Hyde Park—Lord +Durham and Canada—Government of Canada—Ireland +and O'Connell—Death of Lady John Russell—The +Queen's sympathy with Lord John Russell—Belgium +and English Government—Belgium and +Holland—Canada—Resignation of the Earl of Durham—English +Church for Malta—Disappointment of Duke +of Sussex—Brighton</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.102">102-140</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.141">CHAPTER VIII</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1839</h4> +<span class="outdent">Murder of Lord Norbury</span>—Holland and Belgium—Dissension +in the Cabinet—The Duke of Lucca—Portugal—Ireland +and the Government—England and Belgium—Prince +Albert's tour in Italy—Jamaica—Change of +Ministry imminent—The Queen's distress—Interviews +with the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel—Lord +Melbourne on Sir Robert Peel—The Household—Proposed +new Cabinet—Interview with Lord Melbourne—The +Ladies of the Household and Sir Robert +Peel—Reply to Sir Robert Peel—Resignation of Sir +Robert Peel—The Queen's journal—Cabinet minute—Whigs +resume office—Ball at Buckingham Palace—Lord +John Russell and Sir Robert Peel—The Queen on +the crisis—King Leopold's approval—The penny postage—The +Queen and Prince Albert—Syria—England +and the Sultan—Proposed visit of King Louis Philippe—Preparing +the Queen's speech—King Leopold's feeling +for the Queen—Coming visit of Prince Albert—Arrival +of Princes Ernest and Albert—The Queen's +engagement to Prince Albert—Lord Melbourne's congratulations—King +Leopold's satisfaction—Austria +and the Porte—The Queen's happiness—Queen +Louise's congratulations—The Queen's letters to the +Royal Family—The Prince's religion—Announcement +to the Council—Marriage treaty—Question of a peerage—English +susceptibilities—Letter from Donna +Maria—Household appointments—Mayor of Newport +knighted—The word "Protestant"—The Prince's +coat-of-arms—The Prince and Mr Anson—Appointment +of Treasurer—The Prince and Lord Melbourne</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.141">141-208</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.ix" id="pagei.ix"></a>[page ix]</span> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.209">CHAPTER IX</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1840</h4> +<span class="outdent">Letters to Prince Albert</span>—Opening of Parliament—The +Prince's grant—The Prince at Brussels—Marriage of +the Queen and Prince—Public enthusiasm—Plays in +Lent—Debate on the Corn Laws—England and China—Disturbance +at the Opera—Murder of Lord William +Russell—Mrs Norton—Character of Princess Charlotte—English +manners—Oxford's attempt on the Queen's +life—Egypt and the Four Powers—Prince Louis +Napoleon—King Leopold at Wiesbaden—A threatened +crisis—France and the East—A difficult question—Serious +measures—Palmerston and France—Views of +King Louis Philippe—Propositions for settlement—Attitude +of France—Pacific instructions—The Porte +and Mehemet Ali—Bombardment of Beyrout—Guizot +and Thiers—Differing views—The Queen's +influence—An anxious time—Attempt on life of King +Louis Philippe—Negotiation with France advised—Thiers +more moderate—Death of Lord Holland—Change +of Ministry in France—Importance of conciliation—The +Prince's name in the Prayer-book—King +Leopold on Lord Palmerston—Birth of the Princess +Royal—Settlement of Eastern Question</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.209">209-252</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.253">CHAPTER X</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1841</h4> +<span class="outdent">Letter to King Leopold</span>—The Prince and literature—The +speech from the throne—Domestic happiness—Duke +of Wellington's illness—England and the United States—Operations +in China—Lord Cardigan—Army discipline—The +Nottingham election—The Budget—Irish +Registration Bill—Sugar duties—Ministerial crisis—Lord +Melbourne's advice—Dissolution or resignation—The +Household question—Sir Robert Peel—Mr +Anson's intervention—Interview with Lord Melbourne—King +Leopold's sympathy—The Corn Laws—The +Queen's journal—The Prince's support—Further +interviews—Resignation postponed—The Queen and +the Church—King Leopold's advice—The Queen's +impartiality—Difficulties removed—Vote of want of +confidence—The country quiet—King Leopold's views—Fiscal +Policy—Marriage of Lord John Russell—Visit +to Nuneham—Archbishop Harcourt—The Prince +visits Oxford—Letter from Lord Brougham—Visit to +Woburn Abbey—Lord Melbourne and the Garter—A +dreaded moment—Debate on the Speech—Overwhelming +majority—Resignation—New arrangements—Parting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.x" id="pagei.x"></a>[page x]</span> +with Lord Melbourne—The Prince in a +new position—The Queen and Sir Robert Peel—Lord +Melbourne's opinion of the Prince—The Household +question—New Cabinet—Lord Melbourne's +official farewell—Sir Robert Peel's reception—New +appointments—Council at Claremont—The Lord +Chamberlain's department—The French ambassador—Confidential +communications—The diplomatic corps—Governor-General +of Canada—India and Afghanistan—Lord +Ellenborough—Russia and Central Asia—Indian +finances—The Spanish mission—Correspondence +with Lord Melbourne—Fine Arts Commission—Peers +and audiences—Lord Radnor's claim—The +Chinese campaign—English and foreign artists—Lord +Melbourne and the Court—The Queen and her Government—Baron +Stockmar's opinion—Lord Melbourne's +influence—Baron Stockmar and Sir Robert Peel—Professor +Whewell—Queen Christina—Queen Isabella—French +influence in Spain—Holland and Belgium—Dispute +with United States—Portugal—The English +Constitution—The "Prime Minister"—The "Secretaries +of State"—Baron Stockmar expostulates with +Lord Melbourne—Birth of Heir-apparent—Created +Prince of Wales—The Royal children</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.253">253-369</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.370">CHAPTER XI</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1842</h4> +<span class="outdent">Letter from Queen Adelaide</span>—Disasters in Afghanistan—The +Oxford movement—Church matters—The Duke +of Wellington and the christening—Lord Melbourne +ill—A favourite dog—The King of Prussia—Marriage +of Prince Ernest—Christening of the Prince of Wales—The +Corn Laws—Marine excursion—Fall of Cabul—Candidates +for the Garter—The Earl of Munster—The +Queen and Income Tax—Lambeth Palace—Sale at +Strawberry Hill—Selection of a governess—Party +politics—A brilliant ball—The Prince and the Army—Lady +Lyttelton's appointment—Goethe and Schiller—Edwin +Landseer—The Mensdorff family—Attack on +the Queen by Francis—Letters from Queen Adelaide +and Lord Melbourne—Successes in Afghanistan—Sir +R. Sale and General Pollock—Debate on Income Tax—The +Queen's first railway journey—Conviction of +Francis—Presents for the Queen—Another attack on +the Queen by Bean—Death of Duke of Orleans—Grief +of the Queen—Letters from the King and Queen of the +French—Leigh Hunt—Lord Melbourne on marriages—Resignation +of Lord Hill—Appointment of Duke of +Wellington—Manchester riots—Military assistance—Parliament +prorogued—Causes of discontent—Mob in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.xi" id="pagei.xi"></a>[page xi]</span> +Lincoln's Inn Fields—Trouble at the Cape—Tour in +Scotland—Visit to Lord Breadalbane—Return to +Windsor—Royal visitors—A steam yacht for the Queen—Future +of Queen Isabella—The Princess Lichtenstein—Historical +works—Walmer Castle—Lord Melbourne's +illness—The Crown jewels—Provision for Princess +Augusta—Success in China—A treaty signed—Victories +in Afghanistan—Honours for the army—The +gates of Somnauth—France and Spain—Major Malcolm—The +Scottish Church—A serious crisis—Letter +from Lord Melbourne—Esteem for Baron Stockmar</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.370">370-449</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<table summary="contents" align="center" width="90%"> + <tr> +<td> +<h3 style="margin-top: 2em;"><a class="contents" href="#pagei.450">CHAPTER XII</a></h3> +<h4 style="margin-top: -1em;">1843</h4> +<span class="outdent">Recollections of Claremont</span>—Historical writers—Governor-Generalship +of Canada—Mr Drummond shot—Mistaken +for Sir Robert Peel—Death of Mr Drummond—Demeanour +of MacNaghten—Letter from Lord Melbourne—Preparations +for the trial—The Royal Family +and politics—King Leopold and Sir Robert Peel—The +American treaty—Position of the Prince of Wales—Good +wishes from Queen Adelaide—Proposed exchange +of visits—Mr Cobden's speech—The new chapel—Fanny +Burney's diary—MacNaghten acquitted—Question +of criminal insanity—Princess Mary of Baden—The +Prince and the Levées—Sir Robert Peel's suggestions—Police +arrangements—Looking for the +comet—Flowers from Lord Melbourne—The Royal +children—The toast of the Prince—King of Hanover's +proposed visit—Gates of Somnauth restored—Death +of Duke of Sussex—Birth and christening of Princess +Alice—Irish agitation—Rebecca riots—Duchess of +Norfolk's resignation—Duelling in the Army—Outpensioners +of Chelsea—Crown jewels—Obstruction of +business—Lord Melbourne on matrimonial affairs—Visit +to Château d'Eu—Increased troubles in Wales—Royal +visitors—England and Spain—Arrest of O'Connell—Duc +de Bordeaux not received at Court—Duc +de Nemours expected—Visit to Cambridge—Duc d'Aumale's +engagement—Indian affairs—Loyalty at Cambridge—Proposed +visit to Drayton Manor—Travelling +arrangements—Duchesse de Nemours—Birmingham—Canadian +seat of government—Chatsworth—American +view of monarchy—Prince Metternich and +Spain</td> +<td class="right" valign="bottom" width="10%"><a href="#pagei.450">450-512</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.xii" id="pagei.xii"></a>[page xii]</span> + + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 3em;">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h3> + + +<table summary="illustrations" align="center" width="80%"> +<tr> +<td class="illus"><span class="outdent1"><a class="contents" href="#frontisi"><span class="sc">Queen Victoria</span> receiving the News of her Accession +to the Throne, 20th June 1837.</a></span><br /> +<i>From the picture by H. T. Wells, R.A., at +Buckingham Palace</i></td> +<td class="right"><a href="#frontisi"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="illus"><span class="outdent1"><a class="contents" href="#illusi.1"><span class="sc">T.R.H. The Duchess of Kent</span> and the Princess +Victoria.</a></span><br /> <i>From the miniature by H. Bone, +after Sir W. Beechey, at Windsor Castle</i></td> +<td class="right"><i>Facing p.</i> <a href="#illusi.1">8</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="illus"><span class="outdent1"><a class="contents" href="#illusi.2"><span class="sc">H.R.H. The Princess Victoria, 1827.</span></a></span><br /> By Plant, +after Stewart. <i>From the miniature at +Buckingham, Palace</i></td> +<td class="right"><i>Facing p.</i> <a href="#illusi.2">16</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="illus"><span class="outdent1"><a class="contents" href="#illusi.3"><span class="sc">H.M. King William IV.</span></a></span><br /> <i>From a miniature at Windsor +Castle</i></td> +<td class="right"><i>Facing p.</i> <a href="#illusi.3">72</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="illus"><span class="outdent1"><a class="contents" href="#illusi.4"><span class="sc">H.R.H. The Prince Consort, 1840.</span></a></span><br /> <i>From the portrait +by John Partridge at Buckingham Palace</i></td> +<td class="right"><i>Facing p.</i> <a href="#illusi.4">176</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="illus"><span class="outdent1"><a class="contents" href="#illusi.5"><span class="sc">H.M. Queen Victoria, 1841.</span></a></span><br /> <i>From the drawing by E. F. T., +after H. E. Dawe, at Buckingham Palace</i></td> +<td class="right"><i>Facing p.</i> <a href="#illusi.5">272</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="full" style="margin-top: 2em;" /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.1" id="pagei.1"></a>[page 1]</span> + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h5>THE ANCESTRY OF THE QUEEN—HOUSES OF BRUNSWICK,<br /> +HANOVER, AND COBURG</h5> + + +<p style="margin-top: 2em;"><span class="sc">Queen Victoria</span>, on her father's side, belonged to the House +of Brunswick, which was undoubtedly one of the oldest, and +claimed to be actually the oldest, of German princely families. +At the time of her birth, it existed in two branches, of which, +the one ruled over what was called the Duchy of Brunswick, +the other over the Electorate (since 1815 the Kingdom) of +Hanover, and had since 1714 occupied the throne of +England. There had been frequent intermarriages between +the two branches. The Dukes of Brunswick were now, +however, represented only by two young princes, who were +the sons of the celebrated Duke who fell at Quatre-Bras. +Between them and the English Court there was little intercourse. +The elder, Charles, had quarrelled with his uncle +and guardian, George IV., and had in 1830 been expelled from +his dominions. The obvious faults of his character made it +impossible for the other German princes to insist on his being +restored, and he had been succeeded by his younger brother +William, who ruled till his death in 1884. Both died unmarried, +and with them the Ducal family came to an end. +One Princess of Brunswick had been the wife of George IV., +and another, Augusta, was the first wife of Frederick I., King +of Würtemberg, who, after her death, married a daughter of +George III. The King of Würtemberg was also, by his descent +from Frederick Prince of Wales, first cousin once removed of +the Queen. We need only notice, in passing, the distant +connection with the royal families of Prussia, the Netherlands, +and Denmark. The Prince of Orange, who was one of the +possible suitors for the young Queen's hand, was her third +cousin once removed.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">THE HOUSE OF SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA</span> + +<p>The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, to which the Queen +belonged on her mother's side, and with which she was to be +even more intimately connected by her marriage, was one of +the numerous branches into which the ancient and celebrated +House of Wettin had broken up. Since the 11th century they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.2" id="pagei.2"></a>[page 2]</span> +had ruled over Meissen and the adjoining districts. To these +had been added Upper Saxony and Thuringia. In the 15th +century the whole possessions of the House had been divided +between the two great branches which still exist. The Albertine +branch retained Meissen and the Saxon possessions. +They held the title of Elector, which in 1806 was exchanged +for the title of King. Though the Saxon House had been the +chief protectors of the Reformation, Frederick Augustus I. had, +on being elected to the throne of Poland, become a Roman +Catholic; and thereby the connection between the two +branches of the House had to a great extent ceased. The +second line, that of the Ernestines, ruled over Thuringia, but, +according to the common German custom, had again broken +up into numerous branches, among which the Duchies of +Thuringia were parcelled out. At the time of the Queen's +birth there were five of these, viz., Gotha-Altenburg, Coburg-Saalfeld, +Weimar-Eisenach, Meiningen, and Hildburghausen. +On the extinction of the Gotha line, in 1825, there was a rearrangement +of the family property, by which the Duke of +Hildburghausen received Altenburg, Gotha was given to the +Duke of Coburg, and Saalfeld with Hildburghausen added to +Meiningen. These four lines still exist.</p> + +<p>The Ernestine princes had, by this constant division and +sub-division, deprived themselves of the opportunity of +exercising any predominant influence, or pursuing any independent +policy in German affairs; and though they had the +good fortune to emerge from the revolution with their possessions +unimpaired, their real power was not increased. Like +all the other princes, they had, however, at the Congress of +Vienna, received the recognition of their full status as sovereign +princes of the Germanic Confederation. Together they sent a +single representative to the Diet of Frankfort, the total population +of the five principalities being only about 300,000 +inhabitants.</p> + +<p>It was owing to this territorial sub-division and lack of +cohesion that these princes could not attach to their independence +the same political importance that fell to the share +of the larger principalities, such as Hanover and Bavaria, and +they were consequently more ready than the other German +princes to welcome proposals which would lead to a unification +of Germany.</p> + +<p>It is notable that the line has produced many of the most +enlightened of the German princes; and nowhere in the whole +of Germany were the advantages of the division into numerous +small States so clearly seen, and the disadvantages so little felt, +as at Weimar, Meiningen, Gotha, and Coburg.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.3" id="pagei.3"></a>[page 3]</span> + +<span class="rightnote">THE HOUSE OF COBURG</span> + +<p>The House of Coburg had gained a highly conspicuous and +influential position, owing, partly, to the high reputation for +sagacity and character which the princes of that House had +won, and partly to the marriage connections which were entered +into about this time by members of the Coburg House with the +leading Royal families of Europe. Within ten years, Princes +of Coburg were established, one upon the throne of Belgium, +and two others next to the throne in Portugal and England, as +Consorts of their respective Queens.</p> + +<p>By the first marriage of the Duchess of Kent, the Queen +was also connected with a third class of German princes—the +Mediatised, as those were called who during the revolution +had lost their sovereign power. Many of these were of as +ancient lineage and had possessed as large estates as some of +the regnant princes, who, though not always more deserving, +had been fortunate enough to retain their privileges, and had +emerged from the revolution ranking among the ruling Houses +of Europe. The mediatised princes, though they had ceased +to rule, still held important privileges, which were guaranteed +at the Congress of Vienna. First, and most important, they +were reckoned as "<i>ebenburtig</i>," which means that they could +contract equal marriages with the Royal Houses, and these +marriages were recognised as valid for the transmission of +rights of inheritance. Many of them had vast private estates, +and though they were subjected to the sovereignty of the +princes in whose dominions these lay, they enjoyed very important +privileges, such as exemption from military service, and +from many forms of taxation; they also could exercise minor +forms of jurisdiction. They formed, therefore, an intermediate +class. Since Germany, as a whole, afforded them no +proper sphere of political activity, the more ambitious did not +disdain to take service with Austria or Prussia, and, to a less +extent, even with the smaller States. It was possible, therefore, +for the Queen's mother, a Princess of Saxe-Coburg, to +marry the Prince of Leiningen without losing caste. Her +daughter, the Princess Feodore, the Queen's half-sister, married +Ernest, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, and thus established +an interesting connection with perhaps the most widely-spread +and most distinguished of all these families. The House of +Hohenlohe would probably still have been a reigning family, +had not the Prince of Hohenlohe preferred to fight in the +Prussian army against Napoleon, rather than receive gifts from +him. His lands were consequently confiscated and passed to +other princes who were less scrupulous. The family has given +two Ministers President to Prussia, a General in chief command +of the Prussian army, a Chancellor to the German Empire, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.4" id="pagei.4"></a>[page 4]</span> +one of the most distinguished of modern military writers. +They held, besides their extensive possessions in Würtemberg +and Bavaria, the County of Gleichen in Saxe-Coburg.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">FAMILY CONNECTIONS</span> + +<p>It will be seen therefore that the Queen was intimately connected +with all classes that are to be found among the ruling +families of Germany, though naturally with the Catholic +families, which looked to Austria and Bavaria for guidance, she +had no close ties. But it must be borne in mind that her connection +with Germany always remained a personal and family +matter, and not a political one; this was the fortunate result +of the predominance of the Coburg influence. Had that of the +House of Hanover been supreme, it could hardly have been +possible for the Queen not to have been drawn into the opposition +to the unification of Germany by Prussia, in which the +House of Hanover was bound to take a leading part, in virtue +of its position, wealth, and dignity.</p> + +<p>It will be as well here to mention the principal reigning +families of Europe to which Queen Victoria was closely allied +through her mother.</p> + +<p>The Duchess of Kent's eldest brother, Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Coburg, +was the father of Albert, Prince Consort. Her sister +was the wife of Alexander, Duke of Würtemberg. The Duchess +of Kent's nephew, Ferdinand (son of Ferdinand, the Duchess's +brother), married Maria da Gloria, Queen of Portugal, and was +father of Pedro V. and Luis, both subsequently Kings of +Portugal.</p> + +<p>The Duchess's third brother, Leopold (afterwards King of +the Belgians), married first the Princess Charlotte, daughter of +George IV., and afterwards the Princess Louise Marie, eldest +daughter of King Louis Philippe. Prince Augustus (son of +Ferdinand, the Duchess of Kent's brother) married another +daughter of Louis Philippe, the Princess Clémentine, while +Prince Augustus's sister, Victoria, married the Duc de Nemours, +a son of Louis Philippe. Another nephew, Duke Friedrich +Wilhelm Alexander, son of the Duchess of Würtemberg, +married the Princess Marie, another daughter of Louis Philippe.</p> + +<p>Thus Queen Victoria was closely allied with the royal families +of France, Portugal, Belgium, Saxe-Coburg, and Würtemberg.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ENGLISH ROYAL FAMILY</span> + +<p>On turning to the immediate Royal Family of England, it +will be seen that the male line at the time of the Queen's accession +was limited to the sons, both named George, of two of +the younger brothers of George IV., the Dukes of Cumberland +and Cambridge. The sons of George III. played their part in +the national life, shared the strong interest in military matters, +and showed the great personal courage which was a tradition +of the family.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.5" id="pagei.5"></a>[page 5]</span> + +<p>It must be borne in mind that abstention from active political +life had been in no sense required, or even thought desirable, +in members of the Royal House. George III. himself had +waged a lifelong struggle with the Whig party, that powerful +oligarchy that since the accession of the House of Hanover had +virtually ruled the country; but he did not carry on the conflict +so much by encouraging the opponents of the Whigs, as +by placing himself at the head of a monarchical faction. He +was in fact the leader of a third party in the State. George IV. +was at first a strong Whig, and lived on terms of the greatest +intimacy with Charles James Fox; but by the time that he +was thirty, he had severed the connection with his former +political friends, which had indeed originally arisen more out of +his personal opposition to his father than from any political +convictions. After this date he became, with intervals of +vacillation, an advanced Tory of an illiberal type. William IV. +had lived so much aloof from politics before his accession, that +he had had then no very pronounced opinions, though he was +believed to be in favour of the Reform Bill; during his reign +his Tory sympathies became more pronounced, and the position +of the Whig Ministry was almost an intolerable one. His other +<span class="rightnote">THE ROYAL DUKES</span> +brothers were men of decided views, and for the most part of +high social gifts. They not only attended debates in the House +of Peers, but spoke with emotion and vigour; they held +political interviews with leading statesmen, and considered +themselves entitled, not to over-rule political movements, but +to take the part in them to which their strong convictions +prompted them. They were particularly prominent in the +debates on the Catholic question, and did not hesitate to +express their views with an energy that was often embarrassing. +The Duke of York and the Duke of Cumberland had used all +their influence to encourage the King in his opposition to +Catholic Emancipation, while the Duke of Cambridge had supported +that policy, and the Duke of Sussex had spoken in the +House of Lords in favour of it. The Duke of York, a kindly, +generous man, had held important commands in the earlier part +of the Revolutionary war; he had not shown tactical nor +strategical ability, but he was for many years Commander-in-Chief +of the Army, and did good administrative work in +initiating and carrying out much-needed military reforms. +He had married a Prussian princess, but left no issue, and his +death, in 1827, left the succession open to his younger brother, +the Duke of Clarence, afterwards King William IV., and after +him to the Princess Victoria.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Kent was, as we shall have occasion to show, a +strong Whig with philanthropic views. But the ablest of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.6" id="pagei.6"></a>[page 6]</span> +princes, though also the most unpopular, was the Duke of +Cumberland, who, until the birth of the Queen's first child, was +heir presumptive to the Throne. He had been one of the most +active members of the ultra-Tory party, who had opposed to +the last the Emancipation of the Catholics and the Reform +Bill. He had married a sister-in-law of the King of Prussia, +and lived much in Berlin, where he was intimate with the +leaders of the military party, who were the centre of reactionary +influences in that country, chief among them being his brother-in-law, +Prince Charles of Mecklenburg.</p> + +<p>In private life the Duke was bluff and soldier-like, of rather +a bullying turn, and extraordinarily indifferent to the feelings +of others. "Ernest is not a bad fellow," his brother William IV. +said of him, "but if anyone has a corn, he will be sure to tread +on it." He was very unpopular in England.</p> + +<p>On the death of William IV. he succeeded to the throne of +Hanover, and from that time seldom visited England. His +first act on reaching his kingdom was to declare invalid the +Constitution which had been granted in 1833 by William IV. +His justification for this was that his consent, as heir presumptive, +which was necessary for its validity, had not at the +time been asked. The act caused great odium to be attached +to his name by all Liberals, both English and Continental, and +it was disapproved of even by his old Tory associates. None +the less he soon won great popularity in his own dominions by +his zeal, good-humour, and energy, and in 1840 he came to +terms with the Estates. A new Constitution was drawn up +which preserved more of the Royal prerogatives than the +instrument of 1833. Few German princes suffered so little in +the revolution of 1848. The King died in 1851, at the age of +eighty, and left one son, George, who had been blind from his +boyhood. He was the last King of Hanover, being expelled +by the Prussians in 1866. On the failure of the Ducal line of +Brunswick, the grandson of Ernest Augustus became heir to +their dominions, he and his sons being now the sole male representatives +of all the branches of the House of Brunswick, which +a few generations ago was one of the most numerous and +widely-spread ruling Houses in Germany.<sup>1</sup></p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 1: Of the daughters of George III., Princess Amelia had died in 1810, and the Queen +of Würtemberg in 1828; two married daughters survived—Elizabeth, wife of the Landgrave +of Hesse-Homburg, and Mary, who had married her cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, +and lived in England. There were also two unmarried daughters, the Princesses Augusta +and Sophia, living in England. +</p> + +<p>The Duke of Sussex was in sympathy with many Liberal +movements, and supported the removal of religious disabilities, +the abolition of the Corn Laws, and Parliamentary Reform.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Cambridge was a moderate Tory, and the most +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.7" id="pagei.7"></a>[page 7]</span> +conciliatory of all the princes. But for more than twenty years +he took little part in English politics, as he was occupied with +his duties as Regent of Hanover, where he did much by prudent +reforms to retain the allegiance of the Hanoverians. On his +return to England he resumed the position of a peacemaker, +supporting philanthropic movements, and being a generous +patron of art and letters. He was recognised as "emphatically +the connecting link between the Crown and the people." +Another member of the Royal Family was the Duke of Gloucester, +nephew and son-in-law of George III.; he was more +interested in philanthropic movements than in politics, but +was a moderate Conservative, who favoured Catholic Emancipation +but was opposed to Parliamentary Reform.</p> + +<p>Thus we have the spectacle of seven Royal princes, of whom +two succeeded to the Throne, all or nearly all avowed politicians +of decided convictions, throwing the weight of their +influence and social position for the most part on the side of +the Tory party, and believing it to be rather their duty to hold +and express strong political opinions than to adopt the +moderating and conciliatory attitude in matters of government +that is now understood to be the true function of the +Royal House.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">INDEPENDENCE OF THE QUEEN</span> + +<p>The Queen, after her accession, always showed great respect +and affection for her uncles, but they were not able to exercise +any influence over her character or opinions.</p> + +<p style="margin-bottom: 5em;">This was partly due to the fact that from an early age she +had imbibed a respect for liberal views from her uncle Leopold, +King of the Belgians, to whom she was devoted from her +earliest childhood, and for whom she entertained feelings of +the deepest admiration, affection, and confidence; but still +more was it due to the fact that, from the very first, the Queen +instinctively formed an independent judgment on any question +that concerned her; and though she was undoubtedly influenced +in her decisions by her affectionate reliance on her +chosen advisers, yet those advisers were always deliberately +and shrewdly selected, and their opinions were in no case +allowed to do more than modify her own penetrating and +clear-sighted judgment.</p> + +<a name="illusi.1"></a> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/0526-1042.jpg"><img src="images/0526-310.png" width="310" height="450" alt="T.R.H. The Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria." border="0" /></a> +<p class="center"><b>T.R.H. The Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria.</b></p> +<p class="center"><b>From the miniature by H. Bone, after Sir W. Beechey, at Windsor Castle</b></p> +<p class="author"><b><i>To face p.</i> 8, <i>Vol. I</i></b></p> +</div> + + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.8" id="pagei.8"></a>[page 8]</span> + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h5>MEMOIR OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S EARLY YEARS</h5> + + +<p style="margin-top: 2em;"><span class="sc">Alexandrina Victoria</span>, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland +and Empress of India, was born on Monday, 24th May 1819, +at Kensington Palace.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF KENT</span> + +<p>Her father, Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820), +the fourth son of George III., was a man of decided +character, kindly, pious, punctual, with a strict sense of duty +and enlightened ideas. He was a devoted soldier, and, as +Queen Victoria once said, "was proud of his profession, and +I was always taught to consider myself a soldier's child." He +had a wide military experience, having served at Gibraltar, in +Canada, and in the West Indies. He had been mentioned +in despatches, but was said to be over-strict in matters of +unimportant detail. His active career was brought to an end +in 1802, when he had been sent to Gibraltar to restore order +in a mutinous garrison. Order had been restored, but the +Duke was recalled under allegations of having exercised undue +severity, and the investigation which he demanded was refused +him, though he was afterwards made a Field-Marshal.</p> + +<p>He was a man of advanced Liberal ideas. He had spoken +in the House of Lords in favour of Catholic Emancipation, +and had shown himself interested in the abolition of slavery +and in popular education. His tastes were literary, and +towards the end of his life he had even manifested a strong +sympathy for socialistic theories.</p> + +<p>At the time of the death of the Princess Charlotte, 6th +November 1817, the married sons of King George III. were +without legitimate children, and the surviving daughters were +either unmarried or childless. Alliances were accordingly +arranged for the three unmarried Royal Dukes, and in the +course of the year 1818 the Dukes of Cambridge, Kent, and +Clarence led their brides to the altar.</p> + +<p>The Duchess of Kent (1786-1861), Victoria Mary Louisa, +was a daughter of Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.9" id="pagei.9"></a>[page 9]</span> +was the widow of Emich Charles, Prince of Leiningen,<sup>1</sup> whom +she had married in 1803, and who had died in 1814, leaving a +son and a daughter by her.</p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 1: <i>Leiningen</i>, a mediatised princely House of Germany, dating back to 1096. In 1779 +the head of one of the branches into which it had become divided, the Count of Leiningen-Dachsburg-Hardenburg, +was raised to the rank of a prince of the Empire, but the Peace +of Lunéville (1801) deprived him of his ancient possessions, extending about 232 miles on +the left bank of the Rhine. Though no longer an independent Prince, the head of the +House retains his rank and wealth, and owns extensive estates in Bavaria and Hesse. +</p> + +<p>The Duke of Kent died prematurely—though he had always +been a conspicuously healthy man—at Sidmouth, on the +23rd of January 1820, only a week before his father.</p> + +<p>A paper preserved in the Windsor archives gives a touching +account of the Duke's last hours. The Regent, on the 22nd of +January, sent to him a message of solicitude and affection, +expressing an anxious wish for his recovery. The Duke roused +himself to enquire how the Prince was in health, and said, "If +I could now shake hands with him, I should die in peace." A +few hours before the end, one who stood by the curtain of his +bed heard the Duke say with deep emotion, "May the Almighty +protect my wife and child, and forgive all the sins I +have committed." His last words—addressed to his wife—were, +"Do not forget me."</p> + +<p>The Duchess of Kent was an affectionate, impulsive woman, +with more emotional sympathy than practical wisdom in worldly +matters. But her claim on the gratitude of the British nation +is that she brought up her illustrious daughter in habits of +simplicity, self-sacrifice, and obedience.</p> + +<p>As a testimony to the sincere appreciation entertained by +the politicians of the time for the way in which the Duchess of +Kent had appreciated her responsibilities with regard to the +education of a probable heir to the Crown of England, we may +quote a few sentences from two speeches made in the House +of Commons, in the debate which took place (27th May 1825) +on the question of increasing the Parliamentary annuity paid +to the Duchess, in order to provide duly for the education of +the young Princess.</p> + +<p>The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Robinson, afterwards +Lord Ripon, said:</p> + +<p> +"The position in which this Princess stood with respect to +the throne of the country could not fail to make her an object +of general interest to the nation. He had not himself the +honour of being acquainted with the Duchess of Kent, but he +believed that she had taken the greatest pains with her +daughter's education. She had been brought up in principles +of piety and morality, and to feel a <i>proper</i> sense, he meant by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.10" id="pagei.10"></a>[page 10]</span> +that an humble sense, of her own dignity, and the rank which +probably awaited her. Perhaps it might have been fit to have +brought this matter before Parliament at an earlier period." +</p> + +<p>Mr Canning said:</p> + +<p> +"All parties agreed in the propriety of the Grant, and if +Government had anything to answer for on this point, it was +for having so long delayed bringing it before the House. +There could not be a greater compliment to Her Royal Highness +than to state the quiet unobtrusive tenor of her life, and +that she had never made herself the object of public gaze, but +had devoted herself to the education of her child, whom the +House was now called upon to adopt." +</p> + +<span class="rightnote">EARLY REMINISCENCES</span> + +<p>In the year 1872 Queen Victoria wrote down with her own +hand some reminiscences of her early childhood, the manuscript +of which is preserved at Windsor, and which may be +quoted here.</p> + +<p>"My earliest recollections are connected with Kensington +Palace, where I can remember crawling on a yellow carpet +spread out for that purpose—and being told that if I cried and +was naughty my 'Uncle Sussex' would hear me and punish +me, for which reason I always screamed when I saw him! I +had a great horror of <i>Bishops</i> on account of their wigs and +<i>aprons</i>, but recollect this being partially got over in the case +of the then Bishop of Salisbury (Dr Fisher, great-uncle to Mr +Fisher, Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales), by his +kneeling down and letting me play with his badge of Chancellor +of the Order of the Garter. With another Bishop, however, +the persuasion of showing him my 'pretty shoes' was of no +use. Claremont remains as the brightest epoch of my otherwise +rather melancholy childhood—where to be under the roof +of that beloved Uncle—to listen to some music in the Hall when +there were dinner-parties—and to go and see dear old Louis!—the +former faithful and devoted Dresser and friend of Princess +Charlotte—beloved and respected by all who knew her—and +who doted on the little Princess who was too much an idol in +the House. This dear old lady was visited by every one—and +was the only really devoted Attendant of the poor Princess, +whose governesses paid little real attention to her—and who +never left her, and was with her when she died. I used to ride +a donkey given me by my Uncle, the Duke of York, who was +very kind to me. I remember him well—tall, rather large, +very kind but extremely shy. He always gave me beautiful +presents. The last time I saw him was at Mr Greenwood's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.11" id="pagei.11"></a>[page 11]</span> +house, where D. Carlos lived at one time,—when he was +already very ill,—and he had Punch and Judy in the garden +for me.</p> + +<p>"To Ramsgate we used to go frequently in the summer, and +I remember living at Townley House (near the town), and +going there by steamer. Mamma was very unwell. Dear +Uncle Leopold went with us.</p> + +<p>"To Tunbridge Wells we also went, living at a house called +Mt. Pleasant, now an Hotel. Many pleasant days were spent +here, and the return to Kensington in October or November +was generally a day of tears.</p> + +<p>"I was brought up very simply—never had a room to myself +till I was nearly grown up—always slept in my Mother's +room till I came to the Throne. At Claremont, and in the +small houses at the bathing-places, I sat and took my lessons +in my Governess's bedroom. I was not fond of learning as a +little child—and baffled every attempt to teach me my letters +up to 5 years old—when I consented to learn them by their +being written down before me.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">GEORGE IV.</span> + +<p>"I remember going to Carlton House, when George IV. +lived there, as quite a little child before a dinner the King gave. +The Duchess of Cambridge and my 2 cousins, George and +Augusta, were there. My Aunt, the Queen of Würtemberg +(Princess Royal), came over, in the year '26, I think, and I +recollect perfectly well seeing her drive through the Park in +the King's carriage with red liveries and 4 horses, in a <i>Cap</i> and +evening dress,—my Aunt, her sister Princess Augusta, sitting +<i>opposite</i> to her, also in evening attire, having dined early with +the Duke of Sussex at Kensington. She had adopted all the +German fashions and spoke broken English—and had not been +in England for many many years. She was very kind and +good-humoured but very large and unwieldy. She lived at St +James's and had a number of Germans with her. In the year +'26 (I think) George IV. asked my Mother, my Sister and me +down to Windsor for the first time; he had been on bad terms +with my poor father when he died,—and took hardly any +notice of the poor widow and little fatherless girl, who were so +poor at the time of his (the Duke of Kent's) death, that they +could not have travelled back to Kensington Palace had it not +been for the kind assistance of my dear Uncle, Prince Leopold. +We went to Cumberland Lodge, the King living at the Royal +Lodge. Aunt Gloucester was there at the same time. When +we arrived at the Royal Lodge the King took me by the hand, +saying: 'Give me your little paw.' He was large and gouty +but with a wonderful dignity and charm of manner. He wore +the wig which was so much worn in those days. Then he said +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.12" id="pagei.12"></a>[page 12]</span> +he would give me something for me to wear, and that was his +picture set in diamonds, which was worn by the Princesses as +an order to a blue ribbon on the left shoulder. I was very +proud of this,—and Lady Conyngham pinned it on my +shoulder. Her husband, the late Marquis of Conyngham, +was the Lord Chamberlain and constantly there, as well as +Lord Mt. Charles (as Vice-Chamberlain), the <i>present</i> Lord +Conyngham.</p> + +<p>"None of the Royal Family or general visitors lived at the +Royal Lodge, but only the Conyngham family; all the rest at +Cumberland Lodge. Lady Maria Conyngham (now dead, first +wife to Lord Athlumney, daughter of Lord Conyngham), then +quite young, and Lord Graves (brother-in-law to Lord Anglesey +and who afterwards shot himself on account of his wife's conduct, +who was a Lady of the Bedchamber), were desired to +take me a drive to amuse me. I went with them, and Baroness +(then Miss) Lehzen (my governess) in a pony carriage and 4, +with 4 grey ponies (like my own), and was driven about the +Park and taken to Sandpit Gate where the King had a Menagerie—with +wapitis, gazelles, chamois, etc., etc. Then we +went (I think the next day) to Virginia Water, and met the +King in his phaeton in which he was driving the Duchess of +Gloucester,—and he said 'Pop her in,' and I was lifted in and +placed between him and Aunt Gloucester, who held me round +the waist. (Mamma was much frightened.) I was greatly +pleased, and remember that I looked with great respect at the +scarlet liveries, etc. (the Royal Family had crimson and green +liveries and only the King scarlet and blue in those days). We +drove round the nicest part of Virginia Water and stopped at +the Fishing Temple. Here there was a large barge and every +one went on board and fished, while a band played in another! +There were numbers of great people there, amongst whom was +the last Duke of Dorset, then Master of the Horse. The King +paid great attention to my Sister,<sup>2</sup> and some people fancied he +might marry her!! She was very lovely then—about 18—and +had charming manners, about which the King was extremely +particular. I afterwards went with Baroness Lehzen +and Lady Maria C. to the Page Whiting's cottage. Whiting +had been at one time in my father's service. He lived where +Mr Walsh now does (and where he died years ago), in the small +cottage close by; and here I had some <i>fruit</i> and amused myself +by cramming one of Whiting's children, a little girl, with +peaches. I came after dinner to hear the band play in the +Conservatory, which is still standing, and which was lit up by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.13" id="pagei.13"></a>[page 13]</span> +coloured lamps—the King, Royal Family, etc., sitting in a +corner of the large saloon, which still stands.</p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 2: The Princess Feodore of Leiningen, afterwards Princess of Hohenlohe, Queen Victoria's +half-sister. +</p> + +<p>"On the second visit (I <i>think</i>) the following year, also in +summer, there was a great encampment of tents (the same +which were used at the Camp at Chobham in '53, and some +single ones at the Breakfasts at Buckingham Palace in '68-9), +and which were quite like a house, made into different compartments. +It rained dreadfully on this occasion, I well remember. +The King and party dined there, Prince and Princess +Lieven, the Russian Ambassador and Ambassadress were there.</p> + +<p>"I also remember going to see Aunt Augusta at Frogmore, +where she lived always in the summer.</p> + +<p>"We lived in a very simple, plain manner; breakfast was at +half-past eight, luncheon at half-past one, dinner at seven—to +which I came generally (when it was no regular large dinner +party)—eating my bread and milk out of a small silver basin. +Tea was only allowed as a great treat in later years.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">DUCHESS OF SAXE-COBURG-SAALFELD</span> + +<p>"In 1826 (I think) my dear Grandmother, the Dowager +Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, came to Claremont, in the +summer. Mamma and my sister went on part of the way to +meet her, and Uncle Leopold I think had been to fetch her as +far as Dover. I recollect the excitement and anxiety I was in, +at this event,—going down the great flight of steps to meet her +when she got out of the carriage, and hearing her say, when she +sat down in her room, and fixed her fine clear blue eyes on her +little grand-daughter whom she called in her letters 'the flower +of May,' 'Ein schönes Kind'—'a fine child.' She was very +clever and adored by her children but especially by her sons. +She was a good deal bent and walked with a stick, and frequently +with her hands on her back. She took long drives in +an open carriage and I was frequently sent out with her, which +I am sorry to confess I did not like, as, like most children of +that age, I preferred running about. She was excessively kind +to children, but could not bear naughty ones—and I shall +never forget her coming into the room when I had been crying +and naughty at my lessons—from the next room but one, +where she had been with Mamma—and scolding me severely, +which had a very salutary effect. She dined early in the afternoon +and Uncle Leopold asked many of the neighbours and +others to dinner to meet her. My brother Prince Leiningen +came over with her, and was at that time paying his court to +one of her ladies, Countess Klebelsberg, whom he afterwards +married—against the wish of his grandmother and mother—but +which was afterwards quite made up. In November (I +think, or it may have been at the end of October) she left, +taking my sister with her back to Coburg. I was very ill at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.14" id="pagei.14"></a>[page 14]</span> +that time, of dysentery, which illness increased to an alarming +degree; many children died of it in the village of Esher. The +Doctor lost his head, having lost his own child from it, and +almost every doctor in London was away. Mr Blagden came +down and showed much energy on the occasion. I recovered, +and remember well being very cross and screaming dreadfully +at having to wear, for a time, flannel next my skin. Up to my +5th year I had been very much indulged by every one, and set +pretty well <i>all</i> at defiance. Old Baroness de Späth, the devoted +Lady of my Mother, my Nurse Mrs Brock, dear old Mrs +Louis—<i>all</i> worshipped the poor little fatherless child whose +future then was still very uncertain; my Uncle the Duke of +Clarence's poor little child being alive, and the Duchess of +Clarence had one or two others later. At 5 years old, Miss +Lehzen was placed about me, and though she was most kind, +she was very firm and I had a proper respect for her. I was +naturally very passionate, but always most contrite afterwards. +I was taught from the first to beg my maid's pardon for any +naughtiness or rudeness towards her; a feeling I have ever +retained, and think every one should <i>own</i> their fault in a kind +way to any one, be he or she the lowest—if one has been rude +to or injured them by word or deed, especially those below you. +People will readily forget an insult or an injury when others <i>own</i> +their fault, and express sorrow or regret at what they have done."</p> + +<span class="rightnote">THE EDUCATION OF THE PRINCESS</span> + +<p>In 1830 the Duchess of Kent wished to be satisfied that the +system of education then being pursued with the Princess was +based on the right lines, and that due moral and intellectual +progress was being made. A memorandum, carefully preserved +among the archives, gives an interesting account of the +steps which she took to this end.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">LETTER TO THE BISHOPS</span> + +<p>The Duchess therefore brought the matter under the consideration +of those whom, from their eminent piety, great +learning, and high station, she considered best calculated to +afford her valuable advice upon so important a subject. She +stated to the Bishops of London and Lincoln<a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> the particular +course which had been followed in the Princess's education, and +requested their Lordships to test the result by personal examination. +The nature and objects of Her Royal Highness's +appeal to these eminent prelates will be best shown by the +following extracts from her letter to the Bishops:—</p> + +<p> +"'The Princess will be eleven years of age in May; by the +death of her revered father when she was but eight months old, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.15" id="pagei.15"></a>[page 15]</span> +her sole care and charge devolved to me. Stranger as I then +was, I became deeply impressed with the absolute necessity of +bringing her up entirely in this country, that every feeling +should be that of Her native land, and proving thereby my +devotion to duty by rejecting all those feelings of home and +kindred that divided my heart.</p> + +<p>"'When the Princess approached her fifth year I considered +it the proper time to begin in a moderate way her education—an +education that was to fit Her to be either the Sovereign of +these realms, or to fill a junior station in the Royal Family, +until the Will of Providence should shew at a later period what +Her destiny was to be.</p> + +<p>"'A revision of the papers I send you herewith will best +shew your Lordships the system pursued, the progress made, +etc. I attend almost always myself every lesson, or a part; +and as the Lady about the Princess is a competent person, she +assists Her in preparing Her lessons for the various masters, as +I resolved to act in that manner so as to be Her Governess myself. +I naturally hope that I have pursued that course most +beneficial to all the great interests at stake. At the present +moment no concern can be more momentous, or in which the +consequences, the interests of the Country, can be more at +stake, than the education of its future Sovereign.</p> + +<p>"'I feel the time to be now come that what has been done +should be put to some test, that if anything has been done in +error of judgment it may be corrected, and that the plan for the +future should be open to consideration and revision. I do not +presume to have an over-confidence in what I have done; on +the contrary, as a female, as a stranger (but only in birth, as I +feel that this is my country by the duties I fulfil, and the support +I receive), I naturally desire to have a candid opinion from +authorities competent to give one. In that view I address +your Lordships; I would propose to you that you advert to all +I have stated, to the papers I lay before you, and that then +you should personally examine the Princess with a view of +telling me— +</p> + + + <ul class="none"> + <li>"'1. If the course hitherto pursued in Her education has + been the best; if not, where it was erroneous.</li> + +<li>"'2. If the Princess has made all the Progress she should + have made.</li> + +<li>"'3. And if the course I am to follow is that you would + recommend, and if not in what respect you would + desire a change, and on what grounds.</li> + </ul> + +<span class="rightnote">RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION</span> +<p> +"'Mr Davys<a id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> will explain to you the nature of the Princess's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.16" id="pagei.16"></a>[page 16]</span> +religious education, which I have confided to him, that she +should be brought up in the Church of England as by Law +established. When she was at a proper age she commenced +attending Divine Service regularly with me, and I have every +feeling, that she has religion at Her heart, that she is morally +impressed with it to that degree, that she is less liable to error +by its application to Her feelings as a Child capable of reflection. +The general bent of Her character is strength of intellect, +capable of receiving with ease, information, and with a peculiar +readiness in coming to a very just and benignant decision on +any point Her opinion is asked on. Her adherence to truth is +of so marked a character that I feel no apprehension of that +Bulwark being broken down by any circumstance.</p> + +<p>"'I must conclude by observing that as yet the Princess is +not aware of the station that she is likely to fill. She is aware +of its duties, and that a Sovereign should live for others; so +that when Her innocent mind receives the impression of Her +future fate, she receives it with a mind formed to be sensible of +what is to be expected from Her, and it is to be hoped, she will +be too well grounded in Her principles to be dazzled with the +station she is to look to.'" +</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag3">Footnote 3:</a> Charles James Blomfield, Bishop of London, +1828-1853, and John Kaye, Bishop of Lincoln, 1827-1853.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a><a class="footnote" href="#footnotetag4">Footnote 4:</a> The Rev. George Davys, the Princess's instructor, +afterwards successively Dean of Chester and Bishop of Peterborough. +</p> + + +<p>The examination was undertaken by the Bishops, with +highly satisfactory results. Their report says:</p> + +<p> +"The result of the examination has been such as in our +opinion amply to justify the plan of instruction which has been +adopted. In answering a great variety of questions proposed +to her, the Princess displayed an accurate knowledge of the +most important features of Scripture History, and of the leading +truths and precepts of the Christian Religion as taught by +the Church of England, as well as an acquaintance with the +Chronology and principal facts of English History remarkable +in so young a person. To questions in Geography, the use of +the Globes, Arithmetic, and Latin Grammar, the answers +which the Princess returned were equally satisfactory.</p> + +<p>"Upon the whole, we feel no hesitation in stating our opinion +that the Princess should continue, for some time to come, to +pursue her studies upon the same plan which has been hitherto +followed, and under the same superintendence. Nor do we +apprehend that any other alterations in the plan will be required +than those which will be gradually made by the judicious +director of Her Highness's studies, as the mind expands, and +her faculties are strengthened." +</p> + +<span class="rightnote">RESULT OF EXAMINATION</span> + +<p>The Duchess of Kent referred all this correspondence to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.17" id="pagei.17"></a>[page 17]</span> +Archbishop of Canterbury.<sup>5</sup> His memorandum is preserved; +it states he has considered the Report, and further, has himself +personally examined the Princess. He continues:</p> + +<p> +"I feel it my duty to say that in my judgment the plan of +Her Highness's studies, as detailed in the papers transmitted +to me by command of your Royal Highness, is very judicious, +and particularly suitable to Her Highness's exalted station; +and that from the proficiency exhibited by the Princess in the +examination at which I was present, and the general correctness +and pertinency of her answers, I am perfectly satisfied that +Her Highness's education in regard to cultivation of intellect, +improvement of talent, and religious and moral principle, is +conducted with so much care and success as to render any +alteration of the system undesirable." +</p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 5: Dr William Howley.</p> + +<p>The Princess was gradually and watchfully introduced to +public life, and was never allowed to lose sight of the fact that +her exalted position carried with it definite and obvious duties. +The following speech, delivered at Plymouth in 1832, in answer +to a complimentary deputation, may stand as an instance of +the view which the Duchess of Kent took of her own and her +daughter's responsibilities:—</p> + +<p> +"It is very agreeable to the Princess and myself to hear the +sentiments you convey to us. It is also gratifying to us to be +assured that we owe all these kind feelings to the attachment +you bear the King, as well as to his Predecessors of the House +of Brunswick, from recollections of their paternal sway. The +object of my life is to render the Princess worthy of the affectionate +solicitude she inspires, and if it be the Will of Providence +she should fill a higher station (I trust most fervently at a very +distant day), I shall be fully repaid for my anxious care, if she +is found competent to discharge the sacred trust; for communicating +as the Princess does with all classes of Society, she +cannot but perceive that the greater the diffusion of Religion, +Knowledge, and the love of freedom in a country, the more +orderly, industrious, and wealthy is its population, and that +with the desire to preserve the constitutional Prerogatives of +the Crown ought to be co-ordinate the protection of the liberties +of the people." +</p> + +<span class="rightnote">CLAREMONT</span> + +<p>The strictness of the <i>régime</i> under which the Princess was +brought up is remarkable; and it is possible that her later zest +for simple social pleasures is partly to be accounted for by the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.18" id="pagei.18"></a>[page 18]</span> +austere routine of her early days. In an interesting letter of +1843 to the Queen, recalling the days of their childhood, +Princess Feodore, the Queen's half-sister, wrote—</p> + +<p> +"Many, many thanks, dearest Victoria, for your kind letter +of the 7th from dear Claremont. Oh I understand how you +like being there. Claremont is a dear quiet place; to me also +the recollection of the few pleasant days I spent during my +youth. I always left Claremont with tears for Kensington +Palace. When I look back upon those years, which ought to +have been the happiest in my life, from fourteen to twenty, I +cannot help pitying myself. Not to have enjoyed the pleasures +of youth is nothing, but to have been deprived of all intercourse, +and not one cheerful thought in that dismal existence +of ours, was very hard. My only happy time was going or +driving out with you and Lehzen; then I could speak and look +as I liked. I escaped some years of imprisonment, which you, +my poor darling sister, had to endure after I was married. +But God Almighty has changed both our destinies most mercifully, +and has made us <i>so</i> happy in our homes—which is the +only real happiness in this life; and those years of trial were, +I am sure, very useful to us both, though certainly not pleasant. +Thank God they are over!... I was much amused in your +last letter at your tracing the <i>quickness</i> of our tempers in the +female line up to Grandmamma,<sup>6</sup> but I must own that you are +<i>quite right</i>!" +</p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 6: Augusta Caroline Sophia, Dowager-Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, a Princess of +Reuss Ebersdorf (1757-1831). +</p> + +<p>But if there was little amusement, there was, on the other +hand, great devotion; the Princess, as a child, had that peculiar +combination of self-will and warm-heartedness which is apt to +win for a child a special love from its elders. The Princess +Feodore wrote to the Queen, in 1843—</p> + +<p> +"... Späth<sup>7</sup> wished <i>me</i> to thank you for the coronation +print, as she could not write to you or Albert <i>now</i>, she says! +why, I don't see. There certainly never was such devotedness +as hers, to all our family, although it sometimes shows itself +rather foolishly—with you it always was a sort of idolatry, +when she used to go upon her knees before you, when you were +a child. She and poor old Louis did all they could to spoil you, +if Lehzen had not prevented and scolded them nicely sometimes; +it was quite amusing." +</p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 7: Baroness Späth, Lady-in-Waiting to the Duchess of Kent.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.19" id="pagei.19"></a>[page 19]</span> + +<p>The Princess was brought up with exemplary simplicity at +Kensington Palace, where her mother had a set of apartments. +She was often at Claremont, which belonged to her uncle +Leopold, King of the Belgians; holidays were spent at Ramsgate, +Tunbridge Wells, Broadstairs, and elsewhere.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">WILLIAM IV.</span> + +<p>In June 1830 George IV. died, and William IV. succeeded to +the Throne. He had no legitimate offspring living; and it +consequently became practically certain that if the Princess +outlived her uncle she would succeed him on the Throne. The +Duchess of Kent's Parliamentary Grant was increased, and she +took advantage of her improved resources to familiarise the +Princess with the social life of the nation. They paid visits to +historic houses and important towns, and received addresses. +This was a wise and prudent course, but the King spoke with +ill-humour of his niece's "royal progresses." The chief cause +of offence was that the Princess was not allowed by the +Duchess of Kent to make her public appearances under his +own auspices, as he not unnaturally desired. He also began +to suspect that the Princess was deliberately kept away from +Court; a painful controversy arose, and the Duchess became +gradually estranged from her brother-in-law, in spite of the +affectionate attempts of Queen Adelaide to smooth matters +over. His resentment culminated in a painful scene, in 1836, +when the King, at a State banquet at Windsor, made a speech +of a preposterous character; speaking of the Duchess, who +sat next him, as "that person," hinting that she was surrounded +with evil advisers, and adding that he should insist on +the Princess being more at Court. The Princess burst into +tears; the Duchess sate in silence: when the banquet was +over, the Duchess ordered her carriage, and was with difficulty +prevailed upon to remain at Windsor for the night. The King +went so far in May 1837 as to offer the Princess an independent +income, and the acceptance of this by the Princess caused the +Duchess considerable vexation; but the project dropped. +The King died in the following month, soon after the Princess +had attained her legal majority; he had always hoped that the +Duchess would not be Regent, and his wish was thus fulfilled.</p> + +<p>It is no exaggeration to say that the accession of the Princess +Victoria reinstated the English monarchy in the affections of +the people. George IV. had made the Throne unpopular; +William IV. had restored its popularity, but not its dignity. +Both of these kings were men of decided ability, but of unbalanced +temperament. In politics both kings had followed a +somewhat similar course. George IV. had begun life as a +strong Whig, and had been a close friend of Fox. Later in life +his political position resolved itself into a strong dislike of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.20" id="pagei.20"></a>[page 20]</span> +Roman Catholic Relief. William IV. had begun his reign +favourably inclined to Parliamentary Reform; but though +gratified by the personal popularity which his attitude brought +him in the country, he became alarmed at the national temper +displayed. It illustrates the tension of the King's mind on the +subject that, when he was told that if the Reform Bill did not +pass it would bring about a rebellion, he replied that if it did +bring about a rebellion he did not care: he should defend +London and raise the Royal Standard at Weedon (where there +was a military depôt); and that the Duchess of Kent and the +Princess Victoria might come in if they could.</p> + +<p>The reign of William IV. had witnessed the zenith of Whig +efficiency. It had seen the establishment of Parliamentary and +Municipal Reform, the Abolition of Slavery, the new Poor Law, +and other important measures. But, towards the end of the +reign, the Whig party began steadily to lose ground, and the +Tories to consolidate themselves. Lord Melbourne had succeeded +Lord Grey at the head of the Whigs, and the difference +of administration was becoming every month more and more +apparent. The King indeed went so far as abruptly to dismiss +his Ministers, but Parliament was too strong for him. Lord +Melbourne's principles were fully as liberal as Lord Grey's, but +he lacked practical initiative, with the result that the Whigs +gradually forfeited popular estimation and became discredited. +The new reign, however, brought them a decided increase of +strength. The Princess had been brought up with strong Whig +leanings, and, as is clear from her letters, with an equally +strong mistrust of Tory principles and politicians.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT</span> + +<p style="margin-bottom: 5em;">A word may here be given to the Princess's own character +and temperament. She was high-spirited and wilful, but devotedly +affectionate, and almost typically feminine. She had +a strong sense of duty and dignity, and strong personal prejudices. +Confident, in a sense, as she was, she had the feminine +instinct strongly developed of dependence upon some manly +adviser. She was full of high spirits, and enjoyed excitement +and life to the full. She liked the stir of London, was fond of +dancing, of concerts, plays, and operas, and devoted to open-air +exercise. Another important trait in her character must be +noted. She had strong monarchical views and dynastic sympathies, +but she had no aristocratic preferences; at the same +time she had no democratic principles, but believed firmly in +the due subordination of classes. The result of the parliamentary +and municipal reforms of William IV.'s reign had been +to give the middle classes a share in the government of the +country, and it was supremely fortunate that the Queen, by a +providential gift of temperament, thoroughly understood the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.21" id="pagei.21"></a>[page 21]</span> +middle-class point of view. The two qualities that are most<span class="rightnote">SYMPATHY WITH MIDDLE CLASSES</span> +characteristic of British middle-class life are common sense and +family affection; and on these particular virtues the Queen's +character was based; so that by a happy intuition she was +able to interpret and express the spirit and temper of that class +which, throughout her reign, was destined to hold the balance +of political power in its hands. Behind lay a deep sense of +religion, the religion which centres in the belief in the Fatherhood +of God, and is impatient of dogmatic distinctions and +subtleties.</p> + +<a name="illusi.2"></a> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/0527-800.jpg"><img src="images/0527-450.png" width="450" height="450" alt="H.R.H. The Princess Victoria, 1827." border="0" /></a> +<p class="center"><b>H.R.H. The Princess Victoria, 1827.</b></p> +<p class="center"><b>By Plant, after Stewart. From the miniature at Buckingham, Palace</b></p> +<p class="author"><b><i>To face p.</i> 16, <i>Vol. I</i></b></p> +</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.22" id="pagei.22"></a>[page 22]</span> + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h5>QUEEN VICTORIA'S RELATIONS AND FRIENDS</h5> + + +<p style="margin-top: 2em;"><span class="sc">It</span> may be held to have been one of the chief blessings of Queen +<span class="rightnote">THE KING OF THE BELGIANS</span> +Victoria's girlhood that she was brought closely under the influence +of an enlightened and large-minded Prince, Leopold, +her maternal uncle, afterwards King of the Belgians. He was +born in 1790, being the youngest son of Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, +and his youth was spent in the Russian +military service. He had shown talent and courage in the +field, and had commanded a battalion at Lützen and Leipsic. +He had married, in 1816, the Princess Charlotte, only child of +George IV. For many years his home was at Claremont, +where the Princess Charlotte had died; there the Princess +Victoria spent many happy holidays, and grew to regard her +uncle with the most devoted affection, almost, indeed, in the +light of a father. It is said that Prince Leopold had hoped to +be named Regent, if a Regency should be necessary.<sup>1</sup> He was +offered, and accepted, the throne of Greece in 1830, but shrank +from the difficulties of the position, and withdrew his acceptance +upon the plea that Lord Aberdeen, who was then Foreign +Secretary, was not prepared to make such financial arrangements +as he considered satisfactory.<sup>2</sup></p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 1: A practical proof of his interest in his niece may be found in the fact that for years +he contributed between three and four thousand a year to the expenses of her education, +and for necessary holidays by the sea, at a time when the Duchess of Kent's Parliamentary +Grant was unequal to the increasing expenses of her household.</p> + +<p class="footnote">Footnote 2: Greece after having obtained autonomy was in a practically bankrupt condition, and +the Powers had guaranteed the financial credit of the country until it was able to develop +its own resources. +</p> + +<p>It is interesting to observe from the correspondence that +King Leopold seems for many years to have continued to +regret his decision; it was not that he did not devote himself, +heart and soul, to the country of his adoption, but there seems +to have been a romantic element in his composition, which did +not find its full satisfaction in presiding over the destinies of a +peaceful commercial nation.</p> + +<p>In 1831, when Louis Philippe, under pressure from Lord +Palmerston, declined the throne of Belgium for his son the Duc +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.23" id="pagei.23"></a>[page 23]</span> +de Nemours, Prince Leopold received and accepted an offer +of the Crown. A Dutch invasion followed, and the new King +showed great courage and gallantry in an engagement near +Louvain, in which his army was hopelessly outnumbered. +But, though a sensitive man, the King's high courage and +hopefulness never deserted him. He ruled his country with +diligence, ability, and wisdom, and devoted himself to encouraging +manufactures and commerce. The result of his +firm and liberal rule was manifested in 1848, when, on his +offering to resign the Crown if it was thought to be for the best +interests of the country, he was entreated, with universal +acclamation, to retain the sovereignty. Belgium passed +through the troubled years of revolution in comparative tranquillity. +King Leopold was a model ruler; his deportment +was grave and serious; he was conspicuous for honesty and +integrity; he was laborious and upright, and at the same +time conciliatory and tactful.</p> + +<p>He kept up a close correspondence with Queen Victoria, and +paid her several visits in England, where he was on intimate +terms with many leading Englishmen. It would be difficult to +over-estimate the importance of his close relations with the +Queen; by example and precept he inspired her with a high +sense of duty, and from the first instilled into her mind the +necessity of acquainting herself closely with the details of +political administration. His wisdom, good sense, and tenderness, +as well as the close tie of blood that existed between him +and the Queen, placed him in a unique position with regard +to her, and it is plain that he was fully aware of the high +responsibility thus imposed upon him, which he accepted with +a noble generosity. It is true that there were occasions when, +as the correspondence reveals, the Queen was disposed to think +that King Leopold endeavoured to exercise too minute a control +over her in matters of detail, and even to attempt to +modify the foreign policy of England rather for the benefit of +Belgium than in the best interests of Great Britain; but the +Queen was equal to these emergencies; she expressed her +dissent from the King's suggestions in considerate and affectionate +terms, with her gratitude for his advice, but made no +pretence of following it.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">QUEEN ADELAIDE</span> + +<p>For her aunt, Queen Adelaide, the Princess Victoria had +always felt a strong affection; and though it can hardly be +said that this gentle and benevolent lady exercised any great +influence over her more vigorous and impetuous niece, yet the +letters will testify to the closeness of the tie which united them.</p> + +<p>Queen Adelaide was the eldest child of George, Duke of +Saxe-Meiningen; her mother was a princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.24" id="pagei.24"></a>[page 24]</span> + +<p>At the age of twenty-six she was married to the +Duke of Clarence, then in his fifty-third year, without any +preliminary courtship. They lived for a year in Hanover, and +then principally at Bushey Park. Two daughters were born +to them, the elder of whom lived only a few hours; the younger, +Princess Elizabeth, died in the first year of her age. Their +married life was a happy one, in spite of the disparity of age. +Queen Adelaide was a woman of a deeply affectionate disposition, +sensible, sympathetic, and religious. She had a very +definite ideal of the duties of a wife and a Queen; she made it +her pleasure to meet and anticipate, as far as possible, her +husband's wishes; and her husband, hasty and choleric though +he was, repaid her with tender affection. To such an extent +did the Queen merge her views in those of her husband, that +she passed at one time through a period of general unpopularity. +It was believed that she was adverse to Reform, and +used her influence against it. She was mobbed in the streets +at the time when the Reform agitation was at its height; and +it is said that when the Melbourne Ministry of 1834 was dismissed, +London was (owing to an unjustifiable communication +of Lord Brougham to the <i>Times</i>) placarded with posters bearing +the words, "The Queen has done it all!"</p> + +<p>It is a pathetic instance of the irony of fate that Queen +Adelaide should have thus been supposed to desire to take an +active part in politics. It is obvious, from her letters, that +she had practically no political views at all, except a gentle +distrust of all proposed changes, social or political. Her one +idea of her position as Queen was to agree with any expression +of opinion that fell from the King. She was fond of music, and +took a deep interest in her religious duties and in all that concerned +the welfare of the Protestant communion. But apart +from this, her interests were entirely domestic and personal, +and her letters reveal her character in the most amiable light. +Her devotion to the King, and the tender and respectful diffidence +with which she welcomed her niece to the Throne, show +a very sweet nature.</p> + +<p>The rest of her life, after King William's death, was passed +to a great extent under invalid conditions, though she was only +forty-four at the time of her niece's accession. She travelled a +good deal in search of health, and lived a quiet life in England, +surrounded by a small but devoted circle of friends and relations. +Her personal popularity with the nation became very +great, not only for the simple kindliness of her life, but for her +splendid munificence; it is said that her public subscriptions +often exceeded £20,000 a year. She died in December 1849. +Queen Victoria was very much attached to her gentle, simple-minded, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.25" id="pagei.25"></a>[page 25]</span> +and tender-hearted aunt, and treated her with the +utmost consideration and an almost daughterly affection.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">BARONESS LEHZEN</span> + +<p>Another person who had a large share in forming the Queen's +character was Louise Lehzen, the daughter of a Hanoverian +clergyman, who came to England as governess to Princess +Feodore of Leiningen, Queen Victoria's half-sister, shortly +before the Queen's birth. In 1824 she became governess to the +Princess Victoria. In 1827 George IV. conferred upon her the +rank of a Hanoverian Baroness. When the Duchess of Northumberland, +in 1830, was appointed the Princess's official +governess, she remained as lady in attendance. The Princess +was devoted to her, but "greatly in awe of her." She remained +at Court after the accession till 1842, without holding an official +position, and then returned to Germany, where she died in 1870.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">BARON STOCKMAR</span> + +<p>Baron Stockmar was another of the interesting personalities +who came into very close contact with the Queen in her early +years. He was forty-nine at the time of the accession, but he +had come to England more than twenty years before as private +physician to Prince Leopold. He endeared himself to the +Princess Charlotte, who died holding his hand. He afterwards +became Prince Leopold's private secretary, and took a prominent +part as the Prince's representative in the successive negotiations +with regard to his candidature for the thrones of +Greece and Belgium. Upon the accession of Queen Victoria, +Stockmar joined the Court in a private capacity, and for fifteen +months he held an unofficial position as her chief adviser. +There was a general feeling of dislike in the minds of the +English public to the German influences that were supposed +to be brought to bear on the Queen; and Lord Melbourne +found it necessary to make a public and categorical denial of +the statement that Stockmar was acting as the Queen's private +secretary. But the statement, if not technically, was virtually +true. Stockmar lived at Court, had interviews with the Queen +and her Ministers, and though he industriously endeavoured to +efface himself, yet there is no doubt that he was consulted on +most important questions. In 1838, he had been entrusted by +King Leopold, with the Queen's knowledge and consent, with +a mission of great delicacy: he was asked to accompany Prince +Albert on a tour in Italy, with the idea of completing his education, +and in order to satisfy himself that the Prince would be a +worthy Consort for the Queen. This task he discharged admirably, +and became the most confidential and trusted of all +the Prince's friends. There are many letters of Stockmar's to +the Prince extant, which prove that Stockmar never shrank +from speaking the plainest truth to the Prince on matters of +duty and faults of temperament, without any courtier-like +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.26" id="pagei.26"></a>[page 26]</span> +attempt to blink criticism that might have been unpalatable. +The Prince had the generosity and humility to value this trait +of Stockmar's very highly, to such an extent that Stockmar's +influence possessed if anything too great a preponderance. +Stockmar had jealously nursed two profound political ideals—the +unity of Germany under Prussia, and the establishment of +close relations between Germany and England. He induced +Prince Albert, heavily burdened as he was with work, to +devote almost too much time and thought to the former of +these aims. Stockmar was a profound student of social and +constitutional questions. He had made a close study of +English political institutions; but though he grasped the +constitutional theory of the English Throne, and saw that the +first necessity for the Sovereign was to hold a position independent +of party, he never clearly understood that the Monarch +should keep as far as possible clear of political details. Stockmar's +view of the position was that the Sovereign should be +practically Premier as well; and much of the jealousy that was +felt, on various occasions, at the position which Prince Albert +assumed with regard to political situations, is referable to +Stockmar's influence.</p> + +<p>He was a very able man, with immense political knowledge, +and without personal ambition; Lord Palmerston, who was no +friend to Stockmar's theory of government, admitted that he +was the most disinterested man he had ever encountered. +Stockmar's ambition was to achieve his own political ideals, and +to modify the course of events in what he conceived to be +beneficial directions; he was entirely indifferent to the trappings +of power, and this very disinterestedness made his +influence more supreme.</p> + +<p>He suffered all his life from feeble health and a hypochondriacal +tendency, and was genuinely fond of retirement and +quiet life. He certainly deserved the devoted confidence +reposed in him by Prince Albert and the Queen; it may +perhaps be questioned whether his own <i>doctrinaire</i> bias did not +make itself too strongly felt, in the minuteness with which +Prince Albert dealt with English politics; but the net result +of his influence was that the danger, which lies in wait for +strictly constitutional Sovereigns, was averted—the danger, +that is, of leaving the administration of State affairs in the +hands of specialists, and depriving it of the wise control and +independent criticism which only the Crown can adequately +supply.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.27" id="pagei.27"></a>[page 27]</span> + + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER IV</h3> + + +<p><span class="sc">Queen Victoria</span>, from the very first, took great pleasure in filing +the correspondence addressed to her. There are many volumes of +letters received from her various relations. We have thought it best +to give some of Queen Adelaide's early letters; they indicate in a remarkable +manner the growing estrangement between King William +IV. and the Duchess of Kent. In the earlier letters the King enquires +very affectionately after the Duchess, and constant mention is +made of presents sent to her; but the references made to her become +less frequent and colder, till at last the King contents himself with +sending messages only to the Princess. But the letters of Queen +Adelaide are always written in a strain of touching devotion and +affection, and reveal her as a woman of large heart and great simplicity +of character.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">KING LEOPOLD</span> + +<p>But the most interesting series of letters are the Queen's own +correspondence with King Leopold, of which several hundred are +preserved. The letters, too, received by her from the King of +the Belgians are preserved in their entirety.</p> + +<p>The letters which the Queen wrote to King Leopold are of extraordinary +interest; she kept up an unbroken correspondence with +him, and spoke freely of all that was in her mind. Two points are +worthy of special mention: though she was early convinced of the +necessity of holding an independent constitutional position in politics +she mentions the Tory party with undisguised mistrust; and further, +the name of King William hardly ever occurs until his last illness.</p> + +<p>King Leopold's early letters reveal his character in the most +amiable light. He familiarised the Queen with all the complicated +details of foreign politics; he gave her the most sensible and wise advice; +he warned and encouraged her; he answered her enquiries with +the minutest care: and the warm affection to which he gave frequent +expression is a very sacred and beautiful thing to contemplate.</p> + +<p>We have selected several of the Princess Victoria's letters to the +King of the Belgians before her accession, because they throw a remarkable +light upon her temperament. In the first place, they +reveal the deep affectionateness of her character, and, what is still +more remarkable at her age, her frankness and outspokenness in +expressing her feelings.</p> + +<p>In the second place, they show with what interest and eagerness +the Princess was following the course of foreign politics. Her view +was naturally a personal one, but it may be said that there can have +been very few, if any, girls in England, of the Princess's age, who +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.28" id="pagei.28"></a>[page 28]</span> +were taking any interest at all in Continental affairs. It is true that +King Leopold had early impressed upon the Princess that it was a +duty to become acquainted with the course of current events; but the +letters show that the interest she felt was congenial and innate, and +did not spring from a sense of duty. The allusions to home politics +are not so frequent, but still show that here also her attention was +alert.</p> + +<p>Thirdly, they reveal her abounding vitality, her love of life and +amusement, her devotion to music, and the simple unspoilt zest +with which she threw herself into all that surrounded her.</p> + +<p>There is a special interest which attaches to the correspondence +between Queen Victoria and King Leopold after the Accession. The +letters reveal, as no other documents could do, the monarchical point +of view. However intimate may be the relations between a Sovereign +and a subject, there is bound to appear a certain discretion, and +even condescension, on the one hand, and on the other a due degree +of deference. But here we have the remarkable spectacle of two +monarchs, both of eminent sagacity, and both, so to speak, frankly +interested in the task of constitutional government, corresponding +freely on all the difficulties and problems inseparable from their momentous +task, and with an immense sense of their weighty responsibilities. +It is impossible to exaggerate the deep and abiding interest +of such a correspondence; and the seriousness, the devotion, the +public spirit that are displayed, without affectation or calculated impressiveness, +make the whole series of letters singularly memorable.</p> + +<p>The King of the Belgians had married Princess Louise of Orleans, +daughter of Louis Philippe, in 1832. She was only seven years older +than the Princess Victoria, who grew to regard her with the tenderest +affection.</p> + +<p>The letters from Queen Louise are very numerous. A few are in +French, but they are mostly written in brisk, lively English, not always +very correct, either in construction or in spelling. They are full +of small family details—the movements of various relations, the improvement +in her brothers' looks, Court festivities, the childish +ailments of her little boys, the journeys and expeditions, recollections +of Windsor, their visitors, elaborate descriptions of dresses—interesting +to read, but difficult to select from. They are full of heart-felt +expressions of the sincerest affection for "your dear Majesty," a +quaint phrase that often occurs.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCE ALBERT</span> + +<p>After their marriage in 1840, Prince Albert naturally became the +Queen's confidential Secretary.</p> + +<p>A close study of the Queen's correspondence reveals the character +of the Prince in a way which nothing else could effect. Traces of his +untiring labour, his conscientious vigilance, his singular devotedness, +appear on every page. There are innumerable memoranda in his +own hand; the papers are throughout arranged and annotated by +him; nothing seems to have escaped him, nothing to have dismayed +him. As an instance of the minute laboriousness which characterised +the Royal household, it may be mentioned that there are many +copies of important letters, forwarded to the Prince for his perusal, +the originals of which had to be returned, written not only by the +Prince himself, but by the Queen under his direction. But besides +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.29" id="pagei.29"></a>[page 29]</span> +keeping a vigilant eye upon politics, the Prince took the lead in all +social and educational movements of the time, as well as devoting a +close and continuous attention to the affairs of Europe in general, and +Germany in particular. It is obvious from the papers that the +Prince can hardly ever have taken a holiday; many hours of every +day must have been devoted by him to work; yet he was at the +same time a tender husband and father, always ready with advice +and sympathy, and devoted to quiet domestic life.</p> + +<p>After the Queen's marriage the correspondence becomes far more +voluminous. It is difficult to exaggerate the amount of conscientious +labour bestowed by the Queen and the Prince Consort on all matters +which concerned the welfare of the nation. The number of documents +which passed through their hands, and which were carefully +studied by them, was prodigious.</p> + +<p>The drafts of the Queen's replies to letters are in many cases in the +handwriting of the Prince Consort, but dated by herself, and often +containing interlinear corrections and additions of her own. Whether +the Queen indicated the lines of the replies, whether she dictated the +substance of them, or whether they contain the result of a discussion +on the particular matter, cannot be precisely ascertained. But they +contain so many phrases and turns of expression which are characteristic +of her outspoken temperament, that it is clear that she not only +followed every detail, but that the substance of the communication +bore in most cases the impress of her mind. A considerable number +of the drafts again are in her own hand, with interlinear corrections +and additions by the Prince; and these so strongly resemble in style +the drafts in the handwriting of the Prince, that it is clear that the +Queen did not merely accept suggestions, but that she had a strong +opinion of her own on important matters, and that this opinion was +duly expressed.</p> + +<p>One fact must, however, be borne in mind. It happens in many +cases that a correspondence on some particular point seems to be +about to lead up to a definite conclusion, but that the salient and +decisive document is absent. In these cases it is clear that the +matter was settled at a personal interview; in many cases the +Prince prepared a memorandum of an important interview; but +there are a considerable number of such correspondences, where no +record is preserved of the eventual solution, and this incompleteness +is regrettable, but, by the nature of the case, inevitable.</p> + + +<span class="rightnote">LEADING STATESMEN IN 1837</span> + +<p>The young Queen, on coming to the Throne, had little technical +knowledge of the details of diplomacy, but she already had a real and +intelligent acquaintance with foreign affairs, though it was rather +personal than political, and, as we have seen, was more inspired by +her interest in the fortunes and position of her numerous maternal +relations than by the political views of her paternal relatives. Among +the English statesmen of the day there were few who were qualified +to help and instruct her. The two men who for over twenty years +alternately guided the foreign policy of the country were Lord Aberdeen +and Lord Palmerston. They represented two opposed schools. +Lord Aberdeen, a Peelite, was naturally and by tradition inclined to +desire harmonious relations with all foreign Powers, and to abstain, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.30" id="pagei.30"></a>[page 30]</span> +as far as was consistent with maintaining British interests, from +any sort of intervention in European affairs; Palmerston was a +disciple of Canning, who had definitely broken with the principles +of the Congress of Vienna, and openly avowed his approval of a +policy of intervention, to any extent short of actual war, in the +interests of liberty and good government. The only other man +who had any title to speak with authority on foreign affairs was the +Duke of Wellington, who had held the seals as Foreign Secretary for +a few months in 1834 and 1835. He had, however, lost much of the +reputation for political sagacity which he had held at the time when +he was the arbiter of Europe and virtual ruler of France. Moreover, +being, as he was, a much occupied man, with varied business to transact, +and at the mercy of his almost excessive conscientiousness, he +held himself to a considerable extent aloof from current politics, +though he never lost his absorbing interest in Continental affairs.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.31" id="pagei.31"></a>[page 31]</span> + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h5>1821-1835</h5> + + +<p style="margin-top: 2em;">[The first letter ever received by Queen Victoria appears to be +the following little note, written by the Duchess of Clarence, +afterwards Queen Adelaide, in May 1821, when the +Princess entered upon her third year. It is pathetic to +recollect that the Duchess's surviving child, Princess +Elizabeth, had died, aged three months, in March of the +same year.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">EARLY LETTERS</span> + +<p class="ind1" style="margin-top: 2.5em;"><span class="sc">My dear little heart</span>,—I hope you are well and don't +forget Aunt Adelaide, who loves you so fondly.</p> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: -0.6em;">Loulou and Wilhelm<sup>1</sup> desire their love to you, and Uncle +William also.</p> + +<p class="ind">God bless and preserve you is the constant prayer of your +most truly affectionate Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide</span>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: Princess Louise and Prince William of Saxe-Weimar, children of Duchess Ida of +Saxe-Weimar (sister of the Duchess of Clarence). They were the eldest brother and +sister of Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3.0em;"><i>The Duchess of Clarence to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>24th May 1822</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Uncle William and Aunt Adelaide send their love to <i>dear +little Victoria</i> with their best wishes on her birthday, and hope +that she will now become a <i>very good Girl</i>, being now <i>three +years old</i>. Uncle William and Aunt Adelaide also beg little +Victoria to give dear Mamma and to dear Sissi<sup>2</sup> a kiss in their +name, and to Aunt Augusta,<sup>3</sup> Aunt Mary<sup>4</sup> and Aunt Sophia<sup>5</sup> +too, and also to the <i>big Doll</i>. Uncle William and Aunt Adelaide +are very sorry to be absent on that day and not to see their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.32" id="pagei.32"></a>[page 32]</span> +<i>dear, dear</i> little Victoria, as they are sure she will be very good +and obedient to dear Mamma on that day, and on many, many +others. They also hope that dear little Victoria will not forget +them and know them again when Uncle and Aunt return.</p> + +<p class="ind"> To dear little Xandrina Victoria.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 2: Princess Feodore, the Queen's half-sister.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 3: Augusta, daughter of Frederick, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, wife of the Duke of Cambridge.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 4: Princess Mary, a daughter of George III., married to her cousin the Duke of Gloucester.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 5: Princess Sophia, daughter of George III.</p> + + +<p style="margin-top: 3.0em;">[The following is the earliest letter preserved of the long series +written by the Queen to King (then Prince) Leopold. +The Princess was then nine years old.</p> + + + +<p class="indright" style="margin-top: 2.0em;"><span class="sc">Kensington Palace</span>, <i>25th November 1823</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I wish you many happy returns of +your birthday; I very often think of you, and I hope to see +you soon again, for I am very fond of you. I see my Aunt +Sophia<sup>6</sup> often, who looks very well, and is very well. I use +every day your pretty soup-basin. Is it very warm in Italy? +It is so mild here, that I go out every day. Mama is tolerable +well and am quite well. Your affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria</span>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>P</i>.<i>S</i>.—I am very angry with you, Uncle, for you have never +written to me once since you went, and that is a long while.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 6: Princess Sophia, daughter of George III. +</p> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3.0em;"><i>Prince Leopold</i><sup>7</sup> <i>to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Paris</span>, <i>20th April 1829</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Love</span>,—Though in a few days I hope to have +the happiness of seeing you, still I wish to recall myself even +before that time to your recollection, and to tell you how +delighted I shall be to embrace my dearest little child. I have +travelled far over the world and shall be able to give you some +curious information about various matters.</p> + +<p class="ind">Stockmar, who was very ill, and whom I despaired of seeing +here, did arrive before yesterday,<sup>8</sup> and you may guess what +pleasure it gave me. Now I will conclude; <i>au revoir</i>, and let +me find you grown, blooming, and kind to your old and faithful +Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold</span>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 7: Afterwards King of the Belgians.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 8: I.e. <i>avant hier</i>.</p> + + + + +<span class="rightnote">BIRTHDAY LETTERS</span> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Hohenlohe</i><sup>9</sup> <i>to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright">[<i>May 1829</i>.]</p> + +<p class="ind">If I had wings and could fly like a bird, I should fly in at +your window like the little robin to-day, and wish you many +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.33" id="pagei.33"></a>[page 33]</span> +very happy returns of the 24th, and tell you how I love you, +dearest sister, and how often I think of you and long to see you. +I think if I were once with you again I could not leave you so +soon. I should wish to stay with you, and what would poor +Ernest<sup>9</sup> say if I were to leave him so long? He would perhaps +try to fly after me, but I fear he would not get far; he is rather +tall and heavy for flying. So you see I have nothing left to +do but to write to you, and wish you in this way all possible +happiness and joy for this and many, many years to come. I +hope you will spend a very merry birthday. How I wish to +be with you, dearest Victoire, on that day!</p> + +<p class="ind">I have not thanked you, I believe, for a very dear letter you +have written to me, which gave me the greatest pleasure. +Your descriptions of the plays you had seen amused me very +much. I wish I had seen your performance too. Your most +affectionate Sister,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Feodore</span>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 9: The Princess Feodore of Leiningen, the Queen's half-sister, had married, in January +1828, the Prince (Ernest) of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3.0em;"><i>The Duchess of Clarence to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Bushey Park</span>, <i>14th August 1829</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">A thousand thanks to you, dear Victoria, for your very nice +and well-written letter full of good wishes, which I had the +pleasure to receive yesterday; and many thanks more for the +pretty gifts your dear Mamma has sent me in your name. I +wore them last night for your sake, dearest child, and thought +of you <i>very often</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">It gives me great satisfaction to hear that you are enjoying +the sea air and like the place which you now occupy. I wish +I could pay your Mamma a visit there and see you again, my +dear little niece, for I long to have that pleasure, and must +resign myself at being deprived of it some time longer. Your +Uncle desires to be most kindly remembered to you, and hopes +to receive soon also a letter from you, of whom he is as fond as +I am. We speak of you very often, and trust that you will +always consider us to be amongst your best friends....</p> + +<p class="ind">God bless you, my dear Victoria, is always the prayer of +your most truly affectionate Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3.0em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>22nd May 1832</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Love</span>,—Let me offer you my <i>sincerest</i> and <i>best</i> +wishes on the return of the anniversary of your birthday. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.34" id="pagei.34"></a>[page 34]</span> +May heaven protect and prosper you, and shower all its best +blessings on you.</p> + +<p class="ind">Time flies: it is now thirteen years that you came into the +world of trouble; I therefore can hardly venture to call you +any longer a little Princess.</p> + +<p class="ind">This will make you feel, my dear Love, that you must give +your attention more and more to graver matters. By the +dispensation of Providence you are destined to fill a most +eminent station; to fill it <i>well</i> must now become your study. +A good heart and a trusty and honourable character are +amongst the most indispensable qualifications for that position.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will always find in your Uncle that faithful friend which +he has proved to you from your earliest infancy, and whenever +you feel yourself in want of support or advice, call on him +with perfect confidence.</p> + +<p class="ind">If circumstances permitted my leaving Ostend early to-morrow +morning, I should be able to place myself my birthday +present into your fair hair; as this happiness has not fallen to +my lot, your excellent mother has promised to act as my +representative.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will probably have little time to spare. I therefore +conclude with the assurance of the sincere attachment and +affection with which I shall ever be, my dearest Love, your +faithful and devoted Friend and Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>,<sup>10</sup> <i>31st August 1832</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Love</span>,—You told me you wished to have a +description of your new Aunt.<sup>11</sup> I therefore shall both mentally +and physically describe her to you.</p> + +<p class="ind">She is extremely gentle and amiable, her actions are always +guided by principles. She is at all times ready and disposed +to sacrifice her comfort and inclinations to see others happy. +She values goodness, merit, and virtue much more than beauty, +riches, and amusements. With all this she is highly informed +and very clever; she speaks and writes English, German and +Italian; she speaks English very well indeed. In short, my +dear Love, you see that I may well recommend her as an +example for all young ladies, being Princesses or not.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now to her appearance. She is about Feodore's height, her +hair very fair, light blue eyes, of a very gentle, intelligent and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.35" id="pagei.35"></a>[page 35]</span> +kind expression. A Bourbon nose and small mouth. The +figure is much like Feodore's but rather less stout. She rides +very well, which she proved to my great alarm the other day, +by keeping her seat though a horse of mine ran away with her +full speed for at least half a mile. What she does particularly +well is dancing. Music unfortunately she is not very fond of, +though she plays on the harp; I believe there is some idleness +in the case. There exists already great confidence and affection +between us; she is desirous of doing everything that can +contribute to my happiness, and I study whatever can make +her happy and contented.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will see by these descriptions that though my good +little wife is not the tallest Queen, she is a very great prize +which I highly value and cherish....</p> + +<p class="ind">Now it is time I should finish my letter. Say everything +that is kind to good Lehzen, and believe me ever, my dearest +Love, your faithful Friend and Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 10: The Royal Palace, four miles from Brussels, which Napoleon owned for many +years. A monument to King Leopold now stands there.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 11: Louise Marie, Princess of Orleans, daughter of King Louis Philippe of France, was +married to King Leopold on 9th August 1832. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A BIRTHDAY LETTER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>21st May 1833</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Love</span>,—To make quite sure of my birthday +congratulations reaching you on that day, I send them by +to-day's messenger, and confide them to the care of your +illustrious mother.</p> + +<p class="ind">My sincere good wishes for many happy returns of that day +which gave you, dear little soul, to us, will be accompanied by +some few reflections, which the serious aspect of our times calls +forth. My dearest Love, you are now fourteen years old, a +period when the delightful pastimes of childhood must be +mixed with thoughts appertaining already to a matured part +of your life. I know that you have been very studious, but +now comes the time when the judgment must form itself, when +the character requires attention; in short when the young tree +takes the shape which it retains afterwards through life.</p> +<span class="rightnote">VALUABLE ADVICE</span> +<p class="ind">To attain this object it is indispensable to give some little +time <i>to reflection</i>. The life in a great town is little calculated +for such purposes; however, with some firmness of purpose it +can be done.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>Self-examination</i> is the most important part of the business, +and a very useful mode of proceeding is, for instance, every +evening to recapitulate the events of the day, and the motives +which made one act oneself, as well as to try to guess what +might have been the motives of others. Amiable dispositions +like yours will easily perceive if your own motives <i>were good</i>. +Persons in high situations must particularly guard themselves +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.36" id="pagei.36"></a>[page 36]</span> +against selfishness and vanity. An individual in a high and +important situation will easily see a great many persons eager +to please the first, and to flatter and encourage the last. Selfishness, +however, makes the individual itself miserable, and is +the cause of constant disappointment, besides being the surest +means of being disliked by everybody.</p> + +<p class="ind">Vanity, on the other hand, is generally artfully used by +ambitious and interested people to make one a tool for purposes +of their own, but too often in opposition with one's own +happiness and destruction of it.</p> + +<p class="ind">To learn to know oneself, to judge oneself with truth and +impartiality, must be the great objects of one's exertion; +they are only attainable by constant and cool self-examination.</p> + +<p class="ind">The position of what is generally called great people has of +late become extremely difficult. They are more attacked and +calumniated, and judged with less indulgence than private +individuals. What they have lost in this way, they have not +by any means regained in any other. Ever since the revolution +of 1790 they are much less secure than they used to be, and the +transition from sovereign power to <i>absolute want</i> has been as +frequent as sudden.</p> + +<p class="ind">It becomes, therefore, necessary that the character should be +so formed as not to be intoxicated by greatness and success, +nor cast down by misfortune. To be able to do so, one must +be able to appreciate things according to their real value, and +particularly avoid giving to trifles an undue importance.</p> + +<p class="ind">Nothing is so great and clear a proof of unfitness for greater +and nobler actions, than a mind which is seriously occupied +with trifles.</p> + +<p class="ind">Trifling matters may be objects of amusement and relaxation +to a clever person, but only a weak mind and a mean spirit +consider trifles as important. The good sense must show itself +by distinguishing what is and what is not important.</p> + +<p class="ind">My sermon is now long enough, my dear child. I strongly +recommend it, however, to your reflection and consideration.</p> + +<p class="ind">My gift consists in a set of views of the former Kingdom of +the Netherlands, out of which you will be able to discover all +those of the present Belgium.</p> + +<p class="ind">Let me soon hear from you; and may God bless and preserve +you. Ever, my dear Love, your affectionate Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VISIT TO HEVER CASTLE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Tunbridge Wells</span>, <i>14th September 1834</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Allow me to write you a few words, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.37" id="pagei.37"></a>[page 37]</span> +to express how thankful I am for the very kind letter you +wrote me. It made me, though, very sad to think that all our +hopes of seeing you, which we cherished so long, this year, +were over. I had so hoped and wished to have seen you again, +my <i>beloved</i> Uncle, and to have made dearest Aunt Louisa's +acquaintance. I am delighted to hear that dear Aunt has +benefited from the sea air and bathing. We had a very pretty +party to Hever Castle yesterday, which perhaps you remember, +where Anne Boleyn used to live, <i>before she lost her head</i>. We +drove there, and rode home. It was a most beautiful day. +We have very good accounts from dear Feodore, who will, by +this time, be at Langenburg.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your very affectionate +and dutiful Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">HISTORICAL READING</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>18th October 1834</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Love</span>,—I am happy to learn that Tunbridge +Wells has done you good. Health is the first and most important +gift of Providence; without it we are poor, miserable +creatures, though the whole earth were our property; therefore +I trust that you will take great care of your own. I feel +convinced that air and exercise are most useful for you. In +your leisure moments I hope that you study a little; history is +what I think the most important study for you. It will be +difficult for you to learn human-kind's ways and manners +otherwise than from that important source of knowledge. +Your position will more or less render practical knowledge +extremely difficult for you, till you get old, and still if you do +not prepare yourself for your position, you may become the +victim of wicked and designing people, particularly at a period +when party spirit runs so high. Our times resemble most +those of the Protestant reformation; then people were moved +by religious opinions, as they now undoubtedly are by political +passions. Unfortunately history is rarely written by those who +really were the chief movers of events, nor free from a party +colouring; this is particularly the case in the works about +English history. In that respect France is much richer, because +there we have authenticated memoirs of some of the +most important men, and of others who really saw what passed +and wrote it down at the time. Political feelings, besides, +rarely created <i>permanent</i> parties like those in England, with the +exception, perhaps, of the great distinctions of Catholics and +Protestants. What I most should recommend is the period +before the accession of Henry IV. of France to the throne, then +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.38" id="pagei.38"></a>[page 38]</span> +the events after his death till the end of the minority of +Louis XIV.; after that period, though interesting, matters +have a character which is more personal, and therefore less +applicable to the present times. Still even that period may be +studied with some profit to get knowledge of mankind. <i>Intrigues</i> +and <i>favouritism</i> were the chief features of that period, +and Madame de Maintenon's immense influence was very +nearly the cause of the destruction of France. What I very +particularly recommend to you is to study in the Memoirs +of the great and good Sully<sup>12</sup> the last years of the reign of +Henry IV. of France, and the events which followed his assassination. +If you have not got the work, I will forward it +to you from hence, or give you the edition which I must have +at Claremont.</p> + +<p class="ind">As my paper draws to a close, I shall finish also by giving you +my best blessings, and remain ever, my dearest Love, your +faithfully attached Friend and Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 12: Maximilien, Duc de Sully, was Henry's Minister of Finance. A curious feature of the +Memoirs is the fact that they are written in the second person: the historian recounts +the hero's adventures to him. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCESS'S READING</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Tunbridge Wells</span>, <i>22nd October 1834</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—You cannot conceive how happy you +have made me, by your very kind letter, which, instead of +tiring, delights me beyond everything. I must likewise say +how very grateful I feel for the kind and excellent advice you +gave me in it.</p> + +<p class="ind">For the autographs I beg to return my best thanks. They +are most valuable and interesting, and will be great additions +to my collections. As I have not got Sully's Memoirs, I shall +be delighted if you will be so good as to give them to me. +Reading history is one of my greatest delights, and perhaps, +dear Uncle, you might like to know which books in that line I +am now reading. In my lessons with the Dean of Chester,<sup>13</sup> I +am reading Russell's <i>Modern Europe</i>,<sup>14</sup> which is very interesting, +and Clarendon's <i>History of the Rebellion</i>. It is drily written, +but is full of instruction. I like reading different authors, of +different opinions, by which means I learn not to lean on one +particular side. Besides my lessons, I read Jones'<sup>15</sup> account of +the wars in Spain, Portugal and the South of France, from the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.39" id="pagei.39"></a>[page 39]</span> +year 1808 till 1814. It is well done, I think, and amuses me +very much. In French, I am now in <i>La Rivalité de la France +et de l'Espagne</i>, par Gaillard,<sup>16</sup> which is very interesting. I have +also begun Rollin.<sup>17</sup> I am very fond of making tables of the +Kings and Queens, as I go on, and I have lately finished one of +the English Sovereigns and their consorts, as, of course, the +history of my own country is one of my first duties. I should +be fearful of tiring you with so long an account of myself, were +I not sure you take so great an interest in my welfare.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray give my most affectionate love to <i>dearest</i> Aunt Louisa, +and please say to the Queen of the French and the two Princesses +how grateful I am for their kind remembrance of me.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your very affectionate, +very dutiful, and most attached Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 13: The Rev. George Davys. See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.16" style="font-weight: normal;">15.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 14: This <i>History of Modern Europe</i>, in a series of letters from a nobleman to his son, +5 vols. (1779-1784), deals with the rise of modern kingdoms down to the Peace of Westphalia +(1648).</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 15: Sir John Thomas Jones, Bart. (1783-1843), a Royal Engineer, who served in the +Peninsular War.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 16: Gabriel Henri Gaillard (1726-1806), Member of the French Academy.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 17: The <i>Histoire Ancienne</i>, by Charles Rollin (1661-1741), Rector of the University of +Paris. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3.0em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">St. Leonards</span>, <i>19th November 1834</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—It is impossible for me to express how +happy you have made me by writing so soon again to me, and +how pleased I am to see by your very kind letter that you intend +to write to me often. I am much obliged to you, dear Uncle, for +the extract about Queen Anne, but must beg you, as you have +sent me to show what a Queen <i>ought not</i> to be, that you will send +me what a Queen <i>ought to be</i>.<sup>18</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Might I ask what is the very pretty seal with which the letter +I got from you yesterday was closed? It is so peculiar that I +am anxious to know.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me always, dear Uncle, your very affectionate, very +dutiful, and very attached Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 18: King Leopold had sent the Princess an extract from a French Memoir, containing +a severe criticism of the political character of Queen Anne. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3.0em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>2nd December 1834</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Love</span>,—You have written a very clever, sharp +little letter the other day, which gave me great pleasure. Sure +enough, when I show you what a Queen ought not to be, I also +ought to tell you what she should be, and this task I will very +conscientiously take upon myself on the very first occasion +which may offer itself for a confidential communication. Now +I must conclude, to go to town. I must, however, say that I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.40" id="pagei.40"></a>[page 40]</span> +have given orders to send you Sully's Memoirs. As they have +not been written exclusively for young ladies, it will be well to +have Lehzen to read it with you, and to judge what ought to +be left for some future time. And now God bless you! Ever, +my beloved child, your attached Friend and Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A NEW YEAR GREETING</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">St. Leonards</span>, <i>28th December 1834</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I must again, with your permission, +write you a few lines, to wish you a very happy new year, not +only for <i>this</i> year, but for <i>many</i> to come. I know not how to +thank you sufficiently for the <i>invaluable</i> and precious autographs +which you were so very kind as to send me. Some of +them I received a few days ago, and the others to-day, accompanied +by a very kind letter from you, and a beautiful shawl, +which will be most useful to me, particularly as a favourite one +of mine is growing very old. I wish you could come here, for +many reasons, but also to be an eye-witness of my extreme +prudence in eating, which would astonish you. The poor sea-gulls +are, however, not so happy as you imagine, for they have +great enemies in the country-people here, who take pleasure in +shooting them.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your very affectionate +and most grateful Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3.0em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Kensington Palace</span>, <i>2nd February 1835</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I know not how to thank you sufficiently +for the most valuable autographs you were kind enough +to send me. I am particularly delighted with that of Louis +Quatorze, "le grand Roi," and my great admiration.... You +will not, I hope, think me very troublesome if I venture to ask +for two more autographs which I should very particularly like +to have; they are Mme. de Sévigné's<sup>19</sup> and Racine's; as I am +reading the letters of the former, and the tragedies of the latter, +I should prize them highly. Believe me always, my dearest +Uncle, your most affectionate and dutiful Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 19: Marie de Rabutin Chantal, Marquise de Sévigné, born 1626. At twenty-four she was +left a widow, and devoted herself to her children's education. When her daughter married +the Count de Grignan, she began that correspondence with her on which her reputation +chiefly rests. She died in 1696, and the letters were first published in 1726.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.41" id="pagei.41"></a>[page 41]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCESS'S CONFIRMATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc" style="margin-right: 5%;">Camp of Beverloo</span><br /> +(in the North of the Province of Limburg),<br /> +<i>3rd August 1835</i>.</p> +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Love</span>,—By your Mother's letter of the 31st ult<sup>o</sup>., I +learned of the serious and important action in your young life<sup>20</sup> +which has passed recently, and I cannot let it pass without saying +some words on the subject. I am perhaps rather strangely +situated for a preaching—somewhat in the style of those old +camp preachers who held forth to many thousand people on +some heath in Scotland. I am also on an immense heath, +surrounded by 16,000 men, mostly young and gay, cooking, +singing, working, and not very like the stern old Covenanters; +however, I shall try. First of all, let me congratulate you that +it passed happily and well off. Secondly, let me entreat you to +look with a serious and reflective mind on the day which is past. +Many are the religions, many the shades of those religions, but +it must be confessed the principles of the Christian religion are +the most perfect and the most beautiful that can be imagined.... +There is one virtue which is particularly Christian; this +is the knowledge of our own heart in <i>real humility</i>. <i>Hypocrisy</i> +is a besetting sin of all times, but <i>particularly of the present</i>, and +many are the wolves in sheep's clothes. I am sorry to say, with +all my affection for old England, the very <i>state of its Society and +politics</i> renders many in that country <i>essentially humbugs and +deceivers</i>; the <i>appearance</i> of the thing is generally <i>more</i> +considered than the <i>reality</i>; provided matters go off well, and +opinion may be gained, the <i>real good is matter of the most perfect +indifference</i>. Defend yourself, my dear love, against this +system; let your dear character always be true and loyal; +this does not <i>exclude prudence</i>—worldly concerns are now unfortunately +so organised that you <i>must be cautious</i> or you may +injure yourself and others—but it does not prevent the being +sterling and true. Nothing in persons gives greater reliance, +greater weight, than when they are known to be <i>true</i>. +<span class="rightnote">HONESTY AND SINCERITY</span> +From your earliest childhood I was anxious to see in you this important +virtue <i>saved</i> and <i>developed</i>, and Lehzen will still be able to +recollect that. If it is God's pleasure that you should once<sup>21</sup> +fill the arduous situation to which you seem destined, you will +find the importance of what I now say to you. And when +others may tremble to have at last their real character found +out, and to meet all the contempt which they may deserve, +your mind and heart will be still and happy, because it will +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.42" id="pagei.42"></a>[page 42]</span> +know that it acts honestly, that truth and goodness are the +motives of its actions. I press you now against my heart; +may God bless you as I wish and hope it, and may you always +feel some affection for your sincerely devoted camp preacher +and Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 20: The Princess was confirmed at the Chapel Royal, on 30th July 1835.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 21: King Leopold not infrequently uses "once" like the Latin <i>olim</i>, as referring to any +indefinite date in the future as well as in the past. "Some day" is what is intended here.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.43" id="pagei.43"></a>[page 43]</span> + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER V</h3> + + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> year 1836 was not an eventful one at home; the Whig Ministry +were too weak to carry measures of first-rate importance, +and could hardly have maintained themselves in power against the +formidable opposition of Sir Robert Peel without the support of +O'Connell. Parliament was chiefly occupied by the consideration +of the Secret Societies in Ireland, Tithes, Municipal Corporations, +and such matters; the Marriage Act, and the Act for the Registration +of Births have probably been the most important measures of +the year to the country. Troubles which were destined to become +more acute arose in Lower Canada and Jamaica, both taking the +form of disputes between the executive and the legislature.</p> + +<p>On the continent of Europe, affairs were more disturbing. Several +attempts were made on the life of the King of the French, while an +abortive insurrection with a view of establishing a military empire +was made by Louis Bonaparte at Strasburg. The Prince was allowed +to leave the country and go to the United States, but his accomplices +were detained for trial. In Algiers the French Government determined +to prosecute operations against the Arab Chief Abd-el-Kader, +and they sent an expedition to Constantin.</p> + +<p>Holland and Belgium were occupied with a dispute about their +boundary line, the cession to Belgium of Luxemburg being the chief +point of difference. The difficulties that arose in passing an important +Municipal Act for Belgium caused King Leopold temporarily +to regret he had not accepted the throne of Greece.</p> + +<p>Portugal was still convulsed by revolutionary agitation. Dom +Pedro, the eldest son of King John VI., had been proclaimed Emperor +of Brazil in his father's lifetime, and had abdicated the throne +of Portugal in favour of his daughter Donna Maria, a child seven +years old, while Dom Miguel, his younger brother, who had acted in +opposition to his father in Portugal, claimed the throne for himself. +Dom Pedro had agreed that his daughter should marry Miguel, who +was in 1827 appointed Regent. Miguel, had he acted wisely, might +have maintained himself on the throne, but Dom Pedro, who had +been expelled from Brazil by a revolution, took active steps to recover +the Portuguese throne for his daughter, and equipped an +expedition for that end with English and French volunteers. In +this way, Donna Maria, who had spent part of her exile in England, +and formed a friendship with the Princess Victoria, was through +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.44" id="pagei.44"></a>[page 44]</span> +British instrumentality placed on her throne, but still could only +maintain herself with difficulty against Miguel. She was a few weeks +older than the Princess Victoria, and had recently lost her first +husband, the Duc de Leuchtenberg. She was married by proxy +on the 1st of January 1836, and in person on the 9th of April, to +Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg.</p> + +<p>There was also a disputed succession in Spain, where by the +ancient law women might succeed to the throne. Ferdinand VII., +who had revoked the Pragmatic Sanction of 1711 and restored the +former system, died in 1833, leaving no son. His elder daughter +Isabella, then three years of age, was proclaimed Queen (her mother +Christina being appointed Regent), and Isabella's claims were +recognised by England and France. The late King's brother, Don +Carlos, taking his stand upon the Salic Law as established by the +Pragmatic Sanction, raised the standard of revolt and allied himself +with Dom Miguel, the young Queens Maria and Isabella mutually +recognising each other, and being supported by France and England +against the "Holy Alliance" of Austria, Russia, and Prussia. A +seven years' civil war resulted, which did not end till, from sheer +exhaustion, the Carlists had to cease fighting the Christinos, as the +loyal party was called. The English Government in the previous +year had sanctioned the enlistment of 10,000 men; who, commanded +by Colonel (afterwards Sir de Lacy) Evans, landed at San Sebastian +in August to assist the Christinos. A British auxiliary contingent +was already with the Spanish army, while a naval squadron under +Lord John Hay was active on the coast. Mendizabal was Prime +Minister at the beginning of the year 1836, and was succeeded in +May by Isturitz. Riots took place at Madrid, and Isturitz fled to +France; Calatrava succeeding him, assisted by Mendizabal. The +Christino cause did not much advance during the year.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.45" id="pagei.45"></a>[page 45]</span> + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h5>1836</h5> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>4th March 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearly beloved Child</span>,—You wrote me again a long, +<i>dear</i>, <i>good</i> letter, like all those which I received from your kind +hands. Time approaches now for the arrival of the cousins, +and most probably of your Uncle Ferdinand also. He has informed +me of his arrival for the 7th or 8th; notwithstanding +this, I mean to leave everything settled as it has been arranged. +They will set off on the 7th, arrive at Paris on the 8th, and leave +it again on the 12th.... Fernando<sup>1</sup> has still a very bad cold; +change of air is likely to cure that. The stay here has done +Fernando a great deal of good, and it cannot be denied that he +is quite another person. It has given me some trouble, but I +have written down for him everything which he ought to know +about the organisation of a government <i>in general</i>, and what +will be necessary in specie to carry on successfully the Government +in Portugal.... My inclinations, as you are aware, +would have led me to the East, but certainly the only thing +which reconciles me with my not having done so is that it has +made me to remain near you, and will enable me to see you and +to be useful to you.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: The Queen's first cousin, Prince Ferdinand (son of Prince Ferdinand +of Saxe-Coburg, who was brother of the Duchess of Kent and the King of the Belgians), aged +nineteen, who married the Queen of Portugal on 9th April. He was at this time visiting the +King of the Belgians on his way to Portugal.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Kensington Palace</span>, <i>7th March 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... You are very kind, my dearest, best Uncle, to say that +"the only thing which reconciles you" for not having gone to +Greece is, that you are near me and can see me. Thank Heaven +that you did not go there! it would have been dreadful for me +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.46" id="pagei.46"></a>[page 46]</span> +and for all your relations to be thus, as it were, cut off from +almost all intercourse! It is <i>hard</i> enough, that you are as far +as you are, when I recollect the happy time when I could see +you, and be with you, <i>every</i> day!...</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Kensington Palace</span>, <i>29th March 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,— ... As concerning the "fatigues" +we are said to have undergone, they were none to me, and made +me very happy; I only wish they could have lasted longer, for +all, all is over now, and our <i>beloved</i> Ferdinand<sup>2</sup> himself leaves +our shores this <i>very</i> morning. We accompanied them all on +Sunday, where we took a final leave of our dear Ferdinand, and +I cannot tell you how sorry I was, and am, to see him go, for I +love him dearly. He is so truly excellent, kind, and good, and +endears himself so much by his simplicity and good-heartedness! +I may venture to say, that no one has his prosperity +and happiness more at heart than I have. I am extremely +sanguine about his success. He goes there full of courage, +spirits, and goodwill, and being naturally clever and observant, +I doubt not that with good counsel, and prudence, he will do +very well. <i>Your</i> kind advice will be of the greatest and most +important use to him, the more so as he is so exceedingly fond +of you.... Ferdinand leaves behind him here a most favourable +impression on all parties, for <i>I</i> have even <i>heard</i> from some +great Tories themselves that there was a great feeling <i>for</i> him +in this country.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 2: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.45" style="font-weight: normal;">45.</a> He had latterly been visiting the Duchess +of Kent.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Hohenlohe to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCES ERNEST AND ALBERT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Stuttgart</span>, <i>16th April 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... You will like our two Coburg cousins also, I think; +they are more manly than I think the two others are, after the +description. I am very fond of them both. Ernest is my +favourite, although Albert is much handsomer, and cleverer +too, but Ernest is so honest and good-natured. I shall be +very curious to hear your opinion upon them....</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Kensington Palace</span>, <i>26th April 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest, best Uncle</span>,— ... You will, I am sure, have +been delighted with M. de Neumann's<sup>3</sup> account of the complete +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.47" id="pagei.47"></a>[page 47]</span> +success of our dear Ferdinand. All has gone off better than +even our most sanguine hopes could have desired. He is much +pleased with the good Queen, and she is delighted with him, +and M. de Neumann says that they are already quite happy +together. This is really a great blessing, but I fear that all the +<i>exterior</i> affairs are not in quite <i>so</i> good a state. I hope, +however, that the good people will not make any more difficulties +about Fernando's being Commander-in-Chief, as I hear from +all accounts it is necessary he should be so....</p> + +<p class="ind">Uncle Ernest and my cousins will probably come here in the +beginning of next month, I hear, and will visit you on their +return.</p> + +<p class="ind">You ask me about Sully's Memoirs, and if I have finished +them. I have not finished them, but am reading them with +great interest, and find there is a great deal in them which +applies to the present times, and a great deal of good advice +and reasoning in them. As you say, very truly, it is extremely +necessary for me to follow the "events of the day," and to do +so impartially. I am always both grateful and happy when +you give me any advice, and hope you will continue to do so +as long as I live.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am glad to hear you approve my singing, and I cannot tell +you how delightful it would be for me, if you could join with us. +<i>À propos</i>, dear Uncle, you did not answer what I said to you in +a former letter about your visiting us again. You know, dear +Uncle, that this is a subject upon which I am very <i>earnest</i> +and <i>very</i> eager, and as the summer approaches I grow more +and more anxious about it. You know, also, that <i>pleasure</i> +does more good than a hundred walks and rides.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your truly devoted +and attached Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria</span>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 3: Baron Neumann, who acted as Minister Plenipotentiary during the +absences of Prince Esterhazy, succeeded him as Austrian Minister in 1842. He married Lady Augusta +Somerset in 1844.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE OF ORANGE</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>13th May 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Child</span>,—I got this time a very small letter +from your good little Ladyship, and I shall repay it probably +in larger coin, as my letter going through a messenger of my +own will become longer, as it will be more confidential than +through the usual mode of conveyance.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am really <i>astonished</i> at the conduct of your old Uncle the +King; this invitation of the Prince of Orange and his sons, +this forcing him upon others, is very extraordinary.<sup>4</sup> It is so, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.48" id="pagei.48"></a>[page 48]</span> +because persons in political stations and champions of great +political passions cannot put aside their known character as +you would lay your hat upon a table.</p> + +<p class="ind">Not later than yesterday I got a half official communication +from England, insinuating that it would be <i>highly</i> desirable +that the visit of <i>your</i> relatives <i>should not take place, this +year—qu'en dites-vous</i>? The relations of the Queen and the King, +therefore, to the God-knows-what degree, are to come in shoals +and rule the land, when <i>your relations</i> are to be <i>forbidden</i> the +country, and that when, as you know, the whole of your relations +have ever been very dutiful and kind to the King. +Really and truly I never heard or saw anything like it, and I +hope it will a <i>little rouse your spirit</i>; now that slavery is even +abolished in the British Colonies, I do not comprehend <i>why +your lot alone should be to be kept, a white little slavey in England</i>, +for the pleasure of the Court, who never bought you, as I am +not aware of their having gone to any expense on that head, or +the King's even having <i>spent a sixpence for your existence</i>. I +expect that my visits in England will also be prohibited by +an Order in Council. Oh consistency and political or <i>other +honesty</i>, where must one look for you!</p> + +<p class="ind">I have not the least doubt that the King, in his passion for +the Oranges, will be <i>excessively rude to your relations</i>; this, +however, will not signify much; they are <i>your guests</i> and not +<i>his</i>, and will therefore <i>not</i> mind it....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 4: King Leopold had for some time cherished a hope of uniting the +Princess Victoria in marriage with her cousin, Prince Albert of Coburg. He therefore arranged that +the Prince, with his elder brother, Prince Ernest, should pay a visit to the Duchess +of Kent at Kensington Palace. King William naturally opposed a scheme which he knew met +with the approval of his sister-in-law. He accordingly invited the Prince of +Orange and his two sons at the same time, and favoured the candidature of the younger son, +Prince Alexander. The King (it is believed) went so far as to say that no other +marriage should ever take place, and that the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and his son should never put +foot in the country; they should not be allowed to land, and must go back whence they came.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">The Prince of Orange had himself been a candidate for the hand of Princess Charlotte, +and had no reason to be friendly to King Leopold, of whom it is recorded that he +said, "Voilà un homme qui a pris ma femme et mon royaume."</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALBERT</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>23rd May 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,— ... Uncle Ernest and my cousins +arrived here on Wednesday, <i>sains et saufs</i>. Uncle is looking +remarkably well, and my cousins are most delightful young +people. I will give you no detailed description of them, as +you will so soon see them yourself. But I must say, that they +are both very amiable, very kind and good, and extremely +merry, just as young people should be; with all that, they are +extremely sensible, and very fond of occupation. Albert is +extremely handsome, which Ernest certainly is not, but he has +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.49" id="pagei.49"></a>[page 49]</span> +a most good-natured, honest, and intelligent countenance. +We took them to the Opera on Friday, to see the <i>Puritani</i>, and +as they are excessively fond of music, like me, they were +in perfect ecstasies, having never heard any of the singers +before....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCE ALBERT</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>7th June 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—These few lines will be given to you +by my dear Uncle Ernest when he sees you.</p> + +<p class="ind">I must thank you, my beloved Uncle, for the prospect of +<i>great</i> happiness you have contributed to give me, in the person +of dear Albert. Allow me, then, my dearest Uncle, to tell you +how delighted I am with him, and how much I like him in +every way. He possesses every quality that could be desired +to render me perfectly happy. He is so sensible, so kind, and +so good, and so amiable too. He has, besides, the most +pleasing and delightful exterior and appearance you can +possibly see.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have only now to beg you, my dearest Uncle, to take care +of the health of one, now <i>so dear</i> to me, and to take him under +<i>your special</i> protection. I hope and trust that all will go on +prosperously and well on this subject of so much importance +to me.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your most affectionate, +devoted, and grateful Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CONVERSATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>17th June 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest and most beloved Child</span>,—I begged your +Mother, in the meantime, to offer you my best thanks for your +very pretty drawing representing the Provost of Bruges and +his daughter<sup>5</sup>; I admired also that for your Aunt. They do +your spirit of invention honour, and it is a very good plan to +draw subjects from books or plays which interest you. You +will feel the loss of a pleasant society in the old Palace, the +more so as your relations are good unsophisticated people, a +thing which one does not so often meet with. I suppose that +part of your London amusements will soon be over. You +were going to Windsor, which you will probably have left by +this time. I hope you were very prudent; I cannot disguise +from you, that though the inhabitants are good-natured +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.50" id="pagei.50"></a>[page 50]</span> +people, still that I think you want all your natural caution +with them. Never permit yourself to be induced to tell them +any opinion or sentiment of yours which is <i>beyond the sphere of +common conversation</i> and its ordinary topics. Bad use would +be made of it against yourself, and you cannot in that subject +be too much guarded. I know well the people we have to deal +with. I am extremely impartial, but I shall also always be +equally watchful.... God bless you! Ever, my dear child, +your very devoted Uncle and Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 5: Leading characters in <i>The Heiress of Bruges</i>, by Grattan.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th August 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Uncle</span>,— ... I was sure you would be very +much pleased with Ernest and Albert as soon as you knew +them more; there cannot be two more good and sensible +young men than they are. Pray, dear Uncle, say everything +most kind from me to them.</p> + +<p class="ind">We go to Buxted<sup>6</sup> to-morrow morning, and stay there till +next Monday.</p> + +<p class="ind">All the gaieties are now over. We took leave of the Opera +on Saturday, and a most brilliant conclusion to the season it +was. Yesterday I took my farewell lesson with Lablache,<sup>7</sup> +which I was very sorry to do. I have had twenty-six lessons +with him, and I look forward with pleasure to resume them +again next spring.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 6: Lord Liverpool's house. Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson, third Earl of +Liverpool, was fifty-three years old at the time of the Queen's accession. He was a moderate Tory, and +had held office as Under-Secretary for the Home Department in 1807, and in 1809 as +Under-Secretary for War and the Colonies. He succeeded to the Earldom in 1828. The +title, since revived, became extinct on his death in 1851. He was a friend of the Duchess +of Kent, who often stayed with him at Buxted Park in Sussex, and at Pitchford in Shropshire. +At three successive visits at the latter house the Princess occupied the same +small room without a fireplace.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 7: Luigi Lablache (1794-1858), a famous opera-singer, was the +Princess's singing-master.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>2nd September 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,— ... The state of Spain is most +alarming and unfortunate.<sup>8</sup> I do hope something will be +done. The news were rather better yesterday and the day +before. The Christinos had gained a victory over the Carlists.<sup>9</sup> +I take a great interest in the whole of this unfortunate affair. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.51" id="pagei.51"></a>[page 51]</span> +I hope and trust Portugal may not suffer by all the affairs of +Spain, but much is to be feared. Dieskau will have told you +much about the internal affairs, which seem to go on very +prosperously. Pray has the Duchess of Braganza<sup>10</sup> written +to you or Aunt Louise since Ferdinand's marriage?</p> + +<p class="ind">You did not send me the King of Naples'<sup>11</sup> letter, as you +said you would; pray do so in your next letter. I hope he +will come here next year. You do not mention France, so I +hope all is quiet. The Duke of Orleans is quite well again, +I am happy to hear from Aunt Louise. Now I must conclude, +begging you to believe me, always, your most truly attached +and really devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 8: See Introductory Note for the year, <i>ante</i>, <a href="#pagei.44" style="font-weight: normal;">p. 44.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 9: The civil war was favourable to the Carlists at this time, General +Gomez obtaining a victory on 30th August. By the end of the year he had twice traversed the +kingdom, hampered with plunder and prisoners, and surrounded by armies greater than his +own, and in no district did he find the inhabitants disposed to act against him.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 10: Step-mother of the Queen of Portugal.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 11: Ferdinand II., commonly named "Bomba." He married <i>en secondes noces</i>, the +Archduchess Theresa of Austria.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i><sup>12</sup></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A FAREWELL LETTER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>21st September 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My most dearly beloved Uncle</span>,—As I hear that Mamma +is going to send a letter to you which will reach you at Dover, +and though it is only an hour and a half since we parted, I +must write you one line to tell you how <i>very, very sad</i> I am +that you have left us, and to repeat, what I think you know +pretty well, <i>how</i> much I love you. When I think that but two +hours ago we were happily together, and that now you are +travelling every instant farther and farther away from us, +and that I shall with all probability not see you for a <i>year</i>, it +makes me cry. Yes, dearest Uncle, it is dreadful in this life, +that one is destined, and <i>particularly unhappy me</i>, to be almost +always separated from those one loves most dearly. I live, +however, in the hopes of your visit next year with dear Aunt, +and I cannot say how thankful and happy I am that we have +had you here for six short, and to me <i>most bright happy</i> days! +I shall look back with the greatest delight on them.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me, always, your ever devoted and most affectionately +attached Niece and <i>Child</i>,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 12: Written at the conclusion of the King's visit to England.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCESS AND THE CHURCH</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>11th November 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My very dear Child</span>,— ...I know attempts have been +made to represent you as indifferent to the established Church. +You know that in England the Sovereign is the head of the +Church, and that the Church looks upon the Protestant religion +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.52" id="pagei.52"></a>[page 52]</span> +as it is established as the <i>State</i> Religion. In times like +the present, when the Crown is already a good deal weakened, +I believe that it is of importance to maintain as much as +possible this state of affairs, and I believe that you will do well, +whenever an occasion offers itself to do so without affectation, +to express your sincere interest for the Church, and that you +comprehend its position and count upon its good-will. The +poor Church will be a good deal persecuted, I have no doubt, +but it would be desirable that the men belonging to it should be +united, <i>sensible</i>, and moderate....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Ramsgate</span>, <i>14th November 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... What you say to me relative to Church matters I quite +comprehend, and always am very thankful for advice from you.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am reading away famously. I like Mrs. Hutchinson's +Life of her husband<sup>13</sup> only <i>comme cela</i>; she is so dreadfully +violent. She and Clarendon are so totally opposite, that it is +quite absurd, and I only believe the <i>juste milieu</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">Your speech interested me very much; it is very fine +indeed; you wrote it yourself, did you not?</p> + +<p class="ind">Belgium is indeed the happiest country in the world, and it is +<i>all, all</i> owing to your <i>great care</i> and <i>kindness</i>. "Nous étions +des enfans perdus," General Goblet<sup>14</sup> said to me at Claremont, +"quand le Roi est venu nous sauver." And so it is....</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dear Uncle, say everything most kind from me to +Ernest and Albert, and believe me, always, your affectionate +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dear Uncle, is the report of the King of Naples' marriage +to the Archduchess Theresa true? I hear the king has +behaved uncommonly well at Naples during the cholera panic. +I enclose the measure of my finger.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 13: The regicide, Colonel Hutchinson's, fame rests more on his wife's +commemoration of him than on his own exploits. She was the daughter of Sir Allen Apsley, +Lieutenant of the Tower of London, and highly educated. Between 1664 and 1671 she wrote the +biography of her husband, first published in 1806. "The figure of Colonel +Hutchinson," says J. R. Green, "stands out from his wife's canvas with the grace and +tenderness of a portrait by Van Dyck."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 14: The Belgian General, Albert Joseph Goblet. Count d'Alviella.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEATH OF CHARLES X</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>18th November 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Poor Charles X. is dead, it is said of the cholera. I +regret him; few people were ever kinder to me than the good +old man. He was blinded by certain absolute ideas, but a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.53" id="pagei.53"></a>[page 53]</span> +good man, and deserving to be loved. History will state that +Louis XVIII. was a most liberal monarch, reigning with great +mildness and justice to his end, but that his brother, from his +despotic and harsh disposition, upset all the other had done, +and lost the throne. Louis XVIII. was a clever, hard-hearted +man, shackled by no principle, very proud and false. Charles X. +an honest man, a kind friend, an honourable master, sincere in +his opinions, and inclined to do everything that is right. That +teaches us what we ought to believe in history as it is compiled +according to ostensible events and results known to the generality +of people. Memoirs are much more instructive, if written +honestly and not purposely fabricated, as it happens too often +nowadays, particularly at Paris.... I shall not fail to read +the books you so kindly recommend. I join you a small copy +of our very liberal Constitution, hitherto conscientiously +executed—no easy matter. You may communicate it to your +Mother; it is the best answer to an infamous Radical or Tory-Radical +paper, the <i>Constitutional</i>, which seems determined to +run down the Coburg family. I don't understand the meaning +of it; the only happiness poor Charlotte knew was during her +short wedded existence, and there was but one voice on that +subject, that we offered a bright prospect to the nation. Since +that period I have (though been abused, and vilified merely +for drawing an income which was the consequence of a Treaty +ratified by both Houses of Parliament, and that without one +dissenting voice, a thing not very likely to happen again) done +everything to see England prosperous and powerful. I have +spared her, in 1831, much trouble and expense, as <i>without my +coming here very serious complications, war and all the expensive +operations connected with it</i>, must have taken place. I give the +whole of my income, without the reservation of a farthing, to +the country; I preserve unity on the Continent, have frequently +prevented mischief at Paris, and to thank me for all +that, I get the most scurrilous abuse, in which the good people +from <i>constant practice so much excel</i>.... The conclusion of all +this—and that by people whose very existence in political life +may be but of a few years' standing—is scurrilous abuse of the +Coburg family. I should like to know what harm the Coburg +family has done to England? But enough of this. Your +principle is very good; one must not mind what newspapers +say. Their power is a fiction of the worst description, and +their efforts marked by the worst faith and the greatest untruths. +If all the Editors of the papers in the countries where +the liberty of the press exists were to be assembled, we should +have a <i>crew</i> to which you would <i>not</i> confide a dog that you +would value, still less your honour and reputation....</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.54" id="pagei.54"></a>[page 54]</span> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">REVOLUTION AT LISBON</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>21st November 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My most dearly beloved Uncle</span>,—You cannot imagine +how happy you have made me by your very dear, kind, long, +and interesting letter of the 18th, which I received yesterday +morning, and for which I beg you to accept my <i>very warmest</i> +and best thanks. You know, I think, my dearest Uncle, that +<i>no</i> creature on earth <i>loves</i> you <i>more</i> dearly, or has a higher sense +of admiration for you, than I have. Independent of all that +you have done—which I never, never can be grateful enough +for—my love for you exceeds all that words can express; it is +innate in me, for from my earliest years the name of <i>Uncle</i> was +the dearest I knew, the word <i>Uncle</i>, <i>alone</i>, meant no other but +you!</p> + +<p class="ind">Your letter is so interesting and instructive that I could +read it over and over again. I hope, dear Uncle, you will in +process of time give me the <i>aperçu</i> you mention, which would +be so very interesting for me.</p> + +<p class="ind">I cannot tell you how distressed I was by the late unfortunate +<i>contre-révolution manquée</i> at Lisbon,<sup>15</sup> and how sorry I was to +see by the letter you wrote me, that you were still unaware of +it on the 18th. Mamma received a letter from Lord Palmerston +yesterday morning, which she has sent you, and which is consolatory, +I think. He speaks in the highest terms of our +beloved Ferdinand, which proves that he becomes daily more +and more worthy of his arduous situation, and says that the +Queen's situation "is better than it was," less bad than it +might have been "after such an affair," and not so good as it +would have been had poor Donna Maria waited patiently till +all was ripe for action. Dietz<sup>16</sup> wrote Mamma a most desponding +letter, so much so, that had we not got Lord Palmerston's +letter we must have thought all, all was over.<sup>17</sup> I hope, dear +Uncle, you will tell <i>me</i> <i>your</i> feeling about the whole, which will +only satisfy me; no one else could, for I take an interest in +Ferdinand's welfare as though he were my brother.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.55" id="pagei.55"></a>[page 55]</span> +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCESS'S NAME</span> +<p class="ind">Allow me, dearest Uncle, to say a few words respecting my +<i>name</i>, to which you allude. You are aware, I believe, that +about a year after the accession of the <i>present</i> King there was +a desire to change my favourite and dear name <i>Victoria</i> to that +of <i>Charlotte</i>, also <i>most dear</i>, to which the King willingly +consented. +On its being told me, I said nothing, though I felt +grieved beyond measure at the thought of any change. Not +long after this, Lord Grey, and also the Archbishop of Canterbury, +acquainted Mamma that the country, having been +accustomed to hear me called Victoria, had become used to it, +<i>enfin</i>, <i>liked it</i>, and therefore, to my great delight, the idea of a +change was given up.<sup>18</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">I was sure the death of old Charles X. would strike you....</p> + +<p class="ind">I thank you much for the <i>Constitution de la Belgique</i>. Those +attacks on you are infamous, but must not be minded; they +are the language of a <i>few jealous</i>, <i>envious</i> people. <i>En +revanche</i>, +I enclose a paragraph from a speech of O'Connell's<sup>19</sup> I think +worth your reading.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dearest Uncle, say everything most kind to my beloved +and dearest Aunt, and thank her in my name for her kind +letter, which I shall answer on Friday. I am happy she and +the dear little man are well.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me, always, your most devoted and affectionately +attached Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 15: Prince Ferdinand was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the +Portuguese army on the advice of the Duc de Terceira, then Prime Minister. The appointment was highly +unpopular; riots broke out, the army mutinied, and rose against the authorities, with the +result that the Queen of Portugal was compelled to accept the Radical +Constitution of 1820, in the place of Dom Pedro's constitutional Charter of 1826. Later in the +year the Queen, assisted by Palmella, Terceira, and Saldanha, made a counter-move, +believing that the people of Lisbon would support her, and proposed to dismiss her +Ministers; she had, however, been misled as to the popular aid forthcoming, and had to give up +the struggle, Sá da Bandeira becoming Prime Minister. The Queen, virtually a +captive, had to accede to the revolutionary requirements.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 16: Dietz was a former Governor of Prince Ferdinand, who accompanied +him to Portugal on his marriage with Donna Maria, and took a considerable part in political affairs.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 17: A former Minister of the Interior was killed by the National +Guards, who threatened to march on Belem, where the Queen was; she had to apply to the British Marines +for protection.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 18: In the course of the debate (3rd August 1831) on Lord Althorp's +proposition to add £10,000 a year to the Duchess of Kent's income, Sir M. W. Ridley suggested +changing the Princess's name to Elizabeth, as being "more accordant to the feelings of the +people," saying that he had heard the subject "frequently and seriously argued." Hunt, +the Radical, who opposed the grant, saw no objection to the change, and Lord Althorp +thought the matter of no particular consequence. The Princess's own feelings, +and those of her mother, do not seem to have been considered. See <i>Hansard</i>, 3rd +series, vol. v. 591, 654 <i>et seq.</i></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 19: Probably that on the Irish Church Question at the General +(formerly "Catholic") Association, Dublin.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>5th December 1836</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—... I have begun since a few days +Lord Clive's Life, by Sir John Malcolm,<sup>20</sup> which is very interesting, +as it gives much insight into the affairs of India, over parts +of which, I fear, it would be well to throw a <i>veil</i>. I am reading +it by myself, <i>et je vous le recommande</i>....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 20: The book reviewed by Macaulay, who spoke of Sir John Malcolm as +one whose "love passes the love of biographers, and who can see nothing but wisdom and justice +in the actions of his idol."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.56" id="pagei.56"></a>[page 56]</span> + + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER VI</h3> + + +<p>The closing months of the reign of William IV. were not marked +by any stirring events at home. The Conservative opposition to the +Melbourne Ministry was strengthened before the meeting of Parliament +by a great speech by Sir Robert Peel at Glasgow, and Lord +Brougham later on emerged from his retirement to become the able +and venomous critic of his former friends. The Government failed +to carry important measures on Church Rates and Irish Municipal +Corporations, while the Radical group pressed persistently their +favourite motions in support of the Ballot, and against the Property +qualification of members, Primogeniture, the Septennial Act, the +Bishops' seats and Proxy Voting in the House of Lords. The +Ministry was saved from shipwreck by the demise of the Crown and +by the accession of the Princess Victoria, who, on attaining her legal +majority a month earlier, had received marked signs of enthusiastic +popular favour.</p> + +<p>The General Election in the Autumn did not materially affect the +position of parties, the Radicals losing and O'Connell gaining seats; +but the prestige of Lord Melbourne was increased by the unique +position he now held in reference to the Sovereign. Parliament was +opened in person by the Queen on 20th November, and the Civil List +dealt with, the amount allocated being £385,000 as against £510,000 +in the late reign (of which £75,000, formerly paid in pensions, was +now struck off, and other arrangements made).</p> + +<p>For some time past the state of Canada had caused grave anxiety. +By an Act of 1791, it had been divided into Upper and Lower Canada, +each with a Governor, Council, and House of Representatives, Lower +Canada being in the main French, while Upper Canada was occupied +by British settlers. Friction first arose in the former, between the +nominee Council and the popular Assembly, the Assembly declining +to pay the salaries of officials whom they had censured, but whom +the Executive had retained in their posts. Mr Papineau, who had +been Speaker of the Assembly, was leader in the popular movement. +Lord Gosford, the Governor of Lower Canada, dismissed some Militia +officers who had taken part in political demonstrations, and warrants +were issued for the apprehension of certain members of the Assembly, +on the charge of high treason: within a short time the discontented +party broke out into rebellion. The course which events would take +in Upper Canada was for a time doubtful. Sir Francis Head, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.57" id="pagei.57"></a>[page 57]</span> +Governor, placed his regular troops at the service of Lord Gosford, +preferring to rely on the militia. This unusual action was successful, +but was not approved by the Colonial Office. The state of affairs +became very alarming at the close of the year, when it was announced +in Parliament that Lord Gosford had resigned and that Sir John Colborne +(afterwards Lord Seaton) had been appointed to succeed him.</p> + +<p>In France the confederates of Louis Napoleon in the Strasburg +outbreak were tried and acquitted; a treaty was concluded at Tafna +with Abd-el-Kader, but negotiations for a similar agreement with +Achmet Bey were less successful, and operations were continued +against Constantin with successful results, the town being carried +by an assault on 13th October, with some loss of officers and men +on the French side.</p> + +<p>Affairs continued unsettled in the Peninsula. In Spain General +Evans was defeated near San Sebastian, but afterwards, in conjunction +with Lord John Hay, captured Irun, the frontier town. Don +Carlos meanwhile marched on Madrid, but was encountered by +Espartero, Commander-in-Chief of the Christinos, who was Prime +Minister for a brief period during the year. The British legion was +dissolved, and Evans returned to England.</p> + +<p>In Portugal the English were becoming unpopular for their +supposed intervention: Ferdinand, the Queen's consort, who was +naturally believed to be in harmony with the British Cabinet, acted +tactlessly in accepting the Commandership-in-Chief, and internal +hostilities continued throughout the year.</p> + +<p>In Hanover a reactionary step was taken by King Ernest, who +had succeeded his brother, William IV. of England, on the throne +of Hanover; by letters patent he abrogated the Constitution of +1833, an action which, imperfect and open to criticism though the +Constitution was, naturally aroused anxiety among the supporters +of representative institutions throughout Europe.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.58" id="pagei.58"></a>[page 58]</span> + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h5>1837</h5> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SPAIN AND PORTUGAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>16th January 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,— ... We saw Van de Weyer<sup>1</sup> on +Tuesday, and his conversation was most interesting. He +praises our dear Ferdinand most exceedingly, but as for the +poor Queen, what he told us does not redound much to her +credit; one good quality, however, she has, which is her +excessive fondness for and real <i>obedience</i> to Ferdinand. She +is unfortunately surrounded by a <i>camarilla</i><sup>2</sup> who poison her +ears, and fetter all her actions; poor soul! she is <i>much</i> to be +pitied. About Lavradio<sup>3</sup> you will also have, I fear, heard but +too much. Honesty and single-heartedness seems to have left +Portugal. Van de Weyer is so clear in all that he says, so +sensible, so quiet, so clever, and, last but not least, so agreeable; +I hope we shall soon see him again. You see, dear Uncle, how +much interest I take in Portugal; but I must say that I think +every one who knows dear Ferdinand, and particularly who +loves him as I do, must feel a very deep interest as to the fate +of the unhappy country in which he is destined to play so +prominent and difficult a part.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have been reading to-day a very clever speech of Sir Robert +Peel's (not a political one) to the University at Glasgow, on +the occasion of his being elected Lord Rector of that college. +There is another speech of his at the dinner at Glasgow which +<i>is political</i>, but which I have not yet read....<sup>4</sup></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: Sylvain Van de Weyer (b. 1802) was, in 1830, Belgian +Plenipotentiary at the Conference of London. He returned to his own country and became Foreign Minister. His +exertions contributed greatly to render successful the candidature of Prince Leopold for +the throne of Belgium. The King appointed him Belgian Minister in London, to which +post he returned in 1851, and held it till 1867. He was treated by the Queen +until his death in 1874 as a very intimate friend and adviser.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 2: <i>I</i>.<i>e</i>. a clique.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 3: The Portuguese Statesman who had gone to Gotha to arrange the +Queen's marriage, and was destined to act in a similar manner for her son in 1857.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 4: Sir R. Peel was installed as Lord Rector of Glasgow on 11th +January, and delivered an address on the principles of Education: strong political feeling was manifested, +groans being given for Lord Melbourne and the Ministry. At a civic banquet given in Sir +R. Peel's honour, he expounded the principles of Conservative Reform.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.59" id="pagei.59"></a>[page 59]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + + +<p class="indright"><i>23rd January 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,— ... The affairs of the Peninsula are +indeed very distressing,<sup>5</sup> and what you tell me in your letter of +the 20th, as also in the former one, is highly interesting and, +alas! but too true. I trust, not withstanding what you say, +I may yet live to see Spain and Portugal settled. But I greatly +fear that the time is far distant.</p> + +<p class="ind">Do you know Mendizabal?<sup>6</sup> I saw him at our house in +1835. Alava<sup>7</sup> presented him to us; he is a tall, dark, fine, and +clever-looking man. I remember his being so much struck +with my likeness to Donna Maria, which I was not aware was +the case. Pray, dear Uncle, may I ask you a silly question?—is +not the Queen of Spain<sup>8</sup> rather clever? You know her, and +what do you think of her? And do you know what sort of +people are about poor little Queen Isabel?<sup>9</sup> Poor, good Donna +Maria! I feel much for her; her education was one of the +worst that could be. As long as those Ficalhos and Melos +remain about her, nothing can be done. Could they not be got +rid of in time?</p> + +<p class="ind">I was sorry to see that the French Chambers were rather +stormy.<sup>10</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">I thank you much for the list of the ball of the 18th, which +must have been very splendid. The last ball <i>I</i> was at was our +own, and I concluded that very ball at half-past three in the +morning with a country dance, Albert being my partner.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dear Uncle, tell both young gentlemen, with my kindest +love, that I <i>often</i> think of that night and of many other pleasant +evenings we passed together. The singing will come all in time. +Who is their singing-master? I wish they had my worthy +Lablache. I sing regularly every evening, as I think it better +to do so every day to keep the voice manageable. Oh, my +beloved Uncle, could you join us, how delightful that would +be! How I should delight in singing with you all our favourite +things from <i>La Gazza</i>, <i>Otello</i>, <i>Il Barbiere</i>, etc., etc.</p> + +<p class="ind">The little Cousin<sup>11</sup> must be a little love: oh, could I but see +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.60" id="pagei.60"></a>[page 60]</span> +him and play with him! Pray, dear Uncle, does he know such +a thing as that he has got an Aunt and Cousin on the other side +of the water? ...</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dear Uncle, have you read Sir R. Peel's two speeches? +I wish you would, and give me your opinion of them.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 5: Some interesting observations on these events may be read in +Borrow's <i>Bible in Spain</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 6: Don Juan Alvarez y Mendizabal (1790-1853), Spanish politician and +financier.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 7: Miguel Ricardo di Alava (1771-1843), Spanish General; he acted as +the representative of Spain at Paris, at the Court of the Bourbons; he was a great friend of the +Duke of Wellington, and was with him at his headquarters during the Peninsular War.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 8: The Queen Regent, Christina.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 9: Then six years old; she died in 1904.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 10: This was in reference to the trial at Strasburg of the +confederates of Prince Louis Bonaparte (afterwards Napoleon III.) in his abortive attempt to establish a +military despotism on 30th October. The Prince was permitted to go to the United States, +being conveyed in a French frigate; the other conspirators were acquitted.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 11: Leopold, born in 1835, afterwards Duke of Brabant, the present +King of the Belgians.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>30th January 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,— ... I am very sorry that the +Portuguese news are still so very unfavourable; I trust that, +in time, things will come right. The Portuguese are, as you +say, a most inconceivable set of selfish politicians.</p> + +<p class="ind">Our friend, Mr Hume,<sup>12</sup> made a most violent speech at a +dinner given to him and old George Byng<sup>13</sup> at Drury Lane last +week.<sup>14</sup> He called Sir R. Peel and some other Tories "the +cloven foot," which I think rather strong. I think that <i>great</i> +violence and striving such a pity, on both sides, don't you, dear +Uncle? They irritate one another so uselessly by calling one +another fools, blockheads, liars, and so forth for no purpose. +I think violence so bad in everything. They should imitate +you, and be calm, for you have had, God knows! enough cause +for irritation from your <i>worthy</i> Dutch neighbours and others. +You will, I fear, laugh at my <i>politics</i>, but I like telling <i>you</i> my +feelings, for you alone can put me right on such subjects.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 12: Joseph Hume, leader of the Radical party, was now M.P. for +Middlesex.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 13: George Byng, for many years Member for Middlesex, was +great-grandson of William Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, of the 1711 creation. His younger brother, Sir +John Byng, the well-known General of the Peninsula and Waterloo, was created Earl of +Strafford in 1817.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 14: This was a dinner given by the Middlesex reformers to their +representatives. Grote also spoke and said that the Tories well knew that their dominion rested upon +everything that was antiquated and corrupt and anti-popular in the nation—upon +oligarchical predominance in the State, and sectarian pride and privileges in the Church.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">POLITICAL PASSION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>3rd February 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Child</span>,— ... I am sorry to see so much violence +in England at this moment; I consider it as the most lamentable +circumstance, as it renders matters so very difficult to +settle. Besides, the poor Crown is more or less the loser in all +this, as it generally ends with the abolition of something or +other which might have proved useful for the carrying on of +Government. A rule which you may thus early impress on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.61" id="pagei.61"></a>[page 61]</span> +your mind is, that people are far from acting generally according +to the dictates of their interests, but oftener in consequence +of their passions, though it may even prove injurious to their +interests. If the Tory part of Parliament could have brought +themselves to act without passion, much in the reform of +Parliament might have been settled much more in conformity +with their best interests. I was authorised, in 1831, to speak +in this sense to the Duke of Wellington by Lord Grey;<sup>15</sup> the +effect would have been highly beneficial to both parties, but +passion made it impossible to succeed. This is a dangerous +part of the business, and we must see during the present session +of Parliament if parties are grown wiser. I fear they are not. +The business of the highest in a State is certainly, in my +opinion, to act with great impartiality and a spirit of justice +for the good of all, and not of this or that party.<sup>16</sup></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 15: This refers to the rejection of the Reform Bill by the House of +Lords in 1831; as a consequence, mobs broke the windows of Apsley House, and fired Nottingham Castle.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 16: On 14th April 1837, Sir Robert Peel wrote to J. W. Croker:— ... +"We are, in short, in this state of things. All the convictions and inclinations of the +Government are with their Conservative opponents. Half their actions and all their speeches +are with the Radicals." (<i>Croker Papers</i>, ii. 306.)</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>6th February 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Uncle</span>,— ... I do not know quite for certain +when we leave this place, but I should think to-day week. You +must be pleased, dear Uncle, I think, for we shall have been <i>six +months</i> in the country next Thursday, as we left town on the +10th of August last, and I am sure you will stand by me for my +having my season fully, as you may understand that my +<i>Operatic</i> and <i>Terpsichorean</i> feelings are pretty strong, now that +the season is returning, and I have been a very good child, not +even <i>wishing</i> to come to town till now. We shall certainly +come here for the Easter week.</p> + +<p class="ind">Dr Clark<sup>17</sup> arrived here quite happy last night, bringing the +news that Van de Weyer had had the best news from Lisbon he +had received since his return, that all had gone off quietly, that +Ferdinand was daily gaining popularity, and that both he and +the Queen had been very well received at the theatre. The +man who threw a stone at Ferdinand was a Frenchman, whom, +it seems, Ferdinand had relieved with money over and over +again. A fine specimen of gratitude!</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope and trust with you that there will be less violence in +Parliament this year, but much is to be feared.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.62" id="pagei.62"></a>[page 62]</span> + +<p class="ind">You will miss my good cousins Ernest and Albert very much, +I am sure; I hope you will instil into them to take enough +exercise and not to study too much.</p> + +<p class="ind">There were two questions in my last letter but one, which +you have not answered, dear Uncle. They are: 1st, What you +think of the Queen Christina of Spain, what opinion <i>you</i> have +of her, as one cannot believe <i>reports</i>? 2nd, If you know what +sort of people are about poor little Queen Isabel, and if she is +being <i>well</i> or <i>ill</i> brought up?...</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 17: Afterwards Sir James Clark, and Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A DINNER PARTY</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>14th March 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... We had a dinner on Saturday which amused me, as I +am very fond of <i>pleasant</i> society, and we have been for these last +three weeks immured within our old palace, and I longed sadly +for some gaiety. After being so very long in the country I was +preparing to go out in right earnest, whereas I have only been +<i>twice</i> to the play since our return, which is marvellous! However, +we are to have another dinner to-morrow, and are going +to the play and Opera. After Easter I trust I shall make +ample amends for all this solitariness. I hope to begin singing +with Lablache shortly after Easter. But to return to last +Saturday's dinner. We had the Archbishop of Dublin,<sup>18</sup> a +clever but singular man, and his lady; Lord Palmerston, with +whom I had much pleasant and amusing conversation after +dinner—you know how agreeable he is; then Lady Cadogan,<sup>19</sup> +who enquired much after you and Aunt Louise; Lord and Lady +Rosebery,<sup>20</sup> Mr and Mrs E. Stanley,<sup>21</sup> Lord Morpeth,<sup>22</sup> Lord +Templetown,<sup>23</sup> Sir John Cam Hobhouse,<sup>24</sup> Dr Lushington,<sup>25</sup> and +Mr Woulfe,<sup>26</sup> the Solicitor-General for Ireland, a Roman +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.63" id="pagei.63"></a>[page 63]</span> +Catholic and a very clever man. Lady Cadogan, who is not +long come back from Paris, says that the Duke of Orleans has +been going out very little and is remarkably well. I saw a +report in the papers that he and the Duc de Nemours were +coming over here, which I fear is not true; I wish it was....</p> +<span class="rightnote">THE THRONE OF GREECE</span> +<p class="ind">There is one thing in your former letter which I must answer, +or, rather, more advert to. You said to me, that if it was not +for me, you would regret Greece very much. Now, I assure you, +dearest Uncle, you ought not to regret it, though there is not a +doubt that <i>Greece</i> would be much happier were you there. But +I have heard from various people who have been staying in +Greece that they very soon got to like the Turks much better +than the Greeks, who are very untrue, and are quite banditti-like; +then, again, the country, though undoubtedly fine in +parts, is a rocky and barren country, and also you are constantly +exposed to the effects of the Plague, that most dreadful +of all evils; and then, lastly, how very, very far you would be, +how cut off from all those who are dear to you, and how exposed +to dangers of all kinds!</p> + +<p class="ind">I much grieve that they are quarrelling so much in the +French Chambers.<sup>27</sup> I must now conclude.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 18: Richard Whateley, formerly Principal of St Alban Hall, and +Drummond Professor of Political Economy at Oxford.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 19: Louisa Honoria, wife of the third Earl, and sister of Joseph, first Lord Wallscourt.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 20: Archibald, fourth Earl of Rosebery, and Anne Margaret, his second +wife, daughter of the first Viscount Anson.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 21: Edward Stanley, afterwards fourteenth Earl of Derby, thrice Prime Minister.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 22: Chief Secretary for Ireland.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 23: John Henry, first Viscount, formerly M.P. for Bury St Edmunds.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 24: Sir John Cam Hobhouse, a Radical, and a friend of Byron, at whose +wedding he acted as best man; he was imprisoned in 1819 for breach of privilege. He was elected +M.P. for Westminster in 1820 as Burdett's colleague, and afterwards for Nottingham and +Harwich. Commissioner of Woods and Forests (the old Houses of Parliament being +burned down during his term of office), and later President of Board of Control. +Created Lord Broughton, 1851.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 25: Stephen Lushington, advocate in the old Ecclesiastical Court, M.P. +for Ilchester and the Tower Hamlets, and a Judge in the Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Courts from +1828 to 1867.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 26: Stephen Woulfe, M.P. for Carlisle, Solicitor-General, and +subsequently Attorney-General, for Ireland, becoming Chief Baron in 1838.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 27: On 10th March a heated debate took place in the French Chamber on +the question of the Queen of the Belgians' dowry, a Deputy calling for the production of King +Louis Philippe's rent-roll, and a complete statement of his income.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>31st March 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Child</span>,—Your dear letter of the 28th gave me +the greatest pleasure. I was sure from your constant affection +for us that you would feel much interested in the event of the +24th. It was a moment of some anxiety, but all passed over +very well. Your Aunt is going on very well, and the little +cousin<sup>28</sup> also. He is smaller than his brother was, but promises +to be like him; the features are much the same, the shape of +the forehead and mouth. The elder Prince was much interested +about his <i>frère</i>, and anxious to see him; at first, however, he +declared after a long contemplation, "<i>pas beau frère!</i>" Now +he thinks better of him, but makes a very odd little face when +he sees him. The name of the little one will be Philippe Eugène +Ferdinand Marie Clément Baudouin (Baldwin)—a name of the +old Counts of Flanders—Léopold Georges. My Aunt, who is +his godmother, wished he should be called Philippe in honour +of his grandfather, and as Philippe <i>le Bon</i> was one of the most +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.64" id="pagei.64"></a>[page 64]</span> +powerful Princes of this country, I gave him the name with +pleasure. Eugène is her own name, Ferdinand that of Chartres, +Marie of the Queen and also of Princess Marie, Clément of +Princess Clémentine; Léopold your Aunt wished, and George +in honour of St George of England and of George IV. Probably +I shall hereafter give to Léopold the title of Duke of Brabant, +and to Philippe that of Count of Flanders, both fine old titles.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 28: Philippe, second son of King Leopold, afterwards Count of +Flanders. He died in 1905.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRESS COMMENTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>7th April 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Child</span>,—... You have been the subject of all +sorts of newspaper paragraphs; your good and sensible way +of looking on these very creditable productions <i>will be of use to +you</i>. If the press says useful things, and makes observations +which merit attention, there is no doubt that sometimes, +though God knows very rarely, something useful may be +gleaned from them. But when you see its present state, when +the one side says black and the other white, when the opposite +political characters are treated by their respective antagonists +as rogues, fools, blockheads, wretches, and all the other names +in which the English political dictionary is so <i>very rich</i>, one +stands like the ass, between two bundles of hay, considerably +embarrassed which ought to be chosen....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCESS'S ESTABLISHMENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>11th April 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... As I believe the visit at Windsor is fixed for the 15th, +I hope this letter will arrive in time. Perhaps the King will +speak to you about the necessity of forming you an establishment.<sup>29</sup>... +Your position, having a Mother with whom you +very naturally remain, would render a <i>complete</i> independent +establishment perhaps matter of <i>real</i> inconvenience; still +something like that which Charlotte had will become desirable. +My idea, if it meets with your approbation, would be this: +The Duchess of Northumberland would remain your first Lady, +Baroness Lehzen would fill a position similar to that of Mrs +Campbell, who had been Charlotte's governess in her younger +days, and the Dean<sup>30</sup> would step into the position which good +Dr Short<sup>31</sup> held. An Equerry, I do not think—as you will not +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.65" id="pagei.65"></a>[page 65]</span> +go out without your Mother—you would require. On the +other hand, it may become matter of examination if you will +perhaps like to have some young ladies attendants in the style +of Lady Catherine Jenkinson;<sup>32</sup> should this be your wish, it +would become necessary to make very good choices, else perhaps +you would derive more trouble than comfort from the +arrangement; <i>cela va sans dire</i>, that the choice could only be +made by yourself, and that nobody should be given you <i>against</i> +your wishes. Should the King speak to you on the subject, I +would at once express this my wish if you should approve some +such arrangement, and beg him to let <i>you choose</i>. Resist mildly +but <i>positively</i> any nomination of a Gentleman other than the +Dean; it is highly probable that any other would be put about +you as a spy, and turn out at all events a great bore, which is +better avoided....</p> + +<p class="ind">I received a messenger from Coburg. I enclose the letters +and also a packet with fans. Ever, my beloved child, your +faithfully attached Uncle and Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 29: The Princess was to attain her legal majority on 24th May.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 30: George Davys, the Princess Victoria's instructor, Dean of Chester, +and afterwards Bishop of Peterborough.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 31: Thomas Vowler Short, Rector of St George's, Bloomsbury, appointed +in 1841 Bishop of Sodor and Man.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 32: Lady Catherine Jenkinson, daughter of the Earl of Liverpool, soon +after the Queen's accession married Colonel Francis Vernon Harcourt.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>12th April 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... What you say about the newspapers is very true and +very flattering. They are indeed a curious compound of truth +and untruth. I am so used to newspaper nonsense and attacks +that I do not mind it in the least....</p> + +<p class="ind">How happy I am that that beloved Aunt is going on so well +and does not suffer from the cold, as also the <i>jeune Philippe</i>. +Leopold must be great fun with his Aunt Marie;<sup>33</sup> does he still +say "<i>pas beau frère!</i>" or is he more reconciled to his brother? +It is very noble in the Duc de Nemours to have thus given up +his <i>apanage</i>;<sup>34</sup> I am sorry there were such difficulties about it. +There is no Ministry formed yet, I see by the papers.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 33: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, daughter of King Louis +Philippe, and thus sister to the Queen of the Belgians.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 34: This grant was surrendered in order that due provision might be +made by the Legislature for the elder brother, the Duke of Orleans, on the occasion of his marriage with +the Princess Hélène of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE IRISH MUNICIPAL BILL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>28th April 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My most beloved Uncle</span>,—.... Sir Henry Hardinge's<sup>35</sup> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.66" id="pagei.66"></a>[page 66]</span> +motion was quite lost, I am happy to say, and don't you think, +dearest Uncle, that it has almost done good, as it proves that +the Tories have lost all chance of getting in? It was a trial of +strength, and the Ministry have triumphed. I have been +reading in the papers, what I suppose you already know, that +it is believed that the Lords <i>will</i> pass the Irish Corporation +Bill;<sup>36</sup> and also that Ministers mean to drop for the present the +question about Church Rates,<sup>37</sup> as the Radicals, being angry +with Ministers relative to the Canada business, would not support +them well.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 35: On a motion for going into supply, Sir H. Hardinge proposed an +amendment censuring the Government for the authorisation of the raising of a force of Volunteers to +assist the Spanish Government, and for the method in which that force had been organised. +The amendment was lost by a majority of 36, on 19th April.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 36: The Irish Municipal Bill, to convert Corporations of +Municipalities into Electoral Councils, was introduced in the House of Commons on the 15th of February. The +Bill was opposed by the Conservatives, but passed the House of Commons. In the Lords +an amendment of Lyndhurst's struck out the constructive clauses, and the Act +became, on the 18th of May, an Act for the Abolition of Municipalities in Ireland. Lord +John Russell brought forward a motion to reconstruct the Bill. But the Peers declined to pass +it, and it was postponed.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 37: As Ministers only obtained a majority of 5 in a house of 569, the +measure was dropped.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>28th April 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I hope you occupy yourself with the several great +questions which agitate parties. I think a good mode will be +to talk concerning them sometimes with the Dean. He is a +good moderate man, and still well able to give you sufficient +information. From conversation with clever people, such as +dine sometimes with you, much may be very usefully gathered, +and you will do well to attend to this. I am no enemy to this +way of instruction, and have seen people who were sharp enough +to profit wonderfully by it. You hear in this way the opinions +of a variety of persons, and it rests with your own good sense to +classify and appreciate them....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MINISTERIAL ANXIETY</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>2nd May 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... You may depend upon it that I shall profit by your +excellent advice respecting Politics. Pray, dear Uncle, have +you read Lord Palmerston's speech concerning the Spanish +affairs,<sup>38</sup> which he delivered the night of the division on Sir +Henry Hardinge's motion? It is much admired. The Irish +Tithes question came on last night in the House of Commons,<sup>39</sup> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.67" id="pagei.67"></a>[page 67]</span> +and I am very anxious for the morning papers, to see what has +been done. Lord Melbourne looks remarkably well, Lord +Palmerston not very well, and as for poor little Lord John +Russell, he is only a shadow of himself. It must be dreadfully +fagging work for them; they sit so very late too, for when the +Spanish question came on, the division only took place at four +o'clock in the morning, and I saw them at the Drawing-Room +the same day afterwards....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 38: Lord Palmerston indignantly asked whether England should continue +to fulfil her nengagement with the Queen of Spain, or disgracefully abandon an ally whom she +had pledged herself to succour.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 39: The Irish Tithe Bill, a measure to facilitate the collection of +tithes, was abandoned because the Tories would not consent to any secular appropriation of Church +revenues, and the Whigs would not consent to the withdrawal of their amendments. A +remarkable feature in the Bill was a proposal that a portion of every clergyman's income +should be applied to education, as was already prescribed by a former Act.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th May 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—It was very kind of you to write to +me from your new château; I hardly ventured to hope for my +usual letter, and yet I should have been much disappointed had +I not received it. I am sorry that the house is so bad, but hope +you will have found a good position for a new one....</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dearest Uncle, may I ask such an indiscreet question +as, if Major Stroekens is a clever man; he was so nervous and +embarrassed when he came here, that I could not make him +out. He brought me a very nice letter from Donna Maria.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am anxiously waiting to hear the issue of the battle between +the Carlists and Christinos, which is, they say, to decide a great +deal.<sup>40</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Now farewell, dearest Uncle. I beg my affectionate love to +my dear Aunt, and my most respectful <i>hommages</i> to the Members +of the Family with you. Believe me, always, your affectionate +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Old Pozzo<sup>41</sup> dined here last Wednesday, and he gave me a +long, I must say clever, dissertation about the state of France, +during dinner-time.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 40: After an obstinate investment by the Carlists, Espartero had +relieved Bilbao on Christmas Day, 1836. The Christino commanders then began to concert a combined +movement on the Carlist lines, which stretched from Irun to Villafranca.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 41: Count Pozzo di Borgo (1764-1842), Russian Ambassador. By birth a +Corsican and a devoted patriot, he was a life-long opponent of Napoleon and his designs. He +entered the Russian diplomatic service in 1803, and after Waterloo became Russian +Ambassador in Paris. He was Ambassador in London for two years, when his health gave way.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCESS'S ESTABLISHMENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>25th May 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Child</span>,—You have had some battles and +difficulties of which I am completely in the dark. The thing I +am most curious to learn is what the King proposed to you concerning +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.68" id="pagei.68"></a>[page 68]</span> +your establishment.... I shall reserve my opinion till +I am better informed, but by what I heard I did not approve of +it, because I thought it ill-timed. Stockmar will be able to do +much. Two things seem necessary; not to be fettered by any +establishment other than what will be <i>comfortable to you</i>, and +then to avoid any breach with your mother. I have fully +instructed Stockmar, and I must say he left me in such good +disposition that I think he will be able to be of great use to you. +The great thing is to act without precipitation and with caution. +The King seems better again. I am very curious to +know what he proposed; you will have it in your power to +modify his proposition, as it is difficult your <i>approbation</i> should +be dispensed with; it would be a great fault in your situation +to <i>submit</i> to this.... They seemed to think the King dying, +which does not appear to be the case. Be steady, my good +child, and <i>not</i> put out by <i>anything</i>; as long as I live <i>you will +not want a faithful friend and supporter</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">Here your somewhat curious little soul has at least the outlines +of things....</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>26th.</i>—I received yesterday the whole of the papers concerning +the King's propositions.<sup>42</sup> I approve your letter to the +King, as it is amiable and generous, and this in your position will +always tell favourably. I think that if <i>he</i> is well advised he will +chiefly consult <i>your wishes</i>. This is the footing on which you +must place matters. It is not worth while to be told that one +is in some sort of age when the consequence is that you are not +consulted in what concerns you most personally. Avoid in +future to say much about your great <i>youth</i> and <i>inexperience</i>. +Who made the letter? Was it yourself, or came it from your +Mother? You have now the Baron at your elbow, and even +your Mother was most anxious for his arrival. <i>Speak sometimes +with him</i>; it is necessary to accustom you to the thing.</p> + +<p class="ind">About the King's health.<sup>43</sup> I am doubtful what to think. We +have foreseen the case and treated it formerly. The great +thing would be to make no change, to keep Ministers and everything +as it is, and to gain time; in this way <i>no one is hurt and +no amour-propre blessé</i>. For this reason I lean to your keeping, +to begin with, Sir Herbert Taylor<sup>44</sup> for your <i>official</i> secretary, +though I am not quite <i>decided</i> on the subject. He knows the +manner in which the <i>daily business</i> is carried on; this is important. +I believe him, and have found him to be an honest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.69" id="pagei.69"></a>[page 69]</span> +man, that would do for State matters; it would not be required +that he should be your <i>confidential</i> adviser. Now I conclude, +and send you this letter through Stockmar. My best regards +to Lehzen. Ever your faithful Uncle and Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 42: The King had offered the Princess an establishment of £10,000 a +year, independent of her mother. This was accepted, to the great vexation of the Duchess of Kent, +but the arrangement was not carried into effect.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 43: King William's health was at this time causing much anxiety.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 44: Private Secretary to King William IV.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BIRTHDAY REJOICINGS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>26th May 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The demonstrations of affection and kindness from all +sides towards me on my birthday, were most gratifying. The +parks and streets were crowded all day as though something +very extraordinary had happened. Yesterday I received +twenty-two Addresses from various places, all very pretty and +loyal; one in particular was very well written which was presented +by Mr. Attwood<sup>45</sup> from the Political Union at Birmingham.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am delighted to hear Stockmar is at length arrived; he +reached London on Wednesday, and we shall see him to-day.</p> + +<p class="ind">How distressed I am that poor dear Ernest<sup>46</sup> has been so ill! +Thank God! that he is now better.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Spanish affairs have turned out better than you had +expected; the triumphant capture of Irun<sup>47</sup> was a great thing +for the Christinos.</p> + +<p class="ind">The King is much better.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 45: Thomas Attwood founded in 1829 the Birmingham Political Union, +which helped to pass the Reform Act. Previously he had been known for his opposition to the +Orders in Council, and the resumption of cash payments. Birmingham elected him without +opposition in 1832, and he sat till 1840.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 46: Prince Ernest of Saxe-Coburg.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 47: The frontier town of Spain, near St Sebastian, captured, 16th May, +by the Christinos, supported by British troops.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Tuileries</span>, <i>7th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The <i>entrée</i><sup>48</sup> last Sunday was something remarkably +splendid; we saw it from the Tuileries, as we had nothing to +do with the business itself, and your Aunt's rank would have +clashed with that of the Duchess of Orleans. The effect of all +this on the people of this great town has been <i>very great</i>, and +evidently much ground has been solidly regained. The King, +getting out of that sort of confinement in which it was necessary +to keep, has gained much in personal comfort, and also in a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.70" id="pagei.70"></a>[page 70]</span> +political point of view; because to have a King who cannot +show himself without being shot at, is a state of society which +lowers his authority....</p> + +<p class="ind">For the present the best plan is to continue to act as you have +done hitherto; to avoid quarrels, but also to stick <i>firmly to +your resolution when once</i> taken. The violence which is sometimes +shown is so well known to you, you know also so well that +you have nothing to fear from these people, that <i>you must keep +up your usual cool spirit</i>, whatever may be tried in the House to +<i>teaze you out of it</i>. I mean to wait some more detailed accounts +of what is going on in England before I give my opinion on what +ought to be done in the case that the King's disease should take +a more fatal turn.</p> + +<p class="ind">As I told you before, however, when we treated this subject +verbally and in writing, I believe it to be your interest to act +very mildly, <i>to begin by taking everything as the King leaves it</i>. +By this system you avoid disappointing those whose hopes may +remain unchanged, as your own choices, as it were, are not yet +made. Parties, which at present are so nearly balanced, remain +<i>in statu quo</i>, and you gain time.</p> + +<p class="ind">I must conclude now this letter. My winding up is, keep +your mind <i>cool</i> and <i>easy</i>; be <i>not alarmed</i> at the prospect of +becoming perhaps sooner than you expected Queen; aid will +not be wanting, and the great thing is that you should have +some honest people about you who have your welfare <i>really at +heart</i>. Stockmar will be in this respect all we can wish, and we +must hope that <i>useful</i> occupation will prevent his health from +suffering. Now once more God bless you. Ever, my dear +child, your faithful Uncle and Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 48: The entry into Paris of the Duke and Duchess of Orleans, who had +been married at Fontainebleau on May 30th.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ACCESSION IMMINENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>15th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Child</span>,—I hope that to-day will not pass over +without bringing me a letter from you. In the meantime I will +begin this epistle, which will go by a messenger of my own to-morrow. +In every letter I shall write to you I mean to repeat +to you, as a <i>fundamental rule</i>, <i>to be courageous, firm and honest, +as you have been till now</i>. You may count upon my faithful +good offices in all difficulties, and you have at your command +Stockmar, whose <i>judgment</i>, <i>heart</i>, and <i>character</i> offer all +the +guarantees we can wish for. I wish nothing but to see you +<i>happy and prosperous</i>, and by Sunday I shall probably write +you a long letter, which will enter into details about most +things.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.71" id="pagei.71"></a>[page 71]</span> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-bottom: 5em;">My object is that you should be no one's <i>tool</i>, and though +young, and naturally not yet experienced, your good natural +sense and the <i>truth</i> of your character will, with faithful and +proper advice, get you very well through the difficulties of your +future position, should it be the will of Providence to take the +King from this earthly life. Of his real position I am still not +quite able to judge, there being so much contradictory in the +reports. Be this as it may, the great thing for you is, not to +be hurried into important measures, and to <i>gain time</i>. A new +reign is always a time of hope; everybody is disposed to see +something for his own wishes and prospects. The policy of a +new Sovereign must therefore be to act in such a manner as to +hurt as little as possible the <i>amour-propre</i> of people, to let +circumstances and the force of things bring about the disappointments +which no human power could prevent coming sooner or +later: that they should come as <i>late</i> as possible is in your +interest. Should anything happen to the King before I can +enter more fully into the necessary details, limit yourself to +<i>taking kindly</i> and in a <i>friendly</i> manner the present Administration +into your service. They are <i>naturally friendly to your +interests</i>, <i>as you are in fact the only possible Sovereign of the whole +family</i>, with the exception of the Duke of Sussex, they can +<i>serve</i> with <i>sincerity</i> and <i>attachment</i>. This is of great +importance to you, as it is by no means the same thing to have people who +aid and assist you with feelings of real attachment, or merely +from cold and calculating motives of political expediency and +self-interest. This being done, no other step should be taken +without consulting seriously. The very time which is necessary +to attain this end is favourable to you, as it is your greatest +interest for the <i>present moment</i> to act most cautiously and to +gain as much <i>time</i> as possible. In high positions it is excessively +difficult to <i>retrace</i> a false move to get out of a mistake; and +there exists very rarely, except in time of war and civil feuds, a +necessity for an <i>immediate</i> decision. Your part must be, to +resume once more what I said before, to remain as long as +possible <i>agreeable</i> to all parties, and after the formation of the +Ministry, to be most careful how you take any measure of +importance....</p> + +<a name="illusi.3"></a> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/0528-800.jpg"><img src="images/0528-334.png" width="334" height="450" alt="H.M. King William IV." border="0" /></a> +<p class="center"><b>H.M. King William IV.</b></p> +<p class="center"><b>From a miniature at Windsor Castle</b></p> +<p class="author"><b><i>To face p.</i> 72, <i>Vol. I</i></b></p> +</div> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE KING'S ILLNESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>16th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Uncle</span>,—... I cannot say how happy I am that +the <i>entrée publique</i> into Paris succeeded so well, and that the +dear King was so well received; I trust he will now at last be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.72" id="pagei.72"></a>[page 72]</span> +rewarded for all the troubles and anxiety he has had ever since +1830. Lord Palmerston said that the French say that <i>l'assassinat +est hors de mode</i>. I hope and trust in Heaven that this +may be the case, and <i>for ever</i>!</p> + +<p class="ind">You know, of course, dear Uncle, how <i>very ill</i> the King is; +it may <i>all be over</i> at <i>any moment</i>, and yet <i>may</i> last a few +days. +Consequently, we have not been out anywhere in public since +Tuesday, 6th, and since Wednesday all my lessons are stopped, +as the news may arrive very suddenly....</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>17th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Child</span>,—... I shall to-day enter on the subject +of what is to be done when the King ceases to live. The +moment you get official communication of it, you will entrust +Lord Melbourne with the office of retaining the present Administration +as your Ministers. You will do this in that honest and +kind way which is quite your own, and say some kind things on +the subject. The fact is that the present Ministers are those +who will serve you personally with the greatest <i>sincerity</i> and, I +trust, attachment. For them, as well as for the Liberals at +large, you are the <i>only</i> Sovereign that offers them <i>des chances +d'existence et de durée</i>. With the exception of the Duke of +Sussex, there is no <i>one</i> in the family that offers them anything +like what they can reasonably hope from you, and your immediate +successor, with the mustaches,<sup>49</sup> is enough to frighten them +into the most violent attachment for you.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The irksome position in which you have lived will have +the merit to have given you the habit of <i>discretion</i> and <i>prudence</i>, +as in your position you never can have <i>too much</i> of either. +Great measures of State I hope you will be able to avoid at first. +I have already—if you would read it over, and perhaps let +Stockmar see it—written to you some months ago on the subject +of the necessity of maintaining the influence of conservative +principles, and of protecting the Church. You will do well to +keep both objects in view. You will do wisely by showing +yourself attached to the English Protestant Church as it exists +in the State; you are particularly where you are, because you +are a Protestant. I know you are averse to persecution, and +you are right; miss, however, <i>no opportunity</i> to show your +sincere feeling for the existing Church; it is <i>right</i> and <i>meet</i> that +you should do so. I must repeat that you will do well as long +as it will be possible to hurt no one's hopes or prospects. That +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.73" id="pagei.73"></a>[page 73]</span> +this will not always, or very long, be possible is the consequence +of the state of parties; still, one may be frank and honest, and +still kind to all. Concerning foreign policy I shall write on +some future occasion. In the meantime I trust you will protect +the two Queens in the Peninsula, who are miserably ill off. +I am sure, with your good sense you will not find it difficult to +judge questions yourself. I cannot too much recommend this, +as it will then become a habit, and even an amusement to you. +Cultivate always a genuine feeling of right and wrong, and be +very true and honourable in your dealings; this gives great +strength. I have taken into consideration the advantage or +disadvantage of my coming over to you <i>immediately</i>. The +result of my <i>examen</i> is that I think it better to visit you later. +If, however, you wanted me at any time, I should come in a +moment. People might fancy I came to enslave you, while I +glory in the contrary; and, thirdly, that they might be jealous, +or <i>affect</i> it at least, of my coming, as if I thought of ruling the +realm for <i>purposes of my own</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">I am now at the end, I think, of what I had to say. May +Heaven bless you and keep up your spirits. Ever, my beloved +child, your faithful Uncle and Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Pardon the hurry in which this letter was written.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 49: The Duke of Cumberland.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE KING'S CONDITION HOPELESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>19th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearly beloved Uncle</span>,—Your <i>kind</i> and <i>dear</i> letter, +containing <i>most wholesome</i>, <i>prudent</i>, <i>sound</i> and +<i>excellent</i> advice, +was given me by our <i>good</i> and <i>invaluable honest</i> friend, Stockmar, +and I beg you to accept my best thanks for it. Before I +say anything else, let me tell you how happy and thankful I am +to have Stockmar here; he has <i>been</i>, and <i>is</i>, of the <i>greatest</i> +possible use, and be assured, dearest Uncle, that he possesses +my <i>most entire confidence</i>!</p> + +<p class="ind">The King's state, I may fairly say, is <i>hopeless</i>; he may +<i>perhaps</i> linger a few days, but he cannot recover <i>ultimately</i>. +Yesterday the physicians declared he could not live till the +morning, but to-day he is a little better; the great fear is his +<i>excessive</i> weakness and no <i>pulse</i> at all. Poor old man! I feel +sorry for him; he was always personally kind to me, and I +should be ungrateful and devoid of feeling if I did not remember +this.</p> + +<p class="ind">I look forward to the event which it seems is likely to occur +soon, with calmness and quietness; I am not alarmed at it, and +yet I do not suppose myself quite equal to all; I trust, however, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.74" id="pagei.74"></a>[page 74]</span> +that with <i>good-will</i>, <i>honesty</i>, and <i>courage</i> I shall not, at +all events, +<i>fail</i>. Your advice is most excellent, and you may depend upon +it I shall make use of it, and follow it, as also what Stockmar +says. I <i>never showed</i> myself, <i>openly</i>, to belong to <i>any +party</i>, +and I <i>do not</i> belong to any party. The Administration will +undoubtedly be well received by me, the more so as I have <i>real</i> +confidence in them, and in particular in Lord Melbourne, who is +a straightforward, honest, clever and good man.</p> + +<p class="ind">I need not add much more, dearest Uncle, but that I trust +that the all-powerful Being who has so long watched over my +destinies will guide and support me, in whatever situation and +station it may please Him to place me!...</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ACCESSION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>20th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Melbourne<sup>50</sup> presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and being aware that your Majesty has already received +the melancholy intelligence of the death of his late +Majesty, will do himself the honour of waiting upon your +Majesty a little before nine this morning. Viscount Melbourne +has requested the Marquis of Lansdowne<sup>51</sup> to name eleven as the +hour for the meeting of the Council at Kensington Palace.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 50: Lord Melbourne, so far as can be augured from his handwriting, +which is extremely difficult to decipher, appears always to have written his own name +<i>Melburne</i>. But it is not the correct spelling, and no one else seems to have employed it.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 51: Lord President of the Council; formerly for a brief period +(1806-7) Chancellor of the Exchequer.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>20th June 1837</i> (<i>half-past eight</i> <span class="sc">a.m.</span>).</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dearest, most beloved Uncle</span>,—Two words only, to tell +you that my poor Uncle, the King, expired this morning at +twelve minutes past two. The melancholy news were brought +to me by Lord Conyngham<sup>52</sup> and the Archbishop of Canterbury<sup>53</sup> +at six. I expect Lord Melbourne almost immediately, and +hold a Council at eleven. Ever, my beloved Uncle, your devoted +and attached Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 52: Francis Nathaniel, second Marquis of Conyngham, had been M.P. for +Westbury and Donegal, and was now Lord Chamberlain.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 53: William Howley (1766-1848), Bishop of London 1813-1828, Primate 1828-1848.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>20th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span> ... I feel most grateful for your kind letter +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.75" id="pagei.75"></a>[page 75]</span> +full of sympathy with my irreparable loss, and thank you with +all my heart for your feeling expressions on this melancholy +occasion. I am, as you may suppose, deeply affected by all the +sad scenes I have gone through lately; but I have the great +comfort to dwell upon the recollection of the perfect resignation, +piety, and patience with which the dear King bore his +trials and sufferings, and the truly Christian-like manner of his +death.</p> + +<p class="ind">Excuse my writing more at present, my heart is overwhelmed +and my head aches very much. Accept the assurance +of my most affectionate devotion, and allow me to consider +myself always as your Majesty's most affectionate Friend, +Aunt, and Subject,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S JOURNAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>Tuesday, 20th June 1837</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">I was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me that the +Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyngham were here, and +wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room +(only in my dressing-gown) and <i>alone</i>, and saw them. +Lord Conyngham (the Lord Chamberlain) then acquainted me +that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired +at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently that I am +<i>Queen</i>. Lord Conyngham knelt down and kissed my hand, at +the same time delivering to me the official announcement of the +poor King's demise. The Archbishop then told me that the +Queen was desirous that he should come and tell me the details +of the last moments of my poor good Uncle; he said that he +had directed his mind to religion, and had died in a perfectly +happy, quiet state of mind, and was quite prepared for his +death. He added that the King's sufferings at the last were +not very great but that there was a good deal of uneasiness. +Lord Conyngham, whom I charged to express my feelings of +condolence and sorrow to the poor Queen, returned directly +to Windsor. I then went to my room and dressed.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Since it has pleased Providence to place me in this station, +I shall do my utmost to fulfil my duty towards my country; +I am very young and perhaps in many, though not in all things, +inexperienced, but I am sure that very few have more real goodwill +and more real desire to do what is fit and right than I +have.</p> +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S FIRST COUNCIL</span> +<p class="ind2">Breakfasted, during which time good, faithful Stockmar +came and talked to me. Wrote a letter to dear Uncle Leopold +and a few words to dear good Feodore. Received a letter from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.76" id="pagei.76"></a>[page 76]</span> +Lord Melbourne in which he said he would wait upon me at a +little before 9. At 9 came Lord Melbourne, whom I saw in my +room, and of <i>course quite alone</i>, as I shall <i>always</i> do all my +Ministers. He kissed my hand, and I then acquainted him +that it had long been my intention to retain him and the rest +of the present Ministry at the head of affairs, and that it could +not be in better hands than his. He again then kissed my +hand. He then read to me the Declaration which I was to +read to the Council, which he wrote himself, and which is a very +fine one. I then talked with him some little time longer, after +which he left me. He was in full dress. I like him very much, +and feel confidence in him. He is a very straightforward, +honest, clever and good man. I then wrote a letter to the +Queen. At about 11 Lord Melbourne came again to me, +and spoke to me upon various subjects. At about half-past +11 I went downstairs and held a Council in the red +saloon.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I went in of course quite alone and remained seated the +whole time. My two Uncles, the Dukes of Cumberland and +Sussex, and Lord Melbourne conducted me. The Declaration, +the various forms, the swearing in of the Privy Councillors, of +which there were a great number present, and the reception of +some of the Lords of the Council, previous to the Council, in +an adjacent room (likewise alone) I subjoin here. I was <i>not</i> +at all nervous and had the satisfaction of hearing that people +were satisfied with what I had done and how I had done it. +Received after this, audiences of Lord Melbourne, Lord John +Russell, Lord Albemarle (Master of the Horse), and the Archbishop +of Canterbury, all in my room and alone. Saw Stockmar. +Saw Clark, whom I named my physician. Saw Mary. +Wrote to Uncle Ernest. Saw Ernest Hohenlohe, who brought +me a kind and very feeling letter from the poor Queen. I +feel very much for her, and really feel that the poor good +King was always so kind personally to me, that I should be +ungrateful were I not to recollect it and feel grieved at his +death. The poor Queen is wonderfully composed now, I +hear.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Wrote my journal. Took my dinner upstairs alone. Went +downstairs. Saw Stockmar. At about twenty minutes to 9 +came Lord Melbourne and remained till near 10. I had a very +important and a very <i>comfortable</i> conversation with him. Each +time I see him I feel more confidence in him; I find him very +kind in his manner too. Saw Stockmar. Went down and said +good-night to Mamma, etc. My <i>dear</i> Lehzen will <i>always</i> +remain with me as my friend, but will take no situation about +me, and I think she is right.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.77" id="pagei.77"></a>[page 77]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE HOUSE OF COMMONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>22nd June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell<sup>54</sup> presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and has the honour to report that he presented to the +House of Commons this day your Majesty's gracious Message.</p> + +<p class="ind">He then moved an Address of Condolence and Congratulation, +which was seconded by Sir Robert Peel. Sir Robert Peel +very properly took occasion to speak in terms of high admiration +of the deportment of your Majesty before the Privy Council +on Tuesday. The Address was agreed to without a dissentient +voice, and your Majesty may rest assured that the House of +Commons is animated by a feeling of loyalty to the Throne, and +of devotion to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 54: Writing as Leader of the House of Commons.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright">(Undated—<i>22nd or 23rd June 1837</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—I am most grateful for your amiable +letter and truly kind offer to come and see me next week. Any +day convenient to your Majesty will be agreeable to me, the +sooner the better, for I am equally anxious to see you again, and +to express to you in person all that I feel for you at this trying +moment. If Monday will suit you I shall be ready to receive +you and your dear Mother on that day. My prayers are with +you and my blessing follows you in all you have to go through. +My health is as well as it can be after the great exertions I have +suffered, and I try to keep up under my heavy trial and deep +affliction.</p> + +<p class="ind">My best wishes attend you, my dearest Niece, and I am for +ever your Majesty's most affectionate and faithful Friend, +Aunt and Subject,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the French to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CONGRATULATIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Paris</span>, <i>le 23 Juin 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Madame ma Sœur</span>,—J'ai appris avec une vive peine la perte +que votre Majesté vient de faire dans la personne de son très +cher et bien aimé Oncle le Roi Guillaume IV. d'auguste et +vénérable mémoire. La vive et sincère amitié que je porte à +votre Majesté, et à ceux qui lui sont chers, les liens de parenté +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.78" id="pagei.78"></a>[page 78]</span> +qui rapprochent nos deux familles par l'alliance de ma fille +chérie avec le Roi des Belges votre Oncle bien aimé, et enfin le +souvenir qui m'est toujours bien cher de la tendre amitié qui +m'attachait au feu Prince votre Père, depuis que nous nous +étions vus en Amérique, il y a déjà trente-huit ans,<sup>55</sup> me déterminent +à ne pas attendre les formalités d'usage, pour offrir à +votre Majesté mes félicitations sur son avènement au Trône de +la Grande-Bretagne. Il m'est doux de penser que l'heureuse +direction que la Princesse votre excellente et bien aimée Mère a +si sagement donnée à votre jeune âge, vous met à portée de +supporter dignement le grand fardeau qui vous est échu. Je +fais les vœux les plus sincères pour que la Providence bénisse +votre Règne, et qu'il soit une époque de bonheur et de prospérité +pour les peuples que vous êtes appelée a gouverner. +Puissiez-vous aussi jouir longtemps de tout le bonheur personnel +que je vous souhaite du fond de mon cœur. Je serai toujours +bien empressé de manifester à votre Majesté tous les +sentiments d'attachement et d'affection que je lui porte. +Qu'elle me permette d'y ajouter l'expression de la haute estime +et de l'inviolable amitié avec lesquelles je ne cesserai d'être, +Madame ma Sœur, de votre Majesté Le Bon Frère,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Louis Philippe R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 55: In 1799 the Duke of Kent was Commander-in-Chief in British North America.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>23rd June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Child</span>,—Your new dignities will not change or +increase my old affection for you; may Heaven assist you, and +may I have the <i>happiness of being able to be of use to you</i>, and to +contribute to those successes in your new career for which I +am so anxious. Your letter of the 19th, written very shortly +before the important event took place, gave me <i>great satisfaction</i>; +it showed me a temper of mind well calculated for the +occasion. To see the difficulties of the task without shrinking +from them or feeling alarm, and to meet them with courage, is +the way to succeed. I have often seen that the <i>confidence</i> of +success has been the <i>cause of the success itself</i>, and you will do +well to <i>preserve</i> that sentiment.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have been most happy to learn that the swearing in of the +Council passed so well. The Declaration in the newspapers I +find simple and appropriate. The translation in the papers +says, "<i>J'ai été élevés en Angleterre.</i>" 1. I should advise to say +as often as possible that you are <i>born</i> in England. George III. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.79" id="pagei.79"></a>[page 79]</span> +<i>gloried</i> in this, and as <i>none</i> of your cousins are born in England, +it is your interest <i>de faire reporter cela fortement</i>. 2. You never +can say too much in praise of your country and its inhabitants. +Two nations in Europe are really almost ridiculous in their own +exaggerated praises of themselves; these are the English and +the French. Your being very national is highly important, and +as you happen to be born in England and never to have left it +a moment,<sup>56</sup> it would be odd enough if people tried to make out +the contrary. 3. The Established Church I also recommend +strongly; you cannot, without <i>pledging</i> yourself to anything +<i>particular</i>, <i>say too much on the subject</i>. 4. Before you decide +on anything important I should be glad if you would consult +me; this would also have the advantage of giving you time. +In politics most measures will come in time within a certain +number of days; to retrace or back out of a measure is on the +contrary extremely <i>difficult</i>, and almost always <i>injurious</i> to the +highest authority.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 56: The Duke and Duchess of Kent were settled at Amorbach, in +Leiningen, till a short time before the birth of their child, when they came to Kensington.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE MINISTERS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>25th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Uncle</span>,—Though I have an <i>immense</i> deal of +<i>business</i> to do, I shall write you a few lines to thank you for +your kind and useful letter of the 23rd, which I have just received. +<i>Your</i> advice is always of the <i>greatest importance</i> to me.</p> + +<p class="ind">Respecting Claremont, Stockmar will be able to explain to +you the <i>total</i> impossibility of my being out of London, as I must +see my Ministers <i>every</i> day. I am <i>very</i> well, sleep well, and +drive every evening in the country; it is so hot that walking +is out of the question. Before I go further let me pause to tell +you how fortunate I am to have at the head of the Government +a man like Lord Melbourne. I have seen him now every day, +with the exception of Friday, and the more I see him, the more +confidence I have in him; he is not only a clever statesman and +an honest man, but a good and a kind-hearted man, whose aim +is to do his duty for his country and not for a <i>party</i>. He is of +the greatest use to me both politically and privately.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have seen almost all my other Ministers, and do regular, +hard, but to <i>me delightful</i>, work with them. It is to me the +<i>greatest pleasure</i> to do my duty for my country and my people, +and no fatigue, however great, will be burdensome to me if it +is for the welfare of the nation. Stockmar will tell you all these +things. I have reason to be highly pleased with all my Ministers, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.80" id="pagei.80"></a>[page 80]</span> +and hope to God that the Elections<sup>57</sup> may be favourable, +as I well know that the present Ministry is the best and most +moderate we can have.</p> + +<p class="ind">Do not, my dearly beloved Uncle, fear for my health; I shall +take <i>good</i> care of it. I beg your advice on the enclosed paper.</p> + +<p class="ind">Ever your devoted and grateful Niece and affectionate <i>Child</i>,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 57: At that time rendered necessary by the demise of the Crown.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DELIBERATION ADVISED</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>27th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Child</span>,—... Now I must touch on another subject +which is of vital importance for you and your comfort, viz. +the habits of business which you will contract now. The best +plan is to devote certain hours to it; if you do that, you will +get through it with great ease. I think you would do well to +tell your Ministers that for the present you would be ready to +receive those who should wish to see you between the hours of +eleven and half-past one. This will not plague you much, and +will be sufficient in most cases for the usual business that is to +be transacted.</p> + +<p class="ind">I shall add to this a piece of advice. Whenever a question is +of some importance, it should not be decided on the day when +it is submitted to you. Whenever it is not an urgent one, I +make it a rule not to let any question be forced upon my +<i>immediate</i> decision; it is really not doing oneself justice <i>de +décider des questions sur le pouce</i>. And even when in my mind +I am disposed to accede, still I always keep the papers with me +some little time before I return them. The best mode for you +will be, that each Minister should bring his box with him, and +when he submits to you the papers, <i>explain them to you</i>. Then +you will keep the papers, either to think yourself upon it or to +consult somebody, and either return them the next time you +see the Minister to whom they belong, or send them to him. +Good habits formed <i>now</i> may for ever afterwards be kept up, +and will become so natural to you that you will not find them +at all fatiguing.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Kensington Palace</span>, <i>29th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has received Lord Melbourne's communication, +and thinks, as Prince Ernest of Hesse goes to the funeral, it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.81" id="pagei.81"></a>[page 81]</span> +would be proper the Prince of Leiningen should do just the +same. The Queen requests that Lord Melbourne will be so +good as to take care that the Prince of Leiningen is informed +as to the proper dress he ought to wear on the occasion.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Albemarle mentioned yesterday to the Queen, that all +the ladies' saddle-horses, including the Queen-Dowager's own +favourite horses, belonged to the Queen; but it strikes her +that it would be well if the Queen was to give the Queen-Dowager +the choice of two or three of her own horses, and that +she might keep them. The Queen would wish Lord Melbourne +to give her his opinion on this subject....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">STOCKMAR</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>30th June 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Child</span>,—... I am glad to see that you are so +much pleased with Lord Melbourne. I believe him to be as +you think him. His character is a guarantee which is valuable, +and remember that <i>cleverness</i> and <i>talent</i>, <i>without an honest +heart and character</i>, <i>will never do for your Minister</i>. I shall +name nobody, but what I said just now applies to some people +you have recently seen.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am so happy that you enter into the important affairs +which Providence has entrusted to you with so much interest +and spirit; if you continue you will be <i>sure of success</i>, and your +own conscience will give you the most delightful and satisfactory +feelings. To be <i>National</i> is the <i>great thing</i>, and I was sure +you would agree with what I said repeatedly to you on this +<i>vital subject</i>, and you will be certain in this way of the <i>love</i> of +the nation you govern.</p> + +<p class="ind">I recommend to your kind attention what Stockmar will +think it his duty to tell you; he will never press anything, +never plague you with anything, without the thorough conviction +that it is indispensable for your welfare. I can guarantee +his independence of mind and disinterestedness; nothing +makes an impression upon him but what his experience makes +him feel to be of importance for you. I am delighted with your +plan. You will recollect that I pressed upon you repeatedly +how necessary it was for you to continue your studies on a more +<i>extended</i> scale, more appropriate to the station you were destined +once to fill. No one is better qualified to direct those +studies for the next few years than Stockmar, few people possess +more general information, and very, very few have been +like him educated, as it were, by fate itself since 1816. There +is no branch of information in which he may not prove useful—</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.82" id="pagei.82"></a>[page 82]</span> +<span class="rightnote">SUBJECTS FOR STUDY</span> +<p class="ind">(1) History, considered in a practical and philosophical way; +(2) International Law and everything connected with it; +(3) Political Economy, an important branch nowadays; (4) +Classic studies; (5) <i>belles lettres</i> in general; (6) Physical Science +in all its branches, etc., etc.—the list would be very long if I +were to enumerate it all. The <i>sooner</i> you do this the better; +in all countries and at all times men like Stockmar have filled +similar situations, even in the most bigoted and jealous countries, +such as Spain, Austria, etc. You will have him in this +case <i>constantly near you without</i> anybody having the right of +finding fault with it, and to be useful to you he should be near +you. Stockmar would have the <i>immense</i> advantage, for so +young a Queen, to be a <i>living</i> dictionary of all matters scientific +and politic that happened these thirty years, which to you is of +the greatest importance, because you <i>must study</i> the political +history of at least the last thirty-seven years <i>more particularly</i>. +I had begun something of the sort with you, even so far back as +George II.; you will do well to go through the reign of George +III., and to follow the various circumstances which brought on +finally the present state of affairs....</p> + +<p class="ind">My letter grows too long, and you will not have time to read +it; I will therefore come to an end, remaining ever, my beloved +Victoria, your faithfully attached Uncle and Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SPANISH AFFAIRS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>3rd July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I had the happiness of receiving your +kind letter of 30th June yesterday, and hasten to thank you +for it. Your dear and kind letters, full of kind and excellent +advice, will always be of the greatest use to me, and will always +be my delight. You may depend upon it that I shall profit +by your advice, as I have already so often done.</p> + +<p class="ind">I was sure you would be of my opinion relative to Lord +Melbourne. Indeed, dearest Uncle, nothing is to be done +without a good heart and an honest mind; I have, alas! seen so +much of bad hearts and dishonest and <i>double</i> minds, that I +know how to value and appreciate <i>real worth</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">All is going on well at present, and the elections promise to +be favourable. God grant they may be so! I had a very long +and highly interesting conversation with Palmerston on +Saturday, about Turkey, Russia, etc., etc. I trust something +may be done for my sister Queens. They have got a Constitution +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.83" id="pagei.83"></a>[page 83]</span> +in Spain at length, and the Cortes have done very well. +We hope also to conclude a treaty of commerce with the +Spaniards shortly, which would be an immense thing.</p> + +<p class="ind">If you could get my kind and dear friend Louis Philippe, +whom I do so respect, and for whom I have a great affection, to +do something for poor Spain, it would be of great use.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am quite <i>penetrated</i> by the King's kindness in sending good +old General Baudrand<sup>58</sup> and the Duc d'Elchingen<sup>59</sup> over to +compliment me; Baudrand did it very well, and with much +good feeling. In Portugal, affairs look very black, I grieve to +say. They have no money, and the <i>Chartists</i> want to bring +about another counter-revolution, which would be fatal to the +poor Queen's interests, I fear.</p> + +<p class="ind">That you approve my plan about Stockmar I am delighted +to hear.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope to go into Buckingham Palace very shortly after the +funeral.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now, dearest Uncle, I must invite you <i>en forme</i>. I should be +most <i>delighted</i> if you, dearest Aunt Louise, and Leopold +(<i>j'insiste</i>) could come about the <i>middle</i> or <i>end</i> of +<i>August</i>. Then +I should beg you would stay a little longer than usual, a fortnight +at <i>least</i>. You could bring as many gentlemen, ladies, +<i>bonnes</i>, etc., etc., as you pleased, and I should be <i>too</i> happy and +proud to have you under <i>my own</i> roof....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 58: General Comte Baudrand (1774-1848).</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 59: Son of Marshal Ney.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Liverpool to Baron Stockmar.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>5th July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Went about half-past ten o'clock to Apsley House, and told +the Duke of Wellington the whole of my communication with +the Queen, Duchess of Kent, and Sir John Conroy on 15th June, +also of my communication subsequently with Lord Melbourne, +all of which he very much approved of. He said that he was +quite sure that the Queen would find Lord Melbourne an +honourable man, and one in whom Her Majesty might put confidence; +that he was a man apt to treat matters too lightly, +or, as he expressed it, a <i>poco curante</i>, but in the main an honest +and an honourable man. Upon my speaking to him of the +kind and paternal conduct of King Leopold towards his Niece, +he said that he was fully persuaded of this, and should at all and +any time be ready to uphold it by his approbation, but that he +had no immediate connection with the Press, whose attacks +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.84" id="pagei.84"></a>[page 84]</span> +indeed he held very cheap, though they were frequently very +offensive. He then asked me whether it was not true that the +Queen had thought of some reviews at which she would appear +on horseback. I said there had been some talk of it. He +desired me to say that he thought this would be very dangerous, +that she had much better do this in an open carriage, as no one +except such as himself knew how difficult it was to get steady +riding horses, and besides that, she could not be attended by +any female, and that this would appear indelicate.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">QUEEN ADELAIDE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>7th July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—I must, before I leave this dear Castle, +once more express to you the grateful sense I entertain for the +kind treatment I have experienced from you since it has pleased +our heavenly Father to put you in possession of it. You have +contributed much to my comfort under all the painful and +distressing circumstances of this time of woe, and I assure you +that I ever shall remember it with sincere gratitude.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope that you continue quite well and do not suffer from +the exertions and duties of your new position. My best wishes +and prayers attend you on all occasions, for I shall be for the +rest of my life devoted and attached to you as your most affectionate +Aunt and Subject,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Kensington Palace</span>, <i>10th July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen regrets very much to hear of Lord Melbourne's +indisposition, and trusts it will be of no duration.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has just seen the Lord Chamberlain and has given +him all her orders. The Lord Chamberlain says that he will +do everything in his power to facilitate the Queen's going into +Buckingham Palace on Thursday.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen fears that there may have been some mistake with +respect to the Chapter of the Garter, for Lord Conyngham,<sup>60</sup> as +well as several others, imagined it would be held on <i>Wednesday</i> +instead of <i>Friday</i>. The Queen requests Lord Melbourne to +rectify this mistake, as it is the Queen's intention to hold the +Chapter on <i>Friday</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 60: The Lord Chamberlain.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>11th July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest, best Uncle</span>,—... I have got very little time +and very little to say. I <i>really</i> and <i>truly</i> go into Buckingham +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.85" id="pagei.85"></a>[page 85]</span> +Palace the day after to-morrow, but I must say, though I am +very glad to do so, I feel sorry to leave for <i>ever</i> my poor old +birthplace....</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>25th</i>.—I shall not go out of town, I think, before the 20th +or thereabouts of next month. Windsor requires thorough +cleaning, and I must say I could not think of going in sooner +after the poor King's death. Windsor always appears very +melancholy to me, and there are so many sad associations with +it. These will vanish, I daresay, if I see you there soon after +my arrival there.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have very pleasant large dinners every day. I invite my +Premier generally once a week to dinner as I think it right to +show publicly that I esteem him and have confidence in him, as +he has behaved so well. Stockmar is of this opinion and is his +great admirer....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MADAME DE LIEVEN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Neuilly</span>, <i>12th July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Having still a few moments before a special messenger +sets off, I take advantage of it to add a few words. By all I +can hear, there are many intrigues on foot in England at this +moment. Princess Lieven<sup>61</sup> and another individual recently +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.86" id="pagei.86"></a>[page 86]</span> +imported from her country seem to be very active in what +concerns them not; beware of them. A rule which I cannot +sufficiently recommend is, <i>never to permit</i> people to speak +on subjects concerning yourself or your affairs, without your +having yourself desired them to do so. The moment a person +behaves improperly on this subject, change the conversation, +and make the individual feel that he has made a mistake.... +People will certainly try to speak to you on your <i>own personal</i> +affairs; decline it boldly, and they will leave you alone....</p> + +<p class="ind">Now I conclude with my warmest wishes for your happiness. +Ever, my dear Victoria, your faithfully attached Uncle and +Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 61: The Princess Dorothea de Benckendorff married the Count de Lieven +at fifteen; in 1812, he became Russian Minister (and later Ambassador) in London, whither she +accompanied him. She was a woman of extraordinary cleverness, enjoying the confidence +of George IV., Liverpool, Canning, Castlereagh, and Wellington. Inspiring the +efforts, and even composing the despatches of her husband, she became herself the +confidential correspondent of Nesselrode, Esterhazy, Posso di Borgo, Guizot, and Lord Aberdeen. +In 1834, the Lievens returned to St Petersburg, where the Emperor Nicholas, +though indifferent to the society of women of talent, showed her special marks of regard. Her +husband died at Rome, in January 1838, and she established herself in Paris, +afterwards seeking a home in England during the troubles of 1848. Returning to Paris, her +<i>salon</i> became again the resort of diplomatists, politicians, and men of the world. She +died in January 1857.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">Madame de Lieven about this time told Greville that she had had an audience of +the Queen, "who was very civil and gracious, but timid and embarrassed, and talked +of nothing but commonplaces"; and Greville adds that the Queen "had probably been +told that the Princess was an <i>intrigante</i>, and was afraid of committing +herself."</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">Madame de Lieven wrote to Lord Aberdeen on the 30th July 1837:—</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">J'ai vu la Reine deux fois, je l'ai vue seule, et je l'ai vue dans la société du +soir, et avec son Premier Ministre. Elle a un aplomb, un air de commandement, de dignité, qui +avec son visage enfantin, sa petite taille, et son joli sourire, forment certainement +le spectacle le plus extraordinaire qu'il soit possible de se figurer. Elle est d'une extrême +réserve dans son discours. On croit que la prudence est une de ses premières qualités. Lord +Melbourne a auprès d'elle un air d'amour, de contentement, de vanité même, et tout cela +mêlé avec beaucoup de respect, des attitudes très à son aise, une habitude de +première place dans son salon, de la rêverie, de la gaieté, vous voyez tout cela. La +Reine est pleine d'aimables sourires pour lui.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">La société le soir n'était composée que du household de la Reine, de tout le +household de la Duchesse de Kent (moins la famille Conroy, qui n'approche pas du Palais), +et de quelques étrangers. La Duchesse de Kent est parfaitement mécontente,—elle m'en +a même parlé. Je doute que la mère et la fllle habitent longtemps sous le même toit. +Quant à Lord Melbourne, il me semble que la Duchesse le déteste. Il est évident +qu'il est dans la possession entière et exclusive de la confiance de la Reine, et que +ses ressentiments, comme ses peines passées, sont confiés sans réserve à son Premier Ministre....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PARLIAMENT PROROGUED</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>18th July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Uncle</span>,—... I have been so busy, I can say +but two words more, which are that I prorogued Parliament +yesterday in person, was very well received, and am not at all +tired to-day, but quite frisky. There is to be no review <i>this +year</i>, as I was determined to have it only if I <i>could ride</i>, and as I +have not ridden for two years, it was better not. Believe me, +always, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Stanhope Street</span>, <i>22nd July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... With regard to Count Orloff,<sup>62</sup> your Majesty will probably +renew to him, on his taking leave, the assurances which +your Majesty has already given, of your desire to cement and +maintain the friendly alliance which subsists between the two +Crowns; and an expression might be repeated of the pleasure +which your Majesty has derived from the selection of a person +who possesses the confidence and esteem of the Emperor so fully +as Count Orloff is known to do.</p> + +<p class="ind">It might, perhaps, be as well to avoid any allusion to your +Majesty's not being personally acquainted with the Emperor, +or anything that might be construed into an invitation to that +Sovereign to come to England, because Viscount Palmerston +has reason to believe that any such hint would be eagerly +caught at, while at the same time such a visit does not, under all +circumstances, seem to be a thing particularly to be desired....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 62: The Russian Ambassador.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.87" id="pagei.87"></a>[page 87]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DISCRETION ADVISED</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>24th July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Child</span>,—... I hear that the Levée went off very +well, and I have no doubt that the Drawing-Room did the +same. Your <i>spirit</i> in all these new and trying proceedings +makes me <i>happy beyond expression</i>. Believe me, with <i>courage</i> +and <i>honesty</i>, you will get on beautifully and successfully. The +firmness you displayed at the beginning of your reign will be +for your quiet of the utmost importance. People must come +to the opinion <i>it is of no use intriguing, because when her mind is +once made up, and she thinks a thing right</i>, no earthly power will +make her change. To these qualities must be added one which +is of great importance, this is <i>discretion</i>; humble as it seems, it +has often brought about successes in which talent failed and +genius did not succeed. Discretion in the great affairs of the +world does wonders, and safety depends frequently and is +chiefly derived from it....</p> + +<p class="ind">Now I must quickly conclude, with the prayer that you will +<i>not permit</i> anybody, be it even your Prime Minister, to speak to +you on matters that concern you <i>personally</i>, without <i>your</i> +having expressed the wish of its being done. You have no +idea of the importance of this for your peace and comfort and +safety. I always act on this principle, and I can say with great +success.</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>29th July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Child</span>,—Your dear letter of the 24th inst. is, +amongst <i>so many kind letters</i>, <i>almost the kindest I yet received</i> +from your dear hands. My happiness and my greatest pride will +always be, to be a <i>tender and devoted father to you, my beloved +child</i>, and to watch over you and stand by you with <i>heart</i> +and <i>soul as long</i> as the heart which <i>loves</i> you so sincerely will +beat.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have no doubt that Lord Melbourne will always do everything +in his power to be useful to you. His position is become +extremely happy; after having been, under the late King at +least, in an awkward position, he is now sure of enjoying your +confidence and sincere support. If the elections turn out +favourably to the Ministry, it will, I hope, give them the means +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.88" id="pagei.88"></a>[page 88]</span> +of trying to <i>conciliate</i> the great mass of the <i>moderate</i> Tories, who +from their nature and in consequence of their opinions are safe +and desirable supporters of the Crown. The two extremes will +give them trouble, and the ultra-Tories appear to me to be even +the <i>more unreasonable</i> of the two.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am most happy to see you on your guard against Princess +Lieven and such-like people. Your life amongst intriguers and +tormented with intrigues has given you an experience on this +important subject which you will do well not to lose sight of, as +it will unfortunately often <i>reproduce itself</i>, though the names +and manner of carrying on the thing may not be the same.</p> + +<p class="ind">I also think Windsor a little melancholy, but I believe that +one likes it more and more, as the Park in particular is uncommonly +beautiful. We shall try our best to enliven it by our +presence, and probably soon after your arrival. I am most +happy to see you so spirited and happy in your new position; +it will go a great way to ensure your success, and your spirit and +courage will never be <i>de trop</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now I will conclude for the day, not to bore you, and beg +you always to believe me, my dear and beloved Victoria, your +devoted Uncle and Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Hohenlohe to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCESS HOHENLOHE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Langenburg</span>, <i>31st July 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—On arriving here, I found your +dear letter of the 9th of this month; and some days ago I +received the one of the 16th. Many, many thanks for them +both; it is indeed kind of you to write to me now when you +have so much to do. You have no idea what a feeling it is, to +hear and read of you, and to think that it is <i>you</i>, <i>my own dear +sister</i>, who are the object of general observation, and, I may +say, admiration; it is sometimes like a dream. For those who +are near you it is quite different than for me, who have not +seen you yet in your new position, but must represent to myself +all through the report of others. The description in the +papers of your proroguing Parliament I read with great +interest; it must have been an imposing moment for you, +your standing for the first time in your life in the middle of that +assembly where the interests and welfare of your country are +discussed and decided upon. It is with pride, pleasure, and +anxiety I think of you at the description of such scenes and +occurrences. I saw too by the papers that your <i>incognito</i> at +the Opera was not quite kept as you wished it....</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.89" id="pagei.89"></a>[page 89]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ELECTIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>1st August 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—... I should be <i>most</i> happy to +"peep once" into your country, and wish that it <i>could</i> be.</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to Politics, Lord Melbourne told me this +morning that he thinks the Lords will be more moderate and +reasonable next Session. The Duke of Wellington made a +speech shortly before the Dissolution of Parliament, in which +he said that <i>he wished as much as the Government did to pass the +questions now pending</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">You do not think Alexander<sup>63</sup> <i>near</i> handsome enough in my +opinion; you know, ladies are much better judges. He is +somewhat colossal, I own, but very proportionate and good-looking, +I think. I am all impatience to hear more about all +this, and when you imagine the marriage will take place.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have resumed my singing lessons with Lablache<sup>64</sup> twice a +week, which form an agreeable recreation in the midst of all +the business I have to do. He is such a good old soul, and +greatly pleased that I go on with him. I admire the music of +the <i>Huguenots</i> very much, but do not sing it, as I prefer Italian +to French for singing greatly. I have been learning in the +beginning of the season many of your old favourites, which I +hope to sing with you when we meet. I wish I could keep +Lablache to sing with us, but he will be gone by that time, I +greatly fear.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now farewell, my beloved Uncle. Give my affectionate love +to my dear Aunt, and believe me always, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind"><i>J'embrasse Léopold et Philippe.</i></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 63: Prince Alexander of Wurtemberg, betrothed to Princess Marie of +Orleans, daughter of Louis Philippe. She died 10th January 1839. See <a href="#pagei.144a" style="font-weight: normal;">Letter</a> of Queen Victoria to +the King of the Belgians, 11th January 1839.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 64: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.50" style="font-weight: normal;">50.</a></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ELECTIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th August 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Uncle</span>,—... With respect to the Elections, +they are, I'm thankful to say, rather favourable, though not +quite so much so as we could wish. But upon the whole we +shall have as good a House as we had, and, <i>I</i> hope (as Lord +Melbourne does also), a more moderate one than the last one. +The Irish Elections are very favourable to us; we have gained +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.90" id="pagei.90"></a>[page 90]</span> +six in the English boroughs, and lost, I grieve to say, several in +the counties.</p> + +<p class="ind">The country is very quiet, and I have good reason to believe +all will do very well.</p> + +<p class="ind">The King of Würtemberg is to arrive to-night, under the +name of Count Teck, and wishes to be in strict <i>incognito</i>. He +comes on purpose to see me; you know he is my second cousin—his +mother<sup>65</sup> was sister to Queen Caroline and daughter to +my grand-aunt.<sup>66</sup> I shall give the King a large dinner on +Friday and a little concert after it....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 65: Queen Augusta of Würtemberg.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 66: Augusta, Duchess of Brunswick, sister of George III.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Endsleigh</span>, <i>l5th August 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to lay before your Majesty a general statement +of the result of the elections, which, with the exception +of one or two doubtful counties in Ireland, may be said to be +completed....</p> + +<p class="ind">It is not to be denied that this near balance of parties makes +the task of conducting the government difficult for any +Ministry. On the other hand, the circumstances of the country +do not present any extraordinary difficulty, and were any such +to arise, the general composition of the new House of Commons +affords a security that the maintenance of the Constitution and +the welfare of the country would be permanent objects to the +majority of its Members.<sup>67</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell had some time ago the honour of stating +to your Majesty that the return of Mr Fox Maule for Perthshire, +and of Mr Hume for Middlesex, were hardly to be +expected. In this as in many other instances the superior +organisation of the Tory party have enabled them to gain the +appearance of a change of opinion, which has not in fact taken +place.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell is sorry to add that bribery, intimidation, +and drunkenness have been very prevalent at the late elections, +and that in many cases the disposition to riot has only been +checked by the appearance of the Military, who have in all +cases conducted themselves with great temper and judgment.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 67: While the extreme Radicals were in several cases defeated, the +number of O'Connell's followers was decidedly increased. The general balance of parties was not much +affected, though the complaint made by Mr Roebuck, the Radical Member for Bath, in the +last days of William IV.'s reign, that there was no Government, and that the +machinery of legislation was at a dead stop, was no longer warranted.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.91" id="pagei.91"></a>[page 91]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ELECTIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Endsleigh</span>, <i>21st August 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to submit to your Majesty a letter from the +Earl of Coventry requesting an Audience.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is usual for the Sovereign to receive any Peer who may +be desirous of an Audience, without any other person being +present. But if the Peer who is thus admitted to the honour +of an Audience should enter upon political topics, it has been +the custom for your Majesty's predecessors merely to hear what +is offered, and not to give any opinion, or to enter into any +discussion or conversation upon such topics.</p> + +<p class="ind">Should your Majesty be pleased to grant Lord Coventry's +request of an Audience, perhaps the most convenient course +will be that the Lord-in-Waiting should signify to him, direct +from Windsor, your Majesty's pleasure.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i><sup>68</sup></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>19th September 1837</i>. +(<i>20 m(inutes) p(ast) 11</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest, most beloved Uncle</span>,—One line to express +to you, <i>imperfectly</i>, my thanks for all your <i>very</i> great kindness +to me, and <i>my great</i>, <i>great</i> grief at your departure! God knows +<i>how sad</i>, <i>how forlorn</i>, I feel! <i>How</i> I <i>shall</i> miss you, +my dearest, +dear Uncle! <i>every, every where</i>! <i>How</i> I shall miss your +conversation! +<i>How</i> I shall miss your <i>protection</i> out riding! Oh! +I feel <i>very</i>, <i>very</i> sad, and cannot speak of you both without +crying!</p> + +<p class="ind">Farewell, my beloved Uncle and <i>father!</i> may Heaven bless +and protect you; and do not forget your most affectionate, +devoted, and attached Niece and <i>Child</i>,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 68: Written on the conclusion of a visit of the King of the Belgians to England.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians</i>.</h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>3rd October 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Uncle</span>,—... I am quite sad to leave this +fine place, where, if it had not been for the meeting of Parliament +<i>so</i> early this year, I would have remained till November. +I have passed <i>such</i> a pleasant time here, the <i>pleasantest summer</i> +I have <i>ever</i> passed in my life; I have had the <i>great</i> happiness +of having you and my beloved Aunt here, I have had pleasant +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.92" id="pagei.92"></a>[page 92]</span> +people staying with me, and I have had delicious rides which +have done me more good than anything. It will be such a +break-up of our little circle! Besides my own people, Lord +Melbourne and Lord Palmerston are the only people who have +been <i>staying</i> here, and this little party was very social and +agreeable. The Princess Augusta of Saxony<sup>69</sup> has been here +for two nights; she is neither young nor handsome, but a +very kind good person.</p> + +<p class="ind">The news from Portugal are bad which I got this morning. +The Civil War is <i>ended</i>, and the <i>Chartists</i> have been <i>completely +defeated</i>; this is sad enough, but I was fearful of it: a counter-revolution +<i>never</i> does well.<sup>70</sup></p> + +<p class="ind"><i>En revanche</i>, the news from Spain are by far better....</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me always, in haste, your devoted and affectionate +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 69: Daughter of King Frederick Augustus of Saxony.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 70: On July 1st a new Ministry had come into power in Portugal. The +finances of the country were in great confusion, a military insurrection broke out in the North +at Braga, the Ministry resigned, and a new Ministry came into office in August. On the +18th August, the Duke of Terceira, followed by many persons of distinction, joined the +insurgents, and, establishing himself at Mafra, advanced upon Lisbon with the Chartist +troops, issuing a proclamation of provisional regency. A Convention was eventually +signed, and the Cortes proceeded to discuss measures of Constitutional Reform.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">RECEPTION AT BRIGHTON</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th October 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and in acknowledging your Majesty's gracious communication, +of yesterday returns his thanks for the very lively account +which your Majesty has given of the journey and the entrance +into Brighton. Lord Melbourne entirely partakes in the +wish your Majesty has been graciously pleased to express +that he had been there to witness the scene; but your Majesty +will at once perceive that it was better that he was not, as in +that case Lord Melbourne would have been accused of an +attempt to take a political advantage of the general enthusiasm +and to mix himself and the Government with your Majesty's +personal popularity. Lord Melbourne fears that for some +time your Majesty will find yourself somewhat incommoded by +the desire, which naturally prevails amongst all ranks and +classes, to obtain an opportunity of seeing your Majesty....</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>9th October 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I have also told Stockmar to try to settle something +for <i>regular</i> safe communication; in quiet times like the present, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.93" id="pagei.93"></a>[page 93]</span> +one a week would be sufficient. You know now that all letters +are read, and that should not be <i>always</i> the case with ours. +There is, however, one thing about which I think it right to +warn you. This way of reading people's letters is often taken +advantage of by the writers of them, who are <i>not so ignorant +of the thing as is imagined</i> to write the very subject which they +wish to convey to the ears of persons without compromising +themselves. I will give you an example: we are still plagued +by Prussia concerning those fortresses; now, to tell the +Prussian Government many things, which we <i>should not like</i> to +tell them <i>officially</i>, the Minister is going to write a despatch +to our man at Berlin, sending it <i>by post</i>; the Prussians <i>are +sure</i> to read it, and to learn in this way what we wish them to +hear. The diplomats in England may resort to this same mode +of proceeding to injure people, to calumniate, and to convey +to your knowledge such things as they may hope to have the +effect of injuring some people <i>they may fear</i>, in your eyes. I +tell you the <i>trick</i>, that you should be able to guard against it; +it is of importance, and I have no doubt will be resorted to +by various political people.... Ever, my dearest Victoria, +your faithfully devoted Uncle and Friend,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ENGLAND AND FRANCE</span> + +<span class="rightnote" style="margin-top: 2em;">LOUIS PHILIPPE'S POLICY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Trianon</span>, <i>19th October 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—... There is a great disposition +here to be on the best possible terms with England. As it has +but too often happened that the diplomatic agents of the two +countries have drawn, or been believed to draw, different ways,<span class="rightnote">COUNT MOLÉ</span> +I recommended strongly to Count Molé<sup>71</sup> to give strong and +clear instructions to his people, particularly at Madrid, Lisbon, +and Athens.... He is going to read them to Lord Granville, +and also to communicate as much as possible all the despatches +of the French diplomats to the English Government. This +will be a proof of confidence, and it will besides have the +advantage of giving often useful information, enabling thereby +the English Government to hear two opinions instead of one. +It cannot be denied that the idea that the Plenipotentiaries +of the two countries were following two different lines of policy +has been hurtful to the causes of the two Queens in the +Peninsula. To put a stop to this double action is the only +benefit which the Queens will at present derive from a better +understanding between England and France; but as it is, it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.94" id="pagei.94"></a>[page 94]</span> +will be still of some importance to them, and take away from +the different political parties the possibility of using the pretended +misunderstanding against the Government of the +Queens. I trust that you will tell your Ministers to meet this +friendly disposition with frankness and kindness. The wish +of the King here is, to have matters concerted between the +Plenipotentiaries of both countries. In this way it would +become difficult for the parties in Spain or Portugal to say that +the two Plenipotentiaries support different candidates for +Ministerial power, and the division in the parties connected +with the Queens might be in this manner <i>prevented</i> or <i>reconciled</i>. +Many and many are the ill-natured hints thrown out against +the King's policy here, and because he is clever, he is suspected +of having <i>ambitious schemes without end</i>; it may not be without +some importance to set this, in your mind at least, to rights. +Whatever may have been the King's views immediately after +the revolution of July<sup>72</sup> I will not decide; perhaps he may +a moment have wished to be able to do something for France. +Supposing this for the sake of argument to have been so, two +months of his reign were sufficient to show him that the great +question was not to conquer territories or foreign influence, +but to save Monarchy. He saw clearly that though <i>he</i> might +begin a war, necessarily it would soon degenerate into a war +of propaganda, and that he and his family would be the first +victims of it. His struggle has constantly been to strengthen +his Government, to keep together or create anew the elements +indispensable for a Monarchical Government, and this struggle +is far from being at its end, and most probably the remainder +of his life will be devoted to this important task; and whatever +may be the more lively disposition of the Duke of Orleans, +great part of his reign if he comes to the throne, and perhaps +the <i>whole</i> of it, will, <i>bon gré mal gré</i>, take the same turn. That +it should be so <i>is very natural</i>, because of <i>what use</i> would be +some <i>foreign provinces</i> if they would only add to the difficulty +of governing the old? Therefore, knowing as I do all the +proceedings of the King and his Cabinet, even more fully than +I do those of your Government; seeing constantly in the most +unreserved manner the whole of the despatches; knowing as +the nearest neighbour the system that they constantly followed +up towards us, I must say that no one is more against acquiring +influence in foreign States, or even getting burthened with +family aggrandisement in them, than he. He rejected most +positively the marriage of Joinville with Donna Maria because +he will not have anything to do with Portugal. He rejects a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.95" id="pagei.95"></a>[page 95]</span> +<i>mille</i> times the idea of a future union of the Queen of Spain +with Aumale, because he will not have a son where it <i>is not</i> +his intention to support him.</p> + +<p class="ind">His fear of being drawn into a real intervention has been the +cause of his having been so anxious not to have a French +Legion in Spain. He may be right or wrong on this subject—I +do not decide this, as I was of a different opinion last year; +but his fear of being drawn too far, like a man whose clothes +get caught by a steam-engine, is natural enough. His dislike +to the ultra-Liberals in the Peninsula is also very natural, +because they uphold principles of Government which render +Monarchy impossible, and the application of which to France +would be the ruin of the King. England, from the peculiarity +of its position, can do many things which in France would +upset everything.... I must close my letter, and shall +answer yours to-morrow. God bless you! Ever, my dearest +Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 71: French Premier and Foreign Secretary.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 72: 1830.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Pavilion, Brighton</span>, <i>25th October 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Now, dearest Uncle, I must speak to you <i>un peu de +Politique</i>. I made Lord Melbourne read the <i>political</i> part of +your letter. He wished me to communicate to you part of the +contents of a letter of Lord Granville's which we received +yesterday. Lord Granville complains a good deal of Molé,<sup>73</sup> +and says, that though he is apparently very cordial and friendly +towards us, and talks of his desire that we should be on a better +footing as to our foreign Ministers than we have hitherto been, +that whenever Lord Granville urges him to do anything decisive +(to use Lord G.'s own words) "he <i>shrinks</i> from the discussion," +says he must have time to reflect before he can give +any answer, and evades giving any reply, whenever anything +of <i>importance</i> is required. This, you see, dear Uncle, is not +satisfactory. I merely tell you this, as I think you would like +to know what Molé tells <i>our</i> Ambassador; this differs from +what he told <i>you</i>. What you say about Louis Philippe I am +sure is very true; his situation is a very peculiar and a very +difficult one....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 73: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.93" style="font-weight: normal;">93.</a></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE FRENCH IN AFRICA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Trianon</span>, <i>27th October 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Political matters I shall not touch upon to-day; there +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.96" id="pagei.96"></a>[page 96]</span> +is nothing very particular except the taking of Constantin.<sup>74</sup> +The Duc de Nemours has greatly distinguished himself. I am +sorry to see that in England people are sometimes <i>sufficiently +absurd</i> to be jealous of these French conquests. Nothing +indeed can be more absurd, as nothing is of greater <i>importance +to the peace</i> of Europe than that a powerful and military nation +like the French should have this outlet for their love of military +display. If one had named a council of wise men to fix upon +a spot where this might be done with <i>the least mischief</i> to the +rest of the world, one should have named the coast of Africa. +By their being there they will render to civilisation a country +which for about 800 years has been growing worse and worse, +and which was in the times of the Romans one of the richest +provinces. It settles, besides, upon the French a constant +<i>petite guerre</i> with the natives, which is the very thing that will +do them good.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 74: The French losses amounted to 19 officers and 86 men killed, with +38 officers and 468 men wounded. The French Government had failed in its efforts for an amicable +arrangement with Achmet Bey, and it appeared probable that the Turkish fleet +would also oppose them. The commander, however, merely landed some men at Tripoli, and +the French success was complete.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>19th November 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Now, dearest Uncle, before I say anything more, I will +answer the various questions in your letter, which I have communicated +to Lord Melbourne and Lord Palmerston. (1) With +respect to Ferdinand's question to you, it is impossible for <i>us</i> +to say <i>beforehand</i> <i>what</i> we <i>shall</i> do in <i>such</i> an +<i>emergency</i>; it +depends so entirely on the peculiar <i>circumstances</i> of the <i>moment</i> +that we cannot say what we should do. You know, dear Uncle, +that the fleet has orders to protect the King and Queen in case +they should be in any personal danger. As to Lord Howard,<sup>75</sup> +though what you say about him is true enough, it would not do +to recall him at present; it would give Bois le Comte<sup>76</sup> all the +advantage he <i>wishes</i> for, and which would be injurious to our +interests and influence.</p> + +<p class="ind">(2) With regard to Spain, a very decided mention is made +of the <i>Queen</i> herself in the speech which is to be delivered by +me to-morrow in the House of Lords.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have great reason to know that, of late, the Queen has +positively declared her intention to remain at Madrid to the +very last.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.97" id="pagei.97"></a>[page 97]</span> + +<p class="ind">Villiers'<sup>77</sup> conduct has been, I fear, much misrepresented, +for his <i>own</i> opinions are not at all those of the <i>ultra-Liberal</i> +kind; and his <i>only</i> aim has been, to be on good terms with +the Spanish Ministry for the time being.</p> + +<p class="ind">(3) Concerning France, I need not repeat to you, dear Uncle, +how <i>very</i> anxious we all are to be upon the <i>best</i> and <i>most +friendly</i> terms with her, and to co-operate with her.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 75: Lord Howard de Walden, British Minister at Lisbon.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 76: French Minister at Madrid.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 77: British Minister at Madrid, afterwards fourth Earl of Clarendon, +and twice Foreign Secretary.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CLOSE OF THE SESSION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>25th December 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—... You will, I am sure, be happy to +hear that this Session is happily closed, and that the whole has +gone off very satisfactorily, much more so even than any of us +could hope. I went on Saturday to the House of Lords to give +my Assent to the Civil List Bill. I shall return to town on the +16th of January, when Parliament meets again; it meets +sooner than it was at first intended it should, on account of +the affairs of Canada.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i><sup>78</sup></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>26th December 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Child</span>,—You were <i>somewhat irritable</i> when you +wrote to me!... Affairs stand now as follows: the studies +at Bonn take the whole of April, and may be concluded at the +beginning of May. From May till the end of August, if you +approved of the visit, the time should be <i>utilisé</i>. A <i>séjour</i> at +Coburg would <i>not</i> be of much use; here we are generally absent +in the summer. To confide therefore the young gentleman to +his Uncle Mensdorff<sup>79</sup> for three months, would give him so +much time for some <i>manly accomplishments</i>, which do no harm +to a young man. To make him <i>enter the Service</i> would <i>not</i> do +at all. What you say about his imbibing principles of a +political nature, there is no great fear of that. First of all, +Prague is not a town where politics are at all agitated; these +topics are very rarely touched upon; besides, Albert is clever, +and it is not at the eleventh hour that anybody in three months +will make him imbibe political principles. Perhaps you will +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.98" id="pagei.98"></a>[page 98]</span> +turn in your mind what you think on the subject, and communicate +me the result of it....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 78: This letter refers to the course of study which Prince Albert was +about to pursue.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 79: Count Emmanuel de Mensdorff-Pouilly, who married, in 1804, Sophia, +Princess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CANADA</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>27th December 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and acquaints your Majesty that he has this morning received +a letter from the Speaker<sup>80</sup> consenting to remain until Whitsuntide. +This is inconvenient enough, but the delay relieves your +present embarrassment upon this head, and puts off changes +until a period of the Session when public affairs will be more +decisively settled.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is sorry to have to inform your Majesty that +there was a good deal of difference of opinion yesterday in the +Cabinet upon the affairs of Canada.<sup>81</sup> All are of opinion that +strong measures should be taken for the repression of the +insurrection, but some, and more particularly Lord Howick, +think that these measures of vigour should be accompanied +by measures of amendment and conciliation. We are to have +a Cabinet again upon the subject on Wednesday next, when +Lord Melbourne hopes that some practical result will be come +to without serious difference.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 80: Mr James Abercromby, afterwards Lord Dunfermline. He remained in +the Chair till 1839. He had little hold over the House, and many regrettable scenes occurred.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 81: See Introductory Note, p. <a href="#pagei.56" style="font-weight: normal;">56</a>.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>28th December 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen received Lord Melbourne's communication yesterday +evening, and is glad to see that the Speaker consents to +remain a little while longer, though, as Lord Melbourne says, +it is still very inconvenient.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen regrets that there should have been any difference +of opinion with respect to Canada, but hopes with Lord Melbourne +that some final arrangement may be come to next +Wednesday.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is very sorry to learn that Lord Melbourne will +be detained in London until Saturday. She omitted to ask +Lord Melbourne when he thinks it would be convenient for +Lord Palmerston to come down to Windsor for a few days, as +it is the Queen's wish to ask him in the course of the Recess. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.99" id="pagei.99"></a>[page 99]</span> +The Queen is very thankful to Lord Melbourne for his kind +enquiries after her health; she is sorry to say she had one of +her bad headaches yesterday, but feels very well this morning +and thinks a drive will quite cure her.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ARMY ESTIMATES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>29th December 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen received Lord Melbourne's two letters yesterday +evening, and another this morning, enclosing one from Lord +Duncannon.<sup>82</sup> The Queen is very much gratified by the kind +expressions in the letter she got last night; she is grieved to +see Lord Melbourne is so much oppressed with business.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen thinks Lord Melbourne has acted with the +greatest judgment with respect to Sir J. Conroy,<sup>83</sup> and highly +approves the course he intends pursuing.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen regrets that there should be so much difficulty +with respect to the Report of the Army Estimates, but fervently +trusts that no serious difficulties will arise from it; she +will be very anxious to talk about this and many other matters +when she sees Lord Melbourne, which the Queen <i>hopes</i> (as +Lord Melbourne says nothing to the contrary) she will do on +the 3rd or 4th.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen thinks that it will be quite right if Lord Melbourne +writes to Lord John about the Staffordshire Yeomanry. The +Queen will be delighted to see Lady John Russell's little girl, +and would be very happy if Lady John was to bring the <i>Baby</i> +also. The Queen begs Lord Melbourne to invite them (Lord +and Lady John) in her name on the 8th, and to stay till the 11th.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are here, and the Queen +is very sorry to say, that from what she <i>sees</i> and <i>hears</i>, she has +reason to fear all is <i>not</i> as it <i>should</i> be; <i>her</i> mother is +most +<i>markedly</i> civil and affectionate towards both the Duke and +Duchess, and spoke Politics with the former. The Queen will +tell Lord Melbourne more about this when she sees him.</p> + +<p class="ind">The weather was beautiful yesterday, and the Queen had a +<i>long</i> drive and <i>walk</i>, which have done her great good; it is still +finer to-day.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 82: Commissioner of Woods and Forests and Lord Privy Seal.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 83: Sir J. Conroy, who had been Comptroller to the Duchess of Kent, +made certain claims which it was not considered expedient to grant. He received a pension and a baronetcy.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CANADA</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>30th December 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne will do his utmost to compose these +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.100" id="pagei.100"></a>[page 100]</span> +differences respecting Canada and the Army,<sup>84</sup> but your Majesty +must contemplate the possibility, not to say the probability, of +his not being able to succeed. It will not do for the sake of +temporary accommodation to sacrifice the honour of your +Majesty's Crown or the interests of your Majesty's subjects.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 84: <i>See</i> Introductory Notes for 1837 and 1838, pp. <a href="#pagei.56" style="font-weight: normal;">56</a> and <a href="#pagei.102" style="font-weight: normal;">102.</a></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">STATE DEPARTMENTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>31st December 1837</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne has not yet been able to leave London. +In order to have a chance of arranging these troublesome affairs +it is necessary continually to see those who are principally engaged +in them. From a conversation which he has had this +evening with Lord Howick, Lord Melbourne has better hopes +of producing a general agreement upon Canadian affairs, but +the question of the administration of the Army, which is of +less immediate importance, is of more difficulty. Your Majesty +knows the importance attached by the King of the Belgians to +this matter. The opinion of the Duke of Wellington is also +strongly against the projected alteration. On the other hand, +five Cabinet Ministers have pledged themselves to it by signing +the report, and consider themselves as having publicly undertaken +to the House of Commons that some such measure shall +be proposed. Lord Melbourne has asked for the opinions of +Lord Hill<sup>85</sup> and Sir Hussey Vivian<sup>86</sup> in writing. When Lord +Melbourne receives them he must submit them to your Majesty +with as short and as clear a statement as he can make of a +question which is of a technical and official character, and with +which Lord Melbourne does not feel himself to be very familiar. +Lord Melbourne transmits a copy of the proposed Order in +Council to carry the recommendation of the report into effect, +which will acquaint your Majesty precisely what the powers +and duties are which it is intended to transfer from the Secretary +of State<sup>87</sup> to the Secretary-at-War. It is the more necessary +to be cautious, because it can be done without taking the +opinion or having recourse to the authority of Parliament.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.101" id="pagei.101"></a>[page 101]</span> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will not suppose that Lord Melbourne by laying +before you the whole case has an idea of throwing the weight +of such a decision entirely upon your Majesty. Lord Melbourne +will deem it his duty to offer your Majesty a decided +opinion upon the subject.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is much rejoiced to hear that your Majesty +enjoys Windsor. The Duchess of Sutherland,<sup>88</sup> who appreciates +both the grand and the beautiful, could not be otherwise than +delighted with it....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has the pleasure of wishing your Majesty +a happy and prosperous New Year.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 85: Commander-in-Chief.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 86: Master-General of the Ordnance.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 87: The Secretaries of State (then three, now five in number) have +co-extensive authority, that is to say, any one of them can legally execute the duties of all, although +separate spheres of action are for convenience assigned to them; at that time the +administration of Colonial and Military affairs were combined, the Secretary-at-War not being a +Secretary of State. After the Crimean War a fourth Secretary was appointed, and after the +Indian Mutiny a fifth was added, entrusted severally with the supervision of Military +affairs and the administration of India. See letters of Lord Melbourne of <a href="#pagei.356a" style="font-weight: normal;">1st</a>, +<a href="#pagei.357a" style="font-weight: normal;">4th</a>, and <a href="#pagei.359a" style="font-weight: normal;">5th</a> November 1841.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 88: Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana, Duchess of Sutherland (1806-1868), +was the daughter of the sixth Earl of Carlisle, and married her cousin, Earl Gower (1786-1861), who +became Duke of Sutherland in 1833. On the accession of the Queen, the Duchess of +Sutherland became Mistress of the Robes, a post which she held till 1841, and on three +subsequent occasions. The Duchess was a cultivated woman with many tastes, and made +Stafford House a great social centre. She was deeply interested in philanthropic and +social movements, such as the Abolition of Slavery, and had a strong sympathy for national +movements, which she showed by entertaining Garibaldi in 1864. She combined a considerable +sense of humour with a rare capacity for affection, and became one of the +Queen's closest friends; after the Prince Consort's death she was for some weeks the Queen's +constant companion.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.102" id="pagei.102"></a>[page 102]</span> + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER VII</h3> + + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> Melbourne Ministry were able to maintain themselves in +office during the year (1838), but were too weak to carry important +measures. The prevailing distress led to much criticism of the Poor +Law Act of 1834, and the disturbances in Canada turned the tide of +emigration to Australia. But public interest in politics was eclipsed +by the gaieties of the Coronation, in which all ranks partook. The +events of Imperial importance elsewhere centred in Jamaica and +Canada, the apprenticeship system in the former place leading to a +renewal of the anti-slavery agitation at home, and the passing of a +Colonial Bill for absolute emancipation. The Canadian troubles +brought about the passing of an Imperial Act for the suspension for +two years of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, and Lord +Durham, an impulsive and generous-hearted man, was sent out as +High Commissioner. Having dismissed the Executive Council of his +predecessor, he nominated a fresh one, but an ordinance thereafter +promulgated in reference to the rebels was severely criticised. +Lord Brougham, rejoicing at the opportunity of paying off old +scores, castigated the Government, especially Lord Glenelg, the +Colonial Secretary, and carried a measure censuring their Canadian +policy. The Ministry disallowed the ordinance of Lord Durham, +who, finding himself unsupported, resigned his Commission and +returned home. On his arrival at Plymouth, he made a speech, in +which he described the rebellion as finally at an end; the news, +however, subsequently arrived that after his departure from Canada, +disturbances had broken out afresh. Sir John Colborne was +appointed to succeed Lord Durham with full powers.</p> + +<p>The Civil War continued in Spain through the year, and intermittent +rioting took place in Portugal, a country which was now +verging on bankruptcy. The old Dutch and Belgian controversy as +to the possession of Luxemburg was revived, the King of Holland, +who had obstinately withheld his concurrence for six years from the +Articles on the faith of which King Leopold accepted the throne of +Belgium, now showing overt hostility in the disputed territory. As +was natural, France was in sympathy with Belgium, and the two +countries entered into a treaty of commerce and reciprocity.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.103" id="pagei.103"></a>[page 103]</span> + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h5>1838</h5> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>1st January 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne feels most deeply the extreme kindness +of your Majesty's expressions. Whatever may happen in the +course of events, it will always be to Lord Melbourne a source +of the most lively satisfaction to have assisted your Majesty in +the commencement of your reign, which was not without +trouble and difficulty, and your Majesty may depend that +whether in or out of office Lord Melbourne's conduct will +always be directed by the strongest attachment to your +Majesty's person, and by the most ardent desire to promote +your Majesty's interests, which from his knowledge of your +Majesty's character and disposition Lord Melbourne feels certain +will be always identified with the interests of your People.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CANADA</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>14th January 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour of acknowledging your Majesty's gracious +communication, which he received this evening. Lord Melbourne +has this morning seen Lord Durham upon the subject of +his assuming the Government of Canada,<sup>1</sup> and has had a long +conversation with him. Lord Melbourne is to receive his final +answer before the Cabinet to-morrow, which meets at ten +o'clock. Lord Durham is anxious that your Majesty should +express to him your wish, or rather, as he phrased it, lay upon +him your commands that he should undertake this duty, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.104" id="pagei.104"></a>[page 104]</span> +also that, as his absence will be but temporary, that Lady Durham<sup>2</sup> +should retain her situation in your Majesty's household. +Lord Melbourne thinks that your Majesty may properly gratify +him in both these points. Lord Durham made some other +stipulations, which Lord Melbourne will explain to your +Majesty, but, upon the whole, Lord Melbourne feels little +doubt that he will accept.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Glenelg<sup>3</sup> is on Monday to make a statement to the +House of Lords upon the subject of Canada, on which a debate +may not improbably arise by which Lord Melbourne may be +detained. On Wednesday there is neither House of Lords nor +Cabinet dinner. Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday will therefore +be festive days, on which Lord Melbourne will have great +pleasure in obeying your Majesty's commands and also on +Monday, if he should not be kept in the House of Lords.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks it was prudent in your Majesty not +to expose yourself to the cold of the Chapel. He is himself +better, but has still much cough, though he has kept himself +very quiet and been very careful of his diet since he has been in +London.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: In the room of Lord Gosford. See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.102" style="font-weight: normal;">102.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 2: Daughter of Earl Grey.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 3: Colonial Secretary.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>15th January 1838</i>.<br /> +(<i>Half-past nine o'clock</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has written <i>approved</i> on Lord Melbourne's letter +as he desired; but adds a line to express her <i>satisfaction</i> at +Lord Durham's having accepted the office of Governor-General +of Canada.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen will be very happy to see Lord Melbourne at half-past +three.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">INFLUENCE OF THE CROWN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>16th January 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearly beloved Child</span>,—... I am very grateful for +Lord Melbourne's kind recollection of me. I have a sincere +regard for him, and I think that our intercourse has satisfied +him of one thing, that I have nothing so much at heart than +your welfare, and what is for the good of your Empire. I wish +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.105" id="pagei.105"></a>[page 105]</span> +very much that you would speak with him on the subject of +what ought to be done to keep for the Crown the little influence +it still may possess. His views on this important subject are +the more trustworthy as he always has belonged to the moderate +Liberals, and therefore has had the means of judging the +matter with great impartiality. Monarchy to be carried on +requires certain elements, and the occupation of the Sovereign +must be constantly to <i>preserve these elements</i>, or should they +have been too much weakened by untoward circumstances, to +contrive by every means to <i>strengthen them again</i>. You are too +clever not to know, that it is <i>not</i> the being <i>called</i> Queen or King, +which can be of the <i>least consequence</i>, when to the title there is +not also annexed the power indispensable for the exercise of +those functions. All trades must be learned, and nowadays +the trade of a <i>constitutional Sovereign, to do it well, is a very +difficult one</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I must end, and remain ever, most affectionately, my +dear Child, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>24th January 1838</i>.</p> + + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—Having just been informed of your +gracious consideration of, and your generosity towards, the +dear King's children,<sup>4</sup> I must express to you how deeply I feel +this kind proof of your attachment to the late King, whose +memory you respect by the generous continuance of their former +allowances from the Privy Purse. Nothing could have given +me more real satisfaction, and I trust and hope that they will +prove their gratitude and entire devotion to you by their future +conduct. Let me thank you, dearest Victoria, from the bottom +of my heart, and be assured that the heavenly blessing of our +beloved King will be upon you for your generous kindness to +those he loved so much in this world.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope that you have not suffered at all from the severity of +the weather, and are as well as all your subjects can wish you to +be, amongst whom there is none more anxiously praying for +your welfare and happiness than, my dear Niece, your most +devoted and affectionate Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 4: The eldest of the five illegitimate sons of William IV. and Mrs. Jordan had been +created Earl of Munster, and his sisters and brothers had been given the precedence of +the daughters and younger sons of a Marquis. The Queen now continued the same +allowances as they had received from the late King. +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.106" id="pagei.106"></a>[page 106]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DANIEL O'CONNELL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>22nd February 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—... I had a very brilliant Levée again +yesterday, at which O'Connell and all his sons, son-in-law, +nephew, etc., appeared. I received him, as you may imagine, +with a very smiling face; he has been behaving very well this +year.<sup>5</sup> It was quite a treat for me to see him, as I had for long +wished it.</p> + +<p class="ind">We are going on most prosperously here, which will, I am +sure, give you as much pleasure as it does me. We have no +fear for any of the questions. Lord John Russell is much +pleased with the temper of the House of Commons, which he +says is remarkably good, and the Duke of Wellington is behaving +uncommonly well, going <i>with Ministers</i>, and behaving like +an honest man <i>should</i> do....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 5: Ever since the Accession, O'Connell's speeches had been full of expressions of loyalty, +and he had been acting in concert with the Whigs. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEPARTMENTS OF STATE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Stanhope Street</span>, <i>25th February 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and with reference to your Majesty's question upon +the subjects to which Lord William Russell's recent despatch +relates, he has the honour to state: that in the Governments of +the Continent, and more especially in those which have no +representative Assemblies, the second class of persons in the +public offices possess and exercise much more power and influence +than the corresponding class of persons do in this country. +In England the Ministers who are at the head of the +several departments of the State, are liable any day and every +day to defend themselves in Parliament; in order to do this, +they must be minutely acquainted with all the details of the +business of their offices, and the only way of being constantly +armed with such information is to conduct and direct those +details themselves.</p> + +<p class="ind">On the Continent, where Ministers of State are not liable so +to be called to account for their conduct, the Ministers are +tempted to leave the details of their business much more to +their Under-Secretaries and to their chief clerks. Thus it +happens that all the routine of business is generally managed +by these subordinate agents; and to such an extent is this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.107" id="pagei.107"></a>[page 107]</span> +carried, that Viscount Palmerston believes that the Ministers +for Foreign Affairs, in France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, +seldom take the trouble of writing their own despatches, +except, perhaps, upon some very particular and important +occasion.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will easily see how greatly such a system must +place in the hands of the subordinate members of the public +departments the power of directing the policy and the measures +of the Government; because the value and tendency, and the +consequences of a measure, frequently depend as much upon +the manner in which that measure is worked out, as upon the +intention and spirit with which it was planned.</p> + +<p class="ind">Another circumstance tends also to give great power to these +second-class men, and that is their permanence in office.</p> + +<p class="ind">In England when, in consequence of some great political +change, the Heads of Departments go out, the greater part of +the Under-Secretaries go out also; thus the Under-Secretary +(with two or three exceptions) having come in with his Chief, +has probably no more experience than his Chief, and can seldom +set up his own knowledge to overrule the opinion, or to guide +the judgment, of his superior.</p> + +<p class="ind">But on the Continent, changes of Ministers are oftener +changes of individual men from personal causes, than changes +of parties from political convulsions; and therefore when the +Chief retires, the Under-Secretary remains. There are consequently +in all the public offices abroad a number of men who +have spent the greater part of their lives in their respective +departments, and who by their long experience are full +of knowledge of what has been done in former times, and +of the most convenient and easy manner of doing what +may be required in the time present. This affords to +the Chiefs an additional motive for leaning upon their +subordinates, and gives to those subordinates still more real +influence.</p> +<span class="rightnote">BUREAUCRACY</span> +<p class="ind">This class of subordinate men has, from the fact of its being +possessed of so much power, been invested by the jargon of the +day with the title of "Bureaucratic"—a name fabricated in +imitation of the words "aristocratic" and "democratic," each +being compounded of the word "cratic," which is a corruption +from the Greek word "kratos," which means power; and the +prefix, denoting the particular class of society whose power is +meant to be expressed. Thus "<i>aristo</i>-cratic" is the power of +the upper, or, as in Greek it is called, the "aristos" class of +society; "<i>demo</i>-cratic" is the power of the people, which +in Greek is called the "demos"; and "<i>bureau</i>-cratic" +is the power of the public offices or "bureaus," for which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.108" id="pagei.108"></a>[page 108]</span> +latter the French name has been taken instead of a Greek +word.</p> + +<p class="ind">It appears, then, to be the opinion of Lord William Russell, +that this second class of public men in Prussia are animated by +a desire to see the general policy of their country rendered more +national and independent than it has hitherto been; that for +this purpose they were desirous of urging on the Government +to take its stand against foreign influence upon some point or +other, not much caring what that point might be; that they +thought it would be difficult to choose a political question, +because on such a question the King of Prussia might be against +them, and that consequently they chose a religious question, on +which they knew they should have the King with them; and +that accordingly they led the Government on to a quarrel with +the Court of Rome, and with the Catholic or Austrian party in +Germany, more with a view to place Prussia in an independent +national position than from any particular importance which +they attached to the question itself upon which the rupture +was to be effected.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>21st March 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +The House sate until half-past eleven last night. Lord Stanhope<sup>6</sup> +made a long declamatory speech, very violent, but +having in it nothing defined or specific, and was answered by +Lord Brougham in a most able and triumphant defence and +maintenance of the late Act for Amending the Laws for the +Relief of the Poor.<sup>7</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne was very sorry to be prevented from waiting +upon your Majesty. He is very grateful for your Majesty's +enquiries, and feels very well this morning....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Minto<sup>8</sup> told Lord Melbourne last night to acquaint +your Majesty that Lord Amelius Beauclerck,<sup>9</sup> your Majesty's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.109" id="pagei.109"></a>[page 109]</span> +first Naval Aide-de-Camp, intended to ask an Audience to-day +of your Majesty, and that the object of it was to request that +he and the other Aides-de-Camp might wear sashes. This was +always refused by the late King as being absurd and ridiculous—as +it is, particularly considering Lord Amelius's figure—and +your Majesty had perhaps better say that you can make no +change.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will be at St James's twenty minutes before +ten.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 6: Philip Henry, fourth Earl.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 7: Before 1834 a great source of public abuse was the out-door relief given to able-bodied +paupers, either in kind or money. The Act of that year was based on the principle that +no one must perish through the want of the bare necessities of life. Poor Law Commissioners +were established, England was divided into Districts, and the Districts into +Unions. Out-door relief was to be given, on the order of two justices, to poor persons +wholly unable, from age or infirmity, to work. But there was much opposition to the +new law; it was considered a grievance that old couples were refused relief at home, +and that the sexes must be separated at the workhouse, to which the name of "Bastille" +began to be attached. In Devonshire it was even believed that the bread distributed +by the relieving officers was mixed with poisonous ingredients.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 8: The First Lord of the Admiralty.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 9: A son of the eighth Duke of St Albans.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRESSURE OF BUSINESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>4th April 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—<i>Vous ne m'en voudrez pas</i>, I sincerely +hope, for not having written to you sooner to thank you for +your kind letter, which I received last week, but I really could +not do so. As <i>honesty is the best policy</i>, I will tell you the simple +fact. I have been out riding every day for about three hours, +which quite renovates me, and when I come home I have consequently +a good deal to do, what with seeing people, reading +despatches, writing, etc. You will, I trust, now quite forgive +your poor niece, whom you so often call "the little Queen," +which is, I fear, true; but her <i>feelings</i> of affection are not so +small as her <i>body</i> is, I can assure you.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Prince de Ligne<sup>10</sup> will be received with every possible +attention, I can promise; it would have been so <i>without</i> his being +recommended; his rank, and, above all, his being one of your +subjects, would of course entitle him to a good reception from +me....</p> + +<p class="ind">There is another <i>sujet</i> which I wish to mention to you, <i>et +que j'ai bien à cœur</i>, which is, if you would consult Stockmar +with respect to the finishing of Albert's education; he knows +best my feelings and wishes on that subject....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 10: He was appointed to attend the Coronation as Minister Extraordinary from King Leopold.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>5th April 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and is much distressed that, being in the House of Lords, he +was unable to answer your Majesty's letter as soon as he received +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.110" id="pagei.110"></a>[page 110]</span> +it. Lord Melbourne went to the Palace about half-past four, +but learning from the porter at the gate that your Majesty was +not returned, went away thinking that there was not left time +to see your Majesty before the House of Lords. Lord Melbourne +is very much concerned that your Majesty should have hastened +at all, and most earnestly requests your Majesty never will do +so upon his account. Lord Melbourne hears with great pleasure +that your Majesty has had a pleasant ride, and likes your horse. +Lord Melbourne is very well himself, and will wait upon your +Majesty to-morrow morning about ten minutes before ten.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FAVOURITE HORSES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>10th April 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—I received your kind letter of the 5th +on Sunday, and return you my best thanks for it. I shall, +before I say another word, answer your question about the +horses which I ride, which I do the more willingly as I have got +two <i>darlings</i>, if I may use that word. They are, both of them, +<i>quite perfect</i> in every sense of the word; <i>very handsome</i>, full of +<i>spirit</i>, delightful easy-goers, very quiet, and <i>never</i> shying at +anything. Is not this perfection? The one called <i>Tartar</i> +(which belonged to Lord Conyngham), an Irish horse, is a very +dark brown, a beautiful creature; the other, which Lord +Uxbridge<sup>11</sup> got for me, is called <i>Uxbridge</i>; he is smaller than +Tartar, and is a dark chestnut, with a beautiful little Arabian +head. I am afraid I shall have bored you with this long account +of my horses.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am going to Windsor to-morrow afternoon, and have got a +great deal to do in consequence....</p> + +<p class="ind">Poor dear Louie<sup>12</sup> <i>lingers</i> on, but, alas! I can only say +<i>lingers</i>; she does not gain strength. I cannot say how it +grieves me, I am so sincerely attached to the good old soul, who +has known me ever since my birth. But I still entertain a hope +that she may get over it.</p> + +<p class="ind">We shall have a fortnight's respite from our Political Campaign. +I trust we shall do as well as we have done when +Parliament meets again. Believe me always, your devoted +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 11: Henry, Earl of Uxbridge, afterwards second Marquis of Anglesey (1797-1869).</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 12: Louisa Louis was born at Erbach in 1771. The Queen erected a tablet to her memory +in St Martin's-in-the-Fields, where she is described as "the faithful and devoted friend +of Princess Charlotte of Wales, and from earliest infancy honoured by the affectionate +attachment of Her Majesty Queen Victoria." See Reminiscences, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.10" style="font-weight: normal;">10.</a> +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.111" id="pagei.111"></a>[page 111]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCE ALBERT'S EDUCATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>13th April 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Concerning the education of our friend Albert, it has +been the best plan you could have fixed upon, to name Stockmar +your commissary-general; it will give <i>unité d'action et de +l'ensemble</i>, which otherwise we should not have had. I have +communicated to him what your uncle and the young gentleman +seem to wish, and what strikes me as the best for the +moment. Stockmar will make a regular report to you on this +subject. They will return to Bonn at the beginning of May, +and remain till the end of August.... I agree with this, as +nothing enlarges the mind so much as travelling. But +Stockmar will best treat this affair verbally with you. The +young gentlemen wished to pay me another visit at the +beginning of May, prior to their return to Bonn. Nothing +definite is, however, as yet settled about it. On one thing you +can rely, that it is my <i>great anxiety</i> to see Albert a <i>very good</i> +and +<i>distinguished young man</i>, and <i>no pains will be thought too much</i> +on my part if this end can be attained....</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright">(<i>Undated</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will perceive by this box, which I received this +morning but had not time to open, that Marshal Soult, Duke +of Dalmatia,<sup>13</sup> has been appointed Ambassador to the Coronation....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 13: Soult entered the French army in 1785, and became Marshal of France in 1804. After +distinguishing himself at Austerlitz in 1805, he was made Duke of Dalmatia in 1807. +Serving in the Peninsular War, he pursued Moore to Corunna, and became Commander-in-Chief +in Spain in 1809. Subsequently he conducted the French retreat before Wellington +in Southern France, 1813-14; was banished, but recalled and created a peer. He +was Minister of War 1830-34.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">OLD SERVANTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>17th April 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—... You will by this time have +learnt the <i>sad</i> loss we have all sustained in the death of <i>dearest</i>, +<i>faithful</i>, <i>excellent</i> Louie, who breathed her last, without a +struggle or a suffering, on Sunday night at nine o'clock. I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.112" id="pagei.112"></a>[page 112]</span> +don't think I have <i>ever</i> been so much overcome or distressed by +anything, almost, as by the death of this my earliest friend; it +is the first link that has been broken of my first and infantine +affections. I always loved Louie, and shall cherish her +memory as that of the purest and best of mortals as long as I +live! I took leave of her before I left London on Wednesday, +and <i>never</i>, <i>never</i> shall I forget the blessing she gave me, and the +grasp she gave my hand! I was quite upset by it! And I +feared and felt I should behold her on earth no more; it was, +however, a beautiful lesson of calmness and contentment and +resignation to the will of her God! Prepared as she was at +every moment of her life to meet her heavenly Father, she was +full of hope of recovery, and quite unconscious of her approaching +end. You will, I am sure, dearest Uncle, feel the +loss of this excellent creature; I cannot restrain my tears +while writing this. One great consolation I have, which is, +that I have been the means of making her last days as happy +as she could wish to be, after having lost what she loved most!</p> + +<p class="ind">... Poor <i>Mason</i>, our faithful coachman for so many years, +is also dead. These old servants cannot be replaced; and to +see those whom one has known from one's birth drop off, one +by one, is melancholy! You will think this letter a very sad +one, but <i>I feel sad</i>....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Marlborough House</span>, <i>17th April 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I can well enter into all your feelings of regret at the +death of one so truly attached and so faithful as dear old Louie +had been to you from your infancy, and I quite understand your +grief; yet I feel sure that you will also rejoice for her, that she +has been relieved from her earthly sufferings. For <i>her</i> the +change of existence was a happy one; good and pious as she +was, we may trust that her state at present is one of felicity and +bliss through the redeeming grace of our Saviour....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CORONATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>17th April 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The Parliamentary affairs will, please Heaven, continue +to go on well; I am more than ever bound to wish it, as I am +not anxious to exchange my clever and well-informed friend +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.113" id="pagei.113"></a>[page 113]</span> +Palmerston, with Lord Aberdeen, for instance, of whose sweetness +the Greek negotiation<sup>14</sup> has given me very fair means of +judging. Now I will conclude by touching on one subject +which concerns your great goodness to us. When we left +England you expressed a wish to see us at the time of the +Coronation, which was then believed to take place at the end +of May. More mature reflection has made me think that a +King and Queen at your dear Coronation might perhaps be a +<i>hors-d'œuvre</i>, and I think, if it meets with your approbation, +that it may be better to pay you our respects at some other +period, which you might like to fix upon. I do not deny that +having been deprived by circumstances from the happiness of +wishing you joy at your birthday, since 1831, in person, I feel +strongly tempted to make a short apparition to see you, as +seeing and speaking is much pleasanter than ink and paper....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 14: Referring to the offer of the throne of Greece to King Leopold in 1830.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>25th April 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Uncle</span>,—... With respect to the happiness +of seeing you and my dearest Aunt, I shall now respectfully +state my feelings. It would have made me very happy to see +you both at the Coronation, but I think upon the whole it is +perhaps better you should not do so. Then, with respect to +your coming for my <i>old</i> birthday, I must observe that I could +not enjoy you or my Aunt at all <i>à mon aise</i>. First of all, I +could not lodge you, and if one is not in the same house together, +there is <i>no real</i> seeing one another; secondly, the town +will be so full of all sorts of foreigners that I should have <i>no +peace</i> to see you and Aunt quietly. If therefore, dearest Uncle, +it suits you and Aunt Louise, would you come about the end of +August, and stay with me as long as you can? I trust, dearest +Uncle, <i>que vous me comprendrez bien</i>, and that you are assured +of the great happiness it is for me to see you at any time.</p> + +<p class="ind">Since I have written to you we have received from Lord +Granville the news of Marshal Soult's appointment as Ambassador +for the Coronation, and of the Duc de Nemours' intention +of coming here as a spectator. You may be assured +that I shall be delighted to see the Duke, as I always am any of +the dear French family. With regard to Soult, I am sure you +are aware that whoever the King chose to send would be +equally well received by me and the Government.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.114" id="pagei.114"></a>[page 114]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE TRAIN-BEARERS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>5th May 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen sends the papers relating to the Coronation as +Lord Melbourne wished. The Queen also transmits the names +of the young ladies who she proposes should carry her train. +If Lord Melbourne sees any objection to any of these she hopes +he will say so.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has put down Lady Mary Talbot, as being the +daughter of the oldest Earl in the Kingdom<sup>15</sup> and a Roman +Catholic; and Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, as she is anxious to +show civility to Lord Fitzwilliam, who has been very kind to +the Queen.</p> + +<p class="ind">Perhaps, when the names are agreed to, Lord Melbourne +would kindly undertake to speak or write to the parents of the +young ladies proposing it to them.</p> + + +<ul class="none1"> +<li>Lady Caroline Lennox.</li> +<li>Lady Adelaide Paget.</li> +<li>Lady Fanny Cowper.</li> +<li>Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope.</li> +<li>Lady Mary Talbot.</li> +<li>Lady Anne Fitzwilliam.</li> +<li>Lady Mary Grimston.</li> +<li>Lady Louisa Jenkinson.</li> +</ul> + + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 15: John, sixteenth Earl of Shrewsbury (1791-1852).</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>17th May 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thinks that your Majesty had better direct Lord Conyngham +to ask the Archbishop, before the Audience, who has +generally been there and how it ought to be conducted.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty had better read the Answer and not give it to +the Archbishop, as Lord Melbourne apprehends the Archbishop +does not give your Majesty the Address.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty had better say something kind to each of the +Bishops as they are presented. They are presented to your +Majesty in this manner as a sort of privilege, instead of being +presented at the Drawing-Room with others, and your Majesty +should conduct yourself towards them exactly as if they had +been presented in the usual circle. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.115" id="pagei.115"></a>[page 115]</span> +The time is about half-past one, and your Majesty had better +be punctual so as not to delay the Drawing-Room.</p> + + +<span class="rightnote" style="margin-top: 1em;">THE SLAVE TRADE</span> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 2em;"><i>In the same letter is enclosed a draft of a letter which it was suggested +by Lord Melbourne that the Queen should write to the King of +Portugal, with regard to the suppression of the Slave Trade.</i></p> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;">[Draft enclosed]</h5> + +<p class="ind">That you hope that the King and Queen of Portugal will not consider +the strong representations made by your Government on the +subject of the Slave Trade as arising from any desire to embarrass +them. That there is every disposition to make allowance for the +difficulties of Portugal, but allowance must also be made for the +feelings of the people of England; that those feelings on the Slave +Trade are as strong as they are just. That England has made great +sacrifices for the suppression of that crime, that she has made sacrifices +to Portugal, and that she has been extremely indignant at finding +that traffic so obstinately continued to be sheltered and protected +under the flag of Portugal. That Portugal must not expect +that England will much longer refrain from taking effectual measures +for preventing these practices. That you have spoken thus openly +because you wish them to be aware of the truth, and that you entreat +both the Queen and the King to use their power and influence +in procuring such a treaty to be concluded without delay, as will +satisfy England and exonerate Portugal from the reproach under +which she now labours.</p> + +<p class="ind">This is the substance of what might be written. It is perhaps +a little harshly worded, but your Majesty may soften it.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>25th May 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I am most thankful for your very +kind letter, and for the beautiful little sword, which delights +me.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have been dancing till past four o'clock this morning; we +have had a charming ball, and I have spent the happiest birthday +that I have had for many years; oh, <i>how</i> different to last +year! Everybody was so kind and so friendly to me.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have got a number of Austrians and Milanese here, +among whom are a Prince Odescalchi, and a Count Eugène +Zichy, renowned for his magnificent <i>turquoises</i> and his famous +valzing, a good-natured <i>élégant</i>; we have also Esterhazy's +daughter Marie—now Countess Chorinsky—a Count and +Countess Grippa, and a Marquis and Marchioness of Trivalzi, +etc.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.116" id="pagei.116"></a>[page 116]</span> + + +<p class="ind">Old Talleyrand<sup>16</sup> is at last dead. I hear he showed wonderful +composure and firmness to the last. He was one of those +people who I thought never would die. Did you know what +Pozzo said to somebody here about him? He said he (Talleyrand) +would not die yet, "<i>parce que le Diable ne voulait pas +l'avoir</i>."</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 16: Died 17th May, aged eighty-four.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">INDEPENDENCE OF BELGIUM</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>2nd June 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I have not all this time touched on our affairs, from +motives of <i>great discretion</i>, but as the battle draws nigh,<sup>17</sup> I cannot +very well help writing a few words on the subject. I found +an Article in the French <i>Constitutionnel</i> which paints our +position in pretty true colours. As it is not very long, I beg +you to have the goodness to read it. You have given me so +many proofs of affection, and your kind speech at Windsor is +so fresh in my memory, that it would be <i>very wrong</i> in me to +think that in so short a time, and without any cause, those +feelings which are so <i>precious</i> to me could have changed. This +makes me appeal to those sentiments.</p> + +<p class="ind">The independent existence of the Provinces which form this +Kingdom has always been an object of importance to England; +the surest proof of it is, that for centuries England has made the +greatest sacrifices of blood and treasure for that object. The +last time I saw the late King at Windsor, in 1836, he said +to me: "If ever France or any other Power invades your +country, it will be a question of immediate war for England; +we cannot suffer that." I answered him I was happy to +hear him speak so, as I also did not want any foreign Power +to invade us....</p> + +<p class="ind">All I want from your kind Majesty is, that you will <i>occasionally</i> +express to your Ministers, and particularly to good +Lord Melbourne, that, as far as it is <i>compatible</i> with the interests +<i>of your own</i> dominions, you do <i>not</i> wish that your +Government should take the <i>lead</i> in such measures as might in +a short time bring on the <i>destruction</i> of this country, as well as +that of your uncle and his family.</p> + +<p class="ind">Europe has enjoyed ever since 1833, in our part of it, a state +of <i>profound peace</i> and real happiness and prosperity. None +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.117" id="pagei.117"></a>[page 117]</span> +can deny that the measures which I adopted to organise this +country have greatly contributed to this happy state of +affairs; this makes me think that the changes which are to +take place should be brought about in a <i>very gentle manner</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">I am sorry to have you to listen to so much about politics, +but it is not my fault; I wished nothing so much as <i>to be left +alone</i>. I shall do all I can to bring about a good conclusion, +but it must not be forgotten that these seven years <i>all the +dangers, all the trouble</i>, fell constantly to <i>my share</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">Now I will make haste to conclude, and remain ever, my +dearest Victoria, your truly devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 17: The execution of the treaty of 1831, called the Twenty-four Articles, assigning part +of Luxemburg to Holland, had been reluctantly agreed to by Leopold, but the King of +Holland withheld his assent for seven years.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ANGLO-BELGIAN RELATIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>10th June 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—It is indeed a long while since I have +written to you, and I fear you will think me very lazy; but I +must in turn say, dearest Uncle, that your silence was longer +than mine, and that it grieved me, and <i>m'a beaucoup peinée</i>. +I know, however, you have had, and still have, <i>much</i> to do. +Many thanks, my dear Uncle, for your very kind letter of the +2nd inst....</p> + +<p class="ind">It would indeed, dearest Uncle, be <i>very wrong</i> of you, if you +thought my feelings of warm and devoted attachment to you, +and of great affection for you, could be changed. <i>Nothing</i> can +ever change them! Independent of my feelings of affection +for you, my beloved Uncle, you must be aware that the ancient +and hereditary policy of this country with respect to Belgium +must make me most anxious that my Government not <i>only</i> +should not be parties to any measure that would be prejudicial +to Belgium, but that my Ministers should, as far as +may not conflict with the interests or engagements of this +country, do <i>everything</i> in their power to promote the prosperity +and welfare of your Kingdom.</p> + +<p class="ind">My Ministers, I can assure you, share all my feelings on this +subject, and are most anxious to see everything settled in a +satisfactory manner between Belgium and Holland.</p> +<span class="rightnote">PROGRESS OF BELGIUM</span> +<p class="ind">We all feel that we cannot sufficiently or adequately express +how much Belgium owes to your wise system of government, +which has rendered that country so flourishing in every way, +and how much all Europe is indebted to you for the preservation +of general peace; because it is certain that when you +ascended the throne of Belgium that country was the one +from which the occasion of a general war was much to be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.118" id="pagei.118"></a>[page 118]</span> +feared; whereas now it is become a link to secure the continuance +of peace; and by the happy circumstances of your +double near relationship to me and to the King of the French, +<i>Belgium</i>—which was in former times the cause of discord +between England and France—becomes now a mutual tie to +keep them together.</p> + +<p class="ind">This, my beloved Uncle, we owe to you, and it must be a +source of pride and gratification to you.</p> + +<p class="ind">I perfectly understand and feel that your position with +respect to all these affairs is very difficult and trying, and the +feelings of your subjects are far from unnatural; yet I sincerely +hope that you will use the great influence you possess +over the minds of the leading men in Belgium, to mitigate discontent +and calm irritation, and procure acquiescence in +whatever arrangements may ultimately be found inevitable.</p> + +<p class="ind">You are right in saying that I, though but a child of twelve +years old when you went to Belgium, remember much of what +took place, and I have since then had the whole matter fully +explained to me. The Treaty of November 1831 was perhaps +not so advantageous to the Belgians as could have been wished, +yet it cannot have been thought very advantageous to the +Dutch, else they would have most probably urged their +Government before this time to accept it; besides, when these +conditions were framed, England was only one out of <i>five</i> +Powers whose concurrence was required, and consequently +they were made under very difficult circumstances. This +treaty having been ratified, it is become binding, and therefore +it is almost impossible to consider it as otherwise, and to set +aside those parts of it which have been ratified by all the +parties.</p> + +<p class="ind">I feel I must in turn, dearest Uncle, entreat your indulgence +for so long a letter, and for such full explanations, but I felt it +my duty to do so, as you had spoken to me on the subject.</p> + +<p class="ind">You may be assured, my beloved Uncle, that both Lord +Melbourne and Lord Palmerston are most anxious at all times +for the prosperity and welfare of Belgium, and are consequently +most desirous of seeing this difficult question brought to a conclusion +which may be satisfactory to you. Allow me once +more therefore, dearest Uncle, to beseech you to use your +powerful influence over your subjects, and to strive to moderate +their excited feelings on these matters. Your situation is a +very difficult one, and nobody feels more for you than I do.</p> + +<p class="ind">I trust, dearest Uncle, that you will, at all times, believe +me your devoted and most affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.119" id="pagei.119"></a>[page 119]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FOREIGN POLICY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>June</i> <sup>18</sup> <i>1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest and most beloved Victoria</span>,—You have +written me a <i>very dear</i> and long letter, which has given me <i>great +pleasure and satisfaction</i>. I was much moved with the expressions +of truly felt affection, which it contains, and I shall +<i>never</i> again doubt your affection for me, but rely on your dear +heart and the constancy of your character.</p> + +<p class="ind">I will now tell you honestly that I had some misgivings; I +did not exactly think that you had quite forgotten me, but I +thought I had been put aside as one does with a piece of furniture +which is no longer wanted. I did not complain, because I +fear if affection is once on the decline, reproaches only diminish +it the faster. I therefore said nothing, but in a life full of grief +and disappointments like mine, the loss of your affection would +have been one of the most severe. It was in this point of view +that the declaration made by Lord Palmerston at the beginning +of May to the Prussian Government chagrined me much.<sup>19</sup> It +was premature, because the negotiation was not yet renewed. +It looked as if the English Government had been anxious to say +to the Northern Powers, who always steadfastly <i>protected</i> +Holland, "You imagine, perhaps, that we mean to have <i>égards</i> +for the uncle of the Queen; there you see we shall make even +shorter work with him now than we did under our late master."</p> + +<p class="ind">This impression had been <i>general</i> on the Continent; they +considered the declaration to Prussia in this way: "La Reine +et ses Ministres sont donc entièrement indifférents sur le compte +du Roi L.; <i>cela change entièrement</i> la position, et nous allons +faire mains basses sur lui." From that moment their language +became extremely imperious; they spoke of nothing but acts of +coercion, bombardment, etc., etc. I firmly believe, because I +have been these many years on terms of great and sincere friendship +with Palmerston, that he did not himself quite foresee the +importance which would be attached to his declaration. I must +say it hurt me more in my <i>English</i> capacity than in my Belgian, +as I came to this country <i>from England</i>, and was chosen <i>for +that very reason</i>. Besides, I am happy to say, I was never as yet +in the position to ask for any act of kindness from you, so that +whatever little service I may have rendered you, remained on a +basis of perfect disinterestedness. That the first diplomatic +step in our affairs should seem by your Government to be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.120" id="pagei.120"></a>[page 120]</span> +directed against me, created therefore all over the Continent a +considerable sensation. I shall never ask any favours of you, +or anything that could in the least be considered as <i>incompatible</i> +with the interests of England; but you will comprehend +that there is a great difference in claiming favours and in being +treated as an enemy....</p> + +<p class="ind">I will conclude my overgrown letter with the assurance that +you never were in greater favour, and that I love you dearly. +Believe me, therefore, ever, my best beloved Victoria, your +devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 18: The day of the month is not given.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 19: Prussia was giving unmistakable evidence of a disposition to support Holland against +Belgium.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CORONATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Marlboro' House</span>, <i>28th June 1838</i>.<br /> +(<i>At a quarter before 12 o'clock on the Coronation Day.</i>)</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—The guns are just announcing your +approach to the Abbey, and as I am not near you, and cannot +take part in the sacred ceremony of your Coronation, I must +address you in writing to assure you that my thoughts and my +whole heart are with you, and my prayers are offered up to +Heaven for your happiness, and the prosperity and glory of +your reign. May our Heavenly Father bless and preserve you, +and His Holy Ghost dwell within you to give you that peace +which the world cannot give! Accept of these my best wishes, +and the blessing of your most devoted and attached Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal</i>.</h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>Thursday, 28th June 1838</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">I was awoke at four o'clock by the guns in the Park, and could +not get much sleep afterwards on account of the noise of the +people, bands, etc., etc. Got up at seven, feeling strong and +well; the Park presented a curious spectacle, crowds of people +up to Constitution Hill, soldiers, bands, etc. I dressed, having +taken a little breakfast before I dressed, and a little after. At +half-past 9 I went into the next room, dressed exactly in my +House of Lords costume; and met Uncle Ernest, Charles,<sup>20</sup> and +Feodore (who had come a few minutes before into my dressing-room), +Lady Lansdowne, Lady Normanby, the Duchess of +Sutherland, and Lady Barham, all in their robes.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 20: Prince Charles of Leiningen, the Queen's half-brother.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.121" id="pagei.121"></a>[page 121]</span> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ABBEY</span> + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 1em;">At 10 I got into the State Coach with the Duchess of Sutherland +and Lord Albemarle and we began our Progress. I subjoin +a minute account of the whole Procession and of the whole +Proceeding,—the route, etc. It was a fine day, and the crowds +of people exceeded what I have ever seen; many as there were +the day I went to the City, it was nothing, nothing to the +multitudes, the millions of my loyal subjects, who were +assembled <i>in every spot</i> to witness the Procession. Their good +humour and excessive loyalty was beyond everything, and I +really cannot say <i>how</i> proud I feel to be the Queen of <i>such</i> a +Nation. I was alarmed at times for fear that the people would +be crushed and squeezed on account of the tremendous rush +and pressure.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I reached the Abbey amid deafening cheers at a little after half-past +eleven; I first went into a robing-room quite close to the +entrance where I found my eight train-bearers: Lady Caroline +Lennox, Lady Adelaide Paget, Lady Mary Talbot, Lady Fanny +Cowper, Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope, Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, +Lady Mary Grimston, and Lady Louisa Jenkinson—all dressed +alike and beautifully in white satin and silver tissue with +wreaths of silver corn-ears in front, and a small one of pink +roses round the plait behind, and pink roses in the trimming of +the dresses.</p> + +<p class="ind2">After putting on my mantle, and the young ladies having +properly got hold of it and Lord Conyngham holding the end of +it, I left the robing-room and the Procession began as is described +in the annexed account, and all that followed and took +place. The sight was splendid; the bank of Peeresses quite +beautiful all in their robes, and the Peers on the other side. +My young train-bearers were always near me, and helped me +whenever I wanted anything. The Bishop of Durham<sup>21</sup> stood +on the side near me, but he was, as Lord Melbourne told me, +remarkably <i>maladroit</i>, and never could tell me what was to take +place. At the beginning of the Anthem, where I've made a +mark, I retired to St Edward's Chapel, a dark small place immediately +behind the Altar, with my ladies and train-bearers—took +off my crimson robe and kirtle, and put on the supertunica +of cloth of gold, also in the shape of a kirtle, which was put over +a singular sort of little gown of linen trimmed with lace; I also +took off my circlet of diamonds and then proceeded bareheaded +into the Abbey; I was then seated upon St Edward's +chair, where the Dalmatic robe was clasped round me by the +Lord Great Chamberlain. Then followed all the various +things; and last (of those things) the Crown being placed on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.122" id="pagei.122"></a>[page 122]</span> +my head—which was, I must own, a most beautiful impressive +moment; <i>all</i> the Peers and Peeresses put on their coronets at +the same instant.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 21: Edward Maltby, 1770-1859.</p> + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 1em;">My excellent Lord Melbourne, who stood very close to me +throughout the whole ceremony, was <i>completely</i> overcome at +this moment, and very much affected; he gave me <i>such</i> a kind, +and I may say <i>fatherly</i> look. The shouts, which were very +great, the drums, the trumpets, the firing of the guns, all at the +same instant, rendered the spectacle most imposing.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">HOMAGE</span> + +<p class="ind2">The Enthronisation and the Homage of, first, all the Bishops, +and then my Uncles, and lastly of all the Peers, in their respective +order was very fine. The Duke of Norfolk (holding +for me the Sceptre with a Cross) with Lord Melbourne stood +close to me on my right, and the Duke of Richmond with the +other Sceptre on my left, etc., etc. All my train-bearers, etc., +standing behind the Throne. Poor old Lord Rolle, who is 82, +and dreadfully infirm, in attempting to ascend the steps fell +and rolled quite down, but was not the least hurt; when he +attempted to re-ascend them I got up and advanced to the end +of the steps, in order to prevent another fall. When Lord +Melbourne's turn to do Homage came, there was loud cheering; +they also cheered Lord Grey and the Duke of Wellington; it's +a pretty ceremony; they first all touch the Crown, and then +kiss my hand. When my good Lord Melbourne knelt down +and kissed my hand, he pressed my hand and I grasped his +with all my heart, at which he looked up with his eyes filled +with tears and seemed much touched, as he was, I observed, +throughout the whole ceremony. After the Homage was concluded +I left the Throne, took off my Crown and received the +Sacrament; I then put on my Crown again, and re-ascended +the Throne, leaning on Lord Melbourne's arm. At the commencement +of the Anthem I descended from the Throne, and +went into St Edward's Chapel with my Ladies, Train-bearers, +and Lord Willoughby, where I took off the Dalmatic robe, +supertunica, etc., and put on the Purple Velvet Kirtle and +Mantle, and proceeded again to the Throne, which I ascended +leaning on Lord Melbourne's hand.</p> + +<p class="ind2">There was another most dear Being present at this ceremony, +in the box immediately above the royal box, and who +witnessed all; it was my dearly beloved angelic Lehzen, whose +eyes I caught when on the Throne, and we exchanged smiles. +She and Späth, Lady John Russell, and Mr. Murray saw me +leave the Palace, arrive at the Abbey, leave the Abbey and +again return to the Palace!!</p> + +<span class="rightnote">POPULAR ENTHUSIASM</span> + +<p class="ind2">I then again descended from the Throne, and repaired with +all the Peers bearing the Regalia, my Ladies and Trainbearers, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.123" id="pagei.123"></a>[page 123]</span> +to St Edward's Chapel, as it is called; but which, as +Lord Melbourne said, was more <i>un</i>like a Chapel than anything +he had ever seen; for what was <i>called</i> an <i>Altar</i> was covered +with sandwiches, bottles of wine, etc., etc. The Archbishop +came in and <i>ought</i> to have delivered the Orb to me, but I had +already got it, and he (as usual) was <i>so</i> confused and puzzled +and knew nothing, and—went away. Here we waited some +minutes. Lord Melbourne took a glass of wine, for he seemed +completely tired. The Procession being formed, I replaced +my Crown (which I had taken off for a few minutes), took the +Orb in my left hand and the Sceptre in my right, and thus +<i>loaded</i>, proceeded through the Abbey—which resounded with +cheers, to the first robing-room; where I found the Duchess of +Gloucester, Mamma, and the Duchess of Cambridge with their +Ladies. And here we waited for at least an hour, with <i>all</i> my +ladies and train-bearers; the Princesses went away about +half an hour before I did. The Archbishop had (most awkwardly) +put the ring on the wrong finger, and the consequence +was that I had the greatest difficulty to take it off again, which +I at last did with great pain. Lady Fanny, Lady Wilhelmina, +and Lady Mary Grimston looked quite beautiful. At about +half-past four I re-entered my carriage, the Crown on my head, +and the Sceptre and Orb in my hands, and we proceeded the +same way as we came—the crowds if possible having increased. +The enthusiasm, affection, and loyalty were really touching, +and I shall ever remember this day as the <i>Proudest</i> of my life! +I came home at a little after six, really <i>not</i> feeling tired.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">INCIDENTS OF THE CORONATION</span> + +<p class="ind2">At eight we dined. Besides we thirteen—my Uncles, sister, +brother, Späth, and the Duke's gentlemen—my excellent Lord +Melbourne and Lord Surrey dined here. Lord Melbourne +came up to me and said: "I must congratulate you on this +most brilliant day," and that all had gone off so well. He said +he was not tired, and was in high spirits. I sat between Uncle +Ernest<sup>22</sup> and Lord Melbourne; and Lord Melbourne between +me and Feodore, whom he had led in. My kind Lord Melbourne +was much affected in speaking of the whole ceremony. +He asked kindly if I was tired; said the Sword he carried (the +first, the Sword of State) was excessively heavy. I said that +the Crown hurt me a good deal. He was so much amused at +Uncle Ernest's being astonished at our still having the Litany. +We agreed that the whole thing was a very fine sight. He +thought the robes, and particularly the Dalmatic, "looked +remarkably well." "And you did it all so well—excellent!" +said he, with tears in his eyes. He said he thought I looked +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.124" id="pagei.124"></a>[page 124]</span> +rather pale and "moved by all the people" when I arrived; +"and that's natural; and that's better." The Archbishop's +and Dean's copes, which were remarkably handsome, were +from James the Second's time; the very same that were worn +at his Coronation, Lord Melbourne told me. Spoke of the +Bishop of Durham's awkwardness, Lord Rolle's fall, etc. +Of the Duc de Nemours being like his father in face; of the +young ladies' (train-bearers') dresses; which he thought beautiful; +and he said he thought the Duchess of Richmond (who +had ordered the make of the dresses, etc., and had been much +condemned by some of the young ladies for it) quite right. +She said to him: "One thing I was determined about; that I +would have no discussion with their Mammas about it." +Spoke of Talleyrand and Soult having been very much struck +by the ceremony of the Coronation; of the English being far +too generous <i>not</i> to be kind to Soult. Lord Melbourne went +home the night before, and slept very deeply till he was woke +at six in the morning. I said I did not sleep well. Spoke of +the Illuminations and Uncle Ernest's wish to see them.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 22: The King of Hanover.</p> + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 1em;">After dinner, before we sat down, we (that is Charles, Lord +Melbourne, and I) spoke of the numbers of Peers at the Coronation, +which, Lord Melbourne said, with the tears in his eyes, +was unprecedented. I observed that there were very few +Viscounts; he said: "There are very few Viscounts," that +they were an odd sort of title and not really English; that +they came from <i>Vice-Comités</i>; that Dukes and Barons were +the only <i>real</i> English titles; that Marquises were likewise not +English; and that they made people Marquises when they +did not wish to make them Dukes. Spoke of Lord Audley +who came as the First Baron, and who Lord Melbourne said +was a very odd young man, but of a very old family; his +ancestor was a Sir Something Audley in the time of the Black +Prince, who, with Chandos, gained the Battle of Poictiers.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I then sat on the sofa for a little while with Lady Barham +and then with Charles; Lord Melbourne sitting near me the +whole evening. Mamma and Feodore remained to see the +illuminations and only came in later, and Mamma went away +before I did. Uncle Ernest drove out to see the Illuminations.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">PAGES OF HONOUR</span> + +<p class="ind2">I said to Lord Melbourne when I first sat down that I felt +a little tired on my feet; "You must be very tired," he said. +Spoke of the weight of the Robes, etc., etc., the Coronets; and +he turned round to me with the tears in his eyes, and said <i>so</i> +kindly: "And you did it beautifully—every part of it, with +so much taste; it's a thing that you can't give a person advice +upon; it must be left to a person." To hear this, from this +kind impartial friend, gave me great and real pleasure. Mamma +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.125" id="pagei.125"></a>[page 125]</span> +and Feodore came back just after he said this. Spoke of the +Bishops' Copes, about which he was very funny; of the Pages +who were such a nice set of boys, and who were so handy, +Lord Melbourne said, that they kept them the whole time. +Little Lord Stafford and Slane (Lord Mountcharles) were pages +to their fathers and looked lovely; Lord Paget (not a fine boy) +was Lord Melbourne's page and remarkably handy, he said. +Spoke again of the young ladies' dresses, about which he was +very amusing; he waited for his carriage with Lady Mary +Talbot and Lady Wilhelmina; he thinks Lady Fanny does +not make as much show as other girls, which I would not allow. +He set off for the Abbey from his house at half-past eight, and +was there long before anybody else; he only got home at half-past +six and had to go round by Kensington. He said there +was a large breakfast in the Jerusalem Chamber where they +met <i>before</i> all began; he said, laughing, that whenever the +Clergy, or a Dean and Chapter, had anything to do with anything, +there's sure to be plen'y to eat.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Spoke of my intending to go to bed, etc.; he said, "You may +depend upon it, you are more tired than you think you are." I +said I had slept badly the night before; he said that was my +mind, that nothing kept people more awake than any consciousness +of a great event going to take place, and being +agitated. He was not sure if he was not going to the Duke of +Wellington's.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Stayed in the dining room till twenty minutes past eleven, +but remained on Mamma's balcony looking at the fireworks +in Green Park, which were quite beautiful.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Uncle Ernest, Charles, Feodore, and the Ladies and Gentlemen +(like Lehzen, etc.) saw me leave the Palace, arrive at the +Abbey, leave the Abbey, and return to the Palace. Got a +long letter from Aunt Louise.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">EXTRA HOLIDAYS FOR SCHOOLS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>29th June 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is very anxious to hear if Lord Melbourne got +home safe, and if he is not tired, and quite well this morning.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will be glad to hear that the Queen had an +excellent night, is not the least tired, and is perfectly well this +morning; indeed she feels much better than she has done +for some days.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hears that it is usual to ask for an additional +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.126" id="pagei.126"></a>[page 126]</span> +week's holiday for the boys at the various Public Schools, on +the occasion of the Coronation. Perhaps Lord Melbourne will +enquire about this, in order that there may be no neglect on +my part.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>2nd July 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—<i>Many</i> thanks for <i>two</i> kind letters, one +which I got last Monday and one this morning. The kind +interest you take in me and my country (of which, and of the +nation, I'm more proud than I ever was, since I've witnessed +their excessive affection and loyalty to me) makes me certain +that you will be glad to hear how <i>beautifully</i> everything went +off. It was a memorable and glorious day for me. The millions +assembled to witness the progress to and from the Abbey was +<i>beyond</i> belief, and <i>all</i> in the highest good-humour. It is a fine +ceremony, and a scene I shall <i>ever</i> remember, and with pleasure. +I likewise venture to add that people thought I did my part +very well.</p> + +<p class="ind">The amiable Duc de Nemours dined with me on Friday, +comes to <i>my</i> ball to-night, and dines again with me on Wednesday. +Pray tell dearest Aunt Louise that I thank her much for +her very kind letter, and will avail myself of her kindness and +<i>not</i> write to her this mail.</p> + +<p class="ind">Feodore is writing in my room, well and happy. Uncle +Ernest still very lame, and Charles well. There's an account +of the family. Ever and ever your most devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>8th July 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +As your Majesty does not ride, the question is between driving +down the line or not going down it at all,<sup>23</sup> and it appears to +Lord Melbourne that the first is the best, namely, to drive +down; but if your Majesty feels a strong repugnance, there is +no more to be said.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks it safer and more prudent that your +Majesty should not ride; but still it might have been done, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.127" id="pagei.127"></a>[page 127]</span> +and if Lord Melbourne had thought that your Majesty wished +it much, he would not have dissuaded it.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 23: Referring to the Hyde Park review on the next day.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LOYAL DEMONSTRATIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Neuilly</span>, <i>12th July 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I am very grateful for your kind +letter; it is extremely <i>meritorious</i>, amidst such fatigues and +festivities and occupations of every kind, to find a moment to +write. I expressed already the <i>great satisfaction</i> with which I +read and heard all the accounts of the Coronation, and I believe +that there <i>never</i> was anything like it. The only one which in +point of loyal demonstration may approach it is that of +George III., but I think it fell short of yours.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am happy to see that it has <i>increased</i>, if possible, your +affection and attachment to your country, and this is in every +respect a great blessing. You will remember that I have never +varied on that subject, the great thing is to be the <i>National</i> +Sovereign of your <i>own</i> country, and to love its very faults. +This strengthens the <i>mutual attachment</i>, and that can <i>never be +too strong</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me, ever, my dearest Victoria, your very devoted +Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold</span> R.</p> + +<p class="ind">The whole of the family here offer their best <i>hommages</i>.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Neuilly</span>, <i>20th July 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I feel most grateful for your dear kind letter of the 10th inst., +which I received a few days ago. I hear that the review was +something <i>most splendid</i>, and I feel always some regret at +having been deprived of the happiness of seeing you <i>en fonction</i>, +which you do in a degree of rare perfection. May the remembrance +of all this long remain in your mind, to cheer and +strengthen you when occasionally there will be a darker +sky....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD DURHAM</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th August 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +The very difficult and embarrassing situation in which Lord +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.128" id="pagei.128"></a>[page 128]</span> +Durham and the Canadas and the Ministry are left by the vote +of the House of Lords of last night, requires that a Cabinet +should be held to-day, and Lord Melbourne has directed one to +be summoned at two. Lord Melbourne will wait upon your +Majesty either before that hour or after, about four o'clock. +The vote of last night and the Bill of Lord Brougham<sup>24</sup> is a +direct censure upon Lord Durham. Lord Durham's conduct +has been most rash and indiscreet, and, as far as we can see, +unaccountable. But to censure him now would either be to +cause his resignation, which would produce great embarrassment, +and might produce great evil, or to weaken his authority, +which is evidently most undesirable....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 24: This Bill (which emphasised the illegality of Lord Durham's ordinance) was read a +second time by 54 to 36. On the following day Lord Melbourne announced to the Peers +that Ministers had resolved to advise that the ordinance should be disallowed. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th August 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to inform you that the Cabinet have determined to +advise your Majesty to disallow Lord Durham's ordinance, and +to announce the same to the House of Lords.<sup>25</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">This is absolutely necessary, but very disagreeable, and will +be very much so to Lord Durham.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 25: <i>See</i> Introductory Note for the year, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.102" style="font-weight: normal;">102.</a></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>25th September 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My most beloved Victoria</span>,—I can never thank you enough +for the dear letter which I found on my table on arriving here, +Sunday evening. It was most kind of you to have written so +soon after our departure, and such an affectionate, good, kind +letter. The tears came to my eyes as I read it, and I felt quite +moved. Short as has been our stay, and great, as always, the +pain of leaving you, it has been a <i>great happiness</i> for me to see +you again, a happiness for which I shall always thank God, you, +and your dear Uncle. I need not add how <i>very precious</i> is your +affection to me, and how <i>very grateful</i> I am for every new proof +of it. You know my feelings on this point, and you know they +are better <i>felt</i> than <i>expressed</i>. Your calling me <i>Louise</i>, and +in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.129" id="pagei.129"></a>[page 129]</span> +such a kind way, gave me great pleasure. Almost all those +dear to me call me so, and I think it looks more affectionate; I +would fain say now <i>sister-like</i>, although I am rather an old +sister for you now....</p> + +<p class="ind">Leopold is half crazy with the steam-engine, and particularly +with the <i>tools</i> which you sent him. I enclose here the +expression of his gratitude. I wrote exactly what he told me +to write, and I did not add a word. He has found again his kie +(key), and he wears it suspended to his neck by a blue riband, +with the Duchess's little seal. He felt deeply the attention you +had to have an <i>L</i> engraved on each tool, and after his letter +was closed he charged me to thank you for it, and to tell you +that it gave him great pleasure. An <i>iron spade</i> was the +greatest object of his ambition, and he worked so hard yesterday +with it, that I feared he would hurt himself with the +exertion. He will go to-day to the races with us, in the Scotch +dress which the Duchess had the kindness to send him. It fits +very well, and he is very proud of having a coat shaped <i>like +that of a man</i>....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">IRELAND AND O'CONNELL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>25th October 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your +Majesty....</p> + +<p class="ind">Mr Stanley of the Treasury<sup>26</sup> arrived in London yesterday, +and acquaints me that Lord Normanby makes no secret of +his willingness, and indeed his desire, to undertake the government +of Canada. It would have been better if Lord Normanby +had acquainted Lord Melbourne quietly of this, and not +made it at once public to all the world. It is not necessary to +do anything at present. If Lord Durham remains, which Lord +Melbourne does not, however, think likely, there will be no +successor to be appointed, and if he returns, the authority of +Governor of Lower Canada will devolve upon Sir John Colborne,<sup>27</sup> +in whose hands it may be very safely left for the +present.</p> + +<p class="ind">If Ireland should be vacant, there is a strong feeling amongst +many that it would be nice to name the Duke of Sussex. It is +said that it would be popular in Ireland, that the name of one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.130" id="pagei.130"></a>[page 130]</span> +of the Royal Family would do good there, and that it would +afford to O'Connell a pretext and opportunity for giving up his +new scheme of agitation. It is also added that the Duke would +suffer himself to be guided on all essential matters by the +advice of his Chief Secretary, and that he would content himself +with discharging the ceremonial duties. Here are the reasons +for it—your Majesty is so well acquainted with the reasons +on the other side, that it is unnecessary for me to detail +them.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am afraid that times of some trouble are approaching, for +which your Majesty must hold yourself prepared; but your +Majesty is too well acquainted with the nature of human affairs +not to be well aware that they cannot very well go on even as +quietly as they have gone on during the last sixteen months.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 26: "Ben" Stanley, afterwards Lord Stanley of Alderley, Secretary to +the Treasury.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 27: Field-Marshal Sir John Colborne, afterwards Lord Seaton, had been +Military Secretary to Sir John Moore, had commanded a brigade with much distinction in the +Peninsula, and had contributed greatly to the success of the British arms at Waterloo.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>4th November 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very well, but Sir James Clark,<sup>28</sup> a Scotchman +and a physician, and therefore neither by country nor by +profession very religious, detained him from Church in order to +go through the report upon the state of Buckingham Palace. +This is not a very good excuse, but it is the true one. Lord +Melbourne is very grateful to your Majesty for your enquiries, +and having some letters to submit, will be happy to attend +upon your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 28: Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEATH OF LADY JOHN RUSSELL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>6th November 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—.... We have all been much distressed +by the melancholy and untimely death of poor Lady +John Russell,<sup>29</sup> which took place on the 1st. She was safely confined +on the 20th of October with a little girl, who bears my +name, and seemed to be going on very well; but on Wednesday +she began to sink from weakness, not disease, and died at +three o'clock on Thursday. It is a dreadful blow to <i>him</i>, for he +was <i>so</i> attached to her, and I don't believe two people ever +were happier together. I send you his pretty letter to me, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.131" id="pagei.131"></a>[page 131]</span> +which I think you may be interested to see; he is <i>dreadfully</i> +beat down by it, but struggles manfully against his grief, +which makes one pity him more. She has left four children by +her first husband, <i>now orphans</i>, the eldest a sweet girl twelve +years old, and two little girls by Lord John; the eldest of +these two is two and a half, and the youngest a <i>fortnight</i>. +I had known her <i>very</i> well and liked her, and I assure +you I was dreadfully shocked at it. You may also imagine +what a loss she is to poor Miss Lister, who has no mother, +and whose only sister she was. I fear, dear Uncle, I have +made a sad and melancholy letter of this, but I have been so +much engrossed by all this misery, and knowing you take an +interest in poor Lord John, that I let my pen run on almost +involuntarily.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have very good accounts of the Queen-Dowager from +Gibraltar.</p> + +<p class="ind">Please return me Lord John's letter when you have done +with it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord and Lady Howard<sup>30</sup> have been here, and I urged him to +<i>bear</i> Dietz as an inevitable evil, and I think he seems very +anxious to do what is right. I have likewise written to +Ferdinand, urging <i>him</i> and Dietz to be reasonable.</p> + +<p class="ind">Will you tell Aunt Louise that she will receive a box containing +the Limerick lace dress (just like mine), which I lay at +her feet. I fear, dear Uncle, you will think I'm making you my +commissioner <i>de toilette</i>, as in these two letters I have plagued +you with commissions on that subject....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 29: Daughter of Mr Thomas Lister. She had been widow of the second Lord Ribblesdale, +and married Lord John Russell in April 1835.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 30: Charles Augustus, sixth Lord Howard de Walden, was the British Minister at Lisbon, +and afterwards (1846-1868) at Brussels.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>9th November 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—Your kind and interesting letter of +the 6th reached me yesterday morning. I hail in you those +simple and unaffected feelings which it contains. May you +<i>always</i> preserve that great warmth and truth of character +which you now possess, and rest assured that it will be an +ornament to you, and the means of finding the same truth and +warmth of feeling in others. Those who serve, from whatever +motive it may be, have always their eyes wide open on their +superiors, and no qualities impose so much on them the +necessity of respect, which they <i>gladly avoid</i>, than a warm and +noble character that knows how to feel for others, and how to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.132" id="pagei.132"></a>[page 132]</span> +sympathise with their sorrows. I pity Lord John from all my +heart, having always had for him sentiments of the sincerest +regard. I fear that as a political man it may prove also a severe +blow. All depends on how he takes it, if he will wish to forget +his grief by occupying himself with political strife or if his +greater sensibility will make him wish to indulge it in solitude....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD JOHN RUSSELL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>12th November 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I was certain you <i>would</i> take interest +in and feel for poor Lord John; he is, I hear, still dreadfully +shaken, and quite unequal to do any business at present. His +chief consolation is in attending to the children.</p> + +<p class="ind">I felt much for you, and still more for poor dear Aunt +Louise, when the sad separation from poor Marie<sup>31</sup> took place; +it is so melancholy to see a dear relation depart who is <i>so ill</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have this morning heard from Ferdinand that the good +Queen is at last confined, after keeping us for <i>two months</i> and +<i>more dans l'attente</i> of the event. It took place on the 3rd, +and Ferdinand writes such a funny letter, saying, "nous +sommes tous bien heureux surtout moi qui craignais que ce +ne fût une petite fille ce qui m'eût été un peu désagréable, +car en fait d'enfants j'aime mieux les petits garçons, parce +qu'ils sont plus gais et plus tapageurs."<sup>32</sup> Isn't this very +good?</p> + +<p class="ind">I believe the King of the French is to be godfather....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 31: See <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.144" style="font-weight: normal;">144</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 32: The Prince received the title of Duke of Oporto.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>20th November 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and transmits a copy of Mr. Macaulay's letter.<sup>33</sup>...</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne fears, from what he hears of the language +of Lord Howick and Mr. Monson, that much difficulty will be +found in making arrangements and deciding upon questions. +But Lord Melbourne will use every effort in his power in order +to keep the Administration together and to carry on the public +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.133" id="pagei.133"></a>[page 133]</span> +service. Lord Melbourne hears with concern from Mr Fox +Maule that Lord John Russell does not return to business as +readily as Mr Maule had hoped that he would, and Lord +Melbourne fears that he will not do whilst he remains at +Cassiobury with the children. Solitude and retirement cherish +and encourage grief. Employment and exertion are the only +means of dissipating it.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 33: Declining to join the Government. The original is not preserved among the Queen's +papers.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CANADA AND LORD DURHAM</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>22nd November 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to acknowledge your Majesty's gracious communication +received yesterday. Lord Melbourne had nothing +particular to lay before your Majesty, but still regrets that +he did not write, as your Majesty might have wished to hear +from him.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne returns the King of Portugal's<sup>34</sup> letter, +which, as your Majesty observes, is very rough and ill-tempered +with reference to Lord Howard.<sup>35</sup> Lord Melbourne read it with +much concern, as it shows so much dislike and alienation, as +renders it very improbable that they should ever go on together +well and in a friendly spirit. Lord Melbourne fears that +the epithets applied to Lord Howard, though very severe and +full of resentment, are not entirely ill-chosen and inappropriate.</p> + +<p class="ind">All the Ministers, except Lord Duncannon<sup>36</sup> and Lord John +Russell, dined here yesterday, and they all appeared to be in +very good-humour and disposed to co-operate in order to meet +the difficulties by which we are surrounded....</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to Canada, Lord Melbourne feels that it may +be considered somewhat presumptuous in him to undervalue +danger, which is considered by those upon the spot to be so +great and so imminent, but still he cannot feel the alarm which +seems to be felt there. Lord Durham, Lord Melbourne is convinced, +exaggerates the peril in order to give greater <i>éclat</i> to his +own departure. The worst symptom which Lord Melbourne +perceives is the general fear which seems to prevail there, and +which makes every danger ten times as great as it really is.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 34: The birth of an heir on 16th September 1837 conferred on Prince Ferdinand the +right to the title of King.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 35: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.131" style="font-weight: normal;">131.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 36: Lord Duncannon (1781-1847), at this time Lord Privy Seal and First Commissioner of +Woods and Forests, was afterwards (as Earl of Bessborough) Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. +He must not be confused with the Lord Dungannon who sat in the House of Commons +as Mr Hill-Trevor from 1830-1841, and, as Viscount Dungannon, was elected in 1843, +but immediately unseated on petition.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.134" id="pagei.134"></a>[page 134]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BELGIUM AND ENGLAND</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>24th November 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Victoria</span>,—Van Praet<sup>37</sup> is bearer of this letter. +The present moment being one of some importance—which +may, if imprudently managed, cause great disturbances in +the West of Europe, and exercise a reaction on your own +Government—I think it my duty to inform you of what is +going on.</p> + +<p class="ind">I join a copy of a letter to Lord Palmerston. I should feel +obliged to you if you would read it <i>in the presence</i> of good Lord +Melbourne, in whose fairness and sense of justice I must say +I feel great confidence....</p> + +<p class="ind">I will not complain, only one subject I must touch upon +as really very unfair. That your Ministers should take a +line unfavourable to this country may be explained by +their political position, but why should they press so much +on the French Government? I really see no cause for it. +England is in an <i>excellent</i> position for a <i>mediator</i>, and for all +parties it is highly desirable that that position should be +maintained.<sup>38</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">I will not plague with a longer letter. You know from +experience that I <i>never ask anything of you</i>. I prefer remaining +in the position of having rendered services without wanting +any return for it but your affection; but, as I said before, if +we are not careful we may see serious consequences which may +affect more or less everybody, and <i>this</i> ought to be the object +of our most anxious attention. I remain, my dear Victoria, +your affectionate Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 37: Jules van Praet, author of a History of Flanders, was Secretary of the Belgian Legation +in London in 1831, and took a leading part in the negotiations which placed King +Leopold on the throne.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 38: King Leopold considered that the interests of Belgium were being neglected by the +four Powers, and in his speech at the opening of his Parliament, on 13th November, +stated amid loud acclamations that those interests would be defended with perseverance +and courage. The Deputies, in reply, said that Belgium had consented to painful sacrifices +only under a formal guarantee by the Powers, which they now shrank from carrying +out.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BELGIUM AND HOLLAND</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>2nd December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and returns this letter with the enclosures. He has read it and +them with great attention. Your Majesty will probably think +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.135" id="pagei.135"></a>[page 135]</span> +it right to acquaint the King that your Majesty had already +seen his letter to Lord Palmerston.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne cannot perceive the justice of the King's +complaint. For the sake of the King himself and of the +Belgian nation, we are most anxious to settle speedily and +definitely the questions so long pending between Belgium and +Holland, and which arose from the separation of the two +countries in 1830. We can only settle it by the agreement of +the four Great Powers who constitute the Conference to which +the question was referred, viz., Austria, Prussia, England, +France. Of course it is of vital importance for us to carry them +all along with us, and for that reason we press France. If she +differs from us, there is a ground immediately laid for difference +and war.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne would suggest that your Majesty should +say "that your great affection for the King, as well as your +anxiety for the interests of your own country, and your desire +for the promotion of peace, render you most solicitous to have +the Belgian question speedily and definitively settled; that it +appears to you that it can only be settled by the agreement of +the four Powers who constitute the Conference, and that +therefore you cannot but wish most strongly to carry France +as well as the two others along with you."<sup>39</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 39: See the Queen's letter of 5th December to the King of the Belgians.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>3rd December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to acquaint that as soon as he arrived at half-past +two, Sir George Grey<sup>40</sup> ran in to acquaint him that the whole +insurrection in Canada was put down and suppressed.<sup>41</sup> Despatches +have been received from Sir John Colborne to say that +the British turned out with the utmost alacrity, the volunteers +beat the French wherever they met them, the whole are +dispersed, and Sir John says that he feels no doubt of the +tranquillity of the Colony during the rest of the winter. Unless, +therefore, the Americans make an attempt upon Upper Canada, +all is well. Lord Melbourne will have the pleasure of returning +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.136" id="pagei.136"></a>[page 136]</span> +to Windsor to-morrow, unless there should be any impediment, +of which Lord Melbourne will inform your Majesty.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 40: Sir George Grey (1799-1882), at this time Under-Secretary for the Colonies, afterwards +Secretary of State successively for Home and Colonial Affairs.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 41: On the 3rd of November, however, the insurrection had broken out anew in Lower +Canada, while in Upper Canada many American "sympathyzers" joined the insurgents +there; these were decisively defeated at Prescott. This fight cost the British 45 in +killed and wounded; 159 of their opponents (including 131 natives of the United States) +were taken, and conveyed to Kingston, to be tried by court-martial.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BELGIAN AFFAIRS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>5th December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—I have to thank you for two letters, one +brought by Van Praet, and the other received on Tuesday. +Before I proceed further I must tell you that both Lord +Melbourne and I had already seen your letter to Lord +Palmerston, which he sent to us immediately on receiving +it. I have read these letters with the greatest attention, +and can quite understand that your difficulties are great in +trying to restrain the eagerness and violence of some of your +people.</p> + +<p class="ind">My great affection for you, of course, makes me most +anxious to see these troublesome and long pending affairs +settled, for the sake of a continuance of peace and tranquillity; +but, dear Uncle, as it appears to me that these affairs can only +be settled by the agreement of the four Powers, it is absolutely +necessary that France should go with us as well as the others, +and I think, dear Uncle, you wrong us in thinking that we +urged France too much and unfairly. You must not, dear +Uncle, think that it is from want of interest that I, in general, +abstain from touching upon these matters in my letters to you; +but I am fearful, if I were to do so, to change our present +delightful and familiar correspondence into a formal and stiff +discussion upon political matters which would not be agreeable +to either of us, and which I should deeply regret. These are +my reasons, and I trust you will understand them, and be +convinced of my unalterable and <i>very</i> great affection for you, +my dearest Uncle, and of the great interest I take in all that +concerns your welfare and happiness and the prosperity of your +country....</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray give my affectionate love to Aunt Louise and the +children, and believe me, always, your most affectionate +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD DURHAM'S RESIGNATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>8th December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has just received your Majesty's letters. Lord Durham +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.137" id="pagei.137"></a>[page 137]</span> +arrived yesterday evening, and Lord Melbourne has just seen +Mr. Stanley, who has seen him. He represents him as calm, +but much hurt and vexed at the last despatch which expresses +your Majesty's disapprobation of his conduct in issuing the +proclamation.<sup>42</sup> Lord Durham said that he should immediately +write an answer to it, in which he should state that he would +communicate to the Government all the information which he +had collected upon the state of the Canadas. That he should not +ask an audience of your Majesty. This is his present decision. +He may alter it; if he should, and through any channel +request an audience, Lord Melbourne is now clearly of opinion +that your Majesty should merely say that an answer will be +sent and the propriety of granting an audience may then be +fully considered by your Majesty's confidential servants. Mr +Stanley represents Lord Durham as not speaking with much +violence or asperity, but seeming to feel much the censure conveyed +in the last despatch.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will receive from the Colonial Office a <i>précis</i> +of Sir John Colborne's despatches. Nothing can be more +honourable. The American force which made an incursion +into Upper Canada have all been taken prisoners....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks that as long as Lord Durham is here +and some communication has been received from him, he had +better remain to-night in London. He will return to Windsor +to-morrow....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 42: Lord Durham stated at Devonport: "I shall, when Parliament meets, be prepared +to make a representation of facts wholly unknown here, and disclosures which the Parliament +and people have no conception of."</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>8th December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to acquaint your Majesty that Lord Glenelg has this +evening received a letter from Lord Durham, tendering +formally his resignation, and stating that his general report +upon the affairs of Canada must be delayed until the gentlemen +connected with his Mission return from that country, which +they were to leave on or about the 20th of last month, and +therefore may be shortly expected here. It will be necessary +to ask Lord Durham whether he has no intelligence of immediate +importance to give.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.138" id="pagei.138"></a>[page 138]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AN ENGLISH CHURCH FOR MALTA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Palace, Valetta</span>,<sup>43</sup> <i>13th December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—The English mail going to-day gives +me another opportunity to address you, and to name a subject +to you which I think deserves your consideration, and about +which I feel most anxious. It is the want of a <i>Protestant church</i> +in this place which I mean. There are so many English residents +here, it is the seat of an English Government, and there +is <i>not one</i> church belonging to the Church of England.... +The consequence of this want of church accommodation has +been that the Dissenters have established themselves in considerable +numbers, and one cannot blame persons for attending +their meetings when they have no church of their own.</p> + +<p class="ind">I address myself to you, as the head of the Church of England, +and entreat you to consider well this important subject, +and to talk it over with your Ministers and the Archbishop, in +order to devise the best means of remedying a want so discreditable +to our country. Should there be no funds at your +disposal to effect this object, most happy shall I feel to contribute +to any subscription which may be set on foot, and I +believe that a considerable sum may be raised amongst the +Protestants of this island, where all parties are most anxious +to see a proper place of divine worship erected; without +assistance from England, however, it cannot be effected. I +therefore most humbly and confidently submit this subject to +you, dearest Victoria, who will bestow upon your Protestant +subjects of this island an everlasting benefit by granting them +what they want most.<sup>44</sup>...</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope this will find you quite well and happy, and that I +shall soon again have the pleasure of hearing from you. Give +my affectionate love to your dear Mother, and all my dear +sisters, and believe me ever, my dearest Niece, your most +devoted and faithfully attached Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 43: The Queen-Dowager was at this time cruising in the Mediterranean, and made some +stay at Malta.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 44: Queen Adelaide herself erected the church at a cost of £10,000.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD MELBOURNE'S ANXIETIES</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>21st December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne saw Mr. Stephenson this morning and +learns from him that the Duke of Sussex<sup>45</sup> is in the highest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.139" id="pagei.139"></a>[page 139]</span> +degree discontented at being informed decisively that there is +no intention of sending him to Ireland. He is very loud against +the Government, and is also very angry with Mr Stephenson, +and the latter expects that he shall receive his dismissal.... +Mr Stephenson assures Lord Melbourne that he has mentioned +this matter to no one but Lord Melbourne and Lady Mary, and +it is of importance that it should be kept secret. Lord Melbourne +thinks it his duty to apprise your Majesty of the feelings +of the Duke, and of the possible origin of them.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord and Lady Holland return to London to-day and Lord +Melbourne is going to dine with them.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 45: The Duke of Sussex was anxious to be appointed Viceroy of Ireland. Mr Stephenson +was his Private Secretary. See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.129" style="font-weight: normal;">129.</a></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>22nd December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and cannot express how deeply concerned he is to find himself +restrained from obeying your Majesty's commands, and repairing +without delay to Brighton. Both his duty and his +inclination would prompt him to do this without a moment's +delay, if he did not find it incumbent upon him to represent +to your Majesty the very important circumstances which +require his presence for two or three days longer in London. +The session of Parliament approaches; the questions which +are to be considered and prepared are of the most appalling +magnitude, and of the greatest difficulty. Many of your +Majesty's servants, who fill the most important offices, are +compelled by domestic calamity to be absent, and it is absolutely +necessary that there should be some general superintendence +of the measures to be proposed, and some consideration +of the arrangements to be made. Lord Melbourne assures +your Majesty that he would not delay in London if he did not +feel it to be absolutely necessary for your Majesty's service....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BRIGHTON</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>28th December 1838</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria,</span>—I have to thank you for two extremely +kind and dear letters, which made me very happy, +and your kind heart would be pleased to know <i>how happy</i>. +Sir H. Seymour<sup>46</sup> gave me a very favourable account of your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.140" id="pagei.140"></a>[page 140]</span> +dearest Majesty, and was deeply gratified by your gracious +reception.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am glad to find that you like Brighton better than last year. +I think Brighton very agreeable at this time of the year, till +the east winds set in. It also gives the possibility of seeing +people without having them on one's hands the whole day, as +is the case in the country. The Pavilion, besides, is comfortable; +that cannot be denied. Before my marriage it was +there that I met the Regent. Charlotte afterwards came with +old Queen Charlotte. How distant all this already, but still +how present to one's memory.</p> + +<p class="ind">The portrait of your Aunt and Leopold is nicely done. Don +Leopoldo is like, and has at times even a more intelligent look; +he would amuse you—he is very original and very sly. I often +call him the little tyrant, because nobody knows so well <i>de +faire aller le monde</i>.... My most beloved Victoria, your +devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 5em;">Footnote 46: Sir Hamilton Seymour, Minister at Brussels.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.141" id="pagei.141"></a>[page 141]</span> + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER VIII</h3> + + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> chief political event of the year (1839) at home arose out of +the troubles in Jamaica. In addition to the apprenticeship question, +the state of the prisons, much overcrowded owing to the planters' +severity, had excited attention, and an Imperial Act was passed for +their regulation. To this action the Colonial Assembly showed +marked hostility, and, after the dissolution by Sir Lionel Smith, the +Governor, the new House was no more placable. Accordingly, the +home Government brought in a Bill, in April, to suspend temporarily +the Jamaica Constitution, but on a division had a majority of five +only in a house of five hundred and eighty-three. The Ministers +therefore resigned, and Sir Robert Peel was sent for; a difficulty as +to the Ladies of the Household, commonly called the Bedchamber +Plot, compelled him to resign the task, and the Whigs, much injured +in reputation, resumed office. Some changes took place, Macaulay +joining the Ministry, and Lord Normanby, who had succeeded Lord +Glenelg at the Colonial Office, exchanging places with Lord John +Russell, the Home Secretary. The trial of strength over the Speakership +ended in a victory for the Ministerial candidate, Mr Shaw +Lefevre, by a majority of eighteen in a house of six hundred and +sixteen.</p> + +<p>Penny Postage was introduced by an Act of this session.</p> + +<p>The Princes Ernest and Albert of Saxe-Coburg arrived on a visit +to the Queen in October, and on the 14th the Queen's engagement to +the latter was announced by herself to Lord Melbourne. A few weeks +later the Queen announced her betrothal at a meeting of the Privy +Council.</p> + +<p>During the year risings in favour of the "people's charter" took +place in various parts of the country, especially Birmingham and +Newport, the six points demanded being the ballot, universal suffrage, +annual Parliaments, payment of members, the abolition of a property +qualification for members, and equal electoral districts. At Newport +one Frost, a linen-draper whom Lord John Russell had made a +magistrate, headed a riot. He was tried with his confederates by a +special commission at Monmouth, and, with two others, sentenced +to death; a sentence afterwards commuted.</p> + +<p>In the East, war broke out between the Sultan Mahmoud and the +Pasha of Egypt, Mehemet Ali, who had originally helped Turkey +against Greece, but had since revolted and driven the Turks from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.142" id="pagei.142"></a>[page 142]</span> +Syria. On that occasion (1833) Turkey had been saved by Russian +intervention, a defensive alliance, known as the treaty of Unkiar +Skelessi, made between Russia and Turkey, and Mehemet granted +Syria as well as Egypt. On the revival of hostilities, Ibrahim, son of +Mehemet, defeated the Turkish army on June 24; a week later the +Sultan Mahmoud died, and the Turkish admiral treacherously delivered +over the Turkish fleet to Mehemet at Alexandria. Once more +the four Powers (Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia) interfered +to save the Sultan. The Czar accepted the principle of a joint +mediation, the advance of the Egyptians was stopped, and the Sultan +was informed that no terms of peace would be accepted which had not +received the approval of the Powers. The terms were settled at a +congress held in London. Mehemet refused to accept the terms, and +was encouraged by France to persevere in his refusal.</p> + +<p>The dispute between Belgium and Holland as to the Luxemburg +territory was settled by a treaty in the course of the year. Lord +Durham presented his report on Canada, a document drafted by +Charles Buller but inspired by Lord Durham himself; though +legislation did not take place this year, this document laid the foundation +of the federal union of the Canadas, and of the Constitution +of other autonomous colonies, but for the present the ex-Commissioner +met with much criticism of his actions.</p> + +<p>Our troops were engaged during the year against Dost Mahommed, +the Ameer of Afghanistan, a usurper who many years earlier had +driven Shah Sooja into exile. Lord Auckland, the Viceroy of India, +had sent Captain (afterwards Sir Alexander) Burnes on a Mission to +Cabul, and the Ameer had received him hospitably at first, but subsequently +dismissed him from his Court. Lord Auckland thereupon +resolved to restore Shah Sooja, and in the autumn of 1838 issued a +manifesto dethroning Dost Mahommed. Operations were accordingly +directed against him under Sir John (afterwards Lord) Keane, +who, on August 6, 1839, entered Cabul and placed Shah Sooja on the +throne. However open to criticism, the news of this result was +enthusiastically received in England, and Lord Auckland was promoted +to an Earldom.</p> + +<p>In China a dispute of long standing became acute. With the +renewal of the East India Company's charter, in 1834, the Chinese +ports had been thrown open, and the opium trade became a source +of great profit to private traders. In spite of the prohibition +which the Chinese Government laid on importation of opium, +the traffic was actively carried on, and, as a result of the strained +relations which ensued, Captain Elliot, the British Chief Superintendent, +requested that warships should proceed to China for the +protection of British life and property.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.143" id="pagei.143"></a>[page 143]</span> + + + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h5>1839</h5> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Pavilion [Brighton]</span>, <i>1st January 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—... I don't like your <i>croaking</i> so about +damp climates; if a niece may venture to say such a thing, I +might almost say it is ungrateful to your faithful and attached +Belgians.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen-Dowager's letters do tantalize one a good deal, I +must own.<sup>1</sup> You will see that old Lord Clarendon<sup>2</sup> is dead, +which makes our friend Villiers Earl of Clarendon, but I am +afraid not with a large income.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Palmerston has been unwell and obliged to go to +Broadlands, where he still is. He had gone through so much +grief and labour, that it was absolutely necessary for him to +recruit his strength. The Normanbys spent two nights here.<sup>3</sup> +Lord Melbourne is the only person staying in the house besides +several of my Court and my suite, and, I am sorry to say, is +not very well; he has also had, I fear, too much business to do.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lady Breadalbane<sup>4</sup> is my new Lady of the Bedchamber, +and a very nice person. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Forgive this short scrawl.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: Queen Adelaide had described the orange-trees and tropical fruits in the gardens of +the Palace of St Antonio, Valetta.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 2: John Charles, third Earl, Chief Justice-in-eyre, North of Trent. His successor, who +had been Minister to Spain since 1833, was afterwards the celebrated Foreign Secretary.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 3: Lord Normanby, at this time Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, became successively +during the year, Colonial and Home Secretary. Lady Normanby, who had been a Lady-in-Waiting +since the accession, was a daughter of the first Lord Ravensworth.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 4: Eliza, daughter of George Baillie of Jerviswood. Her brother afterwards became +tenth Earl of Haddington. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MURDER OF LORD NORBURY</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th January 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and returns his best and warmest thanks for the very kind and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.144" id="pagei.144"></a>[page 144]</span> +gracious communication which he had the honour and pleasure +of receiving from your Majesty yesterday evening. Your +Majesty will have seen in the newspapers that Lord Norbury +was shot at in his own grounds and dangerously wounded.<sup>5</sup> +Lord Melbourne learns to-day by a letter from Lord Morpeth +that Lord Norbury is since dead. This is a shocking event, +and will, of course, create a strong sensation, much stronger +than the death in the same manner of several persons of inferior +degree. It is almost the first time that an attempt of this +kind has been directed against an individual of that rank or +station....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has seen Sir Henry Halford,<sup>6</sup> who says that +his pulse is low and his system languid. He has prescribed +some draughts, which Lord Melbourne trusts will be of service, +but he feels much depressed to-day. He dined yesterday at +Lady Holland's, where he met Mr Ellice,<sup>7</sup> civil and friendly +enough in appearance, but Lord Melbourne fears hostile at +heart, and a determined partisan of Lord Durham. Lord +Durham has not yet made to Lord Glenelg the promised communication +of his report and plan, but it is said that he will do +so soon....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 5: At Kilbeggan Abbey, County Meath. The murderer escaped.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 6: The celebrated physician: he attended George IV. and William IV., as well as Queen +Victoria.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 7: Son-in-law of Lord Grey, as was also Lord Durham. +</p> + + +<a name="pagei.144a" id="pagei.144a"></a> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>11th January 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—The dreadful moment has arrived, and +dear Marie<sup>8</sup> is no more to bless her loving relations with her +presence on this earth of grief and troubles! It is a heavy +dispensation, and one that it is difficult to comprehend, but we +must submit.</p> + +<p class="ind">I thought it best to write to my poor dear Aunt, for whom +this will be a sad blow; but I abstained from doing so to the +dear Queen of the French just as yet. I have no letters, and +only learnt the melancholy event by the papers. Poor +wretched Alexander! What a loss, what a change for him, poor +fellow!</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>You</i> will, I am sure, regret that sweet amiable creature, as +poor Marie was, very much, having known her so well, and her +attachment to you was great.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.145" id="pagei.145"></a>[page 145]</span> + +<p class="ind">I will not prolong this letter, but merely repeat <i>how</i> much I +feel for you all, and beg you to believe me, your most affectionate +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 8: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, sister to the Queen of the Belgians, had married +Prince Alexander of Wurtemberg, in 1837. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">HOLLAND AND BELGIUM</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>18th January 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Your Aunt as well as myself are very anxious to be of +use to poor Alexander. The dispositions of the whole family +are extremely kind towards him, but he is shy and a little +helpless; his present melancholy situation is of course calculated +to increase this. His position puts me in mind of mine +in 1817.... He, besides, is surrounded by people who are kind +to him. Of George IV., then Regent, it was observed that for +years he had not been in such good spirits than by the loss of +his daughter. She was more popular than himself—that was, +since her mariage, her only crime....</p> + +<p class="ind">I feel very grateful for Lord Melbourne's kindness on the +subject of our sad loss. He is so feeling and kindhearted +that he, much more than most men who have lived so much in +the <i>grand monde</i>, has preserved a certain warmth and freshness +of feeling....</p> + +<p class="ind">Your cousins kiss your hands, and I remain, my dearest +Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Stanhope Street</span>, <i>27th January 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and returns to your Majesty the accompanying papers +which he received from Viscount Melbourne. Your Majesty +will have seen by Sir Edward Disbrowe's<sup>9</sup> despatches that the +concentration of Dutch troops mentioned in these reports was +purely defensive, and was the consequence of the military +demonstrations previously made by the Belgians; and it +appears, moreover, that the Dutch force is inferior in number +to the Belgian force opposite to it; and that affords an additional +security against the chance of an invasion of Belgium +by the Dutch. It is, however, undeniable that when two +armies are drawn up in face of each other, separated by a small +distance, and animated by mutual hatred, the chances of +collision become great and imminent. But it is to be hoped +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.146" id="pagei.146"></a>[page 146]</span> +in the present case that the communication made by the +Conference to the two parties on Thursday last may avert +danger of hostilities between the Dutch and Belgians.<sup>10</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 9: Minister at the Hague.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 10: <i>See</i> next letter.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BELGIUM AND ENGLAND</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>7th February 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—I am much grieved to learn that poor +Philippe<sup>11</sup> has given you such anxiety. My poor Aunt! it +really is too much upon her to have these cares added to her +recent severe affliction. I hope to God that I shall get news of +Philippe's complete recovery to-morrow.</p> + +<p class="ind">I regret to hear that your Government gives you so much +trouble, but trust that you will exert all your influence, as you +have so frequently done, to persuade your Ministers to be +reasonable, and not to resist the favourable offers made to the +Government. <i>Everybody</i> here is exceedingly anxious for the +conclusion of these long pending affairs, and hope that the +answer from Belgium will soon arrive.<sup>12</sup> You will forgive me, +dear Uncle, if I express to you my earnest hope that these expectations +may not be disappointed, for I feel that since the +Dutch have so instantly accepted the proposition of the Conference, +Belgium would suffer in the eyes of this country were +she to delay, and, what I am still more fearful of, my beloved +Uncle, you might be blamed, and suffer for what your Government +may do. You will, I know, forgive this freedom, which +is prompted by my great anxiety for your <i>welfare</i> and <i>happiness</i> +(which I know you are well aware of), and for the preservation +of the inestimable blessings of peace. No one feels more for +you than I do at this difficult moment, nor than I have done +throughout these trying and embarrassing affairs. That all +may be peaceably and amicably settled is my earnest +prayer.</p> + +<p class="ind">Everything went off well yesterday,<sup>13</sup> and we are again +launched into a political campaign, which it is impossible not +to contemplate with a certain degree of anxiety.</p> + +<p class="ind">Adieu! my dear Uncle. Give my love to my dear Aunt, and +believe me, always, your most devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R</span>.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 11: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.65" style="font-weight: normal;">65.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 12: The twenty-four Articles, to which Belgium had acceded in 1831, had then been +rejected by Holland. Now, however, Holland wished to adopt them. The Belgian +Government vainly proposed different schemes, but at last the Bill for ratifying the +proposal of the Powers (made 23rd January 1839, and accepted by Holland on 11th +February) passed the Belgian Chambers.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 13: The Queen opened Parliament in person on 6th February.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.147" id="pagei.147"></a>[page 147]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CABINET DISSENSION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th February 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thinks it right and necessary to acquaint your Majesty +that the Cabinet yesterday was very stormy and unpleasant. +Lord John Russell brought on the question of the Civil Government +of the Army, in a temperate and judicious manner, but +Lord Howick made a most violent speech, strongly condemning +the whole of the present system and arraigning the conduct of +the Treasury and other Departments, saying that he should +not throw up his office because no measure was brought forward, +but that, when questioned upon the subject by Mr Hume +in the House of Commons, as it was certain that he would be, +he should say that Government would do nothing upon the +subject, until he (Mr Hume) compelled them, and that he should +express his entire disapprobation of the present system, and +his reasons in detail for that disapprobation. Your Majesty +will perceive that nothing could be more violent than this +course. It was borne with great patience by the rest of the +Cabinet, although Mr. Rice,<sup>14</sup> against whom the greater part of +Lord Howick's speech was directed, felt himself most deeply +hurt, and so expressed himself in private afterwards to Lord +Melbourne. Upon the whole, Lord Melbourne cannot but consider +that affairs are in a most precarious state, and that whilst +there is so much discontent fermenting within the Cabinet itself, +there must be great doubt of Lord Melbourne's being much +longer able to hold the Administration together.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 14: The Chancellor of the Exchequer.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th February 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and is very sorry that his communication has occasioned your +Majesty so much alarm and uneasiness. Lord Melbourne hopes +that there is nothing imminent and immediate, but this sort of +outbreak and contention may so soon become serious, that +Lord Melbourne thought it his duty to take an early opportunity +of informing your Majesty of what had taken place. +Lord Melbourne would wait upon your Majesty without delay, +but trusts that this letter will be sufficient to dispel any disquietude +which his former communication may have excited.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.148" id="pagei.148"></a>[page 148]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>20th February 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that Mr Charles Villiers<sup>15</sup> moved +yesterday, after a very able speech, that the petitioners against +the Corn Laws should be heard at the Bar of the House.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel opposed the Motion on the ground that he +meant to resist any change in the Corn Laws. He made a very +skilful use of the returns of cotton, etc., exported.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 15: M.P. for Wolverhampton 1835-1898, becoming "Father of the House."</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUKE OF LUCCA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Stanhope Street</span>, <i>5th March 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and requests to be honoured with your Majesty's +commands upon the accompanying letter from Count Pollon.<sup>16</sup> +Viscount Palmerston at the same time begs to state that he has +reason to believe, from what Count Pollon said to him in conversation +two days ago, that the Duke of Lucca<sup>17</sup> has a notion +that Sovereign Princes who have had the honour of dining with +your Majesty, have been invited by note and not by card. If +that should be so, and if your Majesty should invite the Duke +of Lucca to dine at the Palace before his departure, perhaps +the invitation might be made by note, instead of by card, as it +was when the Duke last dined at the Palace. Your Majesty +may think this a small matter, but the Duke is a small +Sovereign.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 16: For many years Sardinian Minister in England.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 17: Lucca was an independent Italian State.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PORTUGAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th March 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and feels very deeply the very kind and gracious concern which +your Majesty expresses for his health, as well as your Majesty's +solicitude and interest upon all occasions. Lord Melbourne +will take your Majesty's advice, but his experience teaches him +that illness is not so easily put off, and that it will have its +course in spite of precaution....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks, upon the whole, that your Majesty +had perhaps better write by messenger a few lines of kindness +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.149" id="pagei.149"></a>[page 149]</span> +and recollection. It can be no descent on your Majesty's part +to do so, and as we may be obliged to take very strong measures +with respect to Portugal, it is as well that there should be no +appearance of any deficiency of affection or attention. Lord +Melbourne [thinks] that, for the reason given by your Majesty, +your Majesty may perhaps as well not go to the play this +evening, but is very sorry to hear that your Majesty is low +and out of spirits.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>14th March 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—Many thanks for two letters, one which +I received last Sunday, and the other enclosing a letter from +Stockmar this morning. I am glad you agree with me about +Victoire.<sup>18</sup> Since I wrote to you, I got these two letters from +the Portuguese children—as I disrespectfully but very deservedly +call them—which I send you, in order that you may +see how they wish Victoire to come to them, which I fear and +think is totally impracticable, for it would never do for Victoire +to go so far without her mother. Nevertheless, I thought it +but right by them to send you these letters, and I have written +to them giving them little hope.</p> + +<p class="ind">The French Ministry are gone, and I am sure the poor King +will be much vexed by it. They talk of Broglie as Minister for +Foreign Affairs,<sup>19</sup> but I am afraid Thiers is inevitable. We are +rather in fear of Thiers here, but it is a pity that Louis Philippe +should show so much dislike to a man he must take, for it will +have the effect of a defeat.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have no time to add more, but to beg you to believe me, +always, your most affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 18: Daughter of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and married in April 1840 to the +Duc de Nemours.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 19: After a provisional Cabinet, in which the Duc de Montebello was Foreign Minister, +the King appointed a Ministry with Soult as Premier and Foreign Minister. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DIFFICULTIES OF THE MINISTRY</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>22nd March 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to acquaint your Majesty that the Cabinet have +decided—</p> + +<p class="ind"> 1. That it is impossible to acquiesce in the vote of last +night in the House of Lords.<sup>20</sup></p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.150" id="pagei.150"></a>[page 150]</span> + +<p class="ind"> 2. That it would not be justifiable to resign in the face of +the declaration which I made in the year 1836, in the House +of Lords, that I would maintain my post as long as I possessed +the confidence of the Crown and of the House of Commons, +particularly as there is no reason to suppose that we have lost +the confidence of the House.</p> + +<p class="ind"> 3. That the course to be pursued is to give notice in the +House of Commons to-night, that the sense of that House will +be taken immediately after the Easter Holidays, upon a vote +of approbation of the principles of Lord Normanby's government +of Ireland.</p> + +<p class="ind">If we lose that question, or carry it by a small majority, we +must resign. If we carry it, we may go on.</p> + +<p class="ind">This is a plain statement of the case, and this course will at +least give your Majesty time to consider what is to be done.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 20: By 63 to 58 Lord Roden carried a motion for a Select Committee to enquire into the +state of Ireland; the Ministry replied by obtaining a vote of the House of Commons in +their favour by 318 to 296. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>,<sup>21</sup> <i>1st April 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has just received your Majesty's letters, for which he +returns many and warm thanks. Nothing could be more +prosperous than his journey down, although it rained hard +the greater part of the way. Lord Melbourne slept well, +and has walked out this morning, although it was still +showery. Nothing is so fatiguing as the first exposure to +the air of the country, and Lord Melbourne feels the influence +of it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne returns the letters of the King of the Belgians. +He accounts very naturally for the conduct of the poor +Duchess,<sup>22</sup> but she should have recollected the extreme disadvantage +and discredit which attaches to a change of religion. +<i>Un gentilhomme ne change jamais la religion</i>, was the saying of +Napoleon, and is very just. It is difficult to understand the +movements and motives of parties in a foreign country, and +therefore Lord Melbourne does not feel able to pronounce any +opinion upon the transactions in France. Lord Melbourne had +seen G——'s letters, a pert jackanapes, who always takes the +worst view of every subject, and does as much mischief as he +can....</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.151" id="pagei.151"></a>[page 151]</span> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is just starting for Panshanger.<sup>23</sup> The +evening is better than the morning was, but cold.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 21: Lord Melbourne's house on the Lea, about three miles north of Hatfield. Its construction +was begun by Sir Matthew Lamb, and completed by his son, Sir Peniston, the +first Lord Melbourne.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 22: Princess Alexander of Würtemberg. On her death-bed, she had expressed a wish +to her husband that he should join the Roman Catholic Church.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 23: Panshanger, not far distant from Brocket, the house of Lord Melbourne's brother-in-law, +Lord Cowper, and celebrated for its pictures, was bought by Lord Chancellor +Cowper, <i>temp</i>. Queen Anne. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ENGLAND AND BELGIUM</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>9th April 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—... I regret to learn you are still not +easy about your own affairs, but trust all will now be speedily +adjusted. You always allow me, dear Uncle, to speak +frankly to you; you will, therefore, I hope, not be displeased +if I venture to make a few observations on one or two parts +of your letter.</p> + +<p class="ind">You say that the anger of the Belgians is principally directed +against England.<sup>24</sup> Now, I must say you are very unjust +towards us, and (if I could) I might be even a little angry with +you, dear Uncle. We only <i>pressed</i> Belgium for her <i>own</i> good, +and <i>not</i> for ours. It may seem hard at first, but the time will +come when you will see that we were right in urging you not to +delay any longer the signature of the treaty.</p> + +<p class="ind">I think that you will see in this frank expression of my +sentiments no wish to annoy or hurt you, but only an anxious +desire to prove to you that England is Belgium's sincere friend, +and that my Government are ever desirous of doing what is +in their power for the welfare, security, and prosperity of +yourself and your kingdom.</p> + +<p class="ind">I regret much the state of affairs in France,<sup>25</sup> which cannot +but make us all somewhat anxious; you will, I hope tell me +what news you hear from Paris.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dearest Uncle, receive my best, my very warmest, +wishes for many happy returns of dear Leopold's birthday, +and also, though somewhat late, for Philippe's birthday.</p> + +<p class="ind">Give my love to my dear Aunt, and believe me, always, +your most devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 24: He had written on 5th April:—"The feeling is strongest against England, in which +the people expected to see a support, and only found a strong determination to decide +<i>everything against them</i> and at <i>their expense</i>. If there was a great explosion in France, +it would not be astonishing to see the people here join it; it would rather be astonishing +to see it otherwise, after the kind treatment they received from the Powers."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 25: The King was for a time without any Ministry, and the meeting of the Chambers had +to be postponed. +</p> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Baron Stockmar to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCE ALBERT IN ITALY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Naples</span>, <i>16th April 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Madam</span>,—As it is some time that I had the honour to address +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.152" id="pagei.152"></a>[page 152]</span> +your Majesty, I hope that a further account of our crusades +will meet with a favourable reception.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is now somewhat better than a month that we left Florence, +I may say with regret, for we were there very comfortably +in every respect. On our route to Rome we enjoyed the beautiful +sight of the cataract at Terni, the place where Queen +Caroline sojourned for some time. We were particularly fortunate +that day, as the brightest sunshine heightened its picturesque +effects beyond description. We found old Rome very +full, and to see it and its ecclesiastic governors to advantage, +the Holy Week is certainly the properest time. From morning +to noon the Prince was at seeing sights, and he made so good +a use of his time, that I don't think that something really remarkable +was left unseen. Upon this very principle, we paid +our respects to the Holy Father,<sup>26</sup> of which interview the Prince +made so admirable a sketch, so very worthy of H.B.,<sup>27</sup> that I +am very much tempted to send it for the inspection of your +Majesty. We assisted at the Church ceremonies of the Holy +Week from the beginning to the end. The music of the Sistine +Chapel, which is only vocal, may be well considered as unique, +and has not failed to make a lasting impression upon a mind +so musical as the Prince's....</p> + +<p class="ind">I never think of your Majesty—and I take the liberty of +thinking very frequently of you—without praying for health, +serenity of mind, comfort and success for you, and I can well +say that I am from my heart, your Majesty's sincerely attached +and devoted Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Stockmar.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 26: Gregory XVI.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 27: Initials adopted by Mr Doyle, father of Richard Doyle, in his <i>Reform Caricatures</i>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BELGIUM</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>19th April 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I am glad I extracted some spark of politics from your +dear Majesty, very <i>kindly</i> and <i>nicely</i> expressed. I know that +your generous little heart would not have wished at any time +but what was good for a country in which you were <i>much +beloved</i>. But the fact is, that certainly your Government have +taken the lead in maintaining a condition which time had +rendered difficult to comply with. Physicians will tell you +that often an operation, which might have been performed at +one time, could not, without great danger for the patient, be +undertaken some years later. We have not been listened to, +and arrangements <i>are forced</i> on us, in themselves full of +seeds of danger, when by consulting the <i>real interests</i> of Holland +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.153" id="pagei.153"></a>[page 153]</span> +and Belgium, both countries might have been placed on a footing +of <i>sincere peace</i> and good neighbourhood. This country +feels now humbled and <i>désenchanté</i> with its <i>soi-disant</i> political +independence as it pleased the Conference to settle it. They +will take a dislike to a political state which <i>wounds their vanity</i>, +and will, in consequence of this, <i>not wish it to continue</i>. Two +things will happen, therefore, on the very first opportunity, +either that this country will be involved in war to better a +position which it thinks <i>too humiliating</i>, or that it will voluntarily +throw up a nominal independence in which it is now +hemmed in between France and Holland, which begins on the +North Sea, and ends, of all the things in this world, on <i>the +Moselle</i>!</p> + +<p class="ind">I think old Pirson, who said in the Chamber that if the +treaty was carried into execution I was likely to be the first +and last King of the country, was not wrong. Whenever this +will happen, it will be <i>very awkward</i> for England, and <i>deservedly +so</i>. To see, after eight years of hard work, blooming and +thriving political plantations cut and maimed, and that by +those who have a real interest to protect them, is very melancholy. +I do not say these things with the most distant idea +of bringing about any change, but only because in the high and +very responsible position in which Providence has placed you, +it is good to tell you the truth, as you ought to have weight and +influence on the affairs of Europe; and England, not being in +the possibility of making territorial acquisition, has a real and +permanent interest in the proper maintenance of a balance of +political power in Europe. Now I will leave you to enjoy the +beginning of Spring, which a mild rain seems to push on prodigiously. +Believe me ever, my dear Victoria, your very +attached Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">JAMAICA</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>26th April 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to inform your Majesty that the result of the Cabinet +has been a decision to stand by the Bill as we have introduced +it, and not to accede to Sir Robert Peel's proposal. The Bill is +for suspending the functions of the Legislative Assembly of +Jamaica, and governing that island for five years by a Governor +and Council.<sup>28</sup> If Sir Robert Peel should persist in his proposal, +and a majority of the House of Commons should concur with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.154" id="pagei.154"></a>[page 154]</span> +him, it will be such a mark of want of confidence as it will be +impossible for your Majesty's Government to submit to.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 28: <i>See</i> Introductory Note, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.141" style="font-weight: normal;">141.</a></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>30th April 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—I have to thank you for your last letter, +which I received on Sunday. Though you seem not to dislike +my political sparks, I think it is better not to increase them, +as they might finally take fire, particularly as I see with regret +that upon this one subject we cannot agree. I shall therefore +limit myself to my expressions of very sincere wishes for the +welfare and prosperity of Belgium.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Grand Duke,<sup>29</sup> after a long delay, is at length to arrive +on Friday night; I shall put myself out of my way in order to +be very civil to such a great personage. I am already thinking +how I shall lodge all my relations; you must prepare Uncle +Ferdinand for its not being <i>very ample</i>, but this Palace, though +large, is not calculated to hold many visitors....</p> + +<p class="ind">Believe me, always, your very affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 29: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards the Emperor Alexander II.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MINISTERIAL CRISIS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>7th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has to acquaint your Majesty that the division upon the +Jamaica Bill, which took place about two this morning, was two +hundred and ninety-nine against the measure, and three hundred +and four in favour of it.<sup>30</sup> Lord Melbourne has not heard +from Lord John Russell since this event, but a Cabinet will of +course be summoned early this morning, and Lord Melbourne +cannot conceal from your Majesty that in his opinion the determination +of the Cabinet must be that the relative numbers +upon this vote, joined to the consideration of no less than nine +members of those who have hitherto invariably supported the +Government having gone against it now, leave your Majesty's +confidential servants no alternative but to resign their offices +into your Majesty's hands. They cannot give up the Bill either +with honour or satisfaction to their own consciences, and in the +face of such an opposition they cannot persevere in it with any +hope of success. Lord Melbourne is certain that your Majesty +will not deem him too presuming if he expresses his fear that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.155" id="pagei.155"></a>[page 155]</span> +this decision will be both painful and embarrassing to your +Majesty, but your Majesty will meet this crisis with that +firmness which belongs to your character, and with that rectitude +and sincerity which will carry your Majesty through all +difficulties. It will also be greatly painful to Lord Melbourne +to quit the service of a Mistress who has treated him with such +unvarying kindness and unlimited confidence; but in whatever +station he may be placed, he will always feel the deepest anxiety +for your Majesty's interests and happiness, and will do the +utmost in his power to promote and secure them.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 30: The numbers are apparently incorrectly stated. The division was 294 to 289.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">RESIGNATION IMMINENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>7th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The present circumstances have been for some time so probable, +or rather so certain, that Lord Melbourne has naturally been +led to weigh and consider maturely the advice which, if called +upon, he should tender to your Majesty when they did arrive. +That advice is, at once to send for the Duke of Wellington. +Your Majesty appears to Lord Melbourne to have no other +alternative. The Radicals have neither ability, honesty, nor +numbers. They have no leaders of any character. Lord +Durham was raised, one hardly knows how, into something of +a factitious importance by his own extreme opinions, by the +panegyrics of those who thought he would serve them as an +instrument, and by the management of the Press, but any little +public reputation which he might once have acquired has been +entirely dissipated and destroyed by the continued folly of his +conduct in his Canadian Government. There is no party in the +State to which your Majesty can now resort, except that great +party which calls itself Conservative, and of that party, his +rank, station, reputation, and experience point out the Duke of +Wellington as the person to whom your Majesty should apply.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne therefore advises that your Majesty should +send for the Duke of Wellington, and should acquaint him, provided +your Majesty so feels, that you were entirely satisfied with +your late Government, and that you part from them with reluctance; +but that as he and the party of which he is the head +have been the means of removing them from office, you naturally +look to him to advise you as to the means of supplying +their places and carrying on the business of the country.</p> + +<p class="ind">If the Duke should be unwilling to form the Government +himself, and should desire to devolve the task upon Sir Robert +Peel, Lord Melbourne would advise your Majesty to accede to +that suggestion; but Lord Melbourne would counsel your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.156" id="pagei.156"></a>[page 156]</span> +Majesty to be very unwilling to suffer the Government to be +formed by Sir Robert Peel, without the active assistance in +office of the Duke of Wellington.</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect both to measures and appointments, your +Majesty should place the fullest confidence in those to whom +you entrust the management of affairs, exercising at the same +time, and fully expressing, your own judgment upon both.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will do well to be from the beginning very +vigilant that all measures and all appointments are stated to +your Majesty in the first instance, and your Majesty's pleasure +taken thereon previously to any instruments being drawn out +for carrying them into effect, and submitted to your Majesty's +signature. It is the more necessary to be watchful and active +in this respect, as the extreme confidence which your Majesty +has reposed in me may have led to some omission at times of +these most necessary preliminaries.</p> + +<p class="ind">The patronage of the Lord Chamberlain's Department is of +the greatest importance, and may be made to conduce at once +to the beneficial influence of the Crown, and to the elevation +and encouragement of the professions of the Church and of +Medicine. This patronage, by being left to the uncontrolled +exercise of successive Lord Chamberlains, has been administered +not only wastefully but perniciously. The physicians +to the late King were many of them men of little eminence; +the chaplains are still a sorry set. Your Majesty should insist +with the new Ministers that this patronage should be disposed +of, not by the Lord Chamberlain, but, as it has hitherto +been during your Majesty's reign, by your Majesty upon consultation +with your Prime Minister.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DISTRESS OF THE QUEEN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen thinks Lord Melbourne may possibly wish to +know how she is this morning; the Queen is somewhat calmer; +she was in a wretched state till nine o'clock last night, when she +tried to occupy herself and try to think less gloomily of this +dreadful change, and she succeeded in calming herself till she +went to bed at twelve, and she slept well; but on waking this +morning, all—all that had happened in one short eventful day +came most forcibly to her mind, and brought back her grief; +the Queen, however, feels better now; but she couldn't touch +a morsel of food last night, nor can she this morning. The +Queen trusts Lord Melbourne slept well, and is well this morning; +and that he will come precisely at eleven o'clock. The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.157" id="pagei.157"></a>[page 157]</span> +Queen has received no answer from the Duke, which is very +odd, for she knows he got her letter. The Queen hopes Lord +Melbourne received her letter last night.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>8th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and is much grieved that he did not answer your Majesty's +letter yesterday evening, as your Majesty desired, but he did +not get it till late, and he felt much tired and harassed by all +that had passed during the day. The situation is very painful, +but it is necessary for your Majesty to be prudent and firm. +It is of all things necessary not to be suspected of any unfair +dealing. Whilst Lord Melbourne holds his office, everything +of course may be written to him as usual; but still the resolutions +for the formation of the new Government will now commence, +and it will never do, whilst they are going on, either for +appearance or in reality, that Lord Melbourne should dine with +your Majesty, as he did before this disturbance. It would +create feeling, possibly lead to remonstrance, and throw a +doubt upon the fairness and integrity of your Majesty's conduct. +All this is very painful both to do and to say, but it is +unavoidable; it must be said, and it must be done. Lord +Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at eleven.<sup>31</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 31: Lord Melbourne had made the not unnatural mistake of recommending to the Queen, +as members of her first Household, ladies who were nearly related to himself and his Whig +colleagues. No doubt these were the ladies whom he knew best, and in whom he had +entire confidence; but he ought to have had sufficient prescience to see that the Queen +would probably form strong attachments to the ladies who first served her: and that +if the appointments had not in the first instance a political complexion, yet that the Whig +tendencies which these Ladies represented were likely to affect the Queen, in the direction +of allying her closely with a particular party in the State. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>8th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen told Lord Melbourne she would give him an +account of what passed, which she is <i>very</i> anxious to do. She +saw the Duke for about twenty minutes; the Queen said she +supposed he knew why she sent for him, upon which the Duke +said, No, he had no idea. The Queen then said that she had +had the greatest confidence in her late Ministry, and had parted +with them with the greatest reluctance; upon which the Duke +observed that he could assure me no one felt more pain in hearing +the announcement of their resignation than he did, and +that he was deeply grieved at it. The Queen then continued, +that as his party had been instrumental in removing them, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.158" id="pagei.158"></a>[page 158]</span> +that she must look to him to form a new Government. The +Duke answered that he had no power whatever in the House +of Commons, "that if he was to say black was white,<sup>32</sup> they +would say it was not," and that he advised me to send for Sir +Robert Peel, in whom I could place confidence, and who was +a gentleman and a man of honour and integrity. The Queen +then said she hoped he would at all events have a place in the +new Cabinet. The Duke at first rather refused, and said he +was so deaf, and so old and unfit for any discussion, that if he +were to consult his own feelings he would rather not do it, and +remain quite aloof; but that as he was very anxious to do +anything that would tend to the Queen's comfort, and would +do everything and at all times that could be of use to the +Queen, and therefore if she and her Prime Minister urged his +accepting office, he would. The Queen said she had more confidence +in him than in any of the others of his party. The +Queen then mentioned the subject of the Household, and of +those who were not in Parliament. The Duke did not give any +decisive answer about it, but advised the Queen not to begin +with conditions of this sort, and wait till the matter was proposed. +The Queen then said that she felt certain he would +understand the great friendship she had for Lord Melbourne, +who had been to her quite a parent, and the Duke said <i>no one +felt and knew that better than he did, and that no one could still be +of greater use to the Queen than Lord Melbourne</i>. The Duke +spoke of his personal friendship for Lord Melbourne, and that +he hoped I knew that he had often done all he could to help +your (Lord Melbourne's) Government. The Queen then mentioned +her intention to prove her great <i>fairness</i> to her new +Government in telling them, that they might know there was +no unfair dealing, that I meant to see you often as a friend, as +I owed <i>so</i> much to you. The Duke said he quite understood it, +and knew I would not exercise this to weaken the Government, +and that he would take my part about it, and felt for me. +He was very kind, and said he called it "a misfortune" that +you had all left me.</p> +<span class="rightnote">SIR ROBERT PEEL</span> +<p class="ind">The Queen wrote to Peel, who came after two, embarrassed +and put out. The Queen repeated what she had said to the +Duke about her former Government, and asked Sir Robert to +form a new Ministry. He does not seem sanguine; says entering +the Government in a minority is very difficult; he felt +unequal to the task, and far from exulting in what had happened, +as he knew what pain it must give me; he quite approved +that the Duke should take office, and saw the importance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.159" id="pagei.159"></a>[page 159]</span> +of it; meant to offer him the post of Secretary for Foreign +Affairs, and if he refused, Lord Aberdeen; Lord Lyndhurst, +Chancellor; hoped to secure Stanley and Graham; Goulburn +to be the candidate for the Speaker's Chair; he expects a +severe conflict then, and if he should be beat must either resign +or dissolve Parliament. Before this the Queen said she +was against a dissolution, in which he quite agreed, but of +course wished no conditions should be made; he felt the task +arduous, and that he would require me to demonstrate (<i>a certain</i> +degree, if <i>any</i> I can only feel) confidence in the Government, +and that my Household would be one of the marks of +that. The Queen mentioned the same thing about her Household, +to which he at present would give no answer, and said +nothing should be done without my knowledge or approbation. +He repeated his surprise at the course you had all taken in +resigning, which he did not expect. The Queen talked of her +great friendship for, and gratitude to Lord Melbourne, and repeated +what she had said to the Duke, in which Peel agreed; +but he is such a cold, odd man she can't make out what he +means. He said he couldn't expect me to have the confidence +in him I had in you (and which he never can have) as he has +not deserved it. My impression is, he is not <i>happy</i> and +sanguine. He comes to me to-morrow at one to report progress +in his formation of the new Government. The Queen +don't like his manner after—oh! how different, how dreadfully +different, to that frank, open, natural and most kind, +warm manner of Lord Melbourne.<sup>33</sup> The Duke I like by far +better to Peel. The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne will excuse +this long letter, but she was so very anxious he should know all. +The Queen was very much collected, and betrayed no agitation +during these two trying Audiences. But afterwards again +<i>all</i> gave way. She feels Lord Melbourne will understand it, +amongst enemies to those she most relied on and esteemed, and +people who seem to have no heart; but what is worst of all is +the being deprived of seeing Lord Melbourne as she used to do.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 32: <i>Sic</i>: an obvious mistake for "black was black."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 33: Lady de Grey had written to Peel on 7th May:—"The Queen has always expressed +herself much impressed with Lord Melbourne's open manner, and his truth. The latter +quality you possess, the former not.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">"Now, dear Peel, the first impression on so young a girl's mind is of immense consequence, +accustomed as she has been to the open and affectionate manner of Lord Melbourne, +who, <i>entre nous</i>, treats her as a father, and, with all his faults, feels for her as +such."—<i>Sir Robert Peel</i>, Parker, vol. ii. p. 389. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD MELBOURNE'S ADVICE</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has read with the greatest attention the very clear and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.160" id="pagei.160"></a>[page 160]</span> +distinct account which your Majesty has written of that which +passed at the Audiences which your Majesty has given to the +Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel. Nothing could have +been more proper and judicious than your Majesty's conduct, +and they appear to have acted upon their part with propriety +and sincerity. Lord Melbourne has no doubt that both with +respect to him (Lord Melbourne) and to themselves and their +own feelings and position, they expressed what they really +think. The Duke was right in saying that in general, in affairs +of this nature, it is best not to begin with conditions; but this +matter of the Household is so personal to yourself, that it was +best to give an intimation of your feelings upon it in the first +instance. Lord Melbourne has little doubt that if they could +have acted from themselves, they would have acceded to +your Majesty's wish at once; but your Majesty must recollect +that they have others to satisfy, and must not attribute entirely +to them anything that is harsh and unreasonable. +Lord Melbourne advises your Majesty to urge this question of +the Household strongly as a matter due to yourself and your +own wishes; but if Sir Robert is unable to concede it, it will +not do to refuse and to put off the negotiation upon it. Lord +Melbourne would strongly advise your Majesty to do everything +to facilitate the formation of the Government. Everything +is to be done and to be endured rather than run the risk +of getting into the situation in which they are in France, of no +party being able to form a Government and conduct the affairs +of the country.<sup>34</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The Dissolution of Parliament is a matter of still more importance, +and if this should be again pressed upon your +Majesty, Lord Melbourne would advise your Majesty to reserve +your opinion, not to give a promise that you will dissolve, nor +to say positively that you will not. You may say that you do +not think it right to fetter the Prerogative of the Crown by +previous engagements, that a dissolution of Parliament is to +be decided according to the circumstances at the time, that you +mean to give full confidence to the Government that shall be +formed, and to do everything in your power to support them, +and that you will consider whether Parliament shall be dissolved, +when you are advised to dissolve it, and have before +you the reasons for such a measure.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne earnestly entreats your Majesty not to +suffer yourself to be affected by any faultiness of manner which +you may observe. Depend upon it, there is no personal +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.161" id="pagei.161"></a>[page 161]</span> +hostility to Lord Melbourne nor any bitter feelings against +him. Sir Robert is the most cautious and reserved of mankind. +Nobody seems to Lord Melbourne to know him, but +he is not therefore deceitful or dishonest. Many a very false +man has a very open sincere manner, and <i>vice versâ</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is better +this morning.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 34: Alluding to the successive failures of Soult, Thiers, and Broglie.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen cannot sufficiently thank Lord Melbourne for his +most kind letter, and for his excellent advice, which is at once +the greatest comfort and of the greatest use to her; the Queen +will follow it in every respect, and nothing of importance shall +be done without due reflection; and she trusts Lord Melbourne +will help her and be to her what she told him he was, and +begged him still ever to be—a father to one who never wanted +support more than she does now.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne shall hear again after she sees Peel this +morning....</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has just now heard Lord Liverpool is not in +town.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is able to read her letters; +if ever there is anything he cannot read, he must send them +back, and mark what he can't read.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD PALMERSTON'S GRATITUDE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Stanhope Street</span>, <i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and begs to return your Majesty his grateful thanks +for your Majesty's gracious communication of this morning. +It affords Viscount Palmerston the most heartfelt satisfaction +to know that his humble but zealous endeavours to promote +the interests of his country and to uphold the honour of your +Majesty's Crown, have had the good fortune to meet with +your Majesty's approbation; and he begs most respectfully +to assure your Majesty that the deep impression produced by +the condescending kindness which he has upon all occasions +experienced from your Majesty can never be effaced from his +mind.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE HOUSEHOLD</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to suggest that if Sir Robert Peel presses for the dismissal +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.162" id="pagei.162"></a>[page 162]</span> +of those of your Household who are not in Parliament, +you may observe that in so doing he is pressing your Majesty +more hardly than any Minister ever pressed a Sovereign before.</p> + +<p class="ind">When the Government was changed in 1830, the principal +posts of the Household were placed at the disposal of Lord +Grey, but the Grooms and Equerries were not removed.</p> + +<p class="ind">When Sir Robert Peel himself became Minister in 1834, no +part of the Household were removed except those who were in +Parliament.</p> + +<p class="ind">When I became Prime Minister again in 1835, none of the +Grooms or Equerries were removed because none of them were +in Parliament.</p> + +<p class="ind">They press upon your Majesty, whose personal feelings +ought from your circumstances to be more consulted, a +measure which no Minister before ever pressed upon a Sovereign.</p> + +<p class="ind">If this is put to him by your Majesty, Lord Melbourne does +not see how he can resist it.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen writes one line to prepare Lord Melbourne for +what <i>may</i> happen in a very few hours. Sir Robert Peel has +behaved very ill, and has insisted on my giving up my Ladies, +to which I replied that I never would consent, and I never saw +a man so frightened. He said he must go to the Duke of +Wellington and consult with him, when both would return, +and he said this must suspend all further proceedings, and he +asked whether I should be ready to receive a decision, which +I said I should; he was quite perturbed—but this is <i>infamous</i>. +I said, besides many other things, that if he or the Duke of +Wellington had been at the head of the Government when I +came to the Throne, perhaps there might have been a few +more Tory Ladies, but that then if you had come into Office +you would never have <i>dreamt</i> of changing them. I was calm +but very decided, and I think you would have been pleased to +see my composure and great firmness; the Queen of England +will not submit to such trickery. Keep yourself in readiness, +for you may soon be wanted.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PROPOSED NEW CABINET</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>Thursday, 9th May 1839</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2"><i>At half-past two</i> I saw the Duke of Wellington. I remained +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.163" id="pagei.163"></a>[page 163]</span> +firm, and he told Sir Robert that I remained firm. I then saw +Sir Robert Peel, who stopped a few minutes with me; he must +consult those (of whom I annex the List) whom he had named:</p> + +<table align="center" summary="cabinet" border="0"> +<tr><td class="quote"><span class="sc">The Duke of Wellington</span></td> <td class="quote"><i>Secretary for Foreign Affairs</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="quote"><span class="sc">Sir James Graham</span></td> <td class="quote"><i>Secretary for the Home Department</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="quote"><span class="sc">Lord Stanley</span></td> <td class="quote"><i>Secretary for the Colonies</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="quote"><span class="sc">Lord Lyndhurst</span></td> <td class="quote"><i>Lord Chancellor</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="quote"><span class="sc">Lord Ellenborough</span></td> <td class="quote"><i>President of the Board of Control</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="quote"><span class="sc">Sir H. Hardinge</span></td> <td class="quote"><i>Secretary at War</i></td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 1em">and he said he would return in two or three hours with the +result, which I said I should await.<sup>35</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 35: It was a curious circumstance, much commented on at the time, that in the <i>Globe</i> +of 9th May, a Ministerial evening paper, which would probably have gone to press at +two o'clock in the afternoon, the following paragraph appeared: "The determination +which it is well known Her Majesty has taken, not to allow the change in the Government +to interfere with the ladies of her Court, has given great offence to the Tories." +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has received Lord Melbourne's letter. Lord +Melbourne will since have heard what has taken place. Lord +Melbourne must not think the Queen rash in her conduct; she +saw both the Duke and Sir Robert again, and declared to them +she could not change her opinion. The Ladies are not (as the +Duke imagined was stated in the Civil List Bill) in the <i>place</i> +of the Lords; and the Queen felt this was an attempt to see +whether she could be led and managed like a child; if it should +lead to Sir Robert Peel's refusing to undertake the formation +of the Government, which would be absurd, the Queen will feel +satisfied that she has only been defending her own rights, on a +point which so nearly concerned her person, and which, if they +had succeeded in, would have led to every sort of unfair +attempt at power; the Queen maintains <i>all</i> her ladies,—and +thinks her Prime Minister will cut a sorry figure indeed if he +resigns on this. Sir Robert is gone to consult with his friends, +and will return in two or three hours with his decision. The +Queen also maintained the Mistress of the Robes, for as he said +<i>only</i> those who are <i>in Parliament</i> shall be removed, I should +like to know if they mean to give the <i>Ladies</i> seats in Parliament?</p> + +<p class="ind">We shall see what will be done. The Queen would not have +<i>stood so firmly</i> on the Grooms and Equerries, but her <i>Ladies</i> +are <i>entirely</i> her own affair, and <i>not</i> the Ministers'.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.164" id="pagei.164"></a>[page 164]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CRISIS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +Lord Melbourne had certainly never expected that this demand +would be urged, and therefore had never advised your Majesty +as to what was to be done in such a case. Lord Melbourne +strongly advises your Majesty to hear what the Duke of Wellington +and Sir Robert Peel urge, but to take time before you +come to a peremptory and final decision.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +This is a matter of so much importance, and may have such +grave results, that any advice which Lord Melbourne could +give would be of little importance unless it coincided with the +opinions of others, and particularly of all those who were and +intend still [to] continue to be his colleagues.</p> + +<p class="ind">It will depend upon their determination whether your +Majesty is to be supported or not. The best course will perhaps +be that you should hear Sir Robert Peel's determination, +say nothing, but send for Lord Melbourne, and lay the matter +before him. Lord Melbourne will then summon a Cabinet to +consider of it.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE LADIES OF THE BEDCHAMBER</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th May 1839</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">At half-past six came Lord Melbourne and stayed with me +till ten minutes past seven.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I then began by giving him a detailed account of the whole +proceeding, which I shall state here as briefly as possible. I +first again related what took place in the two first interviews, +and when I said that the Duke said he had assisted my Government +often very much, Lord Melbourne said: "Well, that is +true enough, but the Duke did all he could about this vote." +"Well, then," I said, "when Sir Robert Peel came this morning, +he began first about the Ministry. I consented, though I +said I might have my personal feelings about Lord Lyndhurst +and Lord Aberdeen, but that I would suppress every personal +feeling and be quite fair. I then repeated that I wished to +retain about me those who were not in Parliament, and Sir +Robert <i>pretended</i> that I had the preceding day expressed a wish +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.165" id="pagei.165"></a>[page 165]</span> +to keep about me those who <i>were</i> in Parliament. I mentioned +my wish to have Lord Liverpool, to which Sir Robert readily +acceded, saying he would offer him the place of Lord Steward, +or of Lord in Waiting. He then suggested my having Lord +Ashley,<sup>36</sup> which I said I should like, as Treasurer or Comptroller.<span class="rightnote">THE LADIES</span> +Soon after this Sir Robert said: 'Now, about the +Ladies,' upon which I said I could <i>not</i> give up <i>any</i> of my Ladies, +and never had imagined such a thing. He asked if I meant to +retain <i>all</i>. '<i>All</i>,' I said. 'The Mistress of the Robes and the +Ladies of the Bedchamber?' I replied, '<i>All</i>,'—for he said they +were the wives of the opponents of the Government, mentioning +Lady Normanby<sup>37</sup> in particular as one of the late Ministers' +wives. I said that would not interfere; that I never talked +politics with them, and that they were related, many of them, to +Tories, and I enumerated those of my Bedchamber women and +Maids of Honour; upon which he said he did not mean <i>all</i> the +Bedchamber women and <i>all</i> the Maids of Honour, he meant the +Mistress of the Robes and the Ladies of the Bedchamber; to +which I replied <i>they</i> were of more consequence than the others, +and that I could <i>not</i> consent, and that it had never been done +before. He said I was a Queen Regnant, and that made the +difference. 'Not here,' I said—and I maintained my right. +Sir Robert then urged it upon <i>public grounds only</i>, but I said +here I could not consent. He then begged to be allowed to +consult with the Duke upon such an important matter. I expressed +a wish also to see the Duke, if Sir Robert approved, +which he said he did, and that he would return with the Duke, +if I would then be prepared for the decision, which I said I +would. Well," I continued, "the Duke and Sir Robert returned +soon, and I first saw the Duke, who talked first of his +being ready to take the post of Secretary for Foreign Affairs, +which I had pressed Peel to urge on him (the Duke having first +wished to be in the Cabinet, without accepting office), and the +Duke said, 'I am able to do anything,' for I asked him if it +would not be too much for him. Then I told him that I had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.166" id="pagei.166"></a>[page 166]</span> +been very well satisfied with Sir Robert yesterday, and asked +the Duke if Sir Robert had told him what had passed about the +Ladies. He said he had, and then I repeated all my arguments, +and the Duke his; but the Duke and Sir Robert differed +considerably on two points. The Duke said the <i>opinions</i> of +the Ladies were nothing, but it was the <i>principle</i>, whether the +Minister could remove the Ladies or not, and that he (the Duke) +had understood it was stated in the Civil List Bill, 'that the +<i>Ladies were instead of the Lords</i>,' which is quite false, and I told +the Duke that there were not <i>twelve Lords</i>, as the expense <i>with +the Ladies</i> would have been too great." Lord Melbourne said: +"There you had the better of him, and what did he say?" +"Not much," I replied. I repeated many of my arguments, all +which pleased Lord Melbourne, and which he agreed to, +amongst others, that I said to the Duke, Was Sir Robert so +weak that <i>even</i> the Ladies must be of his opinion? The Duke +denied that. The Duke then took my decision to Sir Robert, +who was waiting in the next room; after a few minutes Sir +Robert returned. After stopping a few minutes, as I have +already stated, Sir Robert went to see his colleagues, and +returned at five: said he had consulted with those who were +to have been his colleagues, and that they agreed that, with the +probability of being beat the first night about the Speaker, and +beginning with a Minority in the House of Commons, that +unless there was <i>some</i> (<i>all</i> the Officers of State and Lords I gave +up) demonstration of my confidence, and if I retained all my +Ladies this would not be, "they agreed unanimously they +could not go on." I replied I would reflect, that I felt certain +I should not change my mind, but that I should do nothing in +a hurry, and would write him my decision either that evening +or the next morning. He said, meanwhile, he would suspend +all further proceedings.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 36: Afterwards Earl of Shaftesbury, the well-known Philanthropist.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 37: J. W. Croker wrote to the King of Hanover:—</p> + +<p class="indrightnote" style="margin-top: -1.5em;">"<i>11th May 1839.</i></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -1em;">"... This is the sum of the whole affair. Sir R. Peel could not admit that broad +principle that all were to remain. Lady Normanby (whom the Queen particularly wishes +for), for instance, the wife of the very Minister whose measures have been the cause of +the change, two sisters of Lord Morpeth, the sisters-in-law of Lord John Russell, the +daughter of the Privy Seal and the Chancellor of the Exchequer....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">"Her Majesty's ball last night was, I am told, rather dull, though she herself seemed +in high spirits, as if she were pleased at retaining her Ministers. She has a great concert +on the 13th, but to both, as I hear, the invitations have been on a very exclusive principle, +no Tories being invited who could on any pretence be left out. These are small matters, +but everything tends to create a public impression that Her Majesty takes a personal and +strong interest in the Whigs—a new ingredient of difficulty."—<i>Croker Papers</i>, II. 347. +</p> + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 1em;">I also told Lord Melbourne that I feared I had embarrassed +the Government; that I acted quite alone. Lord Melbourne +saw, and said I could not do otherwise. "I must summon the +Cabinet," said Lord Melbourne, at half-past nine. "It may +have very serious consequences. If we can't go on with this +House of Commons, we may have to dissolve Parliament, +and we don't know if we may get as good a House of Commons." +I begged him to come, and he said: "I'll come if +it is in any time—if it's twelve; but if it's one or two, I'll +write."</p> + +<p class="ind2">After dinner (as usual with the Household) I went to my +room, and sat up till a quarter past two. At a quarter to two +I received the following letter from Lord Melbourne, written at +one o'clock:—</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.167" id="pagei.167"></a>[page 167]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S ULTIMATUM</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th May 1839</i> (1 <span class="sc">a.m.</span>).</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +The Cabinet has sate until now, and, after much discussion, +advises your Majesty to return the following answer to Sir +Robert Peel:—</p> + +<p class="ind">"The Queen having considered the proposal made to her +yesterday by Sir Robert Peel to remove the Ladies of her +Bedchamber, cannot consent to adopt a course which she conceives +to be contrary to usage, and which is repugnant to her +feelings."<sup>38</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 38: Greville asserts that the plan adopted by the outgoing Cabinet, of meeting and +suggesting that this letter should be despatched, was "utterly anomalous and unprecedented, +and a course as dangerous as unconstitutional.... They ought to have +explained to her that until Sir Robert Peel had formally and finally resigned his commission +into her hands, they could tender no advice.... The Cabinet of Lord Melbourne +discussed the proposals of that of Sir Robert Peel, and they dictated to the Queen the +reply in which she refused to consent to the advice tendered to her by the man who was +<i>at that moment</i> her Minister."—<i>Greville's Journal, 12th May 1839</i>. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen having considered the proposal made to her yesterday +by Sir Robert Peel, to remove the Ladies of her Bedchamber, +cannot consent to adopt a course which she conceives +to be contrary to usage, and which is repugnant to her feelings.<sup>39</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 39: Sixty years later the Queen, during a conversation at Osborne with Sir Arthur Bigge, +her Private Secretary, after eulogising Sir Robert Peel, said: "I was very young then, +and perhaps I should act differently if it was all to be done again." +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>10th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen wrote the letter before she went to bed, and sent +it at nine this morning; she has received no answer, and concludes +she will receive none, as Sir Robert told the Queen if the +Ladies were not removed, his party would fall directly, and +could not go on, and that he only awaited the Queen's decision. +The Queen therefore wishes to see Lord Melbourne about half-past +twelve or one, if that would do.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen fears Lord Melbourne has much trouble in consequence +of all this; but the Queen was fully prepared, and +fully intended to give these people a fair trial, though she always +told Lord Melbourne she knew they couldn't stand; and she +must rejoice at having got out of the hands of people who would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.168" id="pagei.168"></a>[page 168]</span> +have sacrificed every personal feeling and instinct of the Queen's +to their bad party purposes.</p> + +<p class="ind">How is Lord Melbourne this morning?</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AN ANXIOUS WEEK</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>10th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Half-past one will do as well as one; any hour will do that +Lord Melbourne likes, for the Queen will not go out.</p> + +<p class="ind">There is no answer from Peel.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is wonderfully well, considering all the fatigue +of yesterday, and not getting to bed till near half-past two, +which is somewhat of a fatigue for to-night when the Queen +must be very late. Really all these Fêtes in the midst of such +very serious and anxious business are quite overwhelming.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>10th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen forgot to ask Lord Melbourne if he thought there +would be any harm in her writing to the Duke of Cambridge +that she really was fearful of fatiguing herself, if she went out +to a party at Gloucester House on Tuesday, an Ancient Concert +on Wednesday, and a ball at Northumberland House on +Thursday, considering how much she had to do these last four +days. If she went to the Ancient Concert on Wednesday, +having besides a concert of her own here on Monday, it would +be four nights of fatigue, really exhausted as the Queen is.</p> + +<p class="ind">But if Lord Melbourne thinks that as there are only to be +English singers at the Ancient Concert, she ought to go, she +could go there for one act; but she would much rather, if +possible, get out of it, for it is a fatiguing time....</p> + +<p class="ind">As the negotiations with the Tories are quite at an end, and +Lord Melbourne <i>has been here</i>, the Queen hopes Lord Melbourne +will not object to dining with her on <i>Sunday</i>?</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">RESIGNATION OF PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has had the honour of receiving your Majesty's note of this +morning.</p> + +<p class="ind">In respectfully submitting to your Majesty's pleasure, and +humbly returning into your Majesty's hands the important +trust which your Majesty had been graciously pleased to commit +to him, Sir Robert Peel trusts that your Majesty will permit +him to state to your Majesty his impression with respect to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.169" id="pagei.169"></a>[page 169]</span> +circumstances which have led to the termination of his attempt +to form an Administration for the conduct of your Majesty's +Service.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the interview with which your Majesty honoured Sir +Robert Peel yesterday morning, after he had submitted to your +Majesty the names of those whom he proposed to recommend +to your Majesty for the principal executive appointments, he +mentioned to your Majesty his earnest wish to be enabled, with +your Majesty's sanction, so to constitute your Majesty's +Household that your Majesty's confidential servants might +have the advantage of a public demonstration of your Majesty's +full support and confidence, and that at the same time, as far as +possible consistently with that demonstration, each individual +appointment in the Household should be entirely acceptable to +your Majesty's personal feelings.</p> + +<p class="ind">On your Majesty's expressing a desire that the Earl of +Liverpool<sup>40</sup> should hold an office in the Household, Sir Robert +Peel requested your Majesty's permission at once to offer to +Lord Liverpool the office of Lord Steward, or any other which +he might prefer.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel then observed that he should have every +wish to apply a similar principle to the chief appointments +which are filled by the Ladies of your Majesty's Household, upon +which your Majesty was pleased to remark that you must +reserve the whole of those appointments, and that it was your +Majesty's pleasure that the whole should continue as at present, +without any change.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Duke of Wellington, in the interview to which your +Majesty subsequently admitted him, understood also that this +was your Majesty's determination, and concurred with Sir +Robert Peel in opinion that, considering the great difficulties +of the present crisis, and the expediency of making every effort +in the first instance to conduct the public business of the country +with the aid of the present Parliament, it was essential to +the success of the Commission with which your Majesty had +honoured Sir Robert Peel, that he should have that public proof +of your Majesty's entire support and confidence which would +be afforded by the permission to make some changes in that +part of your Majesty's Household which your Majesty resolved +on maintaining entirely without change.</p> + +<p class="ind">Having had the opportunity through your Majesty's gracious +consideration, of reflecting upon this point, he humbly +submits to your Majesty that he is reluctantly compelled, by a +sense of public duty and of the interests of your Majesty's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.170" id="pagei.170"></a>[page 170]</span> +service, to adhere to his opinion which he ventured to express +to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">He trusts he may be permitted at the same time to express +to your Majesty his grateful acknowledgments for the distinction +which your Majesty conferred upon him by requiring +his advice and assistance in the attempt to form an Administration, +and his earnest prayers that whatever arrangements +your Majesty may be enabled to make for that purpose may +be most conducive to your Majesty's personal comfort and +happiness, and to the promotion of the public welfare.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 40: Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson, third Earl, 1784-1851, became Lord Steward in 1841.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S JOURNAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>Friday, 10th May 1839</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord Melbourne came to me at two and stayed with me till +ten minutes to three. I placed in his hands Sir Robert Peel's +answer, which he read. He started at one part where he (Sir +Robert) says, "<i>some</i> changes"—but some or all, I said, was +the same; and Lord Melbourne said, "I must submit this +to the Cabinet." Lord Melbourne showed me a letter from +Lord Grey about it—a good deal alarmed, thinking I was +right, and yet half doubtful; one from Spring Rice, dreadfully +frightened, and wishing the Whig ladies should resign; and +one from Lord Lansdowne wishing to state that the ladies +would have resigned. Lord Melbourne had also seen the Duke +of Richmond, and Lord Melbourne said we might be beat; I +said I never would yield, and would never apply to Peel again. +Lord Melbourne said, "You are for standing out, then?" I +said, "Certainly." I asked how the Cabinet felt. "John +Russell, strongly for standing out," he said; "Duncannon, +very much so; Holland, Lord Minto, Hobhouse, and the +Chancellor, all for standing out; Poulett Thomson too, and +Normanby also; S. Rice and Howick alarmed."</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><span class="sc">Cabinet Minute</span>.</h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CABINET MINUTE</span> + +<p class="ind"><i>Present</i>.</p> + + + <ul class="none1"> + <li>The <span class="sc">Lord Chancellor</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Lord President</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Lord Privy Seal</span>.</li> + <li><span class="sc">Viscount Melbourne</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Marquis of Normanby</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Earl of Minto</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Lord John Russell</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Viscount Palmerston</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Viscount Howick</span>.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Viscount Morpeth</span>.</li> + <li>Sir <span class="sc">John Hobhouse</span>, Bart.</li> + <li>The <span class="sc">Chancellor of the Exchequer</span>.</li> + <li>Mr. <span class="sc">Poulett Thomson</span>.</li> + </ul> + + +<p class="ind2">Her Majesty's Confidential Servants having taken into consideration +the letter addressed by Her Majesty to Sir Robert +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.171" id="pagei.171"></a>[page 171]</span> +Peel on the 10th of May, and the reply of Sir Robert Peel of the +same day, are of opinion that for the purpose of giving to an +Administration that character of efficiency and stability and +those marks of the constitutional support of the Crown, which +are required to enable it to act usefully for the public service, +it is reasonable that the great offices of the Court and the +situations in the Household held by members of either House of +Parliament should be included in the political arrangements +made on a change of Administration; but they are not of +opinion that a similar principle should be applied or extended +to the offices held by Ladies in Her Majesty's Household.<sup>41</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 41: This paragraph was read by Lord John Russell to the House of Commons during the +course of the Ministerial explanations on 13th May. +</p> + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 1em;">Her Majesty's Confidential Servants are therefore prepared +to support Her Majesty in refusing to assent to the removal of +the Ladies of her Household, which Her Majesty conceived +to be contrary to usage, and which is repugnant to her +feelings, and are prepared to continue in their offices on these +grounds.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Viscount Howick concurs in the opinion expressed in the +foregoing Minute that the removal of the Ladies of Her +Majesty's Household ought not to form part of the arrangements +consequent upon a change of Administration, and shares +in the readiness his colleagues have declared to support Her +Majesty in acting upon this opinion; but he thinks it his duty +to state his conviction that the immediate resumption of their +offices by Her Majesty's Confidential Servants is not the +mode in which their support can be most effectively afforded +and is not calculated to promote the good of Her Majesty's +service.</p> + +<p class="ind2">He conceives that before it is determined that the present +Administration should be continued, further explanation +should be sought with Sir Robert Peel, by which it is not +impossible that his concession to Her Majesty's just objection to +the removal of the Ladies of her Household might have been obtained, +while the endeavour to arrive at this result, even though +unsuccessful, would at all events tend to secure additional +support to Her Majesty's present Servants, and thus to enable +them to surmount those difficulties, which have recently +compelled them humbly to tender their resignations to Her +Majesty, and which he fears will be found not to have been +diminished by the course it has now been determined to +pursue.</p> + +<p class="ind2">In humbly submitting this opinion to Her Majesty, Viscount +Howick begs permission to add that he nevertheless acquiesces +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.172" id="pagei.172"></a>[page 172]</span> +in the determination of his colleagues, and will render them the +best assistance in his power in their endeavour to carry on Her +Majesty's service.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE RESUMES OFFICE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>11th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is very anxious to hear that Lord Melbourne +has not suffered from the ball last night, as it was very hot at +first. The beginning was rather dull and heavy, but after +supper it got very animated, and we kept it up till a quarter +past three; the Queen enjoyed herself very much and isn't at +all tired; she felt much the kindness of many of her kind +friends, who are her <i>only real</i> friends. Lady Cowper and Lord +and Lady Minto, the Duchess of Somerset, and Lord Anglesey +were particularly kind. On the other hand, there were some +gloomy faces to be seen, and the Duchess of Gloucester was +very cross.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is ashamed to say it, but she has forgotten <i>when</i> +she appointed the Judge Advocate; when will the Cabinet be +over?</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen danced the first and the last dance with the +Grand Duke,<sup>42</sup> made him sit near her, and tried to be very civil +to him, and I think we are great friends already and get on very +well; I like him exceedingly.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 42: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards the Emperor Alexander II.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>12th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen anxiously hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well +this morning, and has <i>not</i> suffered from the dinner at Pozzo's.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen wishes to know if she ought to say anything to +the Duchess, of the noble manner in which her Government +mean to stand by her? The account in the <i>Observer</i> of the +whole proceeding is the most correct both as to details and +facts, that the Queen has yet seen; were they told what to put +in? There was considerable applause when the Queen +entered the Theatre, which she, however, thought best and +most delicate not to encourage, and she was cheered when she +drove up to the Theatre and got out, which she never is in +general.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Grand Duke came and sat with the Queen in her box, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.173" id="pagei.173"></a>[page 173]</span> +for at least half an hour last night—and the Queen asked him if +he knew exactly what had happened, which he said he did not—and +the Queen accordingly gave him an account of what passed, +and he was <i>shocked</i> at Sir Robert Peel's proposal, thought his +resignation on that account absurd, and was delighted at the +continuance in office of my present Government.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen supposes and fears that Lord Melbourne dines +with the Lansdownes to-morrow, but she wishes to know if +Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday would suit him?</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne must not forget the List of our supporters +in the House of Commons, which the Queen is very anxious to +have as soon as possible. If Lord Melbourne can dine here +to-morrow the Queen would be glad, of course.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S OPINION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>13th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that he this day made his statement +to the House, in answer to Sir Robert Peel.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel made a skilful, and not unfair statement. +He, however, spoke only of his intention of changing some of +the Ladies of the Bedchamber. But he did not say that he +had made this intention clear to your Majesty; only that he +had so arranged the matter with his political friends. The +popular impression is greatly in favour of the course pursued +by your Majesty.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>14th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and is most sorry to hear that your Majesty does not feel well. +It is very natural that your Majesty does not. Lord Melbourne +does not believe that there was anything wanting in your +Majesty's manner yesterday evening,<sup>43</sup> but depend upon it, if +there was, every allowance would be made for the fatigue and +anxiety which your Majesty has gone through, and for the +painful and embarrassing situation in which your Majesty is +still placed.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at two, and +will have the honour of conversing with your Majesty upon +Peel's speech.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 43: At the State Concert.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.174" id="pagei.174"></a>[page 174]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S VIEW</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>14th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—I begin to think you have forgotten me, +and you will think I have forgotten you, but I am certain you +will have guessed the cause of my silence. How much has +taken place since Monday the 7th to yesterday the 13th. You +will have easily imagined how dreadful the resignation of my +Government—and particularly of that truly inestimable and +excellent man, Lord Melbourne—was for me, and you will +have felt for me! What I suffered I cannot describe! +To have to take people whom I should have no confidence +in, ... was most painful and disagreeable; but I felt I +must do it, and made up my mind to it—nobly advised and +supported by Lord Melbourne, whose character seems to me +still more perfect and noble since I have gone through all +this.</p> + +<p class="ind">I sent for the Duke of Wellington, who referred me to Peel, +whom I accordingly saw.</p> + +<p class="ind">Everything fair and just I assented to, even to having +Lord Lyndhurst as Chancellor, and Sir H. Hardinge +and Lord Ellenborough in the Cabinet; I insisted upon +the Duke in the Foreign Office, instead of Lord Aberdeen.... +All this I granted, as also to give up all the +Officers of State and all those of my Household who are in +Parliament.</p> + +<p class="ind">When to my utter astonishment he asked me to change my +Ladies—my principal Ladies!—this I of course refused; and +he upon <i>this resigned</i>, saying, as he felt he should be beat the +very first night upon the Speaker, and having to begin with a +minority, that unless he had this demonstration of my confidence +he could not go on!</p> + +<p class="ind">You will easily imagine that I firmly resisted this attack upon +my power, from these people who pride themselves upon upholding +the prerogative! I acted quite alone, but I have been, +and shall be, supported by my country, who are very enthusiastic +about it, and loudly cheered me on going to church +on Sunday. My Government have nobly stood by me, and +have resumed their posts, strengthened by the feelings of the +country....</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray tell my dearest Aunt that I really cannot write to her +to-day, for you have no conception of what I have to do, for +there are balls, concerts, and dinners all going on besides. +Adieu! my beloved Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria</span> R.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.175" id="pagei.175"></a>[page 175]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">APPROVAL OF KING LEOPOLD</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>17th May 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I feel deeply grateful for your +very kind and interesting letter, which reached me yesterday, +inclusive of the papers.</p> + +<p class="ind">You have passed a time of great agitation and difficulty, +which will, however, contribute to enlarge the circle of +your experience. <i>I approve very highly of the whole mode +in which you proceeded</i>; you acted with great <i>good faith</i> +and <i>fairness</i>, and when finally propositions were made +which you considered you could not submit to, you were +very right to resist them. The march of the whole affair +is very clear and fair, and does you <i>great credit</i>.... Peel +in making his demand misjudged you; he remembered +George IV., and even the late King, and dreamt of Court +influence of people near the Sovereign. You have the great +merit, for which you cannot be too much praised, of being +<i>extremely honest</i> and honourable in your dealings. If you +had kept Peel, you would have acted honestly by him, without +any Lady's having a chance of doing him a bad turn. +When he asked the measure as an expression of your great +confidence in him, it was not fair, because <i>you</i> had not wished +to take him; he was forced upon you, and therefore, even if you +had granted his request, nobody would have seen in it a proof +of your confidence in him, but rather a sacrifice to a far-stretched +pretence.</p> + +<p class="ind">Besides, that he was to have encountered difficulties as a +Minister was partly the consequence of the policy of his party, +and you were not bound to give him any assistance beyond +what he had a right to ask as a Minister. I was sure that +Lord Melbourne would give you both the fairest and the most +honourable advice in this painful crisis. He was kind enough +last year to speak to me on the subject, and I could but approve +what he said on the subject. Altogether, keeping now your +old Ministers, you will have reason to congratulate yourself +on the result; it is likely to strengthen them, by showing the +Radicals what may be the consequences.</p> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-bottom: 5em;">Rumour spoke of their wishing to add some Radicals to the +Cabinet; I don't see that they could improve the Ministry +by it, which is perfectly well composed as it is at present, and +new elements often have a dissolving effect. It was very kind +of you to have explained everything so clearly to me, but I +deserve it for the <i>great interest</i> I take in all that concerns +you....</p> + + +<a name="illusi.4"></a> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/0529-800.jpg"><img src="images/0529-335.png" width="335" height="450" alt="H.R.H. The Prince Consort, 1840." border="0" /></a> +<p class="center"><b>H.R.H. The Prince Consort, 1840.</b></p> +<p class="center"><b>From the portrait by John Partridge at Buckingham Palace</b></p> +<p class="author"><b><i>To face p.</i> 176, <i>Vol. I</i></b></p> +</div> + + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.176" id="pagei.176"></a>[page 176]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria</i>.</h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th June 1839.</i></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that Sir Robert Peel's Bill<sup>44</sup> was +discussed yesterday in the House of Commons, with great +fairness and an entire absence of party spirit.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Melbourne will have acquainted your Majesty with +the result of the Cabinet of yesterday. It appears to Lord +John Russell that the Liberal party, with some explanation, +will be satisfied with the state of things for the present, and +that the great difficulties which attend the complete union of +the majority will be deferred till the commencement of next +Session. It is always well to have some breathing-time.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 44: The Jamaica Bill for the temporary suspension of the Constitution.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria</i>.</h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>11th June 1839.</i></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to state that the division of last night was +extremely encouraging to the future prospects of the Government.</p> + +<p class="ind">Combined with the division on the Speakership,<sup>45</sup> it shows +that the Liberal party have still a clear though small majority +in the House of Commons, and that it may probably not +be necessary to resort to a dissolution. Indeed, such a +measure in present circumstances would be of very doubtful +issue.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell stated last night that he would not divide +on the Canada resolutions, but move for leave to bring in a +Bill.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 45: Mr Shaw Lefevre was elected by 317 against 299 for Mr Goulburn.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th July 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that Mr. Rice yesterday brought +forward his financial statement with great ability.</p> + +<p class="ind">He moved a resolution in favour of a penny postage, which +Sir Robert Peel declared it to be his intention to oppose on the +report. This will be on Friday next. This seems a mistake +on the part of the Opposition.<sup>46</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 46: The penny postage scheme came into operation on 10th January 1840.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.177" id="pagei.177"></a>[page 177]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN AND PRINCE ALBERT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>12th July 1839</i>.<br /> +(<i>20 minutes to 12</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is really quite shocked to see that her box was +taken to Lord Melbourne to Park Lane, and she fears (by the +manner in which Lord Melbourne's note is written) that he +was at dinner at Lady Elizabeth H. Vere's when he got it. The +Queen had imagined that the House of Lords was still sitting, +and therefore desired them to take the box there, but never +had intended it should follow him to dinner; she begs Lord +Melbourne to excuse this mistake which must have appeared +so strange.</p> + +<p class="ind">Did the dinner go off well at Lady Elizabeth H. Vere's, and +were there many people there? Did Lord Melbourne go to +Lady R. Grosvenor's party or did he go home?</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well and not tired.</p> + +<p class="ind">Monday at two o'clock for the Judge Advocate.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hears Lady Sandwich is very much delighted at +her appointment.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<h5 class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>15th July 1839</i>.</h5> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—I have no letter from you, but hope to +get one soon....</p> + +<p class="ind">I shall send this letter by a courier, as I am anxious to put +several questions to you, and to mention some feelings of mine +upon the subject of my cousins' visit, which I am desirous +should not transpire. First of all, I wish to know if <i>Albert</i> is +aware of the wish of his <i>Father</i> and <i>you</i> relative to <i>me?</i> +Secondly, +if he knows that there is <i>no engagement</i> between us? I +am anxious that you should acquaint Uncle Ernest, that if I +should like Albert, that I can make <i>no final promise this year</i>, +for, at the <i>very earliest</i>, any such event could not take place till +<i>two or three years hence</i>. For, independent of my youth, and +my <i>great</i> repugnance to change my present position, there is <i>no +anxiety</i> evinced in <i>this country</i> for such an event, and it would +be more prudent, in my opinion, to wait till some such demonstration +is shown,—else if it were hurried it might produce +discontent.</p> + +<p class="ind">Though all the reports of Albert are most favourable, and +though I have little doubt I shall like him, still one can never +answer beforehand for <i>feelings</i>, and I may not have the <i>feeling</i> +for him which is requisite to ensure happiness. I <i>may</i> like him +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.178" id="pagei.178"></a>[page 178]</span> +as a friend, and as a <i>cousin</i>, and as a <i>brother</i>, but not +<i>more</i>; +and should this be the case (which is not likely), I am <i>very</i> +anxious that it should be understood that I am <i>not</i> guilty of +any breach of promise, for <i>I never gave any</i>. I am sure you +will understand my anxiety, for I should otherwise, were this +not completely understood, be in a very painful position. As +it is, I am rather nervous about the visit, for the subject I +allude to is not an agreeable one to me. I have little else to +say, dear Uncle, as I have now spoken openly to you, which I +was very, <i>very anxious</i> to do.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will be at Paris, I suppose, when you get this letter, and +I therefore beg you to lay me at the feet of the whole family, +and to believe me ever your very devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>20th July 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen anxiously hopes Lord Melbourne has slept well, +and has not suffered from last night. It was very wrong of him +not to wish the Queen good-night, as she expected he would in +so small a party, for she <i>saw</i> that he did <i>not</i> go away immediately +after supper. When did he get home? It was great +pleasure to the Queen that he came last night. We kept up +the dancing till past three, and the Queen was much amused, +and slept soundly from four till half-past ten, which she is +ashamed of. She is quite well, but has got a good deal of cold +in her head; she hopes to see Lord Melbourne at two.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUCHESS OF BRAGANZA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>25th July 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has seen the Duchess of Braganza,<sup>47</sup> who, though +a good deal changed, is still handsome, and very amiable; she +seemed so glad, too, to see the Queen again. The child<sup>48</sup> is +grown a dear fine girl. Lord Palmerston thought it right that +I should ask her to dinner also on Saturday and take her to the +Opera; and on Sunday, as she came on purpose to see the +Queen, and goes on Monday.</p> + +<p class="ind">On Sunday (besides Lord Melbourne) the Queen proposes +asking Palmerston, Normanby, Uxbridge, and Surrey, and no +one else except the Duchess's suite. The Queen hopes Lord +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.179" id="pagei.179"></a>[page 179]</span> +Melbourne will approve of this. He will not forget to let the +Queen know how the debate is going on, at about nine or ten, +as she will be curious to know. She trusts he will not suffer +from the fatigue of to-night.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 47: The step-mother of Donna Maria. Pedro I. assumed the title of Duke of Braganza +after his abdication.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 48: Probably the princess known as "Chica," afterwards Princesse de Joinville.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SYRIAN AFFAIRS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">St Cloud</span>, <i>26th July 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Everything is pretty quiet, and the <i>grâce accordée à +Barbès</i><sup>49</sup> has put down the rage against the King personally, at +least for some little time. The affairs of the Orient interest a +good deal. I think that it is better the Porte should be on a +favourable footing with Mehemet Ali than if that gentleman +had pushed on in arms, as it will put the <i>casus foederis</i> out of +the question, and the Turks will not call in the assistance of +the Russians. Whoever pushed the late Sultan into this war +has done an act of great folly, as it could only bring the Porte +into jeopardy.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 49: Armand Barbès, the leader of a fatal riot in Paris, was sentenced to death, a sentence +afterwards remitted. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>3rd August 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at a quarter +before five, if possible, but there is much to discuss at the +Cabinet. The Caspian Pasha has taken the Turkish fleet to +Alexandria,<sup>50</sup> and Mehemet Ali says that he will not give it up +to the Sultan until he dismisses the Grand Vizier, and acknowledges +the hereditary right of the Pasha to the countries which +he at present governs. This is to make the Sultan his subject +and his vassal.</p> + +<p class="ind">The accounts from Birmingham are by no means good.<sup>51</sup> +There has been no disturbance of the peace, but the general +disposition is both violent and determined.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 50: The Viceroy of Egypt had revolted against the Porte, and on 8th June the Sultan +purported to deprive him and Ibrahim, his son, of their dignities. War was declared, and +the Turkish fleet despatched to Syria. But the Admiral treacherously sailed to Alexandria, +and the Ottoman troops, under Hafiz, who had succeeded Mehemet Ali in the Government +of Egypt, were utterly routed. With the traitorous conduct of the Turkish +admiral, Disraeli, a few years later, compared Peel's conversion to Free Trade.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 51: Chartist riots were very frequent at the time. <i>See</i> Introductory Note, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.141" style="font-weight: normal;">141.</a></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE OPERA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>4th August 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well this morning, +and did not sit up working very late last night; the Queen met +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.180" id="pagei.180"></a>[page 180]</span> +him twice yesterday in the Park, and really wondered how +anybody <i>could</i> ride, for she came home much hotter than she +went out, and thought the air quite like as if it came out of an +oven; to-day we can breathe again. It was intensely hot at +the Opera; the Queen-Dowager visited the Queen in her box, +as did also the young Grand Duke of Weimar, who is just +returned from Scotland, and whom the Queen has asked to +come after dinner to-morrow. The Queen has not asked the +Duke of Sussex to come after dinner to-morrow, as she thought +he would be bored by such a sort of party; does not Lord +Melbourne think so? and she means to ask him to dinner soon.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has not asked Lord Melbourne about any days +this week besides to-morrow (when she trusts he may be able +to come, but she does not know what there is in the House) +and Wednesday; but perhaps Lord Melbourne will consent +to leave Thursday and Friday open in <i>case</i> he should be able +to come one or both of those days.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>4th August 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has just received Lord Melbourne's letter; and +wishes to know if Lord Melbourne means by "to-day" that +he is also coming to see her <i>this afternoon</i>, (which she does not +expect) as well as <i>this evening</i>? for she did <i>not</i> ask him in her +note of this morning <i>if</i> he would come to-night (for she felt <i>sure</i> +of that), but if he could come <i>to-morrow</i>, about which he has +not answered her, as to whether he expects there will be anything +of great length in the House of Lords. Lord Melbourne +will forgive the Queen's troubling him again, but she felt a +little puzzled by his letter; she sent him a card for Wednesday +without previously asking him, as she thought that would suit +him, and hopes it does?</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen will follow Lord Melbourne's advice respecting +the Duke of Sussex.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have just returned from hearing not only a very long, +and very bad, but also, a very ludicrous, sermon.</p> + +<p class="ind">The heat is somewhat less, but the Queen is undecided as +to driving out or not.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">KING LOUIS PHILIPPE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>9th August 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I am sorry that you are less pleased with the old Duke, +but party spirit is in England an incurable disease. These last +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.181" id="pagei.181"></a>[page 181]</span> +two years he had rendered essential service to the present +Administration; perhaps he has been soured by last summer's +events. It was my intention to have answered your questions +sooner, but from Paris I had not the means. Now the time +draws so near when I hope to have the happiness of seeing you, +that I think it will be better to treat the matter verbally, the +more so as my most beloved Majesty is easily displeased with +what may be written with the best intention, instead that in +conversation the immediate reply renders any misunderstanding, +however small, very difficult; and as I do not wish to have +any great or small with you, and see no occasion for it, I will +give my answer <i>de vive voix</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now comes a subject which will <i>astonish</i> you. I am charged +<i>de sonder</i> your will and pleasure on the following subject. The +King my father-in-law goes to Eu, where he hopes to remain +till the 5th or 6th of September. Having at his disposition +some very fine steamers, his great wish would be to go over to +Brighton, just for one afternoon and night, to offer you his +respects in person. He would in such a case bring with him +the Queen, my Aunt, Clémentine,<sup>52</sup> Aumale and Montpensier. +The first step in this business is to know what your pleasure is, +and to learn that very frankly, as he perfectly understands +that, however short such a visit, it must be submitted to the +advice even of some of your Ministers. What renders the thing +very difficult, in my opinion, is that in a country like France, +and with so many Ministerial difficulties, the King to the <i>last +hour</i> will hardly know if he can undertake the thing. As, +however, the first object is to know your will, he begged me to +ascertain that, and to tell you that if you had the <i>smallest +objection</i> you would not be carried away by the apprehension +of hurting him by telling me honestly that you did <i>not</i> see how +the affair could be arranged, but to speak out, that he knew +enough how often objections may arise, and that even with +himself he could only be sure of the thing at the last moment.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 52: Who afterwards married Queen Victoria's cousin, Prince Augustus (Gusti) of Coburg.</p> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE NEW SULTAN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>19th August 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and in submitting the accompanying private letter +from the Earl Granville<sup>53</sup> begs to state that neither Viscount +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.182" id="pagei.182"></a>[page 182]</span> +Melbourne nor Viscount Palmerston are of opinion that it +would be expedient that your Majesty should send an Ambassador +Extraordinary to compliment the young Sultan<sup>54</sup> on +his accession. The circumstances connected with his accession +are indeed fitter matter for condolence than for congratulation, +and he would probably be better pleased by the restoration of +his fleet than by the arrival of Ambassadors Extraordinary. +Moreover, it has not been customary for the Sovereign of England +to send such missions upon the accession of Sultans.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 53: The first Earl Granville (1773-1846), formerly Ambassador Extraordinary to the +Russian Court, at this time Ambassador at Paris.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 54: Abdul Medjid, a lad of sixteen, succeeded the Sultan Mahmoud. The majority of the +Powers agreed to place him under the protection of Europe, and to warn Mehemet Ali +that the matter was for Europe, not him, to decide. France, however, wished to support +Mehemet, and direct the Alliance against Russia. But Nicholas I. of Russia was prepared +to support England as far as regarded the affairs of Turkey and Egypt, and to close the +Dardanelles and Bosphorus to war-ships of all nations, it being stipulated that Russian +ships of war only were to pass the Bosphorus, as acting under the mandate of Europe in +defence of the Turks. <i>See</i> further, Introductory Notes for <a href="#pagei.141" style="font-weight: normal;">1839</a> and <a href="#pagei.209" style="font-weight: normal;">1840.</a> +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LOUIS PHILIPPE'S VISIT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Ostende</span>, <i>24th August 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The King's intention would be to leave Eu in the evening, +let us say at eight or nine o'clock, and to land, perhaps at +ten or eleven, at Brighton on the <i>following morning</i>. He would +have the honour of dining with you, and would re-embark in +the <i>evening of the same day</i>, so as to be back on the <i>following +morning</i> at Eu. He will therefore, as you see, <i>not</i> sleep in +England.</p> + +<p class="ind">If you cannot give any <i>pied-à-terre</i> in the Palace for these +few hours, they will remain in an hotel. But I must say that +as the King and Queen put themselves to <i>some inconvenience +in coming</i> to see you, it would be <i>rather desirable</i> to offer them +rooms in the Palace, which I think might be easily managed. +As far as we are concerned, it <i>does not matter</i> if we are housed +in an hotel or where we bivouac. I will charge Van de Weyer +to take rooms for us somewhere....</p> + +<p class="ind">Do not imagine that I have done the least to bring this about +for my own satisfaction, which is <i>very limited</i> in this business, +but the King wished <i>much to see you once</i>, and so did the Queen, +who abhors sailing more than anybody, and this is perhaps the +<i>only</i> opportunity which may ever offer of doing it, even with +some political benefit, as it certainly is desirable that it should +appear that the two maritime Powers are on good terms.... +And now, God bless you! Ever, my dearest Victoria, your +devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.183" id="pagei.183"></a>[page 183]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Ostende</span>, <i>25th August 1839</i>.<br /> +(<i>La St Louis</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Victoria,</span>—To keep up the fire of letters, I write +again, having received this morning interesting news. As I +must forward this letter by Calais, and know not who may read +it in these times of curiosity, I am forced to be guarded; but +the news are as follows, of the 23rd—curious coincidence, as +your letter was also of that date—that, the moment <i>approaching, +many and serious</i> difficulties arise, and that the expedition +was considered imprudent by some people, that, besides, the +presence would perhaps be required, before the <i>possible</i> departure, +at the <i>usual home</i> of the person interested, that therefore +for the present it would perhaps be best to give it up. I must +say that I am <i>most happy</i> that matters have come to this pass, +because it would have been next to impossible to arrange affairs +properly in proper time. You may now consider everything +<i>as over</i>, and settle your plans without reference to it....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE VISIT POSTPONED</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>26th August 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—I had already written you a letter +when I received your two very kind ones, and I shall therefore +not send my first. My friendship for the dear King and Queen +makes me, as you may easily understand, wish most exceedingly +to see them and to make the acquaintance of the Queen +and all the family. And I feel the immense kindness of them +all in wishing to see me, and in coming over for only a few hours. +Politically it would be <i>wished</i> by <i>us all</i>, and the <i>only</i> +difficulty I see is the following, which is, that <i>I do not feel quite</i> equal to +going to Brighton and receiving them all, so soon after the +Prorogation.<sup>55</sup> I do not <i>feel</i> well; I feel <i>thoroughly</i> exhausted +from all that I have gone through this Session, and am quite +knocked up by the two little trips I made to Windsor. This +makes me fear, uncertain as it all is, with such a pressure of +business, so many affairs, and with so much going on, that I +should be unequal to the journey and the whole thing. This, +and this <i>alone</i>, could make me express a wish that this most +kind visit should take place <i>next</i> year instead of this year. I +feel such regret really in saying this—I should so wish to see +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.184" id="pagei.184"></a>[page 184]</span> +them, and yet I feel I am not <i>quite</i> up to it. You will understand +me, dear Uncle, I am certain, as I know the anxiety you +always express for my health. For <i>once</i> I <i>long</i> to leave London, +and shall do so on Friday. If you could be at Windsor by the +4th, I should be delighted.</p> + +<p class="ind">The dear Ferdinands, whom I <i>all dearly</i> love, will await you +here. I have had so much to do and so many people to see, +that I feel quite confused, and have written shockingly, which +you must forgive. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 55: On 27th August.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S SPEECH</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>26 August 1839</i>. +(<i>10 minutes to 12</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has received both Lord Melbourne's notes; she +was a good deal vexed at his not coming, as she had begged him +herself to do so, and as he wrote to say he would, and also as +she thinks it right and of importance that Lord Melbourne +should be here at large dinners; the Queen <i>insists</i> upon his +coming to dinner to-morrow, and also begs him to do so on +Wednesday, her two last nights in town, and as she will +probably not see him at all for two days when she goes on +Friday; the Queen would wish to see Lord Melbourne <i>after</i> +the Prorogation to-morrow at any hour <i>before</i> five he likes +best.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has been a good deal annoyed this evening at +Normanby's telling her that John Russell was coming to town +next Monday in order to <i>change</i> with <i>him</i>.<sup>56</sup> Lord Melbourne +<i>never</i> told the Queen that this was definitely settled; on the +contrary, he said it would "remain in our hands," to use Lord +Melbourne's own words, and only be settled during the Vacation; +considering all that the Queen has said on the subject +to Lord Melbourne, and considering the great confidence the +Queen has in Lord Melbourne, she thinks and feels he ought to +have told her that this was <i>settled</i>, and not let the Queen be the +last person to hear what is settled and done in her own name; +Lord Melbourne will excuse the Queen's being a little eager about +this, but it has happened once before that she learnt from other +people what had been decided on.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has such unlimited confidence in Lord Melbourne +that she knows all that he does is right, but she cannot help +being a little vexed at not being told things, when she is accustomed +to great confidence on Lord Melbourne's part.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.185" id="pagei.185"></a>[page 185]</span> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne may rely on the Queen's secrecy respecting +Howick; he knows the Queen always keeps things to herself; +Normanby hinted at his wish to get rid of Howick.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Speech is safely arrived, has been read over twice, and +shall not be forgotten to-morrow; the Queen wishes they would +not use such thin and slippery paper—for it is difficult to hold +with nervous, and, as Lord Melbourne knows, <i>shaking</i> hands. +The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne will be less tired in the +morning.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 56: <i>See</i> Introductory Note, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.141" style="font-weight: normal;">141.</a></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Ostende</span>, <i>21st September 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria,</span>—Your <i>delightful</i> little letter has just +arrived and went like <i>an arrow to my heart</i>. Yes, my beloved +Victoria! I <i>do love you tenderly</i>, and with all the power of +affection which is often found in characters who do not make +much outward show of it. I love you <i>for yourself</i>, and I love +in you the dear child whose welfare I carefully watched. My +great wish is always that you should <i>know</i> that I am <i>desirous</i> +of <i>being useful</i> to you, without <i>hoping for any other return</i> than +some little affection from your warm and kind heart. I am +even so far pleased that my eternal political affairs are settled, +as it takes away the <i>last possibility</i> of imagining that I may +want something or other. I have all the honours that can be +given, and I am, politically speaking, very solidly established, +more so than most Sovereigns in Europe. The only political +longing I still have is for the Orient, where I perhaps shall once +end my life, unlike the sun, rising in the West and setting in the +East. I never press my services on you, nor my councils, +though I may say with some truth that from the extraordinary +fate which the higher Powers had ordained for me, my experience, +both political and of private life, is great. I am <i>always +ready</i> to be useful to you <i>when and where</i> it may be, and I +repeat it, <i>all I want in return is some little sincere affection from +you</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">And now I conclude for to-day, not without expressing again +my satisfaction and pleasure at having seen you yesterday +morning with your dear honest face, looking so dear in your +morning attire. Our time was spent very satisfactorily, and +only the weather crossed our wishes, and to that one can submit +when everything else is delightful. Once more, God bless +you! Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold</span> R.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.186" id="pagei.186"></a>[page 186]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VISIT OF PRINCE ALBERT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>25th September 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle,</span>—You will, I think, laugh when you get +this letter, and will think I only mean to employ you in <i>stopping</i> +my relations at Brussels, but I think you will approve of my +wish. In the first place I don't think one can <i>reckon</i> on the +Cousins arriving here on the 30th. Well, all I want is that <i>you</i> +should detain them one or two days longer, in order that they +may arrive here on <i>Thursday, the 3rd</i>, if possible <i>early</i>. My +reason for this is as follows: a number of the Ministers are +coming down here on Monday to stay till Thursday, on affairs +of great importance, and as you know that people are always +on the alert to make remarks, I think if <i>all</i> the Ministers were to +be down here when they arrive, people would say—it was to +<i>settle matters</i>. At all events it is better to avoid this. I think +indeed a day or two at Brussels will do these young gentlemen +good, and they can be properly fitted out there for their visit. +Ever yours devotedly,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>1st October 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle,</span>—I received your kind letter on Sunday, +for which many thanks. The <i>retard</i> of these young people puts +me rather out, but of course cannot be helped. I had a letter +from Albert yesterday saying they could not set off, he thought, +before the 6th. I think they don't exhibit much <i>empressement</i> +to come here, which rather shocks me.</p> + +<p class="ind">I got a very nice letter from dear Alexander yesterday from +Reinhardtsbrun;<sup>57</sup> he says Albert is very much improved, but +not taller than Augustus. His description of him is as follows:—"Albert, +I found, had become stronger and more handsome; +still he has not grown much taller; he is of about the same size +as Augustus; he is a most pleasant, intelligent young man. I +find, too, that he has become more lively than he was, and that +sits well on him, too." (<i>Translation</i>.) I think you may like to +hear this, as I know Alexander is a very correct observer of +persons, and his opinion may be relied upon. He adds that +Albert plagues Leopold beyond measure.</p> + +<p class="ind">I shall take care and send a gentleman and carriages to meet +my cousins, either at Woolwich or the Tower, at whichever +place you inform me they land at. The sooner they come the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.187" id="pagei.187"></a>[page 187]</span> +better. I have got the house <i>full</i> of Ministers. On Monday +the Queen Dowager is coming to sleep here for two nights; it +is the <i>first time</i>, and will be a severe trial. Ever your devoted +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 57: A picturesque castle, about eight miles from Gotha.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A CHARM AGAINST EVIL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>7th October 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen sends the little <i>charm</i> which she hopes may keep +Lord Melbourne from <i>all evil</i>, and which it will make her very +happy if he will put [? it with] his keys. If the ring is too small +Lord Melbourne must send it back to her, and she will have it +altered.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has made up her mind at length to ask Lady +Clanricarde, as Lord Melbourne wishes it so much. Shall +Surrey invite her, or Lord Palmerston? and from Thursday to +Friday?</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>8th October 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle,</span>—I have to thank you for three kind letters +of the 1st, 4th, and 5th, the last which I received yesterday. +I received another letter from Alex. M. yesterday, <i>since Ernest's +arrival</i>, and he says that they have determined on setting off, +so as to embark at Antwerp on the 9th and be here after all on +the 10th! I suppose you will have also heard. I shall therefore +(unless I hear from you to the contrary) send one of my +equerries and two carriages to the Tower on <i>Thursday</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am sorry to hear of the serious disturbances at Ghent; I +trust it is all got under now. If you should hear anything +more of Roi Guillaume's<sup>58</sup> marriage, pray let me hear it, as it +is such an odd story. Old Alava, who was here for two nights +last week, told me he knew <i>Pauline d'Oultremont</i> many years +ago, when she was young and very gay and pretty, but that he +wonders much at this marriage, as the King hates Catholics. +Alava is <i>rayonnant de bonheur</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I told Lord Melbourne of your alarms respecting the financial +crisis, which <i>we</i> did not bring on—those wild American speculations +are the cause of it—and he desires me to assure you that +we will pursue as moderate and cautious a course as possible.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.188" id="pagei.188"></a>[page 188]</span> + +<p class="ind">The Queen Dowager came here yesterday and stays till +to-morrow; she is very cheerful and in good spirits....</p> + +<p class="ind">I must conclude in haste. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Many thanks for the two supplies of ortolans, which were +delicious.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 58: William I., King of the Netherlands, was greatly attached to the Roman Catholic +Countess d'Oultremont, and in October 1840, being sixty-seven, abdicated his Crown to +marry her. He was father of the Prince of Orange, who succeeded him. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALBERT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>12th October 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle,</span>—... The dear cousins arrived at half-past +seven on Thursday, after a very bad and almost dangerous +passage, but looking both very well, and much improved. +Having no clothes, they could not appear at dinner, but nevertheless +<i>débutéd</i> after dinner in their <i>négligé</i>. Ernest is grown +quite handsome; Albert's <i>beauty</i> is <i>most striking</i>, and he so +amiable and unaffected—in short, very <i>fascinating</i>; he is +excessively admired here. The Granvilles and Lord Clanricarde<sup>59</sup> +happened just to be here, but are gone again to-day. +We rode out yesterday and danced after dinner. The young +men are very amiable, delightful companions, and I am very +happy to have them here; they are playing some Symphonies +of Haydn <i>under</i> me at this very moment; they are passionately +fond of music.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the way of news I have got nothing to tell you to-day. +Everything is quiet here, and we have no particular news from +abroad. In Spain the Fueros<sup>60</sup> seem to give sad difficulty to +the Cortes.</p> + +<p class="ind">Ever, my dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 59: Ulick John, first Marquis of Clanricarde (1802-1874), Ambassador at St Petersburg, +afterwards Lord Privy Seal.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 60: Certain rights and privileges of the Basques.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A MOMENTOUS DECISION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>15th October 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—This letter will, I am sure, give you +pleasure, for you have always shown and taken so warm an +interest in all that concerns me. My mind is quite made up—and +I told Albert this morning of it; the warm affection he +showed me on learning this gave me <i>great</i> pleasure. He seems +<i>perfection</i>, and I think that I have the prospect of very great +happiness before me. I <i>love</i> him <i>more</i> than I can say, and I +shall do everything in my power to render the sacrifice he has +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.189" id="pagei.189"></a>[page 189]</span> +made (for a <i>sacrifice</i> in my opinion it is) as small as I can. He +seems to have a very great tact—a very necessary thing in his +position. These last few days have passed like a dream to me, +and I am so much bewildered by it all that I know hardly how +to write; but I <i>do</i> feel <i>very</i>, <i>very</i> happy.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is absolutely necessary that this determination of mine +should be known to <i>no one</i> but yourself, and Uncle Ernest—till +the meeting of Parliament—as it would be considered otherwise +neglectful on my part not to have assembled Parliament +at once to have informed them of it.... Lord Melbourne, whom +I of course have consulted about the whole affair, quite +approves my choice, and expresses great satisfaction at the +event, which he thinks in every way highly desirable. Lord +Melbourne has acted in this business, as he has always done +towards me, with the greatest kindness and affection.</p> + +<p class="ind">We also think it better, and Albert quite approves of it, +that we should be married very soon after Parliament meets, +about the beginning of February; and indeed, loving Albert +as I do, I cannot wish it should be delayed. My feelings are a +<i>little</i> changed, I must say, since last Spring, when I said I +couldn't <i>think</i> of marrying for <i>three or four years</i>; but seeing +Albert has changed all this.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dearest Uncle, forward these two letters to Uncle Ernest +(to whom I beg you will enjoin <i>strict</i> secrecy, and explain these +details, which I have not time to do) and to faithful Stockmar.</p> + +<p class="ind">I think you might tell Louise of it, but none of her family. +I should wish to keep the dear young gentlemen here till the +end of next month. Ernest's sincere pleasure gave me great +delight. He does so adore dearest Albert. Ever, dearest +Uncle, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>16th October 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will be ready to wait upon your Majesty at +a little before one.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne reads with great satisfaction your Majesty's +expression of feeling, as your Majesty's happiness must ever +be one of Lord Melbourne's first objects and strongest interests.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + + +<span class="rightnote">KING LEOPOLD'S SATISFACTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wiesbaden</span>, <i>24th October 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria,</span>—Nothing could have given me +greater pleasure than your dear letter. I had, when I saw your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.190" id="pagei.190"></a>[page 190]</span> +decision, almost the feeling of old Zacharias<sup>61</sup>—"Now lettest +Thou Thy servant depart in peace"! Your choice had been +for these last years my conviction of what might and would be +<i>best</i> for your happiness; and just because I was convinced of +it, and knowing how <i>strangely</i> fate often <i>deranges</i> what one tries +to bring about as being the best plan one could fix upon, <i>the +maximum of a good arrangement</i>, I feared that it would <i>not</i> +happen. In your position, which may and will, perhaps, +become in future even more difficult in a political point of +view, <i>you could not exist</i> without having a <i>happy</i> and an +<i>agreeable +intérieur</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">And I am much deceived—which I think I am not—or you +will find in Albert just the very qualities and dispositions which +are indispensable for your happiness, and <i>which will suit your +own character, temper, and mode of life</i>. You say most amiably +that you consider it a sacrifice on the part of Albert. This is +true in many points, because his position will be a difficult one; +but much, I may say <i>all</i>, will depend on your affection for him. +If <i>you love him, and are kind to him</i>, he will easily bear the +burthen of the position; and there is a steadiness and at the +same time cheerfulness in his character which will facilitate this. +I think your plans excellent. If Parliament had been called +at an unusual time it would make them uncomfortable, and if, +therefore, they receive the communication at the opening of +the Session, it will be best. The marriage, as you say, might +then follow as closely as possible.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has shown himself the <i>amiable</i> and <i>excellent</i> +man I always took him for. Another man in his position, +instead of <i>your</i> happiness, might have merely looked to his own +personal views and imaginary interests. Not so our good friend; +he saw what was best <i>for you</i>, and I feel it deeply to his praise.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your keeping the cousins next month with you strikes me +as a very good plan. It will even show that you had sufficient +opportunity of judging of Albert's character....</p> +<span class="rightnote">AUSTRIA AND THE PORTE</span> +<p class="ind">On the 22nd, Prince Metternich came to see me. He was +very kind, and talked most confidentially about political affairs, +particularly the Oriental concerns.<sup>62</sup> M. de Brunnow had been +with him. The short of his views is this: he wishes that the +Powers could be <i>unanimous</i>, as he sees in this the best chance +of avoiding measures of violence against the Pasha of Egypt, +which he considers <i>dangerous</i>, either as <i>not</i> sufficiently +effective, +or of a nature to bring on complications most earnestly to be +avoided, such as making use of Russian troops. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.191" id="pagei.191"></a>[page 191]</span> +Austria naturally would like to bring about the best possible +arrangement for the Porte, but it will adhere to any arrangement +or proposition which can be agreed upon by England and +France. He is, however, positive that Candia must be given +back to the Porte, its position being too threatening, and therefore +constantly alarming the Porte. He made me write the +import of our conversation to King Louis Philippe, which I +did send after him to Frankfort, where he was to forward it to +Paris. Perhaps you will have the goodness to communicate +this political scrap to good Lord Melbourne with my best +regards. He spoke in praise of Lord Beauvale.<sup>63</sup> The Prince +is better, but grown very old and looking tired. It gave me +great pleasure to see him again.</p> + +<p class="ind">I drink the waters now four days, and can therefore not yet +judge of their good or bad effects. My palpitations are rather +increased here; if my stupid heart will get diseased I shall soon +be departing for some other world. I would it could be soon +then.</p> + +<p class="ind">Till further orders I shall say nothing to your Mother, +Charles, or Feodore.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now I will conclude with my best blessings, and remain, my +dearest and most beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 61: An obvious slip for Simeon.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 62: <i>See</i> Introductory Notes for <a href="#pagei.141" style="font-weight: normal;">1839</a> and <a href="#pagei.209" style="font-weight: normal;">1840.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 63: Frederick Lamb, younger brother of Lord Melbourne, Ambassador Extraordinary +at Vienna, who had recently been made a Peer. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S HAPPINESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>29th October 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—Your most kind and most welcome +letter of the 24th arrived yesterday, and gave me very, very +great pleasure. I was sure you would be satisfied and pleased +with our proceedings.</p> + +<p class="ind">Before I proceed further, I wish just to mention one or two +alterations in the plan of announcing the event.</p> + +<p class="ind">As Parliament has <i>nothing</i> whatever to say respecting the +marriage, can neither approve nor disapprove it (I mean in +a manner which might <i>affect</i> it), it is now proposed that, as +soon as the cousins are gone (which they now intend to do on +the 12th or 14th of November, as time presses), I should +assemble all the Privy Councillors and announce to them my +intention....</p> + +<p class="ind">Oh! dear Uncle, I <i>do</i> feel so happy! I do so adore Albert! +he is quite an angel, and so very, very kind to me, and seems +so fond of me, which touches me much. I trust and hope I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.192" id="pagei.192"></a>[page 192]</span> +shall be able to make him as happy as he <i>ought</i> to be! I cannot +bear to part from him, for we spend such happy, delightful +hours together.</p> + +<p class="ind">Poor Ernest has been suffering since Wednesday last with +the jaundice, which is very distressing and troublesome, +though not alarming.... I love him dearly too, and look +upon him quite as a brother.</p> + +<p class="ind">What you say about Lord Melbourne has given me great +pleasure; it is very just and very true. There are not many +<i>such</i> honest kind friends to be found in this world. He desires +me to say that he is deeply sensible of your good opinion, and +that he can have no other object than that which he considers +best to secure my happiness, which is closely connected with +the well-being of the country.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am glad you saw Prince Metternich, and that you were +satisfied with the interview.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope and trust you may derive much benefit from your +stay at Wiesbaden. Pray name me to good Stockmar, and +believe me, always, your most devoted Niece and Child,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CONGRATULATIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>9th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My most beloved Victoria,</span>—Your Uncle has already told +you, I trust, with what feelings of deep affection and gratitude +I received the so <i>interesting</i> and <i>important</i> communication +which you permitted him to make to me; but I was longing +for an opportunity to speak to you myself of the great subject +which fills now our hearts, and to tell you how very grateful +I have been, I am, and will ever be, for the confidence and +trust which you so kindly placed in me. All I can say is that +you did full justice to my feelings, for <i>nothing</i> could interest +<i>more</i> my heart than <i>your</i> marriage, my most dearly loved +Victoria, and I could not have heard even of that of Clémentine +with <i>more</i> anxious affection and sisterly love. I cannot +really tell you <i>with words</i> how deeply and strongly I was moved +and affected by the great news itself, and by your dear, unaffected, +confiding, happy letter. When I received it I could +do nothing but cry, and say internally, "May God bless her +now and ever!" Ah! may God bless you, my most beloved +Victoria! may He shower on you His best blessings, fulfil <i>all</i> +your heart's wishes and hopes, and let you enjoy for <i>many, +many years</i> the happiness which the dearest ties of affection +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.193" id="pagei.193"></a>[page 193]</span> +<i>alone</i> can give, and which is the only <i>real</i> one, the only worthy +of the name in this uncertain and transitory world!</p> + +<p class="ind">I have seen much of dear Albert two years ago, I have +watched him, as you may well think, with particular care, +attention, and interest, and although he was very young then, +I am well convinced that he is not only fit for the situation +which he is now called to fulfil, but, what is still more important +in my eyes, that he has <i>all those qualities</i> of the heart +and the mind which can give and ensure happiness. I think +even that his disposition is particularly well calculated to suit +yours, and I am fully confident that you will be both happy +together. What you tell me of your fear of not being worthy of +him, and able to make him sufficiently happy, is for me but a +proof more of it. Deep affection makes us always diffident +and <i>very humble</i>. Those that we love stand so high in our +own esteem, and are in our opinion so much above us and all +others that we naturally feel unworthy of them and unequal +to the task of making them happy: but there is, I think, a +mingled charm in this feeling, for although we regret not to be +what we should wish to be for them, feeling and acknowledging +the superiority of those we love and must always love and +respect, is a great satisfaction, and an increasing and everlasting +one. You will feel it, I am sure, as well as I do....</p> + +<p class="ind">You will excuse my blots and hurried scribbling when I will +tell you that in order to profit of the private messenger which +goes to-morrow morning I write to you at ten in the evening, +a thing quite unusual for me, and even rather forbidden: but +after having been deprived of expending my heart for so many +days, I could not <i>not</i> avail myself of the present opportunity. +When I write to you by the ordinary messenger I will continue +to be <i>silent</i>; but I trust you will permit me to say some time +a word, when a safe opportunity presents itself, for my heart +is with you more than I can tell. I would that I could see you, +when it could be, for an hour. I remain, my most beloved +Victoria, ever and ever your most affectionate</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Louise.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Duke of Sussex.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ANNOUNCEMENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>11th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle,</span>—The affection which you have shown me +makes me feel certain that you will take interest in an event +which so nearly concerns the future happiness of my life; I +cannot, therefore, delay any longer to inform you of my intended +marriage with my Cousin Albert, the merits of whose +character are so well known by all who are acquainted with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.194" id="pagei.194"></a>[page 194]</span> +him, that I need say no more than that I feel as assured of +my own happiness as I can be of anything in this world.</p> + +<p class="ind">As it is not to be publicly known, I beg you not to mention +it except to our own Family.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope you are well and enjoying yourself. Believe me, +always, your affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span><sup>64</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 64: Similar letters with slight variations were written to the Duke of Cambridge, the +Princess Augusta, the Princess Sophia, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Princess Sophia +Matilda, the King of Hanover, and the Princess Elizabeth (Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg). +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Queen Adelaide.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>14th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Aunt,</span>—Your constant kindness and the affection +you have ever shown me make me certain that you will take +much interest in an event which so nearly concerns the future +happiness of my life; I cannot, therefore, any longer delay to +inform you of my intended marriage with my Cousin Albert. +The merits of his character are so well known to all who are +acquainted with him, that I need say no more than that I feel +as assured of my own happiness as I can be of anything here +below, and only hope that I may be able to make him as happy +as he deserves to be. It was both my duty and my inclination +to tell you of this as soon as it was determined upon; but, as +it is not to be yet publicly announced I beg you not to mention +it except to our own Family. I thank you much for your kind +letter, and rejoice to hear you have enjoyed yourself so much. +Believe me, always, your very affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>18th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen just writes two lines to send Lord Melbourne the +accompanying civil letter from the Queen Dowager, and to +give him an account of the visit of the Cambridges. They were +all very kind and civil, George grown but not embellished, and +much less reserved with the Queen, and evidently happy to +be <i>clear</i> of me. He gave a very indifferent account of the +King of Greece, but a favourable one of the Queen.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Duchess said she had expected the Queen would marry +Albert, and was not surprised at the event. They were very +discreet and asked no questions, but described the Duchess +of Gloucester to be <i>suffering</i> much from the necessity of keeping +the secret.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.195" id="pagei.195"></a>[page 195]</span> + +<p class="ind">The weather cleared up, and the Queen has just returned +from a walk. She hopes Lord Melbourne got safe to London +in spite of the wet and the water on the road; and she hopes +he will take great care of himself. She would be thankful if +he would let her know to-morrow if he will dine with her also +on Thursday or not.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>19th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle,</span>—Many thanks for your kind letter of +the 5th, received last week. I am in a great hurry, and therefore +have only time to write to you a line to tell you, first, that +on the 15th I wrote to all the Royal Family announcing the +event to them, and that they answered all very kindly and +civilly; the Duchess of Cambridge and Augusta, with the +Duke and George, came over on purpose to congratulate me +yesterday; secondly, that the marriage is to be <i>publicly +announced</i> in an Open Council on the 23rd, at Buckingham +Palace, where I am going to-morrow. I return here <i>after</i> the +Council on the 23rd. I am so happy to think I need not then +conceal my feelings any longer. I have also written to the +King of Hanover and the Landgravine,<sup>65</sup> and to all our relations +abroad. I hope, dear Uncle, you will not have <i>ill-treated</i> +my dearest Albert! I am very anxious to hear from +him from Wiesbaden. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 65: Princess Elizabeth (1770-1840), daughter of George III. and widow of the Landgrave +Frederick Joseph Louis of Hesse-Homburg. +</p> + +<span class="rightnote" style="margin-top: 2em;">LETTERS TO PRINCE ALBERT</span> + +<p style="margin-top: 3em;">[The following extracts of letters from the Queen to Prince +Albert were written partly in English and partly in +German. The English portions are printed in italics, the +German, translated, in ordinary type. These letters are +all written in terms of profound affection, which deepened +very shortly into complete and absolute devotion to the +Prince.]</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>21st November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... It is desired here that the matter should be declared +at Coburg as soon as possible, and immediately after that I +shall send you the Order.<sup>66</sup></p> + +<p class="ind"><i>Your rank will be settled just before you come over, as also your</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.196" id="pagei.196"></a>[page 196]</span> +<i>rank in the Army</i>. Everything will be very easily arranged. +Lord Melbourne showed me yesterday the <i>Declaration</i>, which is +very simple and nice. I will send it you as soon as possible....</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>Lord Melbourne told me yesterday, that the whole Cabinet are +strongly of opinion that you should <b>not</b> be made a Peer</i>. I will +write that to Uncle....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 66: The Garter.</p> + + + +<span class="rightnote">THE RELIGIOUS QUESTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>22nd November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne has just been with me, and greatly +wishes the Declaration to be made at Coburg as soon as possible. +<i>He also desired me to ask you to see if you can</i> ... <i>a +short History of the House of Saxe-Coburg, who our direct ancestors +were, and what part they took in the Protestant, or rather +Lutheran, religion; he wishes to hear this in order to make +people here know exactly who your ancestors are, for a few stupid +people</i> here <i>try</i> to say you are a <i>Catholic, but nobody will believe +it</i>. Send (it) as soon as possible; perhaps good Mr. Schenk +would write it out in English....</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>As there is nothing to be settled for me, we require no treaty of +marriage; but if you should require anything to be settled, the +best will be to send it here. Respecting the succession, in case +Ernest should die without children, it would not do to stipulate +now, but your second son, if you had one, should reside at Coburg. +That can easily be arranged if the thing should happen hereafter, +and the English would not like it to be arranged now</i>....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DECLARATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>23rd November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Just arrived here, 5.30. Everything has gone off +very well. The Council<sup>67</sup> was held at two o'clock; more than +a hundred persons were present, and <i>there</i> I had to read the +Declaration. <i>It was rather an awful moment, to be obliged to announce +this to so many people, many of whom were quite strangers, +but they told me I did it very well, and I felt so happy to do it</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Good Lord Melbourne was deeply moved about it, and +Uxbridge likewise; it lasted only two or three minutes. +<i>Everybody, they tell me, is very much pleased, and I wish you +could have seen the crowds of people who cheered me loudly as I +left the Palace for Windsor</i>. I am so happy to-day! oh, if +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.197" id="pagei.197"></a>[page 197]</span> +only <i>you</i> could be here! I wish that you were able to participate +in all the kindness which is shown to me. To-day I +can only send you the Declaration.<sup>68</sup> <i>The description of the +whole</i> I will send after this....</p> + +<p class="ind">Send me as soon as possible the report of the announcement +at Coburg. I wear your dear picture mornings and evenings, +and wore it also at the meeting of the <i>Conseil</i>.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 67: A Special Meeting of the Privy Council was held on the 23rd November, to receive +the Queen's intimation of her engagement. The Queen wrote in her Journal:—</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">"I went in; the room was full, but I hardly knew who was there. Lord M. I saw, +looking at me with tears in his eyes, but he was not near me. I then read my short +Declaration. I felt my hands shook, but I did not make one mistake. I felt more +happy and thankful when it was over."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 68: J. W. Croker wrote to Lady Hardwicke:—</p> + +<p class="indrightnote" style="margin-top: -1.5em;">"<i>24th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -1em;">"... She then unfolded a paper and read her Declaration, which you will, before this +can reach you, have seen in the newspapers. I cannot describe to you with what a +mixture of self-possession and feminine delicacy she read the paper. Her voice, which is +naturally beautiful, was clear and untroubled; and her eye was bright and calm, neither +bold nor downcast, but firm and soft. There was a blush on her cheek which made her +look both handsomer and more interesting; and certainly she <i>did</i> look as interesting and +as handsome as any young lady I ever saw.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">"I happened to stand behind the Duke of Wellington's chair, and caught her eye +twice as she directed it towards him, which I fancy she did with a good-natured interest.... +The crowd, which was not great but very decent, I might almost say respectable, +expressed their approbation of the Duke of Wellington and Sir R. Peel, and their disapprobation +of the Ministers very loudly. Lord John and Lord Normanby, they tell me, +were positively hooted.... Lord Melbourne ... seemed to me to look <i>careworn</i>, and +on the whole the meeting had a sombre air."—<i>Croker Papers</i>, ii. 359. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PEERAGE QUESTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wiesbaden</span>, <i>22nd November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria,</span>—I was delighted with your dear +little letter. You write these kind of letters with a very great +facility, and they are generally so natural and clever, that it +makes one very happy to receive them. I had written less of +late, because I thought you occupied more agreeably than +to read my letters. I have on purpose kept back a courier, +to be able to send you the latest news from here of M. Albert. +The young people arrived here only on the 20th, in the morning, +having very kindly stopped at Bonn. I find them looking +well, particularly Albert; it proves that happiness is an +excellent remedy, and keeps people in better health than any +other. He is much attached to you, and moved when he speaks +of you. He is, besides, in great spirits and gaiety, and full of +fun; he is a very amiable companion.</p> + +<p class="ind">Concerning the peerage, that is a matter to be considered at +any time; the only reason why I do wish it is, that Albert's +foreignership should disappear as much as possible. I have, +in different circumstances to be sure, suffered greatly from my +having declined conditionally the peerage when it was offered +me in 1816.<sup>69</sup> Your Uncle<sup>70</sup> writes to you in German: as far +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.198" id="pagei.198"></a>[page 198]</span> +as I understood him, he speaks of the necessity of a marriage +treaty; that is a matter of course. There is, however, something +additional to be regulated concerning the possible succession +in the Coburg-Gotha dominions, there being betwixt +it and Albert but good Ernest. Some regulation becomes +therefore necessary, at least reasonable. The Duke wishes +also to know if the treaty is to be made in England or in +Germany. Should the last of the two be fixed upon, he thinks +that one of your Ministers abroad would be the proper person +for it. Ever, my dear Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 69: The Dukedom of Kendal was offered to, and, after consideration, declined by, Prince +Leopold.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 70: The Duke of Saxe-Coburg (Ernest I.).</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>26th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle,</span>—I thank you for your kind letter which +I received the day before yesterday; but I fear you must have +been very dull at Wiesbaden....</p> + +<p class="ind">Everything went off uncommonly well on the 23rd, but it +was rather formidable;<sup>71</sup> eighty-two Privy Councillors present; +everybody very much pleased—and I was loudly greeted on +leaving the Palace <i>after</i> the Council.</p> + +<p class="ind">The <i>whole Cabinet</i> agree with me in being <i>strongly</i> of opinion +that Albert should <i>not</i> be a Peer; indeed, I see everything +against it and <i>nothing</i> for it; the English are very jealous at +the idea of Albert's having any political power, or meddling +with affairs here—which I know from himself he will <i>not</i> do.</p> + +<p class="ind">As Wiesbaden is half-way (or thereabouts) to Coburg, I take +the liberty of enclosing a large letter to Albert, which I beg you +to send on to him.</p> + +<p class="ind">We are quite flooded here, and the road to Datchet is quite +impassable. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 71: Greville mentions that the Queen's hands trembled so, that she could hardly read +the Declaration which she was holding. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BRITISH SUSCEPTIBILITIES</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>27th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your +Majesty....</p> + +<p class="ind">A little civility would be well bestowed upon Lord and Lady +Tankerville, and might not be without its effect, but if your +Majesty does not like it, it cannot be helped.</p> + +<p class="ind">The others also shall, if possible, be kept in good humour.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.199" id="pagei.199"></a>[page 199]</span> + +<p class="ind">The misrepresentation, respecting Prince Alexander<sup>72</sup> your +Majesty will see corrected in the <i>Morning Chronicle</i> of that +morning, but of course your Majesty will not expect that this +contradiction will put an end to bitter and offensive remarks. +It will now be said that, knowing the true religion, he has +given over his children to the false, and that he has sacrificed +their eternal welfare to his own worldly objects.<sup>73</sup> There is +nothing which cannot be turned in an hostile and malignant +manner by malignant and perverted ingenuity.</p> + +<p class="ind">Can your Majesty inform Lord Melbourne what is the +arrangement respecting King Leopold's children? They are, +Lord Melbourne presumes, to be brought up Roman Catholics.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes to hear that your Majesty +is better and more free from pain. He is himself very well.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 72: Prince Alexander of Würtemberg.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 73: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.150" style="font-weight: normal;">150.</a></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>27th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>The English are very jealous of any foreigner interfering in +the government of this country, and have already in some of the +papers (which are friendly to me and you) expressed a hope that +you would not interfere</i>. <i>Now, though I know you never would, +still, if you were a Peer, they would all say, the Prince meant to +play a political part</i>. I am certain you will understand this, +but it is much better not to say anything more about it now, +and to let the whole matter rest. The Tories make a great disturbance +(saying) that you are <i>a Papist</i>, because the words +"<i>a Protestant Prince</i>" have not been put into the Declaration—a +thing which would be quite unnecessary, seeing that I +<i>cannot</i> marry a <i>Papist</i>....</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>29th November 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I had a talk with Lord Melbourne last night. He thinks +your view about the Peerage question quite correct. Uncle +seems to me, after all, much more reasonable about it. We had +a good talk this morning about your arrangements for our +marriage, and also about your official attendants, and he<sup>74</sup> has +told me that young Mr. Anson (his Private Secretary), who is +with him, greatly wishes to be with you. I am very much in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.200" id="pagei.200"></a>[page 200]</span> +favour of it, because he is an excellent young man, and very +modest, very honest, very steady, very well-informed, and +will be of <i>much use</i> to you. He is not a member of the House of +Commons, which is also convenient; so long as Lord Melbourne +is in office he remains his Secretary—but William +Cowper<sup>75</sup> was also for some time Secretary to his Uncle, and at +the same time my Groom-in-Waiting. Lord Melbourne feared +it was not advisable for you to have Mr. Anson, and also his +uncle, but I told him that did not matter if the people are fit +for the posts....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 74: Lord Melbourne.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 75: Afterwards William Cowper-Temple and Lord Mount Temple, author of the well-known +amendment to the Education Act of 1870. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Maria II. of Portugal to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN OF PORTUGAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Lisbonne</span>, <i>1 Décembre 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Ma bien chère Victoire,</span>—Hier ayant reçu la communication +de votre mariage avec Albert, je ne veux pas tarder un +seul instant à vous en féliciter sur votre heureux choix, et en +même temps vous prier de croire aux vœux sincères que je +forme pour votre bonheur avec votre excellent cœur il n'est +pas possible le contraire. Permettez que je vous dise que +votre choix ne m'a pas dû étonner, car sachant combien +Albert est bon, vous ne pouviez pas choisir un autre dont vous +fussiez aussi sûre qu'il puisse vous rendre aussi heureuse comme +vous le méritez, chère Victoire. Pour que tous mes souhaits +soient exaucés je vous désire un bonheur aussi complet que l'est +le mien. Qu'Albert soit comme Ferdinand et vous serez parfaitement +heureuse. Adieu! ma chère Victoire. Je vous +prie de me croire, votre dévouée Cousine,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Marie.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Ferdinand vous fait dire mille choses.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE'S HOUSEHOLD</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>8th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">As to your wish about your gentlemen, my dear Albert, I +must tell you quite honestly that it will not do. You may +entirely rely upon me that the people who will be about you +will be absolutely pleasant people, of high standing and good +character. <i>These gentlemen will not be in continual attendance on +you; only on great occasions, and to accompany you when you +go anywhere, and to dinners, etc. Seymour is your confidential</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.201" id="pagei.201"></a>[page 201]</span> +<i>attendant, and also Schenk and Anson,<sup>76</sup> whom Lehzen has written +to you about</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>Old Sir George Anson has been told of your gracious wish to +have him as Groom of the Bedchamber and is delighted</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>I</i> can only have <i>Lords</i>, and they will not be <i>Peers</i>, but +<i>Lords</i>, +the eldest sons of Dukes or Marquesses, or Earls (Counts), and +who as far as possible are not in Parliament, for then they +need not change, <i>but your people are appointed by you and not +by me (nominally), and therefore, unless they were to vote against +my Government (which would be awkward), they need not change. +You may rely upon my care that you shall have proper people, +and not idle and not too young, and Lord Melbourne has already +mentioned several to me who would be very suitable</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">I have received to-day an ungracious letter from Uncle +Leopold. He appears to me to be nettled because I no longer +ask for his advice, but dear Uncle is given to believe that he +must rule the roast everywhere. However, that is not a +necessity. As he has written to Melbourne, Melbourne will +reply to him on every point, and will also tell him that Stockmar +ought to come here as soon as possible to arrange everything +about the treaty. That will be a very good thing, +because Stockmar understands all English things so well.</p> + +<p class="ind">The <i>Second</i>, as you always called Palmerston, is to be married +within the next few days to Lady Cowper, the sister of my +Premier (<i>Primus</i>); I have known this for a long time, but +Melbourne asked me not to tell it to any one. They are, both +of them, above fifty, and I think that they are quite right so +to act, because Palmerston, since the death of his sisters, is +quite alone in the world, and <i>Lady C</i>. is a very clever woman, +and <i>much</i> attached to him; still, I feel sure it will make you +smile.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 76: Mr George Anson had been Private Secretary to Lord Melbourne; it was on Lord +Melbourne's recommendation that the Queen appointed him Private Secretary to Prince +Albert. The Prince was inclined to resent the selection, and to think that in the case of +so confidential an official he should have been allowed to make his own nomination. But +they became firm friends, and the Prince found Mr Anson's capacity, common sense, and +entire disinterestedness of the greatest value to him. Later he became keeper of the +Prince's Privy Purse, and died in 1849. +</p> + + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 3em;">(<i>Continued on the 9th</i>).—To-day I have had a <i>Conseil</i>, and +then I knighted the Mayor of Newport<sup>77</sup> (who distinguished +himself so much in that <i>riot of the Chartists</i><sup>78</sup>); he is a very +timid, modest man, and was very happy when I told him orally +how exceedingly satisfied I am with his conduct.... The +officers have been rewarded too.... I am plaguing you +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.202" id="pagei.202"></a>[page 202]</span> +already with tiresome politics, but you will in that find a proof +of my [confidence] love,<sup>79</sup> because I must share with you everything +that rejoices me, everything that vexes or grieves me, and +I am certain you will take your part in it....</p> + +<p class="ind">To-day I saw Lord William Russell—you know him, don't +you? I forgot to tell you that you will have a <i>great Officer of +State</i> at the head of your Household, who is called the <i>Groom +of the Stole</i>; it is a position in the Court for prestige only, +without any business; he will be a <i>Peer</i>....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 77: Mr T. Phillips, the Mayor of Newport, Monmouthshire, had behaved with great +coolness and courage during the riot on 4th November. He read the Riot Act among +showers of bullets before ordering the troops to fire.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 78: Frost, Williams, and others, afterwards convicted at Monmouth.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 79: The Queen had begun the word "confidence" but struck it out and substituted +"love." +</p> + + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 3em;">(<i>Continued 10th December</i>).—I am very impatient at your +bust not having yet arrived; the Duchess of Sutherland wrote +to me she had seen it in Rome, and it was so beautiful!...</p> + +<p class="ind">Who has made the little copy which you sent me, and +who the original? Feodore writes to me so much about +you....</p> + +<p class="ind">We expect Queen Adelaide to-day, who will stay here until +the day after to-morrow. Melbourne has asked me to enquire +of you whether you know Lord Grosvenor? He is the eldest +son of the Marquis of Westminster, and does not belong to any +party; he is not in Parliament. He is very pleasant, speaks +German very well, and has been a good deal on the Continent. +If he accepts, he might be one of your <i>gentlemen</i>. <i>Lord Melbourne +is particularly desirous of doing everything that is most +agreeable to you</i>. I have a request to make, too, viz., that you +will appoint poor Clark your <i>physician</i>; you need not consult +him unless you wish it. It is only an honorary title, and +would make him very happy....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PROTESTANT QUESTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>9th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—... I was quite miserable at not hearing +from Albert for <i>ten</i> days; such a long silence is quite insupportable +for any one in my position towards Albert, and I was +overjoyed on receiving yesterday the <i>most</i> dear, <i>most</i> affectionate, +delightful long letter from him. He writes so beautifully, +and so simply and unaffectedly. I hope, dear Uncle, you +received my last letter (quite a packet) for Albert, on the 5th +or 6th? I send you another now. I fear I am very indiscreet +about these letters, but I have so much to tell him, and it will +only last two months, so that I trust you will forgive it, and +forward them.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.203" id="pagei.203"></a>[page 203]</span> + +<p class="ind">I mentioned the topics you spoke of to me in your letter to +our good friend Lord Melbourne, and as he is writing, I leave +it to him to explain to you, as he writes so much better than I +do. He will explain to you <i>why</i> the word Protestant was left +out in the Declaration, which I think was quite right; for do +what one will, nothing will please these Tories.... I shall +be delighted to see Stockmar here, for so many reasons, and the +quicker he comes the better....</p> + +<p class="ind">I have a favour to ask you, dear Uncle, which I hope you will +grant, unless it should be <i>indiscreet</i> in me. It is, if you have +still got Aunt Charlotte's bust at Claremont, if you would give +it to me to put in the Gallery here, where you would see it +<i>oftener</i> than you do at Claremont, and I am so anxious there +should be one of her <i>here</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have <i>vile</i> weather, cold and foggy; such fogs we have +here! I move to London for good on the 9th or 10th of +January. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>11th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"> ... I like Lady A—— very much too, only she is a little +<i>strict and particular</i>, and too severe towards others, which is +not right; for I think one ought always to be indulgent towards +other people, <i>as I always think, if we had not been well +brought up and well taken care of, we might also have gone astray</i>. +That is always my feeling. Yet it is always right to show that +one does not like to see what is obviously wrong; but it is +very dangerous to be <i>too</i> severe, and I am certain that as a rule +such people always greatly regret that in their youth they have +not been as careful as they ought to have been. I have explained +this so badly, and written it so badly, that I fear you +will hardly be able to make it out.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>15th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"> ... Again no letter from you!... Lord Melbourne left +here this morning, but comes back to-morrow evening, after +the wedding of his sister. I hope he will remain here, because +I am fond of him, and because he has a share in all my happiness, +and is the only man with whom I can speak without <i>gêne</i> +on everything, which I cannot do with my Court.</p> + +<p class="ind">"Islay"<sup>80</sup> is still plagued by him every evening—a thing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.204" id="pagei.204"></a>[page 204]</span> +which he much enjoys—and constantly begs for the spectacles. +I forgot to tell you that Karl has given me a pretty little +Rowley, who likewise lives in the house. The multitude of +dogs is really terrible!</p> + +<p class="ind">The ceremony of Declaration must have been very fine and +touching, and I am most happy that the good people of Coburg +are so pleased with our marriage....</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>Dec. 17th</i>.—I have spoken to Lord M. about your wish, and +he says—what is my own opinion too—<i>that your people ought +to be as much as possible out of Parliament when they have hardly +any politics, which is the best thing—as your Household must not +form a contrast to mine—and therefore you could not have violent +Tories amongst your people; but you may be quite certain that +both I and Lord Melbourne will take the greatest care to select +respectable and distinguished people, and people of good character</i>. +<i>Perhaps Lord Grosvenor may be your Groom of the +Stole, though he is no Peer; but his rank and family are so +high, that he would do very well; and, besides, not belonging +to any party, and being out of Parliament, is such a great +advantage</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The design of our Arms without <i>supporters</i> is unfortunately +not finished, but I send you a little drawing which I have made +of it myself. The report of Sir William Woods I beg you will +send back, but the Arms you can keep.</p> + +<p class="ind">I add a little pin as a small Christmas present. I hope you +will sometimes wear it.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 80: A pet dog of the Queen's.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PROTESTANT QUESTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>14th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I lived in the hope of receiving +some letters for you from Albert, but nothing is arrived to-day. +Your dear long letter gave me great pleasure. Before I answer +some parts of it, I will say a few words on Lord Melbourne's +letter. Perhaps you will be so good to tell him that it gratified +me much. It is the letter of an honest and an amiable statesman, +practical and straightforward. In the omission of the word +"Protestant" he was probably right, and it is equally probable +that they would have abused him—maybe even more if +he had put it in. There is only this to say, however: the +Ernestine branch of the Saxon family has been, there is no +doubt, the real cause of the establishment of Protestantism in +Germany, and consequently in great parts of Northern Europe. +This same line became a martyr to that cause, and was deprived +of almost all its possessions in consequence of it.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.205" id="pagei.205"></a>[page 205]</span> + +<p class="ind">Recently there have been two cases of Catholic marriages, but +the main branch has remained, and is, in fact, very sincerely +Protestant. Both Ernest and Albert are much attached to it, +and when deviations took place they were connected more +with new branches transplanted out of the parent soil than +with what more properly must be considered as the reigning +family.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Peerage question may remain as it is, but it will not be +denied that the great object must be to make Albert as English +as possible, and that nothing will render this more difficult +than a foreign name....</p> + +<p class="ind">I shall be most happy to see poor Charlotte's bust in the +Gallery at Windsor, and it is kind of you to have had the +thought. She was a high and noble-minded creature, and her +affection and kindness for me very great. She had placed the +most unbounded confidence in me; our principle had been +never to let a single day pass over any little subject of irritation. +The only subjects of that sort we had were about the family, +particularly the Regent, and then the old Queen Charlotte. +Now I must conclude with my best love. Ever, my dearest +Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A MISSING LETTER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>17th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—Many thanks for your two most kind +letters. I suppose I <i>may</i> send for Aunt Charlotte's bust, for +which I am most grateful—and say I have your authority to +do so? You are very kind to think about my stupid health; I +don't think I <i>ever</i>, at least not for <i>very</i> long, have <i>walked</i> +so +regularly as I have done this last month—out in fog, and +mist, and wind, and cold. But I cannot be otherwise than +agitated; getting <i>no</i> letter makes me ill, and <i>getting</i> them +excites me....</p> + +<p class="ind">I have much to write, and therefore cannot make this a long +letter, but <i>one</i> thing more I must mention. The very day of +the Declaration in Council, on the 23rd ult., I sent off a letter to +Albert, by Van de Weyer, saying it was to be forwarded <i>sans +délai</i> to Coburg; now, Albert <i>never</i> has received that letter, +which was a long one, and thanks me for two, of the 26th and +29th. This vexes me much, and I can't help thinking the letter +is lying either at Wiesbaden or Brussels. Would you graciously +enquire, for I should not like it to be lost.</p> + +<p class="ind">Forgive my writing such a letter so full of <i>myself</i>. Ever, +dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.206" id="pagei.206"></a>[page 206]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE'S SECRETARY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>The 22nd</i>.—I have but little time to write. The Duchess of +Sutherland is here, who admires you much, and is very +sympathetic....</p> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 2em;"><i>The 23rd</i>.—Your letter of the 15th just received. I will now +answer at once. <i>It is, as you rightly suppose, my greatest, my +most anxious wish to do everything most agreeable to you, but I +must differ with you respecting Mr Anson</i>.... <i>What I said about +Anson giving you advice, means, that if you like to ask him, he can +and will be of the greatest use to you, as he is a very well-informed +person. He will leave Lord Melbourne as soon as he is appointed +about you. With regard to your last objection, that it would make +you a party man if you took the Secretary of the Prime Minister +as your Treasurer, I do not agree in it; for, though I am very +anxious you should not appear to belong to a Party, still it is +necessary that your Household should not form a too strong +contrast to mine, else they will say, "Oh, we know the Prince says +he belongs to no party, but we are sure he is a Tory!" Therefore +it is also necessary that it should appear that you went with me in +having some of your people who are staunch Whigs; but Anson is +not in Parliament, and never was, and therefore he is not a violent +politician. Do not think because I urge this, Lord M. prefers +it; on the contrary, he never urged it, and I only do it as I know +it is for your own good</i>. You will pardon this long story. <i>It +will also not do to wait till you come to appoint all your people</i>. +<i>I am distressed to tell you what I fear you do not like</i>, but it is +necessary, my dearest, most excellent Albert. Once more +I tell you that you can perfectly rely on me in these matters....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE TORIES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>26th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"> ... The Historical Sketch has interested us greatly; Lord +Melbourne read it through immediately. I greatly thank you +also for the genealogical tree you sent me.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now, my dearest, to be about what is <i>not so pleasant or +amusing. I mean, now for business. I always think it safer +to write that in English, as I can explain myself better, and I hope +you can read my English, as I try to be very legible. I am much +grieved that you feel disappointed about my wish respecting your +gentlemen, but very glad that you consent to it, and that you feel +confidence in my choice. Respecting the Treasurer, my dearest</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.207" id="pagei.207"></a>[page 207]</span> +<i>Albert, I have already written at great length in my last letter, +so I will not say much more about it to-day, but I will just observe +that, tho' I fully understand (indeed no one could feel more for +you in the very trying position you will be placed in than I +do) your feelings, it is absolutely necessary that an Englishman +should be at the head of your affairs; therefore (tho' I will not +force Mr. Anson on you) I ask you if it is not better to take a man +in whom I have confidence, and whom I know well enough to trust +perfectly, than a man who is quite a stranger, and whom I know +nothing of?</i></p> + +<p class="ind">I am very glad that your father knows Lord Grosvenor. +As to the Tories, I am still in a rage;<sup>81</sup> they abuse and grumble +incessantly in the most incredible manner.</p> + +<p class="ind">I will tell good Lord Melbourne that you are very grateful. +That you will write to him is very nice of you, and makes me +glad. I shall always feel very happy if you, my dearest +Albert, will be very friendly to this good and just man; +and I am convinced that, when you will know him more +intimately, you will be as fond of him as I am. No one is +more abused by bad people than Lord M.—<i>and nobody is so +forgiving</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">I have just learned that my two uncles, the Dukes of Sussex +and Cambridge (<i>to whom Lord M. had written</i>) <i>very willingly +consent to let you take precedence of them; it was, of course, +necessary to ask them about it</i>....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 81: <i>Lit</i>. raging (<i>wuthend</i>). The phrase was a favourite one of King Leopold's, from +whom the Queen had adopted it. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>27th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—Just two words (though you don't +deserve <i>half a one</i>, as your silence is unpardonable) to say I +have just heard from Albert, who, I am glad to say, consents +to <i>my</i> choosing his people; so <i>one essential</i> point is gained, and +we have only the Treasurer to carry now. I am sure, as you +are so anxious Albert should be thoroughly English, you will +see how necessary it is that an Englishman should be at the +head of his financial affairs.</p> + +<p class="ind">I see that you wrote to Lord Melbourne that you were glad +to hear I took more walking exercise, but I must tell you that +ever since I have done so I sleep badly, and feel unwell! If +the weather would only allow me to ride I should be quite well. +Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria</span> R.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.208" id="pagei.208"></a>[page 208]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE AND LORD MELBOURNE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>30th December 1839</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I here enclose Lord Melbourne's letter. I have read it, +and <i>I think that nothing could be better; it is just what I told you, +and it is the honest and impartial advice of a very clever, very +honest, and very impartial man, whose</i> greatest wish is to secure +your and my happiness. Follow this advice and you may be +sure of success. Lord Melbourne told me that he had it written +on purpose in a clear hand, by one of his secretaries, as he +thought and feared you would not be able to read his own +hand, which I daresay would have been the case, as he writes a +very peculiar hand; he has therefore only signed it.</p> + +<p class="ind">I saw to-day the Duke of Cambridge, who has shown me +your letter, with which he is quite delighted—and, indeed, it is +a very nice one. The Duke told Lord Melbourne he had always +greatly desired our marriage, and never thought of George; +but that <i>I</i> do not believe.</p> + +<p class="ind">I must conclude, my dearest, beloved Albert. Be careful +as to your valuable health, and be assured that no one loves +you as much as your faithful <span class="sc">Victoria</span>.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.209" id="pagei.209"></a>[page 209]</span> + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER IX</h3> + + +<p>The marriage of the Queen and Prince Albert took place amid +great splendour and general rejoicings on the 10th of February; the +general satisfaction being unaffected by the tactless conduct of +Ministers who, by not acting in conjunction with the Opposition, +had been defeated on the question of the amount of the Prince's +annuity, the House of Commons reducing it from £50,000 to £30,000.</p> + +<p>At home, the Privilege Question aroused great interest, a point +which for months convulsed the Courts and Parliament being whether +a report, ordered by the House to be printed, of a Committee appointed +by the House, was protected by privilege against being the +subject of an action for libel. The Courts having decided that it was +not, an Act was passed to alter the rule for the future, but meanwhile +the sheriffs had been imprisoned by the House for executing the +judgment in the usual course.</p> + +<p>The Ministry tottered on, getting a majority of nine only on their +China policy, and twenty-one on a direct vote of confidence. The +Bill for the union of the two Canadas was, however, passed without +difficulty.</p> + +<p>An attempt by a barman named Oxford to assassinate the Queen +on Constitution Hill fortunately failed, and Oxford was committed, +after trial, to a lunatic asylum. In July, the prospect of an heir +being born to the throne led to the passing of a Regency Bill, naming +Prince Albert Regent, should the Queen die leaving issue; the Duke +of Sussex alone entered a formal protest against it.</p> + +<p>Afghanistan continued unsettled, and Lord Auckland's policy +seemed hardly justified by the unpopularity at Cabul of Shah Sooja; +Dost Mahommed still made efforts to regain his position, but he +ultimately surrendered to Sir William Macnaghten, the British Envoy +at Cabul. The disputes with China continued, and hostilities broke +out; British ships proceeded to China, and Chusan was captured.</p> + +<p>In France an attempt against the Government was made by Louis +Napoleon, who landed at Boulogne in a British steamer, was captured, +and sentenced to life imprisonment. More serious difficulties +between this country and France arose out of Eastern affairs. The +Four Powers, England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia, had addressed +an ultimatum to Mehemet, requiring him to evacuate North Syria, +France declining to take part in the conference on the subject. An +Anglo-Austrian army undertook to eject him, St Jean d'Acre was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.210" id="pagei.210"></a>[page 210]</span> +stormed, and France thrust into a position of unwilling isolation. +Thiers, who had been made Minister, expected that Mehemet would +be able to retain his conquests, and for a time it looked as though +France would interfere to protect him. Ultimately, in spite of some +ostentatious preparations in France, peaceful counsels prevailed, and +Thiers found it advisable to retire in favour of Guizot.</p> + +<p>In Holland, William I. (then sixty-seven) abdicated in favour of +his son, the Prince of Orange (William II.). The need of a younger +and firmer ruler was the reason officially stated in the Royal Proclamation. +The real reasons were probably the King's attachment +to the Roman Catholic Countess d'Oultremont, whom he now privately +married, and the humiliation he felt at the unfavourable +termination of the Belgian dispute.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.211" id="pagei.211"></a>[page 211]</span> + + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h5>1840</h5> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>11th January 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Stockmar</span> is here; I saw him yesterday and to-day, and have +begged him to explain to you <i>all the Court affairs, and the affairs +concerning the Treaty</i>, in my name. He will explain to you the +Treasury affair, and will do it much better than I should. I +am very happy to see him again, and to have him here; he can +give such good advice to both of us, and he understands England +so fully.... Stocky (as I always used to call him) is so sensible +about everything, and is <i>so much</i> attached to you.</p> + +<p class="ind">I shall have no great dinners, because the large rooms in the +upper story here are not yet ready. My good old Primus<sup>1</sup> +usually dines with me three or four times a week, almost always +on Sundays, <i>when I cannot invite other people to dinner, as it is +not reckoned right here for me to give dinners on Sunday, or to +invite many people</i>. Your song (the bust has been mentioned +before) is very fine; there is something touching in it which I +like so much....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: <i>I</i>.<i>e</i>. Premier.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">OPENING OF PARLIAMENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>12th January 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">This letter will be handed you by Torrington personally. +I recommend you not to leave late, so as to make the journey +without hurry. I did not go to church to-day; the weather is +very cold, and I have to be careful not to catch cold before the +16th, because I open Parliament in person. <i>This is always +a nervous proceeding, and the announcement of my marriage at +the beginning of my speech is really a very nervous and awful +affair for me</i>. <i>I have never failed yet, and this is the sixth time +that I have done it, and yet I am just as frightened as if I had never</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.212" id="pagei.212"></a>[page 212]</span> +<i>done it before</i>. <i>They say that feeling of nervousness is never got +over, and that Wm. Pitt himself never got up to make a speech +without thinking he should fail</i>. <i>But then I only read my speech</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I had to-day a visit from George<sup>2</sup> whom I received <i>alone</i>, +and he was very courteous. His Papa I have also seen.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 2: Prince George of Cambridge.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>17th January 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Yesterday just as I came home from the House of +Lords,<sup>3</sup> I received your dear letter of the 10th. I cannot understand +at all why you have received no letters from me, seeing +that I always wrote twice a week, regularly....</p> + +<p class="ind">I observe with horror that I have not formally invited your +father; though that is a matter of course. My last letter +will have set that right. I ought not to have written to you on +picture notepaper, seeing that we are in deep mourning for my +poor Aunt, the Landgravine,<sup>4</sup> but it was quite impossible for +me to write to you on mourning paper....</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>But this will not interfere with our marriage in the least; the +mourning will be taken off for that day, and for two or three days +after, and then put on again</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Everything went off exceedingly well yesterday. There +was an immense multitude of people, and perhaps never, +certainly not for a long time, have I been received so well; and +what is remarkable, I <i>was not nervous</i>, and read the speech +really well. The Tories began immediately afterwards to +conduct themselves very <i>badly</i> and to plague us. But everyone +praised you very much. Melbourne made a very fine +speech about you and your ancestors. To-day I receive the +Address of the House of Lords, and, perhaps, also that of the +House of Commons.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 3: The Queen had opened Parliament in person, and announced her intended marriage.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 4: The Princess Elizabeth (born 1770), third daughter of George III. and widow of +the Landgrave Frederick Joseph Louis of Hesse-Homburg. <i>See</i> p. <a href="#pagei.195" style="font-weight: normal;">195.</a></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">TORIES, WHIGS, AND RADICALS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>21st January 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am awaiting with immense impatience a letter from you. +Here hardly anything to relate to-day, because we are living in +great retirement, until informed that my poor Aunt has been +buried. With the exception of Melbourne and my own people, +no one has dined for the last week.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.213" id="pagei.213"></a>[page 213]</span> + +<p class="ind">We are all of us very much preoccupied with politics. The +Tories really are very astonishing; <i>as they cannot and dare not +attack us in Parliament, they do everything that they can to be +personally rude to me</i>.... <i>The Whigs are the only safe and loyal +people, and the Radicals will also rally round their Queen to +protect her from the Tories; but it is a curious sight to see those, +who as Tories, used to pique themselves upon their excessive loyalty, +doing everything to degrade their young Sovereign in the eyes of +the people</i>. <i>Of course there are exceptions</i>.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>31st January 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... You have written to me in one of your letters about our +stay at Windsor, but, dear Albert, you have not at all understood +the matter. <i>You forget, my dearest Love, that I am the +Sovereign, and that business can stop and wait for nothing. +Parliament is sitting, and something occurs almost every day, for +which I may be required, and it is quite impossible for me to be +absent from London; therefore two or three days is already a +long time to be absent</i>. <i>I am never easy a moment, if I am not +on the spot, and see and hear what is going on, and everybody, +including all my Aunts (who are very knowing in all these things), +says I must come out after the second day, for, as I must be surrounded +by my Court, I cannot keep alone</i>. <i>This is also my own +wish in every way</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now as to the Arms: <i>as an English Prince you have no right, +and Uncle Leopold had no right to quarter the English Arms, +but the Sovereign has the power to allow it by Royal Command: +this was done for Uncle Leopold by the Prince Regent, and I +will do it again for you</i>. <i>But it can only be done by Royal +Command</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I will, therefore, without delay, have a seal engraved for +you.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will certainly feel very happy too, at the news of the +coming union of my much-beloved Vecto<sup>5</sup> with Nemours. It +gives me quite infinite pleasure, because then I can see the dear +child more frequently.</p> + +<p class="ind">I read in the newspaper that you, dear Albert, have received +many Orders; also that the Queen of Spain will send +you the Golden Fleece....</p> + +<p class="ind">Farewell, dearest Albert, and think often of thy faithful</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 5: The Princess Victoire of Saxe-Coburg, cousin of Queen Victoria.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.214" id="pagei.214"></a>[page 214]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE'S GRANT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>31st January 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I am most grateful for your long +letter of the 27th and 28th inst. I send a messenger to be able +to answer quite confidentially. I must confess that I never +saw anything <i>so disgraceful</i> than the discussion and vote in +the Commons.<sup>6</sup> The whole mode and way in which those who +opposed the grant treated the question was so extremely +<i>vulgar</i> and <i>disrespectful</i>, that I cannot comprehend the Tories. +The men who uphold the dignity of the Crown to treat their +Sovereign in such a manner, on such an occasion! Even in +private life the most sour and saturnine people relax and grow +gay and mildly disposed on occasions like this. Clearly, as +you are Queen Regnant, Albert's position is to all intents and +purposes that of a male Queen Consort, and the same privileges +and charges ought to be attached to it which were attached to +Queen Adelaide's position. The giving up the income which +the Queen-Dowager came into, and which I hope and trust +Albert would never have, or have had, any chance of having +had himself, was in reality giving up a thing which <i>custom</i> had +sanctioned. That Prince George of Denmark<sup>7</sup> was considered +to be in the same position as a Queen Consort there can be, I +think, no doubt about, and when one considers the immense +difference in the value of money then and now, it renders +matters still more striking. I must say such conduct in Parliament +I did <i>not expect</i>, and the less when I consider that your +Civil List was rather curtailed than otherwise, perhaps not +quite fairly. I rejoice to think that I induced Lord Melbourne +to propose to you not to accede to the giving up of the Duchy +of Lancaster. Parliament did not deserve it, and by good +management I think something may be made of it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Another thing which made me think that Parliament would +have acted with more decency, is that I return to the country +now near £40,000 a year, <i>not because</i> I thought my income <i>too +large</i>, as worthy Sir Robert Peel said, but from motives of +political delicacy, which at least might be acknowledged on +such occasions. I was placed by my marriage treaty in the +position of a Princess of Wales, which in reality it was, though +not yet by law, there existing a possibility of a Prince of Wales +as long as George IV. lived. I can only conclude by crying +<i>shame, shame</i>!...</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.215" id="pagei.215"></a>[page 215]</span> + +<p class="ind">I hope and trust you will not be too much worried with all +these unpleasant things, and that Albert will prove a comforter +and support to you. And so good-bye for to-day. +Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 6: The Ministers proposed an income of £50,000 a year for the Prince—the Conservatives +and Radicals united on an amendment reducing it to £30,000, which was carried by a +majority of 104.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 7: The Consort of Queen Anne.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE AT BRUSSELS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>1st February 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria,</span>—I hope you will be pleased with +me, as I send a messenger on purpose to inform you of Albert's +arrival. He will write himself this night, though rather inclined +to surrender himself to Morpheus.</p> + +<p class="ind">He looks well and handsome, but a little interesting, being +very much irritated by what happened in the House of Commons. +He does not care about the money, but he is much +shocked and exasperated by the disrespect of the thing, as he +well may.</p> + +<p class="ind">I do not yet know the exact day of their departure, but I +suppose it will be on the 5th, to be able to cross on the 6th. +I have already had some conversation with him, and mean to +talk <i>à fond</i> to him to-morrow. My wish is to see you both +happy and thoroughly united and of one mind, and I trust that +both of you will ever find in me a faithful, honest, and attached +friend.</p> + +<p class="ind">As it is eleven o'clock at night, I offer you my respects, and +remain, ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Your poor Aunt fainted this morning; she is much given +to this, but it was rather too long to-day.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AMIABILITY OF THE PRINCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>4th February 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria,</span>—I have now treated all the questions +you wished me to touch upon with Albert, and I was +much pleased with his amiable disposition. At a certain distance +explanations by letter are next to impossible, and each +party in the end thinks the other unreasonable. When he +arrived he was rather exasperated about various things, and +pretty full of grievances. But our conversations have dissipated +these clouds, and now there will only remain the new +parliamentary events and consequences, which change a good +deal of what one could reasonably have foreseen or arranged. +You will best treat these questions now verbally. Albert is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.216" id="pagei.216"></a>[page 216]</span> +quick, not obstinate, in conversation, and open to conviction +if good arguments are brought forward. When he thinks +himself right he only wishes to have it <i>proved</i> that he +<i>misunderstands</i> +the case, to give it up without ill-humour. He is +not inclined to be sulky, but I think that he may be rendered +a little melancholy if he thinks himself unfairly or unjustly +treated, but being together and remaining together, there <i>never</i> +can arise, I hope, any occasion for any disagreement even +on trifling subjects.... Ever, my dearest Victoria, your +devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>8th February 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—This letter will arrive when I trust +you will be most happily occupied; I don't mean therefore +to trespass on your time.</p> + +<p class="ind">May Heaven render you as happy as I always wished you to +be, and as I always tried hard to see you. There is every +prospect of it, and I am sure you will be mistress in that respect +of your own <i>avenir</i>. <i>Perfect confidence</i> will best ensure and +consolidate this happiness. Our rule in poor Charlotte's time +was never to permit <i>one single day</i> to pass over <i>ein +Missverständniss</i>, +however trifling it might be.<sup>8</sup> I must do Charlotte +the justice to say that she kept this compact most religiously, +and at times even more so than myself, as in my +younger days I was sometimes inclined to be sulky and silently +displeased. With this rule no misunderstandings can take +root and be increased or complicated by new ones being added +to the old. Albert is gentle and open to reason; all will therefore +always be easily explained, and he is determined never to +be occupied but by what is important or useful to you....</p> + +<p class="ind">Now I conclude, with my renewed warmest and sincerest +good wishes for you, ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted +Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 8: <i>(From an unpublished Contemporary Memoir by Admiral Sir William Hotham, G.C.B.)</i></p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.7em;">"Her Royal Highness was now and then apt to give way to a high flow of animal +spirits, natural at her time of life, and from carelessness more than unkindness to ridicule +others. In one of these sallies of inconsiderate mirth, she perceived the Prince, sombre +and cold, taking no apparent notice of what was going on, or if he did, evidently displeased. +She at length spoke to him about it, and he at once manifested reluctance to join in the +conversation, saying that though he had been a tolerably apt scholar in many things, he +had yet to learn in England what pleasure was derived from the exercise of that faculty +he understood to be called "quizzing"; that he could by no means reconcile it to himself +according to any rule either of good breeding or benevolence. The tears instantly started +in her eye, and feeling at once the severity and justice of the reproof, assured him most +affectionately that, as it was the first time she had ever merited His Royal Highness's +reproof on this subject, she assured him most solemnly it should be the last." +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.217" id="pagei.217"></a>[page 217]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert.</i><sup>9</sup></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE WEDDING-DAY</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th February 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dearest</span>,—... How are you to-day, and have you slept +well? I have rested very well, and feel very comfortable to-day. +What weather! I believe, however, the rain will cease.</p> + +<p class="ind">Send one word when you, my most dearly loved bridegroom, +will be ready. Thy ever-faithful,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 9: A note folded in <i>billet</i> form, to be taken by hand. Addressed:</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">"<span class="sc">His Royal Highness the Prince</span>.<br /> +"<span class="sc">The Queen</span>."</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">This was the day of their marriage at the Chapel Royal. After the wedding breakfast +at Buckingham Palace they drove to Windsor, and on the 14th they returned to London.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>11th February 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I write to you from here, the happiest, +happiest Being that ever existed. Really, I do not think it +<i>possible</i> for any one in the world to be <i>happier</i>, or <span class="sc">as</span> +happy as +I am. He is an Angel, and his kindness and affection for me +is really touching. To look in those dear eyes, and that dear +sunny face, is enough to make me adore him. What I can do +to make him happy will be my greatest delight. Independent +of my great personal happiness, the reception we both met +with yesterday was the most gratifying and enthusiastic I +ever experienced; there was no end of the crowds in London, +and all along the road. I was a good deal tired last night, +but am quite well again to-day, and happy....</p> + +<p class="ind">My love to dear Louise. Ever your affectionate,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>21st February 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I am more grateful than I can +express that, notwithstanding your many <i>empêchements</i> and +occupations, you still found a little moment to write to me. +News from you are always most precious to me, and now +almost more than ever. This is such an important moment in +your life, it will so much decide how the remainder is to be, +that I am deeply interested in all I can hear on the subject. +Hitherto, with the exception of your own dear and Royal self, +I have not been spoiled, <i>et j'ai puisé beaucoup de mes nouvelles</i> +in the <i>Times</i> and such like sources.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.218" id="pagei.218"></a>[page 218]</span> + +<p class="ind">God be praised that the dear <i>ménage</i> is so happy! I can +only say may it be so for ever and ever. I always thought that +with your warm and feeling heart and susceptibility for strong +and lasting affection, you would prefer this <i>genre</i> of happiness, +if you once possessed it, to every other. It must be confessed +that it is less frequent than could be wished for the good of +mankind, but when it does exist, there is something delightful +to a generous heart like yours in this sacred tie, in this attachment +for better for worse, and I think the English Church +service expresses it in a simple and touching manner.</p> + +<p class="ind">I was happy to see that the Addresses of both Houses of +Parliament were voted in a decent and becoming way. How +mean people are! If they had not seen the public at large +take a great interest in your marriage and show you great +affection, perhaps some would again have tried to bring on +unpleasant subjects....</p> + +<p class="ind">My letter is grown long; I will therefore conclude it with +the expression of my great affection for your dear self. Ever, +my most beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold</span> R.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">POPULAR ENTHUSIASM</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th March 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... As your Majesty has by your Lord Chamberlain permitted +plays to be acted on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent, +it would be condemning yourself if you did not go to see them +if you like to do so....</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne is much pleased to hear that your +Majesty and the Prince liked <i>The School for Scandal</i>. It is +upon the whole the cleverest comedy in the English language, +the fullest of wit and at the same time the most free from +grossness.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CORN LAWS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>4th April 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to state that the House of Commons +having resumed the consideration of the Corn Laws, the debate +was closed by Sir Robert Peel, in a speech much inferior to +those which he usually makes. Mr Warburton moved an adjournment, +which caused many members to leave the House. +The motion being opposed, there were on a division 240 +against adjournment, and only 125 in favour of it.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.219" id="pagei.219"></a>[page 219]</span> + +<p class="ind">Mr Warburton then by some blunder moved that the House +adjourn, which puts an end to the debate. This was eagerly +caught at by the opposite party, and agreed to. So that the +question is lost by this ridiculous termination, and it is to be +feared that it will produce much discontent in the manufacturing +class.<sup>10</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 10: The opposition to the Corn Laws was now increasing in the North.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>5th April 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He is quite well but much tired. He has so much to do this +morning that he will not be able to speak to Albemarle,<sup>11</sup> but +if Albemarle dines at the Palace, he certainly will then.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne always feared anything like a mixture of +the Stable establishments. It would have been much better +that what horses the Prince had should have been kept quite +separate, and that the horses of your Majesty's which he +should have to use should have been settled, and some plan +arranged by which they could have been obtained when +wanted. Horses to be used by one set of people and kept and +fed by another will never do. Servants and subordinate agents +in England are quite unmanageable in these respects. If they +get [matters] into their hands neither the Deity nor the Devil, +nor both together, can make them agree. Lord Melbourne +writes this in ignorance of the actual facts of the case, and +therefore it may be inapplicable.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 11: Master of the Horse.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>8th April 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to state that Sir James Graham yesterday +brought forward his motion on China in a speech of nearly +three hours.<sup>12</sup> He was answered by Mr Macaulay in a manner +most satisfactory to his audience, and with great eloquence. +Sir William Follett spoke with much ingenuity, but in the +confined spirit of a lawyer.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 12: The motion was to censure Ministers for their want of foresight in their dealings with +China in connection with the extension of commerce, and with the opium trade. The +motion was rejected by 271 to 262.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.220" id="pagei.220"></a>[page 220]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ENGLAND AND CHINA</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th April 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that the debate went on yesterday, +when Mr Hawes spoke against the motion. In the course of +the debate Mr Gladstone<sup>13</sup> said the Chinese had a right to +poison the wells, to keep away the English! The debate was +adjourned.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 13: Mr Gladstone had been member for Newark since 1832.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>2nd May 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Mr Cowper has just come in and tells me that they have +determined to begin the disturbance to-night at the Opera, at +the very commencement of the performance.<sup>14</sup> This may be +awkward, as your Majesty will arrive in the middle of the +tumult. It is the intention not to permit the opera to proceed +until Laporte gives way.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is afraid that if the row has already begun, +your Majesty's presence will not put an end to it; and it might +be as well not to go until your Majesty hears that it is over and +that the performance is proceeding quietly. Some one might +be sent to attend and send word.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 14: A <i>fracas</i> took place at the Opera on 29th April. The Manager, Laporte, not having +engaged Tamburini to sing, the audience made a hostile demonstration at the conclusion +of the performance of <i>I Puritani</i>. An explanation made by Laporte only made matters +worse, and eventually the Tamburinists took possession of the stage.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th May 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has just received this from Lord John Russell—a most +shocking event,<sup>15</sup> which your Majesty has probably by this time +heard of. The persons who did it came for the purpose of +robbing the house; they entered by the back of the house and +went out at the front door.<sup>16</sup> The servants in the house, only +a man and a maid, never heard anything, and the maid, when +she came down to her master's door in the morning, found the +horrid deed perpetrated....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 15: The murder of Lord William Russell by his valet, Courvoisier, in Norfolk Street, +Park Lane.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 16: This was the original theory.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.221" id="pagei.221"></a>[page 221]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MURDER OF LORD WILLIAM RUSSELL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th May 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +Since he wrote to your Majesty, he has seen Mr Fox Maule,<sup>17</sup> +who had been at the house in Norfolk Street. He says that it +is a most mysterious affair. Lord William Russell was found +in his bed, quite dead, cold and stiff, showing that the act had +been perpetrated some time. The bed was of course deluged +with blood, but there were no marks of blood in any other +part of the room; so that he had been killed in his bed and by +one blow, upon the throat, which had nearly divided his head +from his body. The back door of the house was broken open, +but there were no traces of persons having approached the +door from without. His writing-desk was also broken open +and the money taken out, but otherwise little or nothing had +been taken away. The police upon duty in the streets had +neither heard nor seen anything during the night. In these +circumstances strong suspicion lights upon the persons in the +house, two maids and a man, the latter a foreigner<sup>18</sup> and who +had only been with Lord William about five weeks. These +persons are now separately confined, and the Commissioners of +Police are actively employed in enquiring into the affair. An +inquest will of course be held upon the body without delay.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has just received your Majesty's letter, and +will immediately convey to Lord John your Majesty's kind +expressions of sympathy.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 17: Under-Secretary for Home Affairs; afterwards, as Lord Panmure, Secretary for War.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 18: Courvoisier.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MRS NORTON</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>22nd May 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I received yesterday a most kind +and dear letter from your august hands. Charles,<sup>19</sup> who wanted +to cross yesterday, will have had very bad weather. He <i>is</i> +prepared not to make too long a stay in England. He dined +here on the 19th. Louise was prepared to come to dinner, +but was not quite equal to it; she therefore came after it. +He came also to see me on the 20th, before his departure for +Ostende. It is very gracious of you to have given him subsidies, +but in fact poor Feo stands more in need of it. She +really is too poor; when one thinks that they have but £600 +a year, and that large castles, etc., are to be kept up with it, +one cannot conceive how they manage it. It was a very +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.222" id="pagei.222"></a>[page 222]</span> +generous feeling which prompted you to see Mrs Norton, and +I have been too much her friend to find fault with it. True it +is that Norton was freely accepted by her, but she was very +poor, and could therefore hardly venture to refuse him. Many +people will flirt with a clever, handsome, but poor girl, though +not marry her—besides, the idea of having old Shery<sup>20</sup> for a +grandfather had nothing very captivating. A very unpleasant +husband Norton certainly was, and one who had little tact. I +can well believe that she was much frightened, having so many +eyes on her, some of which, perhaps, not with the most amiable +expression.</p> +<span class="rightnote">PRINCESS CHARLOTTE</span> +<p class="ind">I was delighted to learn that you meant to visit poor Claremont, +and to pass there part of your precious birthday. +Claremont is the place where in younger days you were least +plagued, and generally I saw you there in good spirits. You +will also <i>nolens volens</i> be compelled to think of me, and maybe +of poor Charlotte.</p> + +<p class="ind">This gives me an opening for saying a few words on this +subject. I found several times that some people had given +you the impression that poor Charlotte had been hasty and +violent even to imperiousness and <i>rudeness</i>. I can you assure +that it was <i>not so</i>; she was quick, and even violent, but I +never have seen anybody so open to conviction, and so fair +and candid when wrong. The proverb says, and not without +some truth, that ladies come always back to the first words, to +avoid any symptom of having been convinced. Generous +minds, however, do not do this; they fight courageously their +battles, but when they clearly see that they are wrong, and +that the reasons and arguments submitted to them are +<i>true</i>, they frankly admit the truth. Charlotte had eminently +this disposition; besides, she was so anxious to please me, that +often she would say: "Let it be as it may; provided you wish +it, I will do it." I always answered: "I never want anything +for myself; when I press something on you, it is from a conviction +that it is for your interest and for your good." I know +that you have been told that she ordered everything in the house +and liked to show that she was the mistress. It was not so. +On the contrary, her pride was to make me appear to my best +advantage, and even to display respect and obedience, when +I least wanted it from her. She would almost exaggerate the +feeling, to show very clearly that she considered me as her +lord and master.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.223" id="pagei.223"></a>[page 223]</span> + +<p class="ind">And on the day of the marriage, as most people suspected +her of a very different disposition, everybody was struck with +the manner in which she pronounced the promise of obedience. +I must say that I was much more the master of the house than +is generally the case in private life. Besides, there was something +generous and royal in her mind which alone would have +prevented her doing anything vulgar or ill-bred. What +rendered her sometimes a little violent was a slight disposition +to jealousy. Poor Lady Maryborough,<sup>21</sup> at all times some +twelve or fifteen years older than myself, but whom I had much +known in 1814, was once much the cause of a fit of that description. +I told her it was quite childish, but she said, "it is +not, because she is a very coquettish, dissipated woman." +The most difficult task I had was to change her manners; she +had something brusque and too rash in her movements, which +made the Regent quite unhappy, and which sometimes was +occasioned by a struggle between shyness and the necessity +of exerting herself. I had—I may say so without seeming +to boast—the manners of the best society of Europe, having +early moved in it, and been rather what is called in +French <i>de la fleur des pois</i>. A good judge I therefore was, +but Charlotte found it rather hard to be so scrutinised, +and grumbled occasionally how I could so often find fault +with her.</p> + +<p class="ind">Nothing perhaps speaks such volumes as the <i>positive fact</i> of +her manners getting <i>quite changed</i> within a year's time, and +that to the openly pronounced satisfaction of the very fastidious +and not over-partial Regent. To explain how it +came that manners were a little odd in England, it is +necessary to remember that England had been for more +than ten years completely cut off from the rest of the +world....</p> + +<p class="ind">We have bitter cold weather which has given colds to both +the children. Uncle Ferdinand <sup>22</sup> is now only arriving <i>si dice</i> +on Sunday next. He has been robbed of 15,000 francs in his +own room <i>au Palais-Royal</i>, which is very unpleasant for all +parties.</p> + +<p class="ind">My letter is so long that I must haste to conclude +it, remaining ever, my beloved Victoria, your devoted +Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">My love to Alberto.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 19: Prince Charles of Leiningen.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 20: The three sisters, Mrs Norton, Lady Dufferin, and Lady Seymour (afterwards Duchess +of Somerset), the latter of whom was "Queen of Beauty" at the Eglinton Tournament, +were grand-daughters of R. B. Sheridan. Lord Melbourne was much in Mrs Norton's +company, and Norton, for whom the Premier had found a legal appointment, sued him +in the Court of Common Pleas for <i>crim. con.</i>; the jury found for the defendant.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 21: Lord Maryborough (1763-1845) was William Wellesley Pole, brother of the Marquess +Wellesley and the Duke of Wellington. He married Katherine Elizabeth Forbes, granddaughter +of the third Earl of Granard.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 22: Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, King Leopold's brother.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.224" id="pagei.224"></a>[page 224]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<h5><i>Minutes of Conversations with Lord Melbourne and Baron Stockmar.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN AND THE PRINCE</span> + + +<p class="indright"><i>28th May 1840</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2"><i>Lord Melbourne</i>.—"I have spoken to the Queen, who says +the Prince complains of a want of confidence on trivial matters, +and on all matters connected with the politics of this country. +She said it proceeded entirely from indolence; she knew it was +wrong, but when she was with the Prince she preferred talking +upon other subjects. I told Her Majesty that she should try +and alter this, and that there was no objection to her conversing +with the Prince upon any subject she pleased. My +impression is that the chief obstacle in Her Majesty's mind is +the fear of difference of opinion, and she thinks that domestic +harmony is more likely to follow from avoiding subjects likely +to create difference. My own experience leads me to think +that subjects between man and wife, even where difference +is sure to ensue, are much better discussed than avoided, +for the latter course is sure to beget distrust. I do not +think that the Baroness<sup>23</sup> is the cause of this want of +openness, though her name to me is never mentioned by +the Queen."</p> + +<p class="ind2"><i>Baron Stockmar</i>.—"I wish to have a talk with you. The +Prince leans more on you than any one else, and gives you his +entire confidence; you are honest, moral, and religious, and +will not belie that trust. The Queen has not started upon a +right principle. She should by degrees impart everything to +him, but there is danger in his wishing it all at once. A case +may be laid before him; he may give some crude and unformed +opinion; the opinion may be taken and the result +disastrous, and a forcible argument is thus raised against +advice being asked for the future.</p> + +<p class="ind2">"The Queen is influenced more than she is aware of by the +Baroness. In consequence of that influence, she is not so +ingenuous as she was two years ago. I do not think that the +withholding of her confidence does proceed wholly from indolence, +though it may partly arise, as the Prince suggests, +from the entire confidence which she reposes in her present +Ministers, making her inattentive to the plans and measures +proposed, and thinking it unnecessary entirely to comprehend +them; she is of necessity unable to impart their views and +projects to him who ought to be her friend and counsellor."</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 23: Baroness Lehzen.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.225" id="pagei.225"></a>[page 225]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">OXFORD'S ATTEMPT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Carlton Terrace</span>, <i>10th June 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and though your Majesty must be overwhelmed with +congratulations at your Majesty's escape from the aim of the +assassin,<sup>24</sup> yet Viscount Palmerston trusts that he may be +allowed to express the horror with which he heard of the +diabolical attempt, and the deep thankfulness which he feels +at your Majesty's providential preservation.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston humbly trusts that the failure of this +atrocious attempt may be considered as an indication that +your Majesty is reserved for a long and prosperous reign, and +is destined to assure, for many years to come, the welfare and +happiness of this nation.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 24: Edward Oxford, a pot-boy, aged eighteen, fired twice at the Queen on Constitution +Hill. The Queen, who was untouched either shot, immediately drove to the Duchess +of Kent's house to announce her safety. On his trial, Oxford was found to be insane.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the French to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>11 Juin 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Madame ma Sœur</span>,—C'est avec une profonde indignation +que je viens d'apprendre l'horrible attentat qui a menacé les +précieux jours de votre Majesté. Je rends grâce du fond de +mon cœur à la Divine Providence qui les a miraculeusement +conservés, et qui semble n'avoir permis qu'ils fussent exposés à +un si grand danger, que pour faire briller aux yeux de tous, +votre courage, votre sang-froid, et toutes les qualités qui vous +distinguent.</p> + +<p class="ind">J'ose espérer que votre Majesté me permettra de recourir à +son entremise pour offrir à S.A.R. le Prince Albert, l'expression +de tous les sentiments dont je suis pénétré, et qu'elle voudra +bien recevoir l'assurance de tous ceux que je lui porte, ainsi +que celle de ma haute estime, de mon inaltérable attachement +et de mon inviolable amitié. Je suis, Madame ma Sœur, de +votre Majesté, le bon Frère,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Louis Philippe</span> R.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>11th June 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and returns your Majesty many, many thanks for your letter. +Lord Melbourne was indeed most anxious to learn that your +Majesty was well this morning. It was indeed a most awful +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.226" id="pagei.226"></a>[page 226]</span> +and providential escape. It is impossible not to shudder at +the thought of it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks that it will be necessary to have an +examination of this man before such of your Majesty's confidential +servants as are of the Privy Council;<sup>25</sup> it should take +place this morning.</p> + +<p class="ind">Addresses will be moved in both Houses immediately upon +their meeting.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 25: <i>I</i>.<i>e</i>., the Cabinet.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>13th June 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest and most beloved Victoria,</span>—I cannot find +words <i>strong enough</i> to express to you my horror at what +happened on the 10th, and my happiness and delight to see your +escape from a danger which was really very great. In your +good little heart I hope that it made you feel grateful to God +for a protection which was very signal. It does good and is a +consolation to think that matters are not <i>quite</i> left to take care +of <i>themselves</i>, but that an all-powerful Hand guides them.</p> + +<p class="ind">Louise I told the affair mildly, as it might have made too +great an impression on her otherwise. She always feels so +much for you and loves you so much, that she was rejoiced +beyond measure that you escaped so well and took the thing +with so much <i>courage</i>. That you have shown <i>great fortitude</i> is +not to be doubted, and will make a very great and good impression. +I see that the general feeling is excellent, but what +a melancholy thing to see a young man, without provocation, +capable of such a diabolical act! That attempts of that sort +took place against George III., and even George IV., one can +comprehend; but you have not only been extremely liberal, but +in no instance have you hitherto come into contact with any +popular feeling or prejudice; besides, one should think that +your being a lady would alone prevent such unmanly conduct. +It shows what an effect bad example and the bad press have. +I am sure that this act is <i>une singerie</i> of what passes in France, +that it is a fancy of some of those societies <i>de Mort aux Rois +et Souverains</i>, without knowing wherefore, merely as a sort of +fashion....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + + +<span class="rightnote">EGYPT AND THE POWERS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">St Cloud</span>, <i>26th July 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria,</span>—Your dear letter of the 19th +greatly delighted me....</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.227" id="pagei.227"></a>[page 227]</span> + +<p class="ind">Let me now add a few words on politics. The <i>secret</i> way in +which the arrangement about the arbitration of the Turco-Egyptian +affairs has been signed, the keeping out of France in +an affair so <i>near</i> it and touching its interests in various ways, +has had here a very <i>disastrous</i> effect.<sup>26</sup> I cannot disguise from +you that the consequences may be very serious, and the more so +as the Thiers Ministry is supported by the movement party, +and as <i>reckless of consequences</i> as your own Minister for Foreign +Affairs, even much more so, as Thiers himself would not be +sorry to see everything existing upset. He is strongly impregnated +with all the notions of fame and glory which belonged to +part of the Republican and the Imperial times; he would not +even be much alarmed at the idea of a Convention ruling again +France, as he thinks that <i>he</i> would be the <i>man to rule</i> the +Assembly, and has told me last year that he thinks it for +France perhaps the <i>most powerful</i> form of Government.<sup>27</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The mode in this affair ought to have been, as soon as the +Four Powers had agreed on a proposition, to communicate it +officially to France, to join it. France had but two ways, either +to join or to refuse its adhesion. If it had chosen the last, it +would have been a free decision on her part, and a secession +which had nothing offensive in the eyes of the nation.</p> + +<p class="ind">But there is a material difference between leaving a company +from motives of one's own, or being <i>kicked out</i> of it. I must +beg you to speak seriously to Lord Melbourne, who is the head +of your Government, on these important affairs; they may +upset everything in Europe if the mistake is not corrected and +moderated.</p> + +<p class="ind">I shall write again to you next Friday from hence, and on +Saturday, 1st August, we set off. Ever, my dearest Victoria, +your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 26: On the 15th of July a convention was signed in London by representatives of England, +Russia, Austria, and Prussia, offering an ultimatum to the Viceroy of Egypt. The exclusion +of France was hotly resented in Paris. Guizot, then Ambassador in London, +had been kept in ignorance of the project, but the Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston, +denied that there had been any discourtesy intended, or want of consideration shown.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 27: Louis Adolphe Thiers (1797-1877), who through the Press had contributed to the +downfall of the Bourbons, had held various Cabinet offices under Louis Philippe, and, +from March to October 1840, was for the second time Premier.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>7th August 1840</i>. +(10 <span class="sc">p.m.</span>)</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +The House of Lords lasted until eight, and Lord Melbourne +might by an exertion have got to the Palace to dinner, but as +he had the Speech, by no means an easy one, to prepare for the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.228" id="pagei.228"></a>[page 228]</span> +consideration of the Cabinet to-morrow, he thought it better +to take this evening for that purpose, and he hopes therefore +that your Majesty will excuse his not coming, which is to him +a great sacrifice to have made.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will have probably seen by this time the +report from your Majesty's Consul at Boulogne of the mad +attempt of Louis Bonaparte.<sup>28</sup> It is rather unfortunate that +it should have taken place at this moment, as the violent and +excited temper of the French nation will certainly lead them to +attribute it to England. It will also be highly embarrassing +to the King of the French to have in his possession a member +of the family of Bonaparte and so many Bonapartists who have +certainly deserved death but whom it may not be prudent or +politic to execute.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 28: The Prince, afterwards the Emperor Napoleon III., descended on Boulogne with +fifty-three persons, and a tame eagle which had been intended, with stage effect, to alight +on the Colonne de Napoléon. He was captured, tried for high treason, and sentenced to +perpetual imprisonment. He effected his escape, which was undoubtedly connived at +by the authorities, in 1846.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CONVENTION OF 1828</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wiesbaden</span>, <i>22nd September 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria,</span>—I was most happy in receiving this +morning per messenger your dear little letter of the 15th, +though it is grown a little elderly. The life one leads here is +not favourable to writing, which, besides, is prohibited, and +easily gives me palpitation enough to sing "<i>di tanti palpiti!</i>" +I get up at half after six and begin to drink this hot water; +what with drinking and walking one comes to ten o'clock or +half after ten for breakfast. Then I read papers and such like +things. At one o'clock I have been generally bored with some +visit or other till two o'clock. I try to finish some writing, and +then I walk and ride out till dinner-time, generally at seven. +In the evening I have written sometimes, but it certainly does +one harm. You see that there remains but little time for +writing.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am most happy to find that you are well; the papers, +which don't know what to invent to lower the Funds, said that +you had been unwell on the 10th, which, God be praised! is +not at all true.</p> + +<p class="ind">I pity poor Princess Augusta<sup>29</sup> from all my heart. I am +sure that if she had in proper time taken care of herself she +might have lived to a great age. I have not time to-day to +write at any length on the politics of the day, but I am <i>far from thinking</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.229" id="pagei.229"></a>[page 229]</span> +that the French <i>acted wisely</i> in the Oriental affair. I +must say that I think the King <i>meant well</i>, but I should not +have <i>abstained</i> from the Conference as he did, though, in France, +interference with Mehemet Ali was certainly not popular. In +England much of the <i>fond</i> is logical, but the form towards +France was, and is still, harsh and insulting. I don't think +France, which these ten years behaved well, and the poor King, +who was nearly murdered I don't remember how often, deserved +to be treated so unkindly, and all that seemingly to +please the great Autocrat. We must not forget what were the +fruits of the <i>first</i> Convention of July 1828—I think the 16th or +26th of that month; I ought to remember it, as I took its +name in vain often enough in the Greek affair.</p> + +<p class="ind">This first Convention brought about the battle of Navarino +and the second campaign of the Russians, which ended with, in +fact, the demise of the poor old Porte, the <i>Treaty of Adrianople</i>.<sup>30</sup> +Your Majesty was then afflicted with the age of ten, in itself a +good age, and may not remember much about it except that +in 1829 the affair about my going to Greece began, and that +your affectionate heart took some interest in that. Lord +Melbourne, however, you <i>must encourage to speak about this +matter</i>. Canning's intention was this: he said we must +remain with Russia, and by this means <i>prevent</i> mischief. The +Duke of Wellington, who came to me shooting at Claremont in +1828, really did cry, though he is not of a crying disposition, +and said "<i>by this Convention the Russians will have the power +of doing all they never would have dared to do single-handed</i>, and +shielded by this infernal Convention, it will not be in our power +<i>to stop them</i>." Russia is again in this very snug and comfortable +position, that <i>the special protection of the Porte</i> is confided +to its tender mercies—<i>la chèvre gardant le chou</i>, the wolf the +sheep, as I suppose I must not compare the Turcs to lambs. +The Power which ruined the Ottoman Empire, which since a +hundred and forty years nearly <i>pared</i> it all round nearly in +every direction, is to be the protector and guardian of that +same empire; and we are told that it is the most scandalous +calumny to suspect the Russians to have any other than the +most humane and disinterested views! "<i>ainsi soit-il</i>," as the +French say at the end of their sermons. This part of the +Convention of the 15th of July 1840 strikes impartial people as +strange, the more so as nothing lowers the Porte so much in the +eyes of the few patriotic Turks who remain than the protection +of the arch-enemy of the concern, Russia. I beg you to read +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.230" id="pagei.230"></a>[page 230]</span> +this part of my letter to my good and dear friend, Lord Melbourne, +to whom I beg to be kindly remembered.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 29: Princess Augusta, second daughter of George III. <i>See</i> below [second letter, 26th September, 1840.].</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 30: Under this treaty (14th September 1829) the Danubian principalities were made +virtually independent States, the treaty rights of Russia in the navigation of the Bosphorus +and Dardanelles were confirmed, and Greek affairs were arranged, by incorporating in +the treaty the terms of the Protocol of 22nd March 1829.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i><sup>31</sup></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A THREATENED CRISIS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>26th September 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">This is certainly awkward; but the latter part about Peel +is most absurd; to him I can never apply, we must do everything +but that. But for God's sake do not bring on a crisis;<sup>32</sup> +the Queen really could not go through that <i>now</i>, and it might +make her <i>seriously ill</i> if she were to be kept in a state of agitation +and excitement if a crisis were to come on; she has had already +so much lately in the distressing illness of her poor Aunt to +harass her. I beseech you, think of <i>all</i> this, and the consequences +it might cause, not only to me, but to all Europe, as +it would show our weakness in a way that would be seriously +injurious to this country.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 31: The letter, to which this is a reply, seems not to have been preserved. The Queen's +letter, having been shown to Lord John Russell and copied by him, has hitherto been +supposed to be a letter from Lord Melbourne to Lord John Russell. <i>See</i> Walpole's +<i>Russell</i>, vol. i., chap. xiii.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 32: The Cabinet met on the 28th to consider the Oriental Question. The Government +was on the verge of dissolution, as Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell were in conflict. +The meeting was adjourned till 1st October. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FRANCE AND THE EAST</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>26th September 1840</i>.</p> +<a name="pi.230" id="pi.230"></a> +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I have unfortunately very little time +to-day, but I will try and answer your kind letters of the 13th +and 19th briefly. You know now that the sufferings of good +excellent Aunt Augusta were terminated on the 22nd of this +month. I regret her <i>very, very</i> sincerely, though for herself +we are all most thankful for the release of such unexampled +sufferings, borne with such unexampled patience. Almost +the last thing she said when she was still conscious, the day +before she died, was to Mr More (the apothecary), who wrote me +every morning a Report: "Have you written to my darling?" +Is this not touching? The Queen-Dowager had her hand in +hers when she died, and closed her eyes when all was over; all +the Family were present.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have seen your letters to Palmerston, and his answer to +you, and I also send you a paper from Lord Melbourne. I +assure you that I <i>do</i> give these affairs my <i>most serious</i> attention: +it would be indeed <i>most</i> desirable if France could <i>come back to +us</i>, and I think what Metternich suggests very sagacious and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.231" id="pagei.231"></a>[page 231]</span> +well-judged.<sup>33</sup> You must allow me to state that <i>France</i> has +<i>put herself</i> into this unfortunate state. <i>I</i> know (as I saw +<i>all</i> +the <i>papers</i>) how she was engaged to join us—and I know how +strangely she refused; I know also, that France <i>agrees</i> in the +<i>principle</i>, but only doubts the <i>efficacy</i> of the measures. Where +then is "<i>La France outragée</i>"? wherefore arm when there is +<i>no</i> enemy? wherefore raise the war-cry? But this has been +<i>done</i>, and has taken <i>more</i> effect than I think the French Government +<i>now</i> like; and <i>now</i> she has to undo all this and to calm +the general agitation and excitement, which is not so easy. +Still, though France is in the wrong, and <i>quite</i> in the wrong, +still <i>I</i> am most anxious, as I am sure my Government also are, +that France should be pacified and should again take her place +amongst the five Powers. I am sure she might easily do this....</p> + +<p class="ind">Albert, who sends his love, is much occupied with the +Eastern affairs, and is quite of my opinion....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 33: Metternich's suggestion was that if other means of coercion failed, the allies should +renew their deliberations in conjunction with France.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>30th September 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He is quite well, and will be ready at half-past one.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Prince's<sup>34</sup> observations are just, but still the making an +advance to France now, coupled with our constant inability +to carry into effect the terms of our Convention, will be an +humiliating step.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne sends a letter which he has received this +morning from Lord Normanby, whom he had desired to +see Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, and try what +he could do.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne also sends a letter which he has received +from Lord Lansdowne.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne would beg your Majesty to return them +both.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 34: Prince Metternich.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Downing Street</span>, <i>1st October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +We have had the Cabinet and it has passed over quietly. We +have agreed to make a proposition to France founded upon +the communication of Prince Metternich to the King of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.232" id="pagei.232"></a>[page 232]</span> +Belgians.<sup>35</sup> Palmerston will propose to-morrow to Neumann,<sup>36</sup> +the Prussian Minister, and Brunnow,<sup>37</sup> that he should write to +Granville, authorising him to acquaint Thiers that if France +will concur in respecting the principle of the treaty, we, without +expecting her to adopt coercive measures, will concert +with her the further course to be adopted for the purpose of +carrying the principle into effect. This is so far so good. Lord +Melbourne trusts that it will get over the present entanglement, +but of course we must expect that in a matter so complicated +and which we have not the power of immediately terminating, +further difficulties will arise.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 35: <i>See</i> p. <a href="#pagei.231" style="font-weight: normal;">231.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 36: Austrian Minister.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 37: Russian Minister.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MEHEMET ALI</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Downing Street</span>, <i>2nd October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +We have just had another Cabinet,<sup>38</sup> which was rendered necessary +by Brunnow and the Prussian Minister refusing to concur +in what we determined yesterday without reference to their +Courts and authority from them. This makes it impossible for +us to take the step in the way we proposed, but we have now +settled that Palmerston should direct Granville to submit the +proposition to Thiers, and ask him how he would be disposed +to receive it if it were formally made to him. This, so far as +we are concerned, will have all the effect which could have been +attained in the other way.</p> + +<p class="ind">Very important despatches of the 14th inst. have come from +Constantinople. The Ministers of the Porte held the last +proposition of Mehemet Ali as a positive refusal of the terms of +the Convention, and proceeded by the advice of Lord Ponsonby<sup>39</sup> +at once to divest Mehemet Ali of the Pashalik of Egypt; to +direct a blockade of the coasts both of Syria and Egypt, and +to recall the four Consuls from Alexandria. These are serious +measures, and there are despatches from Lord Beauvale<sup>40</sup> +stating that Prince Metternich is much alarmed at them, and +thinks that measures should be immediately taken to diminish +and guard against the effect which they may have in France. +Lord Melbourne humbly begs your Majesty's pardon for this +hurried scrawl upon matters of such importance, but Lord +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.233" id="pagei.233"></a>[page 233]</span> +Melbourne will have the opportunity of speaking to your +Majesty more fully upon them to-morrow.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 38: The peace party in the Cabinet were defeated and Palmerston triumphant.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 39: British Ambassador at Constantinople.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 40: Frederick James Lamb, younger brother of Lord Melbourne, and his successor in the +title (1782-1853). He was at this time Ambassador at Vienna, having previously been +Ambassador at Lisbon.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PALMERSTON AND FRANCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wiesbaden</span>, <i>2nd October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... There is an idea that Mehemet Ali suffers from what one +calls <i>un charbon</i>, a sort of dangerous ulcer which, with old +people, is never without some danger. If this is true, it only +shows how little one can say that the Pashalik of Aleppo is +to decide who is to be the master of the Ottoman Empire in +Europe and Asia, the Sultan or Mehemet? It is highly probable +that if the old gentleman dies, his concern will go to +pieces; a division will be attempted by the children, but that +in the East hardly ever succeeds. There everything is personal, +except the sort of Caliphate which the Sultan possesses, and +when the man is gone, his empire <i>also goes</i>. Runjeet Singh<sup>41</sup> is +a proof of this; his formidable power will certainly go to the +dogs, though the Sikhs have a social link which does not exist +in the Egyptian concern. If we now were to set everything in +Europe on a blaze, have a war which may change totally all +that now exists, and in the midst of it we should hear that +Mehemet is no more, and his whole <i>boutique</i> broken up, would +it not be <i>really laughable</i>, if it was not <i>melancholy</i>? And still +the war <i>once raging</i>, it would no longer put a stop to it, but go +on for <i>other reasons</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I cannot understand what has rendered Palmerston so +<i>extremely hostile to the King</i> and Government of France. A +<i>little civility</i> would have gone a great way with the French; if +in your Speech on the 11th of August some regret had been +expressed, it would have greatly modified the feelings of the +French. But Palmerston <i>likes to put his foot on their necks</i>! +<i>Now, no statesman must triumph over an enemy that is not quite +dead</i>, because people forget a real loss, a real misfortune, but +they won't forget <i>an insult</i>. Napoleon made great mistakes +that way; he hated Prussia, insulted it on all occasions, but +still <i>left it alive</i>. The consequence was that in 1813 they rose +to a man in Prussia, even children and women took arms, not +only because they had been injured, but because they had +been treated with <i>contempt</i> and <i>insulted</i>. I will here copy what +the King wrote to me lately from Paris:</p> +<span class="rightnote">VIEWS OF LOUIS PHILIPPE</span> +<p class="ind">"Vous ne vous faites pas d'idée à quel point l'approbation +publique soutient les armements, c'est universel. Je regrette +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.234" id="pagei.234"></a>[page 234]</span> +que cela aille bien au-delà, car la fureur contre l'Angleterre +s'accroît et un des points que je regrette le plus, c'est que tout +notre peuple est persuadé que l'Angleterre veut réduire la +France <i>au rang de Puissance secondaire</i>, et vous savez ce que +c'est que l'orgueil national et la vanité de tous les peuples. Je +crois donc bien urgent que la crise actuelle se termine bientôt +pacifiquement. Plus je crois que l'union de l'Angleterre et de +la France est la base du repos du monde, plue je regrette de +voir susciter tant d'irritation entre nos deux Nations. La +question est de savoir ce que veut véritablement le Gouvernement +Anglais. J'avoue que je ne suis pas sans crainte et sans +inquiétude à cet égard quand je récapitule dans ma tête tout ce +que Lord Ponsonby a fait pour l'allumer et tout ce qu'il fait +encore. Je n'aurais aucune inquiétude si je croyais que le +Gouvernement suivrait la voix de sa Nation, et les véritables +intérêts de son pays qui repoussent l'alliance Russe et indiquent +celle de la France, ce qui est tout-à-fait conforme à mes vœux +personnels. Mais ma vieille expérience me rappelle ce que font +les passions personnelles, qui prédominent bien plus de nos +jours que les véritables intérêts, et ce que peut le Gouvernement +Anglais pour entraîner son pays, et je crains beaucoup l'art +de la Russie ou plutôt de l'Empereur Nicolas de captiver, par +les plus immenses flatteries, les Ministres Anglais, preuve Lord +Durham. Or si ces deux Gouvernements veulent ou osent +entreprendre <i>l'abaissement</i> de la France, la guerre s'allumera, et +pour <i>mon compte alors je m'y</i> jetterai <i>à outrance</i>, mais si comme +je l'espère encore, malgré mes soupçons, ils ne veulent pas la +guerre, alors l'affaire de l'Orient, s'arrangera à l'amiable, et le +cri de toutes les Nations fera de nouveau justice de ces humeurs +belliqueuses et consolidera la paix générale, comme cela est +arrivé dans les premières années de mon règne."</p> + +<p class="ind">I think it right to give you this extract, as it is written from +the very bottom of the King's heart, and shows the way in +which he considers the present position of affairs. Perhaps +you will be so kind to read it or to let it be read by Lord +Melbourne. It is this <i>abaissement de la France</i> which now +sticks in their throats. Chartres<sup>42</sup> has quite the same feeling, +and then the refrain is, <i>plutôt périr que de souffrir cette +ignominie!</i></p> + +<p class="ind">Really my paper is abominable, but it is a great shame that +in the residence of such a rich Prince nothing can be had. +My letter being long, I conclude it with my best blessings. +Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 41: Runjeet Singh, known as the Lion of the Punjab, had died in 1839, having +consolidated the Sikh power. As an outcome of the Sikh wars in 1846 and 1848, the +Punjab was annexed by Great Britain in 1849.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 42: Ferdinand, Duke of Orléans, who died 13th July 1842, was generally called Chartres +in the family circle; this title, which he had previously borne, was conferred on his +younger son, born 9th November 1840.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.235" id="pagei.235"></a>[page 235]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">NEGOTIATIONS WITH FRANCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>6th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +The King's letter to Lord Melbourne is in many respects just +and true.<sup>43</sup> The practical measure which it recommends, +namely, that Lord Granville should make to Thiers a general +proposition for settling the whole matter, is very much the same +as that which we agreed upon at the Cabinet should be adopted. +Lord Melbourne expects that this has been carried into effect, +and if it has not, Lord Melbourne has urged that it should be +done without delay.</p> + +<p class="ind">These affairs are very troublesome and vexatious, but they +are, unfortunately, more than troublesome, they are pregnant +with danger.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 43: The King of the Belgians had written a letter to Lord Melbourne on 1st October, +which he had sent to Queen Victoria, asking her to read it and forward it to Lord Melbourne.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wiesbaden</span>, <i>6th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... It is to-day the poor King of the French's birthday; +he is sixty-seven years old, and these last ten years he has had +a pleasant time of it. And now he has this serious and difficult +complication to deal with, and still I find him always fair and +amiable in his way of looking at all these things, and bearing +the almost unbearable annoyance and plagues of his arduous +position with a degree of firmness and courage worthy of kinder +treatment from the European Powers than he has received....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>9th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +Lord John Russell has directed a Cabinet to be summoned for +to-morrow at three o'clock, at which he intends to propose +that "Instructions should be sent to Lord Granville to ascertain +from the French Government what terms France would +consider satisfactory for the immediate arrangement of the +affairs of the East."</p> + +<p class="ind">That if such terms shall appear satisfactory, Mr Henry +Bulwer<sup>44</sup> or some person of similar rank should be sent to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.236" id="pagei.236"></a>[page 236]</span> +Constantinople to urge their acceptance on the Sultan, +and that our Allies should be invited to co-operate in that +negotiation.</p> + +<p class="ind">That the French Government should be informed that the +only mode in which the pacification can be carried into effect +is by Mehemet Ali's accepting the terms of the treaty and then +receiving from the Sultan the terms which shall have been +previously agreed upon by his Allies.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne feels certain that Lord Palmerston will not +accede to these proposals, and indeed Lord Melbourne himself +much doubts whether, after all that has passed, it would be +right to submit the whole matter, as it were, to the decision +and arbitration of France. Lord John Russell seems very +much determined to press this question to a decision to-morrow, +and Lord Melbourne much fears that such a decision +may lead to serious consequences.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is much grieved to have to send your +Majesty intelligence which he knows will greatly disquiet your +Majesty, but there is no remedy for it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne's lumbago is somewhat better to-day but +not much. His being compelled to attend at the House +of Lords yesterday prevented him from recovering. He +has remained in bed to-day, and hopes to be better to-morrow.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 44: Henry Bulwer (1801-1872), afterwards Lord Dalling, then First Secretary of the +Embassy in Paris, became Minister to Spain, 1843-1848; to the United States, 1849-1852; +to Tuscany, 1852-1855; and Ambassador to Turkey, 1858-1865.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PACIFIC INSTRUCTIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>9th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has just received your Majesty's box. He will do all he +can to put everything together, and it does not appear to him +that there is any necessity on any side for a decisive step at +present. A letter is arrived to-day from Bulwer, which states +that the instructions given to Guizot are, through the interposition +of the King, of a very pacific character. It would +surely be well to see what they are, and whether they will not +afford the means of arranging the whole affair.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thought with your Majesty that the letter +to Lord Granville upon Prince Metternich's proposition was +a great deal too short and dry and slight, but the importance +of this step is now a good deal superseded by what has taken +place, and the position of affairs has already become different +from that in which it was resolved upon.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne very much thanks the Prince for his letter, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.237" id="pagei.237"></a>[page 237]</span> +which may do much service and have an effect upon the +antagonists.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has just seen Dr Holland.<sup>45</sup> Lord Melbourne +is very much crippled and disabled. Lord Melbourne +does not think that the shooting has had anything to do with it. +His stomach has lately been out of order, which is always the +cause of these sort of attacks. Lord Melbourne will come +down on Sunday if he possibly can, and unless he should be still +disabled from moving.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 45: Dr (afterwards Sir) Henry Holland, Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen, 1850-1873, +father of Lord Knutsford.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>10th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... +All the question at the Cabinet to-day as to whether we +should write a communication to France was fortunately put +an end to by Guizot desiring to see Palmerston in the morning +and making a communication to him. This communication +is very much in substance what Mr. Bulwer's note had led us +to expect. It is a strong condemnation of the act of the +Porte depriving Mehemet Ali of the Government of Egypt, an +expression of satisfaction at having already learned from Lord +Palmerston and Count Apponyi<sup>46</sup> that Austria and England +are not prepared to consider this act as irrevocable, and a +threat on the part of France that he considers the power of +Mehemet Ali in Egypt a constituent part of the balance of +Europe, and that he cannot permit him to be deprived of that +province without interfering. It was determined that this +intimation should be met in an amicable spirit, and that Lord +Palmerston should see the Ministers of the other Powers and +agree with them to acquaint the French that they with England +would use their good offices to induce the Porte not to +insist upon the deprivation of Mehemet Ali as far as Egypt is +concerned. Lord Melbourne hopes that this transaction may +lead to a general settlement of the whole question.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne feels himself much fatigued to-night. +Though better, he is yet far from well, and he knows by experience +that this malady when once it lays hold of him does +not easily let go. It was so when he was younger. He fears, +therefore, that it will not be prudent for him to leave town so +early as Monday, but will do so as soon as he can with safety.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 46: Born 1782; at this time the Austrian Ambassador in France.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.238" id="pagei.238"></a>[page 238]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MEHEMET ALI</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Panshanger</span>, <i>11th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston submits to your Majesty some interesting +letters, which he received some days ago from Paris, +showing that there never has been any real foundation for the +alarm of war with France which was felt by some persons in +this country.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston also submits a despatch from Mons. +Thiers to Mons. Guizot which was communicated to him +yesterday by Mons. Guizot, and which seems to open a prospect +of an amicable and satisfactory understanding between France +and the Four Powers.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston also submits a note from Mr Bulwer +intimating that the French Government would be contented +with an arrangement which should leave Mehemet Ali in +possession of Egypt alone, without any part of Syria, and +Viscount Palmerston submits that such is the arrangement +which it would on all accounts be desirable to accomplish. +There seems reason to think that the bombardment of Beyrout<sup>47</sup> +and the deposal of Mehemet Ali by the Sultan have greatly +contributed to render the French more reasonable on this +question, by exciting in their minds an apprehension that unless +some arrangement be speedily effected, the operations now +going on in the Levant will end in the entire overthrow of +Mehemet Ali.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 47: On 10th October Ibrahim was defeated by the Allies, and next day Beyrout was +occupied by British, Austrian, and Turkish troops.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">GUIZOT AND THIERS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>11th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has not written before to-day, because he had nothing new +to lay before your Majesty. Lord Melbourne anxiously hopes +she feels some confidence that the present state of the Eastern +affairs is such as may lead to a speedy, amicable termination—at +the same time, with a nation so irritable as the French, and +with the Constitution which they have and which they are +unused to exercise, it is impossible to feel secure for a moment. +Guizot, when he gave the despatch of Thiers to Lord Palmerston, +said that he had nothing to do with the reasonings of that +despatch, and would not enter into any argument upon them.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.239" id="pagei.239"></a>[page 239]</span> + +<p class="ind">He delivered them only in his official capacity as the Ambassador +of the King of France. All he would say was that +they were the result of a great effort of that party in France +which was for peace. This was a sufficient intimation that he +himself did not approve of them, but it was not possible to +collect from what he said upon what grounds his dissent was +founded. Lord Melbourne has since heard that he says, that +he considers that France has taken too low a tone and has +made too much concession, and that he could not have been +a party to this step if he had been one of the King's Ministers. +The step is also probably contrary to the declared opinion of +M. Thiers; whether it be contrary to his real opinion is +another question. But if it was written principally by the influence +of the King, it is a measure at once bold and friendly +upon his part, and the success of which will much depend upon +its being met in an amicable spirit here.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne returns the letter of the King of the Belgians. +Lord Melbourne kept it because he wished to show it to Lord +John Russell, and some others, as containing an authentic +statement of the feelings of the King of the French, which it is +well that they should know....</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>12th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen in returning these letters must express to Lord +Palmerston her very great satisfaction at the favourable turn +affairs have taken, and the Queen earnestly trusts that this +demonstration of returning amity on the part of France will be +met in a very friendly spirit by Lord Palmerston and the rest +of her Government. The Queen feels certain that this change +on the part of France is also greatly owing to the peaceable +disposition of the King of the French, and she thinks that in +consideration of the difficulties the King has had to contend +with, and which he seems finally to have overcome, we should +make some return; and indeed, as Lord Palmerston states, +the arrangement proposed is the best which can be desired.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FEELING IN FRANCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>12th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He is much better to-day, free from pain and difficulty of +moving, but he thinks that it would not be prudent, and that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.240" id="pagei.240"></a>[page 240]</span> +he should run the risk of bringing back the complaint, if he +should leave town to-morrow.</p> + +<p class="ind">He thinks it might also be imprudent in another point of +view, as affairs are still in a very unsettled state, and the rest +of the Cabinet watch with great impatience, and, to say the +truth, not without suspicion, the manner in which Palmerston +will carry into effect the decision of Saturday. They are particularly +anxious for speed, and I have written both last night +and this morning to Palmerston, to urge him not to delay. +He will go down to Windsor to-morrow, and your Majesty will +then have an opportunity of speaking to him, upon which +Lord Melbourne will write again to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Guizot has been with Lord Melbourne this morning for the +purpose of repeating what he had before said to Palmerston, +that the Note which he delivered on Saturday was the result +of a great effort made by the party who are for peace, that it +had been conquered against a strong opposition, that if it were +not taken advantage of here now, it would not be renewed, +that the conduct of affairs in France would probably fall into +the hands of the violent party, and that it would be no longer +possible to control the excited feelings of the people of France.</p> + +<p class="ind">The worst is that Palmerston, and John Russell, with now +the greater part of the Cabinet, proceed upon principles, +opinions, and expectations which are entirely different from +one another, and which therefore necessarily lead to a different +course of action. We are anxious to finish the business +speedily, because we fear that there is danger of the Government +of France being forced into violent measures by popular +outcry. Palmerston, on the contrary, thinks that there is no +danger of war, that the French do not mean war, and that +there is no feeling in France but what has been produced by +the Ministry and their instruments the Press.</p> + +<p class="ind">We are anxious that the opportunity should be seized now +whilst we have the appearance of success in Syria, not being at +all confident of the ultimate result. Palmerston, on the contrary, +is so confident of complete success, that he wishes to +delay concluding the affair until he can have the benefit of the +full advantages, which he anticipates, in the negotiation.</p> + +<p class="ind">We should be too glad to see the matter settled, leaving +Mehemet Ali in possession of Egypt.</p> + +<p class="ind">Palmerston has both the wish and the hope of getting him +out of Egypt, as well as Syria.</p> + +<p class="ind">These great differences of view, object, and expectation +render it difficult for those who hold them to pursue the same +line of conduct.</p> + +<p class="ind">There is also, as your Majesty knows, much suspicion, distrust +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.241" id="pagei.241"></a>[page 241]</span> +and irritation, and all these circumstances throw great +obstacles in the way of the progress of affairs, but Lord +Melbourne hopes that they will all be overcome, and that +we shall arrive at a safe conclusion.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">RELATIONS WITH FRANCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>13th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +It is absolutely necessary that we should have a Cabinet on +Thursday. There is so much natural impatience, and so deep +an interest taken in what is now going on, that it cannot be +avoided....</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will naturally seize this opportunity of stating +strongly to Palmerston your wishes that this opportunity +should be taken advantage of, with a view to the speedy +accommodation of the whole difference. Your Majesty will +see the necessity of at the same time not appearing to take too +much the part of France, which might irritate and indispose.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will find John Russell perfectly right and +reasonable. He was before somewhat embarrassed by the +position in which he was placed. Having agreed to the Convention, +it was difficult for him to take steps which might +appear to be in departure from its policy, and to be occasioned +by the gravity of its consequences. But this step upon the +part of France will enable all the friends of peace to act +cordially together. John Russell thinks that you have not +been put fully in possession of his sentiments. Lord Melbourne +thinks this is not the case; but it would be well if your +Majesty would try to efface this impression from his mind +as much as possible.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>13th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,— ... I have three kind letters of +yours unanswered before me, of the 1st, 2nd, and 6th, for which +many thanks. My time is very short indeed to-day, but +Albert has, I know, written to you about the favourable turn +which the Oriental affairs have taken, and of the proposition of +France, which is very amicably received here; Austria and +Prussia are quite ready to agree, but Brunnow has been making +already difficulties (this is in confidence to you). I hope and +trust that this will at length settle the affair, and that peace, the +blessings of which are innumerable, will be preserved. I feel +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.242" id="pagei.242"></a>[page 242]</span> +we owe <i>much</i> of the change of the conduct of France to the +peaceable disposition of the dear King, for which I feel grateful.<sup>48</sup> +Pray, dear Uncle, when an opportunity offers, do offer the King +my best, sincerest wishes for his health and happiness in <i>every</i> +way, on the occasion of his birthday; may he live many years, +for the benefit of all Europe!...</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 48: The King of the French was alarmed at the warlike language of his Ministers. He +checked the preparations for war which Thiers was making; he went further, and on the +24th of October he dismissed the Thiers Ministry, and entrusted the management of +affairs to Soult and Guizot, who were pacifically inclined and anxious to preserve the +Anglo-French <i>entente</i>.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S INFLUENCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>16th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I received your kind but anxious +letter of the 10th, the day before yesterday, and hasten to +reply to it by the courier who goes to-day. Indeed, dearest +Uncle, I have worked hard this last week to bring about +something conciliatory, and I hope and trust I have succeeded. +Lord Melbourne, who left Claremont on the same day as we +did, was confined to the house till yesterday, when he arrived +here, by a lumbago and bilious attack; but I had a constant +correspondence with him on this unfortunate and alarming +question, and he is, I can assure you, fully aware of the danger, +and as anxious as we are to set matters right; and so is Lord +John, and Palmerston, I hope, is getting more reasonable. +They have settled in consequence of Thiers' two despatches +that Palmerston should write to Lord Ponsonby to urge the +Porte <i>not</i> to dispossess Mehemet Ali finally of Egypt, and I +believe the other foreign Ministers at Constantinople will +receive similar instructions; this despatch Palmerston will +send to Granville (to-night, I believe) to be communicated to +Thiers, and <i>I</i> have made Palmerston <i>promise</i> to put into the +despatch to Granville "that it would be a source of great +satisfaction to England, if this would be the cause of bringing +back France to that alliance (with the other Four Powers) from +which we had seen her depart with so much regret." I hope this +will have a good effect. Now, in <i>my</i> humble opinion (but this +I say of myself and without anybody's knowledge), if France, +upon this, were to make some sort of advance, and were to +<i>cease arming</i>, I think all would do; for you see, if France goes +on arming, we shall hardly be justified in not doing the same, +and that would be very bad. Couldn't you suggest this to the +King and Thiers, as of yourself? My anxiety is great for the +return of amity and concord, I can assure you. I think our +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.243" id="pagei.243"></a>[page 243]</span> +child ought to have besides its other names those of <i>Turco +Egypto</i>, as we think of nothing else! I had a long talk with +Palmerston on Wednesday, and also with J. Russell.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope I have done good. The Dutch don't like the abdication. +I'm so sorry for poor little Paris!<sup>49</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Pray excuse this dreadful scrawl, but I am so hurried. Ever +your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 49: The Comte de Paris, born 24th August 1838, eldest son of Ferdinand, Duke of +Orleans, who was Louis Philippe's eldest son.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ATTEMPT ON LOUIS PHILIPPE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">LAEKEN</span>, <i>17th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—You will, I am sure, have been very +much shocked on hearing that on the 15th there was a new +attempt made to kill the poor good King at Paris.<sup>50</sup> The place +was cleverly chosen, as the King generally puts his head out +of the carriage window to bow to the guard. I join the letter +which he had the goodness to forward us through an <i>estafette</i>.<sup>51</sup> +May this melancholy <i>attentat</i> impress on your Ministers the +necessity of aiding the King in his arduous task.... You +will have the goodness to show this letter to Albert.</p> + +<p class="ind">Louise was much alarmed when it arrived at such an unusual +hour; it was ten o'clock. At first we thought it might be +something about poor little Paris, who is not yet so well as one +could wish.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have gloomy miserable weather, and I feel much disgusted +with this part of the world. Ever, my beloved Victoria, +your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 50: The King was fired at as he was leaving the Tuileries, by Darmes, a Marseillais. As +Croker wrote to Lord Brougham on the 31st of October 1840:—"Poor Louis Philippe +lives the life of a mad dog, and will soon, I fear, suffer the death of that general object +of every man's shot."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 51: Express messenger.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FRANCE AND EGYPT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>20th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My most beloved Victoria</span>,—I must write to you a few +lines by M. Drouet, who returns to-morrow morning to England. +<i>God bless you</i> for the <i>great zeal</i> you have <i>mis en action</i> for +our great work, the maintenance of peace; it is one of the greatest +importance for everything worth caring for in Europe. You +know well that no personal interest guides me in my exertions; +I am in fact bored with being here, and shall ever regret to have +remained in these regions, when I might so easily have gone +myself to the Orient, the great object of my predilection.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.244" id="pagei.244"></a>[page 244]</span> + +<p class="ind">I never shall advise anything which would be against the +interests and honour of yourself, your Government, or your +country, in which I have so great a stake myself. The great +thing now is <i>not to refuse to negotiate</i> with France, even if it +should end in nothing. Still for the King Louis Philippe there +is an <i>immense strength</i> and facility in that word "<i>nous négocions</i>"; +with this he may get over the opening of the session, +and this once done, one may hope to come to a conclusion. +Since I wrote to Lord Melbourne to-day, I have received a +letter from the King, of the 19th, <i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. yesterday, in which +he tells me, "<i>Pourvu qu'il y ait, pour commencer, des négociations, +cela me donne une grande force</i>."</p> + +<p class="ind">I have written yesterday to him most fully a letter he may +show Thiers also concerning the armaments. I think that my +arguments will make some impression on Thiers. The King +writes me word that by dint of great exertion he had brought +Thiers to be more moderate. If it was possible to bring France +and Mehemet Ali to agree to the greatest part of the Treaty, +it will be worth while for everybody to consent. The way to +bring France to join in some arrangement, and to take the +engagement to compel Mehemet to accept it, would be the +best practical way to come to a conclusion. It is probable, +though I know nothing about it in any positive way, that the +efforts of getting possession of Syria will fail, if the country +itself does not take up arms on a large scale, which seems not +to be believed.</p> + +<p class="ind">To conclude then my somewhat hurried argumentation, +the greatest thing is to negotiate. The negotiation cannot +now have the effect of weakening the execution as that goes +on, and it may have the advantage of covering the non-success +if that should take place, which is at all events possible if not +probable. May I beg you to read these few confused words +to Lord Melbourne as a supplement of my letter to him. +Darmes says that if Chartres had been with the King, he would +not have fired, but that his reason for wishing to kill the King +was his conviction that one could not hope for war till he was +dead.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is really melancholy to see the poor King taking this +<i>acharnement</i> very much to heart, and upon my word, the other +Powers of Europe owe it to themselves and to him to do everything +to ease and strengthen his awful task.</p> + +<p class="ind">What do you say to poor Christina's departure?<sup>52</sup> I am +sorry for it, and for the poor children. She is believed to be +very rich.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.245" id="pagei.245"></a>[page 245]</span> + +<p class="ind">Now I must conclude, but not without thanking you once +more for your <i>great and most laudable exertions</i>, and wishing you +every happiness, which you so <i>much deserve</i>. Ever, my most +beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 52: Queen Christina abdicated the Regency of Spain, and went to Paris. In the following +May General Espartero, Duke of Vittoria, was appointed sole Regent.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEATH OF LORD HOLLAND</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>23rd October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Many thanks for your two kind +letters of the 17th and 20th. I have very little time to-day, +and it being besides <i>not</i> my regular day, I must beg you to +excuse this letter being very short. I return you the King's +letters with <i>bien des remercîments</i>. It is a horrid business. We +have had accounts of successes on the Syrian coast. Guizot is +here since Wednesday, and goes this morning. Albert (who +desires me to thank you for your kind letter) has been talking +to him, and so have I, and he promised in return for my expressions +of sincere anxiety to see matters <i>raccommodées</i>, to do +all in his power to do so. "<i>Je ne vais que pour cela</i>," he said.</p> + +<p class="ind">We were much shocked yesterday at the sudden death of poor +good, old Lord Holland.<sup>53</sup> I send you Dr Holland's letter to +Lord Melbourne about it. He is a great loss, and to <i>Society</i> an +irreparable one. I'm sure you will be sorry for it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Mamma comes back sooner than the 31st. She is in great +distress at poor Polly's death. You will regret him. Ever +your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Pray <i>do</i> try and get the King's Speech to be <i>pacific</i>, else +Parliament must meet here in November, which would be +dreadful for me.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 53: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who, by reason of his social influence, great +wealth, and high intellectual endowments, was one of the most efficient supporters of +the Whig party.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>26th October 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The Duke of Cambridge arrived, as you know, before +yesterday evening, at Brussels. Your Uncle visited him +yesterday, and at six he came to Laeken to dine with us. I +found him looking well, and he was as usual very good-natured +and kind. I need not tell you that conversation did not flag +between us, and that I thought of you almost the whole time. +In the course of the evening he took leave. He left Brussels +this morning early, on his way to Calais, and I suppose you will +hear of him before this letter reaches you. He took charge +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.246" id="pagei.246"></a>[page 246]</span> +of all my love and <i>hommages</i> for you, dear Albert, and all the +Royal Family. Before dinner the children were presented to +him (that is Leopold and Philippe), but I am sorry to say that +poor Lippchen was so much frightened with his appearance, +loud voice, and black gloves, that he burst out crying, and +that we were obliged to send him away. The Duke took his +shyness very kindly; but I am still ashamed with his behaviour.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">NEWS FROM SYRIA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Carlton Terrace</span>, <i>8th November 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and in addition to the good news from Syria, which +confirms the defeat and dispersion of the forces, both of +Ibrahim and of Solyman Pasha, with the loss of 8,000 prisoners, +24 pieces of cannon, the whole of their camp, baggage, and +stores, followed by the flight of those two Generals with a small +escort, he has the satisfaction of informing your Majesty that +the new French Ministers had a majority of 68, upon the vote +for the election of the President of the Chamber.<sup>54</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">This majority, so far exceeding any previous calculation, +seems to place the stability of the Government beyond a doubt, +though it must, of course, be expected that upon other questions +their majority will not be so overwhelming.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 54: M. Sauzet was elected in preference to M. Odillon Barrot. Thiers resigned the +Premiership on 14th October; in the new Ministry Soult was President of the Council, +Guizot Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Duchatel Minister of the Interior.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DISAFFECTION IN FRANCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>11th November 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and with reference to your Majesty's memorandum of +the 9th inst., he entreats your Majesty not to believe that +there exists at present in France that danger of internal +revolution and of external war which the French Government, +to serve its own diplomatic purposes, endeavours to represent.</p> + +<p class="ind">There is no doubt a large Party among the leading politicians +in France, who have long contemplated the establishment of +a virtually, if not actually, independent State in Egypt and +Syria, under the direct protection and influence of France, and +that Party feel great disappointment and resentment at finding +their schemes in this respect baffled. But that Party will not +revenge themselves on the Four Powers by making a revolution +in France, and they are enlightened enough to see that France +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.247" id="pagei.247"></a>[page 247]</span> +cannot revenge herself by making war against the Four Powers, +who are much stronger than she is.</p> + +<p class="ind">... But your Majesty may be assured that there is in +France an immense mass of persons, possessed of property, and +engaged in pursuits of industry, who are decidedly adverse to +unnecessary war, and determined to oppose revolution. And +although those persons have not hitherto come prominently +forward, yet their voice would have made itself heard, when +the question of peace or unprovoked war came practically to +be discussed.</p> + +<p class="ind">With regard to internal revolution, there is undoubtedly +in France a large floating mass of Republicans and Anarchists, +ready at any moment to make a disturbance if there was no +strong power to resist them; but the persons who would lose +by convulsion are infinitely more numerous, and the National +Guard of Paris, consisting of nearly 60,000 men, are chiefly +persons of this description, and are understood to be decidedly +for internal order, and for external peace.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is very natural that the French Government, after having +failed to extort concessions upon the Turkish Question, by +menaces of foreign war, should now endeavour to obtain those +concessions, by appealing to fears of another kind, and should +say that such concessions are necessary in order to prevent +revolution in France; but Viscount Palmerston would submit +to your Majesty his deep conviction that this appeal is not better +founded than the other, and that a firm and resolute perseverance +on the part of the Four Powers, in the measures which +they have taken in hand, will effect a settlement of the affairs +of Turkey, which will afford great additional security for the +future peace of Europe, without producing in the meantime +either war <i>with</i> France, or revolution <i>in</i> France.</p> + +<p class="ind">France and the rest of Europe are entirely different now +from what they were in 1792. The French nation is as much +interested now to avoid further revolution, as it was interested +then in ridding itself, by any means, of the enormous and +intolerable abuses which then existed. France then imagined +she had much to gain by foreign war; France now knows +she has everything to lose by foreign war.</p> + +<p class="ind">Europe then (at least the Continental States) had also a +strong desire to get rid of innumerable abuses which pressed +heavily upon the people of all countries. Those abuses have +now in general been removed; the people in many parts of +Germany have been admitted, more or less, to a share in the +management of their own affairs. A German feeling and a +spirit of nationality has sprung up among all the German people, +and the Germans, instead of receiving the French as Liberators, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.248" id="pagei.248"></a>[page 248]</span> +as many of them did in 1792-1793, would now rise as one man +to repel a hateful invasion. Upon all these grounds Viscount +Palmerston deems it his duty to your Majesty to express his +strong conviction that the appeals made to your Majesty's +good feelings by the King of the French, upon the score of the +danger of revolution in France, unless concessions are made to +the French Government, have no foundation in truth, and are +only exertions of skilful diplomacy.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston has to apologise to your Majesty for +having inadvertently written a part of this memorandum upon +a half-sheet of paper. And he would be glad if, without inconvenience +to your Majesty, he could be enabled to read to the +Cabinet to-morrow the accompanying despatches from Lord +Granville.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston.</i><sup>55</sup></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE STATE OF FRANCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>11th November 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Palmerston's +letter of this morning, which she has read with great +attention. The Queen will just make a few observations upon +various points in it, to which she would wish to draw Lord +Palmerston's attention. The Queen does so with strict +impartiality, having had ample opportunities of hearing both +sides of this intricate and highly-important question.</p> + +<p class="ind">First of all, it strikes the Queen that, even if M. Thiers <i>did</i> +raise the cry, which was so loud, for war in France (but which +the Queen cannot believe he <i>did</i> to the extent Lord Palmerston +does), that such an excitement <i>once</i> raised in a country like +France, where the people are more excitable than almost any +other nation, it cannot be so easily controuled and stopped +again, and the Queen thinks this will be seen in time.</p> + +<p class="ind">Secondly, the Queen cannot either quite agree in Lord +Palmerston's observation, that the French Government state +the danger of internal revolution, if not supported, merely to +extract further concessions for Mehemet Ali. The Queen does +not pretend to say that this danger is not exaggerated, but depend +upon it, a <i>certain</i> degree of danger does exist, and that the +situation of the King of the French and the present French +Government is not an easy one. The majority, too, cannot be +depended upon, as many would vote against Odillon Barrot,<sup>56</sup> +who would <i>not</i> vote on other occasions with the Soult-Guizot +Ministry.</p> + +<p class="ind">Thirdly, the danger of war is also doubtless greatly exaggerated, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.249" id="pagei.249"></a>[page 249]</span> +as also the numbers of the French troops. But +Lord Palmerston must recollect how very warlike the French +are, and that if once roused, they will not listen to the calm +reasoning of those who wish for peace, or think of the great +risk they run of <i>losing</i> by war, but only of the glory and of +revenging insult, as they call it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Fourthly, the Queen sees the difficulty there exists at the +present moment of making any specific offer to France, but she +must at the same time repeat how <i>highly</i> and <i>exceedingly</i> important +she considers it that some sort of conciliatory agreement +should be come to with France, for she cannot believe +that the appeals made to her by the King of the French are only +exertions of skilful diplomacy. The Queen's earnest and only +wish is peace, and a maintenance of friendly relations with her +allies, consistent with the honour and dignity of her country. +She does not think, however, that the last would be compromised +by attempts to soften the irritation still existing in +France, or by attempts to bring France back to her former +position in the Oriental Question.</p> + +<p class="ind">She earnestly hopes that Lord Palmerston will consider this, +will reflect upon the importance of not driving France to +extremities, and of conciliatory measures, without showing +fear (for our successes on the coast of Syria show our power), +or without yielding to threats. France has been humbled, and +France is in the wrong, but, therefore, it is easier than if we had +failed, to do something to bring matters right again. The +Queen has thus frankly stated her own opinion, which she +thought it right Lord Palmerston should know, and she is sure +he will see it is only dictated by an earnest desire to see <i>all</i> as +much united as possible on this important subject.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 55: A copy of this letter was sent at the same time to Lord Melbourne.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 56: The unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency of the Chamber.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Baron Stockmar to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>21st November 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Lord,</span>—I have just received Her Majesty's order +to express to you her great desire to have from this day the +Prince's name introduced into the Church Prayer. Her own +words were: "that I should press it with Lord Melbourne as +the wish she had most at heart at this moment." Ever yours +most sincerely,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Stockmar.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<h6>[<i>Translated</i>.]</h6> + +<span class="rightnote">KING LEOPOLD ON FRENCH AFFAIRS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>26th November 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... As to politics, I do not wish to say much to-day. +Palmerston, <i>rex</i> and autocrat, is, for a Minister finding himself +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.250" id="pagei.250"></a>[page 250]</span> +in such fortunate circumstances, far <i>too irritable and violent</i>. +One does not understand the use of showing so much hatred +and anger. What he says about the <i>appeal to the personal +feeling of the Queen, on the part of the King of the French</i>, is childlike +and malicious, for it has <i>never</i> existed.</p> + +<p class="ind">The King was for many years the great friend of the Duke of +Kent, after whose death he remained a friend of Victoria. His +relations with the latter have, up to 1837, passed through very +varied phases; she was for a long time an object of hatred in +the family, who had not treated the Duke of Kent over-amicably, +and a proof of this is the fact that the Regent, from +the year 1819, forbade the Duke his house and presence—which +was probably another nail in the Duke's coffin. Many +of these things are quite unknown to Victoria, or forgotten by +her. Still it is only fair not to forget the people who were +her friends before 1837; after that date there was a violent +outbreak of affection among people who in the year 1836 +would still not go near Victoria. October 1836, when he sat +next her at dinner, was the first time that Palmerston himself +had ever seen Victoria except at a distance. As you have the +best means of knowing, the King has not even dreamt of +applying to Victoria.</p> + +<p class="ind">As to danger, it was very great in September, on the occasion +of the <i>ouvrier</i> riot—for a Paris mob fires at once, a thing +which—Heaven be thanked!—English mobs rarely do. Towards +the end of October, when Thiers withdrew, there was a +possibility of a revolution, and it was only the fear of people of +wealth that kept them together, and drew them towards +Guizot.</p> + +<p class="ind">A revolution, at once democratic and bellicose, could not but +become most dangerous. That was on the cards, and only a +fairly fortunate combination of circumstances saved matters. +The King and my poor mother-in-law were terribly <i>low</i>, <i>on both +occasions</i>, and I confess that I looked everyday with the greatest +anxiety for the news. If the poor King had been murdered, +or even if he were now to be murdered, what danger, what confusion +would follow! All these things were met by Palmerston +with the excessively <i>nonchalante</i> declaration, <i>it was not so, and +it is not so</i>! Those are absolutely baseless assertions, and +totally valueless. At least I could estimate the danger as well +as he and Bulwer—and, indeed, it was an anxious crisis. I +should think the Revolution of 1790 <i>et ce qui s'en est suivi</i> had +done a brisk enough business in Europe, and to risk a new one +of the same kind would really be somewhat scandalous.</p> + +<p class="ind">What, however, may be the future fruit of the seed of +Palmerston's sowing, we do not in the least know as yet; it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.251" id="pagei.251"></a>[page 251]</span> +may, however, prove sufficiently full of misfortune for the +future of innocent people. The Eastern affairs will be put on +an intelligible footing only when, after these differences with +Mehemet Ali, something is done for the poor Porte, which is +now so much out of repair. Otherwise there remains a little +place which is called Sebastopol, and from which, as the wind +is almost constantly favourable, one can get very quickly to +Constantinople—and Constantinople is always the one place +which exercises the greatest influence, and all the more because +the ducats come from that quarter, with results which the +marked economy of England is hardly likely to effect....</p> + +<p class="ind">Victoria has borne herself bravely and properly in the +matter, and <i>deserves to be greatly praised</i>....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BIRTH OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>30th November 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My most beloved Victoria,</span>—I have been longing to write +to you ever since we got the <i>joyful</i> tidings,<sup>57</sup> but I would not do +so before the nine days were at an end. Now that they are +over, I hope as you are, thank God, so well, I may venture a +few lines to express <i>a part</i> of my feelings, and to wish you joy +on the happy birth of your dear little girl. I need not tell you +the <i>deep, deep</i> share I took in this most <i>happy event</i>, and all I +felt for you, for dear Albert, when I heard of it, and since we +last met. You know my affection for you, and I will not +trouble you with the repetition of what you know. All I will say +is that I thanked God with all my heart, and as I have scarcely +thanked Him for any other favour....</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 57: The Princess Royal, afterwards the Empress Frederick of Germany, was born 21st +November 1840.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SETTLEMENT OF EASTERN QUESTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>15th December 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—Many thanks for your kind little letter +of the 10th from Ardenne. I am very prosperous, walking about +the house like myself again, and we go to Windsor on the 22nd +or 23rd, which will quite set me up. I am <i>very</i> prudent and +careful, you may <i>rely</i> upon it. Your little grand-niece is most +flourishing; she gains daily in health, strength and, I may add, +beauty; I think she will be very like her dearest father; she +grows amazingly; I shall be proud to present her to you.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.252" id="pagei.252"></a>[page 252]</span> + +<p class="ind">The <i>dénouement</i> of the Oriental affair is most fortunate, is it +not?<sup>58</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">I see Stockmar often, who is very kind about me and the +Princess Royal....</p> + +<p class="ind">Albert sends his affectionate love, and pray believe me +always, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 58: On the 3rd of November St Jean d'Acre was captured by the allied fleet, Admiral +Sir Robert Stopford commanding the British contingent; the battle is said to have been +the first to test the advantages of steam. Admiral Napier proceeded to Alexandria, and +threatened bombardment, unless the Pasha came to terms. On 25th November a Convention +was signed, by which Mehemet Ali resigned his claims to Syria, and bound himself +to restore the Ottoman Fleet, while the Powers undertook to procure for him undisturbed +possession of the Pashalik of Egypt.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>26th December 1840</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I can well understand that you feel quite astonished at +finding yourself within a year of your marriage a very respectable +mother of a nice little girl, but let us thank Heaven +that it is so. Any illness to which, unfortunately, we poor +human creatures are very subject, would almost have kept you +longer in bed, and make you longer weak and uncomfortable, +than an event which in your position as Sovereign is of a very +great importance.</p> + +<p class="ind">Because there is no doubt that a Sovereign without heirs +direct, or brothers and sisters, which by their attachment may +stand in lieu of them, is much to be pitied, viz., Queen Anne's +later years. Moreover, children of our own, besides the +affection which one feels for them, have also for their parents +sentiments which one rarely obtains from strangers. I flatter +myself therefore that you will be a delighted and delightful +<i>Maman au milieu d'une belle et nombreuse famille</i>....</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.253" id="pagei.253"></a>[page 253]</span> + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER X</h3> + + +<p>At the beginning of the year the Ministry were confronted with +monetary difficulties and bad trade; their special weakness in +finance, contrasted with Sir Robert Peel's great ability, in addition +to their many reverses, indicated that a change was at hand; and +confidential communications were, with Lord Melbourne's full +approval, opened up by the Prince with Sir Robert Peel, to avert the +recurrence of a Bedchamber dispute. The Ministry were defeated on +their Budget, but did not resign. A vote of want of confidence was +then carried against them by a majority of one, and Parliament was +dissolved; the Ministers appealing to the country on the cry of a +fixed duty on corn. The Conservative and Protectionist victory was +a decisive one, the most significant successes being in the city of +London, Northumberland, and the West Riding. Somewhat improving +their position in Scotland and Ireland, and just holding their +own in the English boroughs, the Whigs were absolutely overwhelmed +in the counties, and in the result three hundred and sixty-eight +Conservatives and only two hundred and ninety-two Liberals were +returned. The modern practice of resigning before meeting Parliament +had not then been introduced, and the Ministry was defeated in +both Houses on Amendments to the Address, the Duke of Wellington +taking the opportunity of eulogising Lord Melbourne's great services +to the Queen. A powerful Protectionist Ministry was formed by +Sir Robert Peel, including the Duke of Wellington, Lord Aberdeen, +Sir James Graham, and Lord Lyndhurst.</p> + +<p>Great national rejoicings took place when, on the 9th of November, +a male heir to the throne, now His Majesty King Edward VII., +was born.</p> + +<p>In France the bitter feeling against England, arising out of the +Syrian expedition, still continued, but Thiers' supersession by the +more pacific Guizot, and the satisfaction with which both the latter +and his Sovereign regarded the displacement of Palmerston by +Aberdeen, began to lead to a better <i>entente</i>. The scheme of fortifying +Paris continued, however, to be debated, while the Orleanist +family were still the subjects of futile <i>attentats</i>.</p> + +<p>Spain was disturbed, the question of the guardianship of the young +Queen giving rise to dissension: insurrections in the interests of the +Queen-mother took place at Pampeluna and Vittoria, and her +pension was suspended by Espartero, the Regent.</p> + +<p>In the east, Mehemet Ali surrendered the whole of the Turkish +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.254" id="pagei.254"></a>[page 254]</span> +fleet, and he was subsequently guaranteed the hereditary Pashalik +of Egypt by the four European Powers who had intervened in the +affairs of the Levant.</p> + +<p>In Afghanistan, an insurrection broke out, and Sir Alexander +Burnes was murdered; our envoy at Cabul, Sir William Macnaghten, +in an unfortunate moment entered into negotiations with Akbar +Khan, a son of Dost Mahommed, who treacherously assassinated +him. Somewhat humiliating terms were arranged, and the English +force of 4,000 soldiers, with 12,000 camp-followers, proceeded to +withdraw from Cabul, harassed by the enemy; after endless +casualties, General Elphinstone, who was in command, with the +women and children, became captives, and one man alone, of the +16,000—Dr Brydon—reached Jellalabad to tell the tale.</p> + +<p>In China, operations were continued, Sir Henry Pottinger superseding +Captain Elliot, and Canton soon lying at the mercy of the +British arms; the new Superintendent co-operated with Sir Hugh +Gough and Admiral Sir William Parker, in the capture of Amoy, +Chusan, Chintu, and Ningpo.</p> + +<p>In America, the union of the two Canadas was carried into effect, +but a sharp dispute with the United States arose out of the Upper +Canada disturbances of 1837. Some Canadian loyalists had then +resented the interference of a few individual Americans in favour of +the rebels, and an American named Durfee had been killed. One +M'Leod, a British subject, was now arrested in the State of New +York, on a charge of having been concerned in the affray. He was +acquitted, reprisals were made by Canadians, and international +feeling was for a time highly acute.</p> + + +<p style="margin-top: 3em;">Much interest naturally attaches to Lord Melbourne's continued +correspondence with the Queen, after the change of Government. +Baron Stockmar's remonstrance on the subject shows that he misunderstood +the character of the correspondence, and over-estimated +its momentousness.</p> + +<p>These letters dealt chiefly with social and personal matters, and +although full of interest from the light which they throw on Lord +Melbourne's relations with the Queen, they show him to have +behaved with scrupulous honour and delicacy, and to have tried to +augment, rather than undermine, Peel's growing influence with the +Queen and Prince. There are comparatively few of Peel's letters in +the collection. He wrote rarely at first, and only on strictly official +matters. But before long his great natural reserve was broken +through, and his intercourse with the Prince, to whom his character +was particularly sympathetic, became very close and intimate.</p> + +<p>Of all the English Ministers with whom the Prince was brought +in contact, it is known that he preferred the stately and upright +Commoner, who certainly, of all English Ministers, estimated and +appreciated the Prince's character most truly and clearly.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.255" id="pagei.255"></a>[page 255]</span> + + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h5>1841</h5> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>5th January 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—I have to thank you for two very kind +letters, of the 26th December and 1st January, and for all your +very kind and good wishes. I am sorry to hear you have all +been plagued with colds; we have as yet escaped them, and I +trust will continue to do so. I think, dearest Uncle, you cannot +<i>really</i> wish me to be the "Mamma d'une <i>nombreuse</i> +famille," for I think you will see with me the great inconvenience +a <i>large</i> family would be to us all, and particularly to +the country, independent of the hardship and inconvenience to +myself; men never think, at least seldom think, what a hard +task it is for us women to go through this <i>very often</i>. God's +will be done, and if He decrees that we are to have a great +number of children, why we must try to bring them up as useful +and exemplary members of society. Our young lady flourishes +exceedingly, and I hope the Van de Weyers (who have been +here for three days), who have seen her twice, will give you a +favourable description of her. I think you would be amused +to see Albert dancing her in his arms; he makes a capital +nurse (which I do not, and she is much too heavy for me to +carry), and she already seems so happy to go to him.</p> + +<p class="ind">The christening will be at Buckingham Palace on the 10th of +February, our dear marriage-day.</p> + +<p class="ind">Affairs are certainly still precarious, but I feel confident all +will come right....</p> + +<p class="ind">Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>8th January 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I trust also that affairs will come right; what is to be +feared is the <i>chapter of accidents</i>. Your name bears glorious +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.256" id="pagei.256"></a>[page 256]</span> +fruits in all climes; this globe will soon be too small for you, +and something must be done to get at the other planets....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum—Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S EDUCATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>15th January 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord Melbourne said, "The Prince is bored with the sameness +of his chess every evening. He would like to bring literary +and scientific people about the Court, vary the society, and +infuse a more useful tendency into it. The Queen however has +no fancy to encourage such people. This arises from a feeling +on her part that her education has not fitted her to take part in +such conversation; she would not like conversation to be +going on in which she could not take her fair share, and she is +far too open and candid in her nature to pretend to one atom +more knowledge than she really possesses on such subjects; +and yet, as the world goes, she would, as any girl, have been +considered accomplished, for she speaks German well and +writes it; understands Italian, speaks French fluently, and +writes it with great elegance. In addition to this old +Davys instilled some Latin into her during his tutorship. +The rest of her education she owes to her own natural +shrewdness and quickness, and this perhaps has not been +the proper education for one who was to wear the Crown +of England.</p> + +<p class="ind2">"The Queen is very proud of the Prince's utter indifference +to the attractions of all ladies. I told Her Majesty that these +were early days to boast, which made her rather indignant. I +think she is a little jealous of his talking much even to men."</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S SPEECH</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>19th January 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has just received your Majesty's letter. Lord Melbourne +is very sorry not to come down to Windsor, but he really thinks +that his absence from London at this moment might be prejudicial.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will do his utmost to have the Speech +worded in the most calm manner, and so as in no respect to +offend or irritate any feelings. Some mention of the good +conduct and gallantry of the Navy there must be—to omit it +would be injurious and disheartening—but as to any expressions +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.257" id="pagei.257"></a>[page 257]</span> +complimentary to France or expressive of regret at our +separation from it, it will be hardly possible to introduce anything +of that nature.<sup>1</sup> It is quite unusual in our Speeches from +the Throne to express either approbation or disapprobation +of the conduct of foreign nations and foreign Governments. +It is surprising how very seldom it has been done, and the +wisdom and prudence of abstaining from it is very manifest. +It would be giving an opinion upon that which does not belong +to us. Anything which would have the effect of producing +satisfaction in France must be of an apologetic character, which +there is no ground for, and for which neither the Government +nor the country is prepared.</p> + +<p class="ind">The best course will be a total reserve upon this head, +certainly abstaining from anything that can be in the slightest +degree offensive.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: France was not mentioned, though the Convention with the other Powers, and the +naval operations in conjunction with Austria, were referred to.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>22nd January 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will be most happy to wait upon your +Majesty on Saturday and Sunday.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very sorry that your Majesty is compelled +to come to London contrary to your inclinations; but Lord +Melbourne much rejoices that your Majesty expresses that +reluctance, as there is no surer sign of complete happiness and +contentment in the married life than a desire to remain quietly +in the country, and there is nothing on the earth Lord Melbourne +desires more anxiously than the assurance of your Majesty's +happiness.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S INFANCY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>22nd January 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I thank you very sincerely for +your kind letter of the 19th, which I hasten to answer. I +should not have bored you by my presence, but the act of the +christening is, in my eyes, a sort of closing of the first cyclus +of your dear life. I was shooting at the late Lord Craven's +in Berkshire, when I received the messenger who brought me +the horrifying news of your poor father's deadly illness. I +hastened in bitter cold weather to Sidmouth, about two days +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.258" id="pagei.258"></a>[page 258]</span> +before his death. His affairs were so much deranged that your +Mother would have had no means even of leaving Sidmouth +if I had not taken all this under my care and management. +That dreary journey, undertaken, I think, on the 26th of +January, in bitter cold and damp weather, I shall not easily +forget. I looked very sharp after the poor little baby, then +about eight months old. Arrived in London we were very +unkindly treated by George IV., <i>whose great wish was to get you +and your Mamma out of the country</i>, and I must say without +my assistance you could <i>not</i> have remained.... I state these +facts, because it is useful to remember through what <i>difficulties</i> +and <i>hardships</i> one had to struggle. You will also remember +that though there existed the <i>possibility</i> of your eventually +succeeding to the Crown, that possibility was very doubtful, +the then Duchess of Clarence having been confined after your +Mother, and there being every reason to think that, though +poor little Princess Elizabeth did not live more than some +months, other children might appear.<sup>2</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">It was a long time from 1820 to 1837! We got over it, +however, and, as far as you are concerned, God be praised! +safely and happily. You are married, with every prospect of +many happy years to come, and your happiness is <i>crowned</i>, and +<i>consolidated</i>, as it were, by the birth of the dear little lady. +Having from motives of discretion, perhaps <i>carried even too far</i>, +not assisted at your coming to the throne, nor at your Coronation, +nor afterwards at your marriage, I wished to assist at the +christening of the little Princess, an event which is of great +importance....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 2: Two children were born to the Duke and Duchess of Clarence—Charlotte Augusta +Louisa, born and died 29th March 1819, and Elizabeth Georgina Adelaide, born 10th +December 1820, and died 4th March 1821.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Carlton Terrace</span>, <i>1st February 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and in submitting this letter from Earl Granville, +which coupled with the despatches from Sir Robert Stopford +virtually show that the Turkish Question is brought to a close, +begs most humbly to congratulate your Majesty upon this +rapid and peaceful settlement of a matter which at different +periods has assumed appearances so threatening to the peace +of Europe.<sup>3</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 3: See <i>ante</i>, pp. <a href="#pagei.252" style="font-weight: normal;">252</a>, <a href="#pagei.254" style="font-weight: normal;">254</a>.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.259" id="pagei.259"></a>[page 259]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>2nd February 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +Lord Melbourne will be happy to wait upon your Majesty on +Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, but he finds that there is +to be a Cabinet dinner to-morrow.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will speak to Lord Palmerston about Lord +John Russell.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne does not see the name of the Archbishop of +Canterbury as a subscriber to this "Parker" Society, and if +your Majesty will give him leave, he will ask him about it +before he gives your Majesty an answer. It is in some degree +a party measure, and levelled against these new Oxford +doctrines. The proposal is to republish the works of the +older divines up to the time of the death of Queen Elizabeth. +Up to that period the doctrines of the Church of +England were decidedly Calvinistic. During the reign of +James II.,<sup>4</sup> and particularly after the Synod of Dort (1618-1619), +the English clergy very generally adopted <i>Arminian</i> +opinions.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is proposed to republish the works of the divines who +wrote during the first period, and to stop short when they come +to the second. There is meaning in this. But, after all, the +object is not a bad one, and it may not be worth while to consider +it so closely.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 4: Lord Melbourne must have meant James I.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ILLNESS OF DUKE OF WELLINGTON</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>5th February 1841 (6 o'clock)</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and is very sorry to have to acquaint your Majesty that the +Duke of Wellington was taken ill in the House of Lords this +evening with a seizure, probably paralytic, and of the same +nature with those which he has had before. Lord Brougham, +who was standing opposite to the Duke and addressing the +House, observed the Duke's face to be drawn and distorted, +and soon afterwards the Duke rose from his seat and walked +staggeringly towards the door. He walked down the gallery, +supported on each side, but never spoke. A medical man +was procured to attend him; he was placed in his carriage and +driven home....</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.260" id="pagei.260"></a>[page 260]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE UNITED STATES</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th March 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to state that the remainder of the Navy +Estimates, and nearly the whole of the Army Estimates, were +voted last night without any serious opposition. Indeed the +chief fault found with the Army Estimates was that they are +not large enough.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel made a remarkable speech. Adverting to +the present state of our affairs with the United States,<sup>5</sup> he said +that much as he disliked war, yet if the honour or interests +of the country required it, he should sink all internal differences, +and give his best support to the Government of his +country.</p> + +<p class="ind">This declaration was received with loud cheers. It must be +considered as very creditable to Sir Robert Peel.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 5: <i>See</i> Introductory Note, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.254" style="font-weight: normal;">254.</a></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CHINA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>10th April 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and has the honour to submit the accompanying +letters, which he received yesterday, about the operations in +China, and which have just been returned to him by Viscount +Melbourne, whose letter he also transmits.<sup>6</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston has felt greatly mortified and disappointed +at this result of the expedition to China, and he much +fears that the sequel of the negotiation, which was to follow +the conclusion of these preliminary conditions, will not tend to +render the arrangement less objectionable. Captain Elliot +seems to have wholly disregarded the instructions which had +been sent to him, and even when, by the entire success of the +operations of the Fleet, he was in a condition to dictate his own +terms, he seems to have agreed to very inadequate conditions.<sup>7</sup> +The amount of compensation for the opium surrendered falls +short of the value of that opium, and nothing has been obtained +for the expenses of the expedition, nor for the debts of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.261" id="pagei.261"></a>[page 261]</span> +bankrupt Hong<sup>8</sup> merchants. The securities which the plenipotentiaries +were expressly ordered to obtain for British residents +in China have been abandoned; and the Island of Chusan +which they were specifically informed was to be retained till +the whole of the pecuniary compensation should have been +paid, has been hastily and discreditably evacuated. Even the +cession of Hong Kong has been coupled with a condition about +the payment of duties, which would render that island not a +possession of the British Crown, but, like Macao, a settlement +held by sufferance in the territory of the Crown +of China.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston deems it his duty in laying these papers +before your Majesty, to state some few of the objections which +he feels to the arrangement, but the Cabinet will have to consider, +as soon as they meet after the Recess, what advice they +may wish humbly to tender to your Majesty upon these important +matters. There is no doubt, however, that much has +been accomplished, but it is very mortifying to find that other +things which the plenipotentiaries were ordered to obtain, +and which the force placed at their command was amply +sufficient to enable them to accomplish, have not been +attained.</p> + +<p class="ind">Viscount Palmerston has sent a small map of the Canton +River, which your Majesty may like to keep for future reference.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 6: Captain Elliot, after capturing the Chinese position at the mouth of Canton River, +concluded a preliminary treaty with the Chinese Government, which did not satisfy the +Chinese, and which was strongly disapproved of by the English Ministry, as containing +no mention of the opium traffic, which had been the cause of all the difficulties; Elliot +was accordingly recalled, and succeeded by Sir Henry Pottinger.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 7: They were the cession of Hong-Kong, and payment of an indemnity of 6,000,000 +dollars to Great Britain, with provision for commercial facilities and collection of customs.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 8: The native Canton merchants,—Hong here probably meaning a "row of houses," +a "street." Hong Kong (Hiang Kiang) means the "fragrant lagoon."</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>13th April 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—I thank you much for your kind letter +of the 9th, received yesterday. I have just heard from Stockmar +(who, I hope, reported favourably of us all) that your +Ministry is at <i>last</i> settled, of which I wish you joy. I think, +dear Uncle, that you would find the East not only as "absurd" +as the West, but very barbarous, cruel, and dangerous into the +bargain.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Chinese business vexes us much, and Palmerston is +deeply mortified at it. <i>All</i> we wanted might have been got, +if it had not been for the unaccountably strange conduct of +Charles Elliot (<i>not Admiral</i> Elliot,<sup>9</sup> for <i>he</i> was obliged to come +away from ill-health), who completely disobeyed his instructions +and <i>tried</i> to get the <i>lowest</i> terms he could.... The attack +and storming of the Chorempee Forts on the 7th of January +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.262" id="pagei.262"></a>[page 262]</span> +was very gallantly done by the Marines, and immense destruction +of the Chinese took place.<sup>10</sup> The accounts of the +cruelty of the Chinese to one another are horrible. Albert is +so much amused at my having got the Island of Hong Kong, +and we think Victoria ought to be called Princess of Hong Kong +in addition to Princess Royal.</p> + +<p class="ind">She drives out every day in a close carriage with the window +open, since she has been here, which does her worlds of good, +and she is to have a <i>walk</i> to-day.</p> + +<p class="ind">Stockmar writes me word that Charlotte<sup>11</sup> is quite beautiful. +<i>I</i> am very jealous.</p> + +<p class="ind">I think Vecto quite right not to travel without Nemours; +for it would look just as if she was unhappy, and ran to her +parents for help. I am sure <i>if</i> Albert ever should be away +(which, however, <i>will</i> and <i>shall never</i> happen, for I would go +with him even if he was to go to the <i>North Pole</i>), I should never +think of travelling; but I can't make mamma understand this. +Now farewell. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 9: They were both cousins of Lord Minto, the First Lord of the Admiralty.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 10: Commodore Bremer very speedily reduced some of the forts, but his further operations +were stopped.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 11: Daughter of King Leopold, who married in 1857 the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria +(afterwards Emperor Maximilian of Mexico).</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD CARDIGAN</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>24th April 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +Mr Labouchere<sup>12</sup> has desired that the five-pound piece which +is about to be issued from the Mint should be submitted for +your Majesty's inspection and approbation.</p> +<span class="rightnote">ARMY DISCIPLINE</span> +<p class="ind">We have had under our consideration at the Cabinet the +unfortunate subject of the conduct of Lord Cardigan.<sup>13</sup> The +public feeling upon it is very strong, and it is almost certain +that a Motion will be made in the House of Commons for an +Address praying your Majesty to remove him from the command +of his regiment. Such a Motion, if made, there is very +little chance of resisting with success, and nothing is more to +be apprehended and deprecated than such an interference of +the House of Commons with the interior discipline and government +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.263" id="pagei.263"></a>[page 263]</span> +of the Army. It was also felt that the general order issued +by the Horse Guards was not sufficient to meet the case, and in +these circumstances it was thought proper that Lord Melbourne +should see Lord Hill, and should express to him the opinion of +the Cabinet, that it was necessary that he should advise your +Majesty to take such measures as should have the effect of +removing Lord Cardigan from the command of the 11th Hussars. +The repeated acts of imprudence of which Lord Cardigan +has been guilty, and the repeated censures which he has drawn +down upon himself, form a ground amply sufficient for such a +proceeding, and indeed seem imperiously to demand it.<sup>14</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has seen Lord Hill and made to him this +communication, and has left it for his consideration. Lord Hill +is deeply chagrined and annoyed, but will consider the matter +and confer again with Lord Melbourne upon it to-morrow.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 12: President of the Board of Trade, afterwards created Lord Taunton.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 13: "Within the space of a single twelvemonth, one of his [Lord Cardigan's] captains was +cashiered for writing him a challenge; he sent a coarse and insulting verbal message to +another, and then punished him with prolonged arrest, because he respectfully refused +to shake hands with the officer who had been employed to convey the affront; he fought +a duel with a lieutenant who had left the corps, and shot him through the body; and he +flogged a soldier on Sunday, between the Services, on the very spot where, half an hour +before, the man's comrades had been mustered for public worship."—<span class="sc">Sir G. Trevelyan</span>, +<i>Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay</i>, chap. viii.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 14: In February he had been acquitted on technical grounds by the House of Lords of +shooting a Captain Harvey Garnett Phipps Tuckett. He had accused Tuckett of being +the author of letters which had appeared in the papers reflecting on his character; a duel +on Wimbledon Common followed, and Tuckett was wounded. The evidence, consisting +in part of a visiting card, showed that a Captain Harvey Tuckett had been wounded, +which was held to be insufficient evidence of identity.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>25th April 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He is most anxious upon all subjects to be put in possession of +Your Majesty's full and entire opinions. It is true that this +question may materially affect the discipline of the Army, by +subjecting the interior management of regiments to be brought +continually under the inspection and control of the House of +Commons upon complaints of officers against their superiors, +or even of private men against the officers.</p> + +<p class="ind">The danger of the whole of Lord Cardigan's proceedings has +been lest a precedent of this nature should arise out of them. +The question is whether it is not more prudent to prevent a +question being brought forward in the House of Commons, +than to wait for it with the certainty of being obliged to yield +to it or of being overpowered by it. But of course this cannot +be done unless it is consistent with justice and with the usage +and prestige of the Service.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has desired the Cabinet Ministers to assemble +here to-day at four o'clock, in order to consider the +subject. Lord Melbourne has seen Lord Hill again this morning, +and Lord Hill has seen and consulted the Duke of Wellington, +who has stated his opinion very fully.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.264" id="pagei.264"></a>[page 264]</span> + +<p class="ind">The opinion of the Duke is that the Punishment on Sunday +was a great impropriety and indiscretion upon the part of +Lord Cardigan, but not a Military offence, nor a breach of the +Mutiny Act or of the Articles of War; that it called for the +censure of the Commander-in-Chief, which censure was pronounced +by the General Order upon which the Duke was consulted +before it was issued, and that according to the usage +of the Service no further step can be taken by the Military +Authorities. This opinion Lord Melbourne will submit to-day +to the Cabinet Ministers.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne perceives that he has unintentionally +written upon two sheets of paper, which he hopes will cause +your Majesty no inconvenience.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE NOTTINGHAM ELECTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>28th April 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has himself seen the result of the election at Nottingham<sup>15</sup> +without the least surprise, from his knowledge of the place and +his observation of the circumstances of the contest. What +John Russell reported to your Majesty was the opinion of +those who act for us in that place, but as soon as Lord Melbourne +saw that there was a disposition upon the part of the +violent party, Radicals, Chartists, and what not, to support +the Tory candidate, he knew that the contest was formidable +and dubious. The Tory party is very strong, naturally, at +Nottingham, and if it received any accession of strength, was +almost certain to prevail. This combination, or rather this +accession of one party to the Tories, which has taken place at +Nottingham, is very likely, and in Lord Melbourne's opinion +almost certain, to take place in many other parts of the +country in the case of a general election, and forms very serious +matter for consideration as to the prudence of taking such a +step as a dissolution of the Parliament.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty after the +Levée. It signifies not how late, as there is no House of +Lords.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 15: Where Mr Walter, a Tory, was elected with a majority of 238.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE BUDGET</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>1st May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that Mr Baring yesterday brought +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.265" id="pagei.265"></a>[page 265]</span> +forward the Budget in a remarkably clear and forcible +speech.</p> + +<p class="ind">The changes in the duties on Sugar and Timber,<sup>16</sup> and the +announcement made by Lord John Russell of a proposal for +a fixed duty on Corn, seemed to surprise and irritate the +Opposition.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel refused to give any opinion on these propositions, +and satisfied himself with attacking the Government +on the state of the finances.</p> + +<p class="ind">The supporters of the Government were greatly pleased with +Mr Baring's plan, and loud in their cheers.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is the general opinion that Lord Stanley will not proceed +with his Bill,<sup>17</sup> and there seems little doubt of this fact.</p> + +<p class="ind">But the two parties are now evenly balanced, and the absence +or defection of some two or three of the Ministerial party may +at any time leave the Government in a minority.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 16: The proposals were to increase the duty on colonial timber from 10<i>s</i>. to 20<i>s</i>. a load, +reducing it on foreign timber from 55<i>s</i>. to 50<i>s</i>., to leave the duty on colonial sugar unloaded +at 24<i>s</i>. a cwt., reducing that on foreign sugar from 63<i>s</i>. to 36<i>s</i>. a cwt.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 17: On Irish Registration.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>3rd May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +We decided at the Cabinet on Friday that we could not sanction +the agreement which Captain Elliot has probably by this time +concluded with the Government of China, but that it would +be necessary to demand a larger amount of indemnity for the +past injury, and also a more complete security for our trade +in future. For this purpose it was determined to send out +instructions, in case the armament should not have left the +Chinese coasts and have been dispersed, to reoccupy the Island +of Chusan,<sup>18</sup> a measure which appears to have had a great +effect upon the minds of the Chinese Government. It was +also determined to recall Captain Elliot, and to send out as +soon as possible another officer with full instructions from +hence as to the views and intentions of your Majesty's Government. +Sir Henry Pottinger,<sup>19</sup> an officer in the East India +Company's Service, much distinguished in the recent operations +in Afghanistan, is designated with your Majesty's approbation +for this service, which he has signified his willingness to undertake. +It was also thought that it would be proper to entrust +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.266" id="pagei.266"></a>[page 266]</span> +Lord Auckland<sup>20</sup> with general discretionary powers as to the +further conduct of the expedition. These determinations +Lord Melbourne hopes that your Majesty will approve.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell informed Lord Melbourne yesterday that +he knew that it was not the intention of the Opposition to press +Lord Stanley's Bill; but it is not to be expected in the present +position of affairs that they will not determine upon taking +some decisive and united measure in advance.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the present state of public measures and of public feeling, +when debate may arise at any moment, it would not be fitting +for Lord Melbourne to absent himself on any sitting day +from the House of Lords. But unless there should be anything +so urgent as to prevent him, he will come down after +the House on Tuesday evening and stay until Thursday +morning.</p> + +<p class="ind">Fanny is highly delighted and immeasurably grateful for +your Majesty's offer of the Lodge in Richmond Park, and most +desirous to avail herself of your Majesty's kindness, and so is +Jocelyn. Lord Melbourne has little doubt that they will +thankfully accept it.<sup>21</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 18: The Island of Chusan, off the coast of China, had been occupied in July 1840 as a +base of operations, but evacuated by Elliot in 1841. It was retaken in September 1841, +after Elliot's recall, by Sir Henry Pottinger.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 19: He had served in the Mahratta War, and been political agent in Scinde.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 20: Governor-General of India.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 21: Lady Fanny Cowper, Lord Melbourne's niece, was married to Lord Jocelyn on 27th +April.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CHRISTENING OF COMTE DE PARIS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Paris</span>, <i>3rd May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Victoria,</span>—As you know surely already, the +day of yesterday went off very well. The christening<sup>22</sup> was +very splendid, the weather beautiful, and everything extremely +well managed.... The arrival at Notre-Dame, and the <i>coup +d'œil</i> of the old church, all hung interiorly with crimson velvet +draperies and trophies of flags, was very splendid. There was +in the church three rows <i>de tribunes</i> all full of well-dressed +people. <i>Les grands corps de l'État étaient rangés de chaque côté et +dans le chœur; l'Autel était placé au centre de l'église. Les +cardinaux et tout le clergé étaient alentour</i>. When my father +arrived, the Archbishop of Paris received him at the door of +the church, and we all walked in state. My father <i>ouvrait la +marche</i> with the Queen. <i>Prie-dieu</i> and chairs were disposed +for us <i>en demi-cercle</i> before the altar, or rather before the +baptismal font, which was placed in front of it, in the very +middle of the Church. My father and mother stood in the +centre of the row near each other. Your uncle, Chartres, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.267" id="pagei.267"></a>[page 267]</span> +all the Princes followed on the side of my father, and the +princesses on the side of my mother. Paris remained with +Hélène till the moment of the christening. When the ceremony +began he advanced near the font with my father and +mother (sponsors), and was taken up in the arms of his nurse. +After the christening a Mass and <i>Te Deum</i> were read, and when +we came back to the Tuileries the <i>corps municipal</i> brought the +sword which the City of Paris has given to the Comte de +Paris....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 22: Of the Comte de Paris, at this time nearly three years old, son of the Duc d'Orléans.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE SUGAR DUTIES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>4th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that Lord Stanley yesterday postponed +his Bill for a fortnight, which at this period of the year +is equivalent to its abandonment.</p> + +<p class="ind">On the other hand, Lord Sandon gave a notice for Friday +for a Resolution on Sugar Duties.</p> + +<p class="ind">If, as is probable, this Motion is made as a party movement, +it is probable that, with the addition of those on the Ministerial +side who have an interest in the West Indies, the Motion will +be successful.</p> + +<p class="ind">The whole scheme of finance for the year will thus be overturned.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Tory party seem to expect a dissolution of Parliament, +but your Majesty's advisers will hardly be able to recommend +to your Majesty such a step.</p> + +<p class="ind">The cry against the Poor Law is sure to be taken up by the +worst politicians of the Tory party, and, as at Nottingham, +may be successful against that most useful law.</p> + +<p class="ind">The friends of Government who represent counties will be +taunted with the proposal to alter the Corn Law.</p> + +<p class="ind">Bribery is sure to be resorted to beyond anything yet seen.</p> + +<p class="ind">A defeat of the Ministry on a dissolution would be final and +irreparable.</p> + +<p class="ind">On the other hand, their successors in the Government +would have to provide for the excess in the expenditure +pledged against the best measures that could be resorted to for +the purpose. It would be a difficulty of their own seeking, and +their want of candour and justice to their opponents would be +the cause of their own embarrassments.</p> + +<p class="ind">The moment is a very important one, and the consequences +of the vote of Friday, or probably Monday, cannot fail to be +serious.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.268" id="pagei.268"></a>[page 268]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A MINISTERIAL CRISIS</span> + +<h5><i>"The Ministry in jeopardy." (Heading in the Prince Albert's hand.)</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>4th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord Melbourne came down from town after the House of +Lords. I went with him to his room for an hour after the +Queen had retired. He said the main struggle would take +place on the Sugar Duties on Friday. His impression was that +the Government would be beat, and he must then decide +whether to go out or dissolve. He leaned to the former. I +said, "I trusted he would not dissolve unless he thought there +was some prospect of increasing his strength, and begged him +to remember what was done would not be considered the +act of the Government but that of himself and the Queen, +and that he individually would be held as the responsible +person."</p> + +<p class="ind2">He said he had not written to the Queen to prepare H.M. for +coming events and the course that it would be incumbent upon +her to take, for he felt it extremely difficult and delicate, +especially as to the use she should make of the Prince, and of +her mode of communication when she required it with Lord +Melbourne. He thought she ought never to ask his advice +direct, but if she required his opinion there would be no +objection to her obtaining it through the Prince.</p> + +<p class="ind2">He said H.M. had relied so implicitly upon him upon all +affairs, that he felt that she required in this emergency advice +upon almost every subject. That he would tell H.M. that she +must carefully abstain from playing the same part she did, +again, on Sir R. Peel's attempt to form a Ministry, for that nothing +but the forbearance of the Tories had enabled himself and +his colleagues to support H.M. at that time. He feared Peel's +doggedness and pertinacity might make him insist, as a point +of honour, on having all discretion granted to him in regard to +the removal of Ladies. I told him of the Prince's suggestion +that before the Queen saw Sir R. Peel some negotiation might +be entered into with Sir Robert, so that the subject might be +avoided by mutual consent, the terms of which might be +that Sir Robert should give up his demand to extort the +principle. The Queen, on the other hand, should require +the resignation of those Ladies objected to by Sir Robert. +Lord Melbourne said, however, that the Prince must not +have personal communication with Sir Robert on this +subject, but he thought that I might through the medium +of a common friend.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.269" id="pagei.269"></a>[page 269]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD MELBOURNE'S ADVICE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>5th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Saw Lord Melbourne after his interview this morning with +the Queen. He says Her Majesty was perfectly calm and +reasonable, and seemed quite prepared for the resignation of +the Government. He said she was prepared to give way upon +the Ladies if required, but much wished that that point might +be previously settled by negotiation with Sir R. Peel, to avoid +any discussion or difference. Lord Melbourne thinks I might +do this. He would also like Peel to be cautioned not to press +Her Majesty to decide hastily, but to give Her Majesty time, +and that he should feel that if he acted fairly he would be met +in the same spirit by the Queen.</p> + +<p class="ind2">With regard to future communication with Lord Melbourne, +the Queen said she did not mean that a change should exclude +her from Lord Melbourne's society, and when Lord Melbourne +said that in society Her Majesty could not procure Lord +Melbourne's opinion upon any subject, and suggested that +that should be obtained through the Prince, Her Majesty said +that that could pass in writing under cover to me, but that she +must communicate direct.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Queen, he says, leans to sending for the Duke of Wellington. +Lord Melbourne advised that Her Majesty should make +up her mind at once to send for Sir Robert. He told me that +it would not be without precedent to send for both at once; +this it appears to me would obviate every objection. The +Queen, he thinks, has a perfect right to exercise her judgment +upon the selection of all persons recommended to Her Majesty +for Household appointments, both as to liking, but chiefly as +to their character and as to the character of the husband or +wife of the person selected. He would advise the Queen to +adopt the course which King William did with Lord Melbourne +in 1835, viz. desiring Lord Melbourne, before His Majesty +approved of any appointments, to send a list of those proposed +even to the members of every Board, and the King having +them all before him expressed his objections to certain persons, +which Lord Melbourne yielded to.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Told Lord Melbourne that the Prince wished him to impress +upon the Queen's mind not to act upon the approaching crisis +without the Prince, because she would not be able to go through +difficulties by herself, and the Prince would not be able to help +her when he was ignorant of the considerations which had +influenced her actions. He would wish Lord Melbourne when +with the Queen to call in the Prince, in order that they might +both be set right upon Lord Melbourne's opinions, that he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.270" id="pagei.270"></a>[page 270]</span> +might express in the presence of each other his views, in order +that he should not convey different impressions by speaking to +them separately, so that <i>they</i> might act in concert.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Prince says the Queen always sees what is right at a +glance, but if her feelings run contrary she avoids the Prince's +arguments, which she feels sure agree with her own, and seeks +arguments to support her wishes against her convictions from +other people.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DISSOLUTION OR RESIGNATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>7th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and laments much the prospect that lies before us, more especially +as it is so repugnant to your Majesty's feelings. Your +Majesty has often observed that these events must come in +the course of affairs at some moment or another, but Lord +Melbourne knows not whether it is much consolation to reflect +that what is very disagreeable is also natural and unavoidable. +Lord Melbourne feels certain that your Majesty will consider +the situation calmly and impartially, will do that which shall +appear the best for your own interests and those of the country, +which are identical.</p> + +<p class="ind">Everything shall be done that can be; the questions which +may arise shall be considered well, and upon as full information +as can be obtained. But Lord Melbourne has little to add +to what he wrote to your Majesty yesterday. So many interests +are affected by this Sugar question, the West Indian, +the East Indian, the opponents of Slavery and others, that +no small number of our supporters will be induced either to +stay away or to vote against us, and this must place us in a +minority upon the main points of our Budget. In this we can +hardly acquiesce, nor can we adopt a different policy and propose +other taxes, when in our opinion the necessary revenue +can be raised without imposing them. This state of things +imposes upon us the alternative of dissolution or of resignation, +and to try the former without succeeding in it would be to +place both your Majesty and ourselves in a worse situation +than that in which we are at present.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>8th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +We have been considering this question of dissolution at the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.271" id="pagei.271"></a>[page 271]</span> +Cabinet, and we have had before us a general statement of the +public returns for England and Wales. It is not very favourable, +but Lord Melbourne fears that it is more favourable than +the reality would prove. The Chancellor,<sup>23</sup> Palmerston, and +Hobhouse are strongly for dissolution, but the opinion of the +majority is the other way, and in that opinion Lord Melbourne +is strongly inclined to agree.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will have the honour of waiting upon your +Majesty to-morrow at three.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 7em;">Footnote 23: The Earl of Cottenham.</p> + +<a name="illusi.5"></a> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/0530-800.jpg"><img src="images/0530-357.png" width="357" height="450" alt="H.M. Queen Victoria, 1841." border="0" /></a> +<p class="center"><b>H.M. Queen Victoria, 1841.</b></p> +<p class="center"><b>From the drawing by E. F. T., after H. E. Dawe, at Buckingham Palace</b></p> +<p class="author"><b><i>To face p.</i> 272, <i>Vol. I</i></b></p> +</div> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SIR ROBERT PEEL</span> + +<h5><span class="sc">Notes upon an Interview with Sir Robert Peel</span> (No. 1).<sup>24</sup></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Told Sir Robert that I had wished to have sought him +through the medium of a common friend, which would have +given him a greater confidence than I had now a right to expect +at his hands, but I felt upon so delicate a mission it was +safer, and would be more in accordance with his wishes, to +come direct.</p> + +<p class="ind2">That the Prince had sent me to him, with the object of +removing difficulties upon his coming into office.</p> + +<p class="ind2">That Her Majesty was anxious that the question of the +removal of the Ladies of the Bedchamber should not be revived, +and would wish that in any personal communication +with Sir Robert this question might be avoided.</p> + +<p class="ind2">That it might be arranged that if Sir Robert would not insist +upon carrying out his principle, Her Majesty might procure +the resignation of any Ladies whom Sir Robert might object +to; that I thought there might be a disposition to yield to the +removal of the Mistress of the Robes, Lady Normanby, and +the Duchess of Bedford, as being connected with leading +political persons in Government.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Endeavoured to impress upon Sir Robert that if he acts +fairly and kindly towards the Queen, he will be met in the +same spirit.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Sir Robert said he had considered the probable object of +my interview, and thought, from my former position with +Lord Melbourne, that Lord Melbourne would be aware of my +coming. He must be assured of this before he could speak +confidentially to me.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.272" id="pagei.272"></a>[page 272]</span> + +<p class="ind2">Upon this I admitted that Lord Melbourne had knowledge +of my intention, but that I was not authorised to say that he +had.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Sir Robert said, "I shall put aside all form, and treat you +frankly and confidentially. You may depend upon every +word you say being held as sacred. No part, without further +permission, shall be mentioned even to the Duke, much less to +any of my other colleagues.</p> + +<p class="ind2">"<i>I would waive every pretension to office, I declare to God! +sooner than that my acceptance of it should be attended with any +personal humiliation to the Queen</i>."</p> + +<p class="ind2">He thought that giving in the names of those Ladies whom +he considered obnoxious was an offensive course towards the +Queen.</p> + +<p class="ind2">For the sake of office, which he did not covet, he could not +concede any constitutional principle, but it was not necessary +that that principle should be mooted.</p> + +<p class="ind2">"It would be repulsive to my feelings that Her Majesty +should part with any of her Ladies, as the <i>result of a forced +stipulation on my part</i>; in a party sense it would doubtless +be advantageous to me to say that I had demanded from the +Queen, and the Queen had conceded to me the appointments +of these three Ladies."</p> + +<p class="ind2">The mode he would like, and which he considered as least +objectionable for Her Majesty, was for Her Majesty to say to +him, "There is no occasion to revive this constitutional question, +as those ladies immediately connected with prominent +members of the Administration have sent in their resignation."</p> + +<p class="ind2">The vacancies existing before Sir Robert Peel sees Her +Majesty, there is no necessity for discussion.</p> + +<p class="ind2">On the one hand, by this means, there was less appearance +of insult to the Queen, and on the other, there was no appearance +of concession of principle upon his.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Sir Robert was ready to make any personal sacrifice for Her +Majesty's comfort, except that of his honour. "Can the Queen +for an instant suppose that I would permit my party to urge +me on to insist upon anything incompatible with Her Majesty's +dignity, which it would be my great aim and honour to defend?"</p> + +<p class="ind2">[This was his indignant reply to my remark upon the rumours +that his party would press him to coerce and subdue Her +Majesty.]</p> + +<p class="ind2">Sir Robert thinks it better for the Queen to avoid anything +in the shape of a stipulation. He would like what he would +have done upon a former occasion (and upon which, on the +honour of a gentleman, his views had undergone no change) +to be taken as a test of what he would be ready to concede to.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.273" id="pagei.273"></a>[page 273]</span> + +<p class="ind2">Nothing but misconception, he said, could in his opinion +have led to failure before. "<i>Had the Queen told me</i>" (after +the question was mooted, which it never need have been) +"<i>that those three ladies immediately connected with the Government +had tendered their resignation, I should have been perfectly +satisfied</i>, and should have consulted the Queen's feelings in +replacing them."</p> + +<p class="ind2">Sir Robert said this conversation shall remain sacred, and +to all effect, as if it had never happened, until he saw me +again to-morrow morning.</p> + +<p class="ind2">There is nothing said, he added, which in any way pledges +or compromises the Queen, the Prince, or Lord Melbourne.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 24: See Parker's <i>Sir Robert Peel</i>, vol. ii. p. 455, <i>et seq</i>., +where Peel's memorandum of the interview is set out.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SIR ROBERT PEEL</span> + +<h5><span class="sc">Interview with Sir Robert Peel</span> (No. 2).</h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Peel said: "It is essential to my position with the Queen +that Her Majesty should understand that I have the feelings +of a gentleman, and where my duty does not interfere, I cannot +act against her wishes. Her Majesty doubtless knows how +pressed I am as the head of a powerful party, but the impression +I wish to create in Her Majesty's mind is, that I am +bound to defend her against their encroachments."</p> +<span class="rightnote">HOUSEHOLD APPOINTMENTS</span> +<p class="ind2">In regard to Household appointments the holders of which +are not in Parliament, he had not considered the question, but +in the meantime he would in no way commit himself to anyone, +or to any understanding upon the subject, without previous +communication. He had no personal objects to serve, +and the Queen's wishes would always be consulted.</p> + +<p class="ind2">He again repeated, that if the Queen's personal feelings +would suffer less by forming an Administration to his exclusion, +he should not be offended. Private life satisfied him, and he +had no ambition beyond it.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord Melbourne might rest assured that <i>he</i> fully appreciated +his aim, that his only object was to do that which was most for +Her Majesty's advantage, and no human being should know +that he was privy to this overture. Lord Melbourne might +depend upon his honour. If Lord Melbourne was pressed to +a dissolution he should still feel the same impression of Lord +Melbourne's conduct, that it was honourable and straightforward.</p> + +<p class="ind2">He wished the Prince to send him a list of those Ladies +whom it would be agreeable to Her Majesty to have in her +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.274" id="pagei.274"></a>[page 274]</span> +Household. Sir Robert must propose it to the Ladies, but +will be entirely guided by Her Majesty's wishes. There should +be no appearance that Her Majesty has any understanding, +as he was bound to his party to make it appear that the +appointments emanated from himself.<sup>25</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 25: There was a further interview on the following day at which various detailed points +were arranged.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by the Queen.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>11th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">The Queen considers it her right (and is aware that her predecessors +were peculiarly tenacious of this right) to appoint +her Household. She, however, gives up the great officers of +State and those of her Lords-in-Waiting, Equerries, and +Grooms-in-Waiting, who are <i>in Parliament</i>, to the appointment +of the Prime Minister, subject to her approval.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Queen has <i>always</i> appointed her <i>Ladies of the Bedchamber +herself</i>, but has generally mentioned their names to +the Prime Minister before appointing them, in order to leave +him room for objection in case he should deem their appointment +injurious to his Government, when the Queen would +probably not appoint the Lady.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Maids of Honour and Women of the Bedchamber are +of course not included amongst those who are mentioned to +the Prime Minister before their appointment, but are at once +appointed by the Queen.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRESSURE OF BUSINESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>Wednesday, 12th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">"At seven minutes to five Lord Melbourne came to me and +stayed till half-past five. He gave me the copies of Anson's +conversations with Peel. Lord Melbourne then gave me a +letter from the Chancellor to read, strongly advocating a dissolution, +and wishing that there should be a division also on +Lord John Russell's amendment.<sup>26</sup></p> + +<p class="ind2">"Lord Melbourne left the letter with me. The first part of +the letter, relative to Lord John's amendment, we think good, +but the other part we can't quite agree in. 'There is to be +a Cabinet to-morrow to consider what is to be done,' said Lord +Melbourne, 'for the Chancellor's opinion must be considered. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.275" id="pagei.275"></a>[page 275]</span> +There is a preferment amongst our people for dissolution,' +Lord M. added. The feeling in the country good. I asked +Lord M., 'Must they resign directly, the next day, after the +division (if they intended resigning)?' 'Why,' he said, 'it +was awkward <i>not</i> to do so if Parliament was sitting; if the +division were only to take place on Friday, then they needn't +announce it till Monday,' which we hope will be the case, as we +agreed it wouldn't do for me to have a ball the day Lord M. +had resigned, and before I had sent for anybody else, and +therefore I hoped that it could be managed that the division +did not take place till Friday. Lord M. said that in case they +resigned, he wished Vernon Smith<sup>27</sup> to be made a Privy Councillor; +the only addition to the Peers he mentioned the other +day he wished to make is Surrey;<sup>28</sup> we agreed that too many +Peers was always a bad thing."</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 26: To Lord Sandon's resolution on the Sugar Duties.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 27: Robert Vernon Smith (1800-1873), Under-Secretary for War and the Colonies, afterwards +Lord Lyveden.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 28: The Earl of Surrey (1791-1856) was now M.P. for West Sussex, and Treasurer of the +Household, and was afterwards thirteenth Duke of Norfolk.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>11th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I am sure you will forgive my writing a very short +letter to-day, but I am so harassed and occupied with business +that I cannot find time to write letters. You will, I am sure, +<i>feel</i> for me; the probability of parting from so kind and excellent +a being as Lord Melbourne as a <i>Minister</i> (for a <i>friend</i> +he will <i>always</i> remain) is very, <i>very</i> painful, even if one feels it +will not probably be for long; to take it philosophically is my +great wish, and <i>quietly</i> I certainly shall, but one cannot help +<i>feelings</i> of affection and gratitude. Albert is the greatest +possible comfort to me in every way, and my position is much +more independent than it was before.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am glad you see the French feeling in the right light. I +rejoice that the christening, etc., went off so well. Believe +me, ever, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">QUESTION OF DISSOLUTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>Thursday, 13th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">"Saw Lord Melbourne at a little past four.</p> + +<p class="ind2">"... 'We have had a Cabinet,' Lord Melbourne said, +'and we have been considering the question of dissolution and +what is the best course to be pursued; if we were to dissolve, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.276" id="pagei.276"></a>[page 276]</span> +John Russell,' he said, 'would pursue quite a different course; +he would then announce the Sugar Duties at once. I (Lord +Melbourne) said, that I had been considering well the whole +question, and the Chancellor's letter, but that altogether I did +not think it advisable to have recourse to a dissolution—and +I think the greater part lean towards that opinion; but there +<i>are</i> a few who are very much for a dissolution—the Chancellor +and Hobhouse very much so, and Palmerston. They have, +however, not quite finally decided the matter. I understand +the debate will certainly go over to-night,' he said, 'and that +they would have time on Saturday and Sunday to consider +about Lord John's amendment.'"</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>Saturday, 15th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">"Lord Melbourne came to me at twenty minutes past one, +and we talked about this question of dissolution. 'We shall +have a long debate upon it this morning at the Cabinet,' Lord +Melbourne said. 'The worst thing is, that if we carry the +Sugar Duties, we must dissolve. If we were to dissolve,' he +continued, 'and were to have the parties equal as they are now, +it would be very bad; if we <i>were</i> to have a <i>majority</i>, it would be +a great thing; <i>but</i> if we were to have a minority it would be +still worse.... We know that Charles I. and Charles II., and +even Cromwell, appealed to the country, and had a Parliament +returned into their very teeth' (so strong an Opposition), +'and that produced deposition, and convulsion, and bloodshed +and death; but since then the Crown has always had a +majority returned in favour of it. Even Queen Anne,' he continued, +'who removed Marlborough in the midst of his most +glorious victories and dissolved Parliament, had an immense +majority, though her measures were miserable; William IV.,' +he said, 'even though he had a majority against him which +prevented him from keeping his Ministers, had a much stronger +feeling for him in that Parliament, than he ever had before. +But I am afraid,' he added, 'that for the first time the Crown +would have an Opposition returned smack against it; and +that would be an affront to which I am very unwilling to +expose the Crown.' This is very true."</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">KING LEOPOLD'S SYMPATHY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Tuileries</span>, <i>14th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I am deeply grateful for your kind +letter, which reached me this morning. Letters from hence +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.277" id="pagei.277"></a>[page 277]</span> +ought not to be longer on their way than, at the longest, forty +hours; forty-eight is the maximum. I fear that they are delayed +at the Foreign Office; here it cannot be, as for instance these +lines go this evening.</p> + +<p class="ind">I can easily understand that the present crisis must have +something very painful for you, and you will do well for your +health and comfort to try to take it as philosophically as possible; +it is a part of the Constitutional system which is for the +Sovereign very hard to get over.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>Nous savons tous des paroles sur cet air</i>, as the French say. +I was convinced that Lord Melbourne's right and good feeling +would make him pause before he proposed to you a dissolution. +A general election in England, when great passions must be +roused or created to render it efficacious for one party or +another, is a dangerous experiment, always calculated to shake +the foundations on which have hitherto reposed the great +elements of the political power of the country. Albert will be +a great comfort to you, and to hear it from yourself has given +me the sincerest delight. His judgment is good, and he is mild +and safe in his opinions; they deserve your serious attention; +young as he is, I have really often been quite surprised how +quick and correct his judgment is....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">TORY DISSENSIONS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>16th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to state that the general effect of last week's +debate<sup>29</sup> has been greatly in favour of the measures of your +Majesty's Ministers.</p> + +<p class="ind">The speeches of Mr Labouchere, Sir George Grey, and Lord +Howick, with the powerful argument of the Chancellor of the +Exchequer on Friday night, have not been met by any corresponding +ability on the other side.</p> + +<p class="ind">In fact the Opposition seem to have concealed their own +views of policy, and to have imagined that the Anti-Slavery +feeling would carry them through successfully. But this +expectation has been entirely disappointed; debate has unmasked +the hollow pretence of humanity, and the meetings at +Exeter Hall and in the country have completely counteracted +the impressions which Dr Lushington's speech<sup>30</sup> had produced.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lancashire, Cheshire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire +have been roused to strong excitement by the prospect of a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.278" id="pagei.278"></a>[page 278]</span> +reduction of the duty on corn. Several of the large towns have +expressed their opinions without distinction of party.</p> + +<p class="ind">These symptoms are said to have created some dissensions +among the opponents of your Majesty's present Government.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, Lord Stanley, and nearly all the eminent +leaders of the party, profess their adherence to the principles of +Mr Huskisson.<sup>31</sup> On the other hand, the Duke of Buckingham,<sup>32</sup> +with many Lords and Commoners, is opposed to any relaxation +of the present Corn Laws. This difference must ultimately +produce serious consequences, and it is possible they may break +out before the present debate is ended.</p> + +<p class="ind">One consequence of the propositions of the Ministry is the +weakening of the power of the Chartists, who have relied on the +misrepresentation that neither Whigs nor Tories would ever +do anything for the improvement of the condition of the working +classes.</p> + +<p class="ind">All these circumstances have a bearing on the question of a +dissolution of Parliament, and are to be weighed against the +risks and inconveniences of so bold a measure.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 29: On Lord Sandon's resolution.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 30: Against the Budget, on the ground that it tended to encourage slavery.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 31: Which were opposed to Protection and the Navigation Laws.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 32: Richard Plantagenet (1797-1861), second Duke of the 1822 creation, M.P. for Bucks +1818-1839, and author of the "Chandos clause," became Lord Privy Seal this year, +but resigned shortly after. He dissipated his property, and had to sell the contents +of Stowe.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S JOURNAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>Monday, 17th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">"Lord Melbourne came to me at twenty minutes to three. +There were no <i>new</i> news. He gave me a letter from the Duke +of Roxburgh,<sup>33</sup> saying he could not support Government on the +Corn Laws, and writing an unnecessarily cold letter. Lord +Melbourne fears this would lose Roxburgh in case of an election. +A great many of the friends of the Government, however, are +against any alteration in the Corn Laws. Talked of the excellent +accounts from the country with which the papers are +full, and I said I couldn't help thinking the Government would +gain by a dissolution, and the feeling in the country so strong, +and daily increasing. They would lose the counties, Lord +Melbourne thinks, and the question is whether their successes +in the manufacturing towns would be sufficient to counterbalance +that. The debate may last longer, Lord Melbourne +says, as J. Russell says he will continue it as long as their +friends wish it. Many of their friends would be very angry if we +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.279" id="pagei.279"></a>[page 279]</span> +did not dissolve, Lord Melbourne says. 'I say always,' said +Lord Melbourne, 'that your Majesty will be in such a much +worse position' (if a majority should be returned against us), +'but they say not, for that the others would dissolve.' I said +that if that was so we <i>must dissolve</i>, for then that it would come +to just the same thing, and that that changed my opinion very +much. 'You would like us then to make the attempt?' Lord +Melbourne asked. I said 'Almost.' I asked if he really +thought they would dissolve. 'I've great reason to believe they +would,' he replied. 'Hardinge<sup>34</sup> told Vivian<sup>35</sup> "we shall prevent +<i>your</i> dissolving, but <i>we shall</i> dissolve."' ... I asked did +Lord Melbourne think they (the Conservatives) would remain +in long, and Melbourne said: 'One can't tell beforehand what +may happen, but you would find their divisions and dissensions +amongst themselves sufficient to prevent their staying +in long.' ...</p> + +<p class="ind2">"Saw Lord John Russell, who didn't feel certain if the debate +would end to-night. Talked of the very good feeling in the +country. He said he understood Sir Edward Knatchbull<sup>36</sup> +was exceedingly displeased at what Peel had said concerning +Free Trade, and said in that case Peel would be as bad as the +present Government. He thinks the Tories, if in power, +might try and collect the Sugar duties without Law, which +would do them a great deal of harm and be exceedingly unpopular. +He does <i>not</i> think the Tories intend <i>certainly</i> to +dissolve. He thinks they would not dissolve now, and that +they would hereafter get so entangled by their own dissensions, +as to render it unfavourable to them."</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 33: James, sixth Duke. The Duchess was afterwards a Lady of the Bedchamber.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 34: Sir Henry Hardinge (1785-1856) had been Secretary at War, and Chief Secretary for +Ireland, under former Tory Governments.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 35: Master-General of the Ordnance.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 36: M.P. for East Kent. He became Paymaster-General in Peel's Cabinet.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>18th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I was sure you would feel for me. Since last Monday, +the 10th, we have lived in the daily expectation of a final event +taking place, and the debate <i>still</i> continues, and it is not certain +whether it will even finish to-night, this being the eighth night, +it having begun on Friday the 7th, two Saturdays and two +Sundays having intervened! Our plans are so unsettled that +I can tell you nothing, only that you may depend upon it +nothing will be done without having been duly, properly, and +maturely weighed. Lord Melbourne's conduct is as usual +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.280" id="pagei.280"></a>[page 280]</span> +perfect; fair, calm, and totally disinterested, and I am certain +that in whatever position he is <i>you</i> will treat him <i>just</i> as you +have always done.</p> + +<p class="ind">My dearest Angel is indeed a great comfort to me. He +takes the greatest interest in what goes on, feeling with and for +me, and yet abstaining as he ought from biassing me either +way, though we talk much on the subject, and his judgment is, +as you say, good and mild....</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>P</i>.<i>S</i>.—Pray let me hear soon <i>when</i> you come. You, I know, +like me to tell you what I hear, and for me to be frank with you. +I therefore tell you that it is believed by some people here, and +even by some in the Government, that <i>you</i> wish my Government +to be <i>out</i>. Now, I never for an instant can believe such +an assertion, as I know your liberal feelings, and your interest +in my welfare and in that of the country too well to think you +could wish for such a thing, and I immediately said I was sure +this was not so; but I think you would do well to say to Seymour +something which might imply interest in my present +Government.</p> + +<p class="ind">I know you will understand my anxiety on your account, +lest such a mischievous report should be believed. It comes, +you see, from the idea that your feelings are very French.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Extract from the Queen's Journal.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CORN LAWS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>Tuesday, 18th May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">"Saw Lord Melbourne.<sup>37</sup> He said Lord John Russell had +been to see him, and, 'He now wishes us not to resign, but to +give notice immediately of a Motion on the Corn Laws. This, +he thinks, will make the others propose a vote of confidence, or +make them oppose the Sugar Duties, which, he thinks, will be +better for us to resign upon, and when it would be clear to our +people that we couldn't dissolve. Everybody says it would +be a very bad thing for us to resign now, upon such a question +as this, and we must consider the party a little.' I said, of +course, this would be agreeable to me as it gave us another +chance. I said it would be awkward if they resigned Thursday, +on account of the Birthday. Lord Melbourne said I could +wait a day and only send for Peel on Saturday, that that +wouldn't signify to Peel, as he could come down to Claremont.... I +asked, in case they meant to bring on this Corn Law +question, when would they do so. 'Perhaps about the 30th,' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.281" id="pagei.281"></a>[page 281]</span> +Lord Melbourne said. It would be a more dangerous question, +but it would make them (the Tories) show their colours, which +is a great advantage. He said they prevented Sir Edward +Knatchbull from speaking last night."</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 37: After eight days' discussions of Lord Sandon's Motion, the Ministers were defeated +by 317 to 281.</p> + + +<span class="rightnote" style="margin-top: 1em;">RESIGNATION POSTPONED</span> + +<p class="indright" style="margin-top: 2em;"><i>Wednesday, 19th May</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">"At twenty minutes to one came Lord Melbourne.... I +returned him Lord John Russell's letter, and talked of it, and +of John Russell's saying the division and Peel's speech made +it absolutely necessary to decide <i>to-day</i> whether to <i>resign</i> or +<i>dissolve</i>. I asked what Peel had said in his speech about the +Corn Laws. 'I'll tell you, Ma'am, what he said,' Lord Melbourne +replied, 'that he was for a sliding duty and not for a +fixed duty; but he did not pledge himself as to what rate of +duty it should be. I must say,' Lord Melbourne continued, 'I +am still against dissolution. I don't think our chances of +success are sufficient.' I replied that I couldn't quite believe +that, but that I might be wrong. Lord John is for dissolving. +'<i>You</i> wish it?' I said I always did. Talked of the feeling +in the City and in the country being so good. Lord Melbourne +don't think so much of the feeling in the country. Talked of +the majority of thirty-six having not been more than they +expected.... Lord Melbourne said people thought the debate +was lengthened to please me. I said not at all, but that it was +more convenient for me. Anyhow I need do nothing till +Saturday. The House of Commons was adjourned to the +next day, and the House of Lords to Monday. 'Mr Baring +says,' he said, 'if there was only a majority one way or +another, it would be better than this state of complete +equality.'</p> + +<p class="ind2">"At twenty minutes past four Lord Melbourne returned. +'Well, Ma'am,' he said, 'we've considered this question, and +both the sides of it well, and at last we voted upon it; and there +were—the Lord Chancellor for dissolution, Lord Minto<sup>38</sup> for it, +Lord Normanby against it, but greatly modified; Lord John +for, Lord Palmerston for, Lord Clarendon for, Lord Morpeth +for, Lord Lansdowne for, Labouchere for, Hobhouse for, Duncannon<sup>39</sup> +for, Baring for, Macaulay for; and under those circumstances +of course I felt I could not but go with them.<sup>40</sup> +Lord Melbourne was much affected in saying all this. 'So we +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.282" id="pagei.282"></a>[page 282]</span> +shall go on, bring on the Sugar Duties, and then, if things are +in a pretty good state, dissolve. I hope you approve?' I said +I did highly ... and that I felt so happy to keep him longer. +'You are aware we may have a majority against us?' he said; +he means in our election. The Sugar Duties would probably +take a fortnight or three weeks to pass, and they would dissolve +in June and meet again in October. He thought they must."</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 38: Lord Minto was First Lord of the Admiralty.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 39: Then First Commissioner of Land Revenue.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 40: See Sir John Hobhouse's account of this Cabinet meeting, <i>Edinburgh Review</i>, vol. 133, +p. 336.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN AND THE CHURCH</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>21st May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks that what your Majesty proposes to +say will do very well, but it is thought best to say "Church as +Reformed" at the Reformation.</p> + +<p class="ind">If your Majesty could say this, it would be well:</p> + +<p class="ind">"I am very grateful for your congratulations on the return +of this day. I am happy to take this opportunity of again +expressing to you my firm determination to maintain the +Church of England as settled at the Reformation, and my firm +belief in her Articles and Creeds, as hitherto understood and +interpreted by her soundest divines."</p> + +<p class="ind">Nothing could go off better than the dinner. Everybody +was much pleased with the Prince.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is not conscious of having slept.<sup>41</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 41: It seems that some one had told the Queen that Lord Melbourne had fallen asleep +at dinner.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FEELING IN FRANCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brussels</span>, <i>20th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I receive this very moment your +dear letter of the 18th, and without loss of time I begin my +answer here, though the messenger can only go to-morrow. +I cannot <i>sufficiently</i> express to you my <i>gratitude</i> for the +frankness +with which you have written to me—and let me entreat +you, whenever you have anything <i>sur le cœur</i>, to <i>do the same</i>. I +shall begin with your postscript concerning the idea that I +wished your present Ministers to retire, because they had +become disagreeable to France. The people who <i>avancent +quelque chose de la sorte</i> probably have some ill-natured motive +which it is not always easy to guess; perhaps in the present +instance does it mean, let us say, <i>that?</i> whatever opinion he +may then express we can easily counteract it, representing it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.283" id="pagei.283"></a>[page 283]</span> +as the result of <i>strong partiality to France</i>. Let us therefore +examine what France has to gain in a change of Administration. +Certainly your present Ministers are <i>not</i> much loved +<i>now</i> in France, not so much in consequence of the political +events of last year themselves, than for the <i>manner</i> in which +they came to pass. Nevertheless, when I was at Paris, King +and Council were decided to sign the treaty with the four other +Powers, which would put an end to the <i>isolement</i>, though many +people are stoutly <i>for the isolement</i>. There end the relations +which will exist for some time between the two countries—they +will be on <i>decent</i> terms; that is all I wish for the present, and +it is matter of moonshine who your Ministers are. No doubt, +formerly there existed such a predilection in favour of Lord +Grey's<sup>42</sup> Administration and those who continued it, that the +coming in of the Tories would have been considered as a great +public calamity; but even now, though this affection is gone, +the Tories will also be looked on with some suspicion. Lord +Melbourne's Administration has had the great merit of being +liberal, and at the same time prudent, conservative in the good +sense of the word, preserving what was good. Monarchy, by +an adherence to this system, was very safe, and the popular +liberal cry needless.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 42: 1830-1834.</p> + + + +<span class="rightnote">KING LEOPOLD'S ADVICE</span> + +<p class="indright">(<i>Continued at</i>) <span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>21st May</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I regret that the Corn question was brought forward somewhat +abruptly;<sup>43</sup> it is a dangerous one, as it roused the most +numerous and poorest classes of society, and may easily degenerate +into bloodshed. The dissolution under such circumstances +would become still more a source of agitation, as it +generally always is in England. Lord Melbourne, I am sure, +will think so too.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am delighted by what you say of Albert; it is just the +proper line for him to take, without biassing you either way, +to show you honestly the consequences which in his opinion +the one or the other may have. As he has really a very clear +and logical judgment, his opinion will be valuable for you. +I feel very much for you, and these Ministerial complications +are of a most painful and perplexing nature, though less in +England than on the Continent, as the thing is at least better +understood. To amuse you a little, and to prove to you how +impartial I must be to be in this way accused by both parties, +I must tell you that it is said in France that, conjointly with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.284" id="pagei.284"></a>[page 284]</span> +Lord Melbourne, we <i>artfully</i> ruined the Thiers Administration,<sup>44</sup> +to the great detriment of the honour and welfare of France. +But what is still stranger is, that the younger branches of the +family, seeing that my arrival at Paris was delayed from time +to time, became convinced that <i>I would not come at all</i>, and that +my intention was to <i>cut them completely</i>, not to <i>compromettre</i> +myself with England! Truly people are strange, and the +unnecessary suspicions and stories which they love to have, +and to tell, a great bore....</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray have the goodness of giving my <i>kindest</i> regards to +Lord Melbourne. I will love him very <i>tenderly</i> in and out of +office, as I am really attached to him. Now last, though first, +I offer my sincerest wishes on the happy return of your birthday; +may every blessing be always bestowed on your beloved +head. You possess <i>much</i>, let your warm and honest heart +<i>appreciate</i> that. Let me also express the hope that you always +will maintain your <i>dear character true</i> and <i>good</i> as it is, and let +us also humbly express the hope that our warmth of feeling, a +valuable gift, will not be permitted to grow occasionally a little +violent, and particularly not against your uncle. You may +pull Albertus by the ear, when so inclined, but be never irritated +against your uncle. But I have <i>not to complain</i> when other +people do not instigate such things; you have always been +kind and affectionate, and when you look at my deeds for you, +and on behalf of you, these twenty-two years, I think you will +not have many hardships to recollect. I am happy to hear of +my god-daughter's teeth, and that she is so well. May God +keep the whole dear little family well and happy for ever. My +dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 43: The Ministerial proposal of a fixed duty instead of a sliding scale.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 44: The Thiers Government had resigned in the preceding October, owing to the King +objecting to the warlike speech which they wished him to pronounce to the Chambers. +The Soult-Guizot Cabinet was accordingly formed.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum of Mr Anson's last secret interview with Sir R. Peel.</i> (No. 4.)</h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SIR ROBERT PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>Sunday, 23rd May 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Called upon Sir Robert Peel this morning. I said I could +not feel satisfied without seeing him after the very unexpected +course which political affairs had taken. I wished to know +that he felt assured, though I trusted there could be no doubt +upon his mind, that there had been perfect honesty of purpose +on my part towards him, and more especially upon the part of +those with whose knowledge I had been acting. I assured Sir +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.285" id="pagei.285"></a>[page 285]</span> +Robert that H.M. had acted in <i>the most perfect fairness towards +him</i>, and I was most anxious that there should be no erroneous +impression upon his mind as to the conduct of either H.M. or +the Prince.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I said (quoting the Prince's expression), "that the Queen has +a natural modesty upon her constitutional views, and when she +receives an advice from men like the Lord Chancellor, Lord +John Russell, Mr Baring, Mr Labouchere, and Lord Clarendon, +and knows that they have been weighing the question through +so many days, she concludes that her judgment cannot be +better than theirs, and that she would do wrong to reject their +advice."</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Prince, I said, however strongly impressed for or against +a question, thinks it wrong and impolitic, considering his age +and inexperience and his novelty to the country, to press upon +the Queen views of his own in opposition to those of experienced +statesmen. Sir Robert said he could relieve my mind entirely; +that he was convinced that all that had taken place had been +with the most perfect honesty; that he had no feeling whatever +of annoyance, or of having been ill-used; that, on the contrary, +he had the feeling, and should always retain it, of the deepest +gratitude to the Queen for the condescension which Her +Majesty had been pleased to show him, and that it had only +increased his devotion to Her Majesty's person. He said that +much of the reserve which he had shown in treating with me was +not on <i>his own</i> account, but that he felt from his own experience +that events were by no means certain, and he most cautiously +abstained from permitting her Majesty in any way to commit +herself, or to bind herself by any engagement which unforeseen +circumstances might render inconvenient. Sir Robert said it +was very natural to try and remove obstacles which had before +created so much confusion, and he was convinced that they +would have been practically removed by what had passed. +He said that neither Lord Stanley nor Sir James Graham knew +a word of what had passed. That Mr Greville had asked his +friend Mr Arbuthnot whether some understanding had not +been entered into between Lord Melbourne and him. That +Mr Arbuthnot had replied that he was certain that nothing of +the sort could have passed,<sup>45</sup> as, if it had, Sir Robert Peel would +have informed him (Mr Arbuthnot) of the fact. Again, Lady +de Grey, the night of the ball at the Palace, came up to him and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.286" id="pagei.286"></a>[page 286]</span> +said the Duke of Bedford had been speaking to her about the +resignation of the Duchess of Bedford, and asking her whether +she thought it necessary. She volunteered to find out from +Sir Robert whether he thought it requisite. She asked the +question, which Sir Robert tried to evade, but not being able, +he said it struck him that if it was a question of doubt the best +means of solving it, was for the Duke of Bedford to ask Lord +Melbourne for his opinion.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I added that if the dissolution was a failure, which it was +generally apprehended would be the case, I felt convinced that +Sir Robert would be dealt with in the most perfect fairness by +Her Majesty.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 45: "After I had been told by the Duke of Bedford that Peel was going to insist on +certain terms, which was repeated to me by Clarendon, I went to Arbuthnot, told him +Melbourne's impression, and asked him what it all meant. He said it was all false, that +he was certain Peel had no such intentions, but, on the contrary, as he had before assured +me, was disposed to do everything that would be conciliatory and agreeable to the Queen."—<i>Greville's +Journal</i>, 19th May 1841.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VOTE OF WANT OF CONFIDENCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>24th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has to acquaint your Majesty that in the House of Commons +this evening Sir Robert Peel gave notice that on Thursday +next he would move a resolution to the following effect: "That +Her Majesty's Ministers not possessing power sufficient to carry +into effect the measures which they considered necessary, their +retention of office was unconstitutional and contrary to usage."<sup>46</sup> +These are not the exact words, but they convey the substance. +This is a direct vote of want of confidence, and Lord Melbourne +would be inclined to doubt whether it will be carried, and if it +is, it certainly will not be by so large a majority as the former +vote. When the Chancellor of the Exchequer moved the resolution +upon the Sugar Duties, Sir Robert Peel seconded the +motion, thereby intending to intimate that he did not mean to +interfere with the Supplies. This course was determined upon +at a meeting held at Sir R. Peel's this morning.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 46: The closing words of the resolution were as follows: "... That Her Majesty's +Ministers do not sufficiently possess the confidence of the House of Commons to enable +them to carry through the House measures which they deem of essential importance +to the public welfare, and that their continuance in office under such circumstances is +at variance with the spirit of the Constitution."</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PROSPECT OF DISSOLUTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>28th May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to state that Sir Robert Peel yesterday +brought forward his motion in a remarkably calm and temperate +speech.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.287" id="pagei.287"></a>[page 287]</span> + +<p class="ind">Sir John Hobhouse and Mr Macaulay completely exposed +the fallacy of his resolution, and successfully vindicated the +government. Lord Worsley<sup>47</sup> declared he would oppose the +resolution, which declaration excited great anger, and produced +much disappointment in the Tory party.</p> + +<p class="ind">If the debate is carried on till next week, it is probable the +Ministers may have a majority of one or two.</p> + +<p class="ind">The accounts from the country are encouraging.</p> + +<p class="ind">It does not appear that Sir Robert Peel, even if he carries +this motion, intends to obstruct the measures necessary for a +dissolution of Parliament.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 47: M.P. for Lincolnshire, who had voted for Lord Sandon's motion.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>31st May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... I beg you <i>not</i> to be alarmed about what is to be done; +it is <i>not</i> for a Party triumph that Parliament (<i>the longest</i> that +has sat for <i>many</i> years) is to be dissolved; it is the fairest and +most constitutional mode of proceeding; and you may trust +to the moderation and prudence of my whole Government that +nothing will be done without due consideration; if the present +Government get a majority by the elections they will go on +prosperously; if not, the Tories will come in for a short time. +The country is quiet and the people very well disposed. I am +happy, dearest Uncle, to give you these quieting news, which I +assure you are <i>not</i> partial....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">KING LEOPOLD'S VIEWS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span> <i>31st May 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—Your Mother<sup>48</sup> is safely arrived, +though she was received close to Ostende by a formidable +thunderstorm. I had given directions that everywhere great +civilities should be shown her. She stood the fatigues better +than I had expected, and is less sleepy than in England. She +seems to be pleased with her <i>séjour</i> here, and inclined in fact +to remain rather than to go on; but I am sure, when once in +Germany she will be both pleased and interested by it. It will +amuse you to hear from herself her own impressions.</p> + +<p class="ind">I cannot help to add a few political lines. I regret much, I +must confess, that the idea of a dissolution has gained ground, +and I will try to show in a very few words why I am against it.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.288" id="pagei.288"></a>[page 288]</span> + +<p class="ind">In politics, a great rule ought to be to rule with the things which +one <i>knows already</i>, and not to jump into something entirely +new of which no one can do more <i>than guess the consequences</i>. +The present Parliament has been elected at a moment most +favourable to the present Administration after a most popular +accession to the throne, everything new and fresh, and with the +natural fondness of the great mass of people, a change is always +popular; it was known that you were kindly disposed towards +your Ministers, everything was therefore <i>à souhait</i> for the +election of a new Parliament. In this respect Ministers have +nothing like the favourable circumstances which smiled upon +them at the last general election. Feeling this, they raise a +cry, which may become popular and embarrass their antagonists +about <i>cheap</i> bread! I do not think this is quite befitting +their dignity; such things do for revolutionaries like Thiers, +or my late Ministers.... If the thing rouses the people it may +do serious mischief; if not, it will look awkward for the Ministers +themselves. If you do not grant a dissolution to your present +Ministers you would have, at the coming in of a new Administration, +the right to tell them that they must go on with the +present Parliament; and I have no doubt that they could do +so. The statistics of the present House of Commons are well +known to all the men who sit in it, and to keep it a few years +longer would be a real advantage.</p> + +<p class="ind">You know that I have been rather maltreated by the Tories, +formerly to please George IV., and since I left the country, +because I served, in their opinion, on the revolutionary side of +the question. I must say, however, that for your service as +well as for the quiet of the country, it would be good to give +them a trial. If they could not remain in office it will make +them quieter for some time. If by a dissolution the Conservative +interest in the House is too much weakened the permanent +interests of the country can but suffer from that. If, on the +contrary, the Conservatives come in stronger, your position will +not be very agreeable, and it may induce them to be perhaps +less moderate than they ought to be. I should be very happy +if you would discuss these, my <i>hasty</i> views, with Lord Melbourne. +I do not give them for more than what they are, mere +<i>practical</i> considerations; but, as far as I can judge of the question, +if I was myself concerned I should have no dissolution; +if even there was but the very <i>banale</i> consideration, <i>qu'on sait +ce qu'on a, mais qu'on ne sait nullement ce qu'on aura</i>. The +moment is not without importance, and well worthy your +earnest consideration, and I feel convinced that Lord Melbourne +will agree with me, that, notwithstanding the great +political good sense of the people in England, the machine is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.289" id="pagei.289"></a>[page 289]</span> +so complicated that it should be handled with great care and +tenderness.</p> + +<p class="ind">To conclude, I must add that perhaps a permanent duty on +corn may be a desirable thing, but that it ought to be sufficiently +high to serve as a real protection. It may besides +produce this effect, that as it will be necessary, at least at first, +to buy a good deal of the to be imported corn with <i>money</i>, the +currency will be seriously affected by it. The countries which +would have a chance of selling would be chiefly Poland in all its +parts, Prussia, Austria, and Russia, the South of Russia on the +Black Sea, and maybe Sicily. Germany does not grow a +sufficient quantity of wheat to profit by such an arrangement; +it will besides not buy more from England for the present than +it does now, owing to the Zollverein,<sup>49</sup> which must first be +altered. But I will not bore you too long, and conclude with +my best love to little Victoria, of whom her Grandmama +speaks with raptures. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted +Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 48: The Duchess of Kent had left England for a tour on the Continent.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 49: After the fall of Napoleon, the hopes of many Germans for a united national Germany +were frustrated by the Congress of Vienna, which perpetuated the practical independence +of a number of German States, as well as the predominance within the Germanic confederation +of Austria, a Power largely non-German. One of the chief factors in the +subsequent unification of Germany was the Zollverein, or Customs Union, by which +North Germany was gradually bound together by commercial interest, and thus opposed +to Austria. The success of this method of imperial integration has not been without +influence on the policies of other lands.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE OPPOSITION ELATED</span> + +<p class="indright"><i><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, 5th June 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to state that the House divided about three +this morning.</p> + +<table summary="majority" align="center"> + <tr> + <td>For Sir Robert Peel</td> + <td>312</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Against</td> + <td>311</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>—–</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Majority</td> + <td class="right">1</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 2em;">The Opposition were greatly elated by this triumph. Lord +Stanley, and Sir Robert Peel who spoke last in the debate, did +not deny that the Crown might exercise the prerogative of +dissolution in the present case. But they insisted that no time +should be lost in previous debates, especially on such a subject +as the Corn Laws.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell spoke after Lord Stanley, and defended +the whole policy of the Administration.</p> + +<p class="ind">After the division he stated that he would on Monday propose +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.290" id="pagei.290"></a>[page 290]</span> +the remaining estimates, and announce the course which +he meant to pursue respecting the Corn Laws.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MARRIAGE OF LORD JOHN RUSSELL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th June 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Now, many thanks for two letters of the 31st ult. and +4th June. The former I shall not answer at length, as Albert +has done so, and I think has given a very <i>fair</i> view of the state +of affairs. Let me only repeat to you again that you need not +be alarmed, and that I think you will be pleased and <i>beruhigt</i> +when you talk to our friend Lord Melbourne on the subject...</p> + +<p class="ind">I fear you will again see nothing of the Season, as Parliament +will probably be dissolved by the 21st....</p> + +<p class="ind">As to my letters, dear Uncle, I beg to <i>assure</i> you (for Lord +Palmerston was <i>most indignant</i> at the doubt when I once asked) +that <i>none</i> of our letters nor any of those <i>coming</i> to us, are ever +opened at the Foreign Office. My letters to Brussels and Paris +are <i>quite safe</i>, and all those to Germany, which are of any <i>real</i> +consequence, I always send through Rothschild, which is +perfectly <i>safe</i> and very quick.</p> + +<p class="ind">We are, and so is <i>everybody here</i>, so charmed with Mme. +Rachel;<sup>50</sup> she is perfect, <i>et puis</i>, such a nice modest girl; she +is going to declaim at Windsor Castle on Monday evening.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now adieu in haste. Believe me, always, your very devoted +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Really Leopold <i>must</i> come, or I shall <i>never</i> forgive you.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 50: The young French actress, who made her <i>début</i> in England on 4th May as Hermione +in Racine's <i>Andromaque</i>. She was received with great enthusiasm.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>8th June 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He is quite well, and has nothing particular to relate to your +Majesty, at least nothing that presses; except that he is commissioned +by Lord John Russell respectfully to acquaint your +Majesty that his marriage is settled, and will take place shortly.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="ind">Does Lord Melbourne <i>really</i> mean J. Russell's <i>marriage</i>? +and to whom?</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.291" id="pagei.291"></a>[page 291]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VISIT TO NUNEHAM</span> + +<p class="ind">The Lady Fanny Eliot.<sup>51</sup> Lord Melbourne did not name her +before, nor does not now, because he did not remember her +Christian name.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 51: Daughter of Lord Minto. Lord Melbourne originally wrote <i>The Lady —— Eliot</i> +at the head of his letter (spelling the surname wrong, which should be Elliot). The word +"Fanny" is written in subsequently to the completion of the letter.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Nuneham</span>,<sup>52</sup> <i>15th June 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Affairs go on, and all will take some shape or other, but it keeps +one in hot water all the time. In the meantime, however, the +people are in the best possible humour, and I never was better +received at Ascot, which is a great test, and also along the roads +yesterday. This is a most lovely place; pleasure grounds in +the style of Claremont, only much larger, and with the river +Thames winding along beneath them, and Oxford in the distance; +a beautiful flower and kitchen garden, and all kept up +in perfect order. I followed Albert here, faithful to my word, +and he is gone to Oxford<sup>53</sup> for the whole day, to my great grief. +And here I am all alone in a strange house, with not even +Lehzen as a companion, in Albert's absence, but I thought she +and also Lord Gardner,<sup>54</sup> and some gentlemen should remain +with little Victoria for the first time. But it is rather a trial +for me.</p> + +<p class="ind">I must take leave, and beg you to believe me always, your +most devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 52: The house of Edward Vernon Harcourt, Archbishop of York.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 53: To receive an address at Commemoration.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 54: Alan Legge, third and last Lord Gardner (1810-1883) was one of the Queen's first +Lords-in-Waiting.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE VISITS OXFORD</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>16th June 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has just received your Majesty's letter, and will wait upon +your Majesty at half-past five. Lord Melbourne is sorry to +hear that your Majesty has been at all indisposed. It will suit +him much better to wait upon your Majesty at dinner to-morrow +than to-day, as his hand shows some disposition to +gather, and it may be well to take care of it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to learn that everything went +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.292" id="pagei.292"></a>[page 292]</span> +off well at Oxford. Lord Melbourne expected that the Duke +of Sutherland<sup>55</sup> would not entirely escape a little public +animadversion. Nothing can be more violent or outrageous +than the conduct of the students of both Universities upon +such occasions; the worst and lowest mobs of Westminster +and London are very superior to them in decency and forbearance.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Archbishop<sup>56</sup> is a very agreeable man; but he is not +without cunning, and Lord Melbourne can easily understand +his eagerness that the Queen should not prorogue Parliament +in person. He knows that it will greatly assist the Tories. It +is not true that it is universal for the Sovereign to go down +upon such occasions. George III. went himself in 1784; he +did not go in 1807, because he had been prevented from doing so +by his infirmities for three years before. William IV. went +down himself in 1830.<sup>57</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne sends a note which he has received from +Lord Normanby upon this and another subject.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 55: Who was, of course, associated with the Whig Ministry.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 56: Archbishop Vernon Harcourt, of York, the Queen's host.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 57: The Queen prorogued Parliament in person on 22nd June.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>17th June 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—A few lines I must write to you to +express to you my <i>very great</i> delight at the certainty, God +willing, of seeing you all <i>three</i> next week, and to express a hope, +and a <i>great hope</i>, that you will try and arrive a little earlier on +Wednesday.... I must again repeat I am so sorry you +should come when Society is dispersed and at sixes and sevens, +and in such a state that naturally I cannot at the moment of +the elections invite many Tories, as that <i>tells</i> so at the elections. +But we shall try and do our best to make it as little dull as we +can, and you will kindly take the will for the deed.</p> + +<p class="ind">We came back from Nuneham yesterday afternoon. Albert +came back at half-past five on Tuesday from Oxford, where +he had been enthusiastically received, but the students ... had +the bad taste to show their party feeling in groans and +hisses when the name of a Whig was mentioned, which they +ought not to have done in my husband's presence.</p> + +<p class="ind">I must now conclude, begging you ever to believe me, your +devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">My Coiffeur will be quite at Louise's disposal, and he can +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.293" id="pagei.293"></a>[page 293]</span> +<i>coiffer</i> in any way she likes, if her dresser tells him how she +wishes it.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Brougham to Queen Victoria.</i><sup>58</sup></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD BROUGHAM</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Grafton Street</span>, <i>19th June 1841</i>.</p> +<span class="rightnote">LETTER FROM LORD BROUGHAM</span> +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Most gracious Sovereign</span>,—I crave leave humbly to +approach your Majesty and to state in writing what I should +have submitted to your Royal consideration at an Audience, +because I conceive that this course will be attended with less +inconvenience to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the counsel which I ventured with great humility, but +with an entire conviction of its soundness, to tender, I cannot +be biassed by any personal interest, for I am not a candidate +for office; nor by any Parliamentary interest, for I have no +concern with elections; nor by any factious interest, for I am +unconnected with party. My only motive is to discharge the +duty which I owe to both the Crown and the country. Nor am +I under the influence of any prejudice against your Majesty's +servants or their measures; for I charge your Majesty's servants +with nothing beyond an error, a great error, in judgment, +and I entirely approve of the measures which they have lately +propounded (with a single exception partially applicable to one +of them), while I lament and disapprove of the time and manner +of propounding them, both on account of the Government and +of the measures themselves.</p> + +<p class="ind">I feel myself, Madam, under the necessity of stating that the +dissolution of the Parliament appears to me wholly without +justification, either from principle or from policy. They who +advise it must needs proceed upon the supposition that a +majority will be returned favourable to the continuance of the +present Administration and favourable to their lately announced +policy. On no other ground is it possible that any +such advice should be tendered to your Majesty. For no one +could ever think of such a proceeding as advising the Crown +to dissolve the Parliament in order to increase the force of the +Opposition to its own future Ministers, thus perverting to the +mere purposes of party the exercise of by far the most eminent +of the Royal prerogatives; and I pass over as wholly unworthy +of notice the only other supposition which can with any +decency be made, when there is no conflict between the two +Houses, namely, that of a dissolution in entire ignorance of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.294" id="pagei.294"></a>[page 294]</span> +national opinion and for the purpose of ascertaining to which +side it inclines. Your Majesty's advisers must, therefore, +have believed, and they must still believe, that a majority will +be returned favourable both to themselves and their late policy. +I, on the other hand, have the most entire conviction that there +will be a considerable majority against them, and against their +policy a majority larger still, many of their supporters having +already joined to swell that majority. Whoever examines the +details of the case must be satisfied that the very best result +which the Government can possibly hope for is a narrow +majority against them—an event which must occasion a +second dissolution by whatever Ministry may succeed to the +confidence of your Majesty. But those best acquainted with +the subject have no doubt at all that the majority will be much +more considerable.</p> + +<p class="ind">I beg leave, Madam, humbly to represent to your Majesty, in +my own vindication for not having laid my opinion before your +Majesty as soon as I returned from the Continent, that when I +first heard of the course taken by the Government early in May, +I formed the opinion which I now entertain, but conceived +that I must have mistaken the facts upon which they were +acting; and when I arrived twelve days ago I was confirmed +in the belief (seeing the fixed resolution taken to dissolve) that +I must have been under an erroneous impression as to the probable +results of the elections. But I have since found ample +reason for believing that my original conviction was perfectly +well founded, and that no grounds whatever exist sufficient to +make any one who considers the subject calmly, and without +the bias of either interest or prejudice, really believe that this +ill-fated proceeding can have any other result than lasting +injury to your Majesty's service, to the progress of sound and +just views of policy, and to the influence of those in whom the +Crown and the country alike should repose confidence.</p> + +<p class="ind">That a number of short-sighted persons whose judgments +are warped by exclusive attention to a single subject, or by +personal feelings, or by party views (and these narrow and +erroneous), may have been loudly clamorous for the course apparently +about to be pursued, is extremely possible, and affords +no kind of excuse for it. Many of these will be the slowest to +defend what they have so unfortunately called for; some will +be among the first to condemn it when a manifest failure shall +have taken place, and general discomfiture shall throw a few +local successes into the shade.</p> + +<p class="ind">My advice is humbly offered to your Majesty, as removed +far above such confined and factious views; as the parent of +all your people; as both bound and willing to watch over their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.295" id="pagei.295"></a>[page 295]</span> +true interests; and as charged by virtue of your exalted office +with the preservation of the public peace, the furtherance of +the prosperity, and the maintenance of the liberties of your +subjects.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am, with profound respect, Madam, your Majesty's faithful +and dutiful Subject,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Brougham</span>.<sup>59</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 58: Mention has been made earlier of the resentment which Brougham cherished against +his late colleagues, after his exclusion from the Whig Cabinet, and this letter, on the +proposal to dissolve Parliament, was, no doubt, prompted by that feeling.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 59: Parliament, however, notwithstanding this rescript of Lord Brougham, was dissolved, +and the Ministry went to the country with the cry of a fixed duty on corn, as against a +sliding scale, and they attacked, as monopolists, at once the landowner, who enjoyed +protection for his wheat, and the West Indian proprietor, who profited by the duty on +foreign sugar. The Conservatives impugned the general policy of the Whig Administration. +The result, a majority of seventy-six, was an even greater Conservative triumph +than the most sanguine of the party anticipated.—<i>See</i> Introductory Note, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.253" style="font-weight: normal;">253.</a></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VISIT TO WOBURN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Woburn Abbey</span>, <i>27th July 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Arrived here last night with the Prince and the Queen; +this is now the second expedition (Nuneham being the first) +which Her Majesty has taken, and on neither occasion has the +Baroness accompanied us.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Prince went yesterday through a review of the many +steps he had made to his present position—all within eighteen +months from the marriage. Those who intended to keep him +from being useful to the Queen, from the fear that he might +ambitiously touch upon her prerogatives, have been completely +foiled; they thought they had prevented Her Majesty +from yielding anything of importance to him by creating distrust +through imaginary alarm. The Queen's good sense, however, +has seen that the Prince has no other object in all he seeks +but a means to Her Majesty's good. The Court from highest +to lowest is brought to a proper sense of the position of the +Queen's husband. The country has marked its confidence in +his character by passing the Regency Bill <i>nem</i>. <i>con</i>. The +Queen finds the value of an active right hand and able head +to support her and to resort to for advice in time of need. +Cabinet Ministers treat him with deference and respect. Arts +and science look up to him as their especial patron, and they +find this encouragement supported by a full knowledge of the +details of every subject. The good and the wise look up to +him with pride and gratitude as giving an example, so rarely +shown in such a station, of leading a virtuous and religious life.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>3rd August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Our little tour was most successful, and we enjoyed it of +all things; nothing could be more enthusiastic or affectionate +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.296" id="pagei.296"></a>[page 296]</span> +than our reception <i>everywhere</i>, and I am happy to hear that our +presence has left a favourable impression, which I think will be +of great use. The loyalty in this country is certainly <i>very +striking</i>. We enjoyed Panshanger<sup>60</sup> still more than Woburn; +the country is quite beautiful, and the house so pretty and +<i>wohnlich</i>; the picture-gallery and pictures very splendid. +The Cowpers are such good people too. The visit to Brocket +naturally interested us very much for our excellent Lord Melbourne's +sake. The park and grounds are beautiful.</p> + +<p class="ind">I can't admit the Duke of Bedford<sup>61</sup> ever was radical; God +knows! I wish everybody now was a little so! What <i>is</i> to +come hangs over me like a baneful dream, as you will easily +understand, and when I am often happy and merry, comes +and damps it all!<sup>62</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">But God's will be done! and it is for our best, we <i>must</i> feel, +though we can't feel it. I can't say <i>how</i> much we think of our +little visit to you, God willing, next year. You will kindly let +our good old Grandmother<sup>63</sup> come there to see her dear Albert +<i>once again</i> before she dies, wouldn't you? And you would get +the Nemours to come? And you would persuade the dear +Queen<sup>64</sup> to come for a little while with Clémentine?</p> + +<p class="ind">Now farewell! Believe me, always, your most devoted +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 60: The house of Earl Cowper.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 61: The Duke, who had formerly been M.P. for Bedfordshire, was inclined to go further +in the direction of Reform than Lord John, yet he applauded the latter's attitude on the +occasion of the speech which earned him the nickname of "Finality Jack."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 62: Alluding to the Ministerial defeat at the polls.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 63: The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 64: Marie Amélie, Queen of the French.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD MELBOURNE AND THE GARTER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>7th August 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">I went to Lord Melbourne this morning in his room as he had +desired me. He said: "The Prince has been urging me to accept +the Blue Riband before I quit office, and I wished to tell you +that I am very anxious that this should not be pressed upon me +by the Queen; it may be a foolish weakness on my part, but +I wish to quit office without having any honour conferred upon +me; the Queen's confidence towards me is sufficiently known +without any public mark of this nature. I have always disregarded +these honours, and there would be an inconsistency in +my accepting this. I feel it to be much better for my reputation +that I should not have it forced upon me. Mr Pitt never +accepted an order, and only the Cinque Ports on being pressed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.297" id="pagei.297"></a>[page 297]</span> +to do so. Lord Grenville accepted a peerage, but never any +other honour or advantage, and I wish to be permitted to retire +in like manner. If I was a poor man, I should have no hesitation +in receiving money in the shape of place or pension; I +<i>only don't wish</i> for place, because I do not <i>want</i> it."</p> + +<p class="ind2">In the course of conversation Lord Melbourne said that he +considered it very improbable that he should ever again form +a part of any Administration.</p> + +<p class="ind2">He did not think that a violent course was at all to be apprehended +from Lord John Russell; he said Lord John had +been far more of a "finality" man than he had, and in the +Cabinet had always been averse to violent change. He added, +"I think you are in error in forming the opinion which you +have of him."</p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord Melbourne thought the Queen very much disliked being +talked <i>at</i> upon religion; she particularly disliked what Her +Majesty termed a <i>Sunday face</i>, but yet that it was a subject far +more thought of and reflected upon than was [thought to be?] +the case.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A DREADED MOMENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>15th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne well knows the feeling which your +Majesty describes. The expectation of an event which is +dreaded and deprecated, and yet felt to be certain and imminent, +presents itself continually to the mind and recurs at +every moment, and particularly in moments of satisfaction and +enjoyment. It is perhaps no consolation to be told that events +of this nature are necessary and incidental to your Majesty's +high situation, but Lord Melbourne anxiously hopes that the +change, when it does take place, will not be found so grievous +as your Majesty anticipates, and your Majesty may rely that +Lord Melbourne will do everything in his power to reconcile it +to your Majesty's feelings.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>17th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear of the Princess's tooth.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is much obliged to your Majesty for informing +him about the mourning.</p> + +<p class="ind">He is quite well and will be ready when your Majesty sends.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.298" id="pagei.298"></a>[page 298]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A CARRIAGE ACCIDENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>23rd August 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord John Russell was staying at the Castle, and asked to-day +for an audience of Her Majesty, and was closeted for a long +time. The Prince asked Her Majesty what Lord John came +for. The Queen said he came about several things, but +particularly he wished to impress upon the Queen that Her +Majesty should not allow Sir Robert Peel to propose any new +Grants in Parliament, as they (the Whigs) could not well oppose +it, and this being felt, the whole unpopularity would fall +upon the Queen's person. An idea existed that the Tories +were always jobbing with money, and the grant for the building +the new stables at Windsor had shown how suspicious people +were.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord John did not speak clearly out, but on consultation +with Lord Melbourne the Queen thought Lord John must have +alluded to Peel having spoken equivocally at the end of his +speech relative to the Prince's annuity, and would now probably +propose a further grant, and would say the time was now +come in order to stand well with the Queen. The Queen +replied that she would never allow such a thing to be proposed +and that it would be a disgrace to owe any favour to that +Party.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The only answer the Prince gave was that these views were +<i>very agreeable</i> for him.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>24th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Our accident<sup>65</sup> was not so very bad, and considering +that it is the <i>very first</i> that had happened in the course of <i>five +summers</i>, with <i>so many</i> carriages and horses, one cannot be +surprised. I beg leave also to say that I <i>can</i> get out <i>very</i> quick. +I am very thankful that you agree to the couriers. I am a +little sorry that you have put poor Mamma off <i>so</i> late, as she +is <i>very</i> much hurt at it, I fear, by what I hear, and accuses me +of it. But that will, I trust, be forgiven. You don't say that +<i>you</i> sympathise with me in my present heavy trial,<sup>66</sup> the heaviest +I have ever had to endure, and which will be a sad heartbreaking +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.299" id="pagei.299"></a>[page 299]</span> +to me—but I know you do feel for me. I am +quiet and prepared, but still I fell very <i>sad</i>, and God knows! +very wretched at times, for myself and my country, that <i>such</i> +a change must take place. But God in His mercy will support +and guide me through all. Yet I feel that my constant headaches +are caused by annoyance and vexation!</p> + +<p class="ind">Adieu, dearest Uncle! God bless you! Ever your devoted +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 65: The Queen had driven to Virginia Water to see Prince Albert's beagles hunting, when +owing to the hounds running between the horses' legs and frightening them, a pony +phaeton and four containing Lord Erroll, Lady Ida Hay, and Miss Cavendish was upset. +One of the postillions was (not dangerously) hurt.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 66: <i>I.e</i>, Lord Melbourne being succeeded by Sir Robert Peel as Prime Minister.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>24th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +We have just delivered the Speech in the House of Lords, and +the debate will commence at five o'clock. We understand that +the amendment is to be a repetition of the motion of want of +confidence, which Sir Robert Peel made in the House of +Commons before the dissolution, and nearly in the same terms. +It is to be moved by Lord Ripon<sup>67</sup> in the House of Lords, and +by Mr. Stuart Wortley<sup>68</sup> in the House of Commons. It is +understood to be their intention to avoid, as much as possible, +debate upon the Corn Laws, and upon the other topics in the +Speech, and to place the question entirely upon the result of the +General Election and the proof which that affords that the +Ministry does not possess the confidence of the country. Lord +Melbourne thinks that it will not be found easy to repress +debate in the House of Commons, but would not be surprised +if the course which it is intended to pursue should much +shorten it in the House of Lords. Lord Melbourne will write +again to your Majesty after the debate, and will certainly come +down to-morrow, unless anything unexpected should occur to +prevent him.</p> + +<p class="ind">It will be necessary to receive the address of the Convocation +in some manner or another. Lord Melbourne will +write confidentially to the Archbishop<sup>69</sup> to learn how it may +be received in the quietest manner and with the least +trouble. Lord Melbourne has little doubt that the Lords and +Commons will send their addresses by the officers of the +Household.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne entreats your Majesty to pick up your +spirits.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 67: The first Earl (1782-1859) who had, as Lord Goderich, been Premier in 1827-1828.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 68: J. Stuart Wortley (1801-1855), M.P. for the West Riding, afterwards the second +Lord Wharncliffe.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 69: Dr Howley.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.300" id="pagei.300"></a>[page 300]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">COBDEN'S SPEECH</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>26th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that nothing remarkable occurred +in the debate of yesterday, except a powerful speech from +Mr Cobden, a manufacturer.<sup>70</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The debate will probably close this evening. No one of the +Tory leaders, except Sir Robert Peel, appears disposed to +speak.</p> + +<p class="ind">Should the Address be voted to-night, and reported tomorrow, +it may be presented to your Majesty by Lord Marcus +Hill<sup>71</sup> on Saturday.</p> + +<p class="ind">But should the debate be continued over this night, the +report of the Address can hardly take place till Monday. +This, however, is not very likely.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 70: Cobden had just been elected for the first time for Stockport.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 71: Son of Lord Downshire, and M.P. for Evesham; afterwards (under a special remainder) +the third Lord Sandys.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>27th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +Upon his arrival he found that there was no precedent of the +House meeting again after an Address, without receiving an +answer from the Crown. Lord Erroll therefore delivered the +answer in the terms which had been submitted by Lord +Melbourne to your Majesty, and it appeared to give satisfaction. +The debate will probably terminate in the House of Commons +to-night; at the same time it may not. If it does we must +place our resignation in your Majesty's hands on Saturday, +and it must be announced to the Houses of Parliament on +Monday. Your Majesty will then do well not to delay sending +for some other person beyond Tuesday. Lord Melbourne will +write to your Majesty more fully upon all these subjects tomorrow, +when he will know the result of the night's debate, and +be able more surely to point out the course of events.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne received the Eau-de-Cologne, and returns +your Majesty many thanks for it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne understands that the Duke of Wellington +is, in fact, very desirous of having the Foreign Seals,<sup>72</sup> and that +if your Majesty feels any preference for him in that department +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.301" id="pagei.301"></a>[page 301]</span> +the slightest intimation of your Majesty's wish in that respect +will fix him in his desire to have it.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 72: The Duke had been Foreign Secretary in 1835.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Wilton Crescent</span>, <i>28th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour to report that the Amendment to the +Address was carried by 91, the numbers being—</p> + +<table summary="majority" align="center"> + <tr> + <td>For the Address</td> + <td>269</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>For the Amendment</td> + <td>360</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>—–</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td class="right">91</td> + </tr> + <tr><td> </td> + <td>—–</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 2em;">The Tory party proposed that the House should meet this +day, and the Speaker signified that he should take the Chair +at twelve o'clock. The Address will be carried to Windsor by +Lord Marcus Hill this evening if then ready.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell takes this opportunity of closing his +Reports again, to express to your Majesty his deep sense of +your Majesty's goodness towards him. It is his fervent prayer +that your Majesty may enjoy a long and happy reign.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>28th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Your Majesty must, of course, consider us as having +tendered our resignations immediately after the vote of last +night, and your Majesty will probably think it right to request +us to continue to hold our offices and transact the current +business until our successors are appointed.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will have the honour of writing again to your +Majesty in the course of the day.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE RESIGNATION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>28th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Albert will not stay for the dinner, and I expect him +back at about eleven to-night. He went at half-past eleven +this morning. It is the first time that we have ever been +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.302" id="pagei.302"></a>[page 302]</span> +separated for so long since our marriage, and I am quite +melancholy about it.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will forgive me if I mention it to you, but I understand +that the Queen Dowager has been somewhat offended at +your not taking leave of her when she came here, and at your +not answering her, when she wrote to you. Perhaps you would +write to her and soften and smoothen matters. She did not +the least expect you to come to her. Believe me always, your +most devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>28th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to acknowledge gratefully the communication which +he has just received from your Majesty. Lord Melbourne feels +certain that your Majesty's sense and firmness will enable your +Majesty to bear up under this which your Majesty names a +severe trial. The kindness of your Majesty's expressions +emboldens Lord Melbourne to say that he also feels deeply +the pain of separation from a service, which has now for four +years and more been no less his pleasure than his pride.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne would have been anxious to have waited +upon your Majesty to-day, but he feels that his presence is in +some degree material at a meeting, at which not only the +present situation of your Majesty's servants, but also their +future conduct and prospects, will be considered.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is sure that your Majesty will at once perceive +that it would not have a good appearance if he were to +return to Windsor immediately after having announced his +resignation to the House of Lords on Monday next.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is right that there should be no appearance of delay or of +unwillingness to carry into effect the wishes of both Houses +of Parliament, and, therefore, your Majesty will forgive Lord +Melbourne if he suggests that it would be well if your Majesty +could make up your mind to appoint Sir R. Peel on Monday +next, so that there might be as little delay as possible in the +formation of a new Government. On all accounts, and +particularly on account of the lateness of the Season, it is +desirable that this should be done as speedily as possible.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>29th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He knows well what that feeling of working under the impression +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.303" id="pagei.303"></a>[page 303]</span> +of trouble and annoyance is, but if the first gloom is +brushed away, confidence and hope and spirits return, and +things begin to appear more cheerful. Lord Melbourne is +much obliged by your Majesty's enquiries. He slept well, but +waked early, which he always does now, and which is a sure +sign of anxiety of mind.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will be ready to attend your Majesty at any +time.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>29th August 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord Melbourne is to take his farewell audience of the +Queen to-morrow, and Her Majesty has appointed Sir Robert +Peel to come down here at three o'clock to-morrow.</p> +<span class="rightnote">DELAY UNDESIRABLE</span> +<p class="ind2">I went with Lord Melbourne from luncheon to his room. +He seemed in tolerable spirits, though somewhat sad when he +alluded to taking leave of the Queen. He said he was anxious +that Her Majesty should lose no time in writing to appoint +Sir Robert Peel to be here to-morrow, for though he was not +afraid of Sir Robert taking affront, his Party would be too +ready to construe any delay on the Queen's part into a slight. +He said the Prince had been with him just before, and amongst +other things had urged him to continue to him and to the +Queen his advice and assistance, especially on measures affecting +their private concerns and family concerns; he told Lord +Melbourne it was on these points that he felt Lord Melbourne's +advice had been peculiarly sound, and there was no reason +why this should not be continued, and any communication +might be made through me. Lord Melbourne said that the +Prince had also entered upon the subject of the Baroness, and +expressed the constant state of annoyance he was kept in by +her interference. Lord Melbourne said to me: "It will be far +more difficult to remove her after the change of Government +than now, because if pressed to do it by a Tory Minister, the +Queen's prejudice would be immediately aroused." I admitted +this, but said that though the Prince felt that if he pressed +the point against the Baroness remaining, he should be able to +carry it, still his good feeling and affection for the Queen prevented +him from pressing what he knew would be painful, and +what could not be carried without an exciting scene; he must +remain on his guard, and patiently abide the result. People +were beginning much better to understand that lady's character, +and time must surely work its own ends.</p> + +<p class="ind2">On my being sent for by the Prince, Lord Melbourne said, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.304" id="pagei.304"></a>[page 304]</span> +"I shall see you again before I take my leave." I was much +affected by the earnestness with which this was said, and said +I would certainly be with him before he saw the Queen tomorrow.</p> +<span class="rightnote">PARTING WITH LORD MELBOURNE</span> +<p class="ind2">The Prince said that Her Majesty was cheerful and in good +spirits, and the only part of the approaching scene which he +dreaded was the farewell with Lord Melbourne. The Queen +had, however, been much relieved by the Prince arranging for +her hearing from Lord Melbourne whenever she wished it.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>30th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thanks your Majesty much for the very clever and interesting +etchings which your Majesty most kindly sent him yesterday +evening. Lord Melbourne will ever treasure them as +remembrances of your Majesty's kindness and regard, which +he prizes beyond measure.</p> + +<p class="ind">They will, as your Majesty says, certainly recall to recollection +a melancholy day, but still Lord Melbourne hopes and +trusts that with the divine blessing it will hereafter be looked +back upon with less grief and bitterness of feeling, than it must +be regarded at present.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE'S POSITION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>30th August 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Directly I got here this morning the Prince sent for me, and +said he had been made somewhat uneasy by a conversation +he had just had with the Queen. Her Majesty said that after +the manner in which the Tories had treated the Prince (relative +to annuity) he ought now to keep them at a distance. She said +they would try to flatter him, and would all come to see him; +this he should resist, and should refuse to see them, at all events +for some time.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Prince wished me to mention this to Lord Melbourne +when I went to take leave of him, and to urge Lord Melbourne +to set this right with the Queen by his advice before he parted +with the Queen, reminding him that his view had always been +that from this moment the Prince would take up a new position, +and that the Queen, no longer having Lord Melbourne to resort +to in case of need, must from this moment consult and advise +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.305" id="pagei.305"></a>[page 305]</span> +with the Prince. That Lord Melbourne should urge the +Queen to have no scruple in employing the Prince, and showing +that unless a proper understanding existed from the first, he in +attempting to do good would be easily misrepresented.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I found Lord Melbourne alone in his dressing-room and put +this case before him. He said he had always thought that +when he left the service of the Queen the Prince would of necessity +be brought forward, and must render great assistance to +the Queen; and the Queen's confidence in his judgment having +so much increased, this consequence was the more natural. +The Prince must, however, be very cautious at first, and in +a little time he would fall into it. He must be very careful +not to alarm the Queen, by Her Majesty for an instant supposing +that the Prince was carrying on business with Peel +without her cognisance.</p> + +<p class="ind2">If it were possible for any one to advise Peel, he would +recommend that he should write fully to Her Majesty, and +<i>elementarily</i>, as Her Majesty always liked to have full knowledge +upon everything which was going on. He would advise +the Queen to be cautious in giving a verbal decision, that she +should not allow herself to be <i>driven into a corner</i>, and forced +to decide where she felt her mind was not made up and required +reflection.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Peel should be very careful that intelligence came first from +him direct. King William was very particular upon this point, +so was the Queen.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I asked Lord Melbourne if he had considered the future +position of himself with the Queen, and also of Peel with the +Queen. He said he owned he had not and would avoid entering +into any discussion—he felt sure that he should be regarded +with extreme jealousy, not so much by Peel as by the party. +He would be looked upon as Lord Bute had been in his relation +to George III.,—always suspected of secret intercourse and +intrigue. He would make me the medium of any written communication.</p> + +<p class="ind2">With regard to Peel's position with the Queen, he thought +that circumstances must make it. He thought the Queen must +see him oftener than King William did him, as he thought the +present state of things would require more frequent intercourse. +The late King used to see him once a week after the +Levée, seldom oftener; all the rest of the business was transacted +by correspondence, but this mode, though it had its +merits in some respect, very much impeded the public business.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The less personal objections the Queen took to any one the +better, as any such expression is sure to come out and a personal +enemy is made. It was also to be recollected that Peel +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.306" id="pagei.306"></a>[page 306]</span> +was in a very different position now, backed by a large majority, +to when the other overture was made. He had the power <i>now</i> +to extort what he pleased, and he fancied he saw the blank +faces of the heads of the Party when Peel told them that he +had agreed to the dismissal or resignation of only three of the +Queen's ladies.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Lord Melbourne said the Queen was afraid she never could +be at ease with Peel, because his manner was so embarrassed, +and that conveyed embarrassment also to her, which it would +be very difficult to get over.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Queen took leave of Lord Melbourne to-day. Her +Majesty was much affected, but soon recovered her calmness.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Peel had his first audience at half-past three o'clock.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE'S OPINION OF THE PRINCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>30th August 1841</i> (6 <span class="sc">P.M.</span>).</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +The announcement has been made in both Houses of Parliament. +A few words were said by Lord Stanley<sup>73</sup> in the House +of Commons, and nothing in the House of Lords.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne cannot satisfy himself without again stating +to your Majesty in writing what he had the honour of saying +to your Majesty respecting his Royal Highness the Prince. +Lord Melbourne has formed the highest opinion of His Royal +Highness's judgment, temper, and discretion, and he cannot +but feel a great consolation and security in the reflection that +he leaves your Majesty in a situation in which your Majesty +has the inestimable advantage of such advice and assistance. +Lord Melbourne feels certain that your Majesty cannot do better +than have recourse to it, whenever it is needed, and rely upon +it with confidence.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will be anxious to hear from your Majesty +as to what has passed with Sir R. Peel. Your Majesty will, +Lord Melbourne is sure, feel that the same general secrecy +which your Majesty has always observed respecting public +affairs is more particularly necessary at the present moment.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is well +and composed, and with the most anxious wishes for your +Majesty's welfare and happiness, remains ever your Majesty's +most devoted and attached Servant, and he trusts that he +may add, without presumption, your Majesty's faithful and +affectionate Friend.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 73: Who now became Colonial Secretary.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.307" id="pagei.307"></a>[page 307]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum: Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE HOUSEHOLD</span> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty might say, if to your Majesty it seems good, +that in consequence of the Addresses voted by both Houses of +Parliament, your Majesty's servants had tendered their resignations, +and that for the same reason your Majesty had +accepted those resignations. That your Majesty's present +servants possessed your Majesty's confidence, and that you +only parted with them in deference to the opinion of Parliament.</p> + +<p class="ind">That your Majesty naturally had recourse to Sir Robert +Peel as possessing the confidence of the great Party which +constitutes the majority of both Houses, and that you were +prepared to empower him to form an Administration.</p> + +<p class="ind">That your Majesty did not conceive that the giving him this +commission of itself empowered him to advise the removal +of the officers of your Majesty's Household; that you conceive +that all that the Constitution required was that the +Sovereign's Household should support the Sovereign's Ministers; +but that you were prepared to place at his disposal, +and to take his advice upon all the offices of the Household +at present filled by members of either House of Parliament, +with the exception of those whom your Majesty might think +proper to name, <i>i</i>.<i>e</i>., Lord Byron<sup>74</sup>—and it should be understood +that this exception was not to extend further than to +him.</p> + +<p class="ind">If Sir Robert Peel should wish that in case of Lord +Byron's remaining it should be considered as a fresh appointment +made by his advice, this wish might properly be +acceded to.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>The Ladies</i>.—If any difficulty should arise it may be asked +to be stated in writing, and reserved for consideration. But it +is of great importance that Sir Robert Peel should return to +London with full power to form an Administration. Such +must be the final result, and the more readily and graciously +it is acquiesced in the better.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty must take care not to be driven to the wall, +and to be put into a situation in which it is necessary to Aye +or No. No positive objection should be taken either to men +or measures.</p> + +<p class="ind">It must be recollected that at the time of the negotiation in +1839 Lord Melbourne and Lord John Russell were still at the +head of a majority in the House of Commons. This is not the +case now.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 74: George Anson, seventh Lord Byron (1789-1868), cousin and successor of the poet.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.308" id="pagei.308"></a>[page 308]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><span class="sc">The Cabinet of Lord Melbourne</span>,</h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE NEW CABINET</span> + +<h5><i>As it stood in September 1841</i>.</h5> + +<table summary="The Cabinet of Lord Melbourne" align="center"> + <tr><td><i>First Lord of the Treasury</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Viscount Melbourne</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Lord Chancellor</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Lord</span> (afterwards Earl of) <span class="sc">Cottenham</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Chancellor of the Exchequer</i></td> <td>Mr <span class="sc">Francis Baring</span> (afterwards Lord Northbrook).</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Lord President of the Council</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Marquis of Lansdowne</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Lord Privy Seal</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Earl of Clarendon</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Home Secretary</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Marquis of Normanby</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Foreign Secretary</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Viscount Palmerston</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Colonial Secretary</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Lord John</span> (afterwards Earl) <span class="sc">Russell</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>First Lord of the Admiralty</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Earl of Minto</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>President of the Board of Control</i></td> <td>Sir <span class="sc">John Cam Hobhouse</span> (afterwards Lord Broughton).</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Secretary at War</i></td> <td>Mr T. B. (afterwards Lord) <span class="sc">Macaulay</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>President of the Board of Trade</i></td> <td>Mr <span class="sc">Labouchere</span> (afterwards Lord Taunton).</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Chief Secretary for Ireland</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Viscount Morpeth</span> (afterwards Earl of Carlisle).</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>First Commissioner of Land Revenue</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Viscount Duncannon</span> (afterwards Earl of Bessborough).</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster</i></td> <td>Sir <span class="sc">George Grey</span>.</td></tr> +</table> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><span class="sc">The Cabinet of Sir Robert Peel</span>,<sup>75</sup></h5> + +<h5><i>As formed in September 1841</i>.</h5> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.309" id="pagei.309"></a>[page 309]</span> +<table summary="The Cabinet of Sir Robert Peel" align="center"> + <tr><td><i>First Lord of the Treasury </i></td> <td>Sir <span class="sc">Robert Peel</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Lord Chancellor</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Lord Lyndhurst</span>.</td></tr> + + <tr><td><i>Chancellor of the Exchequer</i></td> <td> Mr. <span class="sc">H. Goulburn</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td>(<i>Without Office</i>)</td> <td><span class="sc">Duke of Wellington</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Lord President of the Council</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Lord Wharncliffe</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Lord Privy Seal</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Duke of Buckingham</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Home Secretary</i></td> <td>Sir <span class="sc">James Graham</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Foreign Secretary</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Earl of Aberdeen</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Colonial Secretary</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Lord Stanley</span> (afterwards Earl of Derby).</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>First Lord of the Admiralty</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Earl of Haddington</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>President of the Board of Control</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Lord</span> (afterwards Earl of) <span class="sc">Ellenborough</span></td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Secretary at War</i></td> <td>Sir <span class="sc">Henry</span> (afterwards Viscount) <span class="sc">Hardinge</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>President of the Board of Trade</i></td> <td><span class="sc">Earl of Ripon</span>.</td></tr> + <tr><td><i>Paymaster-General</i>.</td> <td>Sir <span class="sc">Edward Knatchbull</span>.</td></tr> +</table> + + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 75: The Peel Ministry of 1841 was unique in containing three ex-Premiers: Sir Robert +Peel himself, the Earl of Ripon, and the Duke of Wellington, who succeeded Lord Goderich +as Premier in 1828. Ripon's career was a curious one; he was a singularly ineffective +Prime Minister, and indeed did not, during the course of his Ministry (August 1827-January +1828), ever have to meet Parliament. He was disappointed at not being invited +to join the Wellington Ministry, subsequently joined the Reform Ministry of Lord Grey, +but followed Lord Stanley, Sir James Graham, and the Duke of Richmond out of it. In +August 1841 he moved the vote of want of confidence in the Melbourne Ministry, and +became President of the Board of Trade in Peel's Government. In 1846 it fell to him, +when President of the Board of Control, to move the Corn Law Repeal Bill in the Lords.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">The only later instance of an ex-Premier accepting a subordinate office was in the case +of Lord John Russell, who, in 1852, took the Foreign Office under Aberdeen, subsequently +vacating the office and sitting in the Cabinet without office. In June 1854, he became +Lord President of the Council, and left the Ministry when it was menaced by Roebuck's +motion. When Lord Palmerston formed a Ministry in 1855, Lord John, after an interval, +became Colonial Secretary, again resigning in five months. Finally, in 1859, he went +back to the Foreign Office, where he remained until he succeeded Palmerston as Premier +in 1865.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: -0.5em;">The Government also contained three future Premiers, Aberdeen, Stanley, and Gladstone.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">INTERVIEW WITH PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span> <i>30th August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The first interview with Sir Robert Peel has gone off +well, and only lasted twenty minutes; and he sends the +Queen to-morrow, in writing, the proposed arrangements, and +will only come down on Wednesday morning. He first wished +to come to-morrow, but on the Queen's saying that he need not +to do that, but might send it and only come down Wednesday, +he thought the Queen might prefer having it to consider a +little, which she said she certainly should, though she meant +no want of confidence. The Queen, in the first instance, +stated that she concluded he was prepared for her sending for +him, and then stated exactly what Lord Melbourne wrote, viz., +the resignation having taken place in consequence of the +Addresses—the Queen's great regret at parting with her +present Ministers—the confidence she had in them, and her +only acceding in consequence of the Addresses in Parliament, +and then that consequently she looked to him (Sir Robert +Peel) as possessing the confidence of both Houses of Parliament +to form an Administration. He made many protestations +of his sorrow, at what must give pain to the Queen (as +she said to him it did), but of course said he accepted the task. +The Duke of Wellington's health too uncertain, and himself +too prone to sleep coming over him—as Peel expressed it—to +admit of his taking an office in which he would have much to +do, but to be in the Cabinet, which the Queen expressed her +wish he should. He named Lord De Grey<sup>76</sup> as Lord Lieutenant +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.310" id="pagei.310"></a>[page 310]</span> +of Ireland, and Lord Eliot<sup>77</sup> as Secretary for Ireland, who, he +said, were both moderate people. The Queen said she gave<span class="rightnote">HOUSEHOLD APPOINTMENTS</span> +up to him the officers of State and those of her Household who +were in Parliament, and he then asked if Lord Liverpool would +be agreeable as Lord Steward (the Queen said he would), and +if she would object to Lord Jersey as Master of the Horse (she +said she would not), as she believed he understood it perfectly. +He said he was so anxious to do everything which could be +agreeable to the Queen, that he wished her to name whom she +should like as Lord Chamberlain; she said he might suggest +some one, but as he would not, and pressed the Queen to name +whoever she pleased, she said she should like the Duke of +Rutland, and he said he would certainly name it to him. The +Queen said that Lord Melbourne had always been very particular +to name no one who might be disagreeable to her in the +Household, and Sir R. Peel said he felt this, and should be +most anxious to do what could be agreeable to me and for my +comfort, and that he would even sacrifice any advantage to +this. The Queen mentioned the three Ladies' resignation, and +her wish not to fill up the three Ladies' places immediately. +She mentioned Lady Byron,<sup>78</sup> to which he agreed immediately, +and then said, as I had alluded to those communications, he +hoped that he had been understood respecting the <i>other</i> appointments +(meaning the Ladies), that provided I chose some +who had a leaning towards the politics of the Administration, +I might take any I liked, and that he quite understood +that I should notify it to them. The Queen said this was her +rule, and that she wished to choose moderate people who +should not have scruples to resign in case another Administration +should come in, as changing was disagreeable to her. +Here it ended, and so far well. He was very anxious the +Queen should understand <i>how</i> anxious he was to do everything +which was agreeable to the Queen. The Queen wishes to +know if Lord Melbourne thinks she should name the Duchess +of Buccleuch Mistress of the Robes, on Wednesday, and if she +shall ask Sir Robert to sound the Duchess, or some one else, +and then write to appoint her? She thinks of proposing +Lady de la Warr and Lady Abercorn by and by as the two +Ladies, but these she will sound herself through other people, +or Lady Canning, or Lady Rosslyn, in case these others should +not take it. She should say she meant to sound those, and no +more. What the Queen felt when she parted from her dear,<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S DISTRESS</span> +kind friend, Lord Melbourne, is better imagined than described; +she was dreadfully affected for some time after, but is calm +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.311" id="pagei.311"></a>[page 311]</span> +now. It is very, very sad; and she cannot quite believe it yet. +The Prince felt it very, very much too, and really the Queen +cannot say how kind and affectionate he is to her, and how +anxious to do everything to lighten this heavy trial; he was +quite affected at this sad parting. We do, and shall, miss you +so dreadfully; Lord Melbourne will easily understand what a +change it is, after these four years when she had the happiness +of having Lord Melbourne always about her. But it will not +be so long till we meet again. Happier and brighter times +will come again. We anxiously hope Lord Melbourne is well, +and got up well and safe. The Queen trusts he will take care +of his valuable health, now more than ever.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 76: Thomas, Earl de Grey (1781-1859); he was the elder brother of Lord Ripon, who had +been previously known as Mr Robinson and Viscount Goderich, and whose son, besides +inheriting his father's and uncle's honours, was created Marquis of Ripon.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 77: Afterwards third Earl of St Germans.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 78: Lady Byron had been Miss Elizabeth Chandos-Pole.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>31st August 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">I was sent up to Town to-day to see Lord Melbourne and +Sir Robert Peel. I found Lord Melbourne as usual up in his +bedroom. He had received the account of Her Majesty's first +interview with Peel, which he thought very satisfactory. Sir +Robert very much regretted that he should have been the instrument +of obliging Her Majesty to change her Government. +The Queen had said to Sir Robert that though she did not +conceive the Minister could demand any of the Household +appointments, still it was Her Majesty's intention to give up +to him the great offices of State, and all other places in the +Household filled by people in Parliament. He was to send +his proposed list for offices the next day and be at Windsor +the morning after that. Lord Melbourne had written to the +Queen the night before, stating his opinion of the Prince—that +he had great discretion, temper, and judgment, and that he +considered him to be well worthy of Her Majesty's confidence, +and that now was the time for Her Majesty to feel comfort and +assistance from giving him her fullest confidence. He had +just received the Queen's answer to this, saying what "pleasure +it had given the Queen to receive his letter with this expression +of his opinion of her beloved husband, and that what +he said could not fail to increase the confidence which she +already felt in him. He was indeed a great comfort to her in +this trying moment; at times she was very low indeed though +she strove to bear up. It would always be a satisfaction to +her to feel secure of Lord Melbourne's faithful and affectionate +friendship to her and the Prince. She hoped after a time to +see him here again, and it would always be a pleasure to her to +hear from him frequently."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.312" id="pagei.312"></a>[page 312]</span> + +<p class="ind2">From South Street I went to Sir Robert Peel's. I told him +I came to speak to him about Lord Exeter, whom the Prince +proposed to make the head of his Household, should it not +interfere with any of Sir Robert's arrangements for the Queen. +Sir Robert said he was so good a man and one that he felt sure +the Prince would like, and he therefore thought he had better +propose the situation to him at once.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE'S OFFICIAL FAREWELL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>31st August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne had the pleasure of receiving last night both +your Majesty's letters, the one dated four o'clock, and written +immediately after your Majesty's interview with Sir R. Peel, +the other dated half-past nine. Lord Melbourne thanks your +Majesty much for them both, and for the expressions of kindness +contained in them. Lord Melbourne will ever consider +the time during which your Majesty is good enough to think +that he has been of service to your Majesty the proudest as +well as the happiest part of his life.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has read with great care your Majesty's +very clear and full account of what passed. It appears to +Lord Melbourne that nothing could be better. Sir Robert +Peel seems to have been anxious to act with the utmost respect +and consideration for your Majesty, and your Majesty most +properly and wisely met him half-way. In the spirit in which +the negotiation has been commenced I see the prospect of a +termination of it, which will be not so unsatisfactory to your +Majesty as your Majesty anticipated, and not, Lord Melbourne +trusts, disadvantageous to the country....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne concludes with the most anxious wishes for +your Majesty's happiness and with expressing a great admiration +of the firmness, prudence, and good sense with which your +Majesty has conducted yourself.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne begs to be remembered to His Royal Highness +most respectfully, most affectionately.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>31st August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has just received your Majesty's letter. Lord Melbourne +rejoices much to learn that your Majesty feels more composed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.313" id="pagei.313"></a>[page 313]</span> +and that you are well. Recollect how precious is your Majesty's +health, and how much health depends upon tranquillity of +mind....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will either write to Sir Francis Chantrey<sup>79</sup> +to-morrow morning, or call upon him and settle without further +delay about the Bust. There is no end of subscriptions to +Monuments, but perhaps your Majesty will do well to subscribe +to Sir David Wilkie's.<sup>80</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty is very good about the blue Ribband, but +Lord Melbourne is certain that upon the whole, it is better for +his own position and character that he should not have it.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 79: Sir Francis Chantrey, the sculptor, born in 1781, died on 25th November 1841.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 80: Sir David Wilkie, Painter-in-Ordinary to the Queen, had died on 1st June, aged +fifty-six.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Clarendon</i><sup>81</sup> <i>to Viscount Melbourne</i>.<sup>82</sup></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PEEL'S RECEPTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Grosvenor Crescent</span>, <i>31st August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Melbourne,</span>—You may like to know that Peel +was perfectly satisfied with his reception yesterday, and does +full justice to the Queen's declaration of her regret at parting +with her Ministers, which he said it was quite natural she should +feel, and quite right she should express. This I know from +undoubted authority, and from a person who came to enquire +of me whether I could tell what impression Peel had produced +upon the Queen, which of course I could not.</p> + +<p class="ind">He assured the Queen that he had had no communication +with his friends, and was not prepared to submit an Administration +for her approval, but he is to see her again to-morrow +morning.</p> + +<p class="ind">The only appointment yet settled is De Grey to Ireland; +he was very unwilling, but Peel insisted. Yours sincerely,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Clarendon.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 81: The retiring Lord Privy Seal.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 82: Letter forwarded by Lord Melbourne to the Queen.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FAREWELL AUDIENCES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Carlton Terrace</span>, <i>31st August 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Viscount Palmerston begs to be allowed to tender to +your Majesty the grateful thanks of himself and of Viscountess +Palmerston for your Majesty's gracious expressions towards +them. Viscount Palmerston sees with deep regret the termination +of those duties in your Majesty's service, in the course of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.314" id="pagei.314"></a>[page 314]</span> +which he has had the honour of experiencing from your Majesty +so much condescending personal kindness, and such flattering +official confidence; and it affords him the highest gratification +to have obtained your Majesty's approbation.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>2nd September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He received your Majesty's letter yesterday evening, and was +very glad to learn from it that your Majesty was not ill satisfied +with Sir Robert Peel, and that the arrangements were going on +smoothly, which it is highly desirable that they should. Your +Majesty should desire Sir Robert Peel to give notice to all +those who have insignia of office, such as Seals, Wands, to give +up, to attend at Claremont on Friday; but of course he will +do this of himself. Your Majesty will have much to go through +upon that day and much that is painful. Your Majesty should +spare yourself and be spared as much as possible. It will not +be necessary for Lord Melbourne to go down. He may be considered +as having resigned at the Audience which he had of your +Majesty at Windsor, and Lord Melbourne has ventured to tell +Lord Lansdowne that he thinks he need not do so either, and +that your Majesty will excuse his attendance. Lord Melbourne +need say nothing about the Secretaries of State, with all of +whom your Majesty is so well acquainted; but perhaps your +Majesty will not omit to thank Mr Baring<sup>83</sup> cordially for his +services. He is a thoroughly honest man and an able public +servant. If your Majesty could say to the Lord Chancellor,<sup>84</sup> +"that you part with him with much sorrow; that you are +sensible that much of the strength of the late Administration +was derived from the manner in which he discharged the duties +of his office, and that you consider his retirement a great and +serious loss to the country," it would certainly be no more than +he deserves.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is thought by some who know him here that the Duke of +Rutland will be so extremely pleased with the offer being made, +and that by your Majesty yourself, that he will accept it; but +he is a year older than Lord Melbourne, and therefore hardly +fit for any very active duty....</p> + +<p class="ind">The appointment of Colonel Arbuthnot will of course be very +agreeable to the Duke of Wellington. The Arbuthnots are +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.315" id="pagei.315"></a>[page 315]</span> +quiet, demure people before others; but they are not without +depth of purpose, and they are very bitter at bottom.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will not forget the two Knights for Mr de la +Beche<sup>85</sup> and Major Monro.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne begins to hope that this affair will be got +through more satisfactorily and with less annoyance than your +Majesty anticipated. As long as your Majesty is desirous of +receiving his communications, he will be always most careful +to give your Majesty his impartial opinion and the best advice +which he has to offer. His most fervent prayer will always be +for your Majesty's welfare and happiness.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 83: The retiring Chancellor of the Exchequer.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 84: Lord Cottenham.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 85: Sir Henry T. de la Beche, an eminent geologist.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE'S LAST OFFICIAL LETTER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>2nd September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">....Lord Melbourne hopes and trusts that when to-morrow +is over your Majesty will recover from that depression of spirits +under which your Majesty now labours. Lord Melbourne +never doubted that it would be so, but is glad to learn from +your Majesty the support and consolation which your Majesty +finds in the advice and affection of the Prince.</p> + +<p class="ind">This is the last letter which Lord Melbourne will send in a +box. He will to-morrow morning return his keys to the +Foreign Office, and after that your Majesty will be good +enough to send the letters, with which you may honour Lord +Melbourne, through Mr Anson.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne most anxiously wishes your Majesty every +blessing.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">COUNCIL AT CLAREMONT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>3rd September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is well +after this trying day.<sup>86</sup> Lord Melbourne has thought and felt +for your Majesty all this morning. But now that the matter +is settled it will be necessary that your Majesty should take a +calm and composed view of the whole situation, which Lord +Melbourne trusts that your Majesty will find by no means +unsatisfactory.</p> + +<p class="ind">And first with respect to public affairs. In the concerns of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.316" id="pagei.316"></a>[page 316]</span> +a great nation like this there will always be some difficulties +and entanglements, but upon the whole the present state is +good and the prospect is good for the future. There is no +reason to expect that Sir Robert Peel will either be desirous or +be able to take a very different course from that which has +been taken by your Majesty's late servants, and some difficulties +will certainly be removed, and some obstacles smoothed, +by the change which has lately taken place.</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to the effect which will be produced upon the +comfort of your Majesty's private life, it would be idle in Lord +Melbourne, after what your Majesty has said, to doubt of the +manner in which your Majesty will feel the change, which must +take place in your Majesty, to long accustomed habits and +relations. But your Majesty may rest assured of Lord Melbourne's +devoted and disinterested attachment to your +Majesty, and that he will devote himself to giving to your +Majesty such information and advice as may be serviceable to +your Majesty with the sole view of promoting your Majesty's +public interests and private happiness.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne hopes, and indeed ventures to expect, that +your Majesty, upon reflection and consideration of the real +state of circumstances, will recover your spirits, and Lord +Melbourne has himself great satisfaction in thinking upon the +consideration of the advice which he has given, that it has not +tended to impair your Majesty's influence and authority, but, +on the contrary, to secure to your Majesty the affection, attachment, +approbation, and support of all parties.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the course of this correspondence Lord Melbourne has +thought it his duty to your Majesty to express himself with +great freedom upon the characters of many individuals, whose +names have come under consideration, but Lord Melbourne +thinks it right to say that he may have spoken upon insufficient +grounds, that he may have been mistaken, and that the persons +in question may turn out to be far better than he has been +induced to represent them.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 86: A Council had been held at Claremont for the outgoing Ministers to give up their +Seals of Office, which were bestowed upon Sir Robert Peel and the incoming Cabinet.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE ON THE NEW MINISTRY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>4th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He was most happy to hear yesterday the best account of +everything that had taken place at Claremont. Everybody +praised, in the highest manner, the dignity, propriety, and +kindness of your Majesty's deportment, and if it can be done +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.317" id="pagei.317"></a>[page 317]</span> +without anything of deceit or dissimulation, it is well to take +advantage of the powers and qualities which have been given, +and which are so well calculated to gain a fair and powerful +influence over the minds and feelings of others. Your Majesty +may depend upon it, that the impression made upon the minds +of all who were present yesterday, is most favourable. Of +course, with persons in new and rather awkward situations, +some of whom had never been in high office before, all of whom +had not been so now for some years, there was a good deal of +embarrassment and mistakes. Forms which are only gone +through at long intervals of time, and not every day, are necessarily +forgotten, and when they are required nobody knows +them. But Lord Melbourne cannot really think that they +looked cross; most probably they did look shy and embarrassed. +Strange faces are apt to give the idea of ill humour....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne anxiously hopes that your Majesty is well +and happy to-day.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>5th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +Your Majesty may depend upon it, that if Lord Melbourne +hears anything respecting your Majesty, which it appears to +him to be important or advantageous, that your Majesty should +know, Lord Melbourne will not fail to convey it to your +Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne encloses the exact names of the two +gentlemen to whom Knighthood has been promised by your +Majesty....</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty is very good, very good indeed, to think of +doing what your Majesty mentions for Fanny; but Lord +Melbourne fears that it would hardly suit with their present +situation, or with the comfort of their domestic life. But Lord +Melbourne mentioned the matter yesterday to his sister, and +he encloses the letter which she has written to him this morning, +after reflecting upon the subject. By that letter your Majesty +will perceive that Jocelyn is not so much in debt, as Lord +Melbourne's letter had led your Majesty to suppose....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord B—— is a very old friend of Lord Melbourne's. +They were at Eton together, and intimate there. He is a +gentlemanly man and a good man, but not very agreeable. +Few of the P——s are, and very bitter in politics; but still +Lord Melbourne is glad, for old acquaintance' sake, that your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.318" id="pagei.318"></a>[page 318]</span> +Majesty has taken him. Lord Melbourne must again repeat +that when he writes with so much freedom about individual +characters, it is only to put your Majesty in possession of what +he knows respecting them, and not with a view of inducing +your Majesty to object to their being appointed....</p> + +<p class="ind">Might not Fanny have the Bedchamber Woman's place? +It would be a help to her, and would not take her away from +home. This only strikes Lord Melbourne as he is writing.</p> + + + + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE ON PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne wrote the above yesterday, but had no +opportunity of sending it, as there was no post. Lord Melbourne +has since seen Lady Palmerston, and finds that his last suggestion +about Fanny will not do.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne encloses Lady Palmerston's two notes upon +the subject, which will explain to your Majesty what she wishes. +But if Jocelyn is himself to get a place, this will be a better +arrangement, and puts an end to all the others.</p> + +<p class="ind">What Lady Palmerston says about Sir R. Peel is very +unjust. There is no shabbiness whatever in his not coming +to a decision upon the factory question.<sup>87</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 87: Lady Palmerston (no doubt in sympathy with Lord Ashley) expected some factory +legislation to be announced.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Countess of Gainsborough.</i><sup>88</sup></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>6th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Lady Gainsborough,</span>—I had the pleasure of +receiving your two kind letters of the 24th and 25th ult. +yesterday, and thank you much for them. I am so happy that +you are <i>really</i> better....</p> + +<p class="ind">I hoped that you would be pleased at what you thank me +for; you see I <i>did not</i> forget what you told me once at Windsor +when we were out driving, and I assure you that Lord Melbourne +was very anxious to do it. Last week was a most painful, +trying one to me, and this separation from my truly excellent +and kind friend Lord Melbourne, <i>most</i> distressing. You will +understand <i>what</i> a change it must be to me. I am, however, +so happy in my home, and have such a perfect angel in the +Prince, who has been such a comfort to me, that one must be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.319" id="pagei.319"></a>[page 319]</span> +thankful and grateful for these blessings, and take these hard +trials as lessons sent from above, for our best.</p> + +<p class="ind">Our little girl makes great progress, and suffers comparatively +but very little from her teething. We came here to be +<i>quiet</i> for a few days, as this place is so very private.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Baroness will write to Lord Gainsborough to say that +I wish much you would take Lady Lyttelton's waiting, which +begins on 23rd of November.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Prince begs to be kindly named to you, and I to Fanny +and your brother, and pray believe me always, dearest Lady +Gainsborough, ever yours most affectionately,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Pray thank Fanny for her kind letter.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 88: Formerly, as Lady Barham, a Lady of the Bedchamber. Lord Barham had been +created Earl of Gainsborough in the course of the year (1841).</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S DEPARTMENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>7th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen wishes that Sir Robert Peel would mention to +Lord De la Warr<sup>89</sup> that he should be very particular in always +naming to the Queen any appointment he wishes to make in +his department, and always to take her pleasure upon an appointment +before he settles on them; this is a point upon +which the Queen has always laid great stress. This applies in +great measure to the appointment of Physicians and Chaplains, +which used to be very badly managed formerly, and who were +appointed in a very careless manner; but since the Queen's +accession the Physicians and Chaplains have been appointed +only for merit and abilities, by the Queen herself, which the +Queen is certain Sir Robert Peel will at once see is a far better +way, and one which must be of use in every way. Sir Robert +Peel may also tell Lord De la Warr that it is unnecessary for +him to appear in uniform, as the Queen always dispenses with +this in the country. This applies also to the Ministers, who +the Queen does not expect or wish should appear in uniform +at Councils which are held in the country. The Queen concludes +that it will be necessary to hold a Council some time +next week to swear in some of the new Officers who are not +Privy Councillors; but Sir Robert Peel will be able to tell the +Queen when he thinks this will be necessary.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 89: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.156" style="font-weight: normal;">156</a>.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>8th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">There is a subject which the Queen wishes to mention to +Sir Robert Peel, as she is at present so little acquainted with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.320" id="pagei.320"></a>[page 320]</span> +Lord Aberdeen; the Queen is very desirous that, if it were +possible, Sir Hamilton Seymour should not be removed from +Brussels. The Queen believes that his political views are not +violent either way, and she knows that he is peculiarly agreeable +to her Uncle, which has, therefore, prompted her to write +this to Sir Robert Peel. The Queen seizes the same opportunity +to say that she is also very anxious that a moderate and +conciliatory person should be sent to Lisbon, as it is of great +importance there.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>8th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle,</span>—I begin my letter to-day, for fear I +should have no time to write to-morrow. Your kind letter +gave me great pleasure, and I must own your silence on all that +was going on distressed me very much! It has been indeed a +sad time for me, and I am still bewildered, and can't believe +that my excellent Lord Melbourne is no longer my Minister, but +he will be, as you say, and has <i>already</i> proved himself, <i>very</i> +useful +and <i>valuable</i> as my friend out of office. He writes to me +often, and I write to him, and he gives really the fairest and +most impartial advice possible. But after seeing him for four +years, with very few exceptions—<i>daily</i>—you may imagine that +I <i>must</i> feel the change; and the longer the time gets since we +parted, the <i>more</i> I feel it. <i>Eleven days</i> was the <i>longest</i> I +ever +was without seeing him, and this time will be elapsed on Saturday, +so you may imagine what the change must be. I cannot +say what a comfort and support my beloved Angel is to me, and +how well and how kindly and properly he behaves. I cannot +resist copying for you what Lord Melbourne wrote to me +about Albert, the evening after we parted; he has already +praised him greatly to me, before he took leave of me. It is as +follows:</p> + +<p class="ind">"Lord Melbourne cannot satisfy himself without again +stating to your Majesty in writing what he had the honour of +saying to your Majesty respecting H.R.H. the Prince. Lord +Melbourne has formed the highest opinion of H.R.H.'s judgment, +temper, and discretion, and he cannot but feel a great +consolation and security in the reflection that he leaves your +Majesty in a situation in which your Majesty has the inestimable +advantage of such advice and assistance. Lord Melbourne +feels certain that your Majesty cannot do better than +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.321" id="pagei.321"></a>[page 321]</span> +have recourse to it, whenever it is needed, and rely upon it +with confidence."</p> + +<p class="ind">This naturally gave me great pleasure, and made me very +proud, as it comes from a person who is no flatterer, and +would not have said it if he did not think so, or feel so. The +new Cabinet you have by this time seen in the papers.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Household (of which I send you a list) is well constituted—<i>for +Tories</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen has written to me to say Bourqueney has +announced Ste Aulaire<sup>90</sup> as Ambassador. This is very well, +but let me beg you, for decency's sake, to stop his coming +immediately; if <i>even not meant</i> to, it would have the effect of +their sending an ambassador the moment the Government +changed, which would be too marked, and most <i>offensive personally</i> +to <i>me</i>. Indeed Guizot behaved very badly about refusing +to sign the Slave Trade Treaty<sup>91</sup> which they had so long +ago settled to do; it is unwise and foolish to irritate the late +Government who may so easily come in again; for Palmerston +will <i>not</i> forgive nor <i>forget</i> offences, and then France would be +worse off than before, with England. I therefore <i>beg</i> you to +stop Ste Aulaire for a little while, else <i>I</i> shall feel it a great +personal offence.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>9th</i>.—I have had a letter from Lord Melbourne to-day, who +is much gratified by yours to him.... Now adieu! Believe +me, always, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 90: See <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.334" style="font-weight: normal;">334</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 91: A treaty on the subject was signed in London, on 20th December, between Great +Britain, France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">QUEEN ADELAIDE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Sudbury Hall</span>, <i>8th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece,</span>—I have not ventured to disturb you +with a letter since we parted, knowing how fully your time was +employed with business of importance. I cannot any longer +now refrain to enquire after you, after all you have gone +through lately, and I must congratulate you with all my heart +on having so well completed your difficult task.</p> + +<p class="ind">There is but one voice of praise, I hear, of your perfect composure +and beautiful conduct during the trying scenes of last +week. It has gratified me more than I can express, for I had +fully expected it of you, and it has made me very happy to find +that it has been generally remarked and has given so much +satisfaction. Everybody feels deeply for you, and the devotion +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.322" id="pagei.322"></a>[page 322]</span> +and zeal in your service is redoubled by the interest your +trying position has evoked. May our Heavenly Father support +and guide you always as hitherto, is my constant prayer!</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope that the selection of your Government is to your own +satisfaction, and though the change must have been trying to +you, I trust that you will have perfect confidence in the able +men who form your Council. Our beloved late King's anxious +wishes to see Wellington and Peel again at the head of the +Administration is now fulfilled. His blessing rests upon you.</p> + +<p class="ind">Excuse my having touched upon this subject, but I could +not keep silent whilst the heart is so full of earnest good wishes +for your and the country's prosperity.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope that an article of the newspapers, of the indisposition +of your darling child, is not true, and that she is quite well. +God bless and protect her!...</p> + +<p class="ind">I am much amused with reading your Life by Miss Strickland,<sup>92</sup> +which, though full of errors, is earnest on the whole, and +very interesting to <i>me</i>. However, I wish she would correct the +gross errors which otherwise will go down to posterity. She +ought to have taken first better information before she published +her work....</p> + +<p class="ind">With my affectionate love to dear Prince Albert, believe me +ever, my dearest Niece, your most devoted and affectionate +Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 92: Miss Agnes Strickland (1808-1874), who also edited <i>Letters of Mary Queen of Scots</i>, etc.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>9th September 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">The Ministerial arrangements are now nearly completed. +Writs for new elections moved last night.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Wrote to Sir Robert, telling him the Queen ought to have +heard from him respecting the adjournment of the House of +Commons, instead of seeing it first in the public papers. Told +him also of its being the Queen's wish that a short report of +the debates in each House should always be sent to Her +Majesty, from him in the Commons and from the Duke of +Wellington in the Lords.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Queen had a letter to-day from the Queen Dowager, +which was kindly meant, but which made Her Majesty rather +angry, complimenting Her Majesty on the good grace with +which she had changed her Government, and saying that the +late King's blessing rested upon her for calling the Duke of +Wellington and Peel to her Councils, etc....</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.323" id="pagei.323"></a>[page 323]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN CRITICISES APPOINTMENTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen takes this opportunity of writing to Sir Robert +Peel <i>confidentially</i> about another person: this is about Lord +——. The Queen is strongly of opinion that Lord —— should +<i>not</i> be employed in any post of importance, as his being so +would, in her opinion, be detrimental to the interests of the +country. The Queen wishes Sir Robert to state this to Lord +Aberdeen as her opinion. The Queen is certain that Sir +Robert will take care that it should not be known generally +that this is her opinion, for she is always most anxious to avoid +anything that might appear personal towards anybody. The +Queen cannot refrain from saying that she cannot quite approve +of Sir Charles Bagot's appointment,<sup>93</sup> as from what she +has heard of his qualities she does not think that they are of a +character quite to suit in the arduous and difficult position in +which he will be placed. At the same time the Queen does not +mean to object to his appointment (for she has already formally +approved of it), but she feels it her duty to state frankly +and at all times her opinion, as she begs Sir Robert also to do +unreservedly to her. For the future, it appears to the Queen +that it would be best in all appointments of such importance +that before a direct communication was entered into with the +individual intended to be proposed, that the Queen should be +informed of it, so that she might talk to her Ministers fully +about it; not because it is likely that she would object to +the appointment, but merely that she might have time to be +acquainted with the qualities and abilities of the person. The +Queen has stated this thus freely to Sir Robert as she feels +certain that he will understand and appreciate the motives +which prompt her to do so. The Queen would wish the +Council to be at two on Tuesday, and she begs Sir Robert would +inform her which of the Ministers besides him will attend.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 93: As Governor-General of Canada.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Sir Robert Peel will have the honour of writing to your +Majesty to-morrow on the subjects adverted to in the note +which he has just received from your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">He begs for the present to assure your Majesty that he shall +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.324" id="pagei.324"></a>[page 324]</span> +consider every communication which your Majesty may be +pleased to address to him in reference to the personal merits +or disqualifications of individuals as of a most confidential +character.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PEEL APOLOGISES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>10th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Sir</span>,—I am sorry if I have failed to make any communication +to Her Majesty respecting public matters, which +Her Majesty has been in the habit of receiving, or which she +would have wished to receive.</p> + +<p class="ind">Having been occupied in the execution of the important trust +committed to me not less than sixteen or eighteen hours of the +twenty-four for several days past, it may be that I have made +some omissions in this respect, which under other circumstances +I might have avoided. I did not think Her Majesty +would wish to be informed of the issue of writs, necessarily +following the appointments to certain offices, of all which Her +Majesty had approved. I certainly ought to have written to +Her Majesty previously to the adjournment of the House of +Commons until Thursday the <i>16th of September</i>. It was an +inadvertent omission on my part, amid the mass of business +which I have had to transact, and I have little doubt that if I +had been in Parliament I should have avoided it.</p> + +<p class="ind">The circumstances of my having vacated my seat, and +of having thus been compelled to leave to others the duty of +proposing the adjournment of the House, was one cause +of my inadvertence.</p> + +<p class="ind">Both the Duke of Wellington and I fully intended to make +a report to Her Majesty after the close of the Parliamentary +business of each day, and will do so without fail on the reassembling +of Parliament.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am, my dear Sir, very faithfully yours,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Robert Peel.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>10th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne has no doubt that Sir Robert Peel has +the most anxious wish to do everything that can be agreeable +to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty should not omit to speak fully and seriously to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.325" id="pagei.325"></a>[page 325]</span> +him upon the disposal of great appointments. Their Diplomatic +Corps, from which Ambassadors and Governors are +generally taken, is the weakest part of their establishment. +They have amongst them men of moderate abilities and of +doubtful integrity, who yet have held high offices and have +strong claims upon them. The public service may suffer most +essentially by the employment of such men. Lord Melbourne +would say to Peel that "affairs depend more upon the hands +to which they are entrusted than upon any other cause, and +that you hope he will well consider those whose appointment +to high and important situations he sanctions, and that he will +not suffer claims of connection or of support to overbalance a +due regard for your Majesty's service and the welfare of the +country." Such an expression of your Majesty's opinion may +possibly be a support to Sir Robert Peel against pretensions +which he would be otherwise unable to resist; but this is +entirely submitted to your Majesty's judgment, seeing that +your Majesty, from an exact knowledge of all that is passing, +must be able to form a much more correct opinion of the propriety +and discretion of any step than Lord Melbourne can +do....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has a letter from Lord John Russell, rather +eager for active opposition; but Lord Melbourne will write to +your Majesty more fully upon these subjects from Woburn.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CANADA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Woburn Abbey</span>, <i>12th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has this morning received your Majesty's +letter of yesterday. Lord Melbourne entirely agrees with your +Majesty about appointments. He knows, as your Majesty +does from experience, that with all the claims which there are +to satisfy, with all the prejudices which are to be encountered, +and with all the interests which require to be reconciled, it is +impossible to select the best men, or even always those properly +qualified. He is the last man who would wish that a +Minister who has the whole machine of the Government before +him should be necessarily thwarted or interfered with in the +selection of those whom he may be desirous to employ. Lord +Melbourne would therefore by no means advise your Majesty +to throw difficulty in the way of the diplomatic arrangements +which may be proposed, unless there should be in them anything +manifestly and glaringly bad. The nomination of +Lord —— would have been so, but otherwise it cannot very +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.326" id="pagei.326"></a>[page 326]</span> +greatly signify who is the Ambassador at Vienna, or even at +Petersburg or Paris. Stuart de Rothesay<sup>94</sup> and Strangford<sup>95</sup> +are not good men, either of them, but it will be difficult for +Lord Aberdeen to neglect their claims altogether. Heytesbury<sup>96</sup> +is an able man, the best they have. Sir Robert Gordon<sup>97</sup> +is an honest man, slow but not illiberal. It would be well if +your Majesty showed Lord Aberdeen that you know these men, +and have an opinion upon the subject of them.</p> + +<p class="ind">Canada is another matter. It is a most difficult and most +hazardous task. There has been recent rebellion in the +country. A new Constitution has lately been imposed upon it +by Parliament. The two Provinces have been united, and the +united Province is bordered by a most hostile and uncontrollable +community, the United States of North America. To +govern such a country at such a moment requires a man of great +abilities, a man experienced and practical in the management +of popular assemblies.... It is possible that matters may go +smoothly there, and that if difficulties do arise Sir C. Bagot +may prove more equal to them than from his general knowledge +of his character Lord Melbourne would judge him to +be....</p> + +<p class="ind">Upon the subject of diplomatic appointments Lord Melbourne +has forgotten to make one general observation which he +thinks of importance. Upon a change of Government a very +great and sudden change of all or many of the Ministers at +Foreign Courts is an evil and to be avoided, inasmuch as it +induces an idea of a general change of policy, and disturbs +everything that has been settled. George III. always set his +face against and discouraged such numerous removals as +tending to shake confidence abroad in the Government of +England generally and to give it a character of uncertainty +and instability. It would be well if your Majesty could make +this remark to Lord Aberdeen.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 94: The new Ambassador to St Petersburg.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 95: Percy, sixth Viscount Strangford (1780-1855), formerly Ambassador to Constantinople, +whom Byron described as</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> + <p>"Hibernian Strangford, with thine eyes of blue,</p> + <p>And boasted locks of red or auburn hue."</p> +</div></div> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 96: See <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.329" style="font-weight: normal;">329</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 97: The new Ambassador to Vienna.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Ellenborough<sup>98</sup> to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD ELLENBOROUGH'S REPORT</span> + +<span class="rightnote" style="margin-top:3em;">INDIA AND AFGHANISTAN</span> + +<p class="ind">Lord Ellenborough presents his most humble duty to your +Majesty, and humbly acquaints your Majesty that having, on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.327" id="pagei.327"></a>[page 327]</span> +the morning after the Council held at Claremont on the third +of this month, requested the clerks of the India Board to put +him in possession of the latest information with respect to the +Political, Military, and Financial affairs of India, he ascertained +that on the 4th of June instructions had been addressed +to the Governor-General of India in Council in the following +terms:—"We direct that unless circumstances now unknown +to us should induce you to adopt a different course, an adequate +force be advanced upon Herat, and that that city and its +dependencies may be occupied by our troops, and dispositions +made for annexing them to the kingdom of Cabul."<sup>99</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The last letters from Calcutta, dated the 9th of July, did not +intimate any intention on the part of the Governor-General in +Council of directing any hostile movement against Herat, and +the Governor-General himself having always evinced much +reluctance to extend the operations of the army to that city, +it seemed almost probable that the execution of the orders of +the 4th of June would have been suspended until further communication +could be had with the Home Authorities.</p> + +<p class="ind">Nevertheless, in a matter of so much moment it did not +appear to be prudent to leave anything to probability, and at +Lord Ellenborough's instance your Majesty's confidential +servants came to the conclusion that no time should be lost +in addressing to the Governor-General in Council a letter in +the following terms—such letter being sent, as your Majesty +must be aware, not directly by the Commissioners for the +Affairs of India, but, as the Act of Parliament prescribes in +affairs requiring secrecy, by their direction through and in +the name of the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors:—</p> + + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 3em;">"From the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of +the East India Company to the Governor-General of India in +Council.</p> + +<p class="ind">"Her Majesty having been pleased to form a new Administration, +we think it expedient that no step should be taken +with respect to Herat which would have the effect of compelling +the prosecution of a specific line of Policy in the countries +beyond the Indus, until the new Ministers shall have had time +to take the subject into their deliberate consideration, and to +communicate to us their opinions thereupon.</p> + +<p class="ind">"We therefore direct that, unless you should have already +taken measures in pursuance of our Instructions of the 4th +of June 1841—which commit the honour of your Government +to the prosecution of the line of Policy which we thereby +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.328" id="pagei.328"></a>[page 328]</span> +ordered you to adopt, or which could not be arrested without +prejudice to the Public interests, or danger to the troops +employed—you will consider those Instructions to be suspended.</p> + +<p class="ind">"We shall not fail to communicate to you at an early +period our fixed decision upon this subject."</p> + + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 3em;">It was not possible to bring this subject before your Majesty's +confidential servants before the afternoon of Saturday the 4th. +The mail for India, which should have been despatched on the +1st, had been detained till Monday the 6th by the direction of +your Majesty's late Ministers, in order to enable your Majesty's +present servants to transmit to India and China any orders +which it might seem to them to be expedient to issue forthwith. +Further delay would have been productive of much mercantile +inconvenience, and in India probably of much alarm. In this +emergency your Majesty's Ministers thought that your Majesty +would be graciously pleased to approve of their exercising at +once the power of directing the immediate transmission to +India of these Instructions.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty must have had frequently before you strong +proofs of the deep interest taken by Russia in the affairs of +Herat, and your Majesty cannot but be sensible of the difficulty +of maintaining in Europe that good understanding with Russia +which has such an important bearing upon the general peace, +if serious differences should exist between your Majesty and +that Power with respect to the States of Central Asia.</p> + +<p class="ind">But even if the annexation of Herat to the kingdom of Cabul +were not to have the effect of endangering the continuance of +the good understanding between your Majesty and Russia, +still your Majesty will not have failed to observe that the +further advance of your Majesty's forces 360 miles into the +interior of Central Asia for the purpose of effecting that annexation, +could not but render more difficult of accomplishment +the original intention of your Majesty, publicly announced +to the world, of withdrawing your Majesty's troops +from Afghanistan as soon as Shah Sooja should be firmly +established upon the throne he owes to your Majesty's aid.</p> + +<p class="ind">These considerations alone would have led Lord Ellenborough +to desire that the execution of the orders given on the +4th of June should at least be delayed until your Majesty's +confidential servants had had time to consider maturely the +Policy which it might be their duty to advise your Majesty to +sanction with respect to the countries on the right bank of the +Indus; but financial considerations strengthened this desire, +and seemed to render it an imperative duty to endeavour to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.329" id="pagei.329"></a>[page 329]</span> +obtain time for mature reflection before any step should be +taken which might seriously affect the tranquillity of Europe, +and must necessarily have disastrous effects upon the Administration +of India.</p> +<span class="rightnote">INDIAN FINANCES</span> +<p class="ind">It appeared that the political and military charges now +incurred beyond the Indus amounted to £1,250,000 a year—that +the estimate of the expense of the additions made to the +Army in India, since April 1838, was £1,138,750 a year, and +that the deficit of Indian Revenue in 1839-40 having been +£2,425,625, a further deficit of £1,987,000 was expected in +1840-41.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty must be too well informed of the many evils +consequent upon financial embarrassment, and entertains too +deep a natural affection for all your Majesty's subjects, not +to desire that in whatever advice your Majesty's confidential +servants may tender to your Majesty with respect to the +Policy to be observed in Afghanistan, they should have especial +regard to the effect which the protracted continuance of +military operations in that country, still more any extension of +them to a new and distant field, would have upon the Finances +of India, and thereby upon the welfare of eighty millions of +people who there acknowledge your Majesty's rule.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 98: President of the Board of Control.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 99: For the progress of affairs in Afghanistan, <i>see</i> Introductory Notes for 1839-1842. +[<a href="#pagei.141" style="font-weight: normal;">1839</a>; <a href="#pagei.209" style="font-weight: normal;">1840</a>; +<a href="#pagei.253" style="font-weight: normal;">1841</a>; <a href="#pagei.370" style="font-weight: normal;">1842</a>.]</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Lord Ellenborough.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>19th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen thanks Lord Ellenborough for this clear and interesting +Memorandum he has sent. It seems to the Queen +that the course intended to be pursued—namely to take time +to consider the affairs of India without making any precipitate +change in the Policy hitherto pursued, and without involving +the country hastily in expenses, is far the best and safest.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>19th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the conversation that the Queen had with Lord Aberdeen +last week, she omitted mentioning two persons to him. The +one is Lord Heytesbury; the Queen believes him to be a very +able man, and would it not therefore be a good thing to employ +him in some important mission? The other person is Mr +Aston, who is at Madrid; the Queen hopes it may be possible +to leave him there, for she thinks that he acted with great +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.330" id="pagei.330"></a>[page 330]</span> +discretion, prudence, and moderation since he has been there, +and the post is one of considerable importance. He was, the +Queen believes, long Secretary to the Legation at Paris.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>21st September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your +Majesty....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen has seen the favourable opinion which your +Majesty has been graciously pleased to express of Lord Heytesbury, +and he humbly presumes to think that this honour is +not unmerited. The situation of Governor-General of India +has recently been proposed by Sir Robert Peel for Lord Heytesbury's +acceptance, which has been declined by him, and it is +understood that Lord Heytesbury is not at present desirous +of public employment.<sup>100</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty's servants have not yet fully considered the +propriety of submitting to your Majesty any proposal of a +change in the Spanish Mission; but the opinion which your +Majesty has been pleased to signify respecting the conduct +of Mr Aston at Madrid appears, in the humble judgment of +Lord Aberdeen, to be fully confirmed by the correspondence +in this Office.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen would, however, venture humbly to mention +that the person filling this Mission has usually been replaced +on a change of the Administration at home. Should this be +the case in the present instance, Lord Aberdeen begs to assure +your Majesty that the greatest care will be taken to select an +individual for your Majesty's approbation who may be qualified +to carry into effect the wise, just, and moderate policy which +your Majesty has been graciously pleased to recognise in the +conduct of Mr Aston.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 100: He was made Governor and Captain of the Isle of Wight, and Governor of Carisbrooke +Castle.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE AND PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Royal Lodge</span>, <i>21st September 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Saw Baron Stockmar this morning at the Castle, and had a +good deal of conversation with him on various matters. He is +very apprehensive that evil will spring out of the correspondence +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.331" id="pagei.331"></a>[page 331]</span> +now carried on between the Queen and Lord Melbourne. +He thinks it is productive of the greatest possible danger, and +especially to Lord Melbourne; he thought no Government +could stand such undermining influence. I might tell this to +Lord Melbourne, and say that if he was totally disconnected +from his Party, instead of being the acknowledged head, there +would not be the same objection. He said, Remind Lord +Melbourne of the time immediately after the Queen's accession, +when he had promised the King of the Belgians to write to him +from time to time an account of all that was going on in this +country; and upon Lord Melbourne telling him of this promise, +he replied, This will not do. It cannot be kept a secret +that you keep up this correspondence, and jealousy and distrust +will be the fruit of a knowledge of it. "Leave it to me," +he said, "to arrange with the King; you cease to write, and I +will put it straight with the King."</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Baron seemed to expect Lord Melbourne to draw the +inference from this that a correspondence between Lord +Melbourne and the Queen was fraught with the same danger, +and would, when known, be followed by distrust and jealousy +on the part of Sir Robert Peel. I said I reconciled it to myself +because I felt that it had been productive of much good and +no harm—and that, feeling that it was conducted on such +honourable terms, I should not, if it were necessary, scruple to +acquaint Sir Robert Peel of its existence. The Baron said, +"Ask Lord Melbourne whether he would object to it." He +said Peel, when he heard it, would not, on the first impression, +at all approve of it; but prudence and caution would be +immediately summoned to his aid, and he would see that it +was his policy to play the generous part—and would say he +felt all was honourably intended, and he had no objection to +offer—"but," said the Baron, "look to the result. Distrust, +being implanted from the first, whenever the first misunderstanding +arose, or things took a wrong turn, all would, in +Peel's mind, be immediately attributed to this cause."</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>24th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I have already thanked you for your +two kind letters, but I did not wish to answer them but by a +Messenger. I feel thankful for your praise of my conduct; +all is going on well, but it would be needless to attempt to +deny that I <i>feel</i> the <i>change</i>, and I own I am much happier +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.332" id="pagei.332"></a>[page 332]</span> +when I need <i>not</i> see the Ministers; luckily they do not want +to see me often. I feel much the King's kindness about Ste +Aulaire;<sup>101</sup> I shall see him here on Tuesday next.</p> + +<p class="ind">I return you our excellent friend Melbourne's letter, which +I had already seen, as he sent it me to read, and then seal +and send. I miss him much, but I often hear from him, +which is a great pleasure to me. It is a great satisfaction to +us to have Stockmar here; he is a great resource, and is now +in excellent spirits.</p> + +<p class="ind">Mamma is, I suppose, with you now, and we may expect +her here either next Thursday or Friday. How much she +will have to tell us! I am very grateful for what you say of +Claremont, which could so easily be made perfect; and I +must say we enjoy ourselves there always <i>particulièrement</i>.... +Albert begs me to make you his excuses for not writing, +but I can bear testimony that he really has not time to-day. +And now <i>addio!</i> dearest Uncle, and pray believe me, always, +your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 101: See <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.334" style="font-weight: normal;">334</a>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FINE ARTS COMMISSION</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>26th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to be permitted to submit for your Majesty's consideration +a suggestion which has occurred to Sir Robert Peel, +and which has reference to the communication which he +recently addressed to your Majesty on the subject of the +promotion of the Fine Arts in connection with the building of +the new Houses of Parliament.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel would humbly enquire from your Majesty +whether (in the event of your Majesty's being graciously pleased +to approve of the appointment of a Royal Commission for the +further investigation and consideration of a subject of such +deep importance and interest to the encouragement of art in +this country) your Majesty would deem it desirable that the +Prince should be invited in the name of your Majesty to place +himself at the head of this Commission, and to give to it the +authority and influence of his high name, and the advantage +of his taste and knowledge.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel will not of course mention this subject to +any one, until he has had the honour of receiving from your +Majesty an intimation of your Majesty's opinions and wishes +on this subject.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.333" id="pagei.333"></a>[page 333]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>28th September 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The diplomatic appointments are as well as they could +be made. At least Lord Melbourne thinks so—at least as +much in consequence of those whom they exclude, as of those +whom they admit. The Duke of Beaufort will do better for +Petersburg than for Vienna. He is hardly equal to the place, +which requires a clever man, it being more difficult to get +information there, and to find out what is going on, than in +any other country in Europe.... But Lord Melbourne does +not much regard this, and the Duke of Beaufort possesses one +advantage, which is of the greatest importance in that country. +He is a soldier, was the Duke of Wellington's Aide-de-Camp, +and served during much of the Peninsular War. He will +therefore be able to accompany the Emperor to reviews, and +to talk with him about troops and manœuvres. Sir Robert +Gordon and Sir S. Canning will do very well.<sup>102</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty +was pleased and impressed with Archdeacon Wilberforce's<sup>103</sup> +sermon and his manner of delivering it. Lord Melbourne has +never seen nor heard him. His father had as beautiful and +touching a voice as ever was heard. It was very fine in itself. +He spoiled it a little by giving it a methodistical and precatory +intonation.</p> + +<p class="ind">Hayter has been to Lord Melbourne to-day to press him to +sit to him, which he will do as soon as he has done with Chantrey. +Chantrey says that all Lord Melbourne's face is very +easy except the mouth. The mouth, he says, is always the +most difficult feature, and he can rarely satisfy himself with +the delineation of any mouth, but Lord Melbourne's is so +flexible and changeable that it is almost impossible to catch it.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 102: For Vienna and Constantinople.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 103: Samuel, son of William Wilberforce, at this date Archdeacon of Surrey, and chaplain +to Prince Albert; afterwards, in 1844, appointed Bishop of Oxford, and eventually +translated to the See of Winchester.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE'S ADVICE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>1st October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He received your Majesty's letter yesterday evening, and +cannot express to your Majesty how much obliged he feels by +your Majesty's taking the trouble to give him so much information +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.334" id="pagei.334"></a>[page 334]</span> +upon so many points. Ste Aulaire's hair-powder +seems to make a very deep and general impression.<sup>104</sup> Everybody +talks about it. "He appears to be very amiable and +agreeable," everybody says, but then adds, "I never saw +a man wear so much powder." A head so whitened with +flour is quite a novelty and a prodigy in these times. Lord +Melbourne has not yet seen him, but means to call upon him +immediately. Lord Melbourne is upon the whole glad that +the Duke of Beaufort has declined St Petersburg. It is an +appointment that might have been acquiesced in, but would +not have been approved. Bulwer<sup>105</sup> will not be a bad choice +to accompany Sir Charles<sup>106</sup> to Canada. Your Majesty knows +Bulwer well. He is clever, keen, active; somewhat bitter +and caustic, and rather suspicious. A man of a more straight-forward +character would have done better, but it would be +easy to have found many who would have done worse. Lord +Melbourne is very glad that it has been offered to the Prince +to be at the head of this Commission, and that His Royal +Highness has accepted it. It is an easy, unexceptionable +manner of seeing and becoming acquainted with a great many +people, and of observing the mode of transacting business in +this country. The Commission itself will be a scene of very +considerable difference of opinion. Lord Melbourne is for +decorating the interior of the Houses of Parliament, if it be +right to do so, but he is not for doing it, whether right or +wrong, for the purpose of spending the public money in the +encouragement of the Fine Arts. Whether it is to be painting +or sculpture, or both; if painting, what sort of painting, what +are to be the subjects chosen, and who are to be the artists +employed? All these questions furnish ample food for discussion, +difference, and dispute. Chantrey says fresco will +never do; it stands ill in every climate, will never stand long +in this, even in the interior of a building, and in a public work +such as this is, durability is the first object to be aimed at. +He says that there is in the Vatican a compartment of which +the middle portion has been painted by Giulio Romano<sup>107</sup> in +fresco, and at each of the ends there is a figure painted by +Raphael in oil. The fresco painting has been so often repaired +in consequence of decay, that not a vestige of the original +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.335" id="pagei.335"></a>[page 335]</span> +work remains; while the two figures painted by Raphael in +oil still stand out in all their original freshness, and even +improved from what they were when first executed....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne dined and slept on Wednesday at Wimbledon.<sup>108</sup> +He met there Lord and Lady Cottenham, Lord<sup>109</sup> and +Lady Langdale, Lord Glenelg and his brother, Mr Wm. Grant, +who was his private secretary, and is an amusing man. Lord +Melbourne is going there again to-morrow to stay until Monday. +The place is beautiful; it is not like Claremont, but it is quite +of the same character, and always puts Lord Melbourne in mind +of it. The Duchess has many merits, but amongst them is the +not small one of having one of the best cooks in England.</p> + + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 104: Madame de Lieven wrote to Aberdeen, 12th September 1841: "Ne jugez pas cet +Ambassadeur par son exterieur; il personnifie un peu les Marquis de Molière.... Passez-lui +ses cheveux poudrés, son air galant et papillon auprès des femmes. He cannot +help it."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 105: Sir Henry Bulwer, afterwards Lord Dalling.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 106: Sir Charles Bagot.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 107: He was a pupil of Raphael, celebrated for (among other works) his "Fall of the +Titans."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 108: The word is almost illegible. Wimbledon was at that time in the occupation of the +Duke of Somerset.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 109: Master of the Rolls.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PEERS AND AUDIENCES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>2nd October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham with humble duty begs to lay before your +Majesty two letters, which he has received from the Earl of +Radnor,<sup>110</sup> together with the copy of the answer which Sir James +Graham returned to the first of the two letters.</p> + +<p class="ind">If the presentation of Petitions were the sole subject of the +Audience, it might be needless to impose on your Majesty the +trouble incident to this mode of receiving them, since they +might be transmitted through the accustomed channel of one +of the Secretaries of State; but Sir James Graham infers from +a conversation which, since the receipt of the letters he has had +with Lord Radnor, that the Audience is asked in exercise of a +right claimed by Peers of the Realm.</p> + +<p class="ind">The existence of this right is not recognised by Statute; but +it rests in ancient usage, and is noticed by Judge Blackstone in +his Commentaries on the Laws of England in the following +terms:—</p> + +<p class="ind">"It is usually looked upon to be the right of each particular +Peer of the Realm to demand an Audience of the King, and to +lay before him, with decency and respect, such matters as he +shall judge of importance to the public weal."</p> + +<p class="ind">The general practice on the part of the Sovereign has been +not to refuse these Audiences when Peers have asked them....</p> + +<p class="ind">The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful +Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">J. R. G. Graham</span>.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 110: William, third Earl, formerly M.P. for Salisbury.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.336" id="pagei.336"></a>[page 336]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>3rd October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has received Sir James Graham's communication +with the enclosures. She thinks that it would be extremely +inconvenient if Audiences were to be granted to Peers for the +purpose of presenting Petitions or Addresses. The Queen knows +that it has always been considered a sort of right of theirs to +ask for and receive an Audience of the King or Queen. But +the Queen knows that upon several occasions Lord Melbourne +and Lord John Russell wrote to the Peers who requested +Audiences, stating that it would be very inconvenient for the +Queen, particularly in the country, and that they had better +either put off asking for it, till the Queen came to town, or send +what they had to say; communicate in writing—which was +complied with. If, therefore, Sir James Graham would state +this to Lord Radnor, he may probably give up pressing for an +Audience. Should he, however, urge his wish very strongly, +the Queen will see him in the manner proposed by Sir James. +The Queen would wish to hear from Sir James again before +she gives a final answer.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Ellenborough to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CHINESE CAMPAIGN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">India Board</span>, <i>2nd October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Ellenborough, with his most humble duty to your +Majesty, humbly acquaints your Majesty that your Majesty's +Ministers, taking into consideration the smallness of the force +with which the campaign in China was commenced this year, +and the advanced period of the season at which the reinforcements +would arrive (which reinforcements would not so raise +the strength of the Army as to afford any reasonable expectation +that its operations will produce during the present year +any decisive results), have deemed it expedient that instructions +would be at once issued to the Indian Government with +a view to the making of timely preparations for the campaign +of 1842.<sup>111</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty's Ministers are of opinion that the War with +China should be conducted on an enlarged scale, and the +Indian Government will be directed to have all their disposable +military and naval force at Singapore in April, so that the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.337" id="pagei.337"></a>[page 337]</span> +operations may commence at the earliest period which the +season allows.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Ellenborough cannot but entertain a sanguine expectation +that that force so commencing its operations, and directed +upon a point where it will intercept the principal internal +communication of the Chinese Empire, will finally compel the +Chinese Government to accede to terms of Peace honourable +to your Majesty, and affording future security to the trade of +your Majesty's subjects.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 111: Ningpo was taken by Sir Hugh Gough on 13th October 1841, and no further operations +took place till the spring of the following year. <i>See</i> Introductory Note, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.254" style="font-weight: normal;">254.</a></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>3rd October 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Sat by the Queen last night at dinner. Her Majesty alluded +to Sir Robert Peel's awkward manner, which she felt she could +not get over. I asked if Her Majesty had yet made any effort, +which I was good-humouredly assured Her Majesty "thought +she really had done."</p> + +<p class="ind2">Sir Robert's ignorance of character was most striking and +unaccountable; feeling this, made it difficult for Her Majesty +to place reliance upon his judgment in recommendations.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ENGLISH AND FOREIGN ARTISTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>4th October 1811</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He had the honour of receiving your Majesty's letter of the +2nd inst. yesterday, at Wimbledon. If Lord Melbourne should +hear of anything of what your Majesty asks respecting the +impression made upon Sir Robert and Lady Peel, he will take +care and inform your Majesty, but, of course, they will speak +very favourably, and if they feel otherwise will not breathe it +except in the most secret and confidential manner.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very much rejoiced to hear that the +Duchess of Kent arrived safe and well and in good spirits.</p> +<span class="rightnote">SIR FRANCIS CHANTREY</span> +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne sat to Sir F. Chantrey on Saturday last. +He will, Lord Melbourne believes, require only one more sitting, +which he wishes to be at the distance of a week from the last, +in order that he may take a fresh view of the bust, and not +become reconciled to its imperfections by continually looking +at it. It may give the Prince some idea of the national feeling +which prevails here, when he is told that Lord Melbourne upon +asking Sir F. Chantrey what ought to be done if foreign artists +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.338" id="pagei.338"></a>[page 338]</span> +were employed to paint the Houses of Parliament, received +from him the following answer: "Why, their heads ought to +be broke and they driven out of the country, and, old as I am, +I should like to lend a hand for that purpose."</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>5th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne, by telling your Majesty what Sir +Francis Chantrey said respecting foreign artists, and by requesting +your Majesty to repeat it to the Prince, by no means +intended to imply that there was any disposition on the part +of His Royal Highness to recommend the employment of +foreigners. He only meant to convey the idea of the strength +of the prejudice which is felt by enlightened and able men upon +the subject. Lord Melbourne has been sitting this morning +to Hayter for the picture of the marriage, and he (Hayter) held +an entirely contrary language. His tone is: "If foreign artists +are more capable than English, let them be employed. All I +require is that the work should be done as well as it can be." +The English are certainly very jealous of foreigners, and so, +Lord Melbourne apprehends, are the rest of mankind, but not +knowing himself any nation except the English, he cannot venture +to make positively that assertion. Lord Melbourne has +been reading the evidence given before the committee of the +House of Commons upon this subject. It is well worth attention, +particularly Mr Eastlake's,<sup>112</sup> which appears to Lord +Melbourne to be very enlightened, dispassionate, and just....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 112: Afterwards Sir Charles Eastlake, Keeper of the National Gallery, 1843-1847, President +of the Royal Academy, 1850-1865.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE'S GRANT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>6th October 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Sat by Her Majesty last night at dinner.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Queen had written to Lord Melbourne about coming to +the Castle, but in his answer he had made no allusion to it; +she did not know whether this was accidental or intentional, +for he very often gave no answer to questions which were put.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I told Her Majesty that I feared he had raised an obstacle to +his visit by making a strong speech against the Government +just at the time he was thinking of coming. That this attack +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.339" id="pagei.339"></a>[page 339]</span> +had identified him as the leader of his Party, at a moment when +I had been most anxious that he should abstain from taking an +active part, and by withdrawing himself from politics he would +enable himself to become the more useful friend to Her Majesty. +The Queen had not seen the speech, was sorry he had felt himself +obliged to make it, but it would be difficult for him to avoid +it after having been so long Prime Minister.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Her Majesty told me that previous to the exit of the late +Government, Lord John had earnestly cautioned Her Majesty +not to propose any new grant of money, as it would in the case +of £70,000 for the new stables, however unfairly, bring great +unpopularity upon the Queen. I said in regard to any increase +to the Prince's annuity, I thought it would be very imprudent +in him to think of it, except under very peculiar circumstances +which might arise, but which could not yet be foreseen. The +Queen said that <i>nothing</i> should induce Her Majesty to accept +such a favour from these Ministers. Peel probably now regretted +his opposition to the grant, but it was, and was intended +to be, a personal insult to herself, and it was followed up [by] +opposition to her private wishes in the precedency question, +where the Duke of Wellington took the lead against her wishes, +as Peel had done in the Commons against the Prince's grant. +She never could forget it, and no favour to her should come +from such a quarter. I told Her Majesty I could not rest the +Prince's case on Her Majesty's objections if they were the only +ones which could be brought forward. If the case again rose +I feared Her Majesty would find many who before, from Party +views, voted according to Her Majesty's wishes, would now +rank on the opposite side.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Her Majesty asked Dr Hawtrey the evening before who +was the cleverest boy at Eton.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Dr Hawtrey made a profound bow to the Queen and said, +"I trust your Majesty will excuse my answering, for if I did +I make 600 enemies at once."</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Baron Stockmar.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>6th October 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">The Queen had asked Lord Melbourne whether he would +soon visit her at Windsor. He had not replied on that point, +but had written to Prince Albert in order to learn first the +Prince's opinion on the feasibility of the matter.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Prince sent for me and consulted with me. I was of +opinion that the Prince had better refrain from giving an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.340" id="pagei.340"></a>[page 340]</span> +answer, and that I should give my opinion in the written form +of a Memorandum, with which Anson should betake himself to +town. He was to read it aloud to Melbourne, and orally to +add what amplifications might be necessary.</p> + +<p class="ind2">And so it was done.</p> + + +<span class="rightnote">RELATIONS WITH PEEL</span> + +<p class="ind2">My Memorandum was as follows:—</p> + +<p class="ind2"> +Sir Robert Peel has yet to make his position opposite<sup>113</sup> the +Queen, which for him to obtain is important and desirable for +obvious reasons. I have good cause to doubt that Sir Robert +is sure within himself of the good-will and confidence of the +Queen. As long as the secret communication exists between +Her Majesty and Lord Melbourne, this ground, upon which +alone Sir Robert could obtain the position necessary to him as +Premier, must remain cut away from under his feet. I hold, +therefore, this secret interchange an <i>essential injustice</i> to Sir +Robert's present situation. I think it equally wrong to call +upon the Prince to give an opinion on the subject, as he has +not the means to cause his opinion to be either regarded or +complied with. In this particular matter nobody has paramount +power to do right or wrong but the Queen, and more +especially Lord Melbourne himself. To any danger which may +come out of this to Her Majesty's character, the caution and +objection must come from him, and from him alone; and if I was +standing in his shoes I would show the Queen, of my own +accord, and upon constitutional grounds <i>too</i>, that a continued +correspondence of that sort must be fraught with imminent +danger to the Queen, especially to Lord Melbourne, and +to the State. +</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 113: <i>I</i>.<i>e</i>. with.</p> + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 3em;">I then gave Anson the further arguments with which he +was to accompany the reading out of this Memo.</p> + +<span class="rightnote">DISCRETION URGED ON MELBOURNE</span> + +<p class="ind2">On the next day Anson went to Melbourne and told him +that his note to him had raised a great consultation, that the +Prince felt much averse to giving any opinion in a case upon +which he could exercise no control, and in which, if it was +known that he had given his sanction, he would be held +responsible for any mischief which might arise. He had consulted +Baron Stockmar, who had written the enclosed opinion, +which the Prince had desired Anson to read to Lord Melbourne. +Melbourne read it attentively twice through, with an occasional +change of countenance and compression of lips. He said on +concluding it: "This is a most decided opinion indeed, quite +an '<i>apple<sup>114</sup> opinion</i>.'" Anson told him that the Prince felt that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.341" id="pagei.341"></a>[page 341]</span> +if the Queen's confidence in Peel was in a way to be established, +it would be extremely shaken by his (Lord Melbourne's) visit at +such a moment. He felt that it would be better that Lord +Melbourne's appearance should be in London, where he would +meet the Queen only on the terms of general society, but at the +same time he (the Prince) was extremely reluctant to give an +opinion upon a case which Lord Melbourne's own sense of right +ought to decide. Anson added how he feared his speech of +yesterday in the House of Lords<sup>115</sup> had added another impediment +to his coming at this moment, as it had identified him +with and established as the head of the Opposition party, which +he (Anson) had hoped Melbourne would have been able to +avoid. Melbourne, who was then sitting on the sofa, rushed +up upon this, and went up and down the room in a violent +frenzy, exclaiming—"God eternally d—n it!" etc., etc. +"Flesh and blood cannot stand this. I only spoke upon the +defensive, which Ripon's speech at the beginning of the +session rendered quite necessary. I cannot be expected to +give up my position in the country, neither do I think that +it is to the Queen's interest that I should."</p> +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE'S INFLUENCE</span> +<p class="ind2">Anson continued that the Baron thought that no Ministry +could stand the force of such an undercurrent influence, that +all the good that was to be derived from pacifying the Queen's +mind at the change had been gained, and that the danger which +we were liable to, and which threatened him in particular, could +only be averted by his own straightforward decision with the +Queen. Anson asked him if <i>he</i> saw any danger likely to arise +from this correspondence. After a long pause he said, "<i>I +certainly cannot think it right</i>," though he felt sure that some +medium of communication of this sort was no new precedent. +He took care never to say anything which could bring his +opinion in opposition <i>to Sir Robert's, and he should distinctly +advise the Queen to adhere to her Ministers in everything,<sup>116</sup> unless +he saw the time had arrived at which it might be resisted</i>.<sup>117</sup> The +principal evil, replied Anson, to be dreaded from the continuance +of Lord Melbourne's influence was, according to the +Baron's opinion, that so long as the Queen felt she could resort +to Lord Melbourne for his advice, she never would be disposed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.342" id="pagei.342"></a>[page 342]</span> +(from not feeling the necessity) to place any real confidence in +the advice she received from Peel.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 114: No doubt Lord Melbourne said an "apple-pie" opinion.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 115: At the opening of the Session Lord Ripon had reprobated the late Government for +resorting to temporary expedients, and Lord Melbourne, on the second reading of the +Exchequer-bills Funding Bill, caustically but good-humouredly replied to the attack.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 116: <i>Note by Baron Stockmar</i>.—If he wishes to carry this out consistently and quite honestly, +what then is the value of his advice, if it be only the copy of that of Sir R. Peel?</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 117: <i>Note by Baron Stockmar</i>.—This means, in my way of reading it: "The Queen, by +her correspondence with me, puts Peel into my hands, and there I mean to let him stay +unhurt, until time and extraneous circumstances—but more especially the advantage +that will accrue to me by my secret correspondence with the Queen—shall enable me to +plunge, in all security, the dagger into his back."</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Liverpool to Baron Stockmar.</i><sup>118</sup></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Fife House</span>, <i>7th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Baron</span>,—Peel sent for me this morning to speak +to me about the contents of his letter to me. After some +general conversation on matters respecting the Royal Household, +he said that he had had much satisfaction in his intercourse +lately with Her Majesty, and specifically yesterday, and +he asked me whether I had seen Her Majesty or the Prince +yesterday, and whether they were satisfied with him. I told +him that except in public I had not seen Her Majesty, and +except for a moment in your room I had not seen the Prince; +but that as he spoke to me on this matter, I must take the +opportunity of saying a word to him about <i>you</i>, from whom +I had learnt yesterday that both the Queen and Prince are +extremely well pleased with him. That I had known you very +long, but that our great intimacy began when King Leopold +sent you over just previous to the Queen's accession; that we +had acted together on that occasion, and that our mutual +esteem and intimacy had increased; that your position was a +very peculiar one, and that you might be truly said to be a +species of second parent to the Queen and the Prince; that +your only object was their welfare, and your only ambition +to be of service to them; that in this sense you had communicated +with Melbourne, and that I wished that in this sense +you should communicate with him (Peel). He said that he +saw the matter exactly as I did, that he wished to communicate +with you, and felt the greatest anxiety to do everything to +meet the wishes of the Queen and Prince in all matters within +his power, and as far as consistent with his known and avowed +political principles; that in all matters respecting the Household +and their private feelings that the smallest hint sufficed +to guide him, as he would not give way to any party feeling or +job which should in any way militate against Her Majesty or His +Royal Highness's comfort; that he wished particularly that +it should be known that he never had a thought of riding +<i>roughshod</i> over Her Majesty's wishes; that if you would come +to him at any time, and be candid and explicit with him, you +might depend upon his frankness and discretion; that above +all, if you had said anything to him, and expressed a wish that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.343" id="pagei.343"></a>[page 343]</span> +it might not be communicated even to the Duke of Wellington, +(that was his expression), that he wished me to assure you that +your wishes should be strictly attended to. Pray give me a +line to say that you do not disapprove of what I have done. +We had a great deal more conversation, but with this I will +not now load my letter, being ever sincerely yours,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Liverpool.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Direct your answer to this house.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 118: This letter was submitted to the Queen.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AUDIENCES OF PEERS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>8th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has this morning received your Majesty's letter of yesterday. +There can be no doubt that your Majesty is right about the +Audiences which have been requested....</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel is probably right in supposing that the claim +of a Peer to an Audience of the Sovereign originated in early +times, and before the present course of government by responsible +advisers was fully and decidedly established, which +it hardly can be said to have been until after the accession of +the House of Hanover, but the custom of asking for such +Audiences, and of their being in general granted, was well +known, and has for the most part been observed and adhered +to. Lord Melbourne remembers that during the part of the +French War, when considerable alarm began to prevail respecting +its duration, and the serious aspect which it was assuming, +George III. gave Audiences to the Duke of Norfolk and others +which he certainly would not have been inclined to do if he +had not thought himself bound by his duty and by Constitutional +precedent. At the time of the passing of the Roman +Catholic Relief Act, George IV. received very many Peers, +much no doubt against his will, who came to remonstrate with +him upon the course which his Ministers were pursuing. +William IV. did the same at the time of the Reform Bill, and +certainly spoke upon the subject in a manner which Lord +Melbourne always thought indiscreet and imprudent. Upon +the whole, the practice has been so much acted upon and +established, that Lord Melbourne will certainly not think it +wise to make any alteration now, especially as it has in itself +beneficial effects, especially as in a time of strong political +feeling it is a satisfaction to the people to think that their +wishes and opinions are laid before the Sovereign fairly and +impartially. It is not likely to be a very heavy burthen, inasmuch +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.344" id="pagei.344"></a>[page 344]</span> +as such Audiences are only asked at particular moments, +and they are not in themselves very burthensome nor difficult +to deal with. It is only for the Sovereign to say that he is +convinced of the good motives which have actuated the step, +and that consideration will be given to the matter and arguments +which have been stated.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has one vague recollection of a correspondence +upon this subject between Lord Holland and some +King, but does not remember the circumstances with any +accuracy.</p> + +<p class="ind">Duncannon<sup>119</sup> persuaded Brougham to give up asking an +Audience upon condition of Lord Melbourne's promising to +place his letters in your Majesty's hands, which he did.<sup>120</sup> Lord +Charlemont<sup>121</sup> also was prevented in some manner or another, +which Lord Melbourne forgets.</p> + +<p class="ind">Upon the whole, Lord Melbourne thinks that it is best to +concede this privilege of the Peerage, whether it actually exists +or not, but to restrain it within due and reasonable bounds, +which in ordinary times it is not difficult to do. Extraordinary +times must be dealt with as they can be....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lady A—— is, as your Majesty says, good-natured. She +talks three or four times as much as she ought, and like many +such women often says exactly the things she ought not to say. +Lady B—— has ten times the sense of her mother, and a little +residue of her folly.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 119: Ex-First Commissioner of Land Revenue.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 120: See <i>ante</i>, pp. <a href="#pagei.293" style="font-weight: normal;">293</a> and <a href="#pagei.335" style="font-weight: normal;">335-6</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 121: Francis William, fifth Viscount Charlemont (1775-1863), created a Peer of the United +Kingdom in 1837.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF INDIA</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>9th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +begs leave to inform your Majesty that in consequence of the +opinion which your Majesty was graciously pleased to express +when Sir Robert Peel last had the honour of waiting upon your +Majesty, with respect to the superior qualifications of Lord +Ellenborough for the important trust of Governor-General +of India, Sir Robert Peel saw his Lordship yesterday, and +enquired whether he would permit Sir Robert Peel to propose +his appointment to your Majesty.</p> +<span class="rightnote">LORD ELLENBOROUGH</span> +<p class="ind">Lord Ellenborough was very much gratified by the proposal, +admitted at once that it was very difficult to find an unexceptionable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.345" id="pagei.345"></a>[page 345]</span> +candidate for an office of such pre-eminent importance, +but made some difficulty on two points.</p> + +<p class="ind">First—Considerations of health, which though disregarded +personally, might, he feared, interfere with the execution of +such unremitting and laborious duties as would devolve upon +the Governor-General of India.</p> + +<p class="ind">Secondly—The consideration that on his acceptance of the +office he would be required by law to give up during his tenure +of it no less than £7,500 per annum, the amount of compensation +now paid to him in consequence of the abolition of a very +valuable office<sup>122</sup> which he held in the Courts of Law.</p> + +<p class="ind">During Lord Ellenborough's conversation with Sir Robert +Peel, and while the mind of Lord Ellenborough was very much +in doubt as to the policy of his acceptance of the office, the +box which contained your Majesty's note of yesterday was +brought to Sir Robert Peel.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel humbly acquaints your Majesty that he +ventured to read to Lord Ellenborough on the instant the +concluding paragraph of your Majesty's note, namely—</p> + +<p class="ind">"The more the Queen thinks of it, the more she thinks that +Lord Ellenborough would be far the most fit person to send to +India."</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel is perfectly convinced that this opinion of +your Majesty, so graciously expressed, removed every doubt +and difficulty from Lord Ellenborough's mind, and decided +him to forgo every personal consideration rather than appear +unmindful of such a favourable impression of his qualifications +for public service on the part of his Sovereign.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel humbly hopes that your Majesty will not +disapprove of the use which he made of a confidential note from +your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">As your Majesty kindly permitted Sir Robert Peel to send +occasionally letters to your Majesty of a private rather than +a public character, he ventures to enclose one from the Duke +of Wellington on the subject of the appointment of Governor-General.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel had observed to the Duke of Wellington that +he had great confidence in Lord Ellenborough's integrity, unremitting +industry, and intimate knowledge of Indian affairs; +that his only fear was that Lord Ellenborough might err from +<i>over-activity</i> and eagerness—but that he hoped his tendency +to hasty decisions would be checked by the experience and +mature judgment of Indian advisers on the spot.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Duke of Wellington's comments have reference to these +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.346" id="pagei.346"></a>[page 346]</span> +observations of Sir Robert Peel. Your Majesty will nevertheless +perceive that the Duke considers, upon the whole, "that +Lord Ellenborough is better qualified than any man in England +for the office of Governor-General."</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 122: He was Joint Chief Clerk of the Pleas in the Queen's Bench, a sinecure conferred on +him by his father, who was Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, 1802-1818.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AFFAIRS IN SPAIN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>12th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—– ... Respecting the Spanish affairs,<sup>123</sup> +I can give you perfectly satisfactory intelligence concerning the +Infants' return. Espartero sees them return with the greatest +regret, but said he felt he could not prevent them from doing +so. If, however, they should be found to intrigue at all, they +will not be allowed to remain. Respecting a marriage with the +eldest son of Dona Carlotta, I know <i>positively</i> that Espartero +<i>never</i> would <i>hear</i> of it; but, on the other hand, he is equally +strongly opposed to poor little Isabel marrying any French +Prince, and I must add that <i>we</i> could <i>never allow that</i>. You +will see that I have given you a frank and fair account....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 123: The Queen-mother, who was living in Paris, had been deprived by a vote of the Cortes +of the guardianship of the young Queen, Isabella II., and risings in her interest now took +place at Pampeluna and Vittoria. On the 7th October, a bold attempt was made at +Madrid to storm the Palace and get possession of the person of the young Queen. Queen +Christina denied complicity, but the Regent, Espartero, suspended her pension on the +ground that she had encouraged the conspirators.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>12th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and returns many thanks for the letter received yesterday +informing Lord Melbourne of the time of your Majesty's coming +to London. Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your +Majesty continues well.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear of the appointment of +Lord Ellenborough. The reasons which your Majesty gives +are sound and just, and it is of great importance that a man +not only of great ability but of high station, and perfectly in +the confidence of the Government at home, should be named to +this important post. Lord Ellenborough is a man of great +abilities, of much knowledge of India, of great industry and of +very accurate habits of business, and Lord Melbourne knows +of no objection to his appointment, except the loss of him here, +where, whether in or out of office, he has always been of great +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.347" id="pagei.347"></a>[page 347]</span> +service. He has hitherto been an unpopular man and his +manners have been considered contemptuous and overbearing, +but he is evidently much softened and amended in this respect, +as most men are by time, experience, and observation. Lord +Fitzgerald<sup>124</sup> is a very able public man, Lord Melbourne would +say one of the most able, if not the most able they have; but +Lord Melbourne is told by others, who know Lord Fitzgerald +better, that Lord Melbourne overrates him. He is a very +good speaker, he has not naturally much industry, and his +health is bad, which will probably disable him from a very +close and assiduous attention to business. It is, however, +upon the whole an adequate appointment, and he is perhaps +more likely to go on smoothly with the Court of Directors, +which is a great matter, than Lord Ellenborough.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 124: On Lord Ellenborough becoming Governor-General, Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci, an +ex-M.P., and former Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer, succeeded him at the Board of +Control.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FRANCE AND SPAIN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>16th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen, with his most humble duty, begs to lay +before your Majesty a private letter from M. Guizot, which has +just been communicated to him by M. de Ste-Aulaire, on the +recent attempt in favour of Queen Christina in Spain. Your +Majesty will see that although M. Guizot denies, with every +appearance of sincerity, all participation of the French Government +in this attempt, he does not conceal that it has their +cordial good wishes for its success. These feelings, on the part +of such a Government as that of France, will probably be +connected with practical assistance of some kind, although +M. Guizot's declarations may perhaps be literally true.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<p class="ind">The Queen must say that she fears the French are at the +bottom of it, for their jealousy of our influence in Spain is such, +that the Queen fears they would not be indisposed to see civil +war to a certain degree restored rather than that Spain should +go on quietly supported by us.<sup>125</sup> The Queen, however, hopes +that, as far as it is possible, the English Government will support +the present Regent, who is thoroughly attached to England, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.348" id="pagei.348"></a>[page 348]</span> +and who, from all that the Queen hears of him, is the +fittest man they have in Spain for the post he occupies; and +indeed matters till now had gone on much more quietly than +they had for some time previous, since Espartero is at the head +of the Government. The French intrigues should really be +frustrated. The Queen certainly thinks that M. Guizot's +veracity is generally not to be doubted, but the conduct of +France regarding Spain has always been very equivocal.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 125: See <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.349" style="font-weight: normal;">349</a>.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MASTERSHIP OF TRINITY</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>16th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs +leave to acquaint your Majesty that the Master of Trinity +College, Cambridge, has formally signified his wish to retire +from the duties of that important trust.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel has reason to believe that it would be +advantageous that the selection of a successor to Dr. Wordsworth +should be made from members of Trinity College who +are or have been fellows of the College. Of these, the most +eminent in respect to the qualifications required in the office +of Master, and to academical distinction, are:—</p> + +<table summary="candidates" align="center" style="margin-top: 3em;"> + <tr><td class="main">Professor Whewell.<sup>126</sup></td></tr> + <tr><td class="main">The Rev. Mr Martin,<sup>127</sup> Bursar of the College.</td></tr> + <tr><td class="main">The Rev. Dr Wordsworth,<sup>128</sup> Head Master of Harrow School, + and son of the present Master of Trinity.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 3em;">The latter is a highly distinguished scholar, but his success as +Head Master of Harrow has not been such as to overcome the +objection which applies on general grounds to the succession +of a father by a son in an office of this description.</p> + +<p class="ind">Professor Whewell is a member of Trinity College of the +highest scientific attainments. His name is probably familiar +to your Majesty as the author of one of the Bridgewater +Treatises,<sup>129</sup> and of other works which have attracted considerable +notice.</p> + +<p class="ind">He is a general favourite among all who have had intercourse +with him from his good temper and easy and conciliatory +manners. Though not <i>peculiarly</i> eminent as a divine (less so +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.349" id="pagei.349"></a>[page 349]</span> +at least than a writer on scientific and philosophical subjects), +his works manifest a deep sense of the importance of religion +and sound religious views. The Archbishop of Canterbury<sup>130</sup> +and the Bishop of London<sup>131</sup> (himself of Trinity College) incline +to think that the most satisfactory appointment upon the whole +would be that of Professor Whewell.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, after making every enquiry into the subject, +and with a deep conviction of the importance of the appointment, +has arrived at the same conclusion, and humbly therefore +recommends to your Majesty that Professor Whewell +should succeed Dr Wordsworth as Master of Trinity College, +Cambridge.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 126: Then Knightsbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 127: Francis Martin, afterwards Vice-Master, died 1868.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 128: Christopher Wordsworth, afterwards Bishop of Lincoln.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 129: By the will (dated 1825) of the eighth Earl of Bridgewater—who must not be confounded +with the third and last Duke, projector of inland navigation—£8,000 was left for +the best work on the "Goodness of God as manifested in the Creation." The money was +divided amongst eight persons, including Whewell, who wrote on Astronomy considered +in reference to Natural Theology.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 130: William Howley.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 131: O. J. Blomfield.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">QUEEN ISABELLA</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>17th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen received Lord Aberdeen's letter yesterday evening, +and quite approves of the draft to Mr Aston, and of Lord +Aberdeen's having sent it off at once. Her earnest wish is that +the English Government should be firm, and uphold the Regent +as far as it is in our power. The Queen has perused M. Guizot's +letter with great attention, but she cannot help fearing that +assistance and encouragement has been given in some shape or +other to the revolts which have taken place. The Queen +Christina's residence at Paris is very suspicious, and much to be +regretted; every one who saw the Queen and knew her when +Regent, knew her to be clever and <i>capable</i> of governing, had +she but attended to her duties. This she did not, but wasted +her time in frivolous amusements and neglected her children +sadly, and finally left them. It was her <i>own</i> doing, and therefore +it is not the kindest conduct towards her children, but the +very <i>worst</i>, to try and disturb the tranquillity of a country +which was just beginning to recover from the baneful effects of +one of the most bloody civil wars imaginable.</p> +<span class="rightnote">THE SPANISH MARRIAGE</span> +<p class="ind">The Queen is certain that Lord Aberdeen will feel with her +of what importance it is to England that Spain should not +become subject to French interests, as it is evident <i>France +wishes</i> to make it. The marriage of Queen Isabel is a most +important question, and the Queen is likewise certain that Lord +Aberdeen sees at once that we could never let her marry a +French Prince. Ere long the Queen must speak to Lord +Aberdeen on this subject. In the meantime the Queen thought +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.350" id="pagei.350"></a>[page 350]</span> +it might be of use to Lord Aberdeen to put him in possession of +her feelings on the state of Spain, in which the Queen has always +taken a very warm interest.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Panshanger</span>, <i>21st October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He received here yesterday your Majesty's letter of the 19th +inst., and he earnestly hopes that your Majesty has arrived +quite safe and well in London. Besides the family, we have +had hardly anybody here except Lady Clanricarde.<sup>132</sup> Yesterday +Sir Edward L. Bulwer<sup>133</sup> came, beating his brother hollow +in ridiculousness of attire, ridiculous as the other is. He has, +however, much in him, and is agreeable when you come to +converse with him....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is rather in doubt about his own movements. +Lord Leicester<sup>134</sup> presses him much to go to Holkham, where +Lord Fortescue,<sup>135</sup> Mr Ellice<sup>136</sup> and others are to be, and considering +Lord Leicester's age, Lord Melbourne thinks that it +will gratify him to see Lord Melbourne again there. But at +Holkham they shoot from morning until night, and if you do +not shoot you are like a fish upon dry land. Lord Melbourne +hardly feels equal to the exertion, and therefore thinks that he +shall establish himself for the present at Melbourne, where he +will be within reach of Trentham, Beau Desert,<sup>137</sup> Wentworth,<sup>138</sup> +and Castle Howard,<sup>138</sup> if he likes to go to them. The only annoyance +is that it is close to Lord and Lady G——, whom he will +be perpetually meeting.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 132: A daughter of George Canning, the Prime Minister.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 133: Afterwards Lord Lytton, the novelist.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 134: The famous country gentleman, "Mr Coke of Norfolk."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 135: Hugh, second Earl, K.G.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 136: The Right Hon. Edward Ellice, M.P. ("Bear" Ellice).</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 137: Near Lichfield, a seat of Lord Anglesey.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 138: Lord Fitzwilliam's house, near Rotherham.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 139: Lord Carlisle's house, near York, built by Vanbrugh.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">HOLLAND AND BELGIUM</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>22 October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... In France there is a great outcry that a Bourbon must +be the future husband of the Queen of Spain, etc. I must say +that as the Spaniards and the late King changed themselves the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.351" id="pagei.351"></a>[page 351]</span> +Salic custom which Philip V. had brought from France,<sup>140</sup> it is +natural for the rest of Europe to wish that no Bourbon should +go there. Besides, it must be confessed that the thing is not +even easy, as there is great hatred amongst the various branches +of that family. The King of the French himself has always +been <i>opposed</i> to the idea of one of his sons going there; in +France, however, that opinion still exists, and Thiers had it, +strongly.</p> + +<p class="ind">I confess that I regret that Queen Christina was encouraged +to settle at Paris, as it gave the thing the appearance of something +preconcerted. I believe that a wish existed that Christina +would retire peaceably and <i>par la force des circonstances</i>, +but now this took a turn which I am sure the King does not +like; it places him, besides, into <i>une position ingrate</i>; the +Radicals hate him, the Moderates will cry out that he has left +them in the lurch, and the Carlists are kept under key, and of +course also not much pleased. I meant to have remained in +my wilds till yesterday, but my Ministers were so anxious for +my return, there being a good many things on the <i>tapis</i>, that +I came back on Tuesday, the 19th....</p> + +<p class="ind">Here one is exactly shut up as if one was in a menagerie, +walking round and round like a tame bear. One breathes here +also a mixture of all sorts of moist compounds, which one is +told is fresh air, but which is not the least like it. I suppose, +however, that my neighbour in Holland, where they have not +even got a hill as high as yours in Buckingham Gardens, would +consider Laeken as an Alpine country. The tender meeting +of the old King and the new King,<sup>141</sup> as one can hardly call him +a young King, must be most amusing. I am told that if the +old King had not made that love-match, he would be perfectly +able to dethrone his son; I heard that yesterday from a person +rather attached to the son and hating the father. In the +meantime, though one can hardly say that he is well at home, +some strange mixture of cut-throats and ruined soldiers of +fortune had a mind to play us some tricks here; we have got +more and more insight into this. Is it by instigation from him +personally, or does he only know of it without being a party to +it? That <i>is</i> difficult to tell, the more so as he makes immense +demonstration of friendly dispositions towards us, and me in +particular. I would I could make a <i>chassez croisez</i> with Otho;<sup>142</sup> +he would be the gainer in solids, and I should have sun and an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.352" id="pagei.352"></a>[page 352]</span> +interesting country; I will try to make him understand this, +the more so as you do not any longer want me in the West.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 140: The Pragmatic Sanction of Philip V. was repealed in 1792 by the Cortes, but the +repeal was not promulgated by the King. Under the Salic Law, Don Carlos would have +been on the throne. See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.44" style="font-weight: normal;">44</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 141: William I., who had abdicated in order to marry again, and William II., his son, +who was nearly fifty.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 142: The King of Greece, elected in 1833.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AMBASSADORS' AUDIENCES</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>25th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to the appointment of Chief Justice of the +Queen's Bench, the Queen approves of Mr Pennefather<sup>143</sup> for +that office. The Queen may be mistaken, for she is not very +well acquainted with the judicial officers in Ireland, but it +strikes her that Serjeant Jackson belonged to the very violent +Orange party in Ireland, and if this should be the case she +suggests to Sir Robert Peel whether it would not be better <i>not</i> +to appoint him. If, on the other hand, the Queen should be +mistaken as to his political opinions, she would not disapprove +of his succeeding Mr Pennefather.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen saw in the papers that Lord Stuart de Rothesay +is already gone. The Queen can hardly believe this, as no +Ambassador or Minister <i>ever</i> left England without previously +asking for an Audience and receiving one, as the Queen wishes +always to see them before they repair to their posts. Would +Sir Robert be so very good as to ask Lord Aberdeen whether +Lord Stuart de Rothesay is gone or not, and if he should be, to +tell Lord Aberdeen that in future she would wish him always +to inform her when they intend to go, and to ask for an Audience, +which, if the Queen is well, she would always grant. It +is possible that as the Queen said the other day that she did not +wish to give many Audiences after the Council, that Lord +Aberdeen may have misunderstood this and thought the Queen +would give none, which was <i>not</i> her intention. The Queen +would be thankful to Sir Robert if he would undertake to clear +up this mistake, which she is certain (should Lord Stuart be +gone) arose entirely from misapprehension.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen also wishes Sir Robert to desire Lord Haddington +to send her some details of the intended reductions in the Fleet +which she sees by a draft of Lord Aberdeen's to Mr Bulwer have +taken place.<sup>144</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 143: Recently appointed Solicitor-General; Sergeant J. D. Jackson now succeeded him.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 144: The statement of the Royal Navy in Commission at the beginning of 1841 sets out +160 vessels carrying 4,277 guns.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Baron Stockmar.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">STOCKMAR AND MELBOURNE</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>25th October 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">... I told [Lord Melbourne] that, as I read the English +Constitution, it meant to assign to <i>the Sovereign in his functions</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.353" id="pagei.353"></a>[page 353]</span> +<i>a deliberative part</i>—that I was not sure the Queen had the +means within herself to execute this deliberative part properly, +but I was sure that the only way for her to execute her functions +at all was to be strictly honest to those men who at the +time being were her Ministers. That it was chiefly on this +account that I had been so very sorry to have found now, on my +return from the Continent, that on the change of the Ministry +a capital opportunity to read a great Constitutional maxim +to the Queen had not only been lost by Lord Melbourne, but +that he had himself turned an instrument for working great +good into an instrument which must produce mischief and +danger. That I was afraid that, from what Lord Melbourne +had been so weak as to have allowed himself to be driven into, +<i>against his own and better conviction</i>, the Queen must have +received a most pernicious bias, which on any future occasion +would make her inclined to act in a similar position similarly +to that what she does now, being convinced that what she does +<i>now</i> must be right on all future occasions, or else Lord Melbourne +would not have sanctioned it. Upon this, Lord Melbourne +endeavoured to palliate, to represent the danger, which +would arise from his secret correspondence with the Queen as +very little, to adduce precedents from history, and to screen his +present conduct behind what he imagined Lord Bute's conduct +had been under George III.<sup>145</sup> I listened patiently, and replied +in the end: All this might be mighty fine and quite calculated +to lay a flattering unction on his own soul, or it might suffice to +tranquillize the minds of the Prince and Anson, but that I was +too old to find the slightest argument in what I had just now +heard, nor could it in any way allay my apprehension. I +began then to dissect all that he had produced for his excusation, +and showed him—as I thought clearly, and as he admitted +convincingly—that it would be impossible to carry on this +secret commerce with the Sovereign for any length of time +without exposing the Queen's character and creating mighty +embarrassments in the quiet and regular working of a Constitutional +machine.</p> +<span class="rightnote">STOCKMAR'S ADVICE</span> +<p class="ind2">My representations seemed to make a very deep impression, +and Lord Melbourne became visibly nervous, perplexed, and +distressed. After he had recovered a little I said, "I never +was inclined to obtrude advice; but if you don't dislike to hear +my opinion, I am prepared to give it to you." He said, "What +is it?" I said, "You allow the Queen's confinement to pass +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.354" id="pagei.354"></a>[page 354]</span> +over quietly, and you wait till her perfect recovery of it. As +soon as this period has arrived, you state of your own accord to +Her Majesty that this secret and confidential correspondence +with her must cease; that you gave in to it, much against your +feelings, and with a decided notion of its impropriety and danger, +and merely out of a sincere solicitude to calm Her Majesty's +mind in a critical time, and to prevent the ill effects which great +and mental agitation might have produced on her health. That +this part of your purpose now being most happily achieved, +you thought yourself in duty bound to advise Her Majesty to +<i>cease all her communications</i> to you on political subjects, as you +felt it wrong within yourself to receive them, and to return your +political advice and opinions on such matters; that painful +as such a step must be to your feelings, which to the last +moment of your life will remain those of the most loyal attachment +and devotion to the Queen's person, it is dictated to you +by a deep sense of what you owe to the country, to your +Sovereign, and to yourself."</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 145: For some time after the accession of George III., Bute, though neither in the Cabinet +nor in Parliament, was virtually Prime Minister, but he became Secretary of State on +25th March 1761. George II. had disliked him, but he was generally believed to have +exercised an undue influence over the consort of Prince Frederic of Wales, mother of +George III.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>26th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to Serjeant Jackson, the Queen will not oppose +his appointment, in consequence of the high character Sir +Robert Peel gives him; but she cannot refrain from saying +that she very much fears that the favourable effect which has +hitherto been produced by the formation of so mild and conciliatory +a Government in Ireland, may be endangered by this +appointment, which the Queen would sincerely regret.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>26th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and returns your Majesty the letters of the King of the Belgians, +with many thanks. It certainly is a very unfortunate thing +that the Queen Christina was encouraged to fix her residence at +Paris, and the suspicion arising, therefore, cannot but be very +injurious both to the King of the French and to the French +nation.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne returns his warmest thanks for your +Majesty's kind expressions. He felt the greatest pleasure at +seeing your Majesty again and looking so well, and he hopes +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.355" id="pagei.355"></a>[page 355]</span> +that his high spirits did not betray him into talking too +much or too heedlessly, which he is conscious that they sometimes +do.</p> + +<p class="ind">The King Leopold, Lord Melbourne perceives, still hankers +after Greece; but Crowns will not bear to be chopped and +changed about in this manner. These new Kingdoms are not +too firmly fixed as it is, and it will not do to add to the uncertainty +by alteration....</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DISPUTE WITH UNITED STATES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>28th October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Sir Robert Peel humbly assures your Majesty that he +fully participates in the surprise which your Majesty so naturally +expresses at the extraordinary intimation conveyed to +Mr Fox<sup>146</sup> by the President of the United States.<sup>147</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Immediately after reading Mr Fox's despatch upon that +subject, Sir Robert Peel sought an interview with Lord Aberdeen. +The measure contemplated by the President is a +perfectly novel one, a measure of a hostile and unjustifiable +character adopted with pacific intentions.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel does not comprehend the object of the +President, and giving him credit for the desire to prevent the +interruption of amicable relations with this country, Sir Robert +Peel fears that the forcible detention of the British Minister, +after the demand of passports, will produce a different impression +on the public mind, both here and in the United States, +from that which the President must (if he be sincere) have +anticipated. It appears to Sir Robert Peel that the object +which the President professes to have in view would be better +answered by the immediate compliance with Mr Fox's demand +for passports, and the simultaneous despatch of a special +mission to this country conveying whatever explanations or +offers of reparation the President may have in contemplation.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel humbly assures your Majesty that he has +advised such measures of preparation to be taken in respect +to the amount of disposable naval force, and the position of it, +as without bearing the character of menace or causing needless +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.356" id="pagei.356"></a>[page 356]</span> +disquietude and alarm, may provide for an unfavourable issue +of our present differences with the United States.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel fears that when the President ventured to +make to Mr Fox the communication which he did make, he +must have laboured under apprehension that M'Leod might +be executed in spite of the efforts of the general Government +of the United States to save his life.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 146: British Minister at Washington.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 147: One Alexander M'Leod was tried at Utica on the charge of being implicated in the +destruction of the <i>Caroline</i> (an American vessel engaged in carrying arms to the Canadian +rebels), in 1837, and in the death of Mr Durfee, an American. The vessel had been +boarded by Canadian loyalists when lying in American waters, set on fire and sent over +Niagara Falls, and in the affray Durfee was killed. M'Leod was apprehended on American +territory, and hence arose the friction between the two countries. M'Leod was acquitted +12th October 1841.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PORTUGAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>31st October 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen received yesterday evening Lord Aberdeen's +letter with the accompanying despatches and draft. She +certainly <i>is</i> surprised at the strange and improper tone in which +Lord Howard's<sup>148</sup> despatches are written, and can only attribute +them to an over-eager and, she fully believes, mistaken feeling +of the danger to which he believes the throne of the Queen to be +exposed.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has carefully perused Lord Aberdeen's draft, +which she highly approves, but wishes to suggest to Lord +Aberdeen whether upon further consideration it might not +perhaps be as well to <i>soften</i> the words under which she has +drawn a pencil line, as she fears they might irritate Lord +Howard very much.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is induced to copy the following sentences from a +letter she received from her cousin, the King of Portugal, a few +days ago, and which it may be satisfactory to Lord Aberdeen +to see:—</p> + +<p class="ind">"<i>Je dois encore vous dire que nous avons toutes les raisons +de nous louer de la manière dont le Portugal est traité par votre +Ministre des Affaires Étrangères, et nous ferons de notre côté +notre possible pour prouver notre bonne volonté."</i></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 148: Lord Howard de Walden, Minister Plenipotentiary at Lisbon.</p> + +<a name="pagei.356a" id="pagei.356a"></a> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SECRETARIES OF STATE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>1st November 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Now for His Royal Highness's questions....</p> + +<p class="ind">How the power of Prime Ministry grew up into its present +form it is difficult to trace precisely, as well as how it became +attached, as it were, to the office of First Commissioner of the +Treasury. But Lord Melbourne apprehends that Sir Robert +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.357" id="pagei.357"></a>[page 357]</span> +Walpole was the first man in whose person this union of powers +was decidedly established, and that its being so arose from the +very great confidence which both George I. and George II. +reposed in him, and from the difficulty which they had in +transacting business, particularly George I., from their imperfect +knowledge of the language of the country.</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to the Secretary of State, Lord Melbourne is +not prepared from memory to state the dates at which the +different arrangements of that office have taken place. There +was originally but one officer, and at the present the three are +but the heads of the different departments of one office. The +first division was into two, and they were called the Secretary +for the Northern and the Secretary for the Southern department. +They drew a line across the world, and each transacted +the business connected with the countries within his own +portion of the globe. Another division then took place, and +the Foreign affairs were confided to one Secretary of State, and +the Home and Colonial affairs to the other; but the present +arrangement was finally settled in the year 1793, when the +junction was formed between Mr Pitt on the one hand, and +those friends of Mr Fox who left him because they differed +with him upon the French Revolution. The Home affairs +were placed in the hands of one Secretary of State, the Foreign +of another, and the Colonial and Military affairs of a third, and +this arrangement has continued ever since.<sup>149</sup> The persons then +appointed were the Duke of Portland,<sup>150</sup> Lord Grenville,<sup>151</sup> and +Mr Dundas,<sup>152</sup> Home, Foreign, and Colonial Secretaries.</p> + +<p class="ind">Writing from recollection, it is very possible that Lord +Melbourne may be wrong in some of the dates which he has +ventured to specify.<sup>153</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 149: A fourth Secretary of State was added at the time of the Crimean War, so as to +separate Colonial and Military affairs, and a fifth after the Indian Mutiny to supersede +the President of the Board of Control. <i>See</i> Lord Melbourne's letter of 31st December +1837, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.100" style="font-weight: normal;">100.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 150: Third Duke (1738-1809).</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 151: William Wyndham, Lord Grenville (1759-1834).</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 152: Henry Dundas (1742-1811), afterwards Lord Melville.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 153: See <i>post</i>, pp. <a href="#pagei.358" style="font-weight: normal;">358</a>, <a href="#pagei.359" style="font-weight: normal;">359</a>.</p> + +<a name="pagei.357a" id="pagei.357a"></a> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>4th November 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has this morning had the honour and pleasure of receiving +your Majesty's letter of yesterday....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne sends a letter which he has received from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.358" id="pagei.358"></a>[page 358]</span> +his sister, which may not be unentertaining. Lady Palmerston +is struck, as everybody is who goes to Ireland, with the candid +warmth and vehement demonstration of feeling. England +always appears cold, heartless, and sulky in comparison....</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to the questions put to me by your Majesty +at the desire of His Royal Highness, Lord Melbourne begs +leave to assure your Majesty that he will be at all times most +ready and anxious to give any information in his power upon +points of this sort, which are very curious, very important, +very worthy to be enquired into, and upon which accurate +information is not easily to be found. All the political part of +the English Constitution is fully understood, and distinctly +stated in Blackstone and many other books, but the Ministerial +part, the work of conducting the executive government, +has rested so much on practice, on usage, on understanding, +that there is no publication to which reference can be made +for the explanation and description of it. It is to be sought +in debates, in protests, in letters, in memoirs, and wherever it +can be picked up. It seems to be stupid not to be able to say +at once when two Secretaries of State were established; but +Lord Melbourne is not able. He apprehends that there was +but one until the end of Queen Anne's reign, and that two +were instituted by George I., probably because upon his frequent +journeys to Hanover he wanted the Secretary of State +with him, and at the same time it was necessary that there +should be an officer of the same authority left at home to +transact the domestic affairs.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>Prime Minister</i> is a term belonging to the last century. +Lord Melbourne doubts its being to be found in English Parliamentary +language previously. Sir Robert Walpole was +always accused of having introduced and arrogated to himself +an office previously unknown to the Law and Constitution, +that of Prime or Sole Minister, and we learn from Lady Charlotte +Lindsay's<sup>154</sup> accounts of her father, that in his own family +Lord North would never suffer himself to be called <i>prime</i> +Minister, because it was an office unknown to the Constitution. +This was a notion derived from the combined Whig and Tory +opposition to Sir Robert Walpole, to which Lord North and his +family had belonged.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very sorry to hear that the Princess +Royal continues to suffer from some degree of indisposition. +From what your Majesty had said more than once before, +Lord Melbourne had felt anxiety upon this subject, and he saw +the Baron yesterday, who conversed with him much upon it, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.359" id="pagei.359"></a>[page 359]</span> +and informed him of what had taken place. Lord Melbourne +hopes that your Majesty will attribute it only to Lord Melbourne's +anxious desire for the security and increase of your +Majesty's happiness, if he ventures to say that the Baron +appears to him to have much reason in what he urges, and in +the view which he takes. It is absolutely required that confidence +should be reposed in those who are to have the management +and bear the responsibility, and that they should not be +too much interrupted or interfered with.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 154: Daughter of Lord North (afterwards Earl of Guilford) and wife of Lieut.-Colonel the +Hon. John Lindsay. She lived till 1849—a link with the past.</p> + +<a name="pagei.359a" id="pagei.359a"></a> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SECRETARIES OF STATE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>5th November 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +Not feeling satisfied of the correctness of the information which +he had given to your Majesty respecting the office of Secretary +of State, he yesterday evening requested Mr Allen<sup>155</sup> to look +into the matter, and he has just received from him the enclosed +short memorandum, which he has the honour of transmitting +to your Majesty. This shows that Lord Melbourne +was quite wrong with respect to the period at which two +Secretaries of State were first employed, and that it was much +earlier than he had imagined.</p> + +<p class="ind">The year 1782, when the third Secretary of State was +abolished, was the period of the adoption of the great measure +of Economical Reform which had been introduced by Mr. +Burke in 1780.</p> + +<p class="ind">The present arrangement was settled in 1794, which is about +the time which Lord Melbourne stated.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 155: Secretary and Librarian at Holland House.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD MELBOURNE'S POSITION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>7th November 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Your Majesty asks whether Lord Melbourne thinks that +Prince Metternich holds the opinion of Sir Robert Gordon, +which he expresses to Lord Beauvale. It is difficult to say +what Prince Metternich's real sentiments are. Lord Melbourne +takes him not to have a very high opinion of the +abilities of others in general, and he is not unlikely to depreciate +Sir Robert Gordon to Lord Beauvale. Sir Robert +Gordon is a man of integrity, but he is tiresome, long and +pompous, which cannot be agreeable to the Prince, who has +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.360" id="pagei.360"></a>[page 360]</span> +about him much of the French vivacity, and also much of their +settled and regular style of argument....</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to the latter part of your Majesty's letter, Lord +Melbourne returns for the expressions of your Majesty's kindness +his warm and grateful thanks. Your Majesty may rest +assured that he will always speak to your Majesty without +scruple or reserve, and that he will never ask anything of your +Majesty, or ever make a suggestion, which he does not consider +to be for your Majesty's service and advantage. Lord Melbourne +is of opinion that his visits to the Palace should not +only avoid exciting suspicion and uneasiness in your Majesty's +present advisers, a result of which he has very little apprehension, +but they should not be so frequent as to attract +public notice, comment, and observation, of which he would be +more fearful. A public rumour, however unfounded and +absurd, has more force in this country than objections which +have in them more of truth and reality. Upon these grounds, +and as your Majesty will probably not see much company at +present, and the parties therefore will be a good deal confined +to the actual Household, Lord Melbourne thinks it would perhaps +be as well if he were not again to dine at the Palace at +present.</p> + +<p class="ind">The course which it may be prudent to take hereafter will +depend very much upon that which cannot now be foreseen, +namely, upon the general course which will be taken by politics +and political parties. In this Lord Melbourne does not at +present discern his way, and he will not therefore hazard +opinions which would not be founded upon any certainty, and +might be liable to immediate change and alteration.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum: Baron Stockmar to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">STOCKMAR'S ADVICE</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>23 November 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">The apprehension which haunts me since my return to +England is well known to you. It was my intention to have +written to you upon it some time hereafter, but the contents +of a certain letter, sent by you just before your departure, +accelerates the execution of my design. From your own expressions +used some time back, I was led to expect that you +would be glad to take advantage <i>of any fair opportunity</i> which +might contribute towards that devoutly to be wished for +object, viz., to let a certain correspondence die a natural death. +You may easily conceive how much I felt disappointed when I +heard that you had written again, without a challenge, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.361" id="pagei.361"></a>[page 361]</span> +that, without apparent cause, you had volunteered the promise +to write from time to time. This happens at a moment when +<i>your</i> harassing apprehension received new life and strength +from two incidents which I think it my duty to make known to +you, and of which the one came to pass <i>before</i>, the other after, +your departure from here. Some weeks back I was walking +in the streets with Dr Prætorius,<sup>156</sup> when, finding myself opposite +the house of one of my friends, it came across my mind +to give him a call. Prætorius wanted to leave me, on a conception +that, as a stranger, he might obstruct the freedom of +our conversation. I insisted, however, on his remaining with +me, and we were shown into the drawing-room, where in all +there were five of us. For some minutes the conversation had +turned on insignificant things, when the person talking to me +said quite abruptly: "So I find the Queen is in daily correspondence +with Lord Melbourne." I replied, "Who told you +this?" The answer was, "Mrs Norton; she told me the +other evening. Don't you believe that Lord Melbourne has +lost his influence over the Queen's mind; he daily writes to +her, and receives as many answers, in which she communicates +everything to him." Without betraying much emotion I said, +"I don't believe a word of it; the Queen may have written +once or twice on private matters, but the daily correspondence +on all matters is certainly the amplification of a thoughtless +and imprudent person, who is not aware of such exaggerated +assertions." My speech was followed by a general silence, +after which we talked of other things, and soon took our leave. +When we were fairly in the open air, Prætorius expressed to me +his amazement at what he had heard, and he remained for +some time at a loss to comprehend the character of the person +who, from mere giddiness, let out so momentous a secret.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The other fact took place the day after you had left. From +the late events at Brussels, it had become desirable that I +should see Sir Robert Peel. From Belgium we travelled over +to Home politics. I expressed my delight at seeing the Queen +so happy, and added a hope that more and more she would +seek and find her real happiness in her domestic relations only. +He evidently caught at this, and assured me that he should at +all times be too happy to have a share in anything which might +be thought conducive to the welfare of Her Majesty. That no +consideration of personal inconvenience would ever prevent +him from indulging the Queen in all her wishes relating to +matters of a private nature, and that the only return for his +sincere endeavours to please Her Majesty he looked to, was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.362" id="pagei.362"></a>[page 362]</span> +honesty in public affairs. Becoming then suddenly emphatic, +he continued, "But on this I must insist, and I do assure you, +that that moment I was to learn that the Queen takes advice +upon public matters in another place, I shall throw up; for +such a thing I conceive the country could not stand, and I +would not remain an hour, whatever the consequences of my +resignation may be."</p> + +<p class="ind2">Fully sensible that he was talking at me, I received the +charge with the calmness of a good conscience, and our time +being exhausted I prepared for retreat. But he did not allow +me to do so, before he had found means to come a second time +to the topic uppermost in his own mind, and he repeated, it +appeared to me with increased force of tone, his determination +to throw up, fearless of all consequences, that moment he +found himself and the country dishonestly dealt by.</p> +<span class="rightnote">STOCKMAR'S EXPOSTULATIONS</span> +<p class="ind2">I think I have now reported to you correctly the two occurrences +which of late have added so much to my antecedent +suspicions and fears. Permit me to join to this a few general +considerations which, from the nature of the recited incidents +alone, and without the slightest intervention of any other +cause, must have presented themselves to my mind. The first +is, that I derive from the events related quite ground enough +for concluding that the danger I dread is great and imminent, +and that, if ill luck is to have its will, no human power can +prevent an explosion for a day, or even for an hour. The +second is the contemplation—what state will the Queen be +placed in by such a catastrophe? That in my position, portraying +to myself all the consequences of such a possibility, I +look chiefly to the Queen, needs hardly, I trust, an excuse.... +Can you hope that the Queen's character will ever recover from +a shock received by a collision with Peel, upon such a cause? +Pray illustrate to yourself this particular question by taking +a purely political and general survey of the time and period +we live in at this moment. In doing so must you not admit +that all England is agreed that the Tories must have another +trial, and that there is a decided desire in the nation that it +should be a fair one? Would you have it said that Sir Robert +Peel failed in his trial, merely because the Queen alone was not +fair to him, and that principally you had aided her in the game +of dishonesty? And can you hope that this game can be +played with security, even for a short time only, when a person +has means of looking into your cards whom you yourself have +described to me some years ago as a most passionate, giddy, +imprudent and dangerous woman? I am sure beforehand +that your loyalty and devotion has nothing to oppose to the +force of my exposition. There are, however, some other and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.363" id="pagei.363"></a>[page 363]</span> +minor reasons which ought likewise to be considered before you +come to the determination of trusting entirely to possibilities +and chance. For the results of your deliberation you will +have to come to will in their working and effects go beyond +yourself, and must affect two other persons. These will have a +right to expect that your decision will not be taken regardless +of that position, which accidental circumstances have assigned +to them, in an affair the fate of which is placed entirely within +your discretion. This is an additional argument why you +should deliberate very conscientiously. A mistake of yours in +this respect might by itself produce fresh difficulties and have +a complicating and perplexing retro effect upon the existing +ones; because both, seeing that they must be sufferers in the +end, may begin to look only to their own safety, and become +inclined to refuse that passive obedience which till now constitutes +the vehicle of your hazardous enterprize.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Approaching the conclusion of this letter, I beg to remind +you of a conversation I had with you on the same subject in +South Street, the 25th of last month.<sup>157</sup>Though you did not +avow it then in direct words, I could read from your countenance +and manner that you assented in your head and heart to +all I had said, and in particular to the advice I volunteered at +the end of my speech. At that time I pointed out to you a +period when I thought a decisive step ought to be taken on +your part. This period seems to me to have arrived. Placing +unreserved confidence into your candour and manliness, I +remain, for ever, very faithfully yours,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Stockmar.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 156: Librarian and German Secretary to Prince Albert.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 157: <i>Ante</i>, pp. <a href="#pagei.352" style="font-weight: normal;">352-3</a>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Baron Stockmar.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE'S REPLY</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>24th November 1841</i>.<br /> +(<i>Half-past 10</i> <span class="sc">p.m.</span>) </p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Baron</span>,—I have just received your letter; I +think it unnecessary to detain your messenger. I will write +to you upon the subject and send it through Anson. Yours +faithfully,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Melbourne.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE HEIR APPARENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>29th November 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I have to thank you for four most +kind letters, of the 4th, 6th, 19th and 26th; the last I received +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.364" id="pagei.364"></a>[page 364]</span> +yesterday. I would have written sooner, had I not been a +little bilious, which made me very low, and not in spirits to +write. The weather has been so exceedingly relaxing, that +it made me at the end of the fortnight quite bilious, and this, +you know, affects the spirits. I am much better, but they +think that I shall not get my appetite and spirits back till I +can get out of town; we are therefore going in a week at +latest. I am going for a drive this morning, and am certain +it will do me good. In all <i>essentials</i>, I am better, if possible, +than last year. Our little boy<sup>158</sup> is a wonderfully strong and +large child, with very large dark blue eyes, a finely formed +but somewhat large nose, and a pretty little mouth; I <i>hope</i> +and <i>pray</i> he may be like his dearest Papa. He is to be called +<i>Albert</i>, and Edward is to be his second name. Pussy, dear +child, is still <i>the</i> great pet amongst us all, and is getting so +fat and strong again.</p> + +<p class="ind">I beg my most affectionate love to dearest Louise and the +dear children. The Queen-Dowager is recovering wonderfully.</p> + +<p class="ind">I beg you to forgive this letter being so badly written, but +my feet are being rubbed, and as I have got the box on which +I am writing on my knee, it is not easy to write quite straight—but +you must <i>not</i> think my hand trembles. Ever your +devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Pussy is <i>not</i> at all pleased with her brother.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 158: His Majesty King Edward VII., born 9th November.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE INFANT PRINCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Trentham</span>, <i>1st December 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has had the honour of receiving here your Majesty's +letters of yesterday, by which he learns with sincere pleasure +and satisfaction that your Majesty is so much recovered as +to go to Windsor on so early a day as your Majesty names. +Lord Melbourne hears with great concern that your Majesty +has been suffering under depression and lowness of spirits.... +Lord Melbourne well knows how to feel for those who +suffer under it, especially as he has lately had much of it +himself.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is much rejoiced to hear so good an account +of the Heir Apparent and of the Princess Royal, and feels +himself greatly obliged by the information respecting the +intended names and the sponsors. Lord Melbourne supposes +that your Majesty has determined yourself upon the relative +position of the two names, but <i>Edward</i> is a good English +appellation, and has a certain degree of popularity attached +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.365" id="pagei.365"></a>[page 365]</span> +to it from ancient recollections. Albert is also an old Anglo-Saxon +name—the same, Lord Melbourne believes, as Ethelred—but +it has not been so common nor so much in use since +the Conquest. However, your Majesty's feelings, which Lord +Melbourne perfectly understands, must determine this point. +The notion of the King of Prussia<sup>159</sup> gives great satisfaction +here, and will do so with all but Puseyites and Newmanites +and those who lean to the Roman Catholic faith. His strong +Protestant feelings, and his acting with us in the matter of +the Syrian Bishop, have made the King of Prussia highly +popular in this country, and particularly with the more +religious part of the community.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty cannot offer up for the young Prince a more +safe and judicious prayer than that he may resemble his +father. The character, in Lord Melbourne's opinion, depends +much upon the race, and on both sides he has a good chance. +Be not over solicitous about education. It may be able to +do much, but it does not do so much as is expected from it. +It may mould and direct the character, but it rarely alters it. +George IV. and the Duke of York were educated quite like +English boys, by English schoolmasters, and in the manner +and upon the system of English schools. The consequence +was that, whatever were their faults, they were quite Englishmen. +The others, who were sent earlier abroad, and more to +foreign universities, were not quite so much so. The late +king was educated as a sailor, and was a complete sailor....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne will tell your Majesty exactly what he +thinks of John Russell's reply to the Plymouth address. It is +very angry and very bitter, and anger and bitterness are +never very dignified. Lord Melbourne certainly would not +have put in those sarcasms upon the Duke of Wellington and +Sir Robert Peel, for their change of opinion and conduct upon +the Roman Catholic question. But the tone of the rest of the +answer is, in Lord Melbourne's opinion, just and right. We +certainly delivered the affairs of the country into their hands +in a good state, both at home and abroad, and we should be +acting unfairly by ourselves if we did not maintain and assert +this upon every occasion. Lord Melbourne's notion of the +conduct which he has to pursue is, that it should not be aggressive, +but that it must be defensive. He would oppose no +right measures, but he cannot suffer the course of policy which +has been condemned in him to be adopted by others without +observation upon the inconsistency and injustice....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne concludes with again wishing your Majesty +health and happiness, and much enjoyment of the country.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 159: King Frederick William IV., who was to be a sponsor.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.366" id="pagei.366"></a>[page 366]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCE OF WALES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>6th December 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to enclose for +the Signature of your Majesty the Letters Patent creating His +Royal Highness, the Prince of the United Kingdom, Prince of +Wales and Earl of Chester.<sup>160</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Understanding that it is your Majesty's pleasure to have +this Creation inserted in the <i>Gazette</i> of to-morrow night, Sir +James Graham has given directions, which will ensure the +publication, though the Letters Patent themselves may not +be completed. The Warrant already signed by your Majesty +is a sufficient authority.</p> + +<p class="ind">The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful +Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">J. R. G. Graham</span>.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 160: His present Majesty had been referred to in letters of the previous month as the Duke +of Cornwall. "Know ye," ran the present Letters Patent, "that we have made ... our +most dear son, the Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (Duke +of Saxony, Duke of Cornwall ...) Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester ... and him our +said most dear son, ... as has been accustomed, we do ennoble and invest with the said +Principality and Earldom, by girding him with a sword, by putting a coronet on his head, +and a gold ring on his finger, and also by delivering a gold rod into his hand, that he may +preside there, and may direct and defend those parts...."</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>7th December 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—We arrived here <i>sains et saufs</i> with +our awfully large Nursery Establishment yesterday morning. +It was a nasty warm and very rainy day, but to-day is very +bright, clear and dry, and we walked out early and felt like +prisoners freed from some dungeon. Many thanks for your +kind letter of the 2nd, by which I grieve to see that you are +not quite well. But let me repeat again, you <i>must</i> not despond +so; you must not be so out of spirits. I have likewise been +suffering so from <i>lowness</i> that it made me quite miserable, +and I know how difficult it is to fight against it. I am delighted +to hear that all the children are so well. I wonder +very much who our little boy will be like. You will understand +<i>how</i> fervent my prayers and I am [sure] <i>everybody's</i> must +be, to see him resemble his angelic dearest Father in <i>every, +every</i> respect, both in body and mind. Oh! my dearest +Uncle, I am sure if you knew <i>how</i> happy, how blessed I feel, +and how <i>proud</i> I feel in possessing <i>such</i> a perfect being as my +husband, as he is, and if you think that you have been instrumental +in bringing about this union, it must gladden your +heart! How happy should I be to see our child grow up <i>just</i> +like him! Dear Pussy travelled with us and behaved like a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.367" id="pagei.367"></a>[page 367]</span> +grown-up person, so quiet and looking about and coquetting +with the Hussars on either side of the carriage. Now adieu! +Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE APPROACHING CHRISTENING</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Castle Howard</span>, <i>22nd December 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne will consider himself most highly +honoured by being invited to the christening, and will hold +himself in readiness to attend, whenever it may take place. +He has written to Mr Anson in answer to the letter which he +received from him this morning. Lord Melbourne has been +obliged to consent to receive an address from Derby, and has +fixed Monday the 27th inst. for that purpose. He could have +wished to have avoided this, but it was impossible, and he +must make the best of it that he can, which he conceives will +be effected by conceiving his reply in very guarded terms, and +in a tone defensive of his own administration, but not offensive +to those who have succeeded him....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear of the feelings of the +King of Prussia. For religious matters he is at present very +popular with many in this country, and popularity, though +transient and uncertain, is a good thing while it lasts. The +King of the Belgians should not be surprised or mortified at +the conduct of the King of Holland. We must expect that +people will act according to their nature and feelings. The +Union of Belgium and Holland has been for a long time the +first wish and the daily dream of the House of Orange. It +has been the great object of their lives, and by the separation, +which took place in 1830, they saw their fondest hopes disappointed +and destroyed at once. It must be expected that +under such a state of things, they will be unquiet, and will try +to obtain what they so eagerly desire and have once possessed.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is much rejoiced to hear that your Majesty +is in the enjoyment of such good health. Your Majesty's +observations upon your own situation are in the highest degree +just and prudent, and it is a sign of a right mind and of good +feelings to prize the blessings we enjoy, and not to suffer them +to be too much altered by circumstances, which may not turn +out exactly according to our wishes.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE UNITED STATES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>24th December 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your +Majesty. He ventures to request your Majesty's attention +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.368" id="pagei.368"></a>[page 368]</span> +for a moment to the character of your Majesty's present +relations with the Government of the United States. Your +Majesty is aware that several questions of great difficulty and +importance have been long pending between the two Governments.<sup>161</sup> +Some of these have become more complicated than +they were ten years ago; and any of them might, at any +moment, lead to consequences of the most disastrous nature.</p> + +<p class="ind">Instead of continuing negotiations, necessarily tedious and +which promise to be interminable, your Majesty's servants are +humbly of opinion that an effort ought to be made, by a +Special Mission at Washington, to bring all these differences +promptly to an adjustment. The public feeling in the United +States at this time does not appear to be unfavourable for +such an attempt. Should it be undertaken by a person whose +rank, character, and abilities would ensure respect, and whose +knowledge of the subjects under discussion, and of the people +of the country, together with his conciliatory manners, would +render him generally acceptable, your Majesty might perhaps +indulge the hope of a successful result.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen humbly ventures to think that such a +person may be found in Lord Ashburton,<sup>162</sup> whom he submits +for your Majesty's gracious approbation.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 161: The question of the North-West Boundary had long been one source of dispute; +another was the right the British Government claimed of searching vessels suspected +of being engaged in the slave trade.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 162: Alexander, first Lord Ashburton, who had held office in Peel's short Ministry, and +married Miss Bingham of Philadelphia. See <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.461" style="font-weight: normal;">461</a>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Memorandum by Mr Anson.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CHRISTMAS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>26th December 1841</i>. </p> + +<p class="ind2">Christmas has brought its usual routine of festivity and its +agreeable accompaniment of Christmas presents. The Queen +was not at all well again yesterday, being again troubled with +lowness. The Melbourne correspondence still is carried on, +but I think not in its pristine vigour by any means. He has +taken no notice of the Baron's remonstrance to him, and we +are in the dark in what manner, if at all, he means to deal +with it.</p> + +<p class="ind2">I have sat by Her Majesty at dinner several times lately. +I should say that Her Majesty interests herself less and less +about politics, and that her dislike is less than it was to her +present Ministers, though she would not be prepared to acknowledge +it. Her Majesty is a good deal occupied with the +little Princess Royal, who begins to assume companionable +qualities. In the evening, instead of her usual conversation +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.369" id="pagei.369"></a>[page 369]</span> +with her old Prime Minister, some round game at cards is +substituted, which always terminates at eleven. The Prince, +to amuse the Queen at this, has nearly left off his chess; his +amusements—shooting or hunting—always commence and +terminate between eleven and two, not to interfere with Her +Majesty's arrangements, in which he is included as her companion.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Melbourne</span>, <i>29th December 1841</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He received here yesterday your Majesty's letter of the 25th +inst., upon a paper adorned with many quaint and humorous +Christmas devices, and Lord Melbourne begs to offer to your +Majesty, most sincerely and most fervently, the good wishes +of the Season. Lord Melbourne will be in town on Friday +evening next, and after that day will wait upon your Majesty, +whenever your Majesty is pleased to command....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that the King of the +Belgians is reassured by his journey to Mons and his reception +upon it. He need not mind the King of Holland, if he can +keep all right at Paris.</p> + +<p class="ind">The railway smash<sup>163</sup> is awful and tremendous, as all railway +mishaps are, and Lord Melbourne fears must always be. +These slips and falls of earth from the banks are the greatest +danger that now impends over them, and if they take place +suddenly and in the dark, Lord Melbourne does not see how +the fatal consequences of them are to be effectually guarded +against. They are peculiarly likely to happen now, as the +cuttings have been recently and hastily made, the banks are +very steep, and the season has been peculiarly wet, interrupted +by severe frosts.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne received the deputation from Derby, a +large and respectable one, here on Monday last. The address +was very guarded, temperate, and judicious, and Lord Melbourne +strove to construct his answer in the same manner.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 163: This accident took place on 24th December in the Sonning Hill cutting, two and a +half miles from Reading. Eight persons were killed on the spot.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.370" id="pagei.370"></a>[page 370]</span> + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER XI</h3> + + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> session was mainly occupied by the great Ministerial measure +of finance, direct taxation by means of income tax being imposed, +and the import duties on a large number of articles being removed +or relaxed, Mr Gladstone, now at the Board of Trade, taking charge +of the bills. Two more attempts on the Queen's life were made, the +former again on Constitution Hill by one Francis, whose capital +sentence was commuted; the latter by a hunchback, Bean, who +was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. An Act was +promptly passed to deal with such outrages in future as misdemeanours, +without giving them the importance of high treason. +Lord Ashley's Bill was passed, prohibiting woman and child labour +in mines and collieries. But the Anti-Corn Law League of Manchester +was not satisfied with the policy of the Government and +objected to the income tax; while riots broke out in the manufacturing +districts of the North.</p> + +<p>In Afghanistan, the disasters of the previous year were retrieved; +Sir Robert Sale, who was gallantly defending Jellalabad, made a +<i>sortie</i> and defeated Akbar Khan; General Nott arrived at Ghuznee, +but found it evacuated; he destroyed the citadel and removed the +Gates of Somnauth. General Pollock swept the Khyber Pass and +entered Cabul. The captives taken on the retreat from Cabul were +recovered—Lady Macnaghten and Lady Sale among them. In +retribution for the murder of Macnaghten, the great bazaar of +Cabul, where his remains had been dishonoured, was destroyed by +Pollock; the British force was then withdrawn. Dost Mahommed +made himself again ruler of Cabul, and a proclamation of Lord +Ellenborough announced that the British Government accepted any +Sovereign and Constitution approved by the Afghans themselves.</p> + +<p>In China, also, operations were successfully terminated, Chapoo +being taken in May, and an attack by Admiral Parker upon Nanking +being only averted by the conclusion of a favourable treaty, involving +an indemnity, the cession by China of Hong Kong, and the opening +of important ports to commerce.</p> + +<p>A dispute had arisen between this country and the United States as +to the boundary line between the latter country and the British +Possessions in North America. Lord Ashburton was accordingly +sent out on a special mission to effect the adjustment of this and +other disputes, and a treaty was concluded for the purpose of +defining each country's territorial rights, and imposing mutual +obligations for the suppression of the Slave Trade.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.371" id="pagei.371"></a>[page 371]</span> + + + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h5>1842</h5> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Sudbury Hall</span>, <i>4th January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Niece</span>,—Most grateful for your very amiable kind +letter full of good wishes for me, I hasten to answer it and to +assure you that I deeply feel all your affectionate kindness to +me in wishing my life to be prolonged. From ill-health I have +become such a useless member of your family, that I must +wonder you have not long been tired of me. I wish I was +more able to be of any use to you which you might like to make +of me. My services would be most faithful, I can assure you. +Should my life be spared, there may perhaps yet be a time +when I can prove to you, that what I say is not merely a <i>façon +de parler</i>, but my sincere wish.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your domestic happiness, dearest Victoria, gives me great +satisfaction whenever I think of it, and that is very often. +God continue it so, uninterrupted, is my daily prayer.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your approbation of my little offering to my dear godchild +gives me much pleasure. It occupied me several days during +my illness to make the drawing, weak as I then was, and it +was a <i>pleasant occupation</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have frost again, with a clear blue sky, which is much +better for me than the damp close weather of last week, which +oppressed me so much. I breathe again, and my spirits get +their usual tone, which they had lost, but I still cough a great +deal, which is very fatiguing.</p> + +<p class="ind">Will you kiss your darlings in my name and bless them, +and pray believe me ever, my dear Niece, your most affectionately +devoted Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">WINDSOR</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Broadlands</span>,<sup>1</sup> <i>5th January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to return to your Majesty and to His Royal Highness +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.372" id="pagei.372"></a>[page 372]</span> +his thanks for all the kindness shown him at Windsor. +He was very happy to find himself there again and in your +Majesty's society. He has seen many fine places and much +fine country, but after all there is nothing like Windsor and +the Park. Twenty very fine places might easily be made out +of the latter. Lord Melbourne as he drove to Bagshot was +very glad to see the plantations at and about Cumberland +Lodge and onwards so well and judiciously thinned. He had +a very prosperous journey here. It is a lovely place, with the +greatest beauty that a place can have, a very swift, clear, +natural stream, running and winding in front of the house. +The whole place is much improved since Lord Melbourne saw +it last; a great deal of new pleasure-ground has been made. +The trees, cypresses, elders, planes, elms, white poplars and +acacias are very fine indeed....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks of staying here six or seven days, +and then returning to London and going to Brocket Hall and +Panshanger, but he has not fixed his plans decidedly, which he +is never very fond of doing.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne was delighted at thinking that he left your +Majesty in good health, which he earnestly hopes and fervently +prays may, together with every other blessing, long continue.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: The house of Lord Palmerston in Hants. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>6th January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Sir Robert Peel has informed Lord Aberdeen that he +had mentioned to your Majesty the suggestion of the King of +Prussia to confer the Order of the Black Eagle<sup>2</sup> upon the +Prince of Wales, immediately after the christening of his Royal +Highness. Lord Aberdeen therefore abstains from troubling +your Majesty with any observations on this subject.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 2: Founded by Frederick I. in 1701. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Fitzgerald to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DISASTERS IN AFGHANISTAN</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>8th January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Fitzgerald, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, +begs leave humbly to inform your Majesty that despatches +have been this day received at the India House from the Earl +of Auckland, Governor-General of India, which most officially +confirm to too great an extent the disastrous intelligence contained +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.373" id="pagei.373"></a>[page 373]</span> +in the public journals of yesterday, the particulars of +which the editors of these journals had received by express +messengers from Marseilles.<sup>3</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">This intelligence is of a most painful character, and though +the details which have arrived do high honour to the courage +and the gallantry of your Majesty's forces, as well as of the +East India Company's Army, yet the loss sustained has been +very great, and many valuable officers have fallen the victims +of a widespread conspiracy which seems to have embraced +within its confederation the most warlike tribes of the Afghan +nation.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Fitzgerald begs leave most humbly to lay before your +Majesty an interesting despatch from Lord Auckland, comprising +the most important details of the late events in +Afghanistan.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is very satisfactory to Lord Fitzgerald to be enabled +humbly to acquaint your Majesty that Lord Auckland has +decided on waiting the arrival of his successor, Lord Ellenborough, +and states to Lord Fitzgerald that he will feel it to +be his duty to remain in his [Government], in the present +critical state of affairs, until he is relieved by the new Governor-General.</p> + +<p class="ind">All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty, by +your Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Fitzgerald and Vesci.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 3: <i>See</i> Introductory Note, 1841, <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.254" style="font-weight: normal;">254.</a> The rebellion broke out at Cabul on +2nd November, and Sir Alexander Burnes was murdered. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE OXFORD MOVEMENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Broadlands</span>, <i>12th January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has this morning received your Majesty's letter of the 10th +inst., and is glad to infer from it that your Majesty and the +Prince are both well and in good spirits.</p> + +<p class="ind">With respect to the Oxford affair, your Majesty is aware that +for a long time a serious difference has been fermenting and +showing itself in the Church of England, one party leaning back +towards Popery, and the other either wishing to keep doctrines +as they are, or, perhaps, to approach somewhat nearer to the +dissenting Churches. This difference has particularly manifested +itself in a publication, now discontinued, but which has +been long going on at Oxford, entitled <i>Tracts for the Times</i>, +and generally called the Oxford Tracts. The Professorship of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.374" id="pagei.374"></a>[page 374]</span> +Poetry is now vacant at Oxford, and two candidates have been +put forward, the one Mr Williams, who is the author of one or +two of the most questionable of the Oxford Tracts, and the +other Mr Garbett, who is a representative of the opposite party. +Of course the result of this election, which is made by the +Masters of Arts of the University, is looked to with much +interest and anxiety, as likely to afford no unequivocal sign of +which is the strongest party in the University and amongst +the clergy generally. It is expected that Mr Garbett will +be chosen by a large majority....</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE MORNING CHRONICLE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>17th January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to acknowledge your Majesty's letter of the 15th, +which he has received here this morning.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne does not think this Puseyite difference in +the Church so serious or dangerous as others do. If it is discreetly +managed, it will calm down or blow over or sink into +disputes of little significance. All Lord Melbourne fears is +lest the Bishops should be induced to act hastily and should +get into the wrong. The Puseyites have the most learning, or +rather, have considered the points more recently and more +accurately than their opponents.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne hopes that the Spanish affair will be settled. +Lord Melbourne cannot doubt that the French are wrong. +Even if the precedents are in their favour, the Spanish Court +has a right to settle its own etiquette and its own mode of +transacting business, and to change them if it thinks proper.<sup>4</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne was at Broadlands when the Article to +which your Majesty alludes appeared in the <i>Morning Chronicle</i>, +and he talked it over with Palmerston. He does not think +that Palmerston wrote it, because there were in it errors, and +those errors to Palmerston's disadvantage; but it was written +by Easthope under the impression that it conveyed Palmerston's +notions and opinions. Your Majesty knows very +well that Palmerston has long had much communication with +the <i>Morning Chronicle</i> and much influence over it, and has +made great use of it for the purpose of maintaining and defending +his own policy. In this sort of matter there is much +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.375" id="pagei.375"></a>[page 375]</span> +to be said upon both sides. A Minister has a great advantage +in stating his own views to the public, and if Palmerston in the +Syrian affair had not had as devoted an assistant as the <i>Morning +Chronicle</i>, he would hardly have been able to maintain his +course or carry through his measures. It has always been +Lord Melbourne's policy to keep himself aloof from the public +press and to hold it at arm's-length, and he considers it the best +course, but it is subject to disadvantages. You are never in that +case strongly supported by them, nor are the motives and +reasons of your conduct given to the public with that force +and distinctness which they might be.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has no doubt that your Majesty's assurance +is well founded, and that the present Government are +anxious for the welfare and prosperity and tranquillity of +Spain. It cannot be otherwise.</p> + +<p class="ind">Palmerston dislikes Aberdeen and has a low opinion of him. +He thinks him weak and timid, and likely to let down the +character and influence of the country. Your Majesty knows +that Lord Melbourne does not partake these opinions, certainly +not at least to anything like the extent to which +Palmerston carries them.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is going down to Panshanger to-morrow, +where he understands that he is to meet Lord and Lady +Lansdowne and Lord and Lady Leveson.<sup>5</sup> Lord Melbourne +will take care and say nothing about Brighton, but is glad to +hear that your Majesty is going thither.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 4: An Ambassador, M. de Salvandy, had been sent from France to Madrid. Espartero, +the Regent, required the credentials to be presented to him and not to the young Queen. +The French Ambassador having refused to comply, an unseemly dispute arose, and +M. de Salvandy left Madrid.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 5: The late Lord Granville and his first wife, only child of the Duc de Dalberg, and +widow of Sir Ferdinand Acton. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>18th January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—Not to miss my day, I write a line to +thank you for your kind letters of the 10th and 13th, but shall +write fully by the messenger. Our Claremont trip was very +enjoyable, only we missed Pussy so much; another time we +shall take her with us; the dear child was so pleased to see us +again, particularly dear Albert, whom she is <i>so</i> fond of.... +We think of going to Brighton early in February, as the +physicians think it will do the children great good, and perhaps +it may <i>me</i>; for I am very strong as to fatigue and +exertion, but not quite right otherwise; I am growing thinner, +and there is a want of tone, which the sea may correct.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.376" id="pagei.376"></a>[page 376]</span> + +<p class="ind">Albert's great <i>fonction</i><sup>6</sup> yesterday went off beautifully, and +he was so much admired in all ways; he always <i>fascinates</i> the +people wherever he goes, by his very modest and unostentatious +yet dignified ways. He only came back at twelve last +night; it was very kind of him to come. The King of Prussia +means, I believe, to cross on the 20th. Now <i>addio</i>. Ever your +most affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 6: The Prince laid the foundation stone of the new Royal Exchange. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">London</span>, <i>21st January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble +duty to your Majesty. He is much flattered by your Majesty's +most gracious desire that he should bear the Sword of State at +the ceremony of the christening of His Royal Highness the +Prince of Wales.</p> + +<p class="ind">He had already received from Sir Robert Peel an intimation +of your Majesty's gracious pleasure on this subject. He is in +such good health, as to be able to perform any duty upon which +your Majesty may think proper to employ him; and he will +attend your Majesty's gracious ceremony at Windsor Castle on +Tuesday morning, the 25th Jan. inst.</p> + +<p class="ind">All of which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your +Majesty's most dutiful and devoted Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Wellington.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>22nd January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen cannot say <i>how grieved</i> she is, and the Prince also, +at hearing of Lord Melbourne's serious indisposition, by his +letter this morning. How <i>very</i> provoking if he cannot come on +Tuesday. It will be the <i>only</i> important ceremony during the +Queen's reign which Lord Melbourne has <i>not</i> been present at, +and it grieves her <i>deeply</i>. It was already a deep mortification not +to see him in his old place, but not to see him <i>at all</i> is <i>too</i> +provoking. +If Lord Melbourne should soon get well we shall hope +to see him later during the King's<sup>7</sup> stay. The Prince is gone +to Greenwich to meet the King, and I expect them about five +o'clock.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes to hear soon of Lord Melbourne's being +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.377" id="pagei.377"></a>[page 377]</span> +better, and expresses again her very sincere regret at his being +prevented from coming.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 7: Frederick Wilham IV., King of Prussia. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE SLAVE TRADE</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>28th January 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your +Majesty. Some time ago, your Majesty was graciously pleased +to express a desire to have a copy of the Treaty concluded by +your Majesty with the Four Great Powers of Europe, for the +more effectual suppression of the Slave Trade.<sup>8</sup> Lord Aberdeen +has had one prepared for your Majesty's use, which he humbly +begs to lay before your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">In obeying your Majesty's commands Lord Aberdeen thinks +it his duty, at the same time, to state to your Majesty that, +with the exception of some alterations and additions of little +importance, the Treaty in its present form had existed for a +considerable time in the Foreign Office. He found, also, that +there had been a reluctance to sign it on the part of the French +Government; but as the objection was chiefly of a personal +nature, it was speedily removed. The only share, therefore, +which Lord Aberdeen can properly be said to have had in this +transaction is that of having been enabled to afford your +Majesty the great satisfaction of completing this blessed work +at an earlier period than would otherwise have been the case.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 8: The treaty conferred a mutual right of search. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>1st February 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has to thank your Majesty for the letters of the 28th and +the 31st ult., the last of which he received this morning.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad that your Majesty opens the +Parliament in person. Your Majesty knows Lord Melbourne's +opinion, that it ought always to be done, when it can be, without +reference to Ministers, politics, or political questions. Lord +Melbourne hopes to be able to go to the House in the evening, +but he fears that it would be too much for him if he were to +attempt to attend also in the morning.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne was in despair at hearing of poor Eos.<sup>9</sup> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.378" id="pagei.378"></a>[page 378]</span> +Favourites often get shot; Lord Melbourne has known it +happen often in his time. That is the worst of dogs; they +add another strong interest to a life which has already of itself +interest enough, and those, God knows! sufficiently subject +both to accident and decay.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is sorry to do anything that could trouble +your Majesty in the slightest degree, but he doubts not that +your Majesty is already aware of the matter, and therefore he +has less scruple in sending to your Majesty a letter<sup>10</sup> which he +has received from the Duke of Sussex. Upon the plea of not +being well, Lord Melbourne has put off seeing the Duke upon +this subject until after Monday next, and when he does see him, +he will try to keep him quiet, which your Majesty knows +when he has got a thing of this sort into his head, is no easy +matter.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 9: A favourite greyhound of the Prince, accidentally shot by Prince Ferdinand. <i>See</i> +King Leopold's letter, 4th February.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 10: This letter is not preserved among the Queen's papers. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE KING OF PRUSSIA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>1st February 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—I have to thank you for a kind, short note +of the 27th inst., which I received on Sunday. I gave your +kind message to the King of Prussia, who was much <i>touché</i> by +it. He is a most amiable man, so kind and well-meaning, and +seems so much beloved. He is so amusing too. He is very +anxious that Belgium should become <i>liée</i> with Germany, and I +think, dearest Uncle, that it would be for the <i>real</i> good of +Belgium if it could be so. You will have heard how perfectly +and splendidly everything went off on the 25th. Nothing could +have done better, and <i>little</i> Albert (<i>what</i> a pleasure that he has +that <i>dearest</i> name!) behaved so well. The King left us yesterday +morning to go to town, where we follow him to-morrow; +he was quite sad to leave Windsor, which he admired so much. +He dined with the Sutherlands yesterday, and dines with the +Duke of Wellington to-day, and the Cambridges to-morrow. +On Thursday he dines with us (he lodges in Buckingham +Palace), and on Friday takes his departure. He is really a +most agreeable visitor, though I must own that I am somewhat +knocked up by our great exertions.</p> + +<p class="ind">Uncle Ferdinand is very well, and we are delighted with dear +Leopold;<sup>11</sup> he is so much improved, and is such a modest, +sensible boy.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.379" id="pagei.379"></a>[page 379]</span> + +<p class="ind">I can't say much for poor Gusti,<sup>12</sup> though I love him, but he +is really too odd and inanimate. I hope Louise will see the +King of Prussia. You have heard our great misfortune about +dear Eos; she is going on well, but slowly, and still makes us +rather anxious. It made me quite ill the first day, and keeps +me fidgety still, till we know that she is quite safe. Ever your +devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">We were grieved to hear Papa had been so ill.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 11: Son of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and brother of the King of Portugal, afterwards +a candidate for the hand of Queen Isabella of Spain. See <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.487" style="font-weight: normal;">487</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 12: Prince Augustus, afterwards married to the Princess Clémentine, daughter of King +Louis Philippe. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE KING OF PRUSSIA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>4th February 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Victoria</span>,—Thousand thanks for your kind letter +of the 1st, which I received yesterday.</p> + +<p class="ind">The King of Prussia is a very delightful person;<sup>13</sup> he is so +clever and amiable, and, owing to his good-nature, not by any +means fatiguing. I fear you had cold weather yesterday for +the opening of Parliament. To-day we have here a tremendous +fog; Heaven grant that it may not be so heavy on the Thames! +else the King's journey will be rendered difficult.</p> + +<p class="ind">We expect him to-morrow about eleven o'clock; he wishes +to be at Antwerp at five, which would indicate his departure +from hence at three o'clock. There can be no doubt that +nothing could be better than to link this country as much as possible +to Germany. The public feeling was and is still favourable +to this, but in Germany some years ago they were childishly +ultra, and kicked us off most unnecessarily, which renders +everything of the sort now much less easy. In a political point +of view the King's journey will prove useful, as it takes him still +more out of the clutches of Russia and gives him more <i>correct</i> +views of what is going on in the West of Europe.</p> + +<p class="ind">I wish the King may also talk to his helter-skelter cousin in +Holland; if the man goes on in his wild intrigues, though he +will get most probably nothing by it <i>himself</i>, he may do a great +deal of harm, and may force us to incline more towards France +for fear of <i>his</i> intrigues with France.</p> + +<p class="ind">I was extremely sorry to hear the accident which befell dear +Eos, a great friend of mine. I do not understand how your +uncle managed it; he ought rather to have shot somebody else +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.380" id="pagei.380"></a>[page 380]</span> +of the family. Ernest has then been going on fast enough; all I +hear of the lady is very satisfactory.<sup>14</sup> I don't yet know when +he means to come here.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now I must conclude. In haste, ever, my dear Victoria, +your affectionate Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 13: Lord Aberdeen wrote to Madame de Lieven: "I passed a great deal of time with +the King of Prussia when he was in this country, and perfectly subscribe to the truth +of the description you gave me of him before his arrival—intelligent, high-minded, and +sincere. Like all Germans, he is sometimes a little in the clouds, but his projects are +generous, and he wishes to do what is right."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 14: He married the Princess Alexandrina of Baden on 3rd May 1842. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>8th February 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I thank you <i>de tout mon cœur</i> for your +kind letter of the 4th, which I received the day before yesterday. +You have now seen our good, kind, amiable King of +Prussia, for whom I have really the greatest affection and +respect. We were quite sorry to lose him, and he was much +affected at going. He is so open and natural, and seems really +so anxious to do good whenever he can. His liberality and +generosity here has been immense. He is very much displeased +with his "helter-skelter cousin,"<sup>15</sup> and quite unhappy at the +state of things in that country....</p> +<span class="rightnote">BETROTHAL OF PRINCE ERNEST</span> +<p class="ind">Ernest's marriage is a <i>great, great delight</i> to us; thank God! +I say, as I so ardently wished it, and Alexandrina is said to be +really <i>so</i> perfect. I have begged Ernest beforehand to pass his +honeymoon with us, and I beg you to urge him to do it; for he +witnessed our first happiness, and we must therefore witness +his.</p> + +<p class="ind">Leopold is a dear, sweet boy, really, so full of feeling, and so +very good-tempered and modest; the King was charmed with +him and he with the King. I am happy to say faithful Eos is +quite convalescent; she walks about wrapped up in flannel.</p> + +<p class="ind">We are off for Brighton the day after to-morrow; I can't +say I <i>like</i> it at all. We were, and the boy too, all three, vaccinated +from the same child yesterday! Now adieu! Ever your +devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Fanny Jocelyn is taking her first waiting, and makes a most +excellent and sedate <i>Dame d'Honneur</i>. I am sorry she is so +very thin still.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 15: The King of Holland. <i>See</i> King Leopold's letter of 4th February. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CHRISTENING OF PRINCE OF WALES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Marlborough House</span>, <i>5th February 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Niece</span>,—I thank you a thousand times for your +kind letter, just received, and am delighted with the hope of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.381" id="pagei.381"></a>[page 381]</span> +seeing you, if you have time to spare, when you come to town +next week. I hardly dare to expect it, but it will make me +very happy should you be able to fulfil your kind intention.</p> + +<p class="ind">I was happy to hear how well the holy ceremony went off on +Tuesday, and how splendid the whole was. The earnest attention +of the King of Prussia to the ceremony, and the manner +with which he read the responses, was universally remarked +and admired. May your dear child, our beloved Prince of +Wales, follow his pious example in future, and become as truly +estimable and amiable and good as his Godfather really is. +He is indeed most charming, and so very agreeable and affable +to every one, that he must be loved and respected by all who +have the good fortune to approach him. I hope he does not +over-fatigue himself, for he does a great deal in the short time +of his stay in England. He expresses himself delighted with +his reception.</p> + +<p class="ind">I regret to find that your dear little girl is still suffering so +much from her teeth. God bless and guard her and her +brother!—who by all descriptions must be a very fine babe. +The King of Prussia admires little Victoria <i>very much</i>; he +described her to me as the most lovely child he ever saw.</p> + +<p class="ind">I enclose the impression of my seal, according to your +wish....</p> + +<p class="ind">With my best love to dear Albert, I beg you to believe me +ever, dearest Victoria, your most attached and devoted Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide</span>.</p> + +<p class="ind">May I ask you to give my affectionate respects to the King +of Prussia, and my love to your Mamma?</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>14th February, Monday Night</i>.<br /> +(<i>Half-past</i> 1 <span class="sc">a.m.</span>)</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs +leave to acquaint your Majesty that Lord John Russell proposed +this evening in the House of Commons a resolution condemnatory +of the principle of the plan for the adjustment of the +Corn Laws, brought forward by your Majesty's servants.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord John Russell was followed in the debate by Mr Gladstone, +the Vice-President of the Board of Trade, who vindicated +the plan....</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel had a meeting yesterday of the friends of the +Government in the House of Commons, and he is convinced +that although many may have wished that the plan of the +Government had given an increased degree of protection to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.382" id="pagei.382"></a>[page 382]</span> +agriculture, the great body will support the measure, and that +we shall have no difficulty in resisting any detached efforts +that may be made to add to the duties on foreign corn.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PEEL AND PRINCE ALBERT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>15th February(?) 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Sir</span>,—When I had the honour of last seeing your Royal +Highness at Windsor Castle, I stated to your Royal Highness +that it would give me great satisfaction to have the opportunity +from time to time of apprising your Royal Highness of the +legislative measures in contemplation of Her Majesty's servants, +and of explaining in detail any matters in respect to +which your Royal Highness might wish for information.</p> + +<p class="ind">In conformity with this feeling on my part, I take the liberty +of sending to your Royal Highness two confidential Memoranda +prepared for the information of Her Majesty's servants on the +important subjects respectively of the state of Slavery in the +East Indies, and of the Poor Laws in this country.</p> + +<p class="ind">They may probably be interesting to your Royal Highness, +and if your Royal Highness should encourage me to do so, I +will, as occasion may arise, make similar communications to +your Royal Highness. I have the honour to be, Sir, with +sincere respect, your Royal Highness's most faithful and +humble servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Robert Peel</span>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>P</i>.<i>S</i>.—I do not think that the measure which I have brought +forward for the diminution of the duties on the import of +foreign corn, will deprive us of any portion of the support or +goodwill of our friends. Many wish that the reduction had +not been carried so far, but almost all are aware of the consequences +of rejecting or obstructing the measure.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AFGHANISTAN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">India Board</span>, <i>1st March 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Fitzgerald, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, +requests permission humbly to submit to your Majesty, that +the communications received yesterday at the India House +present a dark and alarming picture of the position and danger +of the British troops in Afghanistan.<sup>16</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Although the Governor-General's despatch announcing these +melancholy tidings also states that no strictly official intelligence +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.383" id="pagei.383"></a>[page 383]</span> +had reached him from Cabul, yet the opinion of Lord +Auckland evidently is, that the reports on which his despatch +is founded are but too likely to be true.</p> + +<p class="ind">From them it would appear that a numerous and excited +native population had succeeded in intercepting all supplies, +that the army at Cabul laboured under severe privations, and +that in consequence of the strict investment of the cantonments +by the enemy, there remained, according to a letter from the +late Sir William Macnaghten to an officer with Sir Robert Sale's +force, only three days' provision in the camp.</p> + +<p class="ind">Under such circumstances it can perhaps be but faintly hoped +that any degree of gallantry and devotion on the part of your +Majesty's forces can have extricated them from the difficulties +by which they were encompassed on every side.</p> + +<p class="ind">Capitulation had been spoken of, and it may, unhappily, +have become inevitable, as the relieving column, expected from +Candahar, had been compelled by the severity of an unusual +season to retrace its march.</p> + +<p class="ind">The despatches from Calcutta being voluminous, and embracing +minute unofficial reports, Lord Fitzgerald has extracted +and copied those parts which relate to the military operations +in Afghanistan, and most humbly submits them to your +Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">He at the same time solicits permission to annex a <i>précis</i> of +some of the most important of the private letters which have +been forwarded from India; and, as your Majesty was graciously +pleased to peruse with interest some passages from the +first journal of Lady Sale, Lord Fitzgerald ventures to add the +further extracts, transmitted by Lord Auckland, in which Lady +Sale describes successive actions with the enemy, and paints +the state of the sufferings of the army, as late as the 9th of +December.</p> + +<p class="ind">Nothing contained in any of these communications encourages +the hope of Sir Alexander Burnes's safety. In one letter +the death of an individual is mentioned, who is described as +the assassin of that lamented officer.</p> + +<p class="ind">All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty by +your Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Fitzgerald and Vesci.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 16: <i>See</i> Introductory Note, <i>ante</i>, pp. <a href="#pagei.254" style="font-weight: normal;">254</a>, <a href="#pagei.370" style="font-weight: normal;">370.</a> +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A MARINE EXCURSION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Pavilion</span>, <i>4th March 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen thanks Lord Melbourne for his kind letter, received +the day before yesterday, by which she is glad to see he +is well, and Fanny got safe to Dublin.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.384" id="pagei.384"></a>[page 384]</span> + +<p class="ind">Our excursion was most successful and gratifying. It rained +very much all Monday evening at Portsmouth, but, nevertheless, +we visited the <i>St Vincent</i> and the <i>Royal George</i> yacht, and +the Prince went all over the Dockyards.</p> + +<p class="ind">It stormed and rained all night, and rained when we set off +on bord the <i>Black Eagle</i> (the <i>Firebrand</i> that was) for Spithead +on Tuesday morning; it, however, got quite fine when we got +there, and we went on board the <i>Queen</i>, and a glorious sight it +was; she is a magnificent ship, so wide and roomy, and though +only just commissioned, in the best order. With marines, etc., +her crew is near upon a thousand men! We saw the men at +dinner, and tasted the grog and soup, which pleased them very +much. Old Sir Edward Owen is very proud of her.</p> + +<p class="ind">It was a great pleasure for the Queen to be at sea again, and +not a creature <i>thought</i> even of being sick. The saluting of all +those great ships in the harbour at once, as we came out and +returned, has a splendid effect.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen was also much pleased at seeing four of the crew +of the <i>Emerald</i> again whom she knew so well <i>nine years</i> ago! +The Prince was delighted with all he saw, as were also our +Uncle and Cousins; these last, we are sorry to say, leave us on +Monday,—and we go up to Town on Tuesday, where the Queen +hopes to see Lord Melbourne soon.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen sends Lord Melbourne a letter from the Queen of +Portugal, all which tends to show how <i>wrong</i> it is to <i>think</i> that +they connive at the restoration of the Charter....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lady Dunmore is in waiting, and makes an excellent Lady-in-Waiting. +Lord Hardwicke the Queen likes very much, he +seems so straightforward. He took the greatest care of the +Queen when on board ship.</p> + +<p class="ind">Was not his father drowned at Spithead or Portsmouth?<sup>17</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes to hear that Lord Melbourne is very well.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 17: "His father, Sir Joseph Yorke," Lord Melbourne replied, "was drowned in the +Southampton River, off Netley Abbey, when sailing for pleasure. The boat was supposed +to have been struck by lightning. His cousin, Lord Royston, was drowned in the year +1807 in the Baltic, at Cronstadt" [according to Burke in 1808, off Lubeck, <i>æt</i>. twenty-three], +"which event, together with the death of two younger sons of Lord Hardwicke, +gave the earldom ultimately to the present Lord." +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Pavilion</span>, <i>7th March 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Uncle</span>,—As I wrote you so long a letter yesterday, +I shall only write you a few lines to-day, to thank you for your +kind letter of the 4th, received yesterday. Our dear Uncle and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.385" id="pagei.385"></a>[page 385]</span> +dear Cousins have just left us, and we are very sorry to see +them go; for the longer one is together the more intimate +one gets, and they were quite become as belonging to us, and +were so quiet and unassuming, that we shall miss them much, +particularly dear Leopold, whom poor Uncle Ferdinand recommended +to my especial care, and therefore am really very +anxious that we should settle something for his <i>future</i>. Uncle +Ferdinand likes the idea of his passing some time at Brussels, +and some time here, very much, and I hope we may be able to +settle that. Uncle and Cousins were sorry to go.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will have heard how well our Portsmouth expedition +went off; the sea was quite smooth on Tuesday, and we had a +delightful visit to the <i>Queen</i>, which is a splendid ship. I think +it is in these immense wooden walls that our real greatness +exists, and I am proud to think that no <i>other</i> nation <i>can</i> equal +us in <i>this</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">Now <i>addio!</i> Ever your most affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE FALL OF CABUL</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>10th March 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Fitzgerald, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, +begs leave most humbly and with deep sorrow to lay before +your Majesty reports which he has only within this hour +received.</p> + +<p class="ind">They are to be found in a despatch from the Governor and +Council of Bombay, and unhappily confirm, to an appalling +degree, the disastrous intelligence from Afghanistan. The +commercial expresses, which reached London yesterday, gave +to the public some of the details of the fall of Cabul; and +Lord Fitzgerald laments that it is his painful duty most +humbly to inform your Majesty that the despatches just +arrived confirm to their full extent the particulars of Sir +William Macnaghten's fate, and of the fate of that remnant +of gallant men who, on the faith of a capitulation, had +evacuated that cantonment which they had defended with +unavailing courage.</p> + +<p class="ind">In addition to the despatch from the Council of Bombay, +Lord Fitzgerald humbly ventures to submit to your Majesty +a letter addressed to him by Mr Anderson, the Acting-Governor +of that Presidency, with further details of these melancholy +events.</p> + +<p class="ind">The despatches from the Governor-General of India come +down to the date of the 22nd of January (three days previous +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.386" id="pagei.386"></a>[page 386]</span> +to the tragical death of Sir William Macnaghten). Lord +Auckland was then uninformed of the actual state of the force +in Cabul, though not unprepared for severe reverses.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE GARTER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>20th March 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and will take an opportunity to-morrow of ascertaining your +Majesty's pleasure with respect to the remaining Garter which +still remains undisposed of, as your Majesty may probably +think it advisable that the Investiture of all the Knights +selected for the vacant Garters should take place at the same +time.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel humbly represents to your Majesty that +those Peers who may severally be considered from their rank +and station candidates for this high distinction, have behaved +very well in respect to it, as since Sir Robert Peel has had the +honour of serving your Majesty he has never received, excepting +in the cases of the Duke of Buckingham and recently of +Lord Cardigan, a direct application on the subject of the +Garter.</p> + +<p class="ind">Of those who from their position and rank in the Peerage, and +from the Garter having been heretofore conferred on their +ancestors or relations, may be regarded as competitors, the +principal appear to Sir Robert Peel to be the following:—</p> + +<ul class="none1"> + <li>The Duke of Cleveland</li> + <li>The Duke of Montrose</li> + <li>The Marquis of Hertford</li> + <li>The Marquis of Bute</li> + <li>The Marquis of Abercorn</li> + <li>The Marquis Camden</li> + <li>The Marquis of Londonderry.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel names all, without meaning to imply that +the pretensions of all are very valid ones. He would humbly +represent for your Majesty's consideration, whether on account +of rank, fortune and general character and station in the +country, the claims of the Duke of Cleveland do not upon the +whole predominate.<sup>18</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">His Grace is very much mortified and disappointed at Sir +Robert Peel's having humbly advised your Majesty to apply +the general rule against the son's succeeding the father immediately +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.387" id="pagei.387"></a>[page 387]</span> +in the Lieutenancy of a county to his case in reference +to his county of Durham.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel thinks it better to write to your Majesty +upon this subject, as your Majesty may wish to have an +opportunity of considering it.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 18: The Garter was conferred on the Duke of Cleveland. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE EARL OF MUNSTER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>21st March 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +A letter from Charles Fox to Lady Holland, and which she has +sent to me, informs me of the shocking end of Munster,<sup>19</sup> which +your Majesty will have heard long before you receive this. +Charles Fox attributes it entirely to the vexatious and uneasy +life which he led with Lady Munster, but he was always, as your +Majesty knows, an unhappy and discontented man, and there +is something in that unfortunate condition of illegitimacy +which seems to distort the mind and feelings and render them +incapable of justice or contentment.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is not impossible that upon this event application may be +made to your Majesty for the continuance of the pension upon +the Privy Purse to his son. As Lord Melbourne advised your +Majesty to continue these pensions upon the late King's death, +perhaps it may not be improper that he should now say that +it is his strong opinion that they should not be continued +further. There is no reason for it. They are not very rich, +but neither are they poor, and they have very opulent connections +and relations. It appears to me that the first opportunity +should be taken to show that it is not your Majesty's +intention to charge the Crown with the maintenance and +support of all these families, which will otherwise be the case. +Lord Melbourne thinks it not improper to mention this matter +thus early, as otherwise the [compassionate] feelings naturally +raised by such an event might lead to a different determination.</p> +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN AND THE INCOME TAX</span> +<p class="ind">There is another matter mentioned in your Majesty's letter, +relating to money, which is of considerable importance, and +that is the determination taken by your Majesty to subject +your own provision to the proposed duty on income. When it +was put to your Majesty Lord Melbourne is disposed to think +that your Majesty's determination<sup>20</sup> was right, and it certainly +will be very popular, which in the present circumstances of +the country and state of public feelings is a great advantage.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.388" id="pagei.388"></a>[page 388]</span> + +<p class="ind">At the same time it is giving up a principle of the Constitution, +which has hitherto exempted the Sovereign from all direct +taxation, and there are very great doubts entertained whether +the announcement to Parliament of the intention was not in +a constitutional point of view objectionable, inasmuch as it +pronounced the opinion of the Crown upon a tax which was +still under discussion. It is also a great pecuniary sacrifice, +and, as your Majesty says, together with the loss of the Duchy +of Cornwall and other revenues, will make a great change in +your Majesty's pecuniary circumstances. These defalcations +can only be repaired by care and economy. Your Majesty has +all the most right feelings and the best judgment about money, +and Lord Melbourne has no doubt that your Majesty will so +act as to avoid pecuniary embarrassment—the only difficulty +which Lord Melbourne fears for your Majesty, and the only +contingency which could involve your Majesty in serious +personal inconvenience.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for the kindness +of your letter....</p> + +<p class="ind">Everybody says that the marriage between Miss Stuart and +Lord Waterford<sup>21</sup> is likely to take place. It is said that he +would do almost anything rather than go to St. Petersburg. +Lord Melbourne has not seen Lord Waterford, but he is said +to be very good-looking; we know him to be rich and of high +rank, and, after all, that sort of character is not disliked by +all ladies. Perhaps also she counts upon the effect of her +influence to soften, to tranquillise, and to restrain.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne hears a very bad account of Lord Anglesey's +affairs. His case is a hard one, for these pecuniary difficulties +are owing to the extravagance of others, and by no means to +his own. Lord Melbourne saw Uxbridge and Ellen at Lady +Palmerston's on Saturday evening. The latter seemed in +good spirits, and said that she did not mean to shut herself up +too closely in Hertfordshire.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thought that your Majesty would be pleased +with Lambeth. The view from the great window in the +drawing-room over the river, and to the Houses of Parliament +and the Abbey, is very fine indeed, but like all London views can +rarely be seen in consequence of the foggy atmosphere....</p> + +<p class="ind">No doubt your Majesty and His Royal Highness must be +anxious for a little quiet and repose, which Lord Melbourne +hopes that your Majesty will enjoy. Lord Melbourne had +feared that your Majesty's health was not quite so good +as it appeared.... Lord Melbourne concludes this very long +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.389" id="pagei.389"></a>[page 389]</span> +letter with the most fervent expression of his most sincere +wishes for your Majesty's health and happiness.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne in speaking of poor Lord Munster forgot +to mention that at the Levée on Wednesday last he followed +Lord Melbourne down the long gallery as he was going away, +came up to him with great emotion of manner, pressed his hand +warmly, and said that he wished to take the earliest opportunity +of thanking Lord Melbourne for all the kindness he had +shown him whilst he had been in office.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 19: The Earl of Munster, son of William IV. and Mrs. Jordan, shot himself, 20th March. +His wife was a daughter of the Earl of Egremont.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 20: The Queen had decided that she would herself pay Income Tax.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 21: Henry, third Marquis, and Louisa, second daughter of Lord Stuart de Rothesay, +were married on 8th June. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">STRAWBERRY HILL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Panshanger</span>, <i>31st March 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He is much rejoiced to learn that your Majesty has had fine +weather and has enjoyed it. It rained here hard yesterday in +the morning, but cleared up about half-past twelve and was +very fine indeed. Lord Melbourne went over to Brocket Hall +and enjoyed it much. He does not intend to return to London +until Monday next, when the House of Lords reassembles. It is +to be hoped that we shall then soon have the Corn Bill up from +the Commons and pass it. The Income Tax will give some +trouble, but that done, and the Poor Law Bill, the end of the +Session may begin to be looked forward to.</p> + +<p class="ind">The sale of Strawberry Hill<sup>22</sup> naturally excites interest, and +things are not unlikely to be sold high. The collection has +after all been kept together, and the place has remained in the +family of his niece,<sup>23</sup> the Duchess of Gloucester, to whom he +bequeathed it, longer than he himself expected. He says in +one of his letters that he would send a statue down to Linton, +Sir Horace Mann's place in Kent, because there it had a better +chance of remaining permanently, "for as to this poor bauble +of a place," he adds, "it will be knocked to pieces in a very few +years after my decease." It has stood, however, and remained +five-and-forty years, a longer period than he had anticipated. +Some of the works, such as the bell by Benvenuto Cellini, and +the antique Eagle, are very fine; others are only curious. +Lord Melbourne would not give much money for a mere +curiosity, unless there were also some intrinsic merits or beauty.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.390" id="pagei.390"></a>[page 390]</span> + +<p class="ind">What is the value of Cardinal Wolsey's cap, for instance? It +was not different from that of any other Cardinal, and a +Cardinal's cap is no great wonder.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne returns Lord Munster's letter. It is without +date, but was evidently written in contemplation of the +dreadful act which he afterwards perpetrated. It is very +melancholy. Lord Melbourne was certain that your Majesty +would send to Lord Adolphus<sup>24</sup> the assurance which you have +done, and that you would be anxious to assist his children, and +promote their interests by every means in your power. But +both their brothers and they must be made sensible that they +must make some effort for themselves.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to learn that your Majesty +intends to offer the Round Tower<sup>25</sup> to the Duke of Sussex. It is +in every respect kind. It will be of essential service to him, and +it will gratify him most exceedingly.</p> +<span class="rightnote">THE ROYAL GOVERNESS</span> +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks that your Majesty's decision respecting +the Governess<sup>26</sup> is right. It should be a lady of rank; but +that she should be a woman of sense and discretion, and +capable of fulfilling the duties of the office, is of more importance +than whether she is a Duchess, a Marchioness, or a +Countess. The selection is difficult, but if your Majesty can find +a person, it would not be well to consider either high or low +rank as a disqualification.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne intends to take advantage of his freedom +from the restraints of office in order to see a little of the bloom +of spring and summer, which he has missed for so many years. +He has got one or two horses, which he likes well enough, and +has begun to ride again a little. Lord Melbourne wishes your +Majesty much of the same enjoyment, together with all health, +happiness, and prosperity.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 22: Near Twickenham, formerly the residence of Horace Walpole, and filled with his +collection of pictures and <i>objets de vertu</i>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 23: The Duke of Gloucester, brother of George III., married in 1766 Maria, Countess-Dowager +Waldegrave, illegitimate daughter of Sir Edward Walpole, and niece of Horace +Walpole. This, and the Duke of Cumberland's marriage in 1771 to Lady Anne Horton, +occasioned the passing of the Royal Marriages Act.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 24: Lord Adolphus FitzClarence (1802-1856), a Rear-Admiral, brother of the Earl of +Munster.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 25: The Earl of Munster had held the office of Governor and Constable of Windsor Castle, +with a salary of £1,000 a year.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 26: To the Royal children. Lady Lyttelton was ultimately appointed. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PARTY POLITICS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>6th April 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has this morning received your Majesty's very kind and +confidential letter, for which he greatly thanks your Majesty. +Your Majesty may depend upon it that Lord Melbourne will +do everything in his power to discourage and restrain factious +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.391" id="pagei.391"></a>[page 391]</span> +and vexatious opposition, not only on account of your Majesty's +wish, but because he disapproves it as much as your Majesty +can possibly do. But everything in his power he fears is but +little. The leaders of a party, or those who are so called, +have but little sway over their followers, particularly when +not in Government, and when they have it not in their power +to threaten them with any very serious consequences, such as +the dissolution of the Administration. Mr Pulteney, afterwards +Earl of Bath, is reported to have said that political +parties were like snakes, guided not by their heads, but by +their tails. Lord Melbourne does not know whether this is +true of the snake, but it is certainly so of the party. The +conduct of the Opposition upon the resolution respecting the +Income Tax is rendered peculiarly ridiculous by the result. +They forcibly put it off until after the holidays, and then upon +the first day of the meeting they vote it without a division. +What is this but admitting that they looked to a movement +in the country which they have not been able to create? +Moreover, all Oppositions that Lord Melbourne has ever seen +are more or less factious. The Opposition of Mr Fox to Mr +Pitt was the least so, but these were great men, greater than +any that exist at the present day, although Lord Melbourne +is by no means inclined to depreciate his own times. The +factiousness of one Opposition naturally produces the same +in the next. They say, "They did so to us; why should we +not do so to them?" Your Majesty may rest assured that +Lord Melbourne will do everything he can to prevent delay, and +to accelerate the transaction of the public business.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne sends a letter which he has received this +morning from the Duke of Sussex, and which expresses very +right and proper feeling. Lord Melbourne has written in +reply that, "Your Majesty was no doubt influenced principally +by your natural affection for him, and by your sense of the +generosity of his conduct towards Lord Munster, but that if +any thought of Lord Melbourne intervened, your Majesty could +not have given a higher or a more acceptable proof of your +approbation and regard."</p> +<span class="rightnote">THE GARTER</span> +<p class="ind">The Garters<sup>27</sup> seem to Lord Melbourne to be given well +enough. Your Majesty's feelings upon the subject are most +kind and amiable. But these things cannot be helped, and it +is upon the whole advantageous that each party should have +their portion of patronage and honours. If there is very +distinguished service, the Garter should be bestowed upon it. +Otherwise, in Lord Melbourne's opinion, it is better given to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.392" id="pagei.392"></a>[page 392]</span> +noblemen of high rank and great property. The chapter in +Ecclesiasticus, read in St George's Chapel on Obiit Sunday, +well describes those who ought to have it, with the exception of +those "who find out musical tunes." Lord Melbourne does +not think it well given to Ministers. It is always then subject +to the imputation of their giving it to themselves, and pronouncing +an approbation of their own conduct.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne hopes that the Pope's standing sponsor for +the young Prince of Portugal is a sign of complete reconciliation +with the See of Rome. It is a very awkward thing for a +Roman Catholic Government to be at variance with the Pope. +He is still a very ugly customer.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very much concerned to hear of the +Baron's<sup>28</sup> illness—very much indeed; he is an excellent and +most valuable man, with one of the soundest and coolest +judgments that Lord Melbourne has ever met with. Your +Majesty knows that Lord Melbourne has never had a favourable +opinion of his health. There seems to be about him a +settled weakness of the stomach, which is in fact the seat of +health, strength, thought and life. Lord Melbourne sees that +a great physician says that Napoleon lost the battle of Leipsic +in consequence of some very greasy soup which he ate the day +before, and which clouded his judgment and obscured his +perceptions.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty has +amused yourself so well in the country, and is not surprised +that you are unwilling to quit it. He means himself to see a +little of the coming in of the spring, which he has not done for +many years.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 27: The recipients had been the King of Saxony, the Duke of Beaufort, the Duke of +Buckingham, the Marquess of Salisbury, the Duke of Cleveland.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 28: Baron Stockmar.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A BRILLIANT BALL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>19th April 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dearest Uncle</span>,—I am so sorry to see by your kind letter +of the 15th that you are all so <i>enrhumés</i>, but hear to-day from +Vecto that Charlotte is quite well again. I am quite bewildered +with all the arrangements for our <i>bal costumé</i>, which I wish you +could see; we are to be Edward III. and Queen Philippa, and +a great number of our Court to be dressed like the people in +those times, and very correctly, so as to make a grand <i>Aufzug</i>; +but there is such asking, and so many silks and drawings and +crowns, and God knows what, to look at, that I, who hate +being troubled about dress, am quite <i>confuse</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">To get a little rest we mean to run down to Claremont with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.393" id="pagei.393"></a>[page 393]</span> +the children from Friday to Monday. My last ball was very +splendid, and I have a concert on Monday next....</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope Ernest and dear Alexandrine will come in June, and +stay some time <i>quietly</i> with us in the country. I saw another +beautiful letter of hers, so well and sensibly and religiously +written, it would have pleased you. Now adieu! Ever your +devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>20th April 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thanks your Majesty much for your letter of the 17th inst. +Lord Melbourne has been so much occupied with the debates +in the House of Lords during the last two days, that he has +ventured to put off replying to your Majesty's letters, which he +trusts that your Majesty will excuse.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne did not leave the ball until ten minutes +after one, and as there were so many persons there, which Lord +Melbourne thinks quite right and was very glad to see, Lord +Melbourne had little hope of seeing your Majesty again, and +therefore ventured to take advantage of having ordered his +carriage at half-past twelve and of its having come at the time +that it was ordered. It was a very brilliant and very beautiful +and a very gay ball.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very sorry to be obliged to express his +fear that your Majesty will prove more in the right than he was +about the duration of Parliament. There will be much debate +in the Committee upon the details of the Income Tax, and the +discussions upon the Tariff of duties, which affects so many +interests, are likely to be very long indeed. There is one good +thing in the House of Lords, and that is that it never much +delays or obstructs public business....</p> + +<p class="ind">As Lord Melbourne drove down the Park on Saturday evening +last to dine with his sister, he could see clearly into your +Majesty's room, so as to be able to distinguish the pictures, +tables, etc., the candles being lighted and the curtains not +drawn. Your Majesty was just setting off for the Opera.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCE ALBERT AND THE ARMY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>20th April 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen encloses the Prince's letter to Sir Robert Peel, +containing his acceptance of the Guards. At the same time, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.394" id="pagei.394"></a>[page 394]</span> +both the Prince and Queen feel much regret at the Prince's +leaving the 11th, which is, if possible, enhanced by seeing the +Regiment out to-day, which is in beautiful order. It was, +besides, the Regiment which escorted the Prince from Dover +to Canterbury on his arrival in England in February '40. +The Queen fears, indeed knows, that Lord Cardigan will +be deeply mortified at the Prince's leaving the Regiment, and +that it will have the effect of appearing like another slight +to him; therefore, the Queen much wishes that at some +fit opportunity<sup>29</sup> a mark of favour should be bestowed upon +him....</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes Sir Robert will think of this.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 29: Lord Cardigan was promoted Major-General in 1847. He became Inspector-General +of Cavalry, and received the K.C.B. in 1855. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>26th April 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and acknowledges with many thanks your Majesty's letter of +the 24th inst., which he received yesterday morning. Lord +Melbourne learns with the greatest satisfaction that Lady +Lyttelton has undertaken the important and interesting charge, +for which she is so well fitted. Lord Melbourne is most sincerely +of opinion that no other person so well qualified could have +been selected. Lord Melbourne will keep the matter strictly +secret; he has not yet mentioned it to any one, nor has he heard +it mentioned by any other person, which, as it must be known +to some, rather surprises him. Unreserved approbation cannot +be expected for anything, but when it is known, Lord Melbourne +anticipates that it will meet with as general an assent as could +be anticipated for a choice in which all the community will +take, and indeed have, so deep an interest.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">GOETHE AND SCHILLER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>15th May 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He is very sorry indeed, and entreats your Majesty's pardon +for his great omission on Monday evening. He was never told +that he was to pass before your Majesty at the beginning; at +the same time he admits that it was a blundering piece of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.395" id="pagei.395"></a>[page 395]</span> +stupidity not to find this out of himself. After this he never +saw the glimmer of a chance of being able to get near to your +Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne wonders much who could have whispered +to your Majesty that he felt or expressed anything but the most +unqualified admiration of the ball, which was the most magnificent +and beautiful spectacle that he ever beheld. Lord Melbourne +also believes it to be very popular, for the reasons which +your Majesty mentions.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty having generally chosen handsome and attractive +girls for the Maids of Honour, which is very right, must +expect to lose them in this way. Lord Melbourne is very glad +of the marriage. Lord Emlyn<sup>30</sup> always seemed to him a very +pleasing young man, and well calculated to make a woman +happy.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne felt quite sure that there had been a mistake +about Ben Stanley, which was the reason that he mentioned his +name. He is sorry that he has made a fool of himself by writing. +Having had so much to do with invitations during the +two last years, he was not altogether unnaturally mortified to +find himself not invited there.<sup>31</sup> Stanley is not a man to whom +Lord Melbourne is very partial, but we must give every one his +due. Lord Melbourne always discourages to the utmost of his +power the notion of any one's having a right or claim to be +asked, which notion, however, has a strong possession of the +minds of people in general.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is come down here again, being determined +to see this spring thoroughly and completely. His feelings +are like those, so beautifully described by Schiller, of Max +Piccolomini,<sup>32</sup> when, after a youth passed entirely in war, he for +the first time sees a country which has enjoyed the blessings +of peace. The Germans seem to Lord Melbourne generally +to prefer Goethe to Schiller, a decision which surprises +him, although he feels that he has no right to dictate to +a people, of whose language he does not understand a word, +their judgment upon their own authors. But the one, +Schiller, seems to him to be all truth, clearness, nature and +beauty; the other, principally mysticism, obscurity, and +unintelligibility.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne intends to return on Wednesday, and will +have the honour and pleasure of waiting upon your Majesty on +Thursday.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 30: The second Earl Cawdor, who married Miss Sarah Mary Cavendish.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 31: Edward John, afterwards second Lord Stanley of Alderley, was nicknamed Ben, +after "Sir Benjamin Backbite." He had mentioned to Lord Melbourne that he was +disappointed at not receiving an invitation to the Royal Ball.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 32: In the Wallenstein Trilogy. +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.396" id="pagei.396"></a>[page 396]</span> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>20th May 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I found here yesterday a very long +and dear letter from your august hand, which made me very +happy. Your <i>fête</i> I believe to have been most probably one of +the most splendid <i>ever</i> given. There is hardly a country where +so much magnificence exists; Austria has some of the means, +but the Court is not elegant from its nature. We regret sincerely +not to have been able to witness it, and will admire the +exhibition of your splendid costume.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MR EDWIN LANDSEER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>27th May 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Sir Robert Peel humbly submits his opinion to your +Majesty that Mr Landseer's eminence as an artist would fully +justify his having the honour of Knighthood, and would not +give any legitimate ground of complaint to any other artist on +account of a similar distinction not being conferred on him.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel proposes therefore to write to Mr Landseer +on the subject, as your Majesty's opinion appears to be in +favour of his name appearing with the others, should he wish +for the distinction....</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>28th May 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is quite vexed at having been quite unable to +write to Lord Melbourne sooner, but we have been so occupied +that she could not. She was so vexed too to have not had her +head turned the other way when she met him yesterday, but +she was looking at the Prince, her Uncle, and Cousins riding, +and only turned to see Lord Melbourne's groom whom she +instantly recognised, but too late, alas! The Queen spent a +very merry, happy birthday at dear old Claremont, and we +finished by dancing in the gallery. She was grieved Lord +Melbourne could not be there.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have got our dear Uncle Mensdorff<sup>33</sup> and his four sons +here, which is a great happiness to us. Dear Uncle (who Lord +Melbourne is aware is a <i>most</i> distinguished officer) is a delightful +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.397" id="pagei.397"></a>[page 397]</span> +and amiable old man, and the sons are all so nice and amiable +and kind and good; Lord Melbourne remembers seeing Alexander +here in 1839, and that the Queen was very partial to him. +The two eldest and the youngest—Hugo, Alphonse, and Arthur—are +all amiable, though none near so good-looking, but so very +well brought up and so unassuming. The second is very clever. +And it is quite beautiful to see the love the father has for his +sons, and <i>vice versâ</i>—and the affection the four brothers have +for one another; this is so rarely seen that it does one's heart +good to witness it. The Queen has appointed the Duchess of +Norfolk in Lady Lyttelton's place, and intends appointing +Lady Canning in Lady Dalhousie's, who has resigned from +ill-health.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lady Lyttelton <i>is</i> established here in her new office, and does +everything admirably.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen must conclude here as she has got so much to do—hoping +Lord Melbourne is well.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 33: <i>See</i> p. <a href="#pagei.97" style="font-weight: normal;">97.</a> +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LANDSEER DECLINES KNIGHTHOOD</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>31st May 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs +leave to acquaint your Majesty, that he has just seen Mr Landseer.</p> + +<p class="ind">Mr Landseer repeated his expressions of deep and sincere +gratitude for the favour and kindness with which your Majesty +had contemplated his claims for professional distinction, but +appeared to retain the impression that he had yet scarcely done +enough to entitle him to the honour which it was contemplated +to bestow upon him.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the course of conversation he observed that he was now +occupied upon works of a more important character than any +that he had yet completed, and mentioned particularly an +equestrian portrait of your Majesty. He said that when these +works were finished, and should they prove successful and meet +with your Majesty's approbation, he might feel himself better +entitled to receive a mark of your Majesty's favour.</p> + +<p class="ind">As these were evidently his sincere impressions and wishes, +Sir Robert Peel forbore from pressing upon him the immediate +acceptance of the honour of Knighthood.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ATTEMPT ON THE QUEEN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>31st May 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle.</span>—I wish to be the first to inform you +of what happened yesterday evening, and to tell you that we +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.398" id="pagei.398"></a>[page 398]</span> +are <i>saines et sauves</i>. On returning from the chapel on Sunday, +Albert was observing how civil the people were, and then +suddenly turned to me and said it appeared to him as though +a man had held out a pistol to the carriage, and that it had +hung fire; accordingly, when we came home he mentioned it +to Colonel Arbuthnot, who was only to tell it to Sir J. Graham +and Sir Robert Peel, and have the police instructed, and <i>nobody +else</i>. No one, however, who was with us, such as footmen, etc., +had seen anything at all. Albert began to doubt what he +believed he had seen. Well, yesterday morning (Monday) a +lad came to Murray<sup>34</sup> (who of course knew nothing) and said +that he saw a man in the crowd as we came home from church, +present a pistol to the carriage, which, however, did not go off, +and heard the man say, "Fool that I was not to fire!" The +man then vanished, and this boy followed another man (an old +man) up St James's Street who repeated twice, "How very +extraordinary!" but instead of saying anything to the police, +asked the boy for his direction and disappeared. The boy +accordingly was sent to Sir Robert Peel, and (doubtful as it all +still was) every precaution was taken, still keeping the thing +completely secret, not a soul in the house knowing a word, and +accordingly after some consultation, as <i>nothing</i> could be done, +we drove out—many police then in plain clothes being distributed +in and about the parks, and the two Equerries riding so +close on each side that they must have been hit, if anybody had; +still the feeling of looking out for such a man was not <i>des plus +agréables</i>; however, we drove through the parks, up to Hampstead, +and back again. All was so quiet that we almost thought +of nothing,—when, as we drove down Constitution Hill, very +fast, we heard the report of a pistol, but not at all loud, so that +had we not been on the alert we should hardly have taken notice +of it. We saw the man seized by a policeman <i>next to whom +he was standing when he</i> fired, but we did not stop. Colonel +Arbuthnot and two others saw him take aim, but we only <i>heard</i> +the report (looking both the other way). We felt both very +glad that our drive had had the effect of having the man seized. +Whether it was loaded or not we cannot yet tell, but we are +again full of gratitude to Providence for invariably <i>protecting</i> +us! The feeling of horror is very great in the public, and great +affection is shown us. The man was yesterday examined<span class="rightnote">JOHN FRANCIS</span> +at the Home Office, is called John Francis, is a cabinet-maker, +and son of a machine-maker of Covent Garden Theatre, is +good-looking (they say). I have never seen him at all close, +but Arbuthnot gave the description of him from what he saw +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.399" id="pagei.399"></a>[page 399]</span> +on Sunday, which exactly answered. Only twenty or twenty-one +years old, and <i>not</i> the <i>least</i> mad—but very cunning. The +boy identified him this morning, amongst many others. Everything +is to be kept secret <i>this</i> time, which is very right, and +altogether I think it is being well done. Every further particular +you shall hear. I was really not at all frightened, and +feel <i>very</i> proud at dear Uncle Mensdorff calling me "<i>sehr +muthig</i>," which I shall ever remember with peculiar pride, +coming from so distinguished an officer as he is! Thank God, +my Angel is also well! but he says that had the man fired on +Sunday, he must have been hit in the head! God is merciful; +that indeed we must feel daily more! Uncle and cousins were +quite horrified.... Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">You will tell Louise <i>all</i>, of course.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 34: The Hon. Charles Augustus Murray, Master of the Household, afterwards Consul-General +of Egypt, and Minister in Persia and at Dresden. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Bushey House</span> (<i>Monday night</i>), <i>May 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Niece</span>,—I must write a line to express to you what +I felt when I took up the newspapers which informed me of +what had happened yesterday. Is it possible?—can it be +true? was my first question. However, the detailed accounts +leave no doubt that a pistol was pointed at you again, though +not fired. It is really shocking that such wretches exist who +dare tempt (<i>sic</i>) to alarm you—though in this instance there +was nothing alarming except the evil spirit which inspired the +boy.</p> + +<p class="ind">How grateful must we not feel to our merciful God, who +protects you so visibly, and gives you courage and confidence +in Him, who is and ever will be your safest guard and support. +Trust in Him and you will not fail to be well guided.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope it is true that you were not aware of what had happened +when you went to church, not to be disturbed in your +devotions, and that the account did not agitate you.</p> + +<p class="ind">Edward<sup>35</sup> came yesterday from town, but he knew nothing +but that a pistol had been taken from a man in the Park. We +hardly believed the story till the papers informed us of the +truth. Pray say to dear Albert what I feel <i>for</i> and <i>with you +both</i>, and how I thank God and pray that His merciful protection +may never fail you.</p> + +<p class="ind">We are going to Frogmore to-morrow, and from there shall +drive in the Park and to St George's Chapel. I hope the +weather will be as fine as it was to-day. God bless and guard +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.400" id="pagei.400"></a>[page 400]</span> +you ever and ever! dearest Victoria, prays your most devotedly +attached Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide</span>.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 35: Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>1st June 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He was much shocked at learning, which he did not do until +six o'clock yesterday evening, the event which took place on +Monday. After what took place on Sunday, it must have +been a trial to your Majesty's nerves, and still more to those +of the Prince, to go out on Monday; but it appears to Lord +Melbourne that your Majesty judged quite correctly in doing +so. Lord Melbourne hardly knows what to say of this repeated +attempt. It is a depravity and a malice as unintelligible as it +is atrocious. Lord Melbourne is at least as grateful as any one +of your Majesty's subjects, and the gratitude is universal and +fervent for your Majesty's safety.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne had ridden over in the morning to visit +Lord and Lady Uxbridge in their rural retirement, and upon +his return to Brocket Hall, about six o'clock, found the morning +newspaper with the accounts of what had happened. If they +had sent him down a messenger on Monday night, which it +would have been better to have done, he would have been +yesterday in his place in the House of Lords.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne found Uxbridge enveloped in parcels and +boxes, which he was busy unpacking, Lady Uxbridge reclining +by the stream under the shade of a plane-tree, and the two +young ladies somewhat pensive. The place looked beautiful, +but Lord Melbourne fears that all its beauty will not be a +compensation to them for London at this time of the year.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ADDRESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>1st June 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham, with humble duty to your Majesty, +submits a copy of the Answer to the Address; and an alteration +has been made in the Answer which Sir James Graham +hopes may render it conformable to the tender and generous +feelings which your Majesty has deigned to express with +reference to the Prince.</p> + +<p class="ind">The two Houses of Parliament followed the exact precedent +which has been established in Oxford's case; and although +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.401" id="pagei.401"></a>[page 401]</span> +the life of the Prince, so dear to your Majesty, is highly valued +by all your loving subjects, yet the crime of treason attaches +only to an attack on the sacred person of your Majesty; and +the expressions used by Parliament with reference to these +atrocious crimes, when directed against the Sovereign, are +necessarily inapplicable to any other person, and could not +be used with propriety. Hence the omission in the former +case of all allusion to the Prince; and the silence of Parliament +on the present occasion is to be ascribed to the same cause—not +to any cold indifference, which the general feeling of attachment +to the Prince entirely forbids.</p> + +<p class="ind">The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful +Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">J. R. G. Graham</span>.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>6th June 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I was sure of the kind interest you +would take in the event of the 29th and 30th. I am most +thankful for your very kind, long letter of the 3rd, which I +received the day before yesterday. I have so little time—as +we are just setting off for Ascot—that I can hardly write +anything to you. There seems no doubt whatever that Francis +is totally without accomplices, and a <i>mauvais sujet</i>. We shall +be able probably to tell you more when we see you. I am +grieved that you have deferred your visit again. We are +then to expect your arrival either on the Tuesday or Wednesday? +Very thankful we should be soon to hear whom you +bring with you.</p> + +<p class="ind">Dear Uncle and the Cousins are delighted with Windsor, +and the weather is beautiful, only unfortunately <i>too</i> hot to be +pleasant. I rode on my little Barb at a review of Cavalry at +Wormwood Scrubbs on Saturday, <i>dont je suis bien fière</i>. Now +adieu! dearest Uncle. In haste, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">India Board</span>, <i>7th June 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Fitzgerald, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, +humbly acquaints your Majesty that despatches have been +this day received from the Governor-General and the several +Presidencies of India.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.402" id="pagei.402"></a>[page 402]</span> +<span class="rightnote">SALE AND POLLOCK</span> +<p class="ind">They announce a signal victory, achieved by Sir Robert +Sale and his admirable garrison.<sup>36</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The circumstances attending his glorious success, and the +consequences likely to result from it, are amongst the most +important of this hurtful war.</p> + +<p class="ind">They are described in Sir Robert Sale's Report, as published +in the <i>Bombay Gazette</i>, a copy of which is most humbly submitted +to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">The despatches further bring the gratifying intelligence that +General Pollock had forced the Khyber Pass, and, defeating +the enemy on every point, had surmounted the chief obstacles +of that dangerous defile.<sup>37</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The relief of the brave men under Sir Robert Sale, to which +their own gallantry and their late victory have so mainly contributed, +may now be regarded as certain from the success of +General Pollock's advance.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is with regret that Lord Fitzgerald has to add that the +citadel of Ghuznee has surrendered on the faith of a capitulation, +perhaps already violated, and that General England, who +had marched with a convoy of treasure, and other supplies for +the Army at Candahar, had been forced to retrace his steps +and had arrived at Quetta.</p> + +<p class="ind">At the same time, however, General Nott had dispersed considerable +assemblages of rebel tribes, whom he had defeated +with loss, while an attack made during his absence on the city +of Candahar had been effectually repulsed by that portion of +his force which had been left for its defence.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Governor-General having proceeded in person to the +North-Western Provinces of Bengal, had issued at Benares +General Orders congratulating the Army on the return of +victory to its ranks, and on the fresh lustre thus added to your +Majesty's Arms.</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Fitzgerald and Vesci</span>.</p> + + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 36: Sir R. Sale, who with his column had thrown himself into Jellalabad on 13th +November 1841, and had heard Brydon's narrative, made a <i>sortie</i> on 7th April, +and secured a great victory over Akbar Khan, whose force outnumbered Sale's by +five to one.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 37: General Pollock, whom Auckland had selected for the command, and who found everything +in confusion on the frontier, swept the Khyber Pass of the enemy, and joined Sale. +The insurrection had spread to Candahar, where General (afterwards Sir William) Nott +was in command with a force of 10,000 men. He heard of Macnaghten's murder on 31st +January, and, like Sale, refused to follow the order received (under coercion, as he believed) +from Elphinstone to return to India. On the contrary, he ordered all Afghans +to leave Candahar, marched out himself and attacked and dispersed the enemy, 12,000 +strong; while a flank movement made by the enemy on the city was repulsed with great +loss. General (afterwards Sir Richard) England started from Quetta with reinforcements, +but met with a reverse at Haikalzai; meanwhile also Colonel Palmer had had to make +terms at Ghuznee, and had to encounter treachery. Nott, who was badly in want of +money and ammunition for the troops, sent imperative orders to General England to +reinforce him, which he did early in May. +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.403" id="pagei.403"></a>[page 403]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEBATE ON THE INCOME TAX</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>10th June 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has thought it better not to interrupt your Majesty with +letters during the bustle of the last week, but he cannot omit +to express to your Majesty how much he was struck with the +letter of the 2nd inst. which he received, and how entirely he +concurs in the justice and propriety of your Majesty's feelings +and observations. Let us hope that we shall have no more +of these horrid attempts, which are generated by the wild +notions of the time, and by the expectation, extravagant and +unfounded, so industriously inculcated into the public mind, +of advantages to be derived from change and confusion; +Lord Melbourne anxiously hopes that the painful impressions +which such events are calculated to produce upon your +Majesty's mind, and which they necessarily must produce, will +pass away and that nothing will happen to renew and revive +them.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is happy to hear from Normanby that +everything passed off well and successfully at Windsor and at +Ascot. The last is always rather a doubtful and disagreeable +ordeal to pass through.</p> + +<p class="ind">We should have got through the debate upon the Income +Tax this evening in the House of Lords, if Lansdowne had not +unfortunately this morning had an access of gout in the hand, +which prevented him from attending, and obliged the debate to +be deferred. Lord Melbourne hopes that the resolution which +Lansdowne is to move<sup>38</sup> is put in such a shape as to vindicate +our course, and at the same time not to condemn that which +has been adopted overmuch, nor to pledge us for the future....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is well +and not too much affected by the heat of this weather, which +does not suit Lord Melbourne very well. In conjunction with +a large dinner which we had at the Reform Club in honour of +the Duke of Sussex, it has given Lord Melbourne a good deal +of headache and indisposition. The Duke was in very good +humour, and much pleased with the dinner, but he was by no +means well or strong.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 38: This Resolution was in favour of altering the Corn, Sugar, and Timber Duties, in +preference to imposing an Income Tax. It was negatived by 112 to 52. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">QUEEN'S FIRST RAILWAY JOURNEY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>14th June 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Though I shall have the inexpressible +happiness of seeing you and dearest Louise so soon, I write +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.404" id="pagei.404"></a>[page 404]</span> +these few lines to thank you for your very kind letter of the +9th. We arrived here yesterday morning, having come by the +railroad, from Windsor, in half an hour, free from dust and +crowd and heat, and I am quite charmed with it.<sup>39</sup> We spent +a delightful time at Windsor, which would have been still +pleasanter had not the heat been such, ever since Saturday +week, that one is quite overcome; the grass is quite brown, +and the earth full of wide cracks; there has not been a drop +of rain since the 24th, my birthday! We rode and walked +and danced, and I think I never was better than in all this +fatigue and exercise....</p> + +<p class="ind">I get every day fonder of dearest, excellent Uncle Mensdorff +and the dear cousins, who are so amiable and good and unassuming; +really, in society they keep quite in the background. +They are out and out the nicest cousins we have. I am sure +what I can do for them I shall be too happy to do. Alexander +is the most distinguished and solid, but Alphonse and Arthur +the most unassuming. There is something so peculiarly <i>good</i> +in dear Arthur! and they are all five so fond of Pussy, and she +so fond of them.... Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 39: This was the Queen's first journey on the Great Western Railway. The Prince had +often used it, and had been known to say, on descending from the train, "Not quite so +fast next time, Mr Conductor, if you please."—Acworth, <i>The Railways of England</i>, p. 17. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE INCOME TAX BILL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>19th June 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and offers many thanks for the letter, which he received +yesterday evening. Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that +your Majesty has enjoyed in the society of your near and dear +relations so much happiness, which, like all other things, must +have its portion of alloy in their departure. Lord Melbourne +was much pleased with the short conversation which he had +with Count Mensdorff at Stafford House, and it is highly +interesting to see at this distance of time a man who has been +engaged in affairs so important and of so awful and melancholy +a character. Your Majesty is surely right in terming your +cousins young men; if the health and constitution be good, +thirty-six is a young man, twenty-nine and thirty-two very +young men, and twenty-five quite a boy. The weather has +been very hot but very fine. The rain was so much required +that Lord Melbourne cannot lament its coming, but he also +regrets the hot suns which it has banished.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.405" id="pagei.405"></a>[page 405]</span> + +<p class="ind">The course which had been taken upon the Income Tax in +the House of Commons,<sup>40</sup> contrary to Lord Melbourne's wish +and opinion, rendered it impossible for Lord Melbourne +directly to support the Bill in the House of Lords without +offending and separating himself from the whole body of those +who supported the last Government.</p> + +<p class="ind">He therefore acquiesced in the resolution, which was moved +by Lord Lansdowne, and which did not oppose the measure, +but declared that it might have been avoided if the course +which we had proposed had been taken. In the debate Lord +Melbourne argued as strongly as he could in favour of the +tax, and ended by declaring that if it was imposed, he could +not pledge himself for the future against maintaining and even +extending it. Lord Melbourne is anxious to make this explanation +of his conduct to your Majesty, and hopes therefore +that your Majesty will forgive his writing thus much upon +this subject. Lord Melbourne very much lamented that the +business did not terminate as amiably as it began, and that a +contest should have been got into respecting the third reading +of the Bill; but considering that the measure had passed by +accident through its first stages without any debate, and +that there were Lords who were still desirous of speaking +upon it, it was imprudent of the Ministers not at once to +give another day for that purpose, especially as they were +sure to be compelled to do so by repeated motions of +adjournment.</p> + +<p class="ind">The feelings which your Majesty expresses upon the conviction +of this man<sup>41</sup> are natural, and such as must arise in +your Majesty's bosom; but Lord Melbourne knows very well +that your Majesty will at once see the necessity of not yielding +to your own feelings, and of leaving the issue entirely in the +hands of your advisers.</p> + +<p class="ind">Without any reference to personal or particular circumstances, +without adverting to your Majesty's age, sex, qualities +mental or personal, without attending to any sentiments of +attachment or affection which may be felt for your Majesty's +person, it must be remembered that your Majesty's life is, +from the position which you occupy and the office which you +fill, the most important life in these realms; it is also too clear +that it is the most exposed life in the country, the life the most +obnoxious<sup>42</sup> to danger; and therefore it is a duty to throw +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.406" id="pagei.406"></a>[page 406]</span> +around it every protection which the law and the execution +of the law can afford.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne was sure that your Majesty, being fond of +speed, would be delighted with the railway. Lord Melbourne +hopes that your Majesty was not much affected by the heat, +which he feared that you would be.</p> + +<p class="ind">Has your Majesty read the last volume of Madame D'Arblay's +(Miss Burney) Diary, which contains the account of her service +in the family of George III.?<sup>43</sup> It is a curious [work], gives a +curious account of the <i>intérieur</i>, and shows the King and +Queen and the Princesses in a very amiable light.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 40: Lord John Russell had strenuously opposed the Income Tax Bill, but had been +defeated by large majorities.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 41: Frances was tried on 17th June, and convicted. The death sentence was commuted +to one of transportation for life.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 42: Used in the classical sense of "exposed to"; <i>cf</i>. "obnoxia fato."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 43: The first five volumes were published this year, Madame D'Arblay having died in +1840, at the age of eighty-seven. Croker somewhat rancorously attacked them in the +<i>Quarterly</i>, to which Macaulay replied in the <i>Edinburgh</i>. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A PRESENT FROM MUSCAT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>28th June 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to enclose for +your Majesty's information a list of the presents brought by +the Envoy of the Imam of Muscat for your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen will attend to-morrow with the Envoy, at +the hour your Majesty has been pleased to command; and he +will suggest that the presents should be sent previously to the +Palace, in order to be laid before your Majesty.</p> + + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 3em;"> +[List of Articles sent for Her Most Gracious Majesty, The<br /> +<span class="ind">Mighty Queen, a trifling Gift scarce worth being +mentioned.]</span></p> + + +<table summary="list" align="center" width="64%"> + <tr><td class="main">Two Pearl Necklaces,</td></tr> + <tr><td class="main">Two Emeralds,</td></tr> + <tr><td class="main">An Ornament made like a Crown,</td></tr> + <tr><td class="main">Ten Cashmere Shawls,</td></tr> + <tr><td class="main">One Box containing four Bottles Otto of Roses.</td></tr> + <tr><td class="main">Four Horses, before mentioned in a former letter, but for +the transmission of which no opportunity offered in Bombay, +but now sent in my own ship. Through your kindness have +those things taken<sup>44</sup> from Ali bin Nassur, and make an excuse +for me to Her Most Gracious Majesty, and peace be on you!</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p class="footnote2" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 44: <i>I</i>.<i>e</i>. accept. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">India Board</span>, <i>4th July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... From the seat of war, the intelligence is most satisfactory. +The conduct of the army, its perseverance and its +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.407" id="pagei.407"></a>[page 407]</span> +courage, have not been surpassed in the military history of +British India.</p> + +<p class="ind">Recent events have not, however, changed the views of Lord +Ellenborough as to the general policy which he recommends +to be pursued.</p> + +<p class="ind">He regards as the best result of that success which has +attended the Arms of your Majesty, that it admits of withdrawing, +without dishonour, the British force to positions of +safety, having certain and uninterrupted communications +with the British territory.</p> + +<p class="ind">From other quarters the reports are equally favourable. +The successful advance of a division commanded by Brigadier-General +England may be regarded as ensuring the safety of the +force at Candahar.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the Indian Dominions and in the native Army the best +spirit prevails.</p> + +<p class="ind">All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty, by +your Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Fitzgerald and Vesci.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BEAN'S ATTEMPT ON THE QUEEN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>4th July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and is anxious to express his earnest hope that your Majesty +is well and not disturbed by the event<sup>45</sup> which took place yesterday, +and which, although it appears not to have been dangerous +in itself, is formidable as affording additional evidence +of the ease with which persons of the lower orders can incite +themselves, or be incited by others, to the contemplation and +commission of such acts. The only observation that can be made +upon these attempts is, that hitherto they appear to have been +made by those who have not the means of executing their own +wicked designs, and that they are not marked by the same +determination and the same long and ferocious preparation +which characterised in France the conduct of Fieschi and +Alibaud.<sup>46</sup> Lord Melbourne is not of opinion that the extension +of mercy to Francis—which from what Lord Melbourne hears +of the opinion of the judges he apprehends to have been unavoidable—could +have had any effect in encouraging this +man to a similar act; at the same time it is impossible to +say what may have had an effect upon the mind, and we can +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.408" id="pagei.408"></a>[page 408]</span> +only collect the intentions of men from the deeds which they +perform.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for your letter +of the 26th ult. Lord Melbourne again expresses his fervent +wishes for your Majesty's health, safety, and tranquillity of +mind.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 45: Bean, a deformed lad, presented a pistol at the Queen in the Mall.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 46: The perpetrators of attempts on King Louis Philippe. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEATH OF THE DUKE OF ORLEANS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>14th July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—These two horrible news of poor dear +Chartres'<sup>47</sup> fatal accident have quite overcome us. It is the +most dreadful misfortune I ever remember, and will be felt +everywhere. I can't say <i>how</i> I feel it; I liked and admired +him, and know how he was adored by all of you, and by poor +wretched Hélène, whom this will kill. Those poor helpless little +children! it is <i>too</i> melancholy. After escaping from so many +dangers, to be cut off in this way is <i>too</i> dreadful! God knows +what is for our best, but this does seem difficult to understand. +I pray and hope that you will all be mercifully supported under +this heavy bereavement. I think it is so dreadful that poor +Hélène could not be with him in his last moments! God be +with you all, and believe me, ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">I had begun a letter to poor <i>Chartres</i> this morning.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 47: On 13th July the Duke of Orleans (formerly Duc de Chartres), eldest son of Louis +Philippe, was thrown from his phaeton near the Porte Maillot, Paris, and died shortly +afterwards. He was the father of the Comte de Paris and the Duc de Chartres. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ACCOUNT OF THE ACCIDENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>15th July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Victoria</span>,—You have surely already heard of +the heavy visitation God has sent us. My beloved brother was +unexpectedly taken away from us before yesterday evening. +Before yesterday morning he went to Neuilly to take leave of +my parents, previous to his departure for St Omer. The +horses ran away: he had the unfortunate idea to jump out from +his barouche—a thing I cannot understand, as he had on all +occasions an uncommon presence of mind—fell upon his head, +and expired a few hours afterwards, in presence of my too +unfortunate parents, without having recovered his consciousness. +It is the greatest misfortune that could happen to us.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.409" id="pagei.409"></a>[page 409]</span> + +<p class="ind">We are quite stunned by the sudden and horrid blow, and I +cannot believe it yet, although I have before me the letter of +my poor parents. They are full of courage and resignation to +the will of Providence; but I do not understand what will become +of them, particularly of my mother, who loved so fondly, +and with so much reason, my brother, and of the too unfortunate +Hélène. May God help them and have mercy on them! +Clémentine and Victoire are gone to Plombières to give to +Hélène the fatal news, and bring her back: it will most probably +be her death. My parents wished to see us immediately, +and we go to-morrow to Paris.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am sure, my beloved Victoria, of the share you will take +in the misfortune, the greatest which could befall us, and I thank +you beforehand for it. God's will be done! May He at least +always bless you, and preserve those you love from all evil +and danger! In affliction as in joy, I am, ever, my beloved +Victoria, yours most devotedly,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Louise</span>.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>16th July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is anxious to draw Sir Robert Peel's attention +to a circumstance which she has already some months ago +mentioned to him: this is relative to Sir Edward Disbrowe.<sup>48</sup> +The Queen knows that Sir Robert Peel shares her opinion as +to Sir Edward Disbrowe's abilities not being of the first order, +but this is not the only thing; what she chiefly complains of +is his decided unfairness towards Belgium, which she thinks +has always shown itself, and again most strongly in his last +despatches. The King of the Belgians has never dropped a +word on the subject, but the Queen really feels it her duty by +her Uncle to state this frankly to Sir Robert Peel, and to say +that she thinks it highly important that Sir Edward Disbrowe +should be removed to some other Mission. Of course she +wishes that this should be done quietly, but she thinks that with +a man like the present King of the Netherlands, who is continually +intriguing in Belgium and making her Uncle's position +very painful, it is of the utmost importance that our Minister +there should be totally <i>unbiassed</i>—which Sir Edward Disbrowe +most decidedly is not. Could not Sir T. Cartwright be sent +there, and Sir Edward Disbrowe go to Stockholm? The Queen +merely suggests this; but, of course, as long as the man sent to +the Hague is sensible and <i>fair</i>, it is indifferent to her who goes +there....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 48: Then British Minister at the Hague. +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.410" id="pagei.410"></a>[page 410]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">GRIEF OF THE QUEEN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>17th July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen had intended to have written to Lord Melbourne +some time ago to have thanked him for his kind letter of the +5th, but she was so occupied, first of all with the arrival of our +brother and sister, with our removal here, and lastly by the +dreadful misfortune at Paris, which has completely overpowered +her, and made her quite ill—that it prevented her +from doing so. The Queen is sure that Lord Melbourne will +have warmly shared the universal horror and regret at the +untimely and fearfully sudden end of so amiable and distinguished +a Prince as poor Chartres (as we all called the Duke of +Orleans) was! The loss to France, and indeed Europe, is very +great; but to the Royal Family, dearest Louise (who all doted +on him), and above all to poor unfortunate Hélène, who adored +him (and he was a most devoted husband to her), and to his +two poor little boys of four and one years old—he is an irreparable +loss. The Queen has heard from none yet, but has +seen a letter from Guizot, who was a witness of the <i>last scene</i>, +which is quite truly reported in the papers; he says it was +fearful—the poor Duke lying and dying on a mattress on the +floor surrounded by his parents and sisters, kneeling and praying +around their dearly beloved Child! Alas! poor Hélène had +not even that comfort!</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is very glad that the Bill for the better security +of her person has passed so quickly and in so gratifying a +manner through both Houses.</p> + +<p class="ind">We are here since yesterday week, enjoying the fine weather, +and great quiet and peace; but the news from Paris have +damped our spirits.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is charmed with her new sister,<sup>49</sup> who is a most +amiable, sensible, and gentle creature, and without being really +handsome, very pretty and pleasing.</p> + +<p class="ind">We return to town to-morrow and the Queen hopes soon to +see Lord Melbourne. We intend going to Windsor to settle, on +Saturday.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne is quite well.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 49: The Duchess Ernest of Saxe-Coburg. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the French to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LETTER FROM KING LOUIS PHILIPPE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Neuilly</span>, <i>17 Juillet 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Madame ma bien chère et bien bonne Sœur</span>,—J'ai bien +reconnu le cœur de votre Majesté dans l'empressement qu'elle +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.411" id="pagei.411"></a>[page 411]</span> +a mis à m'exprimer la part qu'elle prend à mon malheur. Ma +malheureuse Reine en est également bien touchée, et si elle ne +le témoigne pas elle-même dès aujourd'hui à votre Majesté, c'est +qu'elle est encore dans l'impossibilité d'écrire. Nous osons +lui demander tous les deux, d'être notre interprète auprès du +Prince Albert, et de lui dire combien nous sommes sensibles à +son intérêt. S'il pouvait y avoir une consolation au coup +affreux qui a frappé nos vieux jours, ce serait ces témoignages +d'intérêt, et les regrets dont on entoure le tombeau de mon +enfant chéri, et la perte immense que tous ont faite en lui! +C'est à présent qu'on sent ce qu'il était, et ce qu'il devenait +chaque jour de plus en plus.</p> + +<p class="ind">Je remercie de nouveau votre Majesté, du fond de mon cœur +brisé, de tous les sentiments dont elle veut bien me donner tant +de preuves, et je la prie d'agréer l'expression de la haute estime +et de l'inviolable amitié avec lesquelles, je suis, Madame, ma +très chère Sœur, de votre Majesté, le bien affectionné Frère,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Louis Philippe R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the French to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Neuilly</span>, <i>19 Juillet 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Madame ma très chère Sœur</span>,—Je comptais que votre +Majesté et le Prince Albert s'associeraient à notre immense +douleur; que Dieu vous bénisse pour les tendres expressions de +votre lettre. Nous sommes anéantis par le coup dont Dieu +nous a frappés, que sa Sainte Volonté soit faite! J'ai perdu +l'objet de ma plus vive tendresse, celui qui depuis 32 ans avait +été mon amour, mon bonheur, et ma gloire, plein de vie, +d'avenir, ma tête n'y est plus, mon cœur est flétri, je tâche de +me résigner, je pleure et je prie pour cette Ame qui m'était si +chère et pour que Dieu nous conserve l'infortuné et précieux +Roi dont la douleur est incommensurable; nous tâchons de +nous réunir tous pour faire un faisceau autour de lui. Notre +ange de Louise et votre excellent oncle sont arrivés avant-hier; +leur présence nous a fait du bien. Hélène, anéantie par la +douleur, a un courage admirable, sa santé se soutient. Nemours, +dont l'affliction est inexprimable, tâche de prendre des forces +pour nous consoler tous, et les bonnes Victoire et Clémentine +après l'horrible et douleureuse scène à laquelle elles avaient +assisté, ont passé trois nuits pour aller chercher leur infortunée +Belle-Sœur. Enfin, Dieu veut que nous vivions pour nous +soutenir les uns les autres, que ce Dieu Tout Puissant vous +bénisse, Madame, et vous préserve à jamais de pareilles douleurs, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.412" id="pagei.412"></a>[page 412]</span> +c'est le vœu bien sincère de celle qui se dit de tout son cœur, +Madame, De votre Majesté la toute dévouée Sœur,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Marie Amélie</span>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LEIGH HUNT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>22nd July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty, and ventures to +transmit the copy of Mr Leigh Hunt's poem, which he mentioned +to your Majesty in his last letter. Lord Melbourne +also sends the letter which Mr Leigh Hunt has taken the liberty +of addressing to your Majesty, as well as that which he has +addressed to Lord Melbourne. Lord Melbourne will inform +Mr Hunt that he has done this, and it is not at all required that +any further notice should be taken.<sup>50</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">It is a very gay and lively work, and has in it some wit and +fun.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne had great pleasure yesterday in seeing your +Majesty well and in good spirits.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 50: The poem was no doubt <i>The Palfrey; a Love-Story of Old Times</i>. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Mr Leigh Hunt to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">32 Edwardes Square, Kensington</span>, <i>15th July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My Lord</span>,—I was once speaking to Mr Fonblanque<sup>51</sup> of my +unwillingness to trouble your Lordship, when Prime Minister, +with a request to lay my tragedy of the <i>Legend of Florence</i><sup>52</sup> +before Her Majesty; and he said that he was sure your good-nature +would not have been displeased with it. This is the +reason why I now venture to ask whether a similar kindness +might be shown the accompanying little poem, supposing no +etiquette to stand in the way of it. I have no Tory channels of +communication with the Palace, nor wish to seek any; neither +can I trespass upon any friendships of Her Majesty's, unless +they can find my excuse in some previous knowledge of me. +On the other hand, I have no fear of being supposed by your +Lordship to approach one who is no longer Premier with less +respect than when he was in power. I would even venture to +say, if the mode of testifying it were not so poor a one, that it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.413" id="pagei.413"></a>[page 413]</span> +is in a double spirit of respectfulness the application is made. +Should it be of a nature calculated to give your Lordship any +perplexity, I can only blush for having been the occasion of it, +and beg it may be laid to the account of an ignorance which +lives very much out of the world. The same reason will plead +my excuse for not knowing whether a letter to Her Majesty +ought, or ought not, to accompany the book; and for begging +your Lordship, after its perusal, to suppress it or otherwise +accordingly, in case you can oblige me in the other part of my +request. Your Lordship will perceive that the Address prefixed +to the poem, not having ventured to ask Her Majesty's +permission, does not presume to call itself a dedication; neither +does it leave the public under any erroneous impression whatsoever +as to the nature of its intentions: and on this account +I not only expect, of course, no acknowledgment of its receipt +on the part of any one about Her Majesty's person, but shall +be more than content to understand by your Lordship's own +silence that my book has reached its destination, and therefore +not been considered altogether unworthy of it.</p> + +<p class="ind">The bookseller tells me that it is no longer "the mode" for +authors to present their volumes <i>bound</i>; but in regard to books +intended to go to Court, he is not quite so certain; and I find +it so difficult to disassociate the idea of dress from any such +proceeding, that I trust my inexperience in this respect also +will procure me whatever pardon it may require.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's ever +grateful and faithful Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leigh Hunt</span>.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 51: Hunt had founded <i>The Examiner</i> in 1808, and Albany Fonblanque (1793-1872) had +succeeded him on it as leader writer.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 52: Leigh Hunt's play, <i>A Legend of Florence</i>, had had a great success at Covent Garden +in 1840; in 1852 it was performed at Windsor by the Queen's command. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE AFFLICTED FAMILY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Neuilly</span>, <i>21st July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Victoria</span>,—I was unable to thank you the +other day for your kind and feeling letter of the 14th, although +I was greatly touched by it, and I trust you will have excused +me. I thank you to-day very sincerely for both your letters, +and for the share and sympathy you and dear Albert take in +our <i>great misfortune</i>. I know it is very heartfelt, and we are +all very grateful for it. Victoire and my poor mother have +already given you news from the unfortunate Hélène. She +has sustained and outlived the first shock and shows wonderful +courage. She is even well in health, and much better and +stronger in all ways than I had expected. She takes very much +upon herself on account of the poor children, to prevent that +any melancholy or painful feeling should be connected for them +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.414" id="pagei.414"></a>[page 414]</span> +with the remembrance of their beloved and unfortunate father. +My parents show great fortitude and resignation, but their +hearts are for ever broke. They are only sustained by their +feeling of duty. My poor mother bears up for my father, and +my father bears up to fulfil his duties of father and of king. +Their health is, thank God! good, and my father retains all +his strength of mind and quickness of judgment; but they are +both grown old in looks, and their hairs are turned quite white.</p> + +<p class="ind">The first days, my poor father could do nothing but sob, +and it was really heartbreaking to see him. He begins now +to have more command upon his grief, and the presence of your +uncle, whom he dearly loves, seems to do him good. The poor +children are well and <i>merry</i> and seem unconscious of their +dreadful loss. From time to time only they jump round us +as if looking for protection. The contrast of their gaiety with +their horrid misfortune is very painful. Paris is looking +remarkably well and strong. Robert<sup>53</sup> is much grown, extremely +quick and lively, and begins to speak. The remainder +of the family is, as you may easily imagine, in the <i>deepest +affliction</i>. Nemours especially is quite broken down with grief. +Chartres was <i>more</i> than a <i>brother</i> to him, as he was <i>more</i> +than a +<i>second father</i> to us all. He was the <i>head</i> and the <i>heart</i> and +<i>soul</i> +of the whole family. We all looked up to him, and we found +him on all occasions. A <i>better</i>, or even <i>such</i> a brother was +never seen; our loss is as great as irreparable; but God's will +be done! He had surely His motives in sending on my unfortunate +parents the horrid affliction in their old days, and in +removing from us the being who seemed the <i>most necessary</i> to +the hope and happiness of all; we must submit to His decrees, +hard as they are; but it is impossible not to regret that my +poor brother has not at least found the death of a soldier, +which he had always wished for, instead of such a useless, +horrid, and miserable one! It seems, for no one saw him fall, +that he did not jump, as we had thought at first, but that he +was thrown from the barouche, while standing; and I like it +in some measure better so, as God's will is still more manifest +in this way. It is equally manifest in <i>all</i> the circumstances +attending the catastrophe. My poor brother was not even +to have come to Neuilly. He had taken leave of my parents +the day before, and would not have gone again if my unfortunate +mother had not asked him, and if my parents, who were +to go to Paris, had not delayed their departure....</p> + +<p class="ind">I thank you again and again, my beloved Victoria, for all +your interest and sympathy. I was sure you would think of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.415" id="pagei.415"></a>[page 415]</span> +us and of me: you know how much I loved my brother. I +little expected to outlive him, as I had done my beloved +Mary;<sup>54</sup> but once more, <i>God's will be done</i>. I remain now and +ever, yours most devotedly,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Louise.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">I perceive I forgot mentioning Ernest. Pray thank him for +his sympathy also. He knows what a brother is, and may feel +for us! We expect on Saturday poor Joinville. My father +will have thus his four remaining sons round him for the opening +of the Session, which takes place on the 26th, and at which +he must preside in person. It is a hard duty for him.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 53: The young Duc de Chartres, born in 1840.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 54: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.144" style="font-weight: normal;">144</a>. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CORN LAWS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>23rd July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that last night was occupied +in the House of Commons with another debate on the Corn +Laws, again impeding any progress with the Government +business. The debate was entirely confined to those members +who act in concert with the Anti-Corn Law League.<sup>55</sup> It continued +until twelve, when Mr Cobden, the Member for Stockport, +moved an adjournment of the House, on the ground that +none of your Majesty's servants had taken a part in the +debate....</p> + +<p class="ind">Several members of the Opposition voted with the Government, +and declared that they would not be parties to such +vexatious proceedings.</p> + +<p class="ind">A division on the main question—a Committee to enquire +into the state of the country with a view to the Repeal of the +Corn Laws—then took place.</p> + +<p class="ind">The motion was negatived by a majority of 156 to 64—92. +The House did not adjourn until three this morning.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 55: The Anti-Corn Law League was rapidly gaining importance, and fiscal policy occupied +a great part of the session of 1842. Peel was already reducing import duties on articles +other than corn. Cobden had been elected at Stockport, for the first time, in 1841. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FURTHER PARTICULARS OF ACCIDENT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Neuilly</span>, <i>22nd July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I was anxious to write to you on +the 18th, but I was so overpowered with all that surrounded +me that I could really not. Yesterday I received your dear +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.416" id="pagei.416"></a>[page 416]</span> +letter of the 19th, and I will answer it, so as to give you a clear +view of the sad case. On the 12th, Tuesday, Chartres had +taken leave, as he meant to go to St Omer, the 13th; however, +in the family the Queen and others said he ought to come once +more to see them. The King had ordered his carriage to go +to town on the 13th, to a Council; Chartres meant to have +called shortly after ten.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is necessary to tell you all this, as it shows how strangely +circumstances turned fatally. Chartres did not want to return +once more to Neuilly, and the King, if exact, might see him +once more in town. Chartres, however, instead of coming +early, set off after eleven; his Off. d'Ordonnance, M. Bertin +de Veaux, his <i>valet de chambre</i>, a German, Holder, begged him +not to go quite alone in that small phaeton through Paris, as +he was in uniform, but all this did not avail; he insisted to go +in the phaeton and to go <i>alone</i>. He set out later than he +expected, and if the King had set out <i>exactly</i> as he had named, +the parents and the son would probably have met on the rising +avenue of the Champs Elysees, towards the Barrière de l'Étoile +and Arc de Triomphe. However, the King delayed his departure +and the son set off. At the place where from the great +avenue one turns off towards Neuilly, the horses, which were +not even young horses, as I am told that he has had them some +years, moved by that stupid longing to get to Neuilly, where +they knew their stables, got rather above the postillion, and +ran <i>quasi</i> away. Chartres got up and asked the postillion if +he could hold his horses no longer; the boy called out "Non, +Monseigneur"; he had looked back when he said this, and +saw his master for the last time <i>standing</i> in the phaeton. People +at some distance saw him come out of his carriage and describe +a sort of semicircle falling down. Nobody knows exactly if he +jumped out of the carriage, or if he lost his position and fell out. +I am inclined to think that, trusting to his lightness and agility, +he wanted to jump out, forgetting the impulse which a quick-going +carriage gives, as there were marks on his knees as if he +had first fallen that way. The principal blow was, however, on +the head, the skull being entirely fractured. He was taken up +senseless, that is to say confused, but not fainting, and carried +into a small inn. At first his appearance, sitting in a chair, was +so little altered that people thought it was nothing of any consequence.</p> + +<p class="ind">He <i>knew</i> no one, and only spoke a few incoherent words in +German. The accident happened about a quarter before twelve, +and at four he was no more.</p> + +<p class="ind">I refer for some other details to Albert. Poor Louise looks +like a shadow, and only her great devotion for me supports her. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.417" id="pagei.417"></a>[page 417]</span> +It may serve as a lesson how fragile all human affairs are. Poor +Chartres, it seems, with the prospect of these camps and +altogether, was <i>never in better spirits</i>. But I must end. Ever, +my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SIR EDWARD DISBROWE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>27th July 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen thanks Lord Aberdeen for the letter she has this +morning received.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen thinks that a reprimand would hardly do, as it is +not so much from any particular despatch that she has formed +this opinion of Sir Edward Disbrowe, but more from the general +tenor of his conduct and despatches; therefore she thinks it +would be difficult to censure him, which would probably not +have the desired effect.<sup>56</sup> For this reason the Queen would +prefer his being removed without his being told that it was for +his conduct, and without his being able to find this out, which, +the Queen concludes from Lord Aberdeen's letter, could easily +be done.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 56: <i>See</i> p. <a href="#pagei.409" style="font-weight: normal;">409.</a> Lord Aberdeen had suggested sending Sir Edward Disbrowe a private +admonition. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>2nd August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dearest Uncle</span>,—I had the pleasure of receiving your kind +letter of the 29th, late on Sunday evening. You know <i>all</i> we +have felt, and do <i>feel</i>, for the dear and exemplary French family. +Really it is too dreadful, but God's will be done! Perhaps poor +Chartres is saved great sorrow and grief. <i>Him</i> we must <i>not</i> +pity!</p> + +<p class="ind">God grant all may go off well on these dreadful days, and +may He support the dear afflicted parents, widow, and brothers +and sisters! My dearest Louise! I hope and trust that her +dear children will occupy her and divert her attention; only +don't let her swallow and suppress her grief and keep it to +herself; that is dreadful, and very hurtful. Let her give way +to her sorrow, and talk of it to her.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dearest Uncle, will not and ought not Paris to be Duke +of Orleans now? Hélène is sole guardian, is she not?...</p> + +<p class="ind">Dear Louise will, I trust, excuse my not answering her kind +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.418" id="pagei.418"></a>[page 418]</span> +letter to-day; pray give her my best love, and believe me, +always, your most devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE FATHERLESS CHILDREN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>5th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—... Little Paris,<sup>57</sup> who has gained +much of late, will keep the name of Paris, at least for the +present. Hélène will be, after the poor King's demise, sole +guardian of her children; till then the King as head of the +family will be supreme in all matters relating to the children.... +Your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 57: The late Comte de Paris, who bore this title to the end of his life, father of the present +Duc d'Orléans. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>5th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Victoria</span>,—... Poor little Paris is aware of his +misfortune in the way he can be. Hélène told him that he saw +everybody weep because he would see no more his beloved +father. The poor child wept then very much, and he has done +several times since, when the same thing was repeated to him. +He wonders why he does not go any more in his unfortunate +father's room, and why there is no more "<i>de cher Papa</i>," as he +says: else he makes no question or observation and is very +quiet and cheerful. He cannot yet feel what he has lost and +his melancholy fate: but Hélène does what she can to keep +alive in him the remembrance of his father.... Yours most +affectionately,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Louise</span>.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>8th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He thanks your Majesty much for the letter of the 4th. It can +hardly be expected that the grief of the French family will, as +yet, much diminish, but Lord Melbourne hopes that they are +somewhat more composed. He has heard this morning that +Lord and Lady Beauvale were at Boulogne on Saturday; they +would probably cross yesterday, and will be in London to-day.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.419" id="pagei.419"></a>[page 419]</span> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne understands that Lord Beauvale had an interview +of three hours with the King of the French. Charles +Howard was married this morning, and Lord Melbourne is +going to meet Lord and Lady Carlisle and the rest of the family +at Baron Parke's<sup>58</sup> at dinner. Lord Melbourne thinks that +Lord Prudhoe's marriage<sup>59</sup> was to be expected.<sup>60</sup> Upon looking +at the Peerage, he is only fifty years old, and fifty is young +enough to marry anybody. The only fault of fifty is that it +advances too rapidly on to sixty, which, on the other hand, is +too old to marry anybody. It is Lord Melbourne's opinion that +if a man does marry either at fifty or sixty, he had much better +take a young girl than a woman of more age and experience. +Youth is more malleable, more gentle, and has often more +respect and compassion for infirmity than middle-age.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 58: Afterwards Lord Wensleydale.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 59: To Lady Eleanor Grosvenor.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 60: Admiral Lord Algernon Percy (1792-1865), President of the Royal Institution, was +created in 1816 Baron Prudhoe: in 1847, on the death of his brother, he became fourth +Duke of Northumberland. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Hill to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">RESIGNATION OF LORD HILL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Hardwicke Grange</span>,<sup>61</sup> <i>9th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Hill presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +craves your Majesty's gracious permission to lay before your +Majesty his resignation of the Command of your Majesty's +Army.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Hill deeply regrets the necessity of taking a step which +will deprive him of a charge that has been so long committed +to his hands, and for his continuance in which he is indebted +to your Majesty's grace and favour; but he has again suffered +much from the illness under which he laboured in the early +part of the year, and his health has in consequence become so +indifferent as to render him unequal to the adequate discharge +of the various important duties of his command, which therefore +he feels he could not retain with due regard to the interests +of your Majesty's Service.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Hill had flattered himself that he should have been able +to have laid his application for retirement before your Majesty +himself, and personally to have expressed to your Majesty his +deep and lasting sense of your Majesty's gracious kindness to +him on all occasions. Having, however, left London by the +advice of his medical attendants, and being too unwell to undertake +a second journey, Lord Hill avails himself of this mode of +assuring your Majesty of his unabated zeal for the Service, of his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.420" id="pagei.420"></a>[page 420]</span> +dutiful devotion to your Majesty's person, and of the pain and +sorrow with which he relinquishes an appointment that afforded +him the honour and advantage of executing your Majesty's +commands, and receiving many gracious proofs of your Majesty's +support and confidence.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 61: Lord Hill's country house in Shropshire. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">APPOINTMENT OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>10th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that he received at a +late hour last night the accompanying letter to your Majesty +from Lord Hill. From the one which accompanied it, addressed +to Sir Robert Peel, he has reason to believe that it conveys +to your Majesty the wish of Lord Hill to be relieved, on the +ground of ill-health and increasing infirmities, from the Command +of your Majesty's Forces.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel would humbly submit for your Majesty's +consideration whether it might not be a deserved mark of your +Majesty's approbation to confer upon Lord Hill the rank of +Viscount, with remainder to his nephew Sir Rowland Hill,<sup>62</sup> who +will succeed Lord Hill in the Barony. Lord Beresford<sup>63</sup> and +Lord Combermere<sup>64</sup> have the rank of Viscounts, and perhaps +the long, faithful services of Lord Hill as Commander-in-Chief +may appear to your Majesty to entitle him to equal distinction +in the Peerage.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel has reason to believe that when Lord Hill's +retirement shall be known there will be many competitors for +the office of Commander-in-Chief.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir George Murray,<sup>65</sup> Sir Edward Paget,<sup>66</sup> Lord Londonderry,<sup>67</sup> +Lord Combermere, and perhaps Lord Beresford, will severally +urge their pretensions.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel humbly submits to your Majesty that should +the Duke of Wellington be willing to undertake the duties of +this important trust, no claims could stand in competition with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.421" id="pagei.421"></a>[page 421]</span> +his, and no selection from the candidates whom he has named +would be satisfactory to the Army or public in general.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel would therefore humbly recommend to your +Majesty that the offer of this appointment should be made to +the Duke of Wellington, with the signification of a wish on the +part of your Majesty (should your Majesty be pleased to +approve of the arrangement), that His Grace should continue +a member of the Cabinet, and the organ of the Government, as +at present, in the House of Lords.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 62: Lord Hill died 10th December 1842, and was succeeded in his peerages by Sir Rowland +Hill, who died in 1875.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 63: William Carr Beresford (1768-1854), created Viscount Beresford in 1823 for the +victory of Albuera, 1811.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 64: Sir Stapleton Cotton (1773-1865), created Viscount Combermere for the capture +of Bhurtpore.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 65: Sir George Murray (1772-1846), received a K.C.B. for his services in the Peninsula, +M.P. for Perth, and afterwards Commander-in-Chief in Ireland.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 66: General Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B. (1775-1849), brother of the first Marquis of +Anglesey.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 67: Prior to being Ambassador at Vienna, Lord Londonderry had distinguished himself +in the Peninsula.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUKE ACCEPTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">London</span>, <i>12th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble +duty to your Majesty. He has been informed by Sir Robert +Peel that your Majesty had been graciously pleased to approve +of the recommendation submitted by your Majesty's servants +that he should be appointed the Commander-in-Chief of your +Majesty's Forces.</p> + +<p class="ind">He is sensible of and grateful for this fresh proof of your +Majesty's confidence in him and gracious favour towards him.</p> + +<p class="ind">He hopes that your Majesty will believe that your Majesty +may rely upon his making every effort in his power to promote +your Majesty's views for the honour and interest of the country +in any situation in which he may be placed.</p> + +<p class="ind">Which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your +Majesty's most dutiful and devoted Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Wellington.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Lord Hill.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>12th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has received Lord Hill's letter of the 9th inst., +and is much concerned to learn that Lord Hill's health is so +indifferent that he thinks it is his duty to resign the important +office which he has so long and so honourably held. The Queen +can only reluctantly give her consent to this determination, as +she regrets to lose Lord Hill's services at the head of her Army. +She cannot, however, miss this opportunity of expressing to +Lord Hill her entire approbation of his conduct throughout the +time he served her. The Prince begs to have his kind regards +sent to Lord Hill.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.422" id="pagei.422"></a>[page 422]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">RIOTS IN MANCHESTER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Cabinet Room, Downing Street</span>, <i>13th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and is sorry to be under the necessity of troubling your Majesty +so suddenly, but he is sure your Majesty will excuse him for +making any proposal to your Majesty which the public service +may render requisite.<sup>68</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The accounts received this morning from Manchester with +regard to the state of the country in that neighbourhood are +very unsatisfactory, and they are confirmed by the personal +testimony of magistrates who have arrived in London for the +purpose of making representations to your Majesty's servants +on the subject.</p> + +<p class="ind">A Cabinet has just been held, and it is proposed to send a +battalion of Guards by the railway this evening. The 16th of +August (Tuesday next) is the anniversary of a conflict which +took place in Manchester in the year 1819<sup>69</sup> between the Yeomanry +Cavalry and the populace, and it is feared that there +may be a great assemblage of persons riotously disposed on +that day.</p> + +<p class="ind">Under these circumstances it appears desirable to your +Majesty's confidential advisers that a proclamation should be +immediately issued, warning all persons against attendance +on tumultuous meetings, and against all acts calculated to +disturb the public peace. It is necessary that a Council should +be held for the issue of this proclamation, and important that +it should arrive in Manchester on Monday.</p> + +<p class="ind">These considerations have prevented Sir Robert Peel from +giving previous notice to your Majesty, and having your +Majesty's sanction for the holding of a Council. On account +of the urgency of the case, he has requested a sufficient number +of Privy Councillors to repair to Windsor this evening, in +order that should your Majesty be graciously pleased to hold +a Council, the proclamation may be forthwith issued. The +members of the Privy Council will be in attendance about +half-past six o'clock, as Sir Robert Peel has considered that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.423" id="pagei.423"></a>[page 423]</span> +from that time to half-past seven will probably be the least +inconvenient to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">He writes this immediately after the breaking up of the +Cabinet.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 68: The disturbances of this month, which originated in a strike for wages in Lancashire, +were inflamed by agitators, and rapidly spread through Cheshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, +and Yorkshire, eventually extending to the populous parts of Scotland and Wales. +Several conflicts took place between the populace and the military, and there was much +loss of life and property, as well as aggravated distress.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 69: On 16th August 1819, a great popular demonstration in favour of Parliamentary +Reform, presided over by Henry Hunt, the Radical, had taken place in St Peter's Fields, +Manchester. A riot ensued, and the Yeomanry charged the populace, with some loss +of life. The affair was afterwards known as the Peterloo massacre. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CHARTIST DISTURBANCES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>15th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before +your Majesty the enclosed letter from Major-General Sir +William Warre<sup>70</sup> in command of the Northern District.</p> + +<p class="ind">From this report it is evident that a strong and salutary +moral impression had been produced by the arrival of a reinforcement +of 1,400 men in the disturbed district in the short +time of six-and-thirty hours after the first requisition for +assistance had been sent from Manchester; and the General +has now at his disposal a force quite adequate to cope with the +vast assemblage of people who are expected to meet to-morrow +at Manchester.</p> + +<p class="ind">Some symptoms of this disposition forcibly to suspend +labour have appeared in the West Riding of Yorkshire; but +on the whole the accounts, both from Scotland and the disturbed +district, which have been received this morning, may +be considered favourable. The railroad communications as +yet are uninterrupted; no collision has taken place between +the troops and the multitude, except at Preston;<sup>71</sup> and Sir +James Graham is willing to hope that this insurrectionary +movement may be suppressed without recourse to extreme +measures. Every precaution, however, has been taken, and +arrangements are made for augmenting the force under the +command of Sir William Warre, if it should become necessary.</p> + +<p class="ind">The character of these riots has assumed more decidedly +a political aspect. It is no longer a strike for higher wages, +but the Delegates, who direct the movement, avow that +labour shall not be resumed until the people's Charter be +granted.<sup>72</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham will hasten to-morrow to inform your +Majesty of the accounts which he may receive.</p> + +<p class="ind">The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful +Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">J. R. G. Graham.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 70: Lieutenant-General Sir William Warre (1784-1853), a distinguished Peninsular officer.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 71: The mob attacked the military, who fired and killed three or four persons.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 72: A colossal petition in favour of the Charter had been presented during the Session +by Mr T. Duncombe. +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.424" id="pagei.424"></a>[page 424]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SATISFACTORY RESULTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>18th August 1842</i>.<br /> +(<i>Thursday morning</i>.) </p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that he returned to +London last night.</p> + +<p class="ind">He has this morning gone through all the letters received +from the country, with Sir James Graham, by +whom the details of the information will be forwarded to +your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">It appears to Sir Robert Peel that the general tenor of the +reports is <i>satisfactory</i>. From Manchester, from Wigan, from +Preston, the reports are very good.</p> + +<p class="ind">The movement is not one caused by distress. The demand +for employment has increased, and the price of provisions—and +particularly of potatoes, bread, and bacon—has rapidly +fallen within the last fortnight or three weeks.</p> + +<p class="ind">People of property and the Magistrates (notwithstanding +their political dissensions) are now acting in harmony, and +with more energy.</p> + +<p class="ind">Orders have been sent to apprehend the Delegates assembled +in Manchester, <i>the very moment</i> that the law will warrant their +apprehension, and Sir Robert Peel should not be surprised to +hear of their committal to Lancaster Castle in the course of +to-day.</p> + +<p class="ind">Every vigilance will be exerted with reference to <i>Cooper</i><sup>73</sup> +(whom your Majesty names) and all other itinerant agitators.</p> + +<p class="ind">As might be naturally expected, the movements and disorderly +spirit spreading from the centre (Manchester) are +appearing in remote points; but when peace and confidence +are thoroughly restored at Manchester, the example will quickly +tell in the circumjacent districts.</p> + +<p class="ind">Birmingham is tranquil and well-disposed. The accounts +from Scotland are favourable.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 73: A Leicester Chartist, who was afterwards tried for sedition. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PARLIAMENT PROROGUED</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>17th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He is going down to-day to Brocket Hall with Lord and Lady +Beauvale. Lord and Lady Palmerston are coming down +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.425" id="pagei.425"></a>[page 425]</span> +to-morrow, and Lord and Lady Cowper will probably come +over from Panshanger.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty read extremely well in the House of Lords on +Friday last.<sup>74</sup> Lord Melbourne can judge better of this from +the body of the House than he could when he stood close to +your Majesty. Nothing can be more clear and distinct, and +at the same time more natural and free from effort. Perhaps +if your Majesty could read a tone louder it would be as well. +Charles Buller, who was amongst the House of Commons, told +Lord Melbourne that, where he stood, the voice, although well +heard, sounded somewhat weak. But this should not be +attempted unless it can be done with perfect ease. Nothing +injures reading so much as the attempt to push the organ +beyond its natural powers.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne hopes that these tumults in the manufacturing +districts are subsiding, but he cannot conceal from +your Majesty that he views them with great alarm—much +greater than he generally thinks it prudent to express. He +fears that they may last in the form of strike, and turn out +much longer than is looked for, as they did in 1832 and 1833.</p> + +<p class="ind">There is a great mass of discontented feeling in the country +arising from the actual state of society. It arises from the +distress and destitution which will fall at times upon a great +manufacturing population, and from the wild and extravagant +opinions which are naturally generated in an advanced and +speculative state of society.</p> + +<p class="ind">This discontent has been aggravated and fermented by the +language of every party in the state. Lord Melbourne can +exempt no party from this blame, nor hardly any individual +except himself. The Tories and Conservatives (not the +Leaders, but the larger portion of the party) have done what +they could to inflame the public mind upon that most inflammable +topic of the Poor Laws. The <i>Times</i> newspaper has +been the most forward in this. The Whigs and Radicals have +done what they could in the same direction upon the Corn +Laws. Mr Attwood<sup>75</sup> and another set have worked the +question of the Currency, and the whole career of Mr O'Connell +in Ireland has been too manifest to be mistaken. It is no +wonder if working in this manner altogether they have at last +succeeded in driving the country into this which is certainly +very near, if not actually a rebellion.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty and the +Prince, the Prince, and Princess are all well.</p> + + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 74: Parliament was prorogued by the Queen in person on 12th August.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 75: Who represented the Radical views of the Birmingham school. +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.426" id="pagei.426"></a>[page 426]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DISTURBED DISTRICTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>18th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham, with humble duty, is happily enabled +to state to your Majesty that the accounts from the disturbed +districts received this morning are more satisfactory.</p> + +<p class="ind">In Lancashire a disposition to resume work has been partially +evinced; and at Preston, where the most vigorous measures +were taken in the first instance, there has hardly been a cessation +of employment.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham encloses a letter from the Chief Constable +of the County of Lancashire detailing a successful resistance +to a fresh attempt on the part of a mob to enter Preston; and +he sends also a report from the Mayor of Manchester and from +Mr Forster, the Stipendiary Magistrate. Decisive measures +will be adopted for the immediate apprehension of the Delegates, +not only at Manchester, but in every other quarter where legal +evidence can be obtained which will justify their arrest. The +law, which clearly sanctions resistance to the entry of these +mobs into cities, is now understood by the local authorities. +A bolder and firmer spirit is rising among all classes possessing +property in defence of their rights against these bands of +plunderers, who are the enemies both of law and of property. +The prisoners taken in the commission of treasonable felonies +are numerous; warrants are issued against others whose +persons are known: the supremacy of the law will be promptly +vindicated, and Sir James Graham entertains the confident +hope that order will be soon restored.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the Potteries a signal example was made by a handful of +your Majesty's troops opposed to a riotous multitude which +had burnt houses and spread devastation, and Sir James +Graham encloses a letter from Captain Powys giving a description +of the occurrence. The effect of this example has +been that yesterday throughout this district no rioting took +place.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DISTURBANCES IN LONDON</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>19th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to announce to +your Majesty that the accounts from the North, on the whole, +may be considered satisfactory....</p> + +<p class="ind">Five of the principal Delegates at Manchester have been +apprehended. Warrants are out against four others. A very +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.427" id="pagei.427"></a>[page 427]</span> +important seizure of papers has been made which discloses a +conspiracy, extensive in its ramifications, going back as far +as July 1841. It is hoped that these papers, which are still at +Manchester, may lead to fresh discoveries. Sir James Graham +will send to Manchester to-night an experienced law officer, +for the purpose of pursuing the investigation on the spot.</p> + +<p class="ind">There was a meeting last night in the neighbourhood of +London, of a violent character. Sir James Graham had given +positive orders to the police not to allow any mob, as night +approached, to enter London. Notwithstanding these directions, +a mob assembled in Lincoln's Inn Fields about eleven +o'clock, and moved through the city to Bethnal Green. Sir +James Graham had the troops on the alert, but the multitude +dispersed without any serious disturbance.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>20th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... An attempt to hold a meeting at dusk in the suburbs +of London was resisted by the police yesterday evening in +pursuance of orders issued by the Government in conjunction +with the Lord Major, and the peace of the metropolis was +preserved.</p> + +<p class="ind">The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful +Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">J. R. G. Graham.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">TROUBLE AT THE CAPE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Downing Street</span>, <i>26th August 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, submits for your +Majesty's perusal copies of three despatches, received yesterday +from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, detailing +the unfortunate result of an attack made by a small party of +your Majesty's troops upon the camp of the insurgent Boers at +Natal; and also the copy of a despatch which Lord Stanley +has sent in consequence to Sir George Napier,<sup>76</sup> which, he trusts, +may meet your Majesty's approbation. Lord Stanley would +have submitted the draft for your Majesty's approval previous +to sending it, had not an opportunity presented itself of sending +it off by a fast-sailing private ship which sailed this morning, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.428" id="pagei.428"></a>[page 428]</span> +the intelligence having only been received yesterday. The +instructions sent to Sir George Napier, on the 10th of April, +but not received when this unfortunate affair took place, were +in substance not to attempt the subjugation of these people +by direct force, but to warn them that their titles to the land +which they occupy would not be recognised by your Majesty, +that they would have no title to claim protection from the +aggression of the neighbouring tribes, to interdict communication +between them and the settled parts of the Colony, and to +prevent any intercourse by sea with foreign or British traders. +The unfortunate event which has now occurred will render +it necessary to take steps, as Sir George Napier has already +done, for vindicating the power of your Majesty's Arms; but +when that shall have been effected, Lord Stanley would still +hope that a considerable number of these misguided men may +be induced to return to their allegiance, and to the settled +parts of your Majesty's dominions, and he feels confident that +in such an event he will be fulfilling your Majesty's wishes in +directing that they may be treated with all possible lenity.</p> + +<p class="ind">All which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most +dutiful Servant and Subject,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Stanley.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 76: Sir George Napier (1784-1855) governed Cape Colony for seven years, and the +Boers were extruded from Natal by him. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Bushey House</span>, <i>7th September 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—... Your Mamma's visit gave me +great pleasure, and it has been a great treat to me to hear her +sing again, and <i>so well</i>, which put me in mind of former happy +days. I regret <i>much</i> that she leaves me already this afternoon +again, but the strong and powerful <i>magnet</i> which you have left +at the Castle draws her back, and I dare not keep her away +from such treasures.</p> + +<p class="ind">I beg you, my dearest Victoria, to give my affectionate love +to dear Albert, and to believe me ever most devotedly, your +very affectionate Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN VISITS SCOTLAND</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Taymouth</span>,<sup>77</sup> <i>8th September 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I make no excuses for not having +written, as I know that you will understand that when one is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.429" id="pagei.429"></a>[page 429]</span> +travelling about and seeing so much that is <i>totally</i> new, it is +very difficult to find time to write....</p> + +<p class="ind">Albert has told you already how successfully everything had +gone off hitherto, and how much pleased we were with Edinburgh, +which is an unique town in its way. We left Dalkeith +on Monday, and lunched at Dupplin, Lord Kinnoul's, a pretty +place with quite a new house, and which poor Lord Kinnoul +displayed so well as to fall head over heels down a steep bank, +and was proceeding down another, if Albert had not caught +him; I did not see it, but Albert and I have nearly died with +laughing at the <i>relation</i> of it. From Dalkeith we went through +Perth (which is <i>most</i> beautifully situated on the Tay) to Scone +Palace,<sup>78</sup> Lord Mansfield's, where we slept; fine but rather +gloomy. Yesterday morning (Tuesday) we left Scone and +lunched at Dunkeld, the beginning of the Highlands, in a tent; +<i>all</i> the Highlanders in their fine dress, being encamped there, +and with their old shields and swords, looked very romantic; +they were chiefly Lord Glenlyon's<sup>79</sup> men. <i>He</i>, poor man! is +suddenly become <i>totally</i> blind, and it was very melancholy to +see him do the <i>honours</i>, <i>not</i> seeing <i>anything</i>. The situation +of Dunkeld, down in a valley surrounded by wooded hills, is very, +very pretty. From thence we proceeded to this enchanting +and princely place; the whole drive here was beautiful. All +Lord Breadalbane's<sup>80</sup> Highlanders, with himself at their head, +and a battalion of the 92nd Highlanders, were drawn up in front +of the House. In the evening the grounds were splendidly +illuminated, and bonfires burning on the hills; and a number +of Highlanders danced reels by torchlight, to the bagpipes, +which was very wild and pretty....</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 77: Lord Breadalbane's house. The Queen left London on 29th August for Scotland +by sea, reaching Edinburgh on 1st September.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 78: Scone Abbey was granted to Sir David Murray (afterwards Viscount Stormont) by +James VI. of Scotland, whose cup-bearer he was, and whose life he saved.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 79: Afterwards George, sixth Duke of Atholl (1814-1864).</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 80: John, second Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T. (1796-1862). +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DRUMMOND CASTLE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Taymouth</span>, <i>10th September 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">It has been long the Queen's intention to write to Lord +Melbourne, but we have seen and done so much, it has been +impossible. Everything has gone off so well at Edinburgh, +Perth, and elsewhere. This is a princely and most beautiful +place, and we have been entertained by Lord Breadalbane in +a magnificent way. The Highland Volunteers, two hundred in +number (without the officers), keeping guard, are encamped in +the park; the whole place was twice splendidly illuminated, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.430" id="pagei.430"></a>[page 430]</span> +and the sport he gave the Prince out shooting was on the +largest scale.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Highlands and the mountains are too beautiful, and we +<i>must</i> come back for longer another time. The Queen will +finish this letter at Drummond Castle,<sup>81</sup> as we leave this in half +an hour.</p> + +<p class="ind"><i>Drummond Castle, 11th</i>.—We arrived here yesterday evening +at seven, having had a most beautiful journey. We went +with Lord Breadalbane up the Loch Tay (by water) to Ochmore<sup>82</sup> +(I don't know <i>how</i> it is written), a cottage belonging to +Lord Breadalbane, close to Killin. The morning was very fine, +and the view indescribably beautiful; the mountains so high, +and so wooded close to Killin. It is impossible to say how +kind and attentive Lord Breadalbane and poor Lady Breadalbane +(who is so wretchedly delicate) were to us. We were so +sorry to go away, and might perhaps have managed to stay two +days longer at Taymouth, were we not fearful of delaying our +sea voyage back too much. However, we mean to visit him +for longer another time; the Highlands are so beautiful, and +so new to <i>me</i>, that we are most anxious to return there again.</p> + +<p class="ind">The journey from Killin to Comrie was <i>most</i> beautiful, and +through such wild scenery—Glen Ogle, which of course Lord +Melbourne knows—and then along Loch Ern. This house is +quite a cottage, but the situation is fine, and the garden very +beautiful. We leave this on Tuesday for Dalkeith<sup>83</sup> where we +sleep, and re-embark the next day for <i>England</i>. We greatly +admire the extreme beauty of Edinburgh; the situation as +well as the town is most striking; and the Prince, who has +seen so much, says it is the finest town he ever saw. Scone +Palace (where we slept on Tuesday night) is fine, but gloomy; +Perth is beautiful.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is very well. The Prince +begs to be remembered to him.</p> + +<p class="ind">Dalkeith is a fine good house, and the park and grounds very +pretty.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 81: The seat of Lord Willoughby d'Eresby.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 82: It should be written Auchmore.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 83: The seat of the Duke of Buccleuch.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>20th September 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Pray accept my best thanks for your +kind letter of the 15th, which I received on Saturday, the day +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.431" id="pagei.431"></a>[page 431]</span> +of our arrival here. Dearest Louise will have told you what +I wrote to her. We had a speedy and prosperous voyage home +of forty-eight hours, on board a fine large and very fast steamer, +the <i>Trident</i>, belonging to the General Steam Navigation Company. +We found our dear little Victoria so grown and so improved, +and speaking so plain, and become so independent; +I think really few children are as forward as she is. She is +quite a dear little companion. The Baby is sadly backward, +but also grown, and very strong. I am so distressed about +dearest Louise's still coughing, but she tells me it is decreasing. +Only pray let her give way to her grief; much crying, even if it +makes her cough for the moment, can do her no real harm, but +stifling and swallowing <i>grief</i> (which she <i>cannot</i> repress) gnaws +at the very roots of life and undermines health. Ostend and +sea-baths would, I should think, do her good.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am very glad that you went to see the King of Prussia, and +saw so many old friends; Fritz of Mecklenburg<sup>84</sup> is, you know, +Albert's very dear friend; he is just arrived here.</p> + +<p class="ind">Alexandrine's brother everybody praises; the whole family +are handsome and well brought up.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Archduke Frederic<sup>85</sup> comes here to-morrow for a week's +visit. Everybody praises him, and Ferdinand liked him very +much; all Archduke Charles's<sup>86</sup> sons are said to be very well +brought up. How I wish Archduke John<sup>87</sup> had come over +here!</p> + +<p class="ind">Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! and pray believe me, always, +your most affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">It would be <i>very</i> kind of you if you would tell me if there is a +chance of Augustus's marrying Clementine.<sup>88</sup> Don't believe I +should say a word <i>against</i> it; but I have heard so much about +it that I should be really and sincerely glad to know a <i>little</i> of +the <i>truth</i> from <i>you</i>.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 84: Frederic William (1819-1904), afterwards Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. +See <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.434" style="font-weight: normal;">434</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 85: Son of the Archduke Charles.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 86: (1771-1847), third son of the Emperor Leopold II. Distinguished in the Napoleonic +wars.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 87: (1782-1859), younger son of the Emperor Leopold II. Commanded on the Rhine, +1815. Administrator of the Empire, 1848.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 88: Prince Augustus of Saxe-Coburg and Princess Clementine of Orleans were married +in the following April. Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria is their son. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S STEAM YACHT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>22nd September 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave, with reference to your Majesty's note of yesterday, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.432" id="pagei.432"></a>[page 432]</span> +to state to your Majesty that the <i>first</i> act of Sir Robert +Peel on his return from Scotland was to write to Lord Haddington<sup>89</sup> +and strongly urge upon the Admiralty the necessity of +providing a steam yacht for your Majesty's accommodation.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel trusts that your Majesty may entirely depend +upon being enabled to make any excursions your Majesty may +resolve upon in the early part of next summer, in a steam +vessel belonging to your Majesty, and suitable in every respect +for your Majesty's accommodation.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel has had a personal communication with Sir +John Barrow,<sup>90</sup> one of the Secretaries to the Admiralty, this +morning, upon the subject, and Sir Robert Peel has written by +this post to Sir George Cockburn,<sup>91</sup> who is out of town.</p> + +<p class="ind">He finds that the Admiralty is now building a large vessel +to be worked by steam power, applied by means of a revolving +screw instead of paddles. It may be doubtful whether the +same degree of velocity can be attained by means of the screw, +particularly in a very large vessel. Of this a full trial will be +made.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir John Barrow assures Sir Robert Peel that he has been on +board a steam-boat moved by the screw, and that the working +of the engine is scarcely perceptible; that there is none of the +tremulous motion which accompanies the beats of the paddles, +and that it will be possible to apply an apparatus by means of +which the smoke can be consumed, and the disagreeable smell +in great measure prevented.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel will leave nothing undone to ensure your +Majesty's comfort and safety in any future naval excursions +that your Majesty may be pleased to make.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 89: First Lord of the Admiralty.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 90: Barrow had been made second Secretary in 1804 by Dundas; he was a self-made +man, and a most indefatigable traveller, writer, and promoter of Arctic exploration.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 91: Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn (1772-1853), First Naval Lord. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">QUEEN ISABELLA</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>27th September 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen, with his most humble duty, lays before your +Majesty a letter which he has received from Mr Aston, respecting +the marriage of the Queen of Spain, and which, after +what has already passed, may perhaps cause your Majesty +some surprise.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen is humbly of opinion that the language +hitherto employed by your Majesty's Government upon this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.433" id="pagei.433"></a>[page 433]</span> +subject ought not to undergo any change, and that it ought to +be treated entirely as a Spanish question.</p> + +<p class="ind">Great Britain would naturally regard a marriage with a son +of the King of the French as injurious to Spain and menacing to +Europe, but would probably not feel it necessary to give such +an opinion respecting any other alliance. While this might be +plainly stated, and the Spanish Government exhorted to act +according to their own independent view of the real interests of +the country and of the Queen, Lord Aberdeen would humbly +propose that the Regent should be explicitly informed by Mr +Aston that he must not expect to receive any assistance from +your Majesty's Government in promoting a marriage with a +Prince of the Netherlands.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen believes that the difficulties in the way of +such an alliance will be found to be very great, and especially +that the religion of the Prince will present an obstacle which in +Spain must be nearly insurmountable.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD MELBOURNE ON SCOTLAND</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>29th September 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has to acknowledge your Majesty's letter of the 25th inst., +which he had the honour and pleasure of receiving here on the +27th. Lord Melbourne is well aware how much your Majesty's +time must have been occupied by the number of visitors at the +Castle. We are much rejoiced here that your Majesty saw the +Prince and Princess Liechtenstein.<sup>92</sup> The latter is a great +favourite of Lady Beauvale's, to whom she was always very +kind, and who describes her exactly as your Majesty does, as +being very "amiable and unassuming," and though one of the +first, if not the first lady at Vienna, as not at all partaking of the +insolence and hauteur which is by some ascribed to the society +of that capital. As a beauty, she is perhaps upon too large +a scale, except for those who admire women of all shapes and +sizes; but her eyes and brow are very fine, and there is a very +peculiarly soft and radiant expression about them. Lord +Melbourne had heard of his Sovereignty, but understands that +his territory is extremely limited. His possessions as a subject +of Austria are worth a good deal more than his German +principality.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne greatly congratulates your Majesty upon the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.434" id="pagei.434"></a>[page 434]</span> +happy progress and termination of the expedition to Scotland. +He is very glad of three things—that your Majesty returned +by sea, in the steamer, and that the passage was a good one....</p> + +<p class="ind">The country is indeed most interesting, full of real picturesque +beauty and of historical and poetical associations and +recollections. There is nothing to detract from it, except +the very high opinion that the Scotch themselves entertain of +it. Edinburgh is magnificent—situation, buildings, and all—but +the boasting of the articles in the newspapers respecting it +almost inclined one to deny its superiority. It is also, as your +Majesty says, most striking to contemplate in the Clans the +remains of feudal times and institutions. It is quite as well, +however, particularly for Monarchy, that they are but remains, +and that no more of them have been left.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for your kind +enquiries after his health. He thinks that he is getting better +and stronger than he has been, and has a notion of trying a +little shooting in October.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully remembered to the +Prince.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 92: Prince Aloysius Joseph of Liechtenstein (1796-1858) and his wife, Princess Françoise-de-Paule, +Countess Kinsky. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>18th October 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I only received your kind letter +yesterday, for which my best thanks. I am delighted to hear +that Louise's cough is decidedly better, and that upon the +whole the dear family are well, thank God! Certainly where +He sees fit to afflict, He gives strength to bear up!</p> + +<p class="ind">Louise says Vecto is in great beauty, and the baby magnificent. +I wish you could see Pussy now; she is (<i>unberufen</i>) +the picture of health, and has just cut her first eye-tooth, without +the slightest suffering. We are going to Brighton on the +1st of November for a month; it is the <i>best</i> month <i>there</i> and the +<i>worst here</i>. I think I <i>may</i> announce Augusta Cambridge's<sup>93</sup> +marriage as certain, as I have just received a note from the +Duke, which is as follows:—</p> + +<p class="ind">"Being very anxious to communicate to you as soon as +possible an event which concerns deeply my family, I take the +liberty of requesting you to let me know on what day and at +what hour I may wait upon you."</p> + +<p class="ind">I shall see him to-morrow, and report the result to Louise +on Friday.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.435" id="pagei.435"></a>[page 435]</span> + +<p class="ind">I have just taken leave of poor Esterhazy, who has presented +his letters of recall. He looked wretched, and Lord Aberdeen +told me he is only ill at being obliged to go; he is quite miserable +to do so, but the great gentleman at Johannisberg has +most ungraciously refused to listen to his entreaties to remain, +which is very foolish, as they don't know who to send in his +place. I am <i>very</i> sorry to lose him, he is so amiable and agreeable, +and I have known him ever since I can remember anybody; +he is, besides, <i>equally liked</i> and on <i>equally good terms</i> +with <i>both</i> parties <i>here</i>, which was of the greatest importance. +It was touching to see him so low and ill and unlike himself.</p> + +<p class="ind">The accounts of poor dear Alexandrine's eyes continue <i>very +bad</i>; she cannot write at all, or go out, or do anything.</p> + +<p class="ind">Say everything proper from us to the whole family, and +pray believe me, always, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 93: The Princess Augusta of Cambridge, who was married to Frederic William, afterwards +Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in the following June. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">HISTORICAL STUDIES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>20th October 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave respectfully to acknowledge your Majesty's of +the 15th inst., which he received here the day before yesterday.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty is +reading with the Prince. Hallam's work<sup>94</sup> certainly requires +much consideration and much explanation, but it is a fair, +solid, impartial work, formed upon much thought and much +reading. St Simon's<sup>95</sup> is an excellent work; he has some +prejudices, but was a good honest man, and his book is full of +useful information. If your Majesty wishes for a book relating +to what passed from one hundred to two hundred years +ago, Lord Melbourne would strongly recommend the Private +Memoirs of the Lord Chancellor Clarendon (Edward Hyde), +not the great work, <i>The History of the Rebellion</i>, though that +is well worth reading, but the <i>Memoirs</i>, and Bishop Burnet's +History of his own time. The reigns of Charles II., James II., +and the Revolution are very curious in the latter. During +Queen Anne's reign the Bishop was not so much consulted, and +his work is therefore not so interesting. If your Majesty +wishes to turn your attention to more recent events, Professor +Smyth's<sup>96</sup> lectures upon Modern History, and particularly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.436" id="pagei.436"></a>[page 436]</span> +upon the French Revolution, seem to Lord Melbourne sound, +fair, and comprehensive. Lord Mahon's<sup>97</sup> is also a good work, +and gives a good account of the reigns of George I. and George +II. He has been thought by some in his last volume to have +given too favourable a character of the Chevalier, Charles +Edward Stuart.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is much touched by what your Majesty says +of the Princess Royal, and the delight and comfort which your +Majesty finds in her, as well as by the whole picture which +your Majesty draws of your domestic happiness. When your +Majesty refers to what passed three years ago, your Majesty +may be assured that it is with no small pleasure that Lord +Melbourne recalls any share which he may have had in that +transaction, and congratulates himself as well as your Majesty +and the Prince upon results which have been so fortunate both +for yourselves and for the country. Lord Melbourne ventures +to hope that your Majesty will convey these feelings to the +Prince, together with the assurance of his respectful remembrance.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 94: The <i>Constitutional History</i>, published in 1827.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 95: Louis Rouffroy, Duc de Saint-Simon, author of the celebrated <i>Mémoires</i>, published +1829-30.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 96: William Smyth (1765-1849), Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 97: Afterwards fifth Earl Stanhope: the book referred to is his <i>History of England from +the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles</i>. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Duke of Wellington to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">WALMER CASTLE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Walmer Castle</span>, <i>26th October 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Peel</span>,—Arbuthnot has shown me your letter to +him respecting this house.</p> + +<p class="ind">Nothing can be more convenient to me than to place it at +Her Majesty's disposition at any time she pleases....</p> + +<p class="ind">I am only apprehensive that the accommodation in +the Castle would scarcely be sufficient for Her Majesty, +the Prince, and the Royal children, and such suite as must +attend....</p> + +<p class="ind">It is the most delightful sea-residence to be found anywhere, +particularly for children. They can be out all day, on +the ramparts and platforms quite dry, and the beautiful gardens +and wood are enclosed and sheltered from the severe gales +of wind. There are good lodgings at Walmer village and on +Walmer beach at no great distance from the Castle, not above +half a mile. Believe me, ever, yours most sincerely,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Wellington.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">If the Queen should send anybody here, I beg that he will +write me a line, that I may have an apartment prepared for +him.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.437" id="pagei.437"></a>[page 437]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LETTER FROM QUEEN ADELAIDE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Canford House</span>, <i>31st October 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—A thousand thanks for your very +kind dear letter of yesterday with its enclosures, which I have +just received. Your opinion respecting George of Hanover's<sup>98</sup> +marriage is quite my own, and I regret that the King does not +seem to be inclined to settle it and fix a day for the celebration +of it. I do not know his reasons against it, for I have not +heard from him for a long, long time. I am so sorry to find +that the accounts of his health are so indifferent, and fear he +is not careful enough.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am happy to hear that you thought the Cambridge visit +went off well, and that the affianced<sup>99</sup> looked and seemed +happy. I hope it will always be the same, and that the +marriage will not be delayed too long. I always had imagined +that the Duke of Cambridge was rich and would give a fortune +to his daughters, but I have lately heard that it is not the case. +I do not know what is the usual marriage portion of an English +Princess given by the country. In Germany those portions +are called <i>die Prinzessin Teuer</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">We received 25,000 Fl. each when we married, and 10,000 Fl. +for our <i>trousseaux</i> each.</p> + +<p class="ind">If the young couple are to live in future with the Grand +Duke they will not want any Plate, but if they are to have a +separate <i>ménage</i>, then they will want it. I shall find it out by +and by. I wonder that the Duchess likes to part with her fine +sapphires. I thought the turquoises had been intended for +Augusta.</p> + +<p class="ind">I wish you could see the Convent to which I went the other +day. The nuns belong to the Order of the Cistercian <i>Trappists</i>. +They are not allowed to speak amongst themselves—what +a relief my visit must have been to them!—and they +neither eat meat, nor butter, nor eggs—nothing but milk, +vegetables and rice. They look healthy, and there were +several young rather pretty ones amongst them. One, the +best-looking of them all, Sister Marie Josepha, took me +affectionately by the hand and said, "I hope the air agrees +with you here and that you feel better?" and then she added, +"Come again—will you, before you leave this country again?" +She told me that she was born in Ireland and had a German +grandfather. She seemed to be the favourite amongst them +all, for when I bought of their works and asked them to make +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.438" id="pagei.438"></a>[page 438]</span> +up my bill, they called Marie Josepha to summon it up, and she +said to me, "Do not stay for that; we will send you your +things with the bill." Two hours after my visit to them I +received my things, with a wreath of flowers besides as their +gift to me; on the paper attached to it was written, "To the +Queen-Dowager, from the Reverend Mother and her Community."</p> + +<p class="ind">This old Reverend Mother, the Abbess, was very infirm, and +could not get up from her chair, but she spoke very politely and +ladylike to me in French. She has been forty years in her +present <i>situation</i>, and comes from Bretagne. The chaplain of +the Convent is also an old Frenchman, and there are several +other French nuns amongst them—one who had been condemned +to be guillotined in the Revolution, and was set at +liberty just at the moment the execution was to have taken +place. I should like to know whether these good nuns +resumed again at once their silence when I left them, or +whether they were permitted to talk over the events of that +day.... Your most affectionately devoted Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 98: Afterwards King George V. of Hanover. He married Princess Marie of Saxe-Altenburg, +18th February 1843.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 99: Princess Augusta of Cambridge. <i>See</i> p. <a href="#pagei.434" style="font-weight: normal;">434.</a> +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LORD MELBOURNE'S ILLNESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>1st November 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Many thanks for your most kind and amiable letter of +the 28th, which I received yesterday. The prospect of the +possibility of dearest Louise's spending some time with us <i>quite +enchants</i> us, and I hope and trust that you will carry your plan +into execution. Our plans, which we only settled last night, +are as follows:—the scarlet fever is on the decrease at Brighton, +but not sufficiently so to justify our going there immediately; +so we therefore intend going to Walmer with the children, but a +very reduced suite (as the house is considerably smaller than +Claremont), on the 10th, and to stay there till the 22nd inst., +when we shall go to Brighton and remain there till the 13th of +December. Now if dearest Louise would meet us there then, +and perhaps come back with us here for a little while <i>then</i>? +Windsor is <i>beautiful</i> in December.</p> + +<p class="ind">The news of Lord Melbourne, I am thankful to say, are +<i>excellent</i>, and he improves rapidly under Dr Holland's care, +but his first seizure was very alarming.<sup>100</sup> I shall not fail to +convey your kind message to this worthy friend of ours.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.439" id="pagei.439"></a>[page 439]</span> + +<p class="ind">I am so pleased at your account of Nemours and poor +Hélène. Tatane<sup>101</sup> is not your favourite, is he?</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Douglas's<sup>102</sup> marriage with Princess M. of Baden <i>is</i> +settled; <i>I</i> shall of course treat her as a Princess of Baden—I +can't do otherwise (it is like Aunt Sophie,<sup>103</sup> and Princess M. of +Würtemberg who married Count Neipperg<sup>104</sup>)—and him as Lord +Douglas, which won't please him.</p> + +<p class="ind">I wish Clem's marriage was no longer a secret, now that it <i>is +settled</i>, as it is (forgive my saying it) really a fashion in our +family to have these <i>secrets de la comédie</i>, when one is almost +forced to tell a lie about what is true. I <i>own</i> I dislike these +secrets; it was so with poor Marie and with Vecto. Now +<i>adieu!</i> dearest, kindest Uncle, and believe me, always, your +most affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 100: He had a paralytic seizure, and never regained his former health or spirits.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 101: Duc de Montpensier.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 102: Afterwards eleventh Duke of Hamilton: he was married to Princess Mary on 23rd +February following.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 103: Sister of the Duchess of Kent and of the King of the Belgians, and the wife of Count +Mensdorff.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 104: Alfred, Count Neipperg, who died in 1865. +</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE CROWN JEWELS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>11th November 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that he brought under +the consideration of your Majesty's servants the questions relating +to certain of the Crown Jewels, and the claim upon them +preferred by the King of Hanover.<sup>105</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">In the course of the discussion it appeared to Sir Robert Peel +that there were still some points in respect to this very embarrassing +question which required the grave consideration of +legal authorities, and that it would not be prudent to take any +step, even that of submitting the case to arbitration, without +the highest legal authority.</p> + +<p class="ind">The submission to arbitration might avoid the evil (and a +very great one it would be) of public controversy in a Court of +Justice, and of public examination of members of the Royal +Family on a matter partly of a domestic nature; but on the +other hand, great care must be taken that by submitting the +case to the award of arbitrators, even should they be nominated +altogether by your Majesty, we do not relinquish any <i>fair</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.440" id="pagei.440"></a>[page 440]</span> +advantage for the Crown of England which would have +accompanied an appeal to the regularly constituted tribunals +of the country.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty's Solicitor-General was employed as Counsel +for the King of Hanover, and it has been thought therefore +advisable to make the reference to the Attorney-General and +to the Queen's Advocate.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel has attempted to bring every questionable +point in the case submitted to them under the consideration of +your Majesty's law advisers, and when their report shall be +received he will not fail to lay it before your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel had a personal interview a few days since +with His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, on the subject +of a public provision for the Princess Augusta on the +occasion of her marriage.<sup>106</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel thought it advisable to enquire from the +Duke of Cambridge, as the impression of the public (of which +His Royal Highness is quite aware) is that he has a considerable +fortune of his own, independently of his annual allowance +from Parliament.</p> +<span class="rightnote">PROVISION FOR PRINCESS AUGUSTA</span> +<p class="ind">The Duke of Cambridge seemed entirely to share the impressions +of Sir Robert Peel that in the present state of the +country, and of the public revenue, great caution is requisite +in respect to the proposal of a grant of public money as a +marriage portion to the Princess Augusta, and that it would be +important that in any proposal to be made there should be a +general acquiescence on the part of the House of Commons.</p> + +<p class="ind">As the marriage is not to take place for some time it appears +to Sir Robert Peel that it might be advisable to postpone a +decision, at least in respect to the particular amount of any +provision to be made, till a period nearer to the meeting of +Parliament.</p> + +<p class="ind">A public intimation, or the public notoriety long beforehand +of the intention to propose a grant of public money +might, in the present temper of the times, interpose additional +obstacles in the way of it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel proposes to return to Drayton Manor for a +short time, and to leave London to-morrow morning.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 105: The King claimed them on the ground that part belonged to the Crown of Hanover, +and part had been bequeathed to him by Queen Charlotte. The matter was referred +to a Commission consisting of Lords Lyndhurst and Langdale, and Chief Justice Tindal. +The two former were divided in opinion, and the Chief Justice died before the award +was made. It was not till 1857 that a final decision, substantially in favour of Hanover, +was given.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 106: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.437" style="font-weight: normal;">437</a>. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">SUCCESSES IN CHINA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Downing Street</span>, <i>23rd November 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, has the honour of submitting +to your Majesty an original despatch from Lieutenant-General +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.441" id="pagei.441"></a>[page 441]</span> +Sir Hugh Gough, received this morning, detailing the +triumphant successes which had crowned the exertions of your +Majesty's Naval and Military forces in China,<sup>107</sup> and of the completely +satisfactory result in the execution of a Treaty of Peace +with the Emperor of China, upon terms highly honourable to +your Majesty and advantageous to this country.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Stanley learns from Lord Fitzgerald that he is also +forwarding to your Majesty, by this messenger, the details +which the same mail has brought of the complete and triumphant +issue of the campaign in Afghanistan.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Stanley trusts that he may be permitted to offer to +your Majesty his humble congratulations upon intelligence so +glorious to British Arms, and so important to British interests. +It is difficult to estimate the moral effect which these victories +may produce, not on Asia merely, but throughout Europe also. +At the same moment your Majesty has brought to a triumphant +issue two gigantic operations, one in the centre of Asia, the +other in the heart of the hitherto unapproachable Chinese +Empire. In the former, past disasters have been retrieved; +a signal victory has been achieved on the very spot memorable +for former failure and massacre; the honour of the British +Arms has been signally vindicated; the interests of humanity +have been consulted by the rescue of the whole of the prisoners; +and, after a series of victories, the Governor-General of India +is free, without discredit, to enter upon measures of internal +improvement, and having established the supremacy of British +power, to carry on henceforth a more pacific policy.</p> + +<p class="ind">In China a termination has been put to the effusion of blood +by the signature of a treaty which has placed your Majesty's +dominions on a footing never recognised in favour of any +foreign Power—a footing of perfect equality with the Chinese +Empire; which has obtained large indemnity for the past, and +ample security for the future, and which has opened to British +enterprise the commerce of China to an extent which it is almost +impossible to anticipate. It may interest your Majesty +to hear that already enquiries are made in the City for superintendents +of ships to trade to <i>Ningpo direct</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Stanley has taken upon himself to give orders in your +Majesty's name for firing the Park and Tower guns in honour +of these glorious successes. A <i>Gazette</i> extraordinary will be +published to-morrow, the voluminous nature of the despatches +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.442" id="pagei.442"></a>[page 442]</span> +rendering it necessary to take some time lest an important +despatch should be omitted.</p> + +<p class="ind">All which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most +dutiful Servant and Subject,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Stanley</span>.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 107: Chapoo was taken by Sir Hugh Gough in May: in June the squadron, under Admiral +William Parker, entered the waters of the Yang-tze, captured Chin-kiang-fu, and were +about to attack Nanking, when the treaty was concluded, embracing among other things +a payment by the Chinese of 21,000,000 dollars, the cession of Hong Kong, and the opening +of the ports of Canton, Amoy, Foochow, Ningpo, and Shanghai. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VICTORIES IN AFGHANISTAN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">India Board</span>, <i>23rd November 1842</i>.<sup>108</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Fitzgerald, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, +begs leave most humbly to inform your Majesty that the +despatches received from the Governor-General of India announce +the results of a series of most brilliant exploits by the +armies under Major-General Nott and General Pollock in +Afghanistan.</p> + +<p class="ind">Each of those armies has achieved a glorious victory over +superior numbers of the enemy.</p> + +<p class="ind">The city of Ghuznee has been captured, and its formidable +fortress utterly razed and destroyed.</p> + +<p class="ind">The survivors of the British garrison, which had capitulated +in the spring of the year, and who had been reduced to slavery, +have been redeemed from bondage.</p> + +<p class="ind">The splendid victory of General Pollock has been obtained +over the army commanded by Akbar Khan in person, on the +very spot where the greatest disaster had befallen the British +Army on their retreat, and where the last gun had been lost.</p> + +<p class="ind">On the 16th of September, General Pollock entered Cabul +with his victorious troops and planted the Colours of your +Majesty in the Bala Hissar, on the spot most conspicuous from +the city.</p> + +<p class="ind">An extract from a letter from General Pollock to Lord Ellenborough, +dated at Cabul the 21st of September, gives the most +gratifying intelligence that <i>all</i> the British prisoners, with the +exception of Captain Bygrave, have been rescued from Akbar +Khan, and were expected in the British camp on the 22nd of +September.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.443" id="pagei.443"></a>[page 443]</span> + +<p class="ind">An extract from a letter from General Pollock announcing +the redemption of the prisoners is also most humbly submitted +to your Majesty, by your Majesty's most dutiful Subject and +Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Fitzgerald and Vesci.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 108: The mail, which informed Ministers of the Chinese success, also brought the news +of the capture of Cabul. General Nott (see <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.402" style="font-weight: normal;">402</a>) had by the end of July completed +his preparations, and marched upon Ghuznee, having arranged to meet Pollock at Cabul, +and having transferred the Scinde command to General England. Nott was before +Ghuznee on 5th September, but at daylight on the 6th found it evacuated; the citadel +was destroyed by him and the Gates of Somnauth removed, as directed by Lord Ellenborough. +Pollock, to whose discretion Ellenborough had entrusted the policy of advancing +on Cabul, secured supplies at Gundamuck, and on his advance met the enemy +in a strong position in the Jugdulluck Pass and dispersed them; then at Tezeen, on +12th September, he was attacked by Akbar Khan with 20,000 men. The Pass was +forced, and the Afghans retired to the Haft Kotal, where they were utterly defeated, close +to the scene of Elphinstone's disaster. Nott arrived at Cabul on the day after Pollock. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Ardenne</span>, <i>24th November 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—... I do not think, or I may say +I am pretty certain, because I have often seen Donna Maria's +letters, they hardly ever speak of politics, except just saying +that they are surrounded by such very sad people without +honour or honesty. I am sure they are not French at Lisbon +beyond the kindly feelings which result from the recollection of +Donna Maria's stay at Paris. My constant advice has been to +look exclusively to the closest alliance with England, and +Ferdinand is now <i>well aware</i> of it; but you know that the +Liberal party tried to even harm him by representing him as a +<i>mere</i> creature of England. We live in odd times when really +one very often thinks people mad; their <i>uncontrouled</i> passions +do not develop amiable feelings, but on the contrary everything +that is bad and unreasonable....</p> + +<p class="ind">You are a very affectionate and kind Mamma, which is very +praiseworthy; may Heaven preserve your dear little children! +Victoria is very clever, and it will give you great pleasure to +see the development which takes place with children just at +that time of life. What you say of Ernest is unfortunately but +too true; that trick of exaggeration is one of the worst I almost +know, and particularly in people in high stations, as one +finally knows not what to believe, and it generally ends with +people disbelieving all such individuals do say.... Your +devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Walmer Castle</span>, <i>25th November 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen wishes Sir Robert to consider, and at an <i>early</i> +period to submit to her, his propositions as to how to recompense +and how to mark her high approbation of the admirable +conduct of all those meritorious persons who have by their +strenuous endeavour, brought about the recent brilliant successes +in China and Afghanistan.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.444" id="pagei.444"></a>[page 444]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MILITARY HONOURS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Walmer Castle</span>, <i>29th November 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Approve of the G.C.B. given to—</p> + +<ul class="none1"> + <li>Sir <span class="sc">H. Pottinger</span>.</li> + <li>Sir <span class="sc">W. Parker</span>.</li> + <li><span class="sc">General Nott.</span></li> + <li><span class="sc">General Pollock.</span></li> +</ul> + +<p class="ind">Likewise of the proposed pension to Sir R. Sale, and the +Baronetcy to Sir Hugh Gough.</p> + +<p class="ind">Thinks the latter very fit to succeed Sir Jasper Nicols<sup>109</sup> as +Commander-in-Chief in India.</p> + +<p class="ind">Grants with pleasure the permission <i>to her troops</i> engaged in +Afghanistan to accept and wear the four medals which the +Governor-General has had struck for the Indian Army, and +hopes that besides gratifying the troops, it will have the beneficial +effect of still further strengthening the good feeling existing +between the two armies. Were it not for this impression, the +Queen would have thought it more becoming that she herself +should have rewarded her troops with a medal than leaving it +to the Governor-General.</p> + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 109: Lieut.-General Sir Jasper Nicols (1778-1849), created a K.C.B. for his services at +Bhurtpore.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Ellenborough to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE GATES OF SOMNAUTH</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Simla</span>, <i>18th October 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Ellenborough, with his most humble duty to your +Majesty, humbly offers to your Majesty his congratulation on +the entire success which has attended the operations of the +Fleet and Army under your Majesty's direction in the Yantze-Kiang,<sup>110</sup> +and submits to your Majesty the general order which, +on the receipt of the intelligence of that success and of the peace +concluded with the Emperor of China upon the terms dictated +by your Majesty, he issued to the Army of India.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty will have observed that in the letter of the +4th of July to Major-General Nott, that officer was instructed +to bring away the gates of the Temple of Somnauth, from the +tomb of Mahmood of Ghuznee, and the club of Mahmood also.</p> + +<p class="ind">The club was no longer upon the tomb, and it seems to be +doubtful whether it was taken away by some person of Lord +Keane's Army in 1839, or by Shah Sooja, or whether it was +hidden in order to prevent its being taken away at that time.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.445" id="pagei.445"></a>[page 445]</span> + +<p class="ind">The gates of the Temple of Somnauth have been brought +away by Major-General Nott.</p> + +<p class="ind">These gates were taken to Ghuznee by Sultan Mahmood in +the year 1024. The tradition of the Invasion of India by Sultan +Mahmood in that year, and of the carrying away of the gates +after the destruction of the Temple, is still current in every +part of India, and known to every one. So earnest is the desire +of the Hindoos and of all who are not Mussulmans to recover +the gates of the Temple, that when ten or twelve years ago +Runjeet Singh was making arrangements with Shah Sooja for +assisting him in the endeavour to recover his throne,<sup>111</sup> he wished +to make a stipulation that when Shah Sooja recovered his power +he should restore the gates to India, and Shah Sooja refused.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Ellenborough transmits for your Majesty's information +a copy of the Address he intends to publish on announcing that +the gates of the Temple will be restored.<sup>112</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The progress of the gates from Ferozepore to Somnauth will +be one great national triumph, and their restoration to India +will endear the Government to the whole people.<sup>113</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 110: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.441" style="font-weight: normal;">441</a>, note 107.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 111: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.142" style="font-weight: normal;">142</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 112: "The insult of 800 years," he wrote in this rather theatrical proclamation, "is at +last avenged. The gates of the temple of Somnauth, so long the memorial of your humiliation, +are become the proudest record of your national glory.... You will yourselves, +with all honour, transmit the gates of sandal-wood, through your respective territories, +to the restored Temple of Somnauth."</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 113: See <i>post</i>, pp. <a href="#pagei.463" style="font-weight: normal;">463</a>, <a href="#pagei.468" style="font-weight: normal;">468</a>, and <a href="#pagei.477" style="font-weight: normal;">477</a>. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FRANCE AND SPAIN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>13th December 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dearest Uncle</span>,—I have to thank you for two most kind +letters of the 5th and 8th. I can report very favourably of +the healths of young and old; we are all very flourishing, and +have since yesterday perfectly <i>May</i> weather. Clear, dry frost +would be wholesome.</p> + +<p class="ind">Victoire gave me yesterday a much better account of poor +little Robert.<sup>114</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">In Portugal affairs seem quieted down, but Ferdinand is +imprudent enough to say to Mamma that he would be wretched +to lose Dietz (very naturally), and <i>would not be at all sorry to go +away</i>. Now, this is <i>folly</i>, and a most dangerous language to +hold, as if he entertains this, I fear the Portuguese will <i>some +beau matin</i> indulge him in his wishes.</p> + +<p class="ind">The news from Spain are better, but I must own frankly to +you, that <i>we are all disgusted</i> at the <i>French intrigues</i> which have +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.446" id="pagei.446"></a>[page 446]</span> +<i>without a doubt</i> been at the bottom of it all, and can, I fear, be +traced very close to the Tuileries. Why attempt to ruin a +country (which they luckily <i>cannot succeed</i> in) merely out of +personal dislike to a man who certainly has proved himself +capable of keeping the country quiet, and certainly is by far +the <i>most honest</i> Spaniard in existence, whatever crimes or faults +the French may choose to bring against him. And what will +be the effect of all this? A total dislike and mistrust of France, +and a still closer alliance with England. I have spoken thus +freely, as a repetition of last year's scenes is <i>too much</i> to remain +silent, and as I have ever been privileged to tell you, dearest +Uncle, my feelings, and the truth.</p> + +<p class="ind">Poor Lord Hill's death, though fully expected, will grieve +you, as it has grieved us.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am much amused at what you say about Charles, and shall +tell it him, when I write to him. Believe me, always, your +most affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 114: The infant Duc de Chartres. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>19th December 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is very desirous that something should be done +for Major Malcolm<sup>115</sup> (who was the bearer of "the news of Victory +and Peace"), either by promotion in the Army or by any +other distinction. He is a very intelligent and well-informed +officer, and has been employed in China both in a Civil and +Military capacity, and has made, and is going to make again, a +long journey at a very bad time of the year, though suffering +severely at this moment from ague.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 115: In such cases it has been usual to confer some distinction. +</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>26th December 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen thanks Sir Robert for his letter of the 23rd. She +thinks that Major Malcolm's going back to China the bearer of +verbal instructions as well as written ones will greatly facilitate +the matter and prevent misunderstandings, which at such a +great distance are mostly fatal. The Queen joins in Sir Robert's +opinion, that before coming to a final arrangement it will be +most valuable to have Sir H. Pottinger's opinion upon your +present message, and thinks it much the best that Sir H. should +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.447" id="pagei.447"></a>[page 447]</span> +in the meantime be entrusted with the <i>extraordinary</i> full powers +for concluding any provisional arrangements, as she believes +that very great confidence may be placed in him. Lord Stanley's +suggestions strike the Queen as very judicious and calculated +to facilitate the future Government of Hong-Kong.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes to hear more from Sir Robert when she +sees him here, which she hopes to do from Monday the 2nd to +Wednesday the 4th.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE SCOTCH CHURCH</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Drayton Manor</span>, <i>26th December 1842.</i></p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and with reference to enquiries made by your Majesty when +Sir Robert Peel was last at Windsor, on the subject of the +Scotch Church and the proceedings of the last General Assembly, +begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that the Moderator +of the Assembly has recently addressed a letter to Sir Robert +Peel, requiring an answer to the demands urged by the General +Assembly in a document entitled a Protest and Declaration of +Right.<sup>116</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The demands of the General Assembly amount to a reversal +by Law of the recent decisions of the Court of Session and of the +House of Lords, and to a repeal of the Act of Queen Anne, which +establishes the Right of Patronage in respect to Livings in the +Church of Scotland.</p> + +<p class="ind">That Act by no means gives any such absolute right of appointment +to the Crown or other patrons of Livings, as exists +in England. It enables those legally entitled to the patronage +to present a clergyman to the Living, but the Church Courts +have the power, on valid objections being made and duly sustained +by the parishioners, to set aside the presentation of the +patron, and to require from him a new nomination.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Church, however, requires the absolute repeal of the +Act of Anne.</p> + +<p class="ind">An answer to the demands of the Church will now become +requisite.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.448" id="pagei.448"></a>[page 448]</span> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham has been in communication with the law +advisers of your Majesty in Scotland upon the legal questions +involved in this matter, and will shortly send for your Majesty's +consideration the draft of a proposed answer to the General +Assembly.<sup>117</sup></p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 116: The famous Auchterarder case had decided that, notwithstanding the vetoing by +the congregation of the nominee of the patron, the Presbytery must take him on trial +if qualified by life, learning, and doctrine,—in other words, that the Act of Anne, subjecting +the power of the Presbytery to the control of the law courts, was not superseded +by the Veto Act, a declaration made by the General Assembly. In the Strathbogie case, +a minister had been nominated to Marnock, and 261 out of 300 heads of families had +objected to him. The General Assembly having directed the Presbytery to reject him, +the civil court held that he must be taken on trial. Seven members of the Presbytery +obeyed the civil power, and the General Assembly, on the motion of Dr Chalmers, deposed +them and declared their parishes vacant.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 117: Sir James Graham's letter is printed in the Annual Register for 1843. A petition in +answer was drawn by the Assembly and presented to Parliament by Mr Fox Maule. After +the debate on it in the Commons, preparations were made throughout Scotland for the +secession of the non-intrusionists, as they were called, which event took place on 18th May +1843, when about 500 Ministers, headed by Chalmers, seceded from the Old Kirk, and +founded the Free Church. +</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">A SERIOUS CRISIS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Drayton Manor</span>, <i>30th December 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and rejoices to hear that your Majesty approved of the letter +which, with your Majesty's sanction, James Graham proposes +to write to the Moderator of the General Assembly of +the Church of Scotland.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel fears that there is too much ground for +the apprehensions expressed by your Majesty in respect to +future embarrassment arising out of the position of the Church +Question in Scotland.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel saw yesterday a letter addressed by Dr +Abercrombie,<sup>118</sup> the eminent physician in Edinburgh, to Sir +George Sinclair,<sup>119</sup> declaring his conviction that the Secession of +Ministers from their Livings would take place to <i>a very great +extent</i>—would comprise very many of the Ministers most distinguished +for learning and professional character, and would +meet with very general support among their congregations.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel has little doubt that a serious crisis in the +History of the Church of Scotland is at hand, and that the result +of it will be greatly to be lamented; but still he could not +advise your Majesty to seek to avert it by the acquiescence in +demands amounting to the abrogation of important civil rights +and to the establishment in Scotland of an ecclesiastical domination +independent of all control....</p> + +<p class="ind">He is very confident that your Majesty will feel that in the +present state of the controversy with the Church of Scotland, +there is peculiar reason for taking the greatest care that every +minister presented to a Crown Living should be not only above +exception, but should, if possible, be pre-eminently distinguished +for his fitness for a pastoral charge.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 118: John Abercrombie (1780-1844), one of the chief consulting physicians in Scotland, +and a great medical writer. He left the Established Church.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 119: Sir George Sinclair (1790-1868), M.P. for Caithness-shire, was a supporter of the +Anti-Patronage Society, and joined the Free Church. +</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.449" id="pagei.449"></a>[page 449]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">HISTORICAL READING</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>30th December 1842</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has been much delighted this morning by receiving your +Majesty's letter of the 28th. He was the more gratified, as he +had begun to be a little annoyed at being such a very long time +without hearing from your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Mahon has sent Lord Melbourne his book.<sup>120</sup> Lord +Melbourne has not yet read it, but he has read the review of it +in the <i>Quarterly</i>, which seems to be a sort of abstract or abridgment +of the book. The effect of writing it in French has naturally +been to direct all attention and criticism from the merits +of the work to the faults of the French. People who have +read the work speak of it as entertaining, and the times are +curious and interesting. The characters engaged in them, +striking and remarkable. Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear +that Pottinger's conduct is so universally approved. He always +appeared to Lord Melbourne to be a man of great ability, +resolution and discretion, and Lord Melbourne much rejoices +that he has turned out so.</p> + +<p class="ind">Hallam's opinions Lord Melbourne believes to be in general +sound, and such as have been held and approved by the most +able and constitutional statesmen in this country.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is much rejoiced to hear of the Princess and +the Prince of Wales, and also that your Majesty is pursuing +your studies quietly, cheerfully, and happily.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very sensible of the interest which the +Baron takes in his health and which he warmly reciprocates. +There is no man whom he esteems more, nor of whose head and +heart he has a better opinion.</p> + +<p class="ind">We expect here to-morrow the Duchess of Sutherland<sup>121</sup> and +Lady Elizabeth Gower,<sup>122</sup> who have been kind enough to propose +to pay Lord Melbourne a visit.</p> + + +<p class="footnote1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 120: <i>Essai sur la vie du grand Condé</i>, afterwards published in English.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 121: Formerly Mistress of the Robes.</p> + +<p class="footnote1">Footnote 122: Afterwards Duchess of Argyll.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.450" id="pagei.450"></a>[page 450]</span> + + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 5em;">INTRODUCTORY NOTE</h3> + +<h3 style="margin-top: -0.5em;">TO CHAPTER XII</h3> + + +<p><span class="sc">Repeated</span> debates took place during the year (1843) on the Corn +Laws, the agitation against them steadily growing, Mr Cobden +coming on one occasion into violent conflict with the Premier. The +events of the previous year in Afghanistan were also the subject of +constant discussion in Parliament. A movement of some importance +took place in Wales in opposition to the increasing number of toll-bars, +bands of rioters dressed in women's clothes and known as +"Rebecca and her daughters," demolishing the gates and committing +acts of greater or less violence. A verse in Genesis (xxiv. 60) fancifully +applied gave rise to this name and disguise.</p> + +<p>In Scotland the system of private patronage in the Established +Kirk had become very unpopular, the Act of Anne in favour of the +nomination by lay patrons, and the control given to the Law Courts +over the revising action of the Presbytery being ultimately modified +by a declaration of the General Assembly known as the Veto Act. +But it was decided in what was called the Strathbogie case that the +veto was illusory, the disruption of the old Kirk followed, and on 18th +May Dr Chalmers and five hundred other ministers seceded from it in +order to form the Free Church.</p> + +<p>In Ireland the agitation for Repeal was at its height. O'Connell, +supported by the <i>Nation</i> newspaper, founded a Repeal Association +in Dublin, and monster meetings were held on Sundays on some +conspicuous spot of free and historic associations to claim the +re-establishment of a Parliament on College Green. It was believed +that a quarter of a million people were present on one occasion, +and the Government, alarmed at the absolute power wielded by +O'Connell over these huge bodies of men, resolved to prohibit the +meetings, and somewhat tardily issued a Proclamation against that +announced for Clontarf on 8th October. O'Connell accordingly +disbanded the meeting, but his action did not please his more zealous +supporters, and his ascendency came to an end. The agitation +collapsed and the principal actors were arrested.</p> + +<p>A military duel fought in the summer of this year, in which a +colonel in the Army was shot by his brother-in-law, made the code +of honour existing on the subject a burning question, the criminal +law of homicide being the same then as now. On Prince Albert's +suggestion, the question was taken up by the heads of the Army +and Navy, and the Articles of War were in the following year amended +so as to admit of an apology and a tender of redress.</p> + +<p>The better feeling existing between this country and France +enabled the Queen and Prince to visit Louis Philippe at the Château +d'Eu.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.451" id="pagei.451"></a>[page 451]</span> + + + + +<h2 style="margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 1em;">CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h5>1843</h5> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>4th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dearest Uncle</span>,—... We have been <i>very</i> gay; danced into +the New Year, and again <i>last</i> night, and were <i>very</i> merry, +though but a very small party; young and old danced. Good +Lord Melbourne was here from Saturday till this morning, +looking very well, and I <i>almost</i> fancied happy old times were +returned; but alas! the dream is <i>past</i>! He enquired much +after you.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now adieu! Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BETROTHAL OF PRINCE DE JOINVILLE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>10th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I am happy to write to you again +from this so very dear and comfortable old place, where you +will have heard from Louise that we arrived with our dear +Pussy on Thursday last. We are <i>all</i> so particularly well, including +Pussy, that we intend, to my great delight, to prolong +our stay till next Monday. This place has a peculiar charm +for us both, and to me it brings back recollections of the <i>happiest</i> +days of my otherwise <i>dull</i> childhood—where I experienced such +kindness from you, dearest Uncle, which has ever since continued. +It is true that my <i>last</i> stay here <i>before</i> I came to the +Throne, from November '36 to February '37, was a peculiarly +painful and disagreeable one, but somehow or other, I do <i>not</i> +think of those times, but only of all the former <i>so</i> happy ones. +Victoria plays with my old bricks, etc., and I think you would +be pleased to see this and to see her <i>running</i> and jumping in +the flower garden, as <i>old</i>—though I fear <i>still little</i>—<i>Victoria +of</i> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.452" id="pagei.452"></a>[page 452]</span> +<i>former days</i> used to do. She is very well, and such an amusement +to us, that I can't bear to move without her; she is <i>so</i> +funny and speaks so well, and in French also, she knows almost +everything; she would therefore get on famously with Charlotte....</p> + +<p class="ind">Might I ask you some questions about Joinville's match,<sup>1</sup> +which interests me much? First of all, <i>have</i> you heard of his +arrival at Rio? Secondly, if the Donna Francesca pleases, is +he empowered <i>at once to make the demand</i>, or must he write +home first? How nice it would be if the <i>two</i> marriages could +take place at <i>once</i>; but I suppose, under any circumstances, +that could <i>not</i> be....</p> + +<p class="ind">Alexandrine is nearly quite recovered; she writes such +pretty, affectionate, kind letters, poor dear child, and is so +fond of Ernest. I must say I think <i>he</i> seems improved, as he +likes to live <i>quietly</i> with her, and speaks of her too with the +greatest affection.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now, my dearest Uncle, let me take my leave, begging you +to believe me, always, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 1: He was married to the Princess Francesca of Brazil on 1st May.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">HISTORICAL READING</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>12th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thanks your Majesty much for your letter of the 9th inst. +which he received yesterday. Every letter that he receives +from your Majesty brings back to his mind the recollection of +times, which, though they were clouded with much care and +anxiety, were still to Lord Melbourne a period of much happiness +and satisfaction....</p> + +<p class="ind">Hallam has not written a History of the Church, but in all +his books there is necessarily much about the Church, and +much that is worthy of mention. A short History of the +Church is, Lord Melbourne fears, not to be found, the subject +is so large and so difficult that it cannot be treated shortly. +Dr Short<sup>2</sup> has written and published a clever, brief, and distinct +summary, but it relates principally to the Church of +England, and in order to be fully understood, requires to be +read by one who has already some acquaintance with the +subject.</p> + +<p class="ind">The book which your Majesty remembers Lord Melbourne +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.453" id="pagei.453"></a>[page 453]</span> +reading is the production of Dr Waddington,<sup>3</sup> whom your +Majesty, under Lord Melbourne's recommendation, made Dean +of Durham, which dignity he now holds. It is a very good +book.</p> + +<p class="ind">Adolphus's<sup>4</sup> History is by no means a bad book, and will +give your Majesty the facts of the beginning of the reign of +George III. well and accurately enough. The Duke of Sussex +once told Lord Melbourne that he had asked his father whether +Adolphus's account of the beginning of his reign was correct, +and that the King had replied that substantially it was so, but +that there were some mistakes, and that what had been done +by one person was often attributed to another. Adolphus's +History will receive some illustration from Horace Walpole's +letters of that period....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne thinks that he is really getting rid of the +gout, and gathering strength. He still has some doubt +whether he shall be able to go up for the meeting of Parliament. +Lord Melbourne begs to renew to your Majesty the +warm and respectful assurance of his gratitude and attachment.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 2: Bishop, then of Sodor and Man, afterwards of St Asaph. His book, a <i>Sketch of the +History of the Church of England</i>, was published in 1832.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 3: George Waddington (1793-1869), Dean of Durham, published in 1833 the <i>History of +the Church from the Earliest Ages to the Reformation</i>.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 4: John Adolphus, barrister, wrote a history of England from 1760 to 1783.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Canford House</span>, <i>Friday, 13th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—... As you take so kind an interest +in our dear Thesy,<sup>5</sup> I send you a letter which I have received +from her mother-in-law, with an excellent account of her and +her infant. Her happiness is a great blessing, and I thank +God that she is so well this time. Can you imagine her with +<i>two boys</i>? It seems so odd, for it is but a short time since she +was here with us. How time flies rapidly. I own I was not a +little surprised to find that you are probably the godmother; +or is the little boy only to be named after you? I remember +well what you said to me when I was asked to be the godmother +of the first boy, "<i>that I could not accept it</i>," as I must not take +the responsibilities attached to a sponsor with a Roman +Catholic child. On that ground alone, and having learned +your opinion which sanctioned my own, I refused it then at +the risk of offending the dear parents. Now, after all that was +said on the subject, if <i>you have accepted</i> the offer of becoming +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.454" id="pagei.454"></a>[page 454]</span> +sponsor to this little <i>Victor</i>, <span class="sc">YOU</span>, as the Head of the English +Church, give to understand that <i>I</i> was wrong in my notions of +the duties which our Church imposes upon sponsors, having +refused what you accepted. I tell you fairly and openly that +it has vexed me, but of course I say this only to <i>yourself</i>, +dearest Victoria, and not to any one else, for it does not become +me to find fault with what you please to do. But I could +not entirely pass it over in silence, and regret that my former +refusal must now become doubly annoying to my relations. +I beg your pardon for thus frankly stating my feelings to you +on a subject which I shall now despatch from my mind, and I +trust you will not take it ill, and excuse me for having mentioned +it to you <i>alone</i>.... Your most attached and devoted +Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 5: Princess Thérèse, daughter of the Prince of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfurst, and wife +of Prince Frederick Charles of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Queen Adelaide.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>15th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am at a loss to comprehend, my dear Aunt, what you mean +by saying that you refused being godmother to Thesy's first +child, as <i>I</i> had sanctioned your doing so. I never remember +even <i>talking</i> to <i>you</i> on the subject, but only heard from Mamma +that <i>you</i> had refused doing so—which I was surprised at. I +therefore felt no hesitation in accepting the offer of Thesy, +particularly as I am already godmother to one of the children +of Prince Esterhazy's daughter. I am grieved, dearest Aunt, +that this occurrence should annoy you, but I can <i>assure</i> you +that I do not remember <i>ever</i> having spoken to you on the +subject at all.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF CANADA</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Downing Street</span>, <i>19th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, submits to your +Majesty that in pursuance of the permission which your +Majesty was pleased to give him personally, he has this day +offered to Sir Charles Metcalfe<sup>6</sup> the Governor-Generalship of +Canada; and Lord Stanley has much satisfaction in adding +that the offer has been readily and thankfully accepted. This +appointment, Lord Stanley is convinced, is, under the circumstances, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.455" id="pagei.455"></a>[page 455]</span> +the best which could have been made, and he believes +not only that it will be generally approved, but that Sir Charles +Metcalfe's long experience and tried discretion will afford the +best prospect of conducting the affairs of Canada safely and +successfully through the present crisis. As Sir Charles Metcalfe +will naturally be anxious previous to his embarkation +(which, however, will probably not take place for at least six +weeks) to have the honour of being presented to your Majesty +on his appointment, Lord Stanley hopes he may be honoured +by your Majesty's commands as to the time when it may be +your Majesty's pleasure to admit him to an audience. Perhaps +Sir Charles's attendance after the Council at which your +Majesty's Speech on the opening of the Session has to be +settled, may give your Majesty as little trouble as any time +that could be named.</p> + +<p class="ind">The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most, +dutiful Servant and Subject,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Stanley.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 6: Metcalfe had had a long Indian career, and for a year had been Provisional Governor-General, +when he removed the restrictions on the liberty of the Press. He was created +a peer in 1845, but never took his seat. He resigned his post at the end of that year, +and died soon after.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ASSASSINATION OF MR DRUMMOND</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>20th January (1843)</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Sir</span>,—I have the painful duty of acquainting your Royal +Highness that Mr Drummond, my Private Secretary, was +shot at this day about quarter past three o'clock, in the +neighbourhood of Charing Cross.<sup>7</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Two pistols were discharged, the first close to Mr Drummond's +back, the second after the assassin had been seized by +a policeman.</p> + +<p class="ind">The ball entered in the back and has been extracted, after +passing round the ribs. I have just left Mr Drummond's +house. No vital part appears to have been injured, and there +is no unfavourable symptom whatever.</p> + +<p class="ind">The assassin gives his name <i>MacNaghten</i>, and appears to be +a Glasgow man.</p> + +<p class="ind">Two five-pound notes were, I understand, found upon his +person, and a receipt for £750 given to Daniel MacNaghten, +confirming, therefore, the man's account of his name.</p> + +<p class="ind">We have not hitherto been able to discover that this man +had any alleged grievance or complaint against the Treasury +or any public office.</p> + +<p class="ind">He has been loitering about the public offices for the last +fortnight, and being questioned, I understand, some days +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.456" id="pagei.456"></a>[page 456]</span> +since, by the Office Keeper of the Council office, said he +was a policeman. This, of course, for the purpose of evading +further enquiry.</p> + +<p class="ind">The policeman who apprehended the man, says that he +heard the man exclaim after firing the shots: "He or she (the +policeman is uncertain which) shall not disturb my peace of +mind any more."</p> + +<p class="ind">These are all the particulars I have heard or learned. I am +afraid I have given them to your Royal Highness in a hurried +manner. I have thought it better to convey this information +to Her Majesty, through the kind intervention of your Royal +Highness, than by a direct communication to the Queen.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your +Royal Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Robert Peel</span>.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 7: Edward Drummond had been Private Secretary to Canning, Ripon, and Wellington, +as well as to Peel, and was very popular; he was in his fifty-first year. He had just +left his uncle's Bank at Charing Cross, when he was shot.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MISTAKEN FOR SIR ROBERT PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>21st January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel begs leave to mention to your Majesty a +fact <i>which has not hitherto transpired</i>—and of which he was not +aware until he had an interview this morning with Sir James +Graham.</p> + +<p class="ind">On the Inspector Tierney going into the cell of MacNaghten +this morning, he said to MacNaghten: "I suppose you are +aware who is the person whom you have shot?"</p> + +<p class="ind">He (MacNaghten) said: "Yes—Sir Robert Peel."</p> + +<p class="ind">From this it would appear that he had mistaken Mr Drummond +for Sir Robert Peel.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Magistrate thought it better not to have this evidence +at present placed on record.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEATH OF MR DRUMMOND</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>25th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the very painful duty to report to your Majesty the +fatal consequences of the attack on Mr Drummond.</p> + +<p class="ind">He breathed his last this morning about half-past ten +o'clock.</p> + +<p class="ind">A very unfavourable change took place last night, and no +hopes were entertained after seven o'clock in the evening.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.457" id="pagei.457"></a>[page 457]</span> + +<p class="ind">This sad event has had such an effect on Lady Peel, and all +the circumstances attending it are so distressing to Sir Robert +Peel, that relying upon your Majesty's great kindness, he ventures +to express a hope that your Majesty will have the goodness +to permit Sir Robert and Lady Peel to remain for the +present in London, or should your Majesty desire to see Sir +Robert Peel before Wednesday next, to allow him to wait upon +your Majesty in the morning of any day which your Majesty +may be pleased to name.</p> + +<p class="ind">He need scarcely assure your Majesty that nothing but such +a sad event as that which has occurred would induce him to +prefer this request to your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel encloses such further information as has +reached him respecting MacNaghten.</p> + +<p class="ind">He does not hesitate to send to your Majesty every word +of information of the least importance which he receives....</p> + +<p class="ind">The evidence of his mental delusion is strong, but it must be +borne in mind that he was exactly the instrument which others +would employ.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel has no reason for surmising this to be the +case, but the possibility of it ought not and shall not be overlooked.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DEMEANOUR OF MACNAGHTEN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>25th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and makes no apology for frequently writing to your Majesty +on the painful subject in respect to which your Majesty has +manifested so deep an interest.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel humbly thinks that your Majesty's observations +with respect to the clear distinctions in the cases of +insanity are most just. It will be most unfortunate indeed if +the Law does not attach its severest penalty to a crime so +premeditated and so deliberately and savagely perpetrated, +as that of MacNaghten.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Jury are, however, the sole judges on this point, that is +to say, it rests with them exclusively, either to find an absolute +verdict of guilty of murder, or to acquit on the ground of +insanity.</p> + +<p class="ind">MacNaghten will be charged with the offence of murder, and +every effort will be made to bring him to condign punishment.</p> + +<p class="ind">His counsel will probably endeavour to establish his insanity.</p> + +<p class="ind">Nothing can be more collected and intelligent in many respects +than his conduct in prison. He was conversing with the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.458" id="pagei.458"></a>[page 458]</span> +gaoler, and seemed not disinclined to unburden his mind, +when he suddenly stopped and enquired from the gaoler +whether such conversations as that which he was holding went +beyond the prison walls.</p> + +<p class="ind">On being informed that no security could be given that they +would remain secret, he said he should hold his tongue, but +that all would come out by and by.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel takes the liberty of enclosing for your +Majesty's perusal a note which he has just received from Miss +Emily Eden, sister of Lord Auckland, and of Mrs Charles +Drummond.</p> + +<p class="ind">If it should be in your Majesty's power to assign apartments +at some future period to Miss Drummond, who lived with her +brother Edward, and was mainly dependent upon him, it +would be a very great comfort to a lady of the most unexceptionable +conduct, and most deeply attached to her poor brother.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>25th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has been much gratified this morning by receiving your +Majesty's letter of the 23rd; he has determined upon following +your Majesty's advice, and upon not hazarding the throwing +himself back by coming up to London and attempting to +attend the House of Lords at the commencement of the +Session. The assassination of Mr Drummond, for Lord Melbourne +fears it must be called so, is indeed a dreadful thing. +Lord Melbourne is not surprised, for people are very apt to +turn all their wrath and indignation upon the man from whom +they actually receive an answer which they do not like, without +in the least considering whether he is really responsible for it. +Lord Melbourne used often to be himself assailed with threats +of personal violence. Sometimes he took notice of them by +swearing the peace against those who used them, and having +them bound over in sureties. Sometimes he disregarded them, +but he does not think it either prudent or justifiable entirely +to neglect such intimations. Lord Melbourne does not wonder +that this event brings to your Majesty's recollection what has +taken place in your own case.</p> + +<p class="ind">Hallam is, in Lord Melbourne's opinion, right about Ireland. +Her advocates are very loud in their outcry, but she has not +really much to complain of.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne was very glad to hear of the marriage of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.459" id="pagei.459"></a>[page 459]</span> +Prince Augustus of Coburg with the Princess Clémentine, as +he apprehends that the connection must be very agreeable to +your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully and affectionately +remembered to His Royal Highness.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">COMMITTAL OF MACNAGHTEN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>28th January 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to inform your +Majesty, that the prisoner Daniel MacNaghten was fully committed +for trial this afternoon. He was not defended before +the Magistrates; but in his manner he was quite cool, intelligent, +and collected; he asked no questions, but he expressed +a wish to have copies of the Depositions.</p> + +<p class="ind">His trial will probably commence on Friday or Saturday +next, and there is reason to believe that, at the request of his +relatives in Glasgow, counsel will be retained, and that the plea +of insanity will be raised in his defence.<sup>8</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Every preparation is in progress to meet this vague and +dangerous excuse. It will turn out that the pistols were +bought at Paisley by MacNaghten on the 6th of August last; +and information has reached Sir James Graham, which, he +thinks, will prove that MacNaghten is a Chartist, that he has +attended political meetings at Glasgow, and that he has taken +a violent part in politics. He yesterday saw a Presbyterian +clergyman, who prayed with him; who pointed out the +atrocity of his crime, the innocence of his victim, the pangs of +sorrowing relatives, and who exhorted him to contrition and +repentance. Some impression was made at the moment; but +his general demeanour is marked by cold reserve and hardness +of heart.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 8: He was defended by four counsel, including Mr Cockburn, afterwards Lord Chief +Justice.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ROYAL FAMILY AND POLITICS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>2nd February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thanks much for the letter of the 30th ult., which he +received here yesterday morning. He believes it is more +prudent not to go to London, but he greatly regrets that his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.460" id="pagei.460"></a>[page 460]</span> +not doing so will deprive him for so long a time of the honour +and pleasure of seeing your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Duke of Sussex acquainted Lord Melbourne and took +his opinion before he issued his cards for the dinner. Lord +Melbourne does not think that he can have any idea of playing +the part to which Lord Erroll alluded. It is better that a +dinner should be given somewhere. He having nothing of the +kind would look too much like giving up the whole business and +disbanding the party. Lord Melbourne entirely agrees with +your Majesty as to the political conduct which ought to be +pursued by the members of the Royal Family, but he remembers +no time in which they have been induced to act with +so much prudence and propriety. Your Majesty will see in +Adolphus the very prominent share which the Duke of Cumberland,<sup>9</sup> +the General of Culloden, took in the Party contentions of +those days. He was a strong partisan and in a great measure +the founder of the Whig party. Lord Melbourne has often +heard George IV. converse upon that subject, and he used to +contend that it was quite impossible for a Prince of Wales in +this country to avoid taking an active part in politics and +political contentions. The fact is, that George III. did not +discourage this in his own family sufficiently, and the King of +Hanover always said that his father had encouraged him in +the active part which he took, and which certainly was sufficiently +objectionable.</p> + +<p class="ind">The assassination of Drummond is indeed a horrible event. +Lord Melbourne does not see as yet any clear, distinct, and +certain evidence of what were the real motives and object of the +man. But we shall hear upon his trial what it is that he urges. +Your Majesty will, of course, recollect that the Jury acquitted +Oxford, and there then was nothing to do but to acquiesce in +the verdict. If the Jury should take a similar view of this +man's crime, it will be impossible for the Government to do +anything to remedy the evil which Lord Melbourne thinks will +be caused by such a decision. Lord Melbourne knew Mr +Drummond pretty well. He used formerly to be much in +Hertfordshire, both at Hatfield and at Gorhambury, and Lord +Melbourne has often met him at both places, and thought him +with all the rest of the world, a very quiet, gentlemanly, and +agreeable man. Lord Melbourne very well remembers the +murder of Mr Perceval and Bellingham's trial. Lord Melbourne +was then in the House of Commons, but was not present +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.461" id="pagei.461"></a>[page 461]</span> +at the time the crime was perpetrated. There were differences +of opinion as to the manner in which Sir James Mansfield +conducted the trial. Many thought that he ought to have +given more time, which was asked for on the part of the +prisoner, in order to search for evidence at Liverpool. But +the law which he laid down in his charge is certainly sound, +correct, and reasonable. Lord Melbourne is very glad to think +that your Majesty has not to go to the House of Lords to-day.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 9: This Duke died unmarried in 1765, and his nephew, the fourth son of Frederick, +Prince of Wales, was created Duke of Cumberland in 1766. He in his turn died without +issue, in 1790, and in 1799 the fifth son of George III. (afterwards King of Hanover) +received the same title.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE AMERICAN TREATY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>3rd February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... Lord Melbourne thinks that the Speech was very well +and judiciously drawn; the only paragraph which he does not +like is that about the American treaty.<sup>10</sup> It betrays too great +an anxiety for peace, and too much fear of war.<sup>11</sup></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 10: See <i>ante</i>, pp. <a href="#pagei.368" style="font-weight: normal;">368</a>, <a href="#pagei.370" style="font-weight: normal;">370</a>. The treaty had been negotiated by Lord Ashburton.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 11: "By the treaty which Her Majesty has concluded with the United States of America, +and by the adjustment of those differences which, from their long continuance, had endangered +the preservation of peace, Her Majesty trusts that the amicable relations of +the two countries have been confirmed."</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>6th February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My beloved Victoria</span>,—I am quite of your opinion about +balls. <i>Nothing</i> can change what <i>cannot change</i>, and I consider +all these things, which have always been <i>a bore</i> to me, as a +matter <i>of duty</i> and not otherwise. The duties of station are +to be fulfilled like the others, and my <i>first</i> and <i>most pleasant</i> +duty is to do <i>all</i> that your Uncle may command or wish. +Your Uncle was much <i>shocked</i> by your answer about <i>Miss +Meyer</i>,<sup>12</sup> whom he considered of <i>uncommon beauty</i>. He is +quite in love with her picture, and is very anxious to discover +who she is. The other pictures of the <i>book of beauty</i> he abandons +to you, and they are certainly worthy of a <i>book of ugliness</i>.... +Yours most devotedly,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Louise.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 12: Eugénie Meyer, step-daughter of Colonel Gurwood, C.B., married the first Viscount +Esher, Master of the Rolls. The Queen had written that she did not admire that style +of beauty.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">KING LEOPOLD AND PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>10th February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—... I am very much gratified +by your having shown my hasty scrawl to Sir Robert Peel, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.462" id="pagei.462"></a>[page 462]</span> +and that the sincere expression of a conscientious opinion +should have given him pleasure.</p> + +<p class="ind">It was natural at first that you should <i>not</i> have liked to take +him as your Premier; many circumstances united against +him. But I must say for you and your family, as well as for +England, it was a great blessing that so firm and honourable a +man as Peel should have become the head of your Administration. +The State machine breaks often down in consequence +of mistakes made forty and fifty years ago; so it was in +France where even Louis XIV. had already laid the first +foundation for what happened nearly a hundred years afterwards.</p> + +<p class="ind">I believe, besides, Sir Robert sincerely and warmly attached +to you, and as you say with great truth, <i>quite above</i> mere party +feeling. Poor Lady Peel must be much affected by what has +happened.... Your truly devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>12th February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He received here on Friday last, the 10th, your Majesty's letter +of the 8th, which gave him great pleasure, and for which he +gratefully thanks your Majesty. Lord Melbourne is getting +better, and hopes soon to be nearly as well as he was before +this last attack, but he still finds his left hand and arm and +his left leg very much affected, and he does not recover his +appetite, and worse still, he is very sleepless at night, an +evil which he is very little used to, and of which he is very +impatient....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne adheres to all he said about Lord Ashburton +and the Treaty, but he thinks more fire than otherwise +would have taken place was drawn upon Lord Ashburton by +the confident declaration of Stanley that his appointment was +generally approved. The contrary is certainly the case. +There is much of popular objection to him from his American +connection and his supposed strong American interests. Lady +Ashburton, with whom he received a large fortune, is a born +American. But he is supposed to possess much funded +property in that country, and to have almost as strong an +interest in its welfare as in that of Great Britain. With all +this behind, it is a bad thing to say that his appointment was +liable to no suspicion or objection. It seems to Lord Melbourne +that what with Ellenborough with the Gates of Ghuznee +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.463" id="pagei.463"></a>[page 463]</span> +upon his shoulders,<sup>13</sup> and Ashburton with the American Treaty +round his neck, the Ministry have nearly as heavy a load upon +them as they can stand up under, and Lord Melbourne would +not be surprised if they were to lighten themselves of one or the +other.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 13: The Somnauth Proclamation created a good deal of ridicule.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">POSITION OF THE PRINCE OF WALES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>13th February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has just recollected that in the letter which he wrote +yesterday, he omitted to advert to a part of your Majesty's +last to which your Majesty may expect some answer. He +means the part relating to the character and situation of a +Prince of Wales in this country. George IV. was so conscious +of having mixed himself most unrestrainedly in politics, and of +having taken a very general part in opposition to his father's +Government and wishes, that he was naturally anxious to +exonerate himself from blame, and to blame it upon the necessity +of his position rather than upon his own restless and +intermeddling disposition. But Lord Melbourne agrees with +your Majesty that his excuse was neither valid nor justifiable, +and Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty and the +Prince may be successful in training and instructing the young +Prince of Wales, and to make him understand correctly his +real position and its duties, and to enable him to withstand the +temptations and seductions with which he will find himself +beset, when he approaches the age of twenty-one. It is true +that Sir John made the observation, which Lord Melbourne +mentioned to your Majesty, and which you now remember +correctly. He made it to Sir James Graham, when he went to +talk to him about the offence which William IV. had taken +at the Duchess of Kent's marine excursion; and at the receiving +of royal salutes. Your Majesty was not very long in the +situation of an acknowledged, admitted, and certain Heir +Apparent, but still long enough to be aware of the use which +those around you were inclined to make of that situation and +of the petitions and applications which it naturally produced +from others, and therefore to have an idea of the difficulties +of it.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne heartily wishes your Majesty every success +in the interesting and important task in which you are engaged +of forming the character and disposition of the young Prince.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.464" id="pagei.464"></a>[page 464]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DOMESTIC HAPPINESS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Canford House</span>, <i>14th February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—Your delightful letter of Tuesday gave +me such pleasure and satisfaction that I must thank you with +all my heart for it. Your happiness, and your gratitude for +that happiness, is most gratifying to my feelings, having loved +you from your infancy almost as much as if you had been my +own child. It is therefore happiness to me to hear from yourself +those expressions to which you gave vent. I thank God +that you have such an excellent husband, so well calculated +to make you happy and to assist you in your arduous duties by +his advice, as well as his help in sharing your troubles. I pray +that your domestic happiness may last uninterruptedly, and +that you may enjoy it through a long, long period of <i>many, +many years</i>. You cannot say too much of <i>yourself</i> and dear +Albert when you write to me, for it is a most interesting subject +to my heart, I assure you.</p> + +<p class="ind">What a <i>shame</i> to have put on darling little Victoria a +<i>powdered wig</i>! Poor dear child must have looked very strange +with it! Did her brother appear in <i>einer Allonge-Perücke</i>?...</p> + +<p class="ind">I shall hope to follow you to town early next month, and +look forward with great pleasure to seeing you so soon again. +Forgive me my horrible scrawl, and with my best love to +dearest Albert, believe me, ever, my dearest Victoria, your +most affectionate and faithfully devoted Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide</span>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray tell your dear mother, with my affectionate love, that +I will answer her letter to-morrow.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">INTERCHANGE OF VISITS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>14th February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Many thanks for your kind letter of +the 10th, which I received on Sunday. I am only a little +wee bit distressed at your writing <i>on the 10th</i>, and not taking +any notice of the <i>dearest, happiest</i> day in my life, to which I +owe the present <i>great</i> domestic happiness I now enjoy, and +which is much greater than I deserve, though certainly my +Kensington life for the last six or seven years had been one of +great misery and oppression, and I may expect some little +retribution, and, indeed, <i>after</i> my accession, there was a great +deal of worry. Indeed I <i>am</i> grateful for possessing (<i>really +without</i> vanity or flattery or <i>blindness</i>) the <i>most perfect</i> +being as +a husband in existence, or who ever did exist; and I doubt +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.465" id="pagei.465"></a>[page 465]</span> +whether anybody <i>ever</i> did love or respect another as I do my +dear Angel! And indeed Providence has ever mercifully +protected us, through manifold dangers and trials, and I feel +confident will continue to do so, and then let outward storms +and trials and sorrows be sent us, and we can bear all....</p> + +<p class="ind">I could not help smiling at the exactitude about Monday +the 19th of June; it is a great happiness to us to think with +such certainty (<i>D</i>.<i>V</i>.) of your kind visit, which would suit +perfectly. <i>À propos</i> of this, I am anxious to tell you that we +are full of hope of paying you in August a little visit, which +last year was in so melancholy a way interrupted; but we +think that for <i>many</i> reasons it would be better for us to pay +you our <i>first</i> visit only at <i>Ostend</i>, and not at Brussels or Laeken; +you could lodge us <i>anywhere</i>, and we need then bring but very +few people with us—it might also facilitate the meeting with +Albert's good old grandmother, who fears to cross the sea, and +whose great <i>wish</i> is to behold Albert again—and would not be +so difficult (<i>pour la 1ère fois</i>) in many ways. I could, nevertheless, +see Bruges and Ghent from thence by help of the railroad, +and return the same day to Ostend.</p> + +<p class="ind">What you say about Peel is very just. Good Lord Melbourne +is much better.</p> + +<p class="ind">I hope soon to hear more about Joinville and Donna Francesca. +Now, ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">We are all very well (<i>unberufen</i>) and move, <i>to our horror</i>, to +town on Friday.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">COBDEN'S ATTACK ON PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>18th February (1843)</i>.<br /> + +(<i>Saturday morning</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that the debate was +brought to a close this morning about half-past three o'clock. +The motion of Lord Howick<sup>14</sup> was rejected by a large majority, +the number being—</p> + +<table summary="majority" align="center"> + <tr> + <td>For the Motion</td> + <td>191</td> + </tr> + <tr><td>Against it</td> + <td>305</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>—–</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Majority</td> + <td>114</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>—–</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 2em;">The chief speakers were Mr R. Cobden and Lord John +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.466" id="pagei.466"></a>[page 466]</span> +Russell in favour of the motion, Mr Attwood, Lord Francis +Egerton, and Sir Robert Peel against it.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the course of the evening there was much excitement +and animated discussion, in consequence of the speech of Mr +Cobden, who is the chief patron of the Anti-Corn Law League.</p> + +<p class="ind">Mr Cobden with great vehemence of manner observed more +than once that Sir Robert Peel ought to be held <i>individually +responsible</i> for the distress of the country.<sup>15</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Coupling these expressions with the language frequently +held at the meetings of the Anti-Corn Law League, and by the +press in connection with it, Sir Robert Peel in replying to Mr +Cobden charged him with holding language calculated to +excite to personal violence.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 14: To go into Committee on the depression of the manufacturing industry. The debate +turned mainly on the Corn Laws.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 15: To this attack Peel replied with excessive warmth, amid the frantic cheering of his +party, who almost refused to hear Cobden's explanation in reply. Peel, alarmed at the +fate of Drummond, thought (or affected to think) that Cobden was singling him out as a +fit object for assassination. For years Cobden resented this language of Peel most deeply. +"Peel's atrocious conduct towards me ought not to be lost sight of," he wrote in February +1846. A <i>rapprochement</i> was effected by Miss Martineau—see her letter to Peel (Parker, +vol. iii. p. 330)—and a reference to the matter by Disraeli in the House of Commons led +to satisfactory explanations on both sides.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Lincoln.</i><sup>16</sup></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>18th February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen, immediately on her arrival yesterday, went to +look at the new Chapel, with which she is much pleased, but +was extremely disappointed to find it still in such a backward +state. As it is of the utmost importance to the Queen to be +able to <i>use</i> it <i>very soon</i>, she wishes Lord Lincoln would be so good +as to hurry on the work as much as possible; perhaps Lord +Lincoln could increase the number of workmen, as there seemed +to her to be very few there yesterday.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 16: Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">FANNY BURNEY'S DIARY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>21st February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He received safely your Majesty's letter of the 18th inst. +Lord Melbourne entreats your Majesty that you never will +think for a moment that you can tire him by questions, or +that it can be to him anything but a great pleasure to answer +them. He will be only too happy if any information that he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.467" id="pagei.467"></a>[page 467]</span> +possesses or can procure can be of the least use or pleasure to +your Majesty. Lord Melbourne conceives that your Majesty +must be surprised at his complaining of sleeplessness. He is +much obliged by the suggestion of the camphor. He mentioned +it to the gentleman who attends him, and he said that it was a +very good thing, and certainly has a soothing and quieting +effect, and that in fact there was some in the draught which +Lord Melbourne now takes at night. But Lord Melbourne +has taken to going down to dinner with those who are in the +house, and sitting up afterwards until near twelve o'clock, and +since he has done this he has slept better. We expect the +Duke and Duchess of Bedford for two nights on Wednesday +next. Lord and Lady Uxbridge and Ella and Constance often +come over in the morning and eat their luncheon here, which +Lord Melbourne takes very kindly of them. George Byng<sup>17</sup> +came the other morning in a waistcoat of Peel's velveteen. +Lord Strafford brought the whole piece off the manufacturer, +and let George Byng have enough for a waistcoat. It is a dull +blue stuff, and the device and inscription not very clear nor +easy to make out.<sup>18</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Adolphus is, as Aberdeen says, too rigidly Tory, but there +are plenty of narratives of the same period, such as Belsham<sup>19</sup> +and others, of whom it may be said with equal truth that they +are too Whig....</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne read the <i>Edinburgh</i> on Madame d'Arblay, +which is certainly Macaulay's, but thought it unnecessarily +severe upon Queen Charlotte, and that it did not do her justice, +and also that it rather countenanced too much Miss Burney's +dislike to her situation. It appears to Lord Melbourne that +Miss Burney was well enough contented to live in the Palace +and receive her salary, but that she was surprised and disgusted +as soon as she found that she was expected to give up +some part of her time to conform to some rules, and to perform +some duty. Lord Melbourne is sorry to say that he missed +the article on Children's Books,<sup>20</sup> a subject of much importance, +and in which he is much interested.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne has received the engraving of the Princess, +and is much pleased by it, and returns many thanks. It is +very pretty, very spirited, and as far as Lord Melbourne's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.468" id="pagei.468"></a>[page 468]</span> +recollection, serves him, very like. Lord Melbourne remains, +ever, your Majesty's faithful, devoted, and attached Servant.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 17: Brother-in-law of Lord Uxbridge, and afterwards Earl of Stratford.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 18: The allusion is to a hoax played on the Premier, by a presentation made to him of +a piece of the then novel fabric, velveteen, stamped with a free-trade design. Peel +afterwards wrote that he was unaware that the specimen bore "any allusion to any +matters which are the subject of public controversy."</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 19: William Belsham (1752-1827) wrote, in twelve volumes, <i>A History of Great Britain +to the Conclusion of the Peace of Amiens in 1802</i>.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 20: In the <i>Quarterly Review</i>, by Lady Eastlake.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span> (<i>4th March 1843</i>).<br /> +(<i>Sunday morning</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that the prisoner +MacNaghten was acquitted last night, after a trial which lasted +two days, upon the ground of insanity.</p> + +<p class="ind">The fuller account of the evidence which Sir Robert Peel +has seen is on the accompanying newspaper.</p> + +<p class="ind">The only other information which has reached Sir Robert +Peel is contained in a note (enclosed) from Mr Maule, the +solicitor to the Treasury, who conducted the prosecution. The +three Judges<sup>21</sup> appear to have concurred in opinion, that the +evidence of insanity was so strong as to require a verdict of +acquittal—and the Chief Justice advised the Jury to find that +verdict without summing up the evidence or delivering any +detailed charge upon the facts of the case and the law bearing +upon them.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is a lamentable reflection that a man may be at the same +time so insane as to be reckless of his own life and the lives of +others, and to be pronounced free from moral responsibility, +and yet capable of preparing for the commission of murder +with the utmost caution and deliberation, and of taking every +step which shall enable him to commit it with certainty.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 21: Chief Justice Tindal, and Justices Williams and Coleridge.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>10th March 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs +leave to acquaint your Majesty that the House of Commons +was occupied last night with the attack upon Lord Ellenborough +for the Somnauth Proclamation.<sup>22</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The motion was made by Mr Vernon Smith.<sup>23</sup> The resolution +proposed condemned the Proclamation as <i>unwise</i>, <i>indecorous</i> +and <i>reprehensible</i>. Mr Vernon Smith was followed by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.469" id="pagei.469"></a>[page 469]</span> +Mr Emerson Tennent,<sup>24</sup> one of the Secretaries to the Board of +Controul.</p> + +<p class="ind">Mr Macaulay next spoke, and condemned the conduct of +Lord Ellenborough in a speech of great bitterness and great +ability.</p> + +<p class="ind">The motion was negatived by a majority of 242 to 157.</p> + +<p class="ind">The minority included Lord Ashley, Sir Robert Inglis, and +six other gentlemen, who generally support your Majesty's +servants.</p> + +<p class="ind">The debate was a very animated one, with a strong infusion +of Party zeal.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 22: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.445" style="font-weight: normal;">445</a>.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 23: Robert Vernon Smith (1800-1873), afterwards President of the Board of Control, +created Lord Lyveden in 1859.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 24: James Emerson (1804-1869), afterwards Sir James Emerson Tennent, M.P. for Belfast, +author of <i>Letters from the Ægean</i>, etc.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CRIMINAL INSANITY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>12th March 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen returns the paper of the Lord Chancellor's to +Sir Robert Peel with her best thanks.</p> + +<p class="ind">The law may be perfect, but how is it that whenever a case +for its application arises, it proves to be of no avail? We have +seen the trials of Oxford and MacNaghten conducted by the +ablest lawyers of the day—Lord Denman, Chief Justice Tindal, +and Sir Wm. Follett,<sup>25</sup>—and <i>they allow</i> and <i>advise</i> the Jury to +pronounce the verdict of <i>Not Guilty</i> on account of +<i>Insanity</i>,—whilst +<i>everybody</i> is morally <i>convinced</i> that both malefactors +were perfectly conscious and aware of what they did! It +appears from this, that the force of the law is entirely put into +the Judge's hands, and that it depends merely upon his charge +whether the law is to be applied or not. Could not the Legislature +lay down that rule which the Lord Chancellor does in his +paper, and which Chief Justice Mansfield did in the case of +Bellingham; and why could not the Judges be <i>bound</i> to +interpret the law in <i>this</i> and <i>no other</i> sense in their charges +to the Juries?<sup>26</sup></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 25: Solicitor-General. His health gave way in middle life, and he died in 1845.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 26: In consequence of the manner in which the trial terminated, and the feeling excited +in the country, the House of Lords put certain questions on the subject of criminal insanity +to the Judges, whose answers have been since considered as establishing the law.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCESS MARY OF BADEN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>13th March 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +In obedience to your Majesty's commands he has endeavoured +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.470" id="pagei.470"></a>[page 470]</span> +to consider the letter of the Grand Duke of Baden with reference +to the position of the Princess Mary<sup>27</sup> in this country. +Lord Aberdeen does not find in the proceedings of the Conference +of Great Powers at Vienna, at Aix la Chapelle, or at +Paris, anything which can materially affect the question. +The great difficulty with respect to the Princess appears to +arise from the fact that in this country the rank and precedence +of every person are regulated and fixed by law. +Should your Majesty be disposed to deviate from the strict +observance of this, although Lord Aberdeen cannot doubt +that it would receive a very general acquiescence, it is still +possible that the Princess might be exposed to occasional +disappointment and mortification....</p> + +<p class="ind">There is a consideration, to which Lord Aberdeen would +humbly advert, which may not altogether be unworthy of +your Majesty's notice. Your Majesty does not wish to +encourage alliances of this description; and although there +may be no danger of their frequent occurrence, it cannot be +denied that an additional inducement would exist if Princesses +always retained their own rank in this country.</p> + +<p class="ind">On the whole, Lord Aberdeen would humbly submit to your +Majesty that the Princess might be received by your Majesty, +in the first instance, with such distinction as was due to her +birth—either by a Royal carriage being sent to bring her to +your Majesty's presence, or in any manner which your Majesty +might command—with the understanding that she should +permanently adopt the title and station of her husband. Your +Majesty's favour and protection, afforded to her in this character +will probably realise all the expectations of the Grand +Duke; and, without acknowledging any positive claim or right, +your Majesty would secure the gratitude of the Princess.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 27: The Princess Mary of Baden had recently married the Marquis of Douglas, eldest son +of the Duke of Hamilton. <i>See</i> p. <a href="#pagei.439" style="font-weight: normal;">439</a>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE PRINCE TO HOLD LEVÉES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>17th March 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has spoken again to the Prince about the Levées, +who has kindly consented to do what can be of use and convenience +to the Queen. There is one circumstance which +must be considered and settled, and which the Queen omitted +to mention to Sir Robert Peel when she saw him. The chief, +indeed the <i>only</i>, object of having these Levées, is to save the +Queen the <i>extreme fatigue</i> of the <i>Presentations</i> which would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.471" id="pagei.471"></a>[page 471]</span> +come in such a <i>mass</i> together when the Queen <i>held them herself</i>; +the Prince naturally holds the <i>Levées for</i> the Queen, and <i>represents +her</i>; could not therefore everybody who was presented +to him be made to understand that this would be tantamount +to a presentation to the Queen herself? There might perhaps +be an objection on the part of people presented to kneel and +kiss the Prince's hand. But this could be obviated by merely +having the people named to the Prince. The inconvenience +would be <i>so great</i> if nobody at all could be presented till late in +the season, that something must be devised to get over this +difficulty.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">LEVÉES</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Downing Street</span>, <i>18th March 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave to submit to your Majesty that should your +Majesty determine that the Prince should hold Levées on behalf +of your Majesty, the best course will be to announce the +intention from the Lord Chamberlain's Office in terms to the +following purport:</p> + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 3em;"> +"His Royal Highness Prince Albert will, by Her Majesty's +command, hold a Levée on behalf of Her Majesty on ——</p> + +<p class="ind2">"It is Her Majesty's pleasure that presentations to the +Prince at this Levée shall be considered equivalent to presentations +to the Queen.</p> + +<p class="ind2">"Addresses to Her Majesty may be presented to Her +Majesty through the Secretary of State, or may be reserved +until Her Majesty can hold a Levée in person." +</p> + +<p class="ind" style="margin-top: 3em;">Sir Robert Peel humbly submits to your Majesty that it +would not be advisable to <i>prohibit</i> by notice in the <i>Gazette</i> +subsequent presentations to your Majesty. It will probably +answer every purpose to state that they shall be considered +<i>equivalent</i>, and when your Majesty shall hold a Levée it may +be then notified at the time that second presentations are not +necessary.</p> + +<p class="ind">When the Prince shall hold the Levée, it may be made known +at the time, without any formal public notification, that +kneeling and the kissing of hands will not be required.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel hopes that the effect of holding these Levées +may be materially to relieve your Majesty, but it is of course +difficult to speak with certainty. He was under the impression +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.472" id="pagei.472"></a>[page 472]</span> +that in the reign of Queen Anne, Prince George had occasionally +held Levées on the part of the Queen during the Queen's +indisposition, but on searching the <i>Gazette</i> of the time he cannot +find any record of this.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>19th March 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has received Sir Robert's letter, and quite approves +of his suggestions concerning the Levées. The Prince +is quite ready to do whatever may be thought right, and the +Queen wishes Sir Robert to act upon the plan he has laid before +her in his letter of yesterday. Perhaps it would be right before +making anything public to consider the question of Drawing-Rooms +likewise, which are of such importance to the trades-people +of London. It would be painful for the Queen to think +that she should be the cause of disappointment and loss to this +class of her subjects, particularly at this moment of commercial +stagnation. The Queen conceives that it would be the +right thing that the same principle laid down for the Levées +should be followed with regard to Drawing-Rooms, the Prince +holding them for her. The Queen is anxious to have soon +Sir Robert's opinion upon this subject. The Queen on looking +at the almanac finds that <i>only</i> the <i>two</i> next weeks are available +for these purposes <i>before</i> Easter.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>27th March 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and hastens to reply to your Majesty's note of this date.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel assures your Majesty that he does not think +that there is the slightest ground for apprehension on the +occasion of the Levée, but Sir Robert Peel will, without the +slightest allusion to your Majesty's communication to him, +make personal enquiries into the police arrangements, and see +that every precaution possible shall be taken.</p> + +<p class="ind">He begs, however, humbly to assure your Majesty that there +never has reached him any indication of a hostile feeling +towards the Prince. It could only proceed from some person +of deranged intellect, and he thinks it would be almost impossible +for such a person to act upon it on the occasion of a +Levée.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.473" id="pagei.473"></a>[page 473]</span> + +<p class="ind">It may tend to remove or diminish your Majesty's anxiety +to know that Sir Robert Peel has <i>walked</i> home every night +from the House of Commons, and, notwithstanding frequent +menaces and intimations of danger, he has not met with +any obstruction.</p> + +<p class="ind">He earnestly hopes that your Majesty will dismiss from your +mind any apprehension, and sincerely believes that your +Majesty may do so with entire confidence. But nothing shall +be neglected.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE COMET</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>28th March 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I had the pleasure of receiving your +kind letter of the 24th, on Sunday. How lucky you are to +have seen the comet!<sup>28</sup> It is distinctly <i>to be seen</i> here, and <i>has +been seen</i> by many people, but we have till now looked out in +vain for it. We shall, however, persevere.</p> + +<p class="ind">We left dear Claremont with great regret, and since our +return have been regaled with regular March winds, which, +however, have not kept me from my daily walks. To-day it is +finer again.</p> + +<p class="ind">It is most kind and good of dearest Albert to hold these +Levées for me, which will be a great relief for hereafter for me. +Besides <i>cela le met dans sa position</i>; <i>he</i> and <i>I</i> must be +<i>one</i>, so +that I can <i>only be represented</i> by <i>him</i>. I think this, therefore, +a good thing for that reason also; and God knows, he, dear +angel, <i>deserves</i> to be the <i>highest</i> in <i>everything</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Our Consecration went off extremely well, and the Chapel is +delightful, and so convenient. I am sure you will like it.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will be glad to hear that dear old Eos (who is still at +Claremont) is going on most favourably; they attribute this +sudden attack to her over-eating (she steals whenever she can +get anything), living in too warm rooms, and getting too little +exercise since she was in London. Certainly her wind was <i>not</i> +in the <i>slightest</i> degree affected by her accident, for in the +autumn she coursed better than all the other young dogs, and +ran and fetched pheasants, etc., from any distance, and ran +about the very evening she was taken so ill, as if nothing was +the matter. Evidently part of her lungs must be <i>very</i> sound +still; and they say <i>no one's</i> lungs are <i>quite sound</i>. She must +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.474" id="pagei.474"></a>[page 474]</span> +be well starved, poor thing, and not allowed to sleep in beds, +as she generally does.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 28: Its appearance gave rise to much discussion among astronomers. On the 17th +Sir John Herschel saw its nucleus from Collingwood in Kent, and on the following night +a dim nebula only; so it was probably receding with great velocity.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MELBOURNE ON DIET</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Brocket Hall</span>, <i>2nd April 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He received yesterday morning your Majesty's letter of the +30th ult., for which he sincerely thanks your Majesty. Lord +Melbourne is delighted to find that your Majesty was pleased +with the bouquet. The daphnes are neither so numerous nor +so fine as they were, but there are still enough left to make +another bouquet, which Lord Melbourne will take care is sent +up by his cart to-morrow, and left at Buckingham Palace. +Lord Melbourne is very much touched and obliged by your +Majesty's very kind advice, which he will try his utmost to +follow, as he himself believes that his health entirely depends +upon his keeping up his stomach in good order and free from +derangement. He owns that he is very incredulous about the +unwholesomeness of dry champagne, and he does not think +that the united opinion of the whole College of Physicians and +of Surgeons would persuade him upon these points—he cannot +think that a "Hohenlohe" glass of dry champagne, <i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. half a +<i>schoppen</i>,<sup>29</sup> can be prejudicial. Lord and Lady Erroll<sup>30</sup> and Lord +Auckland and Miss Eden are coming in the course of the week, +and they would be much surprised not to get a glass of champagne +with their dinner. Lord Melbourne is very glad to learn +that the Prince's Levée did well, and feels that His Royal +Highness undertaking this duty must be a great relief and +assistance to your Majesty. Lord Melbourne hopes to see the +Baron here when he comes. The spring still delays and hangs +back, but it rains to-day, which Lord Melbourne hopes will +bring it on.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 29: A <i>schoppen</i> is about a pint; it is the same word etymologically as "scoop."</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 30: William George, seventeenth Earl of Erroll, married a sister of the first Earl of Munster.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE ROYAL CHILDREN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>4th April 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dearest Uncle</span>,—Many thanks for your very kind letter of +the 31st, which I received on Sunday, just as our excellent +friend Stockmar made his appearance. He made us very happy +by his excellent accounts of you <i>all</i>, including dearest Louise, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.475" id="pagei.475"></a>[page 475]</span> +and the children he says are <i>so</i> grown; Leo being nearly as tall +as Louise! <i>En revanche</i> he will, I hope, tell you how prosperous +he found us all; and how surprised and pleased he was +with the children; he also is struck with Albert junior's likeness +to his dearest papa, which everybody is struck with. Indeed, +dearest Uncle, I will venture to say that not only <i>no +Royal Ménage</i> is to be found equal to <i>ours</i>, but <i>no other ménage</i> +is to be compared to ours, nor is <i>any one</i> to be compared, take +him altogether, to <i>my dearest</i> Angel!...</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>6th April 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and has this moment received your Majesty's note.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel will immediately make enquiry in the first +instance in respect to the correctness of the report of the +dinner. The omission of the health of the Prince is certainly +very strange—it would be very unusual at any public dinner—but +seems quite unaccountable at a dinner given in connection +with the interests of one of the Royal Theatres.</p> + +<p class="ind">The toasts are generally prepared not by the chairman of the +meeting, but by a committee; but still the omission of the +name of the Prince ought to have occurred at once to the Duke +of Cambridge, and there cannot be a doubt that he might have +rectified, and ought to have rectified, the omission.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel is sure your Majesty will approve of his +ascertaining in the first instance the real facts of the case—whether +the report be a correct one, and if a correct one, who +are the parties by whom the arrangements in respect to the +toasts were made.</p> + +<p class="ind">This being done, Sir Robert Peel will then apply himself to +the execution of your Majesty's wishes, in the manner pointed +out by your Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">He begs humbly to assure your Majesty that he enters most +fully into your Majesty's very natural feelings, and that he shall +always have the greatest pleasure in giving effect to your Majesty's +wishes in matters of this nature, and in proving himself +worthy of the confidence your Majesty is kindly pleased to +repose in him.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE TOAST OF THE PRINCE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>6th April 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +hastens to make a communication to your Majesty, on the subject +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.476" id="pagei.476"></a>[page 476]</span> +of your Majesty's letter of this morning, which he hopes +will remove from your Majesty's mind any unfavourable impression +with regard to the <i>toasts</i> at the theatrical dinner, or to +the conduct of the Duke of Cambridge in reference to them.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel, since he addressed your Majesty, has made +enquiry from Colonel Wood, the member for Brecon, who was +present at the meeting.</p> + +<p class="ind">In order to have the real statement of the case, Sir Robert +Peel did not mention the object of the enquiry. The following +were the questions and the answers:—</p> + +<p class="ind2"><i>Q</i>. What were the toasts at the theatrical dinner last night?</p> + +<p class="ind2"><span class="sc">Colonel Wood.</span> The first was <i>The Queen and the Prince</i>. +The Duke said he thought he could not give the health of the +Queen in a manner more satisfactory than by coupling with +the name of Her Majesty that of her illustrious Consort.</p> + +<p class="ind">Colonel Wood said that his impression was that the Duke +meant to do that which would be most respectful to the Prince, +and that he had in his mind when he united the name of the +Prince with that of your Majesty, the circumstances of the +Prince having recently held the Levée on behalf of your +Majesty.</p> + +<p class="ind">It might perhaps have been better had His Royal Highness +adhered to the usual custom, and proposed the health of the +Prince distinctly and separately, but he humbly submits to +your Majesty that the <i>intention</i> of His Royal Highness must +have been to show respect to the Prince.</p> + +<p class="ind">The reports of public dinners are frequently incorrect, the +reporters being sometimes placed at a great distance from +the chairman.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE KING OF HANOVER</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>12th April 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and will not fail to forward by the first opportunity the letter +to Lord Ellenborough which accompanied your Majesty's note.</p> + +<p class="ind">In consequence of his conversation yesterday morning with +Baron Stockmar, Sir Robert Peel begs to mention to your +Majesty that he saw to-day a private letter from Berlin, which +mentioned that the King of Hanover had apparently abandoned +the intention of visiting England this year, but that on the +receipt of some letters from England, which he suspected to be +written for the purpose of discouraging his visit, the King +suddenly changed his intention and wrote a letter to your +Majesty, stating that he had thoughts of such a visit.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.477" id="pagei.477"></a>[page 477]</span> + +<p class="ind">It was not stated from whence the letters advising the King +to remain on the Continent had proceeded.</p> + +<p class="ind">This letter also stated that the King of Hanover proposed +to waive his rank of Sovereign as far as he possibly could on +his arrival in England, and to take his seat in the House of +Lords without taking any part in the proceedings.</p> + +<p class="ind">It added that the King could not, in any event, be in England +before the latter end of May or beginning of June, and rather +hinted that as his proposed visit was more out of a spirit of +contradiction and impatience of obstacles being thrown in the +way of it, than from any strong wish on his part to come here, +he might probably change his intention and defer his visit, +particularly if he should find that there was no particular +impediment in the way of it.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>13th April 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that the Duke of +Cambridge having called on Sir Robert Peel this morning, he +took an opportunity of asking His Royal Highness whether he +thought the King of Hanover had made up his mind to visit +England this year.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Duke's reply was, as nearly as possible, as follows:—</p> + +<p class="ind">"Oh yes, the King will certainly come, but I can tell you +privately he means to have nothing to do with the House of +Lords. He will not make his appearance there. The King has +taken his servants for six weeks—that is, engaged their attendance +upon him for that time. I know the porter is engaged and +the stable servants. The King has written to Her Majesty. +His real object in coming is to arrange his private papers, which +were left in confusion, and to consult Sir Henry Halford."<sup>31</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">This was all that was material that His Royal Highness said.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 31: The eminent physician.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Lord Ellenborough to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE GATES OF SOMNAUTH</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Camp, Delhi</span>, <i>19th February 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">... The gates of the Temple of Somnauth, which have been +escorted to Delhi by five hundred cavalry of the protected Sikh +States, will be escorted from Delhi to Muttra, and thence to +Agra by the same force of cavalry, furnished by the Rajahs of +Bhurtpore and Alwar.<sup>32</sup></p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.478" id="pagei.478"></a>[page 478]</span> + +<p class="ind">While there has been universally evinced a feeling of gratitude +to the British Government for the consideration shown to +the people of Hindustan in the restoration of these trophies, +there has not occurred a single instance of apparent mortification +amongst the Mussulmans. All consider the restoration of +the gates to be a national, not a religious, triumph. At no +place has more satisfaction been expressed than at Paniput, +a town almost exclusively Mussulman, where there exist the +remains of the first mosque built by Sultan Mahmood after he +had destroyed the city and temples of the Hindoos....</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 32: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.445" style="font-weight: normal;">445</a>.</p> + +<span class="rightnote" style="margin-top: 2em;">DEATH OF THE DUKE OF SUSSEX</span> + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"> +<i>Extract from the Will of his late Royal Highness the Duke of + Sussex, <br />dated the 11th August 1840<sup>33</sup></i> <br />(<i>sent at the Queen's + request by Sir Robert Peel to the Duke of Wellington for his + advice</i>.)</h5> + + +<p class="ind2">"I desire that on my death my body may be opened, and +should the examination present anything useful or interesting +to science, I empower my executors to make it public. And I +desire to be buried in the public cemetery at Kensal Green in +the Parish of Harrow, in the County of Middlesex, and not at +Windsor."</p> + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 33: The Duke of Sussex died on 21st April of erysipelas. His first marriage in 1793 to +Lady Augusta Murray, daughter of the fourth Earl of Dunmore, was declared void under +the Royal Marriage Act. Lady Augusta died in 1830; her daughter married Sir Thomas +Wilde, afterwards Lord Truro. The Duke contracted a second marriage with Lady +Cecilia Underwood, daughter of the Earl of Arran and widow of Sir George Buggin: she +was created Duchess of Inverness in 1840, with remainder to her heirs-male.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Duke of Wellington to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Strathfieldsaye</span>, <i>21st April 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Peel</span>,—I have just now received your letter of this +day, and I return the enclosure in the box. It appears to me +that the whole case must be considered as hanging together; +that is, the desire to be buried at Kensal Green, that of Freemasons +to pay Masonic Honours,<sup>34</sup> that the body of the Duchess +of Inverness should be interred near to his when she dies.</p> + +<p class="ind">Parties still alive have an interest in the attainment of the +two last objects, which are quite incompatible with the interment +of a Prince of the Blood, a Knight of the Garter, in St +George's Chapel at Windsor.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen's Royal Command might overrule the Duke's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.479" id="pagei.479"></a>[page 479]</span> +desire to be buried at Kensal Green.<sup>35</sup> Nobody would complain +of or contend against it.</p> + +<p class="ind">But there will be no end of the complaints of interference +by authority on the part of Freemasons, and of those who will +take part with the Duchess of Inverness: and it is a curious +fact that there are persons in Society who are interested in +making out that she was really married to the Duke.<sup>36</sup> Against +this we must observe that it will be urged that the omission to +insist that the interment should take place in the Collegiate +Chapel of St George's, Windsor, and thus to set aside the will, +lowers the Royal Family in the opinion of the public, and is +a concession to Radicalism. But it is my opinion that the +reasons will justify that which will be done in conformity with +the will.</p> + +<p class="ind">I confess that I don't like to decide upon cases in such haste; +and I cannot consider it necessary that a decision should be +made on the course to be taken in respect to the Duke's funeral, +on the morrow of the day on which he died.</p> + +<p class="ind">It would be desirable to know the opinion of the Lord +Chancellor, the Archbishop, and others.</p> + +<p class="ind">I can't think of anything likely to occur, which might alter +me: and I'll abide by that which I have above given.</p> + +<p class="ind">It will be absolutely necessary to take effective measures for +the preservation of the peace at this funeral at Kensal Green: +and even that the magistrates should superintend the procession +of the Freemasons. Believe me, ever yours most sincerely,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Wellington</span>.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 34: The Duke of Sussex being Grand Master of England, and Master of the Lodge of +Antiquity.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 35: The body lay in state at Kensington, and was eventually buried, as the Duke had +desired, in the Kensal Green Cemetery.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 36: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.478" style="font-weight: normal;">478</a>, note 33. The marriage took place, by special licence, at Lady +Cecilia's house in Great Cumberland Place.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><i>22nd April 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Niece</span>,—I am just come back and feel very +anxious to know how you are, and beg at the same time to offer +to you my most affectionate condolence on the melancholy +event which has taken again another member of our family from +us. Pray do not trouble <i>yourself</i> with answering this note, but +let me hear how you feel, and whether you will like to see me +to-morrow or at any time most convenient to you.</p> + +<p class="ind">I feel deeply our new loss, which recalls all the previous sad +losses which we have had so forcibly, and I pray that it may not +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.480" id="pagei.480"></a>[page 480]</span> +affect you too much, dearest Victoria, and that you will not +suffer from the shock it must have been to you. I was not in +the least aware of the danger and near approach of the fatal +end, and only yesterday began to feel alarmed by the accounts +which I had received.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have been with the poor Duchess of Inverness on my way +to town, and found her as composed as possible under the sad +circumstances, and full of gratitude to you and all the family +for all the kindness which she had received. I pity her very +much. It must be her comfort to have made the last years of +the Duke's life happy, and to have been his comfort to the last +moment.</p> + +<p class="ind">I wish you good-night, dearest Niece, and beg you to give +my best love to dear Albert, and to believe me most devotedly +your most affectionate Aunt,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Adelaide</span>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">BIRTH OF PRINCESS ALICE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>16th May 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Your kind and dear letter of the 12th +has given me great pleasure. I am happy to give you still +better accounts of myself.<sup>37</sup> I have been out every day since +Saturday, and have resumed all my usual habits almost (of +course resting often on the sofa, and not having appeared in +Society yet), and feel so strong and well; much better (independent +of the nerves) than I have been either time. We are +most thankful for it. The King of Hanover has never said +<i>when</i> he will come, even <i>now</i>, but always threatens that he +will....</p> + +<p class="ind">Our little baby, who I really am proud of, for she is so very +forward for her age, is to be called <i>Alice</i>, an old English name, +and the other names are to be <i>Maud</i> (another old English name +and the same as Matilda) and <i>Mary</i>, as she was born on Aunt +Gloucester's birthday. The Sponsors are to be: The King of +Hanover,—Ernestus the Pious; poor Princess Sophia Matilda,<sup>38</sup> +and Feodore, and the christening to be on the 2nd of June. It +will be delightful to see you and dearest Louise on the 19th of +June, God willing.</p> + +<p class="ind">Are there any news of Joinville's proceedings at Rio?<sup>39</sup> Ever +your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 37: Princess Alice was born on 25th April.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 38: Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 39: He married Princess Francesca, sister of the Emperor of the Brazils and of Queen +Donna Maria.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.481" id="pagei.481"></a>[page 481]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Ripon to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">CHRISTENING OF PRINCESS ALICE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">India Board</span>, <i>5th June 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Ripon, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs to +inform your Majesty that despatches have been this day received +at the India House from the Governor-General of India +and from the Governor of Bombay, announcing the successful +issue of a battle, on the 24th of March, between Sir Charles +Napier and Meer Shere Mahommed.<sup>40</sup> The forces of the latter +were completely routed, with the loss of all the guns and several +standards.</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Ripon</span>.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 40: Sir Charles Napier, who was in command in Scinde, defeated the army of the Ameers +of Upper and Lower Scinde at Meeanee on 17th February, and on the 20th took Hyderabad. +On the 24th March he attacked the enemy, who were posted in a strong position +on the banks of a tributary of the Indus, and obtained a decisive victory.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Claremont</span>, <i>6th June 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dearest Uncle</span>,—I received your kind letter on Sunday, +and thank you much for it. I am sorry that you could not +take the children to Ardenne, as nothing is so good for children +as <i>very</i> frequent change of air, and think you do not let the +children do so often enough. Ours do so continually, and are +so movable that it gives us no trouble whatever.</p> + +<p class="ind">Our christening went off very brilliantly, and I wish you +could have witnessed it; nothing could be more <i>anständig</i>, and +little <i>Alice</i> behaved extremely well. The <i>déjeuner</i> was served +in the Gallery, as at dear Pussy's christening, and there +being a profusion of flowers on the table, etc., had a beautiful +effect.</p> + +<p class="ind">The King of Hanover arrived <i>just in time</i> to be <i>too late</i>. He +is grown very old and excessively thin, and bends a good deal. +He is very gracious, for <i>him</i>. Pussy and <i>Bertie</i> (as we call the +boy) were not at all afraid of him, <i>fortunately</i>; they appeared +after the <i>déjeuner</i> on Friday, and I wish you could have seen +them; they behaved so beautifully before that great number +of people, and I must say looked <i>very dear</i>, all in white, and +<i>very distingués</i>; they were much admired.</p> + +<p class="ind">We came here on Saturday. The news from Ireland continue +to be very alarming. Hoping to hear soon, for <i>certain</i>, +when you come, believe me, ever, your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">I hope you will <i>kindly answer</i> my letter of <i>last Tuesday</i>.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.482" id="pagei.482"></a>[page 482]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Thomas Fremantle</i><sup>41</sup> <i>to Sir Robert Peel.</i><sup>42</sup></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">House of Commons</span>, <i>9th June (1843)</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Sir Robert</span>,—The King of Hanover took his seat +at twenty minutes past four. He is now on the Woolsack with +the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Wellington, and Lord Strangford; +no other Peers are in the House, the time of meeting +being five o'clock.</p> + +<p class="ind">It was not necessary that any other Peers should introduce +His Majesty. He merely produced his writ of summons, and +went to the table to be sworn. I remain, yours sincerely,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Thomas Fremantle</span>.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 41: One of the Secretaries of the Treasury: afterwards Lord Cottesloe.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 42: Forwarded to the Queen by Sir Robert Peel.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">IRISH AFFAIRS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>11th June 1843</i>.<br /> +(<i>Sunday</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Sir</span>,—In consequence of the conversation which I had with +your Royal Highness on Thursday last on the subject of +Ireland, I beg to mention to your Royal Highness that the +Cabinet met again to-day at Lord Aberdeen's house.</p> + +<p class="ind">We had a very long discussion.</p> + +<p class="ind">The prevailing opinion was that if legislation were proposed,<sup>43</sup> +that legislation should be as effectual as possible; that +there would be no advantage in seeking for new powers unless +these powers were commensurate with the full extent of the +mischief to be apprehended.</p> + +<p class="ind">Foreseeing, however, all the difficulties of procuring such +powers, and the increased excitement which must follow the +demand for them, we were unwilling to come to an immediate +decision in favour of recommending new legislation, and resolved +therefore to watch the course of events for some time +longer, continuing precautionary measures against disturbances +of the public peace.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have not received any material information from Ireland +by the post of this day, nor has Sir James Graham.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your +Royal Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Robert Peel</span>.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 43: In consequence of the Repeal agitation, the Ministers had already introduced an +Irish Arms Bill, which was carried.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.483" id="pagei.483"></a>[page 483]</span> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE REBECCA RIOTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>22nd June 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He was infinitely obliged to your Majesty for coming into the +room the other evening when he was with the Prince, and very +much delighted to have an opportunity of seeing your Majesty, +especially in such good health and spirits.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very glad that your Majesty has seen <i>As +you Like It</i>. It is indeed a most gay, lively, and beautiful +play. To see or to read it is quite like passing an hour or two +in a forest of fairyland. It is so lively, and at the same time +so romantic. All depends upon Rosalind, which was an excellent +part of Mrs. Jordan. Jaques is also a very particular +character and difficult to play.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne feels himself better, but still weak. He +does not like to say much about politics, but he cannot refrain +from observing that they seem to him to have permitted +these lawless riotings in South Wales<sup>44</sup> to go on with success +and impunity a great deal too long. When such things begin +nobody can say how far they will go or how much they will +spread. There are many who expect and predict a general +rising against property, and this is invariably the way in which +such things begin.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 44: The agitation against the turnpike system which had broken out in South Wales. +<i>See</i> Introductory Note, p. <a href="#pagei.450" style="font-weight: normal;">450</a>.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>23rd June 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen returns these communications to Sir James +Graham, which are of a very unpleasant nature. The Queen +trusts that measures of the greatest severity will be taken, as +well to suppress the revolutionary spirit as to bring the culprits<sup>45</sup> +to immediate trial and punishment. The Queen thinks +this of the greatest importance with respect to the effect it may +have in Ireland, likewise as proving that the Government is +willing to show great forbearance, and to trust to the good sense +of the people; but that if outrages are committed and it is +called upon to act, it is not to be trifled with, but will visit +wrong-doers with the utmost severity.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 45: <i>I</i>.<i>e</i>., the Rebecca rioters.</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.484" id="pagei.484"></a>[page 484]</span> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MILITARY MEDALS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>24th June 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen follows Lord Stanley's recommendation to confer +the G.C.B. on Sir Charles Napier with great pleasure, from +her high opinion of his late achievements, and she thinks it +might be advisable that some of the officers who most contributed +to the victories of Meeanee and Hyderabad<sup>46</sup> should +receive lower grades of the Bath. The Queen is much <i>impressed +with the propriety</i> of a medal being given to the troops +who fought under Sir Charles Napier, as the armies under +Nott, Pollock, and Sale received such distinctions for actions +hardly equal to those in Scinde.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 46: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.481" style="font-weight: normal;">481</a>.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>24th June 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before +your Majesty the report received from Carmarthen this morning. +The Earl of Cawdor went to Carmarthen this morning.<sup>47</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Every effort will be made to trace this lawless outbreak to +its source, and to bring the principal offenders to justice.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir James Graham encloses two Police Reports, which have +been received this morning from Dublin. They would seem +to indicate some foreign interference, and some hope of foreign +assistance mingled with this domestic strife. Several Frenchmen +have lately made their appearance in different parts of +Ireland.</p> + +<p class="ind">The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful +Subject and Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">J. R. G. Graham</span>.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 47: Lord Cawdor was Lord-Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Norfolk.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Buckingham Palace</span>, <i>24th June 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Duchess</span>,—The same right which you feel, and +which you had to overcome before you took the final step of +tendering your resignation,<sup>48</sup> has kept me from sooner acknowledging +the receipt of your letter. Under the circumstances +which you allude to, it is incumbent upon me to accept of your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.485" id="pagei.485"></a>[page 485]</span> +resignation, but as you throw out yourself a hint that it would +be agreeable to you sometimes to perform the duties (which you +have hitherto fulfilled), it would give me the greatest gratification +if you would let me continue your name on the list of +my Ladies of the Bedchamber, and sometimes at your convenience +have the pleasure of your society.</p> + +<p class="ind">I agree with you that for the present your step should not +be known, till I shall have had time to find a successor, and I +am pleased to think that you will take your waitings, which +are at present settled.</p> + +<p class="ind">With the Prince's kind regards to yourself, and mine to the +Duke, believe me, always, yours very affectionately,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 48: Of her position as Bedchamber Woman.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Duke of Wellington</i>.</h5> + +<span class="rightnote">DUELLING IN THE ARMY</span> + +<p class="indright">(<i>July 1843</i>.)</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen having attentively perused the proposed General +Order for the more efficient repression of the practice of +duelling in the Army, approves of the same, but recommends +that the Duke of Wellington should submit to the Cabinet the +propriety of considering of a general measure applicable to +<i>all branches</i> of the Naval and Military Service.<sup>49</sup></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 49: An influential anti-duelling association had been formed this year, and subsequently +public attention was drawn to the question by a duel on 1st July, at Camden Town, in +which Colonel Fawcett was shot by his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Munro, who had +reluctantly gone out, after enduring much provocation. Mainly owing to Prince Albert's +efforts, the Articles of War were so amended as to put a stop to the practice.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Prince Albert to Lord Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE SPANISH MARRIAGE</span> + +<p class="indright"><i>20th July 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Lord Aberdeen</span>,—The Queen and myself have +been taken much by surprise by Lord Howard de Walden's +despatch marked "most confidential." The opinions of the +Portuguese Court must have entirely changed. Although we +have not heard anything on the subject, we are fully convinced +of the correctness of Lord Howard's statements and of his conjectures. +We are both pleased to see the view which he takes, +and the good opinion he has of our little cousin. The Queen +thinks it right that you should inform Lord Howard that the +possibility of a marriage between Prince Leopold<sup>50</sup> and the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.486" id="pagei.486"></a>[page 486]</span> +Queen of Spain has been for some time a favourite thought +of hers and mine, and that you thought that this combination +had some advantages which hardly any other could offer. But +that the matter had been and was treated here as one purely +and solely Spanish, in which we carefully abstained from interfering +with, and that we leave it to work itself out or not +by its own merit.</p> + +<p class="ind">That you wished him to take the same view, but not to lose +sight of it, and to report to you whatever he might hear bearing +upon the subject. Believe me, etc.,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Albert</span>.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 50: Son of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and brother of the King of Portugal. See +<i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.378" style="font-weight: normal;">378</a>, and <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.487" style="font-weight: normal;">487</a>.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Norfolk.</i></h5> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Dear Duchess</span>,—I write to inform you that I have named +your successor,<sup>51</sup> who is to be Lady Douro.<sup>52</sup> The great regret +I experience at your leaving me is certainly diminished by the +arrangement which we have agreed upon together, and which +will still afford me the pleasure of having you occasionally +about me. I trust that the Duke's health will admit of your +taking your waiting in September, but think it right to tell you +that we shall probably at that time be making some aquatic +excursions in our new yacht, and consequently be from home +the greater part of your waiting.</p> + +<p class="ind">With the Prince's best regards to yourself, and mine to the +Duke, believe me, always, yours very affectionately,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 51: As Bedchamber Woman.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 52: Elizabeth, daughter of the eighth Marquis of Tweeddale, afterwards Duchess of +Wellington. She died in 1904.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>3rd August 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen returns the enclosed papers, and gives her sanction +to the bringing in of the Bill for Enrolling and Arming the +Out-Pensioners of Chelsea Hospital with great pleasure, as she +thinks it a very good measure at the present crisis, calculated +to relieve the troops which are rather overworked, and to secure +a valuable force to the service of the Government. The +Queen hopes that in bringing in the Bill Sir Robert Peel will +make as little of it as possible, in order not to make it appear +a larger measure than it is.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Regulations strike the Queen as very judicious, and she +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.487" id="pagei.487"></a>[page 487]</span> +has little doubt that they will raise the military spirit in the +Pensioners, and will make the measure popular with them, +which cannot fail to attach them more to the Crown.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>13th August 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is desirous that whatever is right should be done, +but is strongly of opinion that the King of Hanover's threat (for +as such it must be regarded) not to leave this country till the +affair<sup>53</sup> is decided upon, should in <i>no way</i> influence the transaction, +as it is quite immaterial whether the King stays longer +here or not.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 53: Of the Crown jewels; <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.439" style="font-weight: normal;">439</a>.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE SPANISH MARRIAGE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>13th August 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen sees with great regret, in Sir Robert Gordon's +despatch of 4th August, that Prince Metternich has resumed +his favourite scheme of a marriage between the Queen of Spain +and a son of Don Carlos, and that King Louis Philippe has +almost come to a secret understanding with him upon that +point.<sup>54</sup> The Queen is as much as ever convinced that instead +of tending to pacify Spain <i>this</i> combination cannot fail to call +<i>new</i> principles of discord into action, to excite the hopes of a +lost and vanquished party for revenge and reacquisition of +power, and to carry the civil war into the very interior of the +family. The Queen is anxious (should Lord Aberdeen coincide +in this view of the subject, as she believes he does) that it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.488" id="pagei.488"></a>[page 488]</span> +should be <i>clearly</i> understood by Sir Robert Gordon, and Prince +Metternich.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 54: Since the Quadruple Alliance (of England, France, Spain, and Portugal) in 1834 +to expel Don Carlos and Dom Miguel from the Peninsula, the question of the marriage +of Queen Isabella (then aged four) had been a subject of incessant consideration by +England and France. The Queen-Mother had suggested to Louis Philippe the marriages +of the Queen to the Duc d'Aumale and of the Infanta (her sister) to the Duc de Montpensier: +such a proposal, however gratifying to the French King's ambition, would +naturally not have been favourably viewed in England; but Guizot promoted warmly +the alternative project of a marriage of the Queen to her cousin Don Francisco de Asis, +Duke of Cadiz, son of Don Francisco de Paula, the Infanta being still to marry Montpensier. +It was believed that, if this marriage of the Queen took place, there would be +no issue of it, and Louis Philippe's ambition would be ultimately gratified. To Palmerston's +protest against this scheme (before the Melbourne Ministry fell), Guizot replied, +"<i>La Reine aura des enfants et ne mourra pas</i>." The other possible candidates for the +Queen's hand from the French point of view were Count Montemolin, the son of Don +Carlos, the Count de Trapani, son of Francis I., King of the Two Sicilies, and thus brother +of Queen Christina, and the Duke of Seville, a brother of the Duke of Cadiz. Other +candidates also favoured by the Queen-Mother were (while he was unmarried) Prince +Albert's brother, and his cousin Leopold, brother of the King of Portugal; but the +French King was bent upon a marriage of the Queen with some descendant of Philip V., +and equally determined to prevent the Infanta's marriage either with Leopold or any +other Prince not a descendant of Philip V. The view of Prince Albert and of Lord Aberdeen +was that it was a matter for the young Queen herself and the Spanish people. See +<i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.485" style="font-weight: normal;">485</a>.</p> + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>13th August 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen, with his most humble duty, begs to assure +your Majesty that he will not fail to give his best attention to +your Majesty's communication respecting the marriage of the +Queen of Spain.</p> + +<p class="ind">In a recent despatch to Sir Robert Gordon, Lord Aberdeen +has repeated the opinion entertained by your Majesty's Government, +that the marriage of the Queen with the son of Don +Carlos, instead of leading to the conciliation and unison of +parties, would be more likely to produce collision and strife, +and to increase the existing animosity between the different +political factions by which Spain is distracted.</p> + +<p class="ind">This marriage, however, has always been a favourite project +with Austria and the Northern Courts; and it has also been +apparently supported by the French Government. It cannot +be denied that at first sight there are many considerations by +which it may seem to be recommended; but the weight of +these can only be duly estimated by the authorities and +people of Spain.</p> + +<p class="ind">The same may be said respecting the marriage of the Queen +with any other Spanish Prince, a descendant of Philip V. +which, in the opinion of many, would be most agreeable to the +feelings and prejudices of the nation. To this project also it +appears that the French Government have recently assented.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen humbly thinks that the interests of this +country and of all Europe are deeply concerned in the exclusion +of a French Prince from the possibility of receiving the +hand of the Queen; and that it would not be a wise policy to +oppose any marriage by which this should be effected, consistently +with the free choice of the Queen, and the sanction +of the Spanish Government and people. The avowed predilections +of Queen Christina, and her increased means of +influence recently acquired, render this a matter of considerable +anxiety and importance at the present moment.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PARLIAMENTARY OBSTRUCTION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>16th August 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen cannot refrain from writing a line to express her +indignation at the very unjustifiable manner in which the +minority of thirteen members obstructs the progress of business.<sup>55</sup> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.489" id="pagei.489"></a>[page 489]</span> +She hopes that every attempt will be made to put an +end to what is really indecent conduct. Indeed, how is +business to go on at all if such vexatious opposition prevails? +At all events, the Queen hopes that Sir Robert will make <i>no +kind</i> of concession to these gentlemen, which [could] encourage +them to go on in the same way.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen forgot to say this morning that she thinks it +would be better that the Investiture of the Thistle should be +put off for the present.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 55: By opposition to the Bill removing doubts as to the admission of Ministers in Scotland.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>22nd August 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen returns these papers to Sir J. Graham, and thinks +that this important Memorial<sup>56</sup> should <i>not</i> be decided on without +the opinion of the House of Lords; the Queen trusts that everything +will be done to secure inviolate the maintenance of the +Marriage Act.</p> + + +<p class="note1">Footnote 56: The memorial was that of Sir Augustus d'Este (1794-1848), the son of the union of the +Duke of Sussex and Lady Augusta Murray. On 4th April 1793 they were married at +Rome by an English clergyman, the ceremony being repeated in the same year at St +George's, Hanover Square. The Court of Arches annulled the marriage in 1794, but +Sir Augustus now preferred a claim to the peerage. Ultimately the Lords, after consulting +the judges, disallowed it.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">South Street</span>, <i>23rd August 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thanks your Majesty much for the last note which he had +the honour of receiving. Lord Melbourne is much pleased that +your Majesty is glad of Wilhelmina Stanhope's marriage,<sup>57</sup> and +was very glad to hear that your Majesty had congratulated her +and Lady Stanhope upon it, which was very kind, and gave much +satisfaction. Lord Dalmeny is an excellent young man, and +altogether it is an event much to be rejoiced at, especially as +it has been so long delayed, and fears began to be entertained +that it would never happen. The Duke and Duchess of +Sutherland seem also much pleased with Evelyn's<sup>58</sup> marriage. +She is a beautiful girl, and a very nice person in every respect, +and everybody must wish her happy. Lord Melbourne has +been at Panshanger for two or three days with Uxbridge and +Lady Uxbridge, Ella, and Constance. Uxbridge is having +continual cricket matches as he used to have, which is a very +good thing, making the country gay, and pleasing the people.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.490" id="pagei.490"></a>[page 490]</span> + +<p class="ind">Matrimonial affairs, Lord Melbourne is afraid, remain <i>in +statu quo</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne was very glad to hear from Anson yesterday +and to learn that he thinks himself getting better. Lord +Liverpool had given Lord Melbourne a very poor account of +him. Lord Melbourne hopes that your Majesty may have a +pleasant tour, but he cannot refrain from earnestly recommending +your Majesty to take care about landing and embarking, +and not to do it in dangerous places and on awkward +coasts. Lord Melbourne is going the day after to-morrow with +Lord and Lady Beauvale to Brocket Hall, and from thence +on the 29th to Melbourne, to stay about three weeks or a +month.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne congratulates your Majesty upon the near +approaching termination of the Session of Parliament, which is +always a relief to all parties. Some great measures have been +passed. Lord Melbourne wishes your Majesty health and +happiness, and begs to be respectfully remembered to the +Prince.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 57: To Lord Dalmeny. <i>En secondes noces</i>, she married the fourth Duke of Cleveland.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 58: Lady Evelyn Leveson Gower, married, on 4th October, to Charles, Lord Blantyre.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VISIT TO THE CHÂTEAU D'EU</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Château d'Eu</span>, <i>4th September 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I write to you from this dear place, +where we are in the midst of this admirable and truly amiable +family, and where we feel quite at home, and as if we were one +of them. Our reception by the dear King and Queen has +been most kind, and by the people really gratifying.<sup>59</sup> Everything +is very different to England, particularly the population. +Louise has told you all about our doings, and therefore tell +you nothing but that I am highly interested and amused. +Little Chica (Mdme. Hadjy)<sup>60</sup> is a charming, sprightly, lively +creature, with immense brown eyes. We leave this the day +after to-morrow for Brighton, where the children are, who are +extremely well, I hear. Many thanks, dearest Uncle, for your +kind letter of the 29th, by which I see that poor Prince Löwenstein<sup>61</sup> +came to see you; he is Mamma's old friend. As I am in +a great hurry, and as I hope, God willing, to see you very soon, +I must conclude in haste, and leave all my remarks for another +day. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">Pray forgive this confused and horrid scrawl.</p> + + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 59: The Queen was enthusiastically received at Tréport. On the 2nd there was a great +entertainment in the banqueting-room of the Château, and on the 4th a <i>fête champêtre</i> +on the Mont d'Orléans in the forest. On the 5th there was a review, and on the 7th +the Queen returned to England.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 60: The Princess of Joinville. See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.451" style="font-weight: normal;">451-2</a>. Hadjy is the Prince of Joinville.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 61: Prince William of Löwenstein (1783-1847).</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.491" id="pagei.491"></a>[page 491]</span> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE FRENCH VISIT</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Melbourne</span>, <i>6th September 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thanks your Majesty much for your letter of the 27th ult., +which he received here some days ago. We have been quite +dismayed and overwhelmed with the melancholy intelligence +of death after death which has followed us. I was much concerned +for poor Charles Howard's loss, but we were quite struck +down by the melancholy event of poor Mrs W. Cowper.<sup>62</sup> +She promised to suit us all well, my sister particularly, and to +be a great source of happiness and comfort.</p> + +<p class="ind">Your Majesty is quite right in supposing that Lord Melbourne +would at once attribute your Majesty's visit to the +Château d'Eu to its right cause—your Majesty's friendship and +affection for the French Royal Family, and not to any political +object. The principal motive now is to take care that it does +not get mixed either in reality or in appearance with politics, +and Lord Melbourne cannot conceal from your Majesty that he +should lament it much if the result of the visit should turn out +to be a treaty upon any European matter, unfavourable to +England and favourable to France. Do not let them make +any treaty or agreement there. It can be done elsewhere just +as well, and without any of the suspicion which is sure to attach +to any transaction which takes place there.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 62: Mr and Mrs William Cowper had only been married on 24th June.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>8th September 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest and most beloved Victoria</span>,—I have been +highly gratified that you found a moment to write me such a +dear letter. I am sure that the personal contact with the family +at Eu would interest you, and at the same time remove some +impressions on the subject of the King, which are really untrue. +Particularly the attempt of representing him like the most astute +of men, calculating constantly everything to deceive people.</p> + +<p class="ind">His vivacity alone would render such a system extremely +difficult, and if he appears occasionally to speak too much and +to seem to hold a different language to different people, it is a +good deal owing to his vivacity and his anxiety to carry conviction +to people's mind.</p> + +<p class="ind">The impression of your visit will besides do wonders in removing +the silly irritation which had been got up since 1840, +and which might have in the end occasioned serious mischief, +and that without being <i>in the least</i> called for, the passions of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.492" id="pagei.492"></a>[page 492]</span> +nations become very inconvenient sometimes for their +Governors.... Your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">My best love to dearest Albert; he seems to have had the +greatest success, and I am very glad of it, as it had some time +ago been the fashion to invent all sorts of nonsense.</p> + +<p class="ind">I left Stockmar extremely hypochondriacal, but I trust not +so unwell as he fancied. His son accompanies him to Coburg.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S RETURN</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">On board the</span> <i>Victoria and Albert</i>, <span class="sc">in the River</span>,<sup>63</sup><br /> +<i>21st September 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearly beloved Uncle</span>,—I seize the first opportunity +of informing you of our excellent passage; we shall be in half-an-hour +or three-quarters at Woolwich; it is now half-past +ten <span class="sc">A.M.</span> The day and night were beautiful, and it is again, +very fine to-day. We anchored in Margate Roads at eleven +last night, and set off again about five.</p> + +<p class="ind">Let me thank you and my beloved Louise in both our names +again for your <i>great kindness</i> to us, which, believe me, we feel +<i>deeply</i>. We were <i>so happy</i> with you, and the stay was <i>so +delightful</i>, but so painfully short! It was such a joy for me to +be once again under the roof of one who has ever been a father +to me! I was <i>very</i> sad after you left us; it seems so strange +that all should be over—but the <i>delightful</i> souvenir will <i>ever</i> +remain. To leave my dearest Louise too was so painful—and +also poor Aunt Julia,<sup>64</sup> so immediately after making her acquaintance; +pray tell her that, for me. I shall write to +Louise to-morrow. You must forgive my hand being so +trembling, but we are <i>lighter</i> than usual, which causes the +tremulous motion to be so much more felt.</p> + +<p class="ind">That God may bless and protect you <i>all always</i> is our fervent +prayer. Believe me, always, your devoted and grateful +Niece and Child,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 63: On the 12th the Queen and Prince Albert sailed from Brighton on a visit to King +Leopold. They visited Ostend, Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 64: Sister of the Duchess of Kent, married to the Grand Duke Constantine.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>22nd September 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has received Sir James Graham's letter of the +22nd.<sup>65</sup> She has long seen with deep concern the lamentable +state of turbulence in South Wales, and has repeatedly urged +the necessity of its being put an end to, by <i>vigorous</i> efforts on +the part of the Government. The Queen, therefore, willingly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.493" id="pagei.493"></a>[page 493]</span> +gives her sanction to the issuing of a special Commission for +the trial of the offenders and to the issuing of a proclamation. +Monday, the 2nd, being the earliest day at which, Sir James +says, the necessary Council could be held, will suit the Queen +very well; she begs, therefore, that Sir James will cause the +Council to meet here on that day at three o'clock.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 65: The insurrection of the Rebeccaites was assuming a more dangerous form, and at +Hendy Gate they committed a cold-blooded act of murder.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">MATRIMONIAL PROJECTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>26th September 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I cannot sufficiently thank you for +your two <i>most kind</i> and affectionate letters of the 22nd and +23rd, which gave me the greatest pleasure. <i>How often</i> we +think of our <i>dear</i> and <i>delightful</i> visit it is impossible for me to +say; indeed, I fear these <i>two</i> never-to-be-forgotten <i>voyages</i> and +<i>visits</i> have made me think Windsor and its daily occurrences +very dull. But this is very ungrateful for what I have had, +which is so much more than I ever dared to hope for. The +weather is become colder, and yesterday and the day before +were horrid, foggy, raw days; to-day it is finer again....</p> + +<p class="ind">Feodore and Ernest came to us yesterday, and I find them +both <i>very</i> well; Feodore is, I think, grown more serious than +she was....</p> + +<p class="ind">You remember that when we were together we talked of who +Aumale could marry; he will only marry a Catholic, and no +Spaniard, no Neapolitan, no Austrian, and also no Brazilian, +as Louise tells me. Why should not Princess Alexandrine of +Bavaria do? It would be a good connection, and you say +(though not as pretty as Princess Hildegarde) that she is not +ill-looking. <i>Qu'en pensez-vous?</i> Then for <i>Tatane</i><sup>66</sup>—a Princess +of Saxony would be extremely <i>passlich</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">How long does Aunt Julia stay with you?</p> + +<p class="ind">Albert, I suppose, writes to you, and I, dearest Uncle, +remain ever and ever, your <i>most truly</i> devoted and <i>warmly +attached</i> Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + +<p class="ind">We find Pussy amazingly advanced in intellect, but alas! +also in naughtiness. I hold up Charlotte as an example of +every virtue, which has its effect; for when she is going to be +naughty she says: "Dear Ma, what does cousin Charlotte +do?"</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 66: Antoine, Duc de Montpensier.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ROYAL VISITORS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>3rd October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Many, many thanks for your kind +letter of the 28th, received on Sunday, which was written from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.494" id="pagei.494"></a>[page 494]</span> +the Camp of Beverloo, which Albert recollects with <i>great +pleasure</i> and interest, having amused himself so much there.</p> + +<p class="ind">I can give you excellent accounts of ourselves. The boy +returned from Brighton yesterday, looking really the picture +of health, and much <i>embelli</i>; Pussy is in great force, but not +to be compared to Charlotte in beauty; and Fatima (<i>alias</i> +Alice) is as enormous and flourishing as ever. Dearest Louise +seems much pleased with Aunt Julia, which I am glad of, and +I rejoice that poor Aunt has had the happiness of making my +beloved Louise's acquaintance, for it will be a happy recollection +for her in her solitude.</p> + +<p class="ind">We expect the Grand Duke Michael here this afternoon; he +is to stay till Friday. The Michael Woronzows,<sup>67</sup> with a son +and daughter, are also coming, and we shall be a large party, +and are going to dine in the Waterloo Gallery, which makes a +very handsome dining-room, and sit after dinner in that +beautiful grand Reception Room. <i>How</i> I envy your going to +that dear French family! I hope that you will like my +favourite Chica. I trust, however, that you will <i>not</i> stay too +long away for your good people's sake.</p> + +<p class="ind">Not being quite sure of your going, I shall direct this to +Brussels still.</p> + +<p class="ind">We went this morning to Kew, visited the old Palace—which +is not at all a bad house—the Botanical Gardens, and +then my Aunt's.<sup>68</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The Revolution at Athens<sup>69</sup> looks like <i>le commencement de +la fin</i>; it was <i>very</i> unanimous.</p> + +<p class="ind">Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! Ever, your most affectionate +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 67: Prince Michael Woronzow (1782-1856) was a plenipotentiary at the Congress of +Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), and was in command at the siege of Varna in 1828.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 68: The Duchess of Cambridge.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 69: A bloodless revolution had taken place on the 14th of September, partly in consequence +of King Otho exercising his patronage in favour of Bavarians rather than Greeks. +He now acceded to the popular demands.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUC DE BORDEAUX</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>9th October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's two letters. She +has been reflecting upon his proposition that Mr Lytton +Bulwer<sup>70</sup> should be appointed Minister at Madrid, and quite +approves it. The Queen trusts that he will try and keep on +the best terms with the French Minister there, and that without +in any way weakening our interests, the representatives +of these two powerful countries will act <i>together</i>. The Queen +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.495" id="pagei.495"></a>[page 495]</span> +feels <i>certain</i> that if it is known by <i>our</i> respective Ministers that +<i>both</i> Governments <i>wish</i> to act <i>together</i>, and not +<i>against</i> one +another, that much irritation will be avoided; and that our +agents, particularly in distant countries, will understand that +they are <i>not</i> fulfilling the wishes of their Sovereign by representing +every little incident in the most unfavourable light....</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen hopes that Lord Aberdeen will take some early +opportunity of employing Mr Aston. Who will replace Mr +Bulwer at Paris? his successor ought to be an efficient man, +as Lord Cowley<sup>71</sup> is rather infirm. The Queen regrets to say +that the Duc de Bordeaux<sup>72</sup> is coming here; he really must not +be received by the Queen, as she fears his reception at Berlin +has done <i>no</i> good; and altogether, from what she sees in the +papers, she fears there is no good purpose in his coming here.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 70: Afterwards Lord Dalling.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 71: Lord Cowley, brother of the Duke of Wellington, and one of four brothers all either +raised in or promoted to the peerage, was now seventy years of age. In after-years his +son was also Ambassador at Paris.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 72: Afterwards known as Comte de Chambord, and claiming the French throne as Henri V.: +he was grandson of Charles X., and at this time about twenty-three years of age.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>13th October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—It is not my day, but my object in +writing is to speak to you about the <i>dear</i> Nemours' visit, which +we are so anxious to see accomplished. Louise writes to me +about the Duke of Bordeaux coming to England making some +difficulty, and I wish therefore to state what we know of the +affair. We <i>understand</i> (for of course we have had no direct +communication) that the Duc de Bordeaux has embarked at +Hamburg for <i>Hull</i>, and intends travelling in Scotland <i>before</i> he +visits England, and <i>that</i> incognito and under the name of +Comte <i>tel et tel</i>; his being in Scotland when Nemours is in +England, and particularly <i>on a visit to us here</i>, <i>could</i> make +<i>no</i> difficulty, and even if he were travelling about <i>incognito</i> in +England, it could not signify, I think. Moreover, I feel certain +that if he knew that <i>I</i> had invited the Nemours and that +they were coming over shortly, he would go away, as the +Legitimists would not be pleased at Nemours being <i>fêted</i> by +me—<i>while their Henry V</i>. was <i>not</i> even noticed or received. I +could easily, and indeed have almost done so, make it known +generally that <i>I</i> expect the Nemours, and I would say <i>immediately</i>, +and he would be sure to get out of the way. I cannot +tell you <i>how very</i> anxious we are to see the Nemours; I +have been thinking of nothing else, and to lose this great +pleasure would be too mortifying. Moreover, as I really and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.496" id="pagei.496"></a>[page 496]</span> +truly do not think it need be, it would be <i>best</i> if the Nemours +could come <i>before</i> the 10th of November; which is the <i>latest</i> +term when they could come? Now pray, dearest Uncle, do +settle this for me; you have no notion <i>how</i> we wish it. I will +be sure to let you know what I hear, and if there is anything +you could suggest about this, I need not say but that we shall +attend to it with pleasure. The Grand Duke Michael will be +gone by the end of this month. <i>Ainsi je mets cette chère visite +dans vos mains</i>. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria</span> R.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dearest Uncle, let me have an answer by the next post +about this, as I am all in a <i>fidget</i> about it.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">ARREST OF O'CONNELL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>17th October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Your kind letter of the 13th I received +yesterday, and return you my warmest thanks for it....</p> + +<p class="ind">By your letter, and by one I received from Victoire yesterday +morning, I see every reason to hope that we shall see the dear +Nemours, for there will be no difficulty to prevent that poor +stupid Duc de Bordeaux from being <i>in London</i> at the time. He +is to be informed indirectly that the Nemours are coming at +the beginning of next month on a visit to us, in consequence of +a pressing invitation of ours; this alone will keep him off, as +the contrast would be disagreeable to the Legitimists. Independent +of this, his disembarkation at Hull, and proceeding +at once to Scotland, seems to indicate his wish to be in +private.</p> + +<p class="ind">The great event of the day is O'Connell's arrest;<sup>73</sup> they have +found bail, but the trial will shortly commence. The case +against him is <i>very</i> strong, the lawyers say.</p> + +<p class="ind">Everything is perfectly quiet at Dublin. You will have +seen how O'Connell has abused the King; it is all because our +visit to Eu has put an end to <i>any</i> hopes of assistance from +France, which he pretended there would be, and he now declares +for the Duc de Bordeaux!...</p> + +<p class="ind">You must encourage the dear King and Queen to send over +some of the dear family often to us; <i>ils seront reçus a bras +ouverts</i>....</p> + +<p class="ind">We intend to take advantage of Feodore and Ernest's going +to the Queen Dowager's to pay a visit to Cambridge, where we +have never been; we mean to set off to-morrow week, to sleep +at Trinity Lodge that night, and the two following nights at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.497" id="pagei.497"></a>[page 497]</span> +Lord Hardwicke's,<sup>74</sup> which is close to Cambridge. These +journeys are very popular, and please and interest Albert very +much.... Believe me, always, my dearest Uncle, your very +affectionate Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R</span>.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 73: After the official prohibition on 7th October of the intended Clontarf meeting, O'Connell +and others were arrested in Dublin for conspiracy. After giving bail, O'Connell +issued an address to the Irish people. The trial was postponed till the following year.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 74: Wimpole, near Royston, nine miles from Cambridge.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUC DE BORDEAUX</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Drayton Manor</span>, <i>20th October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Sir</span>,—The enclosed letter<sup>75</sup> from Sir James Graham to me +(which as your Royal Highness will perceive is <i>entirely of a +private character</i>) contains details of a conversation with Baron +Neumann which will, I think, be interesting to Her Majesty +and to your Royal Highness; and knowing your Royal Highness +will consider the communication a confidential one, I +prefer sending the letter <i>in extenso</i> to the making of any extracts +from it.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am afraid there is more in the Duc de Bordeaux's visit +than the mere gratification of a desire on his part to see again +places with which he was familiar in his youth.</p> + +<p class="ind">If, however, he should be so ill-advised as to make any +political demonstration, or to ally himself with any particular +party in this country, he would, in my opinion, derive little +from it, and there would be the opportunity of giving to the +King of the French a new proof of our fidelity to our engagements, +and of the steadiness of our friendship towards him and +his dynasty.</p> + +<p class="ind">The great body of the French people would comprehend the +object of any such demonstrations on the part of the Duc de +Bordeaux, and would, it is to be hoped, see in them an additional +motive for union in support of the King, and confidence +in the honour and integrity of this country.</p> + +<p class="ind">I will not fail to inform the Grand Duke of Her Majesty's +intended visit to Cambridge, and to suggest to him that it will +not be convenient to the Queen to receive him at Windsor +before Saturday at the earliest, and probably Monday.</p> + +<p class="ind">On the day after I spoke to your Royal Highness I gave +instructions for enquiries to be made respecting the two properties +in the Isle of Wight.<sup>76</sup> It is necessary to make such +enquiries through some very confidential channel, as a suspicion +of the object of them would probably greatly enhance the price.</p> + +<p class="ind">The party on whom I could entirely rely was out of town, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.498" id="pagei.498"></a>[page 498]</span> +but will return to-morrow, and will immediately find out what +he can respecting the properties.</p> + +<p class="ind">The result shall be made known to the Queen and your Royal +Highness without delay.</p> + +<p class="ind">Will your Royal Highness have the goodness to mention this +to Her Majesty?...</p> + +<p class="ind">I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal +Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Robert Peel</span>.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 75: Referring to the visit of the Duc de Bordeaux.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 76: The Queen and the Prince were at this time making enquiries about a suitable residence +in the Isle of Wight. The purchase of Osborne resulted.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Prince Albert to Sir Robert Peel.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE QUEEN'S DECISION</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>21st October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dear Sir Robert</span>,—I return you Sir James Graham's +letter. There is a pretty general impression of the Duc de +Bordeaux's visit being a got-up thing for various political +intrigues. I confess I do not understand the link with Ireland, +or at least the importance of his being well received by the +Roman Catholics, but am strongly impressed that his presence +whether in Scotland, England, or Ireland is for no good, and +therefore think it our duty that we should render it difficult +for him to protract it. The Queen and myself think that the +uncertainty of his being received at Court or not is doing harm, +and would <i>much</i> wish, therefore, that it was <i>decidedly</i> stated +<i>that the Queen will not receive him</i>. His coming here without +ever asking (indeed knowing that it was disliked), as well as the +part which Austria and Prussia seem to have taken in the +matter, do not strengthen his claim for such a favour. No +good can come from the reception, and the King of the French +must prefer its not taking place. Let us, therefore, settle that +point, and show that we are neither afraid of him nor prepared +to be made dupes of.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen is desirous that no official person should treat the +Duke with a distinction which is likely to attract unnecessary +attention. Believe me, always yours truly,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Albert</span>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUC DE NEMOURS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>24th October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I had the happiness of receiving your +most kind letter of the 20th yesterday, for which I thank you +very much. The good news of the dear Nemours coming is a +great happiness to us, and I fervently hope and trust that the +Duc de Bordeaux will be kept off, which I <i>fully</i> expect he will. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.499" id="pagei.499"></a>[page 499]</span> +Suppose, however, he could <i>not</i> be, and the Nemours could not +come <i>then</i>, would the King not kindly allow them to come later? +Even if the Chambers were to be sitting—such a little <i>Ausflug</i> +of ten days only could really not be a great inconvenience? +Surely if you were to mention this to the dear King, with my +affectionate respects, he would grant it. It is besides only in +<i>case</i> Bordeaux should come to London, which I <i>really</i> think he +will <i>not</i>, if he once knows that the Nemours are coming. And +I must add that I think Nemours not coming at <i>all</i> this year, +after it had been announced, would have a bad effect, particularly +as people here think that some great Powers have +instigated Bordeaux's coming here,—and even think that the +Roman Catholics and Repealers in Ireland mean to make use of +him. Consequently Nemours <i>not</i> coming <i>at all</i>, should he be +prevented from coming at the beginning of November, would +not be a good thing <i>politically</i>, independent of the <i>extreme +disappointment</i> +it would cause us....</p> + +<p class="ind">The accounts both you and Louise gave me of good Hadjy +and Chica give me great pleasure, as I take a lively interest in +both, and am very fond of them. We found amongst some very +curious old miniatures several of Catherine of Braganza when +young (Charles II.'s wife), which are so like Chica;<sup>77</sup> it is curious +how sometimes you can trace likenesses many generations +back....</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray offer our respects to <i>all</i>. How long do you stay? +Ever your devoted niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 77: The Princess de Joinville was a sister of Queen Maria II. of Portugal, and Queen +Catherine of Braganza was daughter of King John IV.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUC DE BORDEAUX</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Drumlanrig</span>, <i>27th October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to lay before +your Majesty another letter received last night from Lord +Morton,<sup>78</sup> which gives an account of the visit of the Duc de +Bordeaux, and of his further communication with the Duc de +Lévis on the projects and views of His Royal Highness.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen has ventured to submit this letter to your +Majesty, although not intended for your Majesty's perusal, as +it gives a pleasing and satisfactory description of the conduct +and sentiments of this unfortunate Prince.</p> + +<p class="ind">In order to explain to your Majesty how Lord Morton, who +lives in a very retired manner, should have received a visit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.500" id="pagei.500"></a>[page 500]</span> +from the Duc de Bordeaux, Lord Aberdeen begs to mention +that when the family of Charles X. resided at Edinburgh, after +the Revolution of July 1830, they received information more +than once, from the present Royal Family of France, that +certain desperate characters had left Paris for Edinburgh, with +the intention of assassinating the Duc de Bordeaux, in order +to prevent all possibility of a Restoration. In consequence of +this information, it was thought to be dangerous for the Prince +to walk or to expose himself in the neighbourhood of Holyrood +House. He was frequently driven in a carriage to Lord Morton's,<sup>79</sup> +where he remained for a few hours, taking exercise in +the park, and playing with Lord Morton's children. It is +the recollection of this which has led the Prince to make his +acknowledgments on the present occasion.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen also begs humbly to mention to your Majesty +that on his arrival here he found the Duke and Duchess of +Buccleuch in expectation of a visit from the Duc de Bordeaux, +on his way from Glasgow to Carlisle. Lord Aberdeen informed +the Duke and Duchess of the objections which might exist to +this visit; but he believes that communications on the subject +had already gone too far to render it possible to break it off with +any degree of propriety. The great attentions paid by the Duke +and his predecessors to the French Royal Family, both during +the former and last emigration, sufficient account for this desire +on the part of the Prince.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 78: George Sholto, nineteenth Earl of Morton (1789-1858).</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 79: Dalmahoy, Midlothian.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>31st October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I had the pleasure of receiving your +dear and kind letter of the 27th yesterday, by which I learn +that you are all well and going on the 4th. Forgive me, dearest +Uncle, if I say that I am glad that you are <i>at length</i> going +back to Belgium, as (though I fully understand from <i>personal</i> +experience how delightful it must be to be in the midst of that +dear and perfect family) I think these long absences distress +your faithful Belgians a little.</p> + +<p class="ind">We returned on Saturday, highly pleased and interested +with our tour,<sup>80</sup> though a little <i>done up</i>. I seldom remember +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.501" id="pagei.501"></a>[page 501]</span> +more enthusiasm than was shown at Cambridge, and in particular +by the Undergraduates. They received my dear Angel, +too, with the greatest enthusiasm. This is useful, as these young +people <i>will all, in time</i>, have a certain part to play; they are +the rising generation, and an event of this kind makes a lasting +impression on their minds.</p> + +<p class="ind">You will have heard from Louise that there is no longer any +impediment to the dear Nemours coming, which you may +easily conceive gives me the greatest satisfaction. Since then, +I have heard that Bordeaux does not intend visiting London +till he sees by the papers that the Nemours are gone. I saw a +letter from a gentleman, with whom he had been staying, and +who says that he is very pleasing and unaffected, and very +easily amused, and quite pleased "with missing a few pheasants, +and dancing quadrilles in the evening to a pianoforte." +Poor fellow! his fate certainly is a melancholy one. He should +renounce, buy some property in Germany, and marry, and +settle there.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am glad to hear of Montpensier's arrival, and that my +favourite Chica is in your good graces; she is a dear natural +child. I am so impatient to see my dear Victoire and good +Nemours—who was always a great ally of mine—again!</p> + +<p class="ind">The Grand Duke came here last night, and goes away after +luncheon, and leaves England on Thursday. He is charmed +with all he has seen, and I must say is very amiable and civil. +He has got a most charming large dog, called Dragon, like a +Newfoundland, only brown and white, with the most expressive +eyes imaginable and <i>si bien dressé</i>. Prince Alexander of the +Netherlands is also coming down to take leave this week. We +never had so many visitors.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am beyond everything interested with that beautiful novel +by Rellstab,<sup>81</sup> <i>1812</i>, which I know you admire so much. The +description of the Russian Campaign is incomparable, and so +beautifully written. You quite <i>see</i> everything before you. +Have you read his other, <i>Paris und Algier</i>? By the by, have +you read Custine's<sup>82</sup> book on Russia? They say it is very +severe on Russia, and full of hatred to the English.</p> + +<p class="ind">We found the children very well, and Bertie quite recovered, +but poor fat Alice (who, I <i>must</i> say, is becoming <i>very</i> pretty) +has had the earache.</p> + +<p class="ind">Mamma with Feo and Ernest are with the Queen Dowager +at Witley Court since Thursday last, and only return next +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.502" id="pagei.502"></a>[page 502]</span> +Thursday (the day after to-morrow). Clem seems very happy, +and writes that she is happiest when she is <i>tête-à-tête</i> with poor +Gusti, which <i>I</i> should <i>not</i> fancy. Ever, dearest Uncle, your +devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> +<span class="rightnote">BETROTHAL OF THE DUC D'AUMALE</span> +<p class="ind">I open my letter, dearest Uncle, to say that I have <i>just</i> seen +in a confidential despatch from Lord Cowley that Aumale is +authorised to ask for the hand of the daughter of the Prince de +Salerno<sup>83</sup> (a singular coincidence after what I wrote to you in +<i>utter ignorance</i> of this report), and that he was also to find out +what the opinions of the Neapolitan Royal Family were respecting +an alliance with the Queen of Spain. But tell me, dearest +Uncle, if these reports are true? You may <i>rely</i> on my discretion, +and I shall not breathe a word of what you may answer +me, if you wish the secret to be kept.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 80: The Royal party went by road from Paddington to Cambridge, and stayed at the +Lodge at Trinity; on the following day Prince Albert was made LL.D. The party then +went to Wimpole, and visited Bourn (Lord Delawarr's). At the ball which was given at +Wimpole, there was a sofa, covered with a piece of drapery given by Louis XIV. to the +poet Prior and by him to Lord Oxford, the owner of Wimpole, before its purchase by +Lord Chancellor Hardwicke. <i>See</i> Lord Melbourne's letter of 7th November, <i>post</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.503" style="font-weight: normal;">503</a>.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 81: Louis Rellstab (1799-1860), a prolific German writer of novels, whose thinly-veiled +attacks on public men earned him at one time a sentence of imprisonment.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 82: The Marquis Astolphe de Custine (1790-1857), author of <i>La Russie en 1839</i>, at this +time recently published.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 83: The Due d'Aumale married in November 1844, Caroline, daughter of the Prince and +Princess of Salerno.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">INDIAN AFFAIRS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Drayton Manor</span>, <i>31st October 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs leave to return to your Majesty the accompanying +communication from Lord Ellenborough, and a letter which +your Majesty proposes to send to Lord Ellenborough.</p> + +<p class="ind">In compliance with your Majesty's desire that Sir Robert +Peel should inform your Majesty whether he sees anything +objectionable in that letter, Sir Robert Peel humbly represents +to your Majesty that he does not think it would be advisable +for your Majesty personally to express to the Governor-General +of India your Majesty's opinion with regard either to the policy +of retaining Scinde,<sup>84</sup> as being of the greatest importance to the +security of the Indian Empire, or as to the completeness of the +defence of Sir Charles Napier from the accusations brought +against him.</p> + +<p class="ind">He humbly and most respectfully takes the liberty of submitting +to your Majesty, that these being matters of important +public concern, the regular and constitutional channel for conveying +the opinion of your Majesty with respect to them would +be through your Majesty's servants.</p> + +<p class="ind">In the particular case, indeed, of India, instructions do not +proceed from your Majesty's servants, directly signifying your +Majesty's pleasure, but are conveyed in despatches to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.503" id="pagei.503"></a>[page 503]</span> +Governor-General, signed by the three members of the Secret +Committee of the Court of Directors.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Secret Court of Directors—that is, the whole Court acting +in secret—have come to a Resolution (in Sir Robert Peel's +opinion very unwisely and precipitately) expressing the gravest +doubt, on their part, as to the policy and justice of the recent +transactions in Scinde.<sup>85</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">The Court is aware that your Majesty's servants disapprove +of this proceeding on their part, and that they have declined +to transmit officially to Lord Ellenborough, through the Secret +Committee, the condemnatory Resolution of the Court. One +of the grounds on which they deprecated the Resolution was +the passing of it in the absence of full and complete information +from India, in respect to the policy and to the events which led +to the occupation of Scinde.</p> + +<p class="ind">Under these circumstances, as well on the general Constitutional +ground, as with reference to the present state of the +public correspondence in regard to Scinde, and the particular +relation of the Governor-General to the East India Company, +and the Court of Directors, Sir Robert Peel humbly advises +your Majesty to forbear from expressing an opinion, in a +private communication to the Governor-General, with regard +to events in Scinde or to the policy hereafter to be pursued in +respect to that country. Sir Robert Peel begs to add that in +a private letter by the last mail to Lord Ripon, Lord Ellenborough +observes that he is going on very harmoniously with +the Members of Council at Calcutta.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 84: Earlier in the year Lord Ellenborough had appointed Sir Charles Napier Governor +of Scinde, and had by Proclamation applied the Slave Trade and Slavery Abolition Acts +to Scinde.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 85: See Parker's <i>Sir Robert Peel</i>, vol. iii. chap. 1.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Melbourne</span>, <i>7th November 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, +and thanks your Majesty much for the letter of the 4th inst., +which he has received this morning with great satisfaction. +Lord Melbourne hears with great pleasure of the gratification +which your Majesty and the Prince received in your visit to +Cambridge. Lord Melbourne collects from all the accounts +that the proceedings in the Senate House were not only full of +loyalty, enthusiasm, and gratitude, but also perfectly decorous, +respectful, academic, and free from all those political +cries which have recently prevailed so much in the theatre at +Oxford on similar occasions.<sup>86</sup> Lord Melbourne hopes he is +within [the mark]; if he is it forms a remarkable and advantageous +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.504" id="pagei.504"></a>[page 504]</span> +contrast. Lord Melbourne does not know anywhere +a better account of Cambridge, its foundations, and the +historical recollections of its founders, than is given in Mr. +Gray's ode on the installation of the Duke of Grafton, which +it would not be amiss to read with the large explanatory notes +that are given in the editions of Mason and Mathias.<sup>87</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Melbourne is very partial to Lord Hardwicke, who +always is and has been very civil and good-natured to Lord +Melbourne, and these are qualities to which Lord Melbourne +is not at all indifferent. Wimpole is a curious place. Lord +Melbourne is not exactly aware how the Yorkes got hold of it.<sup>88</sup> +There is much history and more poetry connected with it. +Prior<sup>89</sup> mentions it repeatedly, and always calls the first Lady +Harley, the daughter of the Duke of Newcastle, Belphebe.<sup>90</sup> +If Hardwicke should have a daughter, he should christen her +Belphebe. The Lady Belphebe Yorke would not sound ill....</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 86: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.292" style="font-weight: normal;">292</a>.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 87: Gray, the poet, who had been appointed by the Duke Professor of Modern History, +composed an ode (set to music by Randall) for the latter's installation as Chancellor, +on 1st July 1769.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 88: The cultured but indolent Edward, Lord Harley, afterwards Earl of Oxford (son of +the great minister), sold Wimpole to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke in 1740 to pay off a +debt of £100,000. He had married Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles, daughter and +heiress of John, Duke of Newcastle, who brought him £500,000, most of which he dissipated. +Their only child, Margaret, the "noble lovely little Peggy" of Prior, married +William Bentinck, second Duke of Portland. Lady Oxford sold to the nation the "Harleian +Collection" of manuscripts, now in the British Museum.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 89: Who died there in 1721.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 90: Alluding to the rarely printed poem "Colin's Mistakes," where "Bright Ca'ndish +Holles Harley" is seen in the glades of Wimpole by the dreamy youth, and mistaken for +Gloriana, Belphebe, etc.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PROPOSED VISIT TO PEEL</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>9th November 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Sir</span>,—I was greatly gratified by learning on my return to +London last night from Witley Court that it is not improbable +that Her Majesty and your Royal Highness may confer the +high honour of a visit to Drayton Manor towards the conclusion +of the present month.</p> + +<p class="ind">I venture to think, from what I saw of Witley Court, that +the arrangement proposed by your Royal Highness will be +more convenient to Her Majesty than the staying at Witley +Court.</p> + +<p class="ind">I can assure your Royal Highness that nothing shall be left +undone by Lady Peel and me to contribute to the comfort of +Her Majesty and your Royal Highness during your occupation +of Drayton Manor, and to mark our sense of the kind condescension +of Her Majesty and your Royal Highness in making it +your abode.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.505" id="pagei.505"></a>[page 505]</span> + +<p class="ind">I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal +Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Robert Peel</span>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">TRAVELLING ARRANGEMENTS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Whitehall</span>, <i>Sunday, 12th November 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">Sir</span>,—I send to your Royal Highness a little book which is +published every month, giving very useful information as to +distances, or at least times, on all the railways. Possibly your +Royal Highness has this book regularly sent to you.</p> + +<p class="ind">I think, before Her Majesty promises a visit to Witley Court, +there are one or two points worthy of consideration which are +in favour of proposing to the Queen Dowager to meet the +Queen at Drayton Manor first. The Queen would have to go +and to return in the same day. The Queen Dowager might +remain either one night or two nights at Drayton. Secondly, +the Birmingham and Derby line is not on the same level with +the line which goes to Droitwich (eleven miles from Witley +Court), and there is a little delay in posting a carriage, or in +passing from the lower line of railway to the upper.</p> + +<p class="ind">Thirdly, there is the passage for Her Majesty, though not +through Birmingham as in an ordinary travelling carriage, yet +in the immediate outskirts of the town, and this twice in the +same day.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Corporation (which is a completely Radical one) might +solicit permission to present an Address to Her Majesty at the +station.</p> + +<p class="ind">There would, I am sure, be nothing but demonstrations of +the greatest loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty, but there +would probably be a great concourse of people, and some delay, +if the Address were received.</p> + +<p class="ind">Perhaps your Royal Highness will think of these suggestions, +which I am induced to offer by the desire to foresee everything +which may have a bearing upon the personal comfort of the +Queen.</p> + +<p class="ind">I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your +Royal Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Robert Peel</span>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUCHESSE DE NEMOURS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>14th November 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest, kindest Uncle</span>,—A long and most <i>interesting</i> +letter reached me on Sunday, dated 9th and 10th, and I beg +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.506" id="pagei.506"></a>[page 506]</span> +to return my warmest thanks for it. The confidence you show +me I feel deeply and gratefully, and you may rely on my discretion. +Before I touch upon any of the subjects in your letter +I will give you news of our visitors. The dear Nemours +arrived safely after a good passage on Saturday, well but very +tired. They are now quite recovered, and we are too happy +to have them here. Nemours looks well, and is very kind and +amiable, but I think there is a seriousness since poor Chartres' +death which used not to be formerly, though he always was +<i>reserved</i>, and that, I think, he is <i>not</i> now. Dearest Victoire is +<i>amazingly</i> improved and <i>développée</i>—really quite wonderfully +so. We are all so struck by it, by her good sense and by her +conversation; and with that she has kept that innocence and +gentleness which she always had—and is <i>so lovely</i>, dear sweet +child. I must always look at her, and she, dear child, seems so +pleased to see me again. I find her <i>grown</i>, but grown very +thin, and she has not those bright colours she used to have. +All that you say of Bordeaux is just what Nemours says, and +what Guizot writes, and what <i>I</i> and also Sir Robert Peel +<i>always</i> felt and thought. Aberdeen, with the greatest wish to +do <i>all</i> that is kind and right, <i>really thought</i> that B. was only +come to amuse himself, and had no idea till <i>now</i> that the feeling +in France in <i>all</i> the different parties was so strong. You will +have heard by this time that we have decided <i>not</i> to receive +B. in <i>any way</i> whatever. It is a pleasure to hear how mildly +and sensibly Nemours speaks upon all these subjects, and indeed +every subject....</p> + +<p class="ind">I think you did <i>uncommonly right</i> in what you answered +the poor King about the <i>arrêté</i> in favour of the <i>Prussians</i>, and +I am very glad you <i>have</i> done so. It will have a good effect +here.</p> + +<p class="ind">Louise will tell you how we celebrated good Bertie's birthday. +The children are in great favour with the Nemours.</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray, dearest Uncle, do not forget to send me the list of +Rellstab's works. We think of making another little tour +after the dear Nemours' departure, to Drayton (Sir Robert +Peel's), Chatsworth, and Belvoir.</p> + +<p class="ind">We are very sorry to lose dear Feo and Ernest. They are +so good and excellent, and she is so <i>brav</i>. Ever, your devoted +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<span class="rightnote" style="margin-top: 2em;">BIRMINGHAM</span> + +<p class="center" style="margin-left:15%; margin-right:15%; margin-top:3em;"> + +[<i>Memorandum enclosed from Sir Robert Peel to Prince Albert, + about the political condition of Birmingham, which the + Prince was intending to visit</i>.]</p> + + +<p class="ind2" style="margin-top: 2em;">The Mayor is a hosier—of <i>extreme</i> political opinions—<i>in fact, +a Chartist</i>.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.507" id="pagei.507"></a>[page 507]</span> + +<p class="ind2">The contest for the office of Mayor was between him and a +man of Radical opinions, but Chartism prevailed.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Mayor has taken a violent part, before his Mayoralty, +against Church Rates, and in reference to the state of Ireland.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The Conservative party took no part whatever in the Municipal +Elections, and would not vote.</p> + +<p class="ind2">They would, if invited or permitted by the Mayor and Town +Council, cordially co-operate with men of opposite opinions +in any mark of respect to the Prince.</p> + +<p class="ind2">No probability of any tumult or of any demonstration but +one of respect personally towards the Prince, if his visit be +clearly and manifestly unconnected with politics.</p> + +<p class="ind2">An immense concourse of people must be expected, not only +from Birmingham, but Wolverhampton, Walsall, and all the +neighbouring towns, and previous police arrangements must be +very carefully made.</p> + +<p class="ind2">There may be a proposal of a collation and of an Address, to +be received in the Town Hall.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Should not the Lord Lieutenant (Lord Warwick) have +notice?</p> + +<p class="ind2">Is the Mayor to accompany the Prince in the same carriage?<sup>91</sup></p> + +<p class="ind2">The Mayor has no carriage.</p> + +<p class="ind2">No communication should be made to any party in Birmingham, +except to the municipal authorities, notwithstanding +their political bias and <i>extreme</i> opinions.</p> + +<p class="ind2">The late Mayor, Mr James, though a Radical, would have +summoned the leading men of different parties.</p> + +<p class="ind2">Doubts as to whether the present Mayor would, or whether +he would not, place the whole arrangement in the hands of the +party with which he is connected.</p> + +<p class="ind2">This risk must be incurred, as communications to other +parties would not be advisable.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 91: This was the course adopted.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE DUC DE BORDEAUX</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Foreign Office</span>, <i>1st December 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. +He has not yet received any communication from the Duc de +Lévis, notwithstanding he had been led to expect it, from a +notice repeatedly conveyed to him to that effect. It seems +probable that in consequence of what the Duc de Lévis may +have heard, as well as from the course pursued by the friends +of the Duc de Bordeaux, Lord Aberdeen may not now see him +at all. Should this be the case, Lord Aberdeen is rather inclined +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.508" id="pagei.508"></a>[page 508]</span> +to regret it; as although he would formerly have seen +him with some reluctance, he would now be glad to have an +opportunity of expressing his sentiments very plainly respecting +the proceedings of the Prince and his adherents in +this country.</p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen understands from Sir Robert Peel that your +Majesty would like to be informed of any particulars connected +with the Levée lately held by the Duc de Bordeaux. +Lord Aberdeen would willingly communicate these particulars, +but in reality there is very little to be added to the official +accounts contained in the <i>Morning Post</i>, which it is obvious +are inserted by authority. He saw M. de Ste Aulaire this +morning, who was a good deal excited by what has taken +place, and has written very fully to Paris; but he knew +nothing more than he had seen in the newspapers.</p> + +<p class="ind">It may perhaps be worth mentioning to your Majesty that +at the presentation of the Address by M. Chateaubriand<sup>92</sup> +on Friday, the cries of "Vive le Roi!" and "Vive Henri V.!" +were so loud as to be distinctly audible in the Square. Lord +Aberdeen understands that this enthusiasm has been the +cause of serious differences amongst many of those who had +come to pay their respects to the Duc de Bordeaux, a large +portion of whom are by no means disposed to recognise him +as King during the life of the Duc d'Angoulême.<sup>93</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Lord Aberdeen cannot learn that any other member of the +Diplomatic Body has been presented to the Duc de Bordeaux, +and does not believe that any such presentation has +taken place. Indeed, there appears to be a general disinclination +that such should be the case; although some +of them feel considerable difficulty in consequence of the +relationship existing between their Sovereigns and the Prince.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 92: François, Vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768-1848), a great supporter of the Bourbons, +and made a Peer in 1815. He was Ambassador in London in 1822.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 93: Eldest son of Charles X.</p> + + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Chatsworth</span>, <i>3rd December 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen approves of Lord Stanley's proposed Draft to +Sir Charles Metcalfe.<sup>94</sup> This question can in no way be settled +without giving offence to one part of the country; the Queen, +however, hopes that the fixing upon Montreal as the seat of +Government will hereafter be considered as fair by impartial +minds. Sir Charles continues to show great discretion and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.509" id="pagei.509"></a>[page 509]</span> +firmness in his most arduous and unsatisfactory situation, and +deserves much praise and encouragement.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 94: Governor-General of Canada.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">VISIT TO CHATSWORTH</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Belvoir Castle</span>, <i>4th December 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Being much hurried, I can only +write you a few lines to thank you for your kind letter of the +29th, received this morning. You will have heard from Louise +the account of our stay at Drayton (which is a very nice +house), and of Albert's brilliant reception at Birmingham. +We arrived at Chatsworth on Friday, and left it at nine this +morning, quite charmed and delighted with everything there. +Splendour and comfort are so admirably combined, and the +Duke does everything so well. I found many improvements +since I was there eleven years ago. The conservatory is out +and out the finest thing imaginable of its kind. It is one mass +of glass, 64 feet high, 300 long, and 134 wide.<sup>95</sup> The grounds, +with all the woods and cascades and fountains, are so beautiful +too. The first evening there was a ball, and the next the +cascades and fountains were illuminated, which had a beautiful +effect. There was a large party there, including many of the +Duke's family, the Bedfords, Buccleuchs, the Duke of Wellington, +the Normanbys, Lord Melbourne (who is much better), +and the Beauvales. We arrived here at half-past two, we +perform our journey so delightfully on the railroad, so quickly +and easily. It puts me in mind of our dear stay in Belgium, +when we stop at the various stations.</p> + +<p class="ind">Albert is going out hunting to-morrow, which I wish was +<i>over</i>, but I am assured that the country is much better than the +Windsor country.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Duc de Bordeaux's proceedings in London are most +highly improper.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen Dowager is also here.</p> + +<p class="ind">We leave this place on Thursday for home, which, I own, +I shall be glad of at last. Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 95: It was built by Mr Joseph Paxton, then Superintendent of the Gardens, whose intelligence +had attracted the Duke of Devonshire's attention. In 1850 he was the successful +competitor for the Great Exhibition building, and was knighted on its completion. +He superintended its re-erection at Sydenham, and afterwards became M.P. for Coventry.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The Princess Hohenhohe to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Langenburg</span>, <i>10th December 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—... You ask in your letter about +the manner in which my children say their prayers? They +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.510" id="pagei.510"></a>[page 510]</span> +say it when in their beds, but not kneeling; how absurd to +find <i>that</i> necessary, as if it could have anything to do with +making our prayers more acceptable to the Almighty or more +holy. How really clever people can have those notions I +don't understand. I am sorry it is the case there, where there +is so much good and, I am certain, real piety. Dear Pussy +learning her letters I should like to see and hear; I am sure +she will learn them very quick. Has Bertie not learned some +more words and sentences during your absence?...</p> + +<p class="ind">Your attached and devoted sister,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Feodora</span>.</p> + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">PRINCE ALBERT WITH THE HOUNDS</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>12th December 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—I thank you much for your kind letter +of the 7th, which I received as usual on Sunday. Louise will +be able to tell you <i>how</i> well the remainder of our journey went +off, and how well Albert's hunting answered.<sup>96</sup> One can hardly +credit the absurdity of people here, but Albert's riding so +boldly and hard has made such a sensation that it has been +written all over the country, and they make much more of it +than if he had done some great act!</p> + +<p class="ind">It rather disgusts one, but still it had done, and does, good, +for it has put an end to all impertinent sneering for the future +about Albert's riding. This journey has done great good, +and my beloved Angel in particular has had <i>the greatest success</i>; +for instance, at Birmingham the good his visit has done has +been immense, for Albert spoke to all these manufacturers +<i>in their own language</i>, which they did not expect, and these +poor people have only been accustomed to hear demagogues +and Chartists.</p> + +<p class="ind">We cannot understand how you can think the country +about Chatsworth <i>not</i> pretty, for it is (with the exception of the +moors) beautiful, wooded hills and valleys and rapid streams. +The country round Belvoir I do not admire, but the view from +the castle is very fine and extensive, and Albert says puts him +so in mind of the Kalenberg....</p> + +<p class="ind">Pray have you heard anything about Aumale's plans? +Dear little Gaston seems much better.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Duc de Bordeaux has been informed of my and the +Government's extreme displeasure at their conduct; they +say there shall be no more such displays. He was to leave +London yesterday, only to return again for a day, and then +to leave England altogether.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.511" id="pagei.511"></a>[page 511]</span> + +<p class="ind">With Albert's love, ever, dearest Uncle, your most devoted +Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 96: The Prince hunted with the Belvoir hounds on the 5th.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">AN AMERICAN VIEW OF MONARCHY</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Laeken</span>, <i>15th December 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Victoria</span>,—I am most happy to see that your +journey passed so well, and trust you are not sorry to be again +in your very dear and comfortable home, and with your dear +children. People are very strange, and their great delight is +to find fault with their fellow-creatures; what harm could +it have done them if Albert had <i>not</i> hunted at all? and still +I have no doubt that his having hunted well and boldly has +given more satisfaction than if he had done Heaven knows +what praiseworthy deed; <i>ainsi est et sera le monde</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">I am glad also that the Birmingham course succeeded so +well; the theme had been for some years, particularly amongst +manufacturers, that Royalty was useless and ignorant, and +that the greatest blessing would be, to manufacture beyond +measure, and to have an American form of Government, with +an elective head of State.</p> + +<p class="ind">Fortunately, there has always hitherto been in England a +very aristocratic feeling freely accepted by the people, who +like it, and show that they like it.... I was much amused, +some time ago, by a very rich and influential American from +New York assuring me that they stood in great need of a +Government which was able to grant protection to property, +and that the feeling of many was for Monarchy instead of the +misrule of mobs, as they had it, and that he wished very much +<i>some branch of the Coburg family might be disposable</i> for such a +place. <i>Qu'en dites-vous</i>, is not this flattering?...</p> + +<p class="ind">There is nothing very remarkable going on, besides I mean +to write again on some subjects. Give my best love to Albert, +and Pussy, who may remember me perhaps, and I remain, +ever, my beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Leopold R.</span></p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.</i></h5> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>19th December 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind"><span class="sc">My dearest Uncle</span>,—Your kind and dear letter of the +15th, written in your true wit and humour, reached me on +Sunday and gave me great pleasure. We have had also most +wonderfully mild weather, but <i>I</i> think very disagreeable and +unseasonable; it always makes me so bilious. The young +<span class="pagenum"><a name="pagei.512" id="pagei.512"></a>[page 512]</span> +folks are very flourishing and prosperous—Pussette knowing +all her letters, and even beginning to read a little. When I +mentioned your birthday to her, she said, "I cried when I saw +Uncle Leopold," which <i>was</i> the case, I am sorry to say, the +first time she saw you this year....</p> + +<p class="ind">I don't believe that the <i>white</i> flag on the house at Belgrave +Square<sup>97</sup> is true. Lord Melbourne and the Beauvales were +here for three nights; and it was a pleasure to see Lord +Melbourne so much himself again; the first evening he was a +good deal excited and talked and laughed as of old; the two +other evenings he was in the quite silent mood which he often +used to be in formerly, and really <i>quite</i> himself, and there was +hardly any strangeness at all. Lady Beauvale is really a <i>very, +very</i>, charming person, and so attentive and kind to both her +husband and Lord Melbourne. Our little chapel here (which +is extremely pretty) is to be consecrated this morning, and Lady +Douro comes into Waiting for the first time. To-morrow +Mamma gives us a dinner. Poor Lord Lynedoch<sup>98</sup> is, I fear, +dying, and Lord Grey is so bad he cannot last long.<sup>99</sup></p> + +<p class="ind">Ever your devoted Niece,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Victoria R.</span></p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em;">Footnote 97: The house occupied by the Duc de Bordeaux.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 98: Thomas, Lord Lynedoch, had died the previous day, aged ninety-five. He highly +distinguished himself in the Peninsula and in Holland, and received the thanks of Parliament, +and a Peerage in 1814.</p> + +<p class="note1">Footnote 99: He died in July 1845.</p> + + + + +<h5 style="margin-top: 3em;"><i>Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.</i></h5> + +<span class="rightnote">THE SPANISH MARRIAGE</span> + +<p class="indright"><span class="sc">Windsor Castle</span>, <i>28th December 1843</i>.</p> + +<p class="ind">The Queen has been much amused to see by Sir Robert +Gordon's despatch of the 15th, the extreme fright of Prince +Metternich at the proposed marriage of Queen Isabel with +Count Trapani,<sup>100</sup> but she regrets that Sir Robert tried to make +excuses for the conduct we have pursued, which the Queen +thinks requires no apology.</p> + + +<p class="note1" style="margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom:5em;">Footnote 100: See <i>ante</i>, p. <a href="#pagei.488" style="font-weight: normal;">488</a>, note 55.</p> + + + + + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><i>Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.<br /> +Paper supplied by John Dickinson & Co., Ld., London</i>.</p> + + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + + +<table align="center" summary="note" style="margin-top: 10em;"> +<tr><td class="note"><a name="tntag" id="tntag"></a> +<h4>Transcriber's Note:</h4> + +<p> +This is the first volume of three. </p> +<p style="margin-top:-1em;">The index is in Volume III, with links to all +three Volumes; and some footnotes are linked between volumes.</p> + +<p style="margin-top:-1em;">These links are designed to work when +the book is read on line. However, if you want to download all +three volumes and have the links work on your own computer, +then follow these directions carefully. +</p> + +<p> +1. Create a directory (folder) named whatever you like (e.g., Victoria). +(The name of this directory (folder) is not critical, but the inner +folders <i>must</i> be named as listed below, or the links between +volumes will <i>not</i> work).</p> + +<p> +2. In that directory (folder) create 3 directories (folders) named</p> +<ul class="none"> + <li>20023</li> + <li>24780</li> + <li>28649</li> + </ul> + +<p> +3. Create the following directories (folders): +</p> +<ul class="none"> + <li>In the 20023 directory create a directory named 20023-h</li> + <li>In the 24780 directory create a directory named 24780-h</li> + <li>In the 28649 directory create a directory named 28649-h</li> + </ul> + +<p> +4. Download the <i>zipped</i> html version of each volume. +</p> +<ul class="none"> + <li>Download Vol. I from <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20023">http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20023</a></li> + <li>Download Vol. II from <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/24780">http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/24780</a></li> + <li>Download Vol. III from <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/28649">http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/28649</a></li> + </ul> + +<p> +5. Unzip the downloaded files and move them into the appropriate directories: +</p> +<ul class="none"> + <li>Move the unzipped 20023-h.htm file and its "images" directory + into your 20023-h directory.</li> + <li>Move the unzipped 24780-h.htm file and its "images" directory + into your 24780-h directory.</li> + <li>Move the unzipped 28649-h.htm file and its "images" directory + into your 28649-h directory.</li> + </ul> + +<hr class="short" /> +<p> +Use the BACK button to return +from a link.</p> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<p> +There are a number of 'period' spellings, which have been retained +<br />(e.g. bord, controuled, uncontrouled, Controul, woud, etc.).</p> +<p> +The original pageheadings have been retained, moving them to appropriate<br /> +positions in the right-hand margin close to the text to which they refer,<br /> +so as not to interrupt the flow of the text. </p> +<p> +Likewise, footnotes have been moved to the end of the appropriate letter, or the <br /> +appropriate paragraph, in the case of longer pieces of text. </p> +<p> +Initial letters are spaced as in the original, i.e., personal initials: <br /> +spaced; academic initials: unspaced.</p> + + +<h4>Errata and [sic]:</h4> + +<p> +Page 14: removed extraneous opening quote.</p> +<p> +Page 83: replaced 'It' with 'If' (It you could get my kind....)</p> +<p> +Page 145: 'mariage' [sic]: King Leopold may have used the French <br /> + spelling 'mariage' for the English 'marriage'.</p> +<p> +Page 146: changed 'anxety' to 'anxiety' - old typo?</p> +<p> +Page 157: removed duplicated word (Lord Lord Melbourne)</p> +<p> +Page 162: corrected 'Houeshold' to 'Household'.</p> +<p> +Page 191: corrected 'beng' to 'being'.</p> +<p> +Page 193: corrected 'affecionate' to 'affectionate'.</p> +<p> +Page 261: replaced missing period.</p> +<p> +Page 298: replaced missing period ... + '_I.e._, Lord Melbourne being succeeded </p> +<p> +Page 376: corrected 'Every our' to 'Ever your'.</p> +<p> +Page 384: '... on bord the <i>Black Eagle</i> ...' [sic]</p> +<p> +Page 392: 'I ... am quite <i>confuse</i>. [sic]<br /> + Queen Victoria used the feminine form of the French adjective,<br /> + "confus, e, confused, overpowered; obscure, dim."</p> +<p> +Page 417: corrected page no. in footnote from 408 to 409.</p> +<p> +Page 443: <i>uncontrouled</i> [sic]</p> +<p> +Page 445, Footnote 112: 'a' corrected to 'at'.</p> +<p> +Page 448: 'woud' [sic] (though followed by 'would' in same paragraph).</p> +<p> +Page 466: corrected 'as' to 'at' ...'look at'... </p> +<p> +Page 469: '... one of the Secretaries to the Board of Controul.' [sic]</p> +<p> +Page 512: Replaced missing period ... 'Viney, Ld.,' </p> + +</td></tr></table> + + + + + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume +1 (of 3), 1837-1843), by Queen Victoria + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS QUEEN VICTORIA *** + +***** This file should be named 20023-h.htm or 20023-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/0/2/20023/ + +Produced by Paul Murray, Lesley Halamek and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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