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diff --git a/20023.txt b/20023.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c79f95d --- /dev/null +++ b/20023.txt @@ -0,0 +1,29287 @@ +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] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** 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 + + + + + +A Transcriber's Note is at the end of the book. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: QUEEN VICTORIA RECEIVING THE NEWS OF HER ACCESSION TO +THE THRONE, JUNE 20, 1837 + +From the picture by H. T. Wells, R.A., at Buckingham Palace + +_Frontispiece, Vol. I._] + + + + +THE LETTERS OF +QUEEN VICTORIA + +A SELECTION FROM HER MAJESTY'S +CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE YEARS +1837 AND 1861 + + +PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF +HIS MAJESTY THE KING + + +EDITED BY ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON, M.A. +AND VISCOUNT ESHER, G.C.V.O., K.C.B. + + +IN THREE VOLUMES + + +VOL. I.--1837-1843 + + +LONDON +JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. +1908 + +_Copyright in Great Britain and Dependencies, 1907, by_ H.M. THE KING. + +_In the United States by_ Messrs LONGMANS, GREEN & CO. + +_All rights reserved._ + + + + +PREFACE + + +Entrusted 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.[1] 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. + + [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.] + +It became obvious at once that it was impossible to deal with 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. + +His Majesty the King having decided that no attempt should be made to +publish these papers _in extenso_, 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. + +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 +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. + +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. + + + + +EDITORIAL NOTE + + +Our 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. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I + +Ancestry of Queen Victoria--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 +(Pages 1-7) + +CHAPTER II + +Queen Victoria's early years--Duke and Duchess of Kent--Parliamentary +grant to Duchess of Kent--The Queen of Wuertemberg--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 (Pages 8-21) + + +CHAPTER III + +Queen Victoria's relations and friends--King Leopold's influence +--Queen Adelaide--Baroness Lehzen--Baron Stockmar (Pages 22-26) + + +CHAPTER IV +1821-1835 + +Observations on the correspondence 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 (pages 27-42) + + +CHAPTER V +1836 + +Visit of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg--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 +(pages 43-55) + + +CHAPTER VI +1837 + +Spain and Portugal--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 Mole--The French in Africa +--Close of the session--Prince Albert's education--Canada--Army +estimates--Secretaries of State (pages 56-101) + + +CHAPTER VII +1838 + +Lord Melbourne--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 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 (pages 102-140) + + +CHAPTER VIII +1839 + +Murder of Lord Norbury--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 (pages 141-208) + + +CHAPTER IX +1840 + +Letters to Prince Albert--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 +(pages 209-252) + +CHAPTER X +1841 + +Letter to King Leopold--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 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 (pages 253-369) + + +CHAPTER XI +1842 + +Letter from Queen Adelaide--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 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 (370-449) + + +CHAPTER XII +1843 + +Recollections of Claremont--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 Levees--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 Chateau 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 (450-512) + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +QUEEN VICTORIA RECEIVING THE NEWS OF HER ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, +20TH JUNE 1837. +_From the picture by H. T. Wells, R.A., at Buckingham Palace_ + +T.R.H. THE DUCHESS OF KENT AND THE PRINCESS VICTORIA. +_From the miniature by H. Bone, after Sir W. Beechey, +at Windsor Castle_ + +H.R.H. THE PRINCESS VICTORIA, 1827. By Plant, after Stewart. +_From the miniature at Buckingham, Palace_ + +H.M. KING WILLIAM IV. _From a miniature at Windsor Castle_ + +H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT, 1840. _From the portrait by John Partridge +at Buckingham Palace_ + +H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA, 1841. _From the drawing by E. F. T., +after H. E. Dawe, at Buckingham Palace_ + + * * * * * + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE ANCESTRY OF THE QUEEN--HOUSES OF BRUNSWICK, HANOVER, AND COBURG + + +QUEEN VICTORIA, 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 Wuertemberg, who, after her death, married a daughter of George III. +The King of Wuertemberg 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. + + +[Pageheading: THE HOUSE OF SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA] + +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 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + +[Pageheading: THE HOUSE OF COBURG] + +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. + +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 +"_ebenburtig_," 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 one of the most distinguished of modern military writers. They +held, besides their extensive possessions in Wuertemberg and Bavaria, +the County of Gleichen in Saxe-Coburg. + + +[Pageheading: FAMILY CONNECTIONS] + +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. + +It will be as well here to mention the principal reigning families of +Europe to which Queen Victoria was closely allied through her mother. + +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 Wuertemberg. 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. + +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 Clementine, 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 Wuertemberg, married +the Princess Marie, another daughter of Louis Philippe. + +Thus Queen Victoria was closely allied with the royal families of +France, Portugal, Belgium, Saxe-Coburg, and Wuertemberg. + +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. + + +[Pageheading: THE ENGLISH ROYAL FAMILY] + +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 life-long 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 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. + + +[Pageheading: THE ROYAL DUKES] + +The Duke of Kent was, as we shall have occasion to show, a strong Whig +with philanthropic views. But the ablest of the 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. + +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. + +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.[1] + + [Footnote 1: Of the daughters of George III., Princess Amelia + had died in 1810, and the Queen of Wuertemberg 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.] + +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. + +The Duke of Cambridge was a moderate Tory, and the most 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. + +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. + + +[Pageheading: INDEPENDENCE OF THE QUEEN] + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MEMOIR OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S EARLY YEARS + + +ALEXANDRINA VICTORIA, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress +of India, was born on Monday, 24th May 1819, at Kensington Palace. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF KENT] + +The Duchess of Kent (1786-1861), Victoria Mary Louisa, was a daughter +of Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She was the widow of Emich +Charles, Prince of Leiningen,[1] whom she had married in 1803, and who +had died in 1814, leaving a son and a daughter by her. + + [Footnote 1: _Leiningen_, 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 Luneville (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.] + +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. + +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." + +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. + +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. + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Robinson, afterwards Lord Ripon, +said: + + "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 _proper_ sense, he meant by 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." + +Mr Canning said: + + "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." + + +[Pageheading: EARLY REMINISCENCES] + +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. + +"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 _Bishops_ on account +of their wigs and _aprons_, 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 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. + + +[Pageheading: EARLY REMINISCENCES] + +"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. + +"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. + +"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. + + +[Pageheading: GEORGE IV.] + +"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 Wuertemberg (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 _Cap_ +and evening dress,--my Aunt, her sister Princess Augusta, sitting +_opposite_ 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 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 _present_ Lord Conyngham. + +"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,[2] 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 _fruit_ 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 coloured lamps--the King, +Royal Family, etc., sitting in a corner of the large saloon, which +still stands. + + [Footnote 2: The Princess Feodore of Leiningen, afterwards + Princess of Hohenlohe, Queen Victoria's half-sister.] + +"On the second visit (I _think_) 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. + +"I also remember going to see Aunt Augusta at Frogmore, where she +lived always in the summer. + +"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. + + +[Pageheading: DUCHESS OF SAXE-COBURG-SAALFELD] + +"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 schoenes 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 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 _all_ at defiance. Old +Baroness de Spaeth, the devoted Lady of my Mother, my Nurse Mrs Brock, +dear old Mrs Louis--_all_ 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 _own_ 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 _own_ their fault, +and express sorrow or regret at what they have done." + + +[Pageheading: THE EDUCATION OF THE PRINCESS] + +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. + + +[Pageheading: LETTER TO THE BISHOPS] + +[Pageheading: RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION] + +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[3] 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:-- + + "'The Princess will be eleven years of age in May; by the + death of her revered father when she was but eight months old, + 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. + + "'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. + + "'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. + + "'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-- + + "'1. If the course hitherto pursued in Her education has + been the best; if not, where it was erroneous. + + "'2. If the Princess has made all the Progress she should + have made. + + "'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. + + "'Mr Davys[4] will explain to you the nature of the Princess's + 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. + + "'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.'" + + [Footnote 3: Charles James Blomfield, Bishop of London, + 1828-1853, and John Kaye, Bishop of Lincoln, 1827-1853.] + + [Footnote 4: The Rev. George Davys, the Princess's instructor, + afterwards successively Dean of Chester and Bishop of + Peterborough.] + + +The examination was undertaken by the Bishops, with highly +satisfactory results. Their report says: + + "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. + + "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." + + +[Pageheading: RESULT OF EXAMINATION] + +The Duchess of Kent referred all this correspondence to the Archbishop +of Canterbury.[5] His memorandum is preserved; it states he has +considered the Report, and further, has himself personally examined +the Princess. He continues: + + "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." + + [Footnote 5: Dr William Howley.] + +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:-- + + "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." + + +[Pageheading: CLAREMONT] + +The strictness of the _regime_ 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 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-- + +"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 _so_ 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 _quickness_ of our tempers in the female +line up to Grandmamma,[6] but I must own that you are _quite right_!" + + [Footnote 6: Augusta Caroline Sophia, Dowager-Duchess + of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, a Princess of Reuss Ebersdorf + (1757-1831).] + +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-- + +"... Spaeth[7] wished _me_ to thank you for the coronation print, as +she could not write to you or Albert _now_, 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." + + [Footnote 7: Baroness Spaeth, Lady-in-Waiting to the Duchess of + Kent.] + + +[Pageheading: WILLIAM IV.] + +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. + +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. + +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 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 depot); and that the Duchess of Kent and the Princess +Victoria might come in if they could. + + +[Pageheading: CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT] + +[Pageheading: SYMPATHY WITH MIDDLE CLASSES] + +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. + +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 middle-class point of view. The two qualities that are most +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. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +QUEEN VICTORIA'S RELATIONS AND FRIENDS + + +It may be held to have been one of the chief blessings of Queen +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 Luetzen 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.[1] 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.[2] + + [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.] + + [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.] + +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. + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF THE BELGIANS] + +In 1831, when Louis Philippe, under pressure from Lord Palmerston, +declined the throne of Belgium for his son the Duc 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. + +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. + +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. + + +[Pageheading: QUEEN ADELAIDE] + +Queen Adelaide was the eldest child of George, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; +her mother was a princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. + +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 _Times_) placarded with posters +bearing the words, "The Queen has done it all!" + +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. + +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 L20,000 a year. She died +in December 1849. Queen Victoria was very much attached to her gentle, +simple-minded, and tender-hearted aunt, and treated her with the +utmost consideration and an almost daughterly affection. + + +[Pageheading: BARONESS LEHZEN] + +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. + + +[Pageheading: BARON STOCKMAR] + +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 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. + +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. + +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 +_doctrinaire_ 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. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER IV + + +Queen Victoria, 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. + + +[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD] + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT] + +After their marriage in 1840, Prince Albert naturally became the +Queen's confidential Secretary. + +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 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + +[Pageheading: LEADING STATESMEN IN 1837] + +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, +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. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +1821-1835 + + +[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.] + + + + +MY DEAR LITTLE HEART,--I hope you are well and don't forget Aunt +Adelaide, who loves you so fondly. + +Loulou and Wilhelm[1] desire their love to you, and Uncle William +also. + +God bless and preserve you is the constant prayer of your most truly +affectionate Aunt, + +ADELAIDE. + + [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.] + + + + +_The Duchess of Clarence to the Princess Victoria._ + +_24th May 1822._ + +Uncle William and Aunt Adelaide send their love to _dear little +Victoria_ with their best wishes on her birthday, and hope that she +will now become a _very good Girl_, being now _three years old_. Uncle +William and Aunt Adelaide also beg little Victoria to give dear Mamma +and to dear Sissi[2] a kiss in their name, and to Aunt Augusta,[3] +Aunt Mary[4] and Aunt Sophia[5] too, and also to the _big Doll_. Uncle +William and Aunt Adelaide are very sorry to be absent on that day and +not to see their _dear, dear_ 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. + +To dear little Xandrina Victoria. + + [Footnote 2: Princess Feodore, the Queen's half-sister.] + + [Footnote 3: Augusta, daughter of Frederick, Landgrave of + Hesse-Cassel, wife of the Duke of Cambridge.] + + [Footnote 4: Princess Mary, a daughter of George III., married + to her cousin the Duke of Gloucester.] + + [Footnote 5: Princess Sophia, daughter of George III.] + + + + +[Pageheading: EARLY LETTERS] + + +[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.] + + + + +KENSINGTON PALACE, _25th November 1823._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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[6] 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, + +VICTORIA. + +_P.S._--I am very angry with you, Uncle, for you have never written to +me once since you went, and that is a long while. + + [Footnote 6: Princess Sophia, daughter of George III.] + + + + +_Prince Leopold_[7] _to the Princess Victoria._ + +PARIS, _20th April 1829._ + +MY DEAREST LOVE,--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. + +Stockmar, who was very ill, and whom I despaired of seeing here, did +arrive before yesterday,[8] and you may guess what pleasure it gave +me. Now I will conclude; _au revoir_, and let me find you grown, +blooming, and kind to your old and faithful Uncle, + +LEOPOLD. + + [Footnote 7: Afterwards King of the Belgians.] + + [Footnote 8: I.e. _avant hier_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BIRTHDAY LETTERS] + + +_The Princess Hohenlohe[9] to the Princess Victoria._ + +[_May 1829._] + +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 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[9] 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! + +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, + +FEODORE. + + [Footnote 9: The Princess Feodore of Leiningen, the Queen's + half-sister, had married, in January 1828, the Prince (Ernest) + of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.] + + + + +_The Duchess of Clarence to the Princess Victoria._ + +BUSHEY PARK, _14th August 1829._ + +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 _very often_. + +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.... + +God bless you, my dear Victoria, is always the prayer of your most +truly affectionate Aunt, + +ADELAIDE. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _22nd May 1832._ + +MY DEAREST LOVE,--Let me offer you my _sincerest_ and _best_ wishes on +the return of the anniversary of your birthday. May heaven protect and +prosper you, and shower all its best blessings on you. + +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. + +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 _well_ must now become your study. A good heart and a trusty and +honourable character are amongst the most indispensable qualifications +for that position. + +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. + +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. + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN,[10] _31st August 1832._ + +MY DEAREST LOVE,--You told me you wished to have a description of your +new Aunt.[11] I therefore shall both mentally and physically describe +her to you. + +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. + +Now to her appearance. She is about Feodore's height, her hair +very fair, light blue eyes, of a very gentle, intelligent and 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. + +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.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 10: The Royal Palace, four miles from Brussels, + which Napoleon owned for many years. A monument to King + Leopold now stands there.] + + [Footnote 11: Louise Marie, Princess of Orleans, daughter of + King Louis Philippe of France, was married to King Leopold on + 9th August 1832.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A BIRTHDAY LETTER] + +[Pageheading: VALUABLE ADVICE] + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _21st May 1833._ + +MY DEAREST LOVE,--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. + +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. + +To attain this object it is indispensable to give some little time _to +reflection_. The life in a great town is little calculated for such +purposes; however, with some firmness of purpose it can be done. + +_Self-examination_ 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 _were good_. Persons in high situations must +particularly guard themselves 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. + +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. + +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. + +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 +_absolute want_ has been as frequent as sudden. + +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. + +Nothing is so great and clear a proof of unfitness for greater and +nobler actions, than a mind which is seriously occupied with trifles. + +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. + +My sermon is now long enough, my dear child. I strongly recommend it, +however, to your reflection and consideration. + +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. + +Let me soon hear from you; and may God bless and preserve you. Ever, +my dear Love, your affectionate Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO HEVER CASTLE] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _14th September 1834._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Allow me to write you a few words, 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 _beloved_ 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, _before she lost her head_. 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. + +Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your very affectionate and +dutiful Niece, + +VICTORIA. + + + + +[Pageheading: HISTORICAL READING] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _18th October 1834._ + +MY DEAREST LOVE,--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 _permanent_ 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 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. _Intrigues_ and _favouritism_ 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[12] 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. + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS'S READING] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _22nd October 1834._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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. + +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,[13] I am reading Russell's _Modern Europe_,[14] which +is very interesting, and Clarendon's _History of the Rebellion_. 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'[15] account +of the wars in Spain, Portugal and the South of France, from the year +1808 till 1814. It is well done, I think, and amuses me very much. In +French, I am now in _La Rivalite de la France et de l'Espagne_, par +Gaillard,[16] which is very interesting. I have also begun Rollin.[17] +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. + +Pray give my most affectionate love to _dearest_ 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. + +Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your very affectionate, very +dutiful, and most attached Niece, + +VICTORIA. + + [Footnote 13: The Rev. George Davys. See _ante_, p. 15. + (Ch. II, Footnote 4)] + + [Footnote 14: This _History of Modern Europe_, 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).] + + [Footnote 15: Sir John Thomas Jones, Bart. (1783-1843), a + Royal Engineer, who served in the Peninsular War.] + + [Footnote 16: Gabriel Henri Gaillard (1726-1806), Member of + the French Academy.] + + [Footnote 17: The _Histoire Ancienne_, by Charles Rollin + (1661-1741), Rector of the University of Paris.] + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +ST. LEONARDS, _19th November 1834._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _ought not_ +to be, that you will send me what a Queen _ought to be_.[18] + +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. + +Believe me always, dear Uncle, your very affectionate, very dutiful, +and very attached Niece, + +VICTORIA. + + [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.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _2nd December 1834._ + +MY DEAREST LOVE,--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 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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: A NEW YEAR GREETING] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +ST. LEONARDS, _28th December 1834._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I must again, with your permission, write you a few +lines, to wish you a very happy new year, not only for _this_ year, +but for _many_ to come. I know not how to thank you sufficiently for +the _invaluable_ 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. + +Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your very affectionate and most +grateful Niece, + +VICTORIA. + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +KENSINGTON PALACE, _2nd February 1835._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 Sevigne's[19] 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, + +VICTORIA. + + [Footnote 19: Marie de Rabutin Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne, + 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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS'S CONFIRMATION] + +[Pageheading: HONESTY AND SINCERITY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +CAMP OF BEVERLOO (in the North of the Province of Limburg), _3rd +August 1835._ + +MY DEAR LOVE,--By your Mother's letter of the 31st ult^o., I learned +of the serious and important action in your young life[20] 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 _real humility_. _Hypocrisy_ is a besetting sin of +all times, but _particularly of the present_, and many are the wolves +in sheep's clothes. I am sorry to say, with all my affection for old +England, the very _state of its Society and politics_ renders many in +that country _essentially humbugs and deceivers_; the _appearance_ of +the thing is generally _more_ considered than the _reality_; provided +matters go off well, and opinion may be gained, the _real good is +matter of the most perfect indifference_. Defend yourself, my dear +love, against this system; let your dear character always be true +and loyal; this does not _exclude prudence_--worldly concerns are +now unfortunately so organised that you _must be cautious_ 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 _true_. From your earliest childhood +I was anxious to see in you this important virtue _saved_ and +_developed_, and Lehzen will still be able to recollect that. If it is +God's pleasure that you should once[21] 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 +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 20: The Princess was confirmed at the Chapel Royal, + on 30th July 1835.] + + [Footnote 21: King Leopold not infrequently uses "once" like + the Latin _olim_, as referring to any indefinite date in the + future as well as in the past. "Some day" is what is intended + here.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER V + + +THE 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. + +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. + +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. + +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 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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +1836 + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +_4th March 1836._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED CHILD,--You wrote me again a long, _dear_, _good_ +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[1] 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 _in general_, 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. + + [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.] + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +KENSINGTON PALACE, _7th March 1836._ + +... 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 and for all your relations to be thus, +as it were, cut off from almost all intercourse! It is _hard_ enough, +that you are as far as you are, when I recollect the happy time when I +could see you, and be with you, _every_ day!... + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +KENSINGTON PALACE, _29th March 1836._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... 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 +_beloved_ Ferdinand[2] himself leaves our shores this _very_ 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. _Your_ 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_ have even _heard_ from +some great Tories themselves that there was a great feeling _for_ him +in this country. + + [Footnote 2: See _ante_, p. 45. (Ch. V, Footnote 1). + He had latterly been visiting the Duchess of Kent.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCES ERNEST AND ALBERT] + + +_The Princess Hohenlohe to the Princess Victoria._ + +STUTTGART, _16th April 1836._ + +... 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.... + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +KENSINGTON PALACE, _26th April 1836._ + +MY DEAREST, BEST UNCLE,-- ... You will, I am sure, have been delighted +with M. de Neumann's[3] account of the complete 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 _exterior_ affairs are not in quite _so_ 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.... + +Uncle Ernest and my cousins will probably come here in the beginning +of next month, I hear, and will visit you on their return. + +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. + +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. _A propos_, +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 _earnest_ and _very_ eager, and as the +summer approaches I grow more and more anxious about it. You know, +also, that _pleasure_ does more good than a hundred walks and rides. + +Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your truly devoted and attached +Niece, + +VICTORIA. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE OF ORANGE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +_13th May 1836._ + +MY DEAREST CHILD,--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. + +I am really _astonished_ 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.[4] It is so, 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. + +Not later than yesterday I got a half official communication from +England, insinuating that it would be _highly_ desirable that the +visit of _your_ relatives _should not take place, this year--qu'en +dites-vous_? 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 _your relations_ are to be _forbidden_ 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 _little rouse your spirit_; +now that slavery is even abolished in the British Colonies, I do not +comprehend _why your lot alone should be to be kept, a white little +slavey in England_, 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 _spent a sixpence for your existence_. +I expect that my visits in England will also be prohibited by an Order +in Council. Oh consistency and political or _other honesty_, where +must one look for you! + +I have not the least doubt that the King, in his passion for the +Oranges, will be _excessively rude to your relations_; this, however, +will not signify much; they are _your guests_ and not _his_, and will +therefore _not_ mind it.... + + [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. + + 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, "Voila un + homme qui a pris ma femme et mon royaume."] + + + + + +[Pageheading: ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_23rd May 1836._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... Uncle Ernest and my cousins arrived here on +Wednesday, _sains et saufs_. 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 a most +good-natured, honest, and intelligent countenance. We took them to the +Opera on Friday, to see the _Puritani_, and as they are excessively +fond of music, like me, they were in perfect ecstasies, having never +heard any of the singers before.... + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_7th June 1836._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--These few lines will be given to you by my dear +Uncle Ernest when he sees you. + +I must thank you, my beloved Uncle, for the prospect of _great_ +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. + +I have only now to beg you, my dearest Uncle, to take care of the +health of one, now _so dear_ to me, and to take him under _your +special_ protection. I hope and trust that all will go on prosperously +and well on this subject of so much importance to me. + +Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your most affectionate, devoted, +and grateful Niece, + +VICTORIA. + + + + +[Pageheading: CONVERSATION] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +_17th June 1836._ + +MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED CHILD,--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[5]; 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 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 _beyond the sphere of +common conversation_ 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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 5: Leading characters in _The Heiress of Bruges_, by + Grattan.] + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_9th August 1836._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,-- ... 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. + +We go to Buxted[6] to-morrow morning, and stay there till next Monday. + +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,[7] 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. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 7: Luigi Lablache (1794-1858), a famous + opera-singer, was the Princess's singing-master.] + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_2nd September 1836._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... The state of Spain is most alarming and +unfortunate.[8] 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.[9] I take a great interest in the whole of +this unfortunate affair. 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[10] written to you or +Aunt Louise since Ferdinand's marriage? + +You did not send me the King of Naples'[11] 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, + +VICTORIA. + + [Footnote 8: See Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p. 44. + (to Ch. V)] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 10: Step-mother of the Queen of Portugal.] + + [Footnote 11: Ferdinand II., commonly named "Bomba." He + married _en secondes noces_, the Archduchess Theresa of + Austria.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A FAREWELL LETTER] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._[12] + +CLAREMONT, _21st September 1836._ + +MY MOST DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--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 _very, very sad_ I am that you have left us, and to repeat, what +I think you know pretty well, _how_ 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 _year_, it makes me cry. +Yes, dearest Uncle, it is dreadful in this life, that one is destined, +and _particularly unhappy me_, 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 _most +bright happy_ days! I shall look back with the greatest delight on +them. + +Believe me, always, your ever devoted and most affectionately attached +Niece and _Child_, + +VICTORIA. + + [Footnote 12: Written at the conclusion of the King's visit to + England.] + + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS AND THE CHURCH] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _11th November 1836._ + +MY VERY DEAR CHILD,-- ...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 as it is established as the _State_ +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, _sensible_, +and moderate.... + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +RAMSGATE, _14th November 1836._ + +... What you say to me relative to Church matters I quite comprehend, +and always am very thankful for advice from you. + +I am reading away famously. I like Mrs. Hutchinson's Life of her +husband[13] only _comme cela_; she is so dreadfully violent. She and +Clarendon are so totally opposite, that it is quite absurd, and I only +believe the _juste milieu_.... + +Your speech interested me very much; it is very fine indeed; you wrote +it yourself, did you not? + +Belgium is indeed the happiest country in the world, and it is _all, +all_ owing to your _great care_ and _kindness_. "Nous etions des +enfans perdus," General Goblet[14] said to me at Claremont, "quand le +Roi est venu nous sauver." And so it is.... + +Pray, dear Uncle, say everything most kind from me to Ernest and +Albert, and believe me, always, your affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA. + +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. + + [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."] + + [Footnote 14: The Belgian General, Albert Joseph Goblet. Count + d'Alviella.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF CHARLES X] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _18th November 1836._ + +... 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 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 _Constitutional_, 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 _without +my coming here very serious complications, war and all the expensive +operations connected with it_, 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 _constant practice so much excel_.... +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 _crew_ to which you would _not_ confide a dog that +you would value, still less your honour and reputation.... + + + + +[Pageheading: REVOLUTION AT LISBON] + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS'S NAME] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_21st November 1836._ + +MY MOST DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--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 _very warmest_ and best thanks. You know, I think, my +dearest Uncle, that _no_ creature on earth _loves_ you _more_ 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 _Uncle_ was the dearest +I knew, the word _Uncle_, _alone_, meant no other but you! + +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 _apercu_ you mention, which would be so very interesting +for me. + +I cannot tell you how distressed I was by the late unfortunate +_contre-revolution manquee_ at Lisbon,[15] 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[16] 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.[17] I hope, dear Uncle, you will tell _me_ _your_ +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. + +Allow me, dearest Uncle, to say a few words respecting my _name_, to +which you allude. You are aware, I believe, that about a year after +the accession of the _present_ King there was a desire to change my +favourite and dear name _Victoria_ to that of _Charlotte_, also _most +dear_, 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, _enfin_, _liked +it_, and therefore, to my great delight, the idea of a change was +given up.[18] + +I was sure the death of old Charles X. would strike you.... + +I thank you much for the _Constitution de la Belgique_. Those attacks +on you are infamous, but must not be minded; they are the language +of a _few jealous_, _envious_ people. _En revanche_, I enclose a +paragraph from a speech of O'Connell's[19] I think worth your reading. + +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. + +Believe me, always, your most devoted and affectionately attached +Niece, + +VICTORIA. + + [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, Sa + da Bandeira becoming Prime Minister. The Queen, virtually a + captive, had to accede to the revolutionary requirements.] + + [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.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 18: In the course of the debate (3rd August 1831) + on Lord Althorp's proposition to add L10,000 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 _Hansard_, 3rd series, vol. + v. 591, 654 _et seq._] + + [Footnote 19: Probably that on the Irish Church Question at + the General (formerly "Catholic") Association, Dublin.] + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _5th December 1836._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... I have begun since a few days Lord Clive's +Life, by Sir John Malcolm,[20] 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 _veil_. I am reading it by myself, _et je +vous le recommande_.... + + [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."] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER VI + + +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. + +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 L385,000 as against L510,000 in +the late reign (of which L75,000, formerly paid in pensions, was now +struck off, and other arrangements made). + +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 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +1837 + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_16th January 1837._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... We saw Van de Weyer[1] 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 _obedience_ to Ferdinand. She +is unfortunately surrounded by a _camarilla_[2] who poison her ears, +and fetter all her actions; poor soul! she is _much_ to be pitied. +About Lavradio[3] 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. + +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 _is political_, but which I have +not yet read....[4] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 2: _I.e._ a clique.] + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SPAIN AND PORTUGAL] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_23rd January 1837._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... The affairs of the Peninsula are indeed very +distressing,[5] 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. + +Do you know Mendizabal?[6] I saw him at our house in 1835. Alava[7] +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[8] 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?[9] 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? + +I was sorry to see that the French Chambers were rather stormy.[10] + +I thank you much for the list of the ball of the 18th, which must +have been very splendid. The last ball _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. + +Pray, dear Uncle, tell both young gentlemen, with my kindest love, +that I _often_ 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 _La Gazza_, _Otello_, _Il Barbiere_, etc., +etc. + +The little Cousin[11] must be a little love: oh, could I but see 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? ... + +Pray, dear Uncle, have you read Sir R. Peel's two speeches? I wish you +would, and give me your opinion of them. + + [Footnote 5: Some interesting observations on these events may + be read in Borrow's _Bible in Spain_.] + + [Footnote 6: Don Juan Alvarez y Mendizabal (1790-1853), + Spanish politician and financier.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 8: The Queen Regent, Christina.] + + [Footnote 9: Then six years old; she died in 1904.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 11: Leopold, born in 1835, afterwards Duke of + Brabant, the present King of the Belgians.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _30th January 1837._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... 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. + +Our friend, Mr Hume,[12] made a most violent speech at a dinner given +to him and old George Byng[13] at Drury Lane last week.[14] He called +Sir R. Peel and some other Tories "the cloven foot," which I think +rather strong. I think that _great_ 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 _worthy_ Dutch neighbours and others. +You will, I fear, laugh at my _politics_, but I like telling _you_ my +feelings, for you alone can put me right on such subjects. + + [Footnote 12: Joseph Hume, leader of the Radical party, was + now M.P. for Middlesex.] + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: POLITICAL PASSION] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +_3rd February 1837._ + +MY DEAR CHILD,-- ... 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 +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;[15] 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.[16] + + [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.] + + [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." (_Croker Papers_, ii. + 306.)] + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _6th February 1837._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,-- ... 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 _six months_ 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 _Operatic_ and _Terpsichorean_ feelings are pretty +strong, now that the season is returning, and I have been a very good +child, not even _wishing_ to come to town till now. We shall certainly +come here for the Easter week. + +Dr Clark[17] 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! + +I hope and trust with you that there will be less violence in +Parliament this year, but much is to be feared. + +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. + +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 _you_ have of her, as one cannot +believe _reports_? 2nd, If you know what sort of people are about +poor little Queen Isabel, and if she is being _well_ or _ill_ brought +up?... + + [Footnote 17: Afterwards Sir James Clark, and + Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen.] + + + +[Pageheading: A DINNER PARTY] + +[Pageheading: THE THRONE OF GREECE] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_14th March 1837._ + +... We had a dinner on Saturday which amused me, as I am very fond +of _pleasant_ 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 _twice_ 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,[18] 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,[19] who enquired much after you and Aunt +Louise; Lord and Lady Rosebery,[20] Mr and Mrs E. Stanley,[21] Lord +Morpeth,[22] Lord Templetown,[23] Sir John Cam Hobhouse,[24] Dr +Lushington,[25] and Mr Woulfe,[26] the Solicitor-General for Ireland, +a Roman 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.... + +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 _Greece_ +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! + +I much grieve that they are quarrelling so much in the French +Chambers.[27] I must now conclude. + + [Footnote 18: Richard Whateley, formerly Principal of St Alban + Hall, and Drummond Professor of Political Economy at Oxford.] + + [Footnote 19: Louisa Honoria, wife of the third Earl, and + sister of Joseph, first Lord Wallscourt.] + + [Footnote 20: Archibald, fourth Earl of Rosebery, and Anne + Margaret, his second wife, daughter of the first Viscount + Anson.] + + [Footnote 21: Edward Stanley, afterwards fourteenth Earl of + Derby, thrice Prime Minister.] + + [Footnote 22: Chief Secretary for Ireland.] + + [Footnote 23: John Henry, first Viscount, formerly M.P. for + Bury St Edmunds.] + + [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.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 26: Stephen Woulfe, M.P. for Carlisle, + Solicitor-General, and subsequently Attorney-General, for + Ireland, becoming Chief Baron in 1838.] + + [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.] + + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _31st March 1837._ + +MY BELOVED CHILD,--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[28] 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 _frere_, and anxious to see him; at first, +however, he declared after a long contemplation, "_pas beau frere!_" +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 Eugene Ferdinand +Marie Clement Baudouin (Baldwin)--a name of the old Counts of +Flanders--Leopold Georges. My Aunt, who is his godmother, wished +he should be called Philippe in honour of his grandfather, and +as Philippe _le Bon_ was one of the most powerful Princes of this +country, I gave him the name with pleasure. Eugene is her own name, +Ferdinand that of Chartres, Marie of the Queen and also of Princess +Marie, Clement of Princess Clementine; Leopold your Aunt wished, and +George in honour of St George of England and of George IV. Probably I +shall hereafter give to Leopold the title of Duke of Brabant, and to +Philippe that of Count of Flanders, both fine old titles. + + [Footnote 28: Philippe, second son of King Leopold, afterwards + Count of Flanders. He died in 1905.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRESS COMMENTS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _7th April 1837._ + +MY DEAREST CHILD,--... You have been the subject of all sorts of +newspaper paragraphs; your good and sensible way of looking on these +very creditable productions _will be of use to you_. 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 _very rich_, one stands like +the ass, between two bundles of hay, considerably embarrassed which +ought to be chosen.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS'S ESTABLISHMENT] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _11th April 1837._ + +... 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.[29]... Your +position, having a Mother with whom you very naturally remain, would +render a _complete_ independent establishment perhaps matter of _real_ +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[30] would step into the position which good Dr Short[31] held. +An Equerry, I do not think--as you will not 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;[32] 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; _cela va sans dire_, that the choice could only be +made by yourself, and that nobody should be given you _against_ 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 _you choose_. Resist mildly but _positively_ 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.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 29: The Princess was to attain her legal majority on + 24th May.] + + [Footnote 30: George Davys, the Princess Victoria's + instructor, Dean of Chester, and afterwards Bishop of + Peterborough.] + + [Footnote 31: Thomas Vowler Short, Rector of St George's, + Bloomsbury, appointed in 1841 Bishop of Sodor and Man.] + + [Footnote 32: Lady Catherine Jenkinson, daughter of the Earl + of Liverpool, soon after the Queen's accession married Colonel + Francis Vernon Harcourt.] + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_12th April 1837._ + +... 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.... + +How happy I am that that beloved Aunt is going on so well and does not +suffer from the cold, as also the _jeune Philippe_. Leopold must +be great fun with his Aunt Marie;[33] does he still say "_pas beau +frere!_" or is he more reconciled to his brother? It is very noble in +the Duc de Nemours to have thus given up his _apanage_;[34] I am sorry +there were such difficulties about it. There is no Ministry formed +yet, I see by the papers. + + [Footnote 33: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, daughter + of King Louis Philippe, and thus sister to the Queen of the + Belgians.] + + [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 Helene of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE IRISH MUNICIPAL BILL] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_28th April 1837._ + +MY MOST BELOVED UNCLE,--.... Sir Henry Hardinge's[35] 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 _will_ pass the Irish +Corporation Bill;[36] and also that Ministers mean to drop for the +present the question about Church Rates,[37] as the Radicals, being +angry with Ministers relative to the Canada business, would not +support them well. + + [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.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 37: As Ministers only obtained a majority of 5 in a + house of 569, the measure was dropped.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _28th April 1837._ + +... 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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: MINISTERIAL ANXIETY] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_2nd May 1837._ + +... 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,[38] 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,[39] 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.... + + [Footnote 38: Lord Palmerston indignantly asked whether + England should continue to fulfil her engagement with the + Queen of Spain, or disgracefully abandon an ally whom she had + pledged herself to succour.] + + [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.] + + + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_9th May 1837._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--It was very kind of you to write to me from your +new chateau; 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.... + +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. + +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.[40] + +Now farewell, dearest Uncle. I beg my affectionate love to my dear +Aunt, and my most respectful _hommages_ to the Members of the Family +with you. Believe me, always, your affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA. + +Old Pozzo[41] dined here last Wednesday, and he gave me a long, I +must say clever, dissertation about the state of France, during +dinner-time. + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS'S ESTABLISHMENT] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _25th May 1837._ + +MY DEAREST CHILD,--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 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 _comfortable +to you_, 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 _approbation_ should be dispensed with; it would be a +great fault in your situation to _submit_ to this.... They seemed to +think the King dying, which does not appear to be the case. Be steady, +my good child, and _not_ put out by _anything_; as long as I live _you +will not want a faithful friend and supporter_.... + +Here your somewhat curious little soul has at least the outlines of +things.... + +_26th._--I received yesterday the whole of the papers concerning the +King's propositions.[42] 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 _he_ is well advised he will chiefly +consult _your wishes_. 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 _youth_ and _inexperience_. 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. _Speak +sometimes with him_; it is necessary to accustom you to the thing. + +About the King's health.[43] 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 _no one is hurt and no amour-propre blesse_. +For this reason I lean to your keeping, to begin with, Sir Herbert +Taylor[44] for your _official_ secretary, though I am not quite +_decided_ on the subject. He knows the manner in which the _daily +business_ is carried on; this is important. I believe him, and have +found him to be an honest man, that would do for State matters; it +would not be required that he should be your _confidential_ adviser. +Now I conclude, and send you this letter through Stockmar. My best +regards to Lehzen. Ever your faithful Uncle and Friend, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 42: The King had offered the Princess an + establishment of L10,000 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.] + + [Footnote 43: King William's health was at this time causing + much anxiety.] + + [Footnote 44: Private Secretary to King William IV.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BIRTHDAY REJOICINGS] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_26th May 1837._ + +... 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[45] from the Political +Union at Birmingham. + +I am delighted to hear Stockmar is at length arrived; he reached +London on Wednesday, and we shall see him to-day. + +How distressed I am that poor dear Ernest[46] has been so ill! Thank +God! that he is now better. + +The Spanish affairs have turned out better than you had expected; the +triumphant capture of Irun[47] was a great thing for the Christinos. + +The King is much better. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 46: Prince Ernest of Saxe-Coburg.] + + [Footnote 47: The frontier town of Spain, near St Sebastian, + captured, 16th May, by the Christinos, supported by British + troops.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +TUILERIES, _7th June 1837._ + +... The _entree_[48] 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 _very great_, 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 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.... + +For the present the best plan is to continue to act as you have +done hitherto; to avoid quarrels, but also to stick _firmly to your +resolution when once_ 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 _you must keep up your usual cool +spirit_, whatever may be tried in the House to _teaze you out of it_. +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. + +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, +_to begin by taking everything as the King leaves it_. 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 _in statu quo_, and you gain +time. + +I must conclude now this letter. My winding up is, keep your mind +_cool_ and _easy_; be _not alarmed_ 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 _really at heart_. Stockmar will be in this +respect all we can wish, and we must hope that _useful_ occupation +will prevent his health from suffering. Now once more God bless you. +Ever, my dear child, your faithful Uncle and Friend, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 48: The entry into Paris of the Duke and Duchess of + Orleans, who had been married at Fontainebleau on May 30th.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ACCESSION IMMINENT] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _15th June 1837._ + +MY BELOVED CHILD,--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 _fundamental +rule_, _to be courageous, firm and honest, as you have been till now_. +You may count upon my faithful good offices in all difficulties, +and you have at your command Stockmar, whose _judgment_, _heart_, and +_character_ offer all the guarantees we can wish for. I wish nothing +but to see you _happy and prosperous_, and by Sunday I shall probably +write you a long letter, which will enter into details about most +things. + +My object is that you should be no one's _tool_, and though young, and +naturally not yet experienced, your good natural sense and the _truth_ +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 _gain time_. +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 _amour-propre_ 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 +_late_ 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 _taking kindly_ and in a _friendly_ manner the present +Administration into your service. They are _naturally friendly to your +interests_, _as you are in fact the only possible Sovereign of the +whole family_, with the exception of the Duke of Sussex, they can +_serve_ with _sincerity_ and _attachment_. 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 _present +moment_ to act most cautiously and to gain as much _time_ as possible. +In high positions it is excessively difficult to _retrace_ 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 _immediate_ decision. +Your part must be, to resume once more what I said before, to +remain as long as possible _agreeable_ to all parties, and after the +formation of the Ministry, to be most careful how you take any measure +of importance.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING'S ILLNESS] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_16th June 1837._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... I cannot say how happy I am that the _entree +publique_ into Paris succeeded so well, and that the dear King was +so well received; I trust he will now at last be rewarded for all the +troubles and anxiety he has had ever since 1830. Lord Palmerston said +that the French say that _l'assassinat est hors de mode_. I hope and +trust in Heaven that this may be the case, and _for ever_! + +You know, of course, dear Uncle, how _very ill_ the King is; it +may _all be over_ at _any moment_, and yet _may_ 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.... + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _17th June 1837._ + +MY BELOVED CHILD,--... 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 _sincerity_ and, +I trust, attachment. For them, as well as for the Liberals at large, +you are the _only_ Sovereign that offers them _des chances d'existence +et de duree_. With the exception of the Duke of Sussex, there is +no _one_ in the family that offers them anything like what they can +reasonably hope from you, and your immediate successor, with the +mustaches,[49] is enough to frighten them into the most violent +attachment for you. + +... The irksome position in which you have lived will have the merit +to have given you the habit of _discretion_ and _prudence_, as in your +position you never can have _too much_ 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, _no opportunity_ to show your sincere feeling +for the existing Church; it is _right_ and _meet_ 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 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 _immediately_. The result of my _examen_ 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 _affect_ it at least, of my coming, as if I thought of +ruling the realm for _purposes of my own_.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + +Pardon the hurry in which this letter was written. + + [Footnote 49: The Duke of Cumberland.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING'S CONDITION HOPELESS] + + +_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_19th June 1837._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--Your _kind_ and _dear_ letter, containing +_most wholesome_, _prudent_, _sound_ and _excellent_ advice, was given +me by our _good_ and _invaluable honest_ 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 _been_, and _is_, of the _greatest_ possible use, and be assured, +dearest Uncle, that he possesses my _most entire confidence_! + +The King's state, I may fairly say, is _hopeless_; he may _perhaps_ +linger a few days, but he cannot recover _ultimately_. Yesterday the +physicians declared he could not live till the morning, but to-day he +is a little better; the great fear is his _excessive_ weakness and +no _pulse_ 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. + +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, that with +_good-will_, _honesty_, and _courage_ I shall not, at all events, +_fail_. 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 +_never showed_ myself, _openly_, to belong to _any party_, and I _do +not_ belong to any party. The Administration will undoubtedly be well +received by me, the more so as I have _real_ confidence in them, and +in particular in Lord Melbourne, who is a straightforward, honest, +clever and good man. + +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!... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ACCESSION] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _20th June 1837._ + +Viscount Melbourne[50] 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[51] to +name eleven as the hour for the meeting of the Council at Kensington +Palace. + + [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 _Melburne_. But + it is not the correct spelling, and no one else seems to have + employed it.] + + [Footnote 51: Lord President of the Council; formerly for a + brief period (1806-7) Chancellor of the Exchequer.] + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_20th June 1837_ (_half-past eight_ A.M.). + +DEAREST, MOST BELOVED UNCLE,--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[52] and the +Archbishop of Canterbury[53] at six. I expect Lord Melbourne almost +immediately, and hold a Council at eleven. Ever, my beloved Uncle, +your devoted and attached Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 52: Francis Nathaniel, second Marquis of Conyngham, + had been M.P. for Westbury and Donegal, and was now Lord + Chamberlain.] + + [Footnote 53: William Howley (1766-1848), Bishop of London + 1813-1828, Primate 1828-1848.] + + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th June 1837._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE ... I feel most grateful for your kind letter 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. + +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, + +ADELAIDE. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S JOURNAL] + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S FIRST COUNCIL] + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Tuesday, 20th June 1837._ + +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 _alone_, 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 _Queen_. 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. + +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. + +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 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 _course quite alone_, as I shall +_always_ 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. + +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 +_not_ 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. + +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 _comfortable_ +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 _dear_ Lehzen will _always_ +remain with me as my friend, but will take no situation about me, and +I think she is right. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _22nd June 1837._ + +Lord John Russell[54] 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. + +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. + +[Footnote 54: Writing as Leader of the House of Commons.] + + + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +(Undated--_22nd or 23rd June 1837._) + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--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. + +My best wishes attend you, my dearest Niece, and I am for ever your +Majesty's most affectionate and faithful Friend, Aunt and Subject, + +ADELAIDE. + + + + +[Pageheading: CONGRATULATIONS] + + +_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _le 23 Juin 1837._ + +MADAME MA S[OE]UR,--J'ai appris avec une vive peine la perte que votre +Majeste vient de faire dans la personne de son tres cher et bien aime +Oncle le Roi Guillaume IV. d'auguste et venerable memoire. La vive et +sincere amitie que je porte a votre Majeste, et a ceux qui lui sont +chers, les liens de parente qui rapprochent nos deux familles par +l'alliance de ma fille cherie avec le Roi des Belges votre Oncle bien +aime, et enfin le souvenir qui m'est toujours bien cher de la tendre +amitie qui m'attachait au feu Prince votre Pere, depuis que nous +nous etions vus en Amerique, il y a deja trente-huit ans,[55] me +determinent a ne pas attendre les formalites d'usage, pour offrir +a votre Majeste mes felicitations sur son avenement au Trone de la +Grande-Bretagne. Il m'est doux de penser que l'heureuse direction que +la Princesse votre excellente et bien aimee Mere a si sagement donnee +a votre jeune age, vous met a portee de supporter dignement le grand +fardeau qui vous est echu. Je fais les v[oe]ux les plus sinceres pour +que la Providence benisse votre Regne, et qu'il soit une epoque de +bonheur et de prosperite pour les peuples que vous etes appelee a +gouverner. Puissiez-vous aussi jouir longtemps de tout le bonheur +personnel que je vous souhaite du fond de mon c[oe]ur. Je serai +toujours bien empresse de manifester a votre Majeste 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 amitie avec lesquelles je ne cesserai d'etre, Madame ma +S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste Le Bon Frere, + +LOUIS PHILIPPE R. + + [Footnote 55: In 1799 the Duke of Kent was Commander-in-Chief + in British North America.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _23rd June 1837._ + +MY BELOVED CHILD,--Your new dignities will not change or increase +my old affection for you; may Heaven assist you, and may I have the +_happiness of being able to be of use to you_, 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 _great satisfaction_; 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 +_confidence_ of success has been the _cause of the success itself_, +and you will do well to _preserve_ that sentiment. + +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, "_J'ai ete eleves en +Angleterre._" 1. I should advise to say as often as possible that you +are _born_ in England. George III. _gloried_ in this, and as _none_ +of your cousins are born in England, it is your interest _de faire +reporter cela fortement_. 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,[56] it would be odd enough if people tried +to make out the contrary. 3. The Established Church I also recommend +strongly; you cannot, without _pledging_ yourself to anything +_particular_, _say too much on the subject_. 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 _difficult_, and +almost always _injurious_ to the highest authority. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MINISTERS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_25th June 1837._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Though I have an _immense_ deal of _business_ +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. _Your_ advice +is always of the _greatest importance_ to me. + +Respecting Claremont, Stockmar will be able to explain to you the +_total_ impossibility of my being out of London, as I must see my +Ministers _every_ day. I am _very_ 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 _party_. He +is of the greatest use to me both politically and privately. + +I have seen almost all my other Ministers, and do regular, hard, +but to _me delightful_, work with them. It is to me the _greatest +pleasure_ 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, and hope to God that +the Elections[57] may be favourable, as I well know that the present +Ministry is the best and most moderate we can have. + +Do not, my dearly beloved Uncle, fear for my health; I shall take +_good_ care of it. I beg your advice on the enclosed paper. + +Ever your devoted and grateful Niece and affectionate _Child_, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 57: At that time rendered necessary by the demise of + the Crown.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DELIBERATION ADVISED] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _27th June 1837._ + +MY DEAR CHILD,--... 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. + +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 _immediate_ decision; it is really not +doing oneself justice _de decider des questions sur le pouce_. 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, _explain them to you_. 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 _now_ may +for ever afterwards be kept up, and will become so natural to you that +you will not find them at all fatiguing. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +KENSINGTON PALACE, _29th June 1837._ + +The Queen has received Lord Melbourne's communication, and thinks, +as Prince Ernest of Hesse goes to the funeral, it 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. + +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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: STOCKMAR] + +[Pageheading: SUBJECTS FOR STUDY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _30th June 1837._ + +MY DEAREST CHILD,--... 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 +_cleverness_ and _talent_, _without an honest heart and character_, +_will never do for your Minister_. I shall name nobody, but what I +said just now applies to some people you have recently seen. + +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 _sure of success_, and your own conscience +will give you the most delightful and satisfactory feelings. To be +_National_ is the _great thing_, and I was sure you would agree with +what I said repeatedly to you on this _vital subject_, and you will be +certain in this way of the _love_ of the nation you govern. + +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 +_extended_ 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-- + +(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) +_belles lettres_ 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 _sooner_ 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 _constantly near you without_ anybody having the +right of finding fault with it, and to be useful to you he should be +near you. Stockmar would have the _immense_ advantage, for so young +a Queen, to be a _living_ dictionary of all matters scientific and +politic that happened these thirty years, which to you is of the +greatest importance, because you _must study_ the political history of +at least the last thirty-seven years _more particularly_. 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.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: SPANISH AFFAIRS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_3rd July 1837._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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. + +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 _double_ minds, that I know how to value and appreciate _real +worth_. + +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 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. + +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. + +I am quite _penetrated_ by the King's kindness in sending good old +General Baudrand[58] and the Duc d'Elchingen[59] 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 _Chartists_ want to bring about another +counter-revolution, which would be fatal to the poor Queen's +interests, I fear. + +That you approve my plan about Stockmar I am delighted to hear. + +I hope to go into Buckingham Palace very shortly after the funeral. + +Now, dearest Uncle, I must invite you _en forme_. I should be most +_delighted_ if you, dearest Aunt Louise, and Leopold (_j'insiste_) +could come about the _middle_ or _end_ of _August_. Then I should beg +you would stay a little longer than usual, a fortnight at _least_. You +could bring as many gentlemen, ladies, _bonnes_, etc., etc., as you +pleased, and I should be _too_ happy and proud to have you under _my +own_ roof.... + + [Footnote 58: General Comte Baudrand (1774-1848).] + + [Footnote 59: Son of Marshal Ney.] + + + + +_The Earl of Liverpool to Baron Stockmar._ + +_5th July 1837._ + +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 _poco curante_, 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 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: QUEEN ADELAIDE] + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th July 1837._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--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. + +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, + +ADELAIDE. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +KENSINGTON PALACE, _10th July 1837._ + +The Queen regrets very much to hear of Lord Melbourne's indisposition, +and trusts it will be of no duration. + +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. + +The Queen fears that there may have been some mistake with respect to +the Chapter of the Garter, for Lord Conyngham,[60] as well as several +others, imagined it would be held on _Wednesday_ instead of _Friday_. +The Queen requests Lord Melbourne to rectify this mistake, as it is +the Queen's intention to hold the Chapter on _Friday_. + + [Footnote 60: The Lord Chamberlain.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_11th July 1837._ + +MY DEAREST, BEST UNCLE,--... I have got very little time and very +little to say. I _really_ and _truly_ go into Buckingham Palace the +day after to-morrow, but I must say, though I am very glad to do so, I +feel sorry to leave for _ever_ my poor old birthplace.... + +_25th._--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. + +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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: MADAME DE LIEVEN] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +NEUILLY, _12th July 1837._ + +... 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[61] +and another individual recently 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, _never to permit_ 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 _own personal_ affairs; decline it boldly, and they will +leave you alone.... + +Now I conclude with my warmest wishes for your happiness. Ever, my +dear Victoria, your faithfully attached Uncle and Friend, + +LEOPOLD R. + +[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 _salon_ became again the resort of +diplomatists, politicians, and men of the world. She died in January +1857. + +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 +_intrigante_, and was afraid of committing herself." + +Madame de Lieven wrote to Lord Aberdeen on the 30th July 1837:-- + +J'ai vu la Reine deux fois, je l'ai vue seule, et je l'ai vue dans la +societe du soir, et avec son Premier Ministre. Elle a un aplomb, un +air de commandement, de dignite, 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 extreme reserve dans son discours. On croit que la prudence est +une de ses premieres qualites. Lord Melbourne a aupres d'elle un +air d'amour, de contentement, de vanite meme, et tout cela mele avec +beaucoup de respect, des attitudes tres a son aise, une habitude de +premiere place dans son salon, de la reverie, de la gaiete, vous voyez +tout cela. La Reine est pleine d'aimables sourires pour lui. + +La societe le soir n'etait composee 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 etrangers. La Duchesse de +Kent est parfaitement mecontente,--elle m'en a meme parle. Je doute +que la mere et la fllle habitent longtemps sous le meme toit. Quant +a Lord Melbourne, il me semble que la Duchesse le deteste. Il est +evident qu'il est dans la possession entiere et exclusive de la +confiance de la Reine, et que ses ressentiments, comme ses peines +passees, sont confies sans reserve a son Premier Ministre....] + + + + +[Pageheading: PARLIAMENT PROROGUED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_18th July 1837._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... 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 _this year_, as I was determined to have it +only if I _could ride_, and as I have not ridden for two years, it was +better not. Believe me, always, your devoted Niece, + + VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +STANHOPE STREET, _22nd July 1837._ + +... With regard to Count Orloff,[62] 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. + +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.... + + [Footnote 62: The Russian Ambassador.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DISCRETION ADVISED] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _24th July 1837._ + +MY DEAREST CHILD,--... I hear that the Levee went off very well, and I +have no doubt that the Drawing-Room did the same. Your _spirit_ in all +these new and trying proceedings makes me _happy beyond expression_. +Believe me, with _courage_ and _honesty_, 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 _it is of no use intriguing, because when her mind +is once made up, and she thinks a thing right_, no earthly power will +make her change. To these qualities must be added one which is of +great importance, this is _discretion_; 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.... + +Now I must quickly conclude, with the prayer that you will _not +permit_ anybody, be it even your Prime Minister, to speak to you on +matters that concern you _personally_, without _your_ 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. + +Believe me ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _29th July 1837._ + +MY DEAREST CHILD,--Your dear letter of the 24th inst. is, amongst _so +many kind letters_, _almost the kindest I yet received_ from your +dear hands. My happiness and my greatest pride will always be, to be +a _tender and devoted father to you, my beloved child_, and to watch +over you and stand by you with _heart_ and _soul as long_ as the heart +which _loves_ you so sincerely will beat. + +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 of trying to _conciliate_ the +great mass of the _moderate_ 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 _more unreasonable_ of the two. + +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 +_reproduce itself_, though the names and manner of carrying on the +thing may not be the same. + +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 _de trop_. + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCESS HOHENLOHE] + + +_The Princess Hohenlohe to Queen Victoria._ + +LANGENBURG, _31st July 1837._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 _you_, +_my own dear sister_, 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 _incognito_ at the +Opera was not quite kept as you wished it.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ELECTIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st August 1837._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... I should be _most_ happy to "peep once" into +your country, and wish that it _could_ be. + +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 _he wished as much as the Government +did to pass the questions now pending_. + +You do not think Alexander[63] _near_ 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. + +I have resumed my singing lessons with Lablache[64] 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 _Huguenots_ 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. + +Now farewell, my beloved Uncle. Give my affectionate love to my dear +Aunt, and believe me always, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +_J'embrasse Leopold et Philippe._ + +[Footnote 63: Prince Alexander of Wuertemberg, betrothed to Princess +Marie of Orleans, daughter of Louis Philippe. She died 10th January +1839. See Letter of Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians, 11th +January 1839.] + + [Footnote 64: See _ante_, p. 50. (Ch. V, Footnote 7)] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ELECTIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_9th August 1837._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... 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_ 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 six in the English boroughs, and lost, I grieve to say, +several in the counties. + +The country is very quiet, and I have good reason to believe all will +do very well. + +The King of Wuertemberg is to arrive to-night, under the name of Count +Teck, and wishes to be in strict _incognito_. He comes on purpose to +see me; you know he is my second cousin--his mother[65] was sister +to Queen Caroline and daughter to my grand-aunt.[66] I shall give the +King a large dinner on Friday and a little concert after it.... + + [Footnote 65: Queen Augusta of Wuertemberg.] + + [Footnote 66: Augusta, Duchess of Brunswick, sister of George + III.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +ENDSLEIGH, _15th August 1837._ + +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.... + +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.[67] + +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. + +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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LEAVING WINDSOR] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +ENDSLEIGH, _21st August 1837._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._[68] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th September 1837._ (_20 m(inutes) p(ast) 11._) + +MY DEAREST, MOST BELOVED UNCLE,--One line to express to you, +_imperfectly_, my thanks for all your _very_ great kindness to me, and +_my great_, _great_ grief at your departure! God knows _how sad_, _how +forlorn_, I feel! _How_ I _shall_ miss you, my dearest, dear Uncle! +_every, every where_! _How_ I shall miss your conversation! _How_ I +shall miss your _protection_ out riding! Oh! I feel _very_, _very_ +sad, and cannot speak of you both without crying! + +Farewell, my beloved Uncle and _father!_ may Heaven bless and protect +you; and do not forget your most affectionate, devoted, and attached +Niece and _Child_, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 68: Written on the conclusion of a visit of the King + of the Belgians to England.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians_. + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd October 1837._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... I am quite sad to leave this fine place, where, +if it had not been for the meeting of Parliament _so_ early this year, +I would have remained till November. I have passed _such_ a pleasant +time here, the _pleasantest summer_ I have _ever_ passed in my life; I +have had the _great_ happiness of having you and my beloved Aunt here, +I have had pleasant 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 _staying_ here, +and this little party was very social and agreeable. The Princess +Augusta of Saxony[69] has been here for two nights; she is neither +young nor handsome, but a very kind good person. + +The news from Portugal are bad which I got this morning. The Civil War +is _ended_, and the _Chartists_ have been _completely defeated_; this +is sad enough, but I was fearful of it: a counter-revolution _never_ +does well.[70] + +_En revanche_, the news from Spain are by far better.... + +Believe me always, in haste, your devoted and affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 69: Daughter of King Frederick Augustus of Saxony.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RECEPTION AT BRIGHTON] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_6th October 1837._ + +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.... + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _9th October 1837._ + +... I have also told Stockmar to try to settle something for _regular_ +safe communication; in quiet times like the present, one a week would +be sufficient. You know now that all letters are read, and that should +not be _always_ 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 _not so ignorant of the thing as is imagined_ 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 _should not like_ to tell +them _officially_, the Minister is going to write a despatch to our +man at Berlin, sending it _by post_; the Prussians _are sure_ 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 _they may +fear_, in your eyes. I tell you the _trick_, 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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND FRANCE] + +[Pageheading: LOUIS PHILIPPE'S POLICY] + +[Pageheading: COUNT MOLE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +TRIANON, _19th October 1837._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... 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, I recommended strongly to Count +Mole[71] 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 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 _prevented_ or _reconciled_. 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 _ambitious +schemes without end_; 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[72] 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 _he_ 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 +_whole_ of it, will, _bon gre mal gre_, take the same turn. That it +should be so _is very natural_, because of _what use_ would be some +_foreign provinces_ 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 _mille_ times +the idea of a future union of the Queen of Spain with Aumale, because +he will not have a son where it _is not_ his intention to support him. + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 71: French Premier and Foreign Secretary.] + + [Footnote 72: 1830.] + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +PAVILION, BRIGHTON, _25th October 1837._ + +... Now, dearest Uncle, I must speak to you _un peu de Politique_. +I made Lord Melbourne read the _political_ 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 Mole,[73] 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 _shrinks_ from the +discussion," says he must have time to reflect before he can give any +answer, and evades giving any reply, whenever anything of _importance_ +is required. This, you see, dear Uncle, is not satisfactory. I merely +tell you this, as I think you would like to know what Mole tells _our_ +Ambassador; this differs from what he told _you_. What you say +about Louis Philippe I am sure is very true; his situation is a very +peculiar and a very difficult one.... + + [Footnote 73: See _ante_, p. 93. (Ch. VI, Footnote 71)] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE FRENCH IN AFRICA] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +TRIANON, _27th October 1837._ + +... Political matters I shall not touch upon to-day; there is nothing +very particular except the taking of Constantin.[74] The Duc de +Nemours has greatly distinguished himself. I am sorry to see that in +England people are sometimes _sufficiently absurd_ to be jealous of +these French conquests. Nothing indeed can be more absurd, as nothing +is of greater _importance to the peace_ 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 _the least mischief_ 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 _petite guerre_ with the natives, which is +the very thing that will do them good. + + [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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th November 1837._ + +... 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 _us_ to say _beforehand_ _what_ +we _shall_ do in _such_ an _emergency_; it depends so entirely on the +peculiar _circumstances_ of the _moment_ 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,[75] though what you say about him is true enough, it +would not do to recall him at present; it would give Bois le Comte[76] +all the advantage he _wishes_ for, and which would be injurious to our +interests and influence. + +(2) With regard to Spain, a very decided mention is made of the +_Queen_ herself in the speech which is to be delivered by me to-morrow +in the House of Lords. + +We have great reason to know that, of late, the Queen has positively +declared her intention to remain at Madrid to the very last. + +Villiers'[77] conduct has been, I fear, much misrepresented, for his +_own_ opinions are not at all those of the _ultra-Liberal_ kind; and +his _only_ aim has been, to be on good terms with the Spanish Ministry +for the time being. + +(3) Concerning France, I need not repeat to you, dear Uncle, how +_very_ anxious we all are to be upon the _best_ and _most friendly_ +terms with her, and to co-operate with her. + + [Footnote 75: Lord Howard de Walden, British Minister at + Lisbon.] + + [Footnote 76: French Minister at Madrid.] + + [Footnote 77: British Minister at Madrid, afterwards fourth + Earl of Clarendon, and twice Foreign Secretary.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CLOSE OF THE SESSION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th December 1837._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... 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. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._[78] + +LAEKEN, _26th December 1837._ + +MY DEAREST CHILD,--You were _somewhat irritable_ 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 _utilise_. A _sejour_ at Coburg would _not_ be of much use; here +we are generally absent in the summer. To confide therefore the young +gentleman to his Uncle Mensdorff[79] for three months, would give him +so much time for some _manly accomplishments_, which do no harm to a +young man. To make him _enter the Service_ would _not_ 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 turn in your mind what you think on the +subject, and communicate me the result of it.... + + [Footnote 78: This letter refers to the course of study which + Prince Albert was about to pursue.] + + [Footnote 79: Count Emmanuel de Mensdorff-Pouilly, who + married, in 1804, Sophia, Princess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CANADA] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_27th December 1837._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and acquaints +your Majesty that he has this morning received a letter from +the Speaker[80] 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. + +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.[81] 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. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 81: See Introductory Note, p. 56. (to Ch. VI)] + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th December 1837._ + +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. + +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. + +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. 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: ARMY ESTIMATES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th December 1837._ + +The Queen received Lord Melbourne's two letters yesterday evening, and +another this morning, enclosing one from Lord Duncannon.[82] 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. + +The Queen thinks Lord Melbourne has acted with the greatest judgment +with respect to Sir J. Conroy,[83] and highly approves the course he +intends pursuing. + +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 _hopes_ (as Lord Melbourne says nothing to the +contrary) she will do on the 3rd or 4th. + +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 _Baby_ 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. + +The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are here, and the Queen is very +sorry to say, that from what she _sees_ and _hears_, she has reason to +fear all is _not_ as it _should_ be; _her_ mother is most _markedly_ +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. + +The weather was beautiful yesterday, and the Queen had a _long_ drive +and _walk_, which have done her great good; it is still finer to-day. + + [Footnote 82: Commissioner of Woods and Forests and Lord Privy + Seal.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CANADA] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_30th December 1837._ + +... Lord Melbourne will do his utmost to compose these differences +respecting Canada and the Army,[84] 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. + + [Footnote 84: _See_ Introductory Notes for 1837 and 1838, pp. + 56 and 102. (to Ch. VI and Ch. VII)] + + + + +[Pageheading: STATE DEPARTMENTS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_31st December 1837._ + +... 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[85] and Sir Hussey Vivian[86] 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[87] 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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne is much rejoiced to hear that your Majesty enjoys +Windsor. The Duchess of Sutherland,[88] who appreciates both the grand +and the beautiful, could not be otherwise than delighted with it.... + +Lord Melbourne has the pleasure of wishing your Majesty a happy and +prosperous New Year. + + [Footnote 85: Commander-in-Chief.] + + [Footnote 86: Master-General of the Ordnance.] + + [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 1st, 4th, and 5th November 1841. (Ch. X, 'Secretaries of State')] + + [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.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER VII + + +The 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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +1838 + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_1st January 1838._ + +... 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: CANADA] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_14th January 1838._ + +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,[1] +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 also that, as his absence will +be but temporary, that Lady Durham[2] 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. + +Lord Glenelg[3] 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. + +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. + + [Footnote 1: In the room of Lord Gosford. See _ante_, p. 102. Ch. VII, + (Introductory Note to Ch. VII)] + + [Footnote 2: Daughter of Earl Grey.] + + [Footnote 3: Colonial Secretary.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th January 1838._ (_Half-past nine o'clock._) + +The Queen has written _approved_ on Lord Melbourne's letter as +he desired; but adds a line to express her _satisfaction_ at Lord +Durham's having accepted the office of Governor-General of Canada. + +The Queen will be very happy to see Lord Melbourne at half-past three. + + +[Pageheading: INFLUENCE OF THE CROWN] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _16th January 1838._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED CHILD,--... 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 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 +_preserve these elements_, or should they have been too much weakened +by untoward circumstances, to contrive by every means to _strengthen +them again_. You are too clever not to know, that it is _not_ the +being _called_ Queen or King, which can be of the _least consequence_, +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 _constitutional Sovereign, to do it well, is a +very difficult one_. + +... I must end, and remain ever, most affectionately, my dear Child, +your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +_24th January 1838._ + + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--Having just been informed of your gracious +consideration of, and your generosity towards, the dear King's +children,[4] 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. + +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, + +ADELAIDE. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DANIEL O'CONNELL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1838._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--... I had a very brilliant Levee 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.[5] It was quite a treat for me to +see him, as I had for long wished it. + +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 _with Ministers_, and +behaving like an honest man _should_ do.... + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEPARTMENTS OF STATE] + +[Pageheading: BUREAUCRACY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +STANHOPE STREET, _25th February 1838._ + +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. + +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 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. + +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. + +Another circumstance tends also to give great power to these +second-class men, and that is their permanence in office. + +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. + +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. + +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 "_aristo_-cratic" +is the power of the upper, or, as in Greek it is called, the "aristos" +class of society; "_demo_-cratic" is the power of the people, which in +Greek is called the "demos"; and "_bureau_-cratic" is the power of the +public offices or "bureaus," for which latter the French name has been +taken instead of a Greek word. + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_21st March 1838._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The House +sate until half-past eleven last night. Lord Stanhope[6] 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.[7] + +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.... + +Lord Minto[8] told Lord Melbourne last night to acquaint your +Majesty that Lord Amelius Beauclerck,[9] your Majesty's 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. + +Lord Melbourne will be at St James's twenty minutes before ten. + + [Footnote 6: Philip Henry, fourth Earl.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 8: The First Lord of the Admiralty.] + + [Footnote 9: A son of the eighth Duke of St Albans.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRESSURE OF BUSINESS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th April 1838._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--_Vous ne m'en voudrez pas_, 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 _honesty +is the best policy_, 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 _feelings_ of affection are +not so small as her _body_ is, I can assure you. + +The Prince de Ligne[10] will be received with every possible +attention, I can promise; it would have been so _without_ 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.... + +There is another _sujet_ which I wish to mention to you, _et que j'ai +bien a c[oe]ur_, 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.... + + [Footnote 10: He was appointed to attend the Coronation as + Minister Extraordinary from King Leopold.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_5th April 1838._ + +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 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: FAVOURITE HORSES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th April 1838._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _darlings_, if I may use that +word. They are, both of them, _quite perfect_ in every sense of the +word; _very handsome_, full of _spirit_, delightful easy-goers, very +quiet, and _never_ shying at anything. Is not this perfection? The one +called _Tartar_ (which belonged to Lord Conyngham), an Irish horse, +is a very dark brown, a beautiful creature; the other, which Lord +Uxbridge[11] got for me, is called _Uxbridge_; 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. + +I am going to Windsor to-morrow afternoon, and have got a great deal +to do in consequence.... + +Poor dear Louie[12] _lingers_ on, but, alas! I can only say _lingers_; +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. + +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, + + VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 11: Henry, Earl of Uxbridge, afterwards + second Marquis of Anglesey (1797-1869).] + + [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, + _ante_, p. 10. (Ch. I, 'Early Reminiscences')] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT'S EDUCATION] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +_13th April 1838._ + +... 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 _unite d'action et de l'ensemble_, +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 _great anxiety_ to see Albert a _very +good_ and _distinguished young man_, and _no pains will be thought too +much_ on my part if this end can be attained.... + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +(_Undated._) + +Your Majesty will perceive by this box, which I received this morning +but had not time to open, that Marshal Soult, Duke of Dalmatia,[13] +has been appointed Ambassador to the Coronation.... + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: OLD SERVANTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th April 1838._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... You will by this time have learnt the _sad_ +loss we have all sustained in the death of _dearest_, _faithful_, +_excellent_ Louie, who breathed her last, without a struggle or a +suffering, on Sunday night at nine o'clock. I don't think I have +_ever_ 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 _never_, _never_ 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! + +... Poor _Mason_, 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 feel sad_.... + + + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, _17th April 1838._ + +... 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 _her_ 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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CORONATION] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +_17th April 1838._ + +... 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 Palmerston, with Lord +Aberdeen, for instance, of whose sweetness the Greek negotiation[14] +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 _hors-d'[oe]uvre_, 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.... + + [Footnote 14: Referring to the offer of the throne of Greece + to King Leopold in 1830.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th April 1838._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... 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 _old_ birthday, I must observe that I +could not enjoy you or my Aunt at all _a mon aise_. First of all, I +could not lodge you, and if one is not in the same house together, +there is _no real_ seeing one another; secondly, the town will be so +full of all sorts of foreigners that I should have _no peace_ 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, _que vous me comprendrez +bien_, and that you are assured of the great happiness it is for me to +see you at any time. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE TRAIN-BEARERS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th May 1838._ + +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. + +The Queen has put down Lady Mary Talbot, as being the daughter of the +oldest Earl in the Kingdom[15] 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. + +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. + + Lady Caroline Lennox. + Lady Adelaide Paget. + Lady Fanny Cowper. + Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope. + Lady Mary Talbot. + Lady Anne Fitzwilliam. + Lady Mary Grimston. + Lady Louisa Jenkinson. + + [Footnote 15: John, sixteenth Earl of Shrewsbury (1791-1852).] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_17th May 1838._ + +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. + +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. + +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. The time is +about half-past one, and your Majesty had better be punctual so as not +to delay the Drawing-Room. + + +[Pageheading: THE SLAVE TRADE] + + +_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._ + +[Draft enclosed] + +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. + +This is the substance of what might be written. It is perhaps a little +harshly worded, but your Majesty may soften it. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th May 1838._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am most thankful for your very kind letter, and +for the beautiful little sword, which delights me. + +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, _how_ different to last year! Everybody was so +kind and so friendly to me. + +We have got a number of Austrians and Milanese here, among whom are +a Prince Odescalchi, and a Count Eugene Zichy, renowned for his +magnificent _turquoises_ and his famous valzing, a good-natured +_elegant_; we have also Esterhazy's daughter Marie--now Countess +Chorinsky--a Count and Countess Grippa, and a Marquis and Marchioness +of Trivalzi, etc. + +Old Talleyrand[16] 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, "_parce que le +Diable ne voulait pas l'avoir_." + + [Footnote 16: Died 17th May, aged eighty-four.] + + + + +[Pageheading: INDEPENDENCE OF BELGIUM] + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _2nd June 1838._ + +... I have not all this time touched on our affairs, from motives of +_great discretion_, but as the battle draws nigh,[17] I cannot very +well help writing a few words on the subject. I found an Article in +the French _Constitutionnel_ 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 _very +wrong_ in me to think that in so short a time, and without any cause, +those feelings which are so _precious_ to me could have changed. This +makes me appeal to those sentiments. + +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.... + +All I want from your kind Majesty is, that you will _occasionally_ +express to your Ministers, and particularly to good Lord Melbourne, +that, as far as it is _compatible_ with the interests _of your own_ +dominions, you do _not_ wish that your Government should take +the _lead_ in such measures as might in a short time bring on the +_destruction_ of this country, as well as that of your uncle and his +family. + +Europe has enjoyed ever since 1833, in our part of it, a state of +_profound peace_ and real happiness and prosperity. None 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 _very +gentle manner_.... + +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 _to be left alone_. I shall +do all I can to bring about a good conclusion, but it must not be +forgotten that these seven years _all the dangers, all the trouble_, +fell constantly to _my share_.... + +Now I will make haste to conclude, and remain ever, my dearest +Victoria, your truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ANGLO-BELGIAN RELATIONS] + +[Pageheading: PROGRESS OF BELGIUM] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th June 1838._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _m'a beaucoup peinee_. I know, however, you have had, +and still have, _much_ to do. Many thanks, my dear Uncle, for your +very kind letter of the 2nd inst.... + +It would indeed, dearest Uncle, be _very wrong_ of you, if you thought +my feelings of warm and devoted attachment to you, and of great +affection for you, could be changed. _Nothing_ 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 _only_ 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 +_everything_ in their power to promote the prosperity and welfare of +your Kingdom. + +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. + +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 +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, _Belgium_--which was in former +times the cause of discord between England and France--becomes now a +mutual tie to keep them together. + +This, my beloved Uncle, we owe to you, and it must be a source of +pride and gratification to you. + +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. + +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 _five_ 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. + +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. + +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. + +I trust, dearest Uncle, that you will, at all times, believe me your +devoted and most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: FOREIGN POLICY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _June [18] 1838._ + +MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--You have written me a _very +dear_ and long letter, which has given me _great pleasure and +satisfaction_. I was much moved with the expressions of truly felt +affection, which it contains, and I shall _never_ again doubt your +affection for me, but rely on your dear heart and the constancy of +your character. + +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.[19] 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 +_protected_ Holland, "You imagine, perhaps, that we mean to have +_egards_ 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." + +This impression had been _general_ on the Continent; they considered +the declaration to Prussia in this way: "La Reine et ses Ministres +sont donc entierement indifferents sur le compte du Roi L.; _cela +change entierement_ 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 _English_ capacity than in my Belgian, +as I came to this country _from England_, and was chosen _for that +very reason_. 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 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 _incompatible_ 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.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 18: The day of the month is not given.] + + [Footnote 19: Prussia was giving unmistakable evidence of a + disposition to support Holland against Belgium.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CORONATION] + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +MARLBORO' HOUSE, _28th June 1838._ (_At a quarter before 12 o'clock on +the Coronation Day._) + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--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, + +ADELAIDE. + + + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Thursday, 28th June 1838._ + +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,[20] 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. + + [Footnote 20: Prince Charles of Leiningen, the Queen's + half-brother.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ABBEY] + + +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 _in every spot_ to witness the Procession. Their good humour +and excessive loyalty was beyond everything, and I really cannot say +_how_ proud I feel to be the Queen of _such_ 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. + +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. + +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[21] +stood on the side near me, but he was, as Lord Melbourne told me, +remarkably _maladroit_, 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 my head--which was, I must +own, a most beautiful impressive moment; _all_ the Peers and Peeresses +put on their coronets at the same instant. + + [Footnote 21: Edward Maltby, 1770-1859.] + +My excellent Lord Melbourne, who stood very close to me throughout +the whole ceremony, was _completely_ overcome at this moment, and +very much affected; he gave me _such_ a kind, and I may say _fatherly_ +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. + + +[Pageheading: HOMAGE] + +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. + +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 Spaeth, Lady John Russell, and Mr. +Murray saw me leave the Palace, arrive at the Abbey, leave the Abbey +and again return to the Palace!! + + +[Pageheading: POPULAR ENTHUSIASM] + +I then again descended from the Throne, and repaired with all the +Peers bearing the Regalia, my Ladies and Train-bearers, to St Edward's +Chapel, as it is called; but which, as Lord Melbourne said, was +more _un_like a Chapel than anything he had ever seen; for what was +_called_ an _Altar_ was covered with sandwiches, bottles of wine, +etc., etc. The Archbishop came in and _ought_ to have delivered +the Orb to me, but I had already got it, and he (as usual) was _so_ +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 _loaded_, 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 _all_ 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 _Proudest_ of my +life! I came home at a little after six, really _not_ feeling tired. + + +[Pageheading: INCIDENTS OF THE CORONATION] + +At eight we dined. Besides we thirteen--my Uncles, sister, brother, +Spaeth, 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[22] 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 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 +_not_ 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. + + [Footnote 22: The King of Hanover.] + +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 _Vice-Comites_; that Dukes and Barons +were the only _real_ 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. + +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. + + +[Pageheading: PAGES OF HONOUR] + +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 _so_ 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 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 _before_ 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: EXTRA HOLIDAYS FOR SCHOOLS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _29th June 1838._ + +The Queen is very anxious to hear if Lord Melbourne got home safe, and +if he is not tired, and quite well this morning. + +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. + +The Queen hears that it is usual to ask for an additional 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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd July 1838._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--_Many_ thanks for _two_ 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 +_beautifully_ 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 _beyond_ belief, and _all_ in the highest good-humour. It +is a fine ceremony, and a scene I shall _ever_ remember, and with +pleasure. I likewise venture to add that people thought I did my part +very well. + +The amiable Duc de Nemours dined with me on Friday, comes to _my_ 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 _not_ write to her this mail. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_8th July 1838._ + +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,[23] 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. + +Lord Melbourne thinks it safer and more prudent that your Majesty +should not ride; but still it might have been done, and if Lord +Melbourne had thought that your Majesty wished it much, he would not +have dissuaded it. + +[Footnote 23: Referring to the Hyde Park review on the next day.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LOYAL DEMONSTRATIONS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +NEUILLY, _12th July 1838._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am very grateful for your kind letter; it +is extremely _meritorious_, amidst such fatigues and festivities and +occupations of every kind, to find a moment to write. I expressed +already the _great satisfaction_ with which I read and heard all +the accounts of the Coronation, and I believe that there _never_ 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. + +I am happy to see that it has _increased_, 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 _National_ Sovereign of your _own_ +country, and to love its very faults. This strengthens the _mutual +attachment_, and that can _never be too strong_.... + +Believe me, ever, my dearest Victoria, your very devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + +The whole of the family here offer their best _hommages_. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +NEUILLY, _20th July 1838._ + +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 +_most splendid_, and I feel always some regret at having been deprived +of the happiness of seeing you _en fonction_, 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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DURHAM] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_10th August 1838._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The very +difficult and embarrassing situation in which Lord 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[24] 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.... + + [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.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_10th August 1838._ + +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.[25] + +This is absolutely necessary, but very disagreeable, and will be very +much so to Lord Durham. + + [Footnote 25: _See_ Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p. 102. + (Introductory Note to Ch. VII)] + + + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +_25th September 1838._ + +MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--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 _great +happiness_ 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 _very +precious_ is your affection to me, and how _very grateful_ I am for +every new proof of it. You know my feelings on this point, and +you know they are better _felt_ than _expressed_. Your calling me +_Louise_, and in 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 _sister-like_, although I am rather an old sister +for you now.... + +Leopold is half crazy with the steam-engine, and particularly with +the _tools_ 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 _L_ 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 _iron spade_ 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 _like that of a man_.... + + + + +[Pageheading: IRELAND AND O'CONNELL] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_25th October 1838._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +Mr Stanley of the Treasury[26] 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,[27] in +whose hands it may be very safely left for the present. + +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 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. + +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. + +[Footnote 26: "Ben" Stanley, afterwards Lord Stanley of Alderley, +Secretary to the Treasury.] + +[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.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_4th November 1838._ + +Lord Melbourne is very well, but Sir James Clark,[28] 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. + + [Footnote 28: Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LADY JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th November 1838._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--.... We have all been much distressed by the +melancholy and untimely death of poor Lady John Russell,[29] 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 _him_, +for he was _so_ attached to her, and I don't believe two people ever +were happier together. I send you his pretty letter to me, which I +think you may be interested to see; he is _dreadfully_ 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, _now orphans_, +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 +_fortnight_. I had known her _very_ 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. + +We have very good accounts of the Queen-Dowager from Gibraltar. + +Please return me Lord John's letter when you have done with it. + +Lord and Lady Howard[30] have been here, and I urged him to _bear_ +Dietz as an inevitable evil, and I think he seems very anxious to do +what is right. I have likewise written to Ferdinand, urging _him_ and +Dietz to be reasonable. + +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 _de +toilette_, as in these two letters I have plagued you with commissions +on that subject.... + + [Footnote 29: Daughter of Mr Thomas Lister. She had been widow + of the second Lord Ribblesdale, and married Lord John Russell + in April 1835.] + + [Footnote 30: Charles Augustus, sixth Lord Howard de Walden, + was the British Minister at Lisbon, and afterwards (1846-1868) + at Brussels.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _9th November 1838._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 _always_ 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 _gladly avoid_, than a warm and noble character +that knows how to feel for others, and how to 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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th November 1838._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I was certain you _would_ 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. + +I felt much for you, and still more for poor dear Aunt Louise, when +the sad separation from poor Marie[31] took place; it is so melancholy +to see a dear relation depart who is _so ill_. + +I have this morning heard from Ferdinand that the good Queen is +at last confined, after keeping us for _two months_ and _more dans +l'attente_ 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 fut une petite fille ce qui m'eut +ete un peu desagreable, car en fait d'enfants j'aime mieux les petits +garcons, parce qu'ils sont plus gais et plus tapageurs."[32] Isn't +this very good? + +I believe the King of the French is to be godfather.... + + [Footnote 31: See _post_, p. 144. (Ch. VIII, 11th January, 1839)] + + [Footnote 32: The Prince received the title of Duke of + Oporto.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_20th November 1838._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and transmits +a copy of Mr. Macaulay's letter.[33]... + +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 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. + + [Footnote 33: Declining to join the Government. The original + is not preserved among the Queen's papers.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CANADA AND LORD DURHAM] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_22nd November 1838._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne returns the King of Portugal's[34] letter, which, as +your Majesty observes, is very rough and ill-tempered with reference +to Lord Howard.[35] 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. + +All the Ministers, except Lord Duncannon[36] 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.... + +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 +_eclat_ 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. + + [Footnote 34: The birth of an heir on 16th September 1837 + conferred on Prince Ferdinand the right to the title of King.] + + [Footnote 35: See _ante_, p. 131. (Ch VII, Footnote 30)] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BELGIUM AND ENGLAND] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _24th November 1838._ + +MY DEAR VICTORIA,--Van Praet[37] 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. + +I join a copy of a letter to Lord Palmerston. I should feel obliged to +you if you would read it _in the presence_ of good Lord Melbourne, +in whose fairness and sense of justice I must say I feel great +confidence.... + +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 _excellent_ position for a _mediator_, and +for all parties it is highly desirable that that position should be +maintained.[38] + +I will not plague with a longer letter. You know from experience that +I _never ask anything of you._ 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 +_this_ ought to be the object of our most anxious attention. I remain, +my dear Victoria, your affectionate Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BELGIUM AND HOLLAND] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_2nd December 1838._ + +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 it right to acquaint the +King that your Majesty had already seen his letter to Lord Palmerston. + +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. + +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."[39] + + [Footnote 39: See the Queen's letter of 5th December to the + King of the Belgians.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_3rd December 1838._ + +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[40] ran in to acquaint him that the whole insurrection in Canada +was put down and suppressed.[41] 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 to Windsor +to-morrow, unless there should be any impediment, of which Lord +Melbourne will inform your Majesty. + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BELGIAN AFFAIRS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th December 1838._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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. + +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 _very_ +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.... + +Pray give my affectionate love to Aunt Louise and the children, and +believe me, always, your most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DURHAM'S RESIGNATION] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_8th December 1838._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +just received your Majesty's letters. Lord Durham 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.[42] 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. + +Your Majesty will receive from the Colonial Office a _precis_ 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.... + +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.... + + [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."] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_8th December 1838._ + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: AN ENGLISH CHURCH FOR MALTA] + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +PALACE, VALETTA,[43] _13th December 1838._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--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 _Protestant church_ in this place which I mean. +There are so many English residents here, it is the seat of an English +Government, and there is _not one_ 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. + +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.[44]... + +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, + +ADELAIDE. + + [Footnote 43: The Queen-Dowager was at this time cruising in + the Mediterranean, and made some stay at Malta.] + + [Footnote 44: Queen Adelaide herself erected the church at a + cost of L10,000.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ANXIETIES] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_21st December 1838._ + +... Lord Melbourne saw Mr. Stephenson this morning and learns from him +that the Duke of Sussex[45] is in the highest 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. + +Lord and Lady Holland return to London to-day and Lord Melbourne is +going to dine with them. + + [Footnote 45: The Duke of Sussex was anxious to be appointed + Viceroy of Ireland. Mr Stephenson was his Private Secretary. + See _ante_, p. 129. (Ch. VII, 'Ireland and O'Connell)] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_22nd December 1838._ + +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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: BRIGHTON] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _28th December 1838._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 _how happy_. Sir H. Seymour[46] gave me a very +favourable account of your dearest Majesty, and was deeply gratified +by your gracious reception. + +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. + +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 _de faire aller le monde_.... My +most beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 46: Sir Hamilton Seymour, Minister at Brussels.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER VIII + + +THE 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. + +Penny Postage was introduced by an Act of this session. + +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. + +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. + +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 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +1839 + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +PAVILION [BRIGHTON], _1st January 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--... I don't like your _croaking_ 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. + +The Queen-Dowager's letters do tantalize one a good deal, I must +own.[1] You will see that old Lord Clarendon[2] is dead, which makes +our friend Villiers Earl of Clarendon, but I am afraid not with a +large income. + +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.[3] 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. + +Lady Breadalbane[4] is my new Lady of the Bedchamber, and a very nice +person. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Forgive this short scrawl. + + [Footnote 1: Queen Adelaide had described the orange-trees and + tropical fruits in the gardens of the Palace of St Antonio, + Valetta.] + + [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.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 4: Eliza, daughter of George Baillie of Jerviswood. + Her brother afterwards became tenth Earl of Haddington.] + + + + + +[Pageheading: MURDER OF LORD NORBURY] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_6th January 1839._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +returns his best and warmest thanks for the very kind and 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.[5] 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.... + +Lord Melbourne has seen Sir Henry Halford,[6] 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,[7] 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.... + + [Footnote 5: At Kilbeggan Abbey, County Meath. The murderer + escaped.] + + [Footnote 6: The celebrated physician: he attended George IV. + and William IV., as well as Queen Victoria.] + + [Footnote 7: Son-in-law of Lord Grey, as was also Lord + Durham.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th January 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--The dreadful moment has arrived, and dear Marie[8] 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. + +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! + +_You_ 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. + +I will not prolong this letter, but merely repeat _how_ much I feel +for you all, and beg you to believe me, your most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 8: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, sister to + the Queen of the Belgians, had married Prince Alexander of + Wuertemberg, in 1837.] + + + + +[Pageheading: HOLLAND AND BELGIUM] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _18th January 1839._ + +... 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.... + +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 _grand monde_, has preserved a +certain warmth and freshness of feeling.... + +Your cousins kiss your hands, and I remain, my dearest Victoria, your +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +STANHOPE STREET, _27th January 1839._ + +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[9] 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 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.[10] + + [Footnote 9: Minister at the Hague.] + + [Footnote 10: _See_ next letter.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BELGIUM AND ENGLAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th February 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--I am much grieved to learn that poor Philippe[11] 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. + +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. _Everybody_ +here is exceedingly anxious for the conclusion of these long pending +affairs, and hope that the answer from Belgium will soon arrive.[12] +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 _welfare_ and _happiness_ (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. + +Everything went off well yesterday,[13] and we are again launched into +a political campaign, which it is impossible not to contemplate with a +certain degree of anxiety. + +Adieu! my dear Uncle. Give my love to my dear Aunt, and believe me, +always, your most devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 11: See _ante_, p. 65. (12th April, 1837)] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 13: The Queen opened Parliament in person on 6th + February.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CABINET DISSENSION] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_10th February 1839._ + +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,[14] 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. + + [Footnote 14: The Chancellor of the Exchequer.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_10th February 1839._ + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF LUCCA] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _20th February 1839._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to report that Mr Charles Villiers[15] moved yesterday, +after a very able speech, that the petitioners against the Corn Laws +should be heard at the Bar of the House. + +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. + + [Footnote 15: M.P. for Wolverhampton 1835-1898, becoming + "Father of the House."] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +STANHOPE STREET, _5th March 1839._ + +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.[16] 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[17] 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. + + [Footnote 16: For many years Sardinian Minister in England.] + + [Footnote 17: Lucca was an independent Italian State.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PORTUGAL] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_9th March 1839._ + +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.... + +Lord Melbourne thinks, upon the whole, that your Majesty had perhaps +better write by messenger a few lines of kindness 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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th March 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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.[18] 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. + +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,[19] +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. + +I have no time to add more, but to beg you to believe me, always, your +most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 18: Daughter of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and + married in April 1840 to the Duc de Nemours.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DIFFICULTIES OF THE MINISTRY] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_22nd March 1839._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to +acquaint your Majesty that the Cabinet have decided-- + +1. That it is impossible to acquiesce in the vote of last night in the +House of Lords.[20] + +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. + +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. + +If we lose that question, or carry it by a small majority, we must +resign. If we carry it, we may go on. + +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. + + [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.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL,[21] _1st April 1839._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne returns the letters of the King of the Belgians. He +accounts very naturally for the conduct of the poor Duchess,[22] but +she should have recollected the extreme disadvantage and discredit +which attaches to a change of religion. _Un gentilhomme ne change +jamais la religion_, 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.... + +Lord Melbourne is just starting for Panshanger.[23] The evening is +better than the morning was, but cold. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 22: Princess Alexander of Wuertemberg. On her + death-bed, she had expressed a wish to her husband that he + should join the Roman Catholic Church.] + + [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, _temp._ Queen Anne.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND BELGIUM] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th April 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--... 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. + +You say that the anger of the Belgians is principally directed against +England.[24] 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 +_pressed_ Belgium for her _own_ good, and _not_ 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. + +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. + +I regret much the state of affairs in France,[25] which cannot but +make us all somewhat anxious; you will, I hope tell me what news you +hear from Paris. + +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. + +Give my love to my dear Aunt, and believe me, always, your most +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [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 + _everything against them_ and at _their expense_. 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."] + + [Footnote 25: The King was for a time without any Ministry, + and the meeting of the Chambers had to be postponed.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT IN ITALY] + + +_Baron Stockmar to Queen Victoria._ + +NAPLES, _16th April 1839._ + +MADAM,--As it is some time that I had the honour to address your +Majesty, I hope that a further account of our crusades will meet with +a favourable reception. + +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,[26] +of which interview the Prince made so admirable a sketch, so very +worthy of H.B.,[27] 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.... + +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, + +STOCKMAR. + + [Footnote 26: Gregory XVI.] + + [Footnote 27: Initials adopted by Mr Doyle, father of Richard + Doyle, in his _Reform Caricatures_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BELGIUM] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +_19th April 1839._ + +... I am glad I extracted some spark of politics from your dear +Majesty, very _kindly_ and _nicely_ 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 _much beloved_. 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 _are forced_ on us, in themselves full of seeds of +danger, when by consulting the _real interests_ of Holland and +Belgium, both countries might have been placed on a footing of +_sincere peace_ and good neighbourhood. This country feels now humbled +and _desenchante_ with its _soi-disant_ political independence as it +pleased the Conference to settle it. They will take a dislike to a +political state which _wounds their vanity_, and will, in consequence +of this, _not wish it to continue_. 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 _too +humiliating_, 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 _the Moselle_! + +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 +_very awkward_ for England, and _deservedly so_. 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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: JAMAICA] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_26th April 1839._ + +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.[28] If Sir Robert Peel should +persist in his proposal, and a majority of the House of Commons should +concur with him, it will be such a mark of want of confidence as it +will be impossible for your Majesty's Government to submit to. + + [Footnote 28: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 141. ( to Ch. VIII)] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th April 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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. + +The Grand Duke,[29] 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 _very ample_, but this Palace, though large, is not calculated +to hold many visitors.... + +Believe me, always, your very affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 29: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards + the Emperor Alexander II.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MINISTERIAL CRISIS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_7th May 1839._ + +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.[30] +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 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. + + [Footnote 30: The numbers are apparently incorrectly stated. + The division was 294 to 289.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RESIGNATION IMMINENT] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_7th May 1839._ + +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. + +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. + +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 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: DISTRESS OF THE QUEEN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._ + +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 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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_8th May 1839._ + +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.[31] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON] + +[Pageheading: SIR ROBERT PEEL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +_8th May 1839._ + +The Queen told Lord Melbourne she would give him an account of what +passed, which she is _very_ 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, 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,[32] 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 _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_. 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 _fairness_ +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 _so_ 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. + +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 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 (_a certain_ degree, if _any_ +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 _happy_ 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.[33] 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 _all_ 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. + + [Footnote 32: _Sic_: an obvious mistake for "black was + black."] + + [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. + + "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, + _entre nous_, treats her as a father, and, with all his + faults, feels for her as such."--_Sir Robert Peel_, Parker, + vol. ii. p. 389.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ADVICE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_9th May 1839._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has read +with the greatest attention the very clear and 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.[34] + +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. + +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 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 _vice versa_.... + +Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is better this +morning. + + [Footnote 34: Alluding to the successive failures of Soult, + Thiers, and Broglie.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne shall hear again after she sees Peel this morning.... + +The Queen has just now heard Lord Liverpool is not in town. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S GRATITUDE] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +STANHOPE STREET, _9th May 1839._ + +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 +heart-felt 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HOUSEHOLD] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_9th May 1839._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to +suggest that if Sir Robert Peel presses for the dismissal 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. + +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. + +When Sir Robert Peel himself became Minister in 1834, no part of the +Household were removed except those who were in Parliament. + +When I became Prime Minister again in 1835, none of the Grooms or +Equerries were removed because none of them were in Parliament. + +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. + +If this is put to him by your Majesty, Lord Melbourne does not see how +he can resist it. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._ + +The Queen writes one line to prepare Lord Melbourne for what _may_ +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 _infamous_. 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 _dreamt_ 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: PROPOSED NEW CABINET] + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Thursday, 9th May 1839._ + +_At half-past two_ I saw the Duke of Wellington. I remained 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: + + THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON _Secretary for Foreign Affairs_ + SIR JAMES GRAHAM _Secretary for the Home Department_ + LORD STANLEY _Secretary for the Colonies_ + LORD LYNDHURST _Lord Chancellor_ + LORD ELLENBOROUGH _President of the Board of Control_ + SIR H. HARDINGE _Secretary at War_ + +and he said he would return in two or three hours with the result, +which I said I should await.[35] + + [Footnote 35: It was a curious circumstance, much commented + on at the time, that in the _Globe_ 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."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._ + +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 _place_ 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 _all_ 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 _only_ those who are _in Parliament_ shall be +removed, I should like to know if they mean to give the _Ladies_ seats +in Parliament? + +We shall see what will be done. The Queen would not have _stood so +firmly_ on the Grooms and Equerries, but her _Ladies_ are _entirely_ +her own affair, and _not_ the Ministers'. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CRISIS] + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_9th May 1839._ + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_9th May 1839._ + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE LADIES OF THE BEDCHAMBER] + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_9th May 1839._ + +At half-past six came Lord Melbourne and stayed with me till ten +minutes past seven. + + +[Pageheading: THE LADIES] + +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 _pretended_ that +I had the preceding day expressed a wish to keep about me those who +_were_ 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,[36] which I said I should like, as Treasurer or +Comptroller. Soon after this Sir Robert said: 'Now, about the Ladies,' +upon which I said I could _not_ give up _any_ of my Ladies, and +never had imagined such a thing. He asked if I meant to retain _all_. +'_All_,' I said. 'The Mistress of the Robes and the Ladies of the +Bedchamber?' I replied, '_All_,'--for he said they were the wives +of the opponents of the Government, mentioning Lady Normanby[37] 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 _all_ the Bedchamber women and _all_ the Maids of Honour, he +meant the Mistress of the Robes and the Ladies of the Bedchamber; to +which I replied _they_ were of more consequence than the others, and +that I could _not_ 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 +_public grounds only_, 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 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 _opinions_ of the Ladies +were nothing, but it was the _principle_, 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 _Ladies were instead of the +Lords_,' which is quite false, and I told the Duke that there were not +_twelve Lords_, as the expense _with the Ladies_ 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 +_even_ 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 _some_ (_all_ 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. + + [Footnote 36: Afterwards Earl of Shaftesbury, the well-known + Philanthropist.] + + [Footnote 37: J. W. Croker wrote to the King of Hanover:-- + + "_11th May 1839._ + + "... 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.... + + "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."--_Croker Papers_, II. 347.] + +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." + +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:-- + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S ULTIMATUM] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_10th May 1839_ (1 A.M.). + +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:-- + +"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."[38] + + [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 _at that moment_ her + Minister."--_Greville's Journal, 12th May 1839._] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +_10th May 1839._ + +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.[39] + + [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."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1839._ + +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. + +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 have sacrificed every personal feeling +and instinct of the Queen's to their bad party purposes. + +How is Lord Melbourne this morning? + + + + +[Pageheading: AN ANXIOUS WEEK] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1839._ + +Half-past one will do as well as one; any hour will do that Lord +Melbourne likes, for the Queen will not go out. + +There is no answer from Peel. + +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 Fetes in the midst of such very serious and anxious +business are quite overwhelming. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1839._ + +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. + +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.... + +As the negotiations with the Tories are quite at an end, and Lord +Melbourne _has been here_, the Queen hopes Lord Melbourne will not +object to dining with her on _Sunday_? + + + + +[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF PEEL] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +_10th May 1839._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has had +the honour of receiving your Majesty's note of this morning. + +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 circumstances which have led to the +termination of his attempt to form an Administration for the conduct +of your Majesty's Service. + +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. + +On your Majesty's expressing a desire that the Earl of Liverpool[40] +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 service, to adhere to his +opinion which he ventured to express to your Majesty. + +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. + + [Footnote 40: Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson, third Earl, + 1784-1851, became Lord Steward in 1841.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S JOURNAL] + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Friday, 10th May 1839._ + +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, "_some_ +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." + + + + +[Pageheading: CABINET MINUTE] + + +CABINET MINUTE. + +_Present._ + + The LORD CHANCELLOR. + The LORD PRESIDENT. + The LORD PRIVY SEAL. + VISCOUNT MELBOURNE. + The MARQUIS OF NORMANBY. + The EARL OF MINTO. + The CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER. + The LORD JOHN RUSSELL. + The VISCOUNT PALMERSTON. + The VISCOUNT HOWICK. + The VISCOUNT MORPETH. + Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE, Bart. + The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER. + Mr. POULETT THOMSON. + +Her Majesty's Confidential Servants having taken into consideration +the letter addressed by Her Majesty to Sir Robert 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.[41] + + [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.] + +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. + +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. + +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. + +In humbly submitting this opinion to Her Majesty, Viscount Howick begs +permission to add that he nevertheless acquiesces 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE RESUMES OFFICE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th May 1839._ + +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 _only real_ 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. + +The Queen is ashamed to say it, but she has forgotten _when_ she +appointed the Judge Advocate; when will the Cabinet be over? + +The Queen danced the first and the last dance with the Grand Duke,[42] +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. + + [Footnote 42: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards + the Emperor Alexander II.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th May 1839._ + +The Queen anxiously hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well this morning, +and has _not_ suffered from the dinner at Pozzo's. + +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 _Observer_ 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. + +The Grand Duke came and sat with the Queen in her box, 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 _shocked_ 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. + +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? + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S OPINION] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_13th May 1839._ + +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. + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_14th May 1839._ + +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,[43] +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. + +Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at two, and will have the +honour of conversing with your Majesty upon Peel's speech. + + [Footnote 43: At the State Concert.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S VIEW] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th May 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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. + +I sent for the Duke of Wellington, who referred me to Peel, whom I +accordingly saw. + +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. + +When to my utter astonishment he asked me to change my Ladies--my +principal Ladies!--this I of course refused; and he upon _this +resigned_, 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! + +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.... + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: APPROVAL OF KING LEOPOLD] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _17th May 1839._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I feel deeply grateful for your very kind and +interesting letter, which reached me yesterday, inclusive of the +papers. + +You have passed a time of great agitation and difficulty, which will, +however, contribute to enlarge the circle of your experience. _I +approve very highly of the whole mode in which you proceeded_; +you acted with great _good faith_ and _fairness_, 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 _great credit_.... 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 _extremely honest_ 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 _you_ 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. + +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. + +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 _great interest_ +I take in all that concerns you.... + + + + +[Pageheading: A SMALL LIBERAL MAJORITY] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_6th June 1839._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to report that Sir Robert Peel's Bill[44] was discussed +yesterday in the House of Commons, with great fairness and an entire +absence of party spirit. + +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. + + [Footnote 44: The Jamaica Bill for the temporary suspension of + the Constitution.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _11th June 1839._ + +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. + +Combined with the division on the Speakership,[45] 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. + +Lord John Russell stated last night that he would not divide on the +Canada resolutions, but move for leave to bring in a Bill. + + [Footnote 45: Mr Shaw Lefevre was elected by 317 against 299 + for Mr Goulburn.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_6th July 1839._ + +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. + +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.[46] + + [Footnote 46: The penny postage scheme came into operation on + 10th January 1840.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th July 1839._ (_20 minutes to 12._) + +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. + +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? + +The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well and not tired. + +Monday at two o'clock for the Judge Advocate. + +The Queen hears Lady Sandwich is very much delighted at her +appointment. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th July 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have no letter from you, but hope to get one +soon.... + +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 _Albert_ is aware of the +wish of his _Father_ and _you_ relative to _me?_ Secondly, if he knows +that there is _no engagement_ between us? I am anxious that you should +acquaint Uncle Ernest, that if I should like Albert, that I can make +_no final promise this year_, for, at the _very earliest_, any such +event could not take place till _two or three years hence_. For, +independent of my youth, and my _great_ repugnance to change my +present position, there is _no anxiety_ evinced in _this country_ 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. + +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 _feelings_, and I may not have the _feeling_ for him +which is requisite to ensure happiness. I _may_ like him as a friend, +and as a _cousin_, and as a _brother_, but not _more_; and should this +be the case (which is not likely), I am _very_ anxious that it should +be understood that I am _not_ guilty of any breach of promise, for +_I never gave any_. 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, _very anxious_ to do. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th July 1839._ + +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 _saw_ that he did _not_ 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUCHESS OF BRAGANZA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th July 1839._ + +The Queen has seen the Duchess of Braganza,[47] who, though a good +deal changed, is still handsome, and very amiable; she seemed so glad, +too, to see the Queen again. The child[48] 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. + +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 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. + + [Footnote 47: The step-mother of Donna Maria. Pedro I. assumed + the title of Duke of Braganza after his abdication.] + + [Footnote 48: Probably the princess known as "Chica," + afterwards Princesse de Joinville.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SYRIAN AFFAIRS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +ST CLOUD, _26th July 1839._ + +... Everything is pretty quiet, and the _grace accordee a Barbes_[49] +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 _casus foederis_ 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. + + [Footnote 49: Armand Barbes, the leader of a fatal riot + in Paris, was sentenced to death, a sentence afterwards + remitted.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_3rd August 1839._ + +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,[50] 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. + +The accounts from Birmingham are by no means good.[51] There has +been no disturbance of the peace, but the general disposition is both +violent and determined. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 51: Chartist riots were very frequent at the time. + _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 141. (to Ch. VIII)] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE OPERA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th August 1839._ + +The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well this morning, and did not +sit up working very late last night; the Queen met him twice yesterday +in the Park, and really wondered how anybody _could_ 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. + +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 +_case_ he should be able to come one or both of those days. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th August 1839._ + +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 _this afternoon_, (which she does not expect) as well as _this +evening_? for she did _not_ ask him in her note of this morning _if_ +he would come to-night (for she felt _sure_ of that), but if he could +come _to-morrow_, 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? + +The Queen will follow Lord Melbourne's advice respecting the Duke of +Sussex. + +We have just returned from hearing not only a very long, and very bad, +but also, a very ludicrous, sermon. + +The heat is somewhat less, but the Queen is undecided as to driving +out or not. + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _9th August 1839._ + +... I am sorry that you are less pleased with the old Duke, but party +spirit is in England an incurable disease. These last 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 _de vive voix_. + +Now comes a subject which will _astonish_ you. I am charged _de +sonder_ 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, Clementine,[52] 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 _last hour_ 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 _smallest objection_ you would not be +carried away by the apprehension of hurting him by telling me honestly +that you did _not_ 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. + + [Footnote 52: Who afterwards married Queen Victoria's cousin, + Prince Augustus (Gusti) of Coburg.] + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW SULTAN] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _19th August 1839._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in +submitting the accompanying private letter from the Earl Granville[53] +begs to state that neither Viscount 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[54] +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. + + [Footnote 53: The first Earl Granville (1773-1846), formerly + Ambassador Extraordinary to the Russian Court, at this time + Ambassador at Paris.] + + [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 warships + 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. _See_ further, Introductory + Notes for 1839 and 1840. (to Ch. VIII and Ch. IX)] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +OSTENDE, _24th August 1839._ + +... 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 _following morning_. He would have the honour of +dining with you, and would re-embark in the _evening of the same day_, +so as to be back on the _following morning_ at Eu. He will therefore, +as you see, _not_ sleep in England. + +If you cannot give any _pied-a-terre_ 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 _some inconvenience in coming_ to see +you, it would be _rather desirable_ to offer them rooms in the Palace, +which I think might be easily managed. As far as we are concerned, it +_does not matter_ if we are housed in an hotel or where we bivouac. I +will charge Van de Weyer to take rooms for us somewhere.... + +Do not imagine that I have done the least to bring this about for my +own satisfaction, which is _very limited_ in this business, but the +King wished _much to see you once_, and so did the Queen, who abhors +sailing more than anybody, and this is perhaps the _only_ 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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + + +[Pageheading: LOUIS PHILIPPE'S VISIT] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +OSTENDE, _25th August 1839._ (_La St Louis._) + +MY DEAR VICTORIA,--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 _approaching, many and serious_ difficulties +arise, and that the expedition was considered imprudent by some +people, that, besides, the presence would perhaps be required, +before the _possible_ departure, at the _usual home_ of the person +interested, that therefore for the present it would perhaps be best to +give it up. I must say that I am _most happy_ 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 _as +over_, and settle your plans without reference to it.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE VISIT POSTPONED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th August 1839._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _wished_ by _us all_, and the +_only_ difficulty I see is the following, which is, that _I do not +feel quite_ equal to going to Brighton and receiving them all, so soon +after the Prorogation.[55] I do not _feel_ well; I feel _thoroughly_ +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 _alone_, could make me +express a wish that this most kind visit should take place _next_ +year instead of this year. I feel such regret really in saying this--I +should so wish to see them, and yet I feel I am not _quite_ up to +it. You will understand me, dear Uncle, I am certain, as I know the +anxiety you always express for my health. For _once_ I _long_ to leave +London, and shall do so on Friday. If you could be at Windsor by the +4th, I should be delighted. + +The dear Ferdinands, whom I _all dearly_ 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, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 55: On 27th August.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S SPEECH] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26 August 1839._ (_10 minutes to 12._) + +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 _insists_ 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 _after_ the Prorogation +to-morrow at any hour _before_ five he likes best. + +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 _change_ with _him_.[56] Lord Melbourne _never_ 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 _settled_, 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. + +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. + +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. + +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, _shaking_ hands. The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne +will be less tired in the morning. + + [Footnote 56: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 141. (to Ch. VIII)] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +OSTENDE, _21st September 1839._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Your _delightful_ little letter has just arrived +and went like _an arrow to my heart._ Yes, my beloved Victoria! I _do +love you tenderly_, 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 _for yourself_, and I love in you the dear child whose welfare I +carefully watched. My great wish is always that you should _know_ +that I am _desirous_ of _being useful_ to you, without _hoping for +any other return_ 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 _last possibility_ 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 _always ready_ to be useful to you _when and where_ it may be, and +I repeat it, _all I want in return is some little sincere affection +from you_.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT OF PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th September 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--You will, I think, laugh when you get this letter, +and will think I only mean to employ you in _stopping_ my relations at +Brussels, but I think you will approve of my wish. In the first place +I don't think one can _reckon_ on the Cousins arriving here on the +30th. Well, all I want is that _you_ should detain them one or two +days longer, in order that they may arrive here on _Thursday, the +3rd_, if possible _early_. 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 _all_ the Ministers were to +be down here when they arrive, people would say--it was to _settle +matters_. 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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st October 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--I received your kind letter on Sunday, for which many +thanks. The _retard_ 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 _empressement_ to come here, which rather shocks me. + +I got a very nice letter from dear Alexander yesterday from +Reinhardtsbrun;[57] 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." (_Translation._) +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. + +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 better. I have got +the house _full_ of Ministers. On Monday the Queen Dowager is coming +to sleep here for two nights; it is the _first time_, and will be a +severe trial. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 57: A picturesque castle, about eight miles from + Gotha.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A CHARM AGAINST EVIL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th October 1839._ + +The Queen sends the little _charm_ which she hopes may keep Lord +Melbourne from _all evil_, 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. + +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? + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th October 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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, _since Ernest's arrival_, 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 _Thursday_. + +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[58] 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 _Pauline d'Oultremont_ 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 _rayonnant de bonheur_. + +I told Lord Melbourne of your alarms respecting the financial crisis, +which _we_ 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. + +The Queen Dowager came here yesterday and stays till to-morrow; she is +very cheerful and in good spirits.... + +I must conclude in haste. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Many thanks for the two supplies of ortolans, which were delicious. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th October 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--... 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 _debuted_ after dinner in their +_neglige_. Ernest is grown quite handsome; Albert's _beauty_ is +_most striking_, and he so amiable and unaffected--in short, very +_fascinating_; he is excessively admired here. The Granvilles and Lord +Clanricarde[59] 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 _under_ me at this very +moment; they are passionately fond of music. + +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[60] seem to give sad difficulty to the Cortes. + +Ever, my dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 59: Ulick John, first Marquis of Clanricarde + (1802-1874), Ambassador at St Petersburg, afterwards Lord + Privy Seal.] + + [Footnote 60: Certain rights and privileges of the Basques.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A MOMENTOUS DECISION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th October 1839._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 +_great_ pleasure. He seems _perfection_, and I think that I have the +prospect of very great happiness before me. I _love_ him _more_ than I +can say, and I shall do everything in my power to render the sacrifice +he has made (for a _sacrifice_ 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 +_do_ feel _very_, _very_ happy. + +It is absolutely necessary that this determination of mine should be +known to _no one_ 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. + +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 _little_ changed, I must +say, since last Spring, when I said I couldn't _think_ of marrying for +_three or four years_; but seeing Albert has changed all this. + +Pray, dearest Uncle, forward these two letters to Uncle Ernest +(to whom I beg you will enjoin _strict_ secrecy, and explain these +details, which I have not time to do) and to faithful Stockmar. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th October 1839._ + +Lord Melbourne will be ready to wait upon your Majesty at a little +before one. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD'S SATISFACTION] + +[Pageheading: AUSTRIA AND THE PORTE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +WIESBADEN, _24th October 1839._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Nothing could have given me greater pleasure +than your dear letter. I had, when I saw your decision, almost the +feeling of old Zacharias[61]--"Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart +in peace"! Your choice had been for these last years my conviction of +what might and would be _best_ for your happiness; and just because I +was convinced of it, and knowing how _strangely_ fate often _deranges_ +what one tries to bring about as being the best plan one could fix +upon, _the maximum of a good arrangement_, I feared that it would +_not_ happen. In your position, which may and will, perhaps, become +in future even more difficult in a political point of view, _you could +not exist_ without having a _happy_ and an _agreeable interieur_. + +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 _which will suit your own +character, temper, and mode of life_. 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 _all_, will depend on your affection for him. If _you love him, +and are kind to him_, 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. + +Lord Melbourne has shown himself the _amiable_ and _excellent_ man I +always took him for. Another man in his position, instead of _your_ +happiness, might have merely looked to his own personal views and +imaginary interests. Not so our good friend; he saw what was best _for +you_, and I feel it deeply to his praise. + +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.... + +On the 22nd, Prince Metternich came to see me. He was very kind, and +talked most confidentially about political affairs, particularly the +Oriental concerns.[62] M. de Brunnow had been with him. The short of +his views is this: he wishes that the Powers could be _unanimous_, +as he sees in this the best chance of avoiding measures of violence +against the Pasha of Egypt, which he considers _dangerous_, either as +_not_ sufficiently effective, or of a nature to bring on complications +most earnestly to be avoided, such as making use of Russian troops. +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.[63] The Prince is better, but grown +very old and looking tired. It gave me great pleasure to see him +again. + +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. + +Till further orders I shall say nothing to your Mother, Charles, or +Feodore. + +Now I will conclude with my best blessings, and remain, my dearest and +most beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 61: An obvious slip for Simeon.] + + [Footnote 62: _See_ Introductory Notes for 1839 and 1840. + (to Ch. VIII and Ch. IX)] + + [Footnote 63: Frederick Lamb, younger brother of Lord + Melbourne, Ambassador Extraordinary at Vienna, who had + recently been made a Peer.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S HAPPINESS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th October 1839._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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. + +Before I proceed further, I wish just to mention one or two +alterations in the plan of announcing the event. + +As Parliament has _nothing_ whatever to say respecting the marriage, +can neither approve nor disapprove it (I mean in a manner which might +_affect_ 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.... + +Oh! dear Uncle, I _do_ 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 shall be able to make him +as happy as he _ought_ to be! I cannot bear to part from him, for we +spend such happy, delightful hours together. + +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. + +What you say about Lord Melbourne has given me great pleasure; it is +very just and very true. There are not many _such_ 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. + +I am glad you saw Prince Metternich, and that you were satisfied with +the interview. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: CONGRATULATIONS] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _9th November 1839._ + +MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--Your Uncle has already told you, I trust, +with what feelings of deep affection and gratitude I received the so +_interesting_ and _important_ 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 _nothing_ could +interest _more_ my heart than _your_ marriage, my most dearly loved +Victoria, and I could not have heard even of that of Clementine with +_more_ anxious affection and sisterly love. I cannot really tell you +_with words_ 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 _all_ your heart's wishes and hopes, and let you enjoy for +_many, many years_ the happiness which the dearest ties of affection +_alone_ can give, and which is the only _real_ one, the only worthy of +the name in this uncertain and transitory world! + +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 _all those qualities_ +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 _very humble_. 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.... + +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 _not_ avail myself of +the present opportunity. When I write to you by the ordinary messenger +I will continue to be _silent_; 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 + +LOUISE. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ANNOUNCEMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Sussex._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th November 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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 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. + +As it is not to be publicly known, I beg you not to mention it except +to our own Family. + +I hope you are well and enjoying yourself. Believe me, always, your +affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R.[64] + + [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).] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Queen Adelaide._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1839._ + +MY DEAR AUNT,--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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th November 1839._ + +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 _clear_ of me. He gave a very +indifferent account of the King of Greece, but a favourable one of the +Queen. + +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 _suffering_ +much from the necessity of keeping the secret. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTERS TO PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th November 1839_. + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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 +_publicly announced_ in an Open Council on the 23rd, at Buckingham +Palace, where I am going to-morrow. I return here _after_ 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,[65] and to all our relations abroad. I hope, dear +Uncle, you will not have _ill-treated_ my dearest Albert! I am very +anxious to hear from him from Wiesbaden. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 65: Princess Elizabeth (1770-1840), daughter of + George III. and widow of the Landgrave Frederick Joseph Louis + of Hesse-Homburg.] + + +[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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st November 1839._ + +... 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.[66] + +_Your rank will be settled just before you come over, as also your_ +_rank in the Army._ Everything will be very easily arranged. Lord +Melbourne showed me yesterday the _Declaration_, which is very simple +and nice. I will send it you as soon as possible.... + +_Lord Melbourne told me yesterday, that the whole Cabinet are strongly +of opinion that you should NOT be made a Peer._ I will write that to +Uncle.... + + [Footnote 66: The Garter.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE RELIGIOUS QUESTION] + + +_22nd November 1839._ + +... Lord Melbourne has just been with me, and greatly wishes the +Declaration to be made at Coburg as soon as possible. _He also desired +me to ask you to see if you can ... 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_ here _try_ to say you are a _Catholic, but nobody +will believe it._ Send (it) as soon as possible; perhaps good Mr. +Schenk would write it out in English.... + +_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...._ + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DECLARATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd November 1839._ + +... Just arrived here, 5.30. Everything has gone off very well. The +Council[67] was held at two o'clock; more than a hundred persons were +present, and _there_ I had to read the Declaration. _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._ + +Good Lord Melbourne was deeply moved about it, and Uxbridge likewise; +it lasted only two or three minutes. _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 am so happy +to-day! oh, if only _you_ 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.[68] _The description of the whole_ I +will send after this.... + +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 _Conseil._ + + [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:-- + + "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."] + + [Footnote 68: J. W. Croker wrote to Lady Hardwicke:-- + + "_24th November 1839._ + + "... 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 _did_ look as interesting and as handsome as any young + lady I ever saw. + + "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 _careworn_, and on the whole the meeting had a sombre + air."--_Croker Papers_, ii. 359.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PEERAGE QUESTION] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +WIESBADEN, _22nd November 1839._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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. + +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.[69] Your +Uncle[70] writes to you in German: as far 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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 69: The Dukedom of Kendal was offered to, and, after + consideration, declined by, Prince Leopold.] + + [Footnote 70: The Duke of Saxe-Coburg (Ernest I.).] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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.... + +Everything went off uncommonly well on the 23rd, but it was rather +formidable;[71] eighty-two Privy Councillors present; everybody very +much pleased--and I was loudly greeted on leaving the Palace _after_ +the Council. + +The _whole Cabinet_ agree with me in being _strongly_ of opinion that +Albert should _not_ be a Peer; indeed, I see everything against it and +_nothing_ 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 _not_ do. + +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. + +We are quite flooded here, and the road to Datchet is quite +impassable. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 71: Greville mentions that the Queen's hands + trembled so, that she could hardly read the Declaration which + she was holding.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BRITISH SUSCEPTIBILITIES] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_27th November 1839._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +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. + +The others also shall, if possible, be kept in good humour. + +The misrepresentation, respecting Prince Alexander[72] your Majesty +will see corrected in the _Morning Chronicle_ 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.[73] There is nothing which cannot be turned in an +hostile and malignant manner by malignant and perverted ingenuity. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes to hear that your Majesty is better and +more free from pain. He is himself very well. + + [Footnote 72: Prince Alexander of Wuertemberg.] + + [Footnote 73: See _ante_, p. 150. (Ch. VIII, Footnote 22)] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th November 1839._ + +_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. 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 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 _a Papist_, +because the words "_a Protestant Prince_" have not been put into the +Declaration--a thing which would be quite unnecessary, seeing that I +_cannot_ marry a _Papist_.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +_29th November 1839._ + +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[74] 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 favour of it, because he is an excellent young man, and very +modest, very honest, very steady, very well-informed, and will be of +_much use_ 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[75] 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.... + + [Footnote 74: Lord Melbourne.] + + [Footnote 75: Afterwards William Cowper-Temple and Lord Mount + Temple, author of the well-known amendment to the Education + Act of 1870.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN OF PORTUGAL] + + +_Queen Maria II. of Portugal to Queen Victoria._ + +LISBONNE, _1 Decembre 1839._ + +MA BIEN CHERE VICTOIRE,--Hier ayant recu la communication de votre +mariage avec Albert, je ne veux pas tarder un seul instant a vous +en feliciter sur votre heureux choix, et en meme temps vous prier de +croire aux v[oe]ux sinceres que je forme pour votre bonheur avec votre +excellent c[oe]ur il n'est pas possible le contraire. Permettez que je +vous dise que votre choix ne m'a pas du etonner, car sachant combien +Albert est bon, vous ne pouviez pas choisir un autre dont vous fussiez +aussi sure qu'il puisse vous rendre aussi heureuse comme vous le +meritez, chere Victoire. Pour que tous mes souhaits soient exauces je +vous desire un bonheur aussi complet que l'est le mien. Qu'Albert soit +comme Ferdinand et vous serez parfaitement heureuse. Adieu! ma chere +Victoire. Je vous prie de me croire, votre devouee Cousine, + +MARIE. + +Ferdinand vous fait dire mille choses. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S HOUSEHOLD] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th December 1839._ + +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. _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 attendant, and also Schenk and Anson,[76] whom Lehzen +has written to you about._ + +_Old Sir George Anson has been told of your gracious wish to have him +as Groom of the Bedchamber and is delighted._ + +_I_ can only have _Lords_, and they will not be _Peers_, but _Lords_, +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, +_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 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. + +The _Second_, as you always called Palmerston, is to be married within +the next few days to Lady Cowper, the sister of my Premier (_Primus_); +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 _Lady C._ is a very +clever woman, and _much_ attached to him; still, I feel sure it will +make you smile. + + [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.] + + +(_Continued on the 9th_).--To-day I have had a _Conseil_, and then I +knighted the Mayor of Newport[77] (who distinguished himself so much +in that _riot of the Chartists_[78]); 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 already with tiresome politics, but you will in that find +a proof of my [confidence] love,[79] 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.... + +To-day I saw Lord William Russell--you know him, don't you? I forgot +to tell you that you will have a _great Officer of State_ at the head +of your Household, who is called the _Groom of the Stole_; it is a +position in the Court for prestige only, without any business; he will +be a _Peer_.... + + [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.] + + [Footnote 78: Frost, Williams, and others, afterwards + convicted at Monmouth.] + + [Footnote 79: The Queen had begun the word "confidence" but + struck it out and substituted "love."] + + +(_Continued 10th December_).--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!... + +Who has made the little copy which you sent me, and who the original? +Feodore writes to me so much about you.... + +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 _gentlemen_. _Lord Melbourne is particularly desirous of doing +everything that is most agreeable to you._ I have a request to make, +too, viz., that you will appoint poor Clark your _physician_; you need +not consult him unless you wish it. It is only an honorary title, and +would make him very happy.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PROTESTANT QUESTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th December 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--... I was quite miserable at not hearing from Albert +for _ten_ days; such a long silence is quite insupportable for any +one in my position towards Albert, and I was overjoyed on receiving +yesterday the _most_ dear, _most_ 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. + +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 _why_ 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.... + +I have a favour to ask you, dear Uncle, which I hope you will grant, +unless it should be _indiscreet_ 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 _oftener_ than you do at +Claremont, and I am so anxious there should be one of her _here_. + +We have _vile_ 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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th December 1839._ + +... I like Lady A---- very much too, only she is a little _strict and +particular_, and too severe towards others, which is not right; for +I think one ought always to be indulgent towards other people, _as I +always think, if we had not been well brought up and well taken care +of, we might also have gone astray_. 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 _too_ 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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th December 1839._ + +... 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 _gene_ on everything, which I cannot do with +my Court. + +"Islay"[80] is still plagued by him every evening--a thing 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! + +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.... + + [Footnote 80: A pet dog of the Queen's.] + + +_Dec. 17th._--I have spoken to Lord M. about your wish, and he +says--what is my own opinion too--_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. 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._ + +The design of our Arms without _supporters_ 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. + +I add a little pin as a small Christmas present. I hope you will +sometimes wear it. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PROTESTANT QUESTION] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _14th December 1839._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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. + +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. + +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.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: A MISSING LETTER] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th December 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--Many thanks for your two most kind letters. I +suppose I _may_ 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 _ever_, at least not +for _very_ long, have _walked_ 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 _no_ letter makes me ill, and +_getting_ them excites me.... + +I have much to write, and therefore cannot make this a long letter, +but _one_ 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 _sans delai_ to Coburg; now, +Albert _never_ 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. + +Forgive my writing such a letter so full of _myself_. Ever, dearest +Uncle, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S SECRETARY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE. + +_The 22nd._--I have but little time to write. The Duchess of +Sutherland is here, who admires you much, and is very sympathetic.... + +_The 23rd._--Your letter of the 15th just received. I will now answer +at once. _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.... 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._ You will pardon this long story. _It will also not do +to wait till you come to appoint all your people. I am distressed +to tell you what I fear you do not like_, but it is necessary, my +dearest, most excellent Albert. Once more I tell you that you can +perfectly rely on me in these matters.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE TORIES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1839._ + +... 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. + +Now, my dearest, to be about what is _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 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 am very glad that your father knows Lord Grosvenor. As to the +Tories, I am still in a rage;[81] they abuse and grumble incessantly +in the most incredible manner. + +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.--_and nobody is so +forgiving_.... + +I have just learned that my two uncles, the Dukes of Sussex and +Cambridge (_to whom Lord M. had written_) _very willingly consent to +let you take precedence of them; it was, of course, necessary to ask +them about it...._ + + [Footnote 81: _Lit._ raging (_wuthend_). The phrase was a + favourite one of King Leopold's, from whom the Queen had + adopted it.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th December 1839._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--Just two words (though you don't deserve _half a one_, +as your silence is unpardonable) to say I have just heard from Albert, +who, I am glad to say, consents to _my_ choosing his people; so _one +essential_ 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. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE AND LORD MELBOURNE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th December 1839._ + +... I here enclose Lord Melbourne's letter. I have read it, and _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_ 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. + +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_ do not believe. + +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 VICTORIA. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER IX + + +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 L50,000 to L30,000. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +1840 + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th January 1840._ + +STOCKMAR is here; I saw him yesterday and to-day, and have begged him +to explain to you _all the Court affairs, and the affairs concerning +the Treaty_, 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 _so much_ +attached to you. + +I shall have no great dinners, because the large rooms in the upper +story here are not yet ready. My good old Primus[1] usually dines +with me three or four times a week, almost always on Sundays, _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_. Your song +(the bust has been mentioned before) is very fine; there is something +touching in it which I like so much.... + + [Footnote 1: _I.e._ Premier.] + + + + +[Pageheading: OPENING OF PARLIAMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th January 1840._ + +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. _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 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 done it before. 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. But then I only read my +speech._ + +I had to-day a visit from George[2] whom I received _alone_, and he +was very courteous. His Papa I have also seen. + + [Footnote 2: Prince George of Cambridge.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th January 1840._ + +... Yesterday just as I came home from the House of Lords,[3] 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.... + +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,[4] but +it was quite impossible for me to write to you on mourning paper.... + +_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._ + +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 _was +not nervous_, and read the speech really well. The Tories began +immediately afterwards to conduct themselves very _badly_ 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. + + [Footnote 3: The Queen had opened Parliament in person, and + announced her intended marriage.] + + [Footnote 4: The Princess Elizabeth (born 1770), third + daughter of George III. and widow of the Landgrave Frederick + Joseph Louis of Hesse-Homburg. _See_ p. 195. (Ch. VIII, Footnote 65)] + + + + +[Pageheading: TORIES, WHIGS, AND RADICALS] + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st January 1840._ + +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. + +We are all of us very much preoccupied with politics. The Tories +really are very astonishing; _as they cannot and dare not attack us in +Parliament, they do everything that they can to be personally rude to +me.... 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. Of course there are +exceptions._ + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _31st January 1840._ + +... 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. +_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 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. This is also my +own wish in every way._ + +Now as to the Arms: _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. But it +can only be done by Royal Command._ + +I will, therefore, without delay, have a seal engraved for you. + +You will certainly feel very happy too, at the news of the coming +union of my much-beloved Vecto[5] with Nemours. It gives me quite +infinite pleasure, because then I can see the dear child more +frequently. + +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.... + +Farewell, dearest Albert, and think often of thy faithful + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 5: The Princess Victoire of Saxe-Coburg, cousin of + Queen Victoria.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S GRANT] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _31st January 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 _so +disgraceful_ than the discussion and vote in the Commons.[6] The whole +mode and way in which those who opposed the grant treated the +question was so extremely _vulgar_ and _disrespectful_, 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 _custom_ +had sanctioned. That Prince George of Denmark[7] 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 _not expect_, 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. + +Another thing which made me think that Parliament would have acted +with more decency, is that I return to the country now near L40,000 +a year, _not because_ I thought my income _too large_, 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 _shame, shame_!... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 6: The Ministers proposed an income of L50,000 a + year for the Prince--the Conservatives and Radicals united on + an amendment reducing it to L30,000, which was carried by a + majority of 104.] + + [Footnote 7: The Consort of Queen Anne.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE AT BRUSSELS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _1st February 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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. + +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. + +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 _a fond_ 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. + +As it is eleven o'clock at night, I offer you my respects, and remain, +ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + +Your poor Aunt fainted this morning; she is much given to this, but it +was rather too long to-day. + + + + +[Pageheading: AMIABILITY OF THE PRINCE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _4th February 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 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 +_proved_ that he _misunderstands_ 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 _never_ +can arise, I hope, any occasion for any disagreement even on trifling +subjects.... Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _8th February 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--This letter will arrive when I trust you will +be most happily occupied; I don't mean therefore to trespass on your +time. + +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 _avenir_. +_Perfect confidence_ will best ensure and consolidate this happiness. +Our rule in poor Charlotte's time was never to permit _one single day_ +to pass over _ein Missverstaendniss_, however trifling it might be.[8] +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.... + +Now I conclude, with my renewed warmest and sincerest good wishes for +you, ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD. + + [Footnote 8: _(From an unpublished Contemporary Memoir by + Admiral Sir William Hotham, G.C.B.)_ + + "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."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE WEDDING-DAY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._[9] + +_10th February 1840._ + +DEAREST,--... 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. + +Send one word when you, my most dearly loved bridegroom, will be +ready. Thy ever-faithful, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 9: A note folded in _billet_ form, to be taken by + hand. Addressed: + + "HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE. + "THE QUEEN." + + 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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th February 1840._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you from here, the happiest, happiest +Being that ever existed. Really, I do not think it _possible_ for any +one in the world to be _happier_, or AS 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.... + +My love to dear Louise. Ever your affectionate, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _21st February 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am more grateful than I can express that, +notwithstanding your many _empechements_ 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, _et j'ai puise beaucoup de mes +nouvelles_ in the _Times_ and such like sources. + +God be praised that the dear _menage_ 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 _genre_ 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. + +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.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: POPULAR ENTHUSIASM] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_6th March 1840._ + +... 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.... + +... Lord Melbourne is much pleased to hear that your Majesty and +the Prince liked _The School for Scandal_. 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_4th April 1840._ + +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. + +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.[10] + + [Footnote 10: The opposition to the Corn Laws was now + increasing in the North.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_5th April 1840._ + +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,[11] but if Albemarle dines at the +Palace, he certainly will then. + +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. + + [Footnote 11: Master of the Horse.] + + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_8th April 1840._ + +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.[12] 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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND CHINA] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_9th April 1840._ + +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[13] +said the Chinese had a right to poison the wells, to keep away the +English! The debate was adjourned. + + [Footnote 13: Mr Gladstone had been member for Newark since + 1832.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_2nd May 1840._ + +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.[14] 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. + +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. + + [Footnote 14: A _fracas_ 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 Puritani_. An explanation + made by Laporte only made matters worse, and eventually the + Tamburinists took possession of the stage.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_6th May 1840._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has just +received this from Lord John Russell--a most shocking event,[15] 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.[16] 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.... + + [Footnote 15: The murder of Lord William Russell by his valet, + Courvoisier, in Norfolk Street, Park Lane.] + + [Footnote 16: This was the original theory.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MURDER OF LORD WILLIAM RUSSELL] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_6th May 1840._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Since he +wrote to your Majesty, he has seen Mr Fox Maule,[17] 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[18] 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. + +Lord Melbourne has just received your Majesty's letter, and will +immediately convey to Lord John your Majesty's kind expressions of +sympathy. + + [Footnote 17: Under-Secretary for Home Affairs; afterwards, as + Lord Panmure, Secretary for War.] + + [Footnote 18: Courvoisier.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MRS NORTON] + +[Pageheading: PRINCESS CHARLOTTE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _22nd May 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I received yesterday a most kind and dear letter +from your august hands. Charles,[19] who wanted to cross yesterday, +will have had very bad weather. He _is_ 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 L600 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 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[20] 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. + +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 _nolens volens_ be compelled to +think of me, and maybe of poor Charlotte. + +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 +_rudeness_. I can you assure that it was _not so_; 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 _true_, 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. + +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,[21] 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 _de la fleur des pois_. 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. + +Nothing perhaps speaks such volumes as the _positive fact_ of her +manners getting _quite changed_ 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.... + +We have bitter cold weather which has given colds to both the +children. Uncle Ferdinand [22] is now only arriving _si dice_ on +Sunday next. He has been robbed of 15,000 francs in his own room _au +Palais-Royal_, which is very unpleasant for all parties. + +My letter is so long that I must haste to conclude it, remaining ever, +my beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + +My love to Alberto. + + [Footnote 19: Prince Charles of Leiningen.] + + [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 _crim. con._; the jury found for the defendant.] + + [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, + grand-daughter of the third Earl of Granard.] + + [Footnote 22: Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, King Leopold's + brother.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND THE PRINCE] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +_Minutes of Conversations with Lord Melbourne and Baron Stockmar._ + +_28th May 1840._ + +_Lord Melbourne._--"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[23] is the cause +of this want of openness, though her name to me is never mentioned by +the Queen." + +_Baron Stockmar._--"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. + +"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." + + [Footnote 23: Baroness Lehzen.] + + + + +[Pageheading: OXFORD'S ATTEMPT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON TERRACE, _10th June 1840._ + +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,[24] 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. + +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. + + [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.] + + + + +_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +_11 Juin 1840._ + +MADAME MA S[OE]UR,--C'est avec une profonde indignation que je viens +d'apprendre l'horrible attentat qui a menace les precieux jours de +votre Majeste. Je rends grace du fond de mon c[oe]ur a la Divine +Providence qui les a miraculeusement conserves, et qui semble n'avoir +permis qu'ils fussent exposes a un si grand danger, que pour faire +briller aux yeux de tous, votre courage, votre sang-froid, et toutes +les qualites qui vous distinguent. + +J'ose esperer que votre Majeste me permettra de recourir a son +entremise pour offrir a S.A.R. le Prince Albert, l'expression de tous +les sentiments dont je suis penetre, et qu'elle voudra bien recevoir +l'assurance de tous ceux que je lui porte, ainsi que celle de ma haute +estime, de mon inalterable attachement et de mon inviolable amitie. Je +suis, Madame ma S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le bon Frere, + +LOUIS PHILIPPE R. + + + + +[Pageheading: A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_11th June 1840._ + +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 and providential escape. It is impossible +not to shudder at the thought of it. + +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;[25] it should take place this morning. + +Addresses will be moved in both Houses immediately upon their meeting. + + [Footnote 25: _I.e._, the Cabinet.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _13th June 1840._ + +MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I cannot find words _strong +enough_ 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 _quite_ left +to take care of _themselves_, but that an all-powerful Hand guides +them. + +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 _courage_. That you +have shown _great fortitude_ 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 _une +singerie_ of what passes in France, that it is a fancy of some of +those societies _de Mort aux Rois et Souverains_, without knowing +wherefore, merely as a sort of fashion.... + + + + +[Pageheading: EGYPT AND THE POWERS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +ST CLOUD, _26th July 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Your dear letter of the 19th greatly delighted +me.... + +Let me now add a few words on politics. The _secret_ 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 _near_ it +and touching its interests in various ways, has had here a very +_disastrous_ effect.[26] 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 _reckless of +consequences_ 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 _he_ would be the _man to rule_ the +Assembly, and has told me last year that he thinks it for France +perhaps the _most powerful_ form of Government.[27] + +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. + +But there is a material difference between leaving a company from +motives of one's own, or being _kicked out_ 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. + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_7th August 1840._ (10 P.M.) + +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 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. + +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.[28] 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. + + [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 Napoleon. 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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CONVENTION OF 1828] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +WIESBADEN, _22nd September 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 "_di tanti palpiti!_" 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. + +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. + +I pity poor Princess Augusta[29] 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 _far from thinking_ that the French +_acted wisely_ in the Oriental affair. I must say that I think +the King _meant well_, but I should not have _abstained_ from the +Conference as he did, though, in France, interference with Mehemet Ali +was certainly not popular. In England much of the _fond_ 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 _first_ +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. + +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 _Treaty of Adrianople_.[30] 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 _must encourage to +speak about this matter_. Canning's intention was this: he said we +must remain with Russia, and by this means _prevent_ 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 +"_by this Convention the Russians will have the power of doing all +they never would have dared to do single-handed_, and shielded by +this infernal Convention, it will not be in our power _to stop them_." +Russia is again in this very snug and comfortable position, that +_the special protection of the Porte_ is confided to its tender +mercies--_la chevre gardant le chou_, 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 _pared_ +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! "_ainsi soit-il_," 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 this part of my letter to my good and dear +friend, Lord Melbourne, to whom I beg to be kindly remembered. + + [Footnote 29: Princess Augusta, second daughter of George III. + _See_ p. 230. (Ch. IX, 26th September 1840)] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A THREATENED CRISIS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._[31] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th September 1840._ + +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;[32] the Queen really could +not go through that _now_, and it might make her _seriously ill_ 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 _all_ +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. + + [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. _See_ Walpole's _Russell_, vol. i., chap. xiii.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND THE EAST] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th September 1840._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _very, very_ +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. + +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 _do_ +give these affairs my _most serious_ attention: it would be indeed +_most_ desirable if France could _come back to us_, and I think what +Metternich suggests very sagacious and well-judged.[33] You must allow +me to state that _France_ has _put herself_ into this unfortunate +state. _I_ know (as I saw _all_ the _papers_) how she was engaged +to join us--and I know how strangely she refused; I know also, that +France _agrees_ in the _principle_, but only doubts the _efficacy_ of +the measures. Where then is "_La France outragee_"? wherefore arm when +there is _no_ enemy? wherefore raise the war-cry? But this has been +_done_, and has taken _more_ effect than I think the French Government +_now_ like; and _now_ 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 _quite_ in the wrong, still _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.... + +Albert, who sends his love, is much occupied with the Eastern affairs, +and is quite of my opinion.... + + [Footnote 33: Metternich's suggestion was that if other + means of coercion failed, the allies should renew their + deliberations in conjunction with France.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th September 1840._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is quite +well, and will be ready at half-past one. + +The Prince's[34] 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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne also sends a letter which he has received from Lord +Lansdowne. + +Lord Melbourne would beg your Majesty to return them both. + + [Footnote 34: Prince Metternich.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _1st October 1840._ + +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 Belgians.[35] Palmerston will propose +to-morrow to Neumann,[36] the Prussian Minister, and Brunnow,[37] 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. + + [Footnote 35: _See_ p. 231. (Ch. IX, Footnote 33)] + + [Footnote 36: Austrian Minister.] + + [Footnote 37: Russian Minister.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MEHEMET ALI] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _2nd October 1840._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. We have just +had another Cabinet,[38] 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. + +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[39] 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[40] 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 Melbourne will have +the opportunity of speaking to your Majesty more fully upon them +to-morrow. + + [Footnote 38: The peace party in the Cabinet were defeated and + Palmerston triumphant.] + + [Footnote 39: British Ambassador at Constantinople.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON AND FRANCE] + +[Pageheading: VIEWS OF LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +WIESBADEN, _2nd October 1840._ + +... There is an idea that Mehemet Ali suffers from what one calls _un +charbon_, 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 _also goes_. Runjeet Singh[41] 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 _boutique_ broken up, +would it not be _really laughable_, if it was not _melancholy_? And +still the war _once raging_, it would no longer put a stop to it, but +go on for _other reasons_. + +I cannot understand what has rendered Palmerston so _extremely hostile +to the King_ and Government of France. A _little civility_ 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 _likes to put his foot on +their necks_! _Now, no statesman must triumph over an enemy that is +not quite dead_, because people forget a real loss, a real misfortune, +but they won't forget _an insult_. Napoleon made great mistakes that +way; he hated Prussia, insulted it on all occasions, but still _left +it alive_. 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 _contempt_ and +_insulted_. I will here copy what the King wrote to me lately from +Paris: + +"Vous ne vous faites pas d'idee a quel point l'approbation publique +soutient les armements, c'est universel. Je regrette que cela aille +bien au-dela, car la fureur contre l'Angleterre s'accroit et un +des points que je regrette le plus, c'est que tout notre peuple est +persuade que l'Angleterre veut reduire la France _au rang de Puissance +secondaire_, et vous savez ce que c'est que l'orgueil national et la +vanite de tous les peuples. Je crois donc bien urgent que la crise +actuelle se termine bientot 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 veritablement le Gouvernement +Anglais. J'avoue que je ne suis pas sans crainte et sans inquietude a +cet egard quand je recapitule dans ma tete tout ce que Lord Ponsonby +a fait pour l'allumer et tout ce qu'il fait encore. Je n'aurais aucune +inquietude si je croyais que le Gouvernement suivrait la voix de +sa Nation, et les veritables interets de son pays qui repoussent +l'alliance Russe et indiquent celle de la France, ce qui est +tout-a-fait conforme a mes v[oe]ux personnels. Mais ma vieille +experience me rappelle ce que font les passions personnelles, qui +predominent bien plus de nos jours que les veritables interets, et ce +que peut le Gouvernement Anglais pour entrainer son pays, et je +crains beaucoup l'art de la Russie ou plutot 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 _l'abaissement_ de la France, la guerre s'allumera, et +pour _mon compte alors je m'y_ jetterai _a outrance_, mais si comme +je l'espere encore, malgre mes soupcons, ils ne veulent pas la guerre, +alors l'affaire de l'Orient, s'arrangera a l'amiable, et le cri de +toutes les Nations fera de nouveau justice de ces humeurs belliqueuses +et consolidera la paix generale, comme cela est arrive dans les +premieres annees de mon regne." + +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 _abaissement de la France_ which now sticks in their throats. +Chartres[42] has quite the same feeling, and then the refrain is, +_plutot perir que de souffrir cette ignominie!_ + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 42: Ferdinand, Duke of Orleans, 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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: NEGOTIATIONS WITH FRANCE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +CLAREMONT, _6th October 1840._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The King's +letter to Lord Melbourne is in many respects just and true.[43] 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. + +These affairs are very troublesome and vexatious, but they are, +unfortunately, more than troublesome, they are pregnant with danger. + + [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.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +WIESBADEN, _6th October 1840._ + +... 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.... + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _9th October 1840._ + +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." + +That if such terms shall appear satisfactory, Mr Henry Bulwer[44] or +some person of similar rank should be sent to Constantinople to urge +their acceptance on the Sultan, and that our Allies should be invited +to co-operate in that negotiation. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PACIFIC INSTRUCTIONS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _9th October 1840._ + +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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne very much thanks the Prince for his letter, which may +do much service and have an effect upon the antagonists. + +Lord Melbourne has just seen Dr Holland.[45] 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. + + [Footnote 45: Dr (afterwards Sir) Henry Holland, + Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen, 1850-1873, father of Lord + Knutsford.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _10th October 1840._ + +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[46] 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. + +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. + + [Footnote 46: Born 1782; at this time the Austrian Ambassador + in France.] + + + +[Pageheading: MEHEMET ALI] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PANSHANGER, _11th October 1840._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty. + +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. + +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. + +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[47] 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. + + [Footnote 47: On 10th October Ibrahim was defeated by + the Allies, and next day Beyrout was occupied by British, + Austrian, and Turkish troops.] + + + + +[Pageheading: GUIZOT AND THIERS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _11th October 1840._ + +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. + +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. + +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.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th October 1840._ + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: FEELING IN FRANCE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _12th October 1840._ + +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 he should run the risk of +bringing back the complaint, if he should leave town to-morrow. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +We should be too glad to see the matter settled, leaving Mehemet Ali +in possession of Egypt. + +Palmerston has both the wish and the hope of getting him out of Egypt, +as well as Syria. + +These great differences of view, object, and expectation render it +difficult for those who hold them to pursue the same line of conduct. + +There is also, as your Majesty knows, much suspicion, distrust 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: RELATIONS WITH FRANCE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _13th October 1840._ + +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.... + +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. + +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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_13th October 1840._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... 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 we +owe _much_ of the change of the conduct of France to the peaceable +disposition of the dear King, for which I feel grateful.[48] Pray, +dear Uncle, when an opportunity offers, do offer the King my best, +sincerest wishes for his health and happiness in _every_ way, on the +occasion of his birthday; may he live many years, for the benefit of +all Europe!... + + [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 _entente_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S INFLUENCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th October 1840._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _not_ 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_ +have made Palmerston _promise_ 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 _my_ 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 +_cease arming_, 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 child ought to have besides its +other names those of _Turco Egypto_, as we think of nothing else! +I had a long talk with Palmerston on Wednesday, and also with J. +Russell. + +I hope I have done good. The Dutch don't like the abdication. I'm so +sorry for poor little Paris![49] + +Pray excuse this dreadful scrawl, but I am so hurried. Ever your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 49: The Comte de Paris, born 24th August 1838, + eldest son of Ferdinand, Duke of Orleans, who was Louis + Philippe's eldest son.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ATTEMPT ON LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _17th October 1840._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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.[50] 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 _estafette_.[51] May this melancholy _attentat_ 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. + +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. + +We have gloomy miserable weather, and I feel much disgusted with this +part of the world. Ever, my beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [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."] + + [Footnote 51: Express messenger.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND EGYPT] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _20th October 1840._ + +MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I must write to you a few lines by M. +Drouet, who returns to-morrow morning to England. _God bless you_ +for the _great zeal_ you have _mis en action_ 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. + +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 _not to refuse to +negotiate_ with France, even if it should end in nothing. Still for +the King Louis Philippe there is an _immense strength_ and facility in +that word "_nous negocions_"; 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.e._ yesterday, in which he tells me, +"_Pourvu qu'il y ait, pour commencer, des negociations, cela me donne +une grande force._" + +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. + +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. + +It is really melancholy to see the poor King taking this _acharnement_ +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. + +What do you say to poor Christina's departure?[52] I am sorry for it, +and for the poor children. She is believed to be very rich. + +Now I must conclude, but not without thanking you once more for your +_great and most laudable exertions_, and wishing you every happiness, +which you so _much deserve_. Ever, my most beloved Victoria, your +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LORD HOLLAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd October 1840._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your two kind letters of the 17th +and 20th. I have very little time to-day, and it being besides _not_ +my regular day, I must beg you to excuse this letter being very short. +I return you the King's letters with _bien des remerciments_. 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 _raccommodees_, to do all in his power +to do so. "_Je ne vais que pour cela_," he said. + +We were much shocked yesterday at the sudden death of poor good, old +Lord Holland.[53] I send you Dr Holland's letter to Lord Melbourne +about it. He is a great loss, and to _Society_ an irreparable one. I'm +sure you will be sorry for it. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + +Pray _do_ try and get the King's Speech to be _pacific_, else +Parliament must meet here in November, which would be dreadful for me. + + [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.] + + + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _26th October 1840._ + +... 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 of all +my love and _hommages_ 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: NEWS FROM SYRIA] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON TERRACE, _8th November 1840._ + +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.[54] + +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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DISAFFECTION IN FRANCE] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th November 1840._ + +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. + +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 cannot revenge herself by making war against the Four +Powers, who are much stronger than she is. + +... 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. + +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. + +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 _with_ +France, or revolution _in_ France. + +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. + +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, 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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE STATE OF FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._[55] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th November 1840._ + +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. + +First of all, it strikes the Queen that, even if M. Thiers _did_ raise +the cry, which was so loud, for war in France (but which the Queen +cannot believe he _did_ to the extent Lord Palmerston does), that such +an excitement _once_ 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. + +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 _certain_ 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,[56] who would _not_ vote on other occasions with the +Soult-Guizot Ministry. + +Thirdly, the danger of war is also doubtless greatly exaggerated, +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 _losing_ by war, but +only of the glory and of revenging insult, as they call it. + +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 _highly_ and _exceedingly_ 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. + +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 _all_ as much +united as possible on this important subject. + + [Footnote 55: A copy of this letter was sent at the same time + to Lord Melbourne.] + + [Footnote 56: The unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency of + the Chamber.] + + + + +_Baron Stockmar to Viscount Melbourne._ + +_21st November 1840._ + +MY DEAR LORD,--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, + +STOCKMAR. + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD ON FRENCH AFFAIRS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to the Prince Albert._ + +[_Translated._] + +LAEKEN, _26th November 1840._ + +... As to politics, I do not wish to say much to-day. Palmerston, +_rex_ and autocrat, is, for a Minister finding himself in such +fortunate circumstances, far _too irritable and violent_. One does not +understand the use of showing so much hatred and anger. What he says +about the _appeal to the personal feeling of the Queen, on the part +of the King of the French_, is childlike and malicious, for it has +_never_ existed. + +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. + +As to danger, it was very great in September, on the occasion of the +_ouvrier_ 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. + +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 _low_, _on both occasions_, 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 _nonchalante_ declaration, _it was not +so, and it is not so_! 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 _et ce qui s'en est suivi_ had done a brisk enough +business in Europe, and to risk a new one of the same kind would +really be somewhat scandalous. + +What, however, may be the future fruit of the seed of Palmerston's +sowing, we do not in the least know as yet; it 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.... + +Victoria has borne herself bravely and properly in the matter, and +_deserves to be greatly praised_.... + + + + +[Pageheading: BIRTH OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _30th November 1840._ + +MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have been longing to write to you ever +since we got the _joyful_ tidings,[57] 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 _a part_ +of my feelings, and to wish you joy on the happy birth of your dear +little girl. I need not tell you the _deep, deep_ share I took in this +most _happy event_, 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.... + + [Footnote 57: The Princess Royal, afterwards the Empress + Frederick of Germany, was born 21st November 1840.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SETTLEMENT OF EASTERN QUESTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_15th December 1840._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _very_ prudent and careful, you may _rely_ 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. + +The _denouement_ of the Oriental affair is most fortunate, is it +not?[58] + +I see Stockmar often, who is very kind about me and the Princess +Royal.... + +Albert sends his affectionate love, and pray believe me always, your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [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.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _26th December 1840._ + +... 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. + +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 _Maman au milieu d'une belle et nombreuse famille_.... + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER X + + +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. + +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. + +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 _entente_. The scheme of fortifying Paris +continued, however, to be debated, while the Orleanist family were +still the subjects of futile _attentats_. + +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. + +In the east, Mehemet Ali surrendered the whole of the Turkish 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + +CHAPTER X + +1841 + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_5th January 1841._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _really_ wish me to be the "Mamma d'une +_nombreuse_ famille," for I think you will see with me the great +inconvenience a _large_ 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 _very often_. 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. + +The christening will be at Buckingham Palace on the 10th of February, +our dear marriage-day. + +Affairs are certainly still precarious, but I feel confident all will +come right.... + +Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _8th January 1841._ + +... I trust also that affairs will come right; what is to be feared +is the _chapter of accidents_. Your name bears glorious fruits in all +climes; this globe will soon be too small for you, and something must +be done to get at the other planets.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S EDUCATION] + + +_Memorandum--Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th January 1841._ + +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. + +"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." + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S SPEECH] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_19th January 1841._ + +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. + +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 complimentary to France or expressive of regret +at our separation from it, it will be hardly possible to introduce +anything of that nature.[1] 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. + +The best course will be a total reserve upon this head, certainly +abstaining from anything that can be in the slightest degree +offensive. + + [Footnote 1: France was not mentioned, though the Convention + with the other Powers, and the naval operations in conjunction + with Austria, were referred to.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_22nd January 1841._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. + +Lord Melbourne will be most happy to wait upon your Majesty on +Saturday and Sunday. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S INFANCY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _22nd January 1841._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 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., _whose great wish was to get you and +your Mamma out of the country_, and I must say without my assistance +you could _not_ have remained.... I state these facts, because it is +useful to remember through what _difficulties_ and _hardships_ one +had to struggle. You will also remember that though there existed +the _possibility_ 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.[2] + +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 _crowned_, and _consolidated_, as it were, by the birth +of the dear little lady. Having from motives of discretion, perhaps +_carried even too far_, 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.... + + [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.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON TERRACE, _1st February 1841._ + +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.[3] + + [Footnote 3: See _ante_, pp. 252, 254. + (Ch. IX, Footnote 58; Intro. Note to Ch. X)] + + + + +[Pageheading: ILLNESS OF DUKE OF WELLINGTON] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_2nd February 1841._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne will speak to Lord Palmerston about Lord John Russell. + +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.,[4] and particularly after +the Synod of Dort (1618-1619), the English clergy very generally +adopted _Arminian_ opinions. + +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. + + [Footnote 4: Lord Melbourne must have meant James I.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_5th February 1841 (6 o'clock)._ + +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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE UNITED STATES] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_6th March 1841._ + +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. + +Sir Robert Peel made a remarkable speech. Adverting to the present +state of our affairs with the United States,[5] 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. + +This declaration was received with loud cheers. It must be considered +as very creditable to Sir Robert Peel. + + [Footnote 5: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 254. + (Intro Note to Ch. X)] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHINA] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _10th April 1841._ + +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.[6] + +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.[7] 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 bankrupt +Hong[8] 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. + +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. + +Viscount Palmerston has sent a small map of the Canton River, which +your Majesty may like to keep for future reference. + + [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.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 8: The native Canton merchants,--Hong here probably + meaning a "row of houses," a "street." Hong Kong (Hiang Kiang) + means the "fragrant lagoon."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_13th April 1841._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _last_ +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. + +The Chinese business vexes us much, and Palmerston is deeply mortified +at it. _All_ we wanted might have been got, if it had not been for +the unaccountably strange conduct of Charles Elliot (_not Admiral_ +Elliot,[9] for _he_ was obliged to come away from ill-health), who +completely disobeyed his instructions and _tried_ to get the _lowest_ +terms he could.... The attack and storming of the Chorempee Forts on +the 7th of January was very gallantly done by the Marines, and immense +destruction of the Chinese took place.[10] 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. + +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 _walk_ to-day. + +Stockmar writes me word that Charlotte[11] is quite beautiful. _I_ am +very jealous. + +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 _if_ Albert ever should be away (which, however, _will_ and +_shall never_ happen, for I would go with him even if he was to go +to the _North Pole_), I should never think of travelling; but I can't +make mamma understand this. Now farewell. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 9: They were both cousins of Lord Minto, the First + Lord of the Admiralty.] + + [Footnote 10: Commodore Bremer very speedily reduced some of + the forts, but his further operations were stopped.] + + [Footnote 11: Daughter of King Leopold, who married in + 1857 the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (afterwards Emperor + Maximilian of Mexico).] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD CARDIGAN] + +[Pageheading: ARMY DISCIPLINE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_24th April 1841._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Mr +Labouchere[12] 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. + +We have had under our consideration at the Cabinet the unfortunate +subject of the conduct of Lord Cardigan.[13] 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 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.[14] + +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. + + [Footnote 12: President of the Board of Trade, afterwards + created Lord Taunton.] + + [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."--SIR G. + TREVELYAN, _Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay_, chap. viii.] + + [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.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_25th April 1841._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne perceives that he has unintentionally written upon +two sheets of paper, which he hopes will cause your Majesty no +inconvenience. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NOTTINGHAM ELECTION] + + +_Lord Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _28th April 1841._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has +himself seen the result of the election at Nottingham[15] 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. + +Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty after the Levee. It +signifies not how late, as there is no House of Lords. + + [Footnote 15: Where Mr Walter, a Tory, was elected with a + majority of 238.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE BUDGET] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _1st May 1841._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to report that Mr Baring yesterday brought forward the +Budget in a remarkably clear and forcible speech. + +The changes in the duties on Sugar and Timber,[16] and the +announcement made by Lord John Russell of a proposal for a fixed duty +on Corn, seemed to surprise and irritate the Opposition. + +Sir Robert Peel refused to give any opinion on these propositions, and +satisfied himself with attacking the Government on the state of the +finances. + +The supporters of the Government were greatly pleased with Mr Baring's +plan, and loud in their cheers. + +It is the general opinion that Lord Stanley will not proceed with his +Bill,[17] and there seems little doubt of this fact. + +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. + + [Footnote 16: The proposals were to increase the duty on + colonial timber from 10_s._ to 20_s._ a load, reducing it on + foreign timber from 55_s._ to 50_s._, to leave the duty on + colonial sugar unloaded at 24_s._ a cwt., reducing that on + foreign sugar from 63_s._ to 36_s._ a cwt.] + + [Footnote 17: On Irish Registration.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_3rd May 1841._ + +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,[18] +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,[19] 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 Lord Auckland[20] +with general discretionary powers as to the further conduct of the +expedition. These determinations Lord Melbourne hopes that your +Majesty will approve. + +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. + +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. + +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.[21] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 19: He had served in the Mahratta War, and been + political agent in Scinde.] + + [Footnote 20: Governor-General of India.] + + [Footnote 21: Lady Fanny Cowper, Lord Melbourne's niece, was + married to Lord Jocelyn on 27th April.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHRISTENING OF COMTE DE PARIS] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _3rd May 1841._ + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--As you know surely already, the day of yesterday +went off very well. The christening[22] was very splendid, the weather +beautiful, and everything extremely well managed.... The arrival +at Notre-Dame, and the _coup d'[oe]il_ 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 _de tribunes_ all +full of well-dressed people. _Les grands corps de l'Etat etaient +ranges de chaque cote et dans le ch[oe]ur; l'Autel etait place au +centre de l'eglise. Les cardinaux et tout le clerge etaient alentour._ +When my father arrived, the Archbishop of Paris received him at the +door of the church, and we all walked in state. My father _ouvrait la +marche_ with the Queen. _Prie-dieu_ and chairs were disposed for us +_en demi-cercle_ 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 all the Princes followed on the +side of my father, and the princesses on the side of my mother. Paris +remained with Helene 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 _Te Deum_ were read, and when we came back to +the Tuileries the _corps municipal_ brought the sword which the City +of Paris has given to the Comte de Paris.... + + [Footnote 22: Of the Comte de Paris, at this time nearly three + years old, son of the Duc d'Orleans.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SUGAR DUTIES] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _4th May 1841._ + +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. + +On the other hand, Lord Sandon gave a notice for Friday for a +Resolution on Sugar Duties. + +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. + +The whole scheme of finance for the year will thus be overturned. + +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. + +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. + +The friends of Government who represent counties will be taunted with +the proposal to alter the Corn Law. + +Bribery is sure to be resorted to beyond anything yet seen. + +A defeat of the Ministry on a dissolution would be final and +irreparable. + +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. + +The moment is a very important one, and the consequences of the vote +of Friday, or probably Monday, cannot fail to be serious. + + + + +[Pageheading: A MINISTERIAL CRISIS] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +_"The Ministry in jeopardy." (Heading in the Prince Albert's hand.)_ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th May 1841._ + +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." + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ADVICE] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th May 1841._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 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 _they_ might act in concert. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: DISSOLUTION OR RESIGNATION] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _7th May 1841._ + +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. + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _8th May 1841._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. We have been +considering this question of dissolution at the 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,[23] +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. + +Lord Melbourne will have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty +to-morrow at three. + + [Footnote 23: The Earl of Cottenham.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR ROBERT PEEL] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +NOTES UPON AN INTERVIEW WITH SIR ROBERT PEEL (NO. 1).[24] + +_9th May 1841._ + +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. + +That the Prince had sent me to him, with the object of removing +difficulties upon his coming into office. + +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. + +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. + +Endeavoured to impress upon Sir Robert that if he acts fairly and +kindly towards the Queen, he will be met in the same spirit. + +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. + +Upon this I admitted that Lord Melbourne had knowledge of my +intention, but that I was not authorised to say that he had. + +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. + +"_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._" + +He thought that giving in the names of those Ladies whom he considered +obnoxious was an offensive course towards the Queen. + +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. + +"It would be repulsive to my feelings that Her Majesty should part +with any of her Ladies, as the _result of a forced stipulation on my +part_; 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." + +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." + +The vacancies existing before Sir Robert Peel sees Her Majesty, there +is no necessity for discussion. + +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. + +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?" + +[This was his indignant reply to my remark upon the rumours that his +party would press him to coerce and subdue Her Majesty.] + +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. + +Nothing but misconception, he said, could in his opinion have led +to failure before. "_Had the Queen told me_" (after the question +was mooted, which it never need have been) "_that those three +ladies immediately connected with the Government had tendered their +resignation, I should have been perfectly satisfied_, and should have +consulted the Queen's feelings in replacing them." + +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. + +There is nothing said, he added, which in any way pledges or +compromises the Queen, the Prince, or Lord Melbourne. + + [Footnote 24: See Parker's _Sir Robert Peel_, vol. ii. p. 455, + _et seq._, where Peel's memorandum of the interview is set + out.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR ROBERT PEEL] + +[Pageheading: HOUSEHOLD APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +INTERVIEW WITH SIR ROBERT PEEL (No. 2). + +_10th May 1841._ + +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." + +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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne might rest assured that _he_ 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. + +He wished the Prince to send him a list of those Ladies whom it would +be agreeable to Her Majesty to have in her 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.[25] + + [Footnote 25: There was a further interview on the following + day at which various detailed points were arranged.] + + + + +_Memorandum by the Queen._ + +_11th May 1841._ + +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 _in +Parliament_, to the appointment of the Prime Minister, subject to her +approval. + +The Queen has _always_ appointed her _Ladies of the Bedchamber +herself_, 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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: PRESSURE OF BUSINESS] + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Wednesday, 12th May 1841._ + +"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.[26] + +"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. 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 _not_ 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[27] to be made a Privy Councillor; the +only addition to the Peers he mentioned the other day he wished to make +is Surrey;[28] we agreed that too many Peers was always a bad thing." + + [Footnote 26: To Lord Sandon's resolution on the Sugar Duties.] + + [Footnote 27: Robert Vernon Smith (1800-1873), Under-Secretary + for War and the Colonies, afterwards Lord Lyveden.] + + [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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_11th May 1841._ + +... 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, _feel_ for me; the +probability of parting from so kind and excellent a being as Lord +Melbourne as a _Minister_ (for a _friend_ he will _always_ remain) is +very, _very_ painful, even if one feels it will not probably be for +long; to take it philosophically is my great wish, and _quietly_ +I certainly shall, but one cannot help _feelings_ 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. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: QUESTION OF DISSOLUTION] + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Thursday, 13th May 1841._ + +"Saw Lord Melbourne at a little past four. + +"... '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, 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 _are_ 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.'" + + + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Saturday, 15th May 1841._ + +"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 _were_ to have a _majority_, it +would be a great thing; _but_ 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." + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD'S SYMPATHY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +TUILERIES, _14th May 1841._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am deeply grateful for your kind letter, which +reached me this morning. Letters from hence 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. + +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. + +_Nous savons tous des paroles sur cet air_, 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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: TORY DISSENSIONS] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _16th May 1841._ + +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[29] +has been greatly in favour of the measures of your Majesty's +Ministers. + +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. + +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[30] had +produced. + +Lancashire, Cheshire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire have been +roused to strong excitement by the prospect of a reduction of the +duty on corn. Several of the large towns have expressed their opinions +without distinction of party. + +These symptoms are said to have created some dissensions among the +opponents of your Majesty's present Government. + +Sir Robert Peel, Lord Stanley, and nearly all the eminent leaders +of the party, profess their adherence to the principles of Mr +Huskisson.[31] On the other hand, the Duke of Buckingham,[32] 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. + +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. + +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. + + [Footnote 29: On Lord Sandon's resolution.] + + [Footnote 30: Against the Budget, on the ground that it tended + to encourage slavery.] + + [Footnote 31: Which were opposed to Protection and the + Navigation Laws.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S JOURNAL] + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Monday, 17th May 1841._ + +"Lord Melbourne came to me at twenty minutes to three. There were no +_new_ news. He gave me a letter from the Duke of Roxburgh,[33] 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 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 _must dissolve_, 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[34] told Vivian[35] "we shall prevent _your_ dissolving, but +_we shall_ 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.' ... + +"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[36] 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 +_not_ think the Tories intend _certainly_ 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." + + [Footnote 33: James, sixth Duke. The Duchess was afterwards a + Lady of the Bedchamber.] + + [Footnote 34: Sir Henry Hardinge (1785-1856) had been + Secretary at War, and Chief Secretary for Ireland, under + former Tory Governments.] + + [Footnote 35: Master-General of the Ordnance.] + + [Footnote 36: M.P. for East Kent. He became Paymaster-General + in Peel's Cabinet.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_18th May 1841._ + +... 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 _still_ 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 +perfect; fair, calm, and totally disinterested, and I am certain that +in whatever position he is _you_ will treat him _just_ as you have +always done. + +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.S._--Pray let me hear soon _when_ 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 _you_ wish my Government to be _out_. 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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS] + + +_Extract from the Queen's Journal._ + +_Tuesday, 18th May 1841._ + +"Saw Lord Melbourne.[37] 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,' 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." + + [Footnote 37: After eight days' discussions of Lord Sandon's + Motion, the Ministers were defeated by 317 to 281.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RESIGNATION POSTPONED] + + +_Wednesday, 19th May._ + +"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 +_to-day_ whether to _resign_ or _dissolve_. 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. '_You_ 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.' + +"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[38] 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[39] for, Baring for, Macaulay for; and +under those circumstances of course I felt I could not but go with +them.[40] Lord Melbourne was much affected in saying all this. 'So we +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." + + [Footnote 38: Lord Minto was First Lord of the Admiralty.] + + [Footnote 39: Then First Commissioner of Land Revenue.] + + [Footnote 40: See Sir John Hobhouse's account of this Cabinet + meeting, _Edinburgh Review_, vol. 133, p. 336.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND THE CHURCH] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_21st May 1841._ + +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. + +If your Majesty could say this, it would be well: + +"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." + +Nothing could go off better than the dinner. Everybody was much +pleased with the Prince. + +Lord Melbourne is not conscious of having slept.[41] + + [Footnote 41: It seems that some one had told the Queen that + Lord Melbourne had fallen asleep at dinner.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FEELING IN FRANCE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _20th May 1841._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 _sufficiently_ express to +you my _gratitude_ for the frankness with which you have written +to me--and let me entreat you, whenever you have anything _sur +le c[oe]ur_, to _do the same_. 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 +_avancent quelque chose de la sorte_ 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, _that?_ whatever opinion he may +then express we can easily counteract it, representing it as the +result of _strong partiality to France_. Let us therefore examine +what France has to gain in a change of Administration. Certainly your +present Ministers are _not_ much loved _now_ in France, not so much in +consequence of the political events of last year themselves, than for +the _manner_ 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 _isolement_, though many +people are stoutly _for the isolement_. There end the relations which +will exist for some time between the two countries--they will be on +_decent_ 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[42] 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. + + [Footnote 42: 1830-1834.] + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD'S ADVICE] + + +(_Continued at_) LAEKEN, _21st May._ + +I regret that the Corn question was brought forward somewhat +abruptly;[43] 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. + +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 Lord Melbourne, +we _artfully_ ruined the Thiers Administration,[44] 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 would not come at all_, and that my intention was to _cut them +completely_, not to _compromettre_ myself with England! Truly people +are strange, and the unnecessary suspicions and stories which they +love to have, and to tell, a great bore.... + +Pray have the goodness of giving my _kindest_ regards to Lord +Melbourne. I will love him very _tenderly_ 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 _much_, +let your warm and honest heart _appreciate_ that. Let me also express +the hope that you always will maintain your _dear character true_ +and _good_ 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 _not to complain_ 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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 43: The Ministerial proposal of a fixed duty instead + of a sliding scale.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR ROBERT PEEL] + + +_Memorandum of Mr Anson's last secret interview with Sir R. Peel._ +(No. 4.) + +_Sunday, 23rd May 1841._ + +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 Robert that H.M. had acted in _the most perfect +fairness towards him_, 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. + +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." + +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 _his +own_ 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,[45] 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 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. + +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. + + [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."--_Greville's Journal_, 19th May + 1841.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VOTE OF WANT OF CONFIDENCE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _24th May 1841._ + +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."[46] 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. + + [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."] + + + + +[Pageheading: PROSPECT OF DISSOLUTION] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _28th May 1841._ + +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. + +Sir John Hobhouse and Mr Macaulay completely exposed the fallacy +of his resolution, and successfully vindicated the government. Lord +Worsley[47] declared he would oppose the resolution, which declaration +excited great anger, and produced much disappointment in the Tory +party. + +If the debate is carried on till next week, it is probable the +Ministers may have a majority of one or two. + +The accounts from the country are encouraging. + +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. + + [Footnote 47: M.P. for Lincolnshire, who had voted for Lord + Sandon's motion.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_31st May 1841._ + +... I beg you _not_ to be alarmed about what is to be done; it is +_not_ for a Party triumph that Parliament (_the longest_ that has +sat for _many_ 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 _not_ partial.... + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD'S VIEWS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN _31st May 1841._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Your Mother[48] 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 _sejour_ 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. + +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. + +In politics, a great rule ought to be to rule with the things which +one _knows already_, and not to jump into something entirely new of +which no one can do more _than guess the consequences._ 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 +_a souhait_ 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 +_cheap_ 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. + +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 _hasty_ views, with Lord Melbourne. I +do not give them for more than what they are, mere _practical_ +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 _banale_ consideration, _qu'on sait ce qu'on a, mais qu'on ne +sait nullement ce qu'on aura_. 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 so +complicated that it should be handled with great care and tenderness. + +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 _money_, 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,[49] 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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 48: The Duchess of Kent had left England for a tour + on the Continent.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE OPPOSITION ELATED] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_WILTON CRESCENT, 5th June 1841._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to state that the House divided about three this morning. + + For Sir Robert Peel 312 + Against 311 + --- + Majority 1 + +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. + +Lord John Russell spoke after Lord Stanley, and defended the whole +policy of the Administration. + +After the division he stated that he would on Monday propose the +remaining estimates, and announce the course which he meant to pursue +respecting the Corn Laws. + + + + +[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_6th June 1841._ + +... 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 _fair_ 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 _beruhigt_ when you talk to our friend +Lord Melbourne on the subject... + +I fear you will again see nothing of the Season, as Parliament will +probably be dissolved by the 21st.... + +As to my letters, dear Uncle, I beg to _assure_ you (for Lord +Palmerston was _most indignant_ at the doubt when I once asked) that +_none_ of our letters nor any of those _coming_ to us, are ever opened +at the Foreign Office. My letters to Brussels and Paris are _quite +safe_, and all those to Germany, which are of any _real_ consequence, +I always send through Rothschild, which is perfectly _safe_ and very +quick. + +We are, and so is _everybody here_, so charmed with Mme. Rachel;[50] +she is perfect, _et puis_, such a nice modest girl; she is going to +declaim at Windsor Castle on Monday evening. + +Now adieu in haste. Believe me, always, your very devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Really Leopold _must_ come, or I shall _never_ forgive you. + + [Footnote 50: The young French actress, who made her _debut_ + in England on 4th May as Hermione in Racine's _Andromaque._ + She was received with great enthusiasm.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th June 1841._ + +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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +Does Lord Melbourne _really_ mean J. Russell's _marriage_? and to +whom? + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO NUNEHAM] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +The Lady Fanny Eliot.[51] Lord Melbourne did not name her before, nor +does not now, because he did not remember her Christian name. + + [Footnote 51: Daughter of Lord Minto. Lord Melbourne + originally wrote _The Lady ---- Eliot_ 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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +NUNEHAM,[52] _15th June 1841._ + +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[53] 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,[54] and some gentlemen should remain with little Victoria for +the first time. But it is rather a trial for me. + +I must take leave, and beg you to believe me always, your most devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 52: The house of Edward Vernon Harcourt, Archbishop + of York.] + + [Footnote 53: To receive an address at Commemoration.] + + [Footnote 54: Alan Legge, third and last Lord Gardner + (1810-1883) was one of the Queen's first Lords-in-Waiting.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE VISITS OXFORD] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _16th June 1841._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne is very glad to learn that everything went off well at +Oxford. Lord Melbourne expected that the Duke of Sutherland[55] 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. + +The Archbishop[56] 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.[57] + +Lord Melbourne sends a note which he has received from Lord Normanby +upon this and another subject. + + [Footnote 55: Who was, of course, associated with the Whig + Ministry.] + + [Footnote 56: Archbishop Vernon Harcourt, of York, the Queen's + host.] + + [Footnote 57: The Queen prorogued Parliament in person on 22nd + June.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th June 1841._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--A few lines I must write to you to express to you +my _very great_ delight at the certainty, God willing, of seeing you +all _three_ next week, and to express a hope, and a _great hope_, 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 _tells_ 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. + +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. + +I must now conclude, begging you ever to believe me, your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +My Coiffeur will be quite at Louise's disposal, and he can _coiffer_ +in any way she likes, if her dresser tells him how she wishes it. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD BROUGHAM] + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM LORD BROUGHAM] + + +_Lord Brougham to Queen Victoria._[58] + +GRAFTON STREET, _19th June 1841._ + +MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,--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. + +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. + +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 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. + +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. + +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. + +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 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. + +I am, with profound respect, Madam, your Majesty's faithful and +dutiful Subject, + +BROUGHAM.[59] + + [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.] + + [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.--_See_ Introductory + Note, _ante_, p. 253. (Intro Note to Ch. X)] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO WOBURN] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WOBURN ABBEY, _27th July 1841._ + +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. + +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 _nem. con._ 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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd August 1841._ + +... Our little tour was most successful, and we enjoyed it of all +things; nothing could be more enthusiastic or affectionate than our +reception _everywhere_, 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 _very striking_. We enjoyed +Panshanger[60] still more than Woburn; the country is quite beautiful, +and the house so pretty and _wohnlich_; 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. + +I can't admit the Duke of Bedford[61] ever was radical; God knows! I +wish everybody now was a little so! What _is_ 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![62] + +But God's will be done! and it is for our best, we _must_ feel, though +we can't feel it. I can't say _how_ much we think of our little visit +to you, God willing, next year. You will kindly let our good old +Grandmother[63] come there to see her dear Albert _once again_ before +she dies, wouldn't you? And you would get the Nemours to come? And +you would persuade the dear Queen[64] to come for a little while with +Clementine? + +Now farewell! Believe me, always, your most devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 60: The house of Earl Cowper.] + + [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."] + + [Footnote 62: Alluding to the Ministerial defeat at the + polls.] + + [Footnote 63: The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.] + + [Footnote 64: Marie Amelie, Queen of the French.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE AND THE GARTER] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th August 1841._ + +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 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 _only don't wish_ for place, because I do not +_want_ it." + +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. + +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." + +Lord Melbourne thought the Queen very much disliked being talked _at_ +upon religion; she particularly disliked what Her Majesty termed a +_Sunday face_, but yet that it was a subject far more thought of and +reflected upon than was [thought to be?] the case. + + + + + +[Pageheading: A DREADED MOMENT] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _15th August 1841._ + +... 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. + + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th August 1841._ + +Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear of the Princess's tooth. + +Lord Melbourne is much obliged to your Majesty for informing him about +the mourning. + +He is quite well and will be ready when your Majesty sends. + + + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd August 1841._ + +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. + +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. + +The only answer the Prince gave was that these views were _very +agreeable_ for him. + + + + +[Pageheading: A CARRIAGE ACCIDENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th August 1841._ + +... Our accident[65] was not so very bad, and considering that it is +the _very first_ that had happened in the course of _five summers_, +with _so many_ carriages and horses, one cannot be surprised. I +beg leave also to say that I _can_ get out _very_ quick. I am very +thankful that you agree to the couriers. I am a little sorry that you +have put poor Mamma off _so_ late, as she is _very_ 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 _you_ sympathise with me in my present +heavy trial,[66] the heaviest I have ever had to endure, and which +will be a sad heartbreaking to me--but I know you do feel for me. I am +quiet and prepared, but still I fell very _sad_, and God knows! very +wretched at times, for myself and my country, that _such_ 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! + +Adieu, dearest Uncle! God bless you! Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 66: _I.e._, Lord Melbourne being succeeded by Sir + Robert Peel as Prime Minister.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _24th August 1841._ + +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[67] in the House of +Lords, and by Mr. Stuart Wortley[68] 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. + +It will be necessary to receive the address of the Convocation in some +manner or another. Lord Melbourne will write confidentially to the +Archbishop[69] 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. + +Lord Melbourne entreats your Majesty to pick up your spirits. + + [Footnote 67: The first Earl (1782-1859) who had, as Lord + Goderich, been Premier in 1827-1828.] + + [Footnote 68: J. Stuart Wortley (1801-1855), M.P. for the West + Riding, afterwards the second Lord Wharncliffe.] + + [Footnote 69: Dr Howley.] + + + + +[Pageheading: COBDEN'S SPEECH] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _26th August 1841._ + +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.[70] + +The debate will probably close this evening. No one of the Tory +leaders, except Sir Robert Peel, appears disposed to speak. + +Should the Address be voted to-night, and reported to-morrow, it may be +presented to your Majesty by Lord Marcus Hill[71] on Saturday. + +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. + + [Footnote 70: Cobden had just been elected for the first time + for Stockport.] + + [Footnote 71: Son of Lord Downshire, and M.P. for Evesham; + afterwards (under a special remainder) the third Lord Sandys.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _27th August 1841._ + +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 to-morrow, when he will know the result of the night's +debate, and be able more surely to point out the course of events. + +Lord Melbourne received the Eau-de-Cologne, and returns your Majesty +many thanks for it. + +Lord Melbourne understands that the Duke of Wellington is, in fact, +very desirous of having the Foreign Seals,[72] and that if your +Majesty feels any preference for him in that department the slightest +intimation of your Majesty's wish in that respect will fix him in his +desire to have it. + + [Footnote 72: The Duke had been Foreign Secretary in 1835.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WILTON CRESCENT, _28th August 1841._ + +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-- + + For the Address 269 + For the Amendment 360 + --- + 91 + --- + +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. + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _28th August 1841._ + +... 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. + +Lord Melbourne will have the honour of writing again to your Majesty +in the course of the day. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE RESIGNATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th August 1841._ + +... 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 separated for so long since our +marriage, and I am quite melancholy about it. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _28th August 1841._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_29th August 1841._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He knows +well what that feeling of working under the impression 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. + +Lord Melbourne will be ready to attend your Majesty at any time. + + + + +[Pageheading: DELAY UNDESIRABLE] + +[Pageheading: PARTING WITH LORD MELBOURNE] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th August 1841._ + +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. + +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. + +On my being sent for by the Prince, Lord Melbourne said, "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 to-morrow. + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_30th August 1841._ + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S POSITION] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th August 1841._ + +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. + +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 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. + +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. + +If it were possible for any one to advise Peel, he would recommend +that he should write fully to Her Majesty, and _elementarily_, 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 _driven into a +corner_, and forced to decide where she felt her mind was not made up +and required reflection. + +Peel should be very careful that intelligence came first from him +direct. King William was very particular upon this point, so was the +Queen. + +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. + +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 Levee, 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. + +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 was in a very different +position now, backed by a large majority, to when the other overture +was made. He had the power _now_ 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. + +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. + +The Queen took leave of Lord Melbourne to-day. Her Majesty was much +affected, but soon recovered her calmness. + +Peel had his first audience at half-past three o'clock. + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE'S OPINION OF THE PRINCE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_30th August 1841_ (6 P.M.). + +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[73] in the House of Commons, and nothing in +the House of Lords. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + [Footnote 73: Who now became Colonial Secretary.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HOUSEHOLD] + + +_Memorandum: Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +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. + +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. + +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.e._, Lord Byron[74]--and it should be understood that this +exception was not to extend further than to him. + +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. + +_The Ladies._--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. + +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. + +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. + + [Footnote 74: George Anson, seventh Lord Byron (1789-1868), + cousin and successor of the poet.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW CABINET] + + +THE CABINET OF LORD MELBOURNE, + +_As it stood in September 1841._ + + _First Lord of the Treasury_ VISCOUNT MELBOURNE. + + _Lord Chancellor_ LORD (afterwards Earl of) + COTTENHAM. + _Chancellor of the Exchequer_ Mr FRANCIS BARING + (afterwards Lord Northbrook). + _Lord President of the Council_ MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE. + _Lord Privy Seal_ EARL OF CLARENDON. + _Home Secretary_ MARQUIS OF NORMANBY. + _Foreign Secretary_ VISCOUNT PALMERSTON. + _Colonial Secretary_ LORD JOHN (afterwards + Earl) RUSSELL. + _First Lord of the Admiralty_ EARL OF MINTO. + _President of the Board of Control_ Sir JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE + (afterwards Lord Broughton). + _Secretary at War_ Mr T. B. (afterwards + Lord) MACAULAY. + _President of the Board of Trade_ Mr LABOUCHERE (afterwards + Lord Taunton). + _Chief Secretary for Ireland_ VISCOUNT MORPETH + (afterwards Earl of Carlisle). + _First Commissioner of Land Revenue_ VISCOUNT DUNCANNON + (afterwards Earl of Bessborough). + _Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster_ Sir GEORGE GREY. + + +THE CABINET OF SIR ROBERT PEEL,[75] + +_As formed in September 1841._ + + _First Lord of the Treasury_ Sir ROBERT PEEL. + _Lord Chancellor_ LORD LYNDHURST. + _Chancellor of the Exchequer_ Mr. H. GOULBURN. + (_Without Office_) DUKE OF WELLINGTON. + _Lord President of the Council_ LORD WHARNCLIFFE. + _Lord Privy Seal_ DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. + _Home Secretary_ Sir JAMES GRAHAM. + _Foreign Secretary_ EARL OF ABERDEEN. + _Colonial Secretary_ LORD STANLEY + (afterwards Earl of Derby). + _First Lord of the Admiralty_ EARL OF HADDINGTON. + _President of the Board of Control_ LORD (afterwards Earl of) + ELLENBOROUGH + _Secretary at War_ Sir HENRY (afterwards + Viscount) HARDINGE. + _President of the Board of Trade_ EARL OF RIPON. + _Paymaster-General_. Sir EDWARD KNATCHBULL. + + + [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. + + 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. + + The Government also contained three future Premiers, Aberdeen, + Stanley, and Gladstone.] + + + +[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH PEEL] + +[Pageheading: HOUSEHOLD APPOINTMENTS] + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S DISTRESS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE _30th August 1841._ + +... 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[76] as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, +and Lord Eliot[77] as Secretary for Ireland, who, he said, were both +moderate people. The Queen said she gave 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,[78] to which he agreed immediately, and then said, as I had +alluded to those communications, he hoped that he had been understood +respecting the _other_ 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 _how_ 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, kind friend, Lord Melbourne, +is better imagined than described; she was dreadfully affected for +some time after, but is calm 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. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 77: Afterwards third Earl of St Germans.] + + [Footnote 78: Lady Byron had been Miss Elizabeth + Chandos-Pole.] + + + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st August 1841._ + +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." + +From South Steet 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE'S OFFICIAL FAREWELL] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _31st August 1841._ + +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. + +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.... + +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. + +Lord Melbourne begs to be remembered to His Royal Highness most +respectfully, most affectionately. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +_31st August 1841._ + +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 and that you are well. Recollect +how precious is your Majesty's health, and how much health depends +upon tranquillity of mind.... + +Lord Melbourne will either write to Sir Francis Chantrey[79] 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.[80] + +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. + + [Footnote 79: Sir Francis Chantrey, the sculptor, born in + 1781, died on 25th November 1841.] + + [Footnote 80: Sir David Wilkie, Painter-in-Ordinary to the + Queen, had died on 1st June, aged fifty-six.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL'S RECEPTION] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon[81] to Viscount Melbourne.[82]_ + +GROSVENOR CRESCENT, _31st August 1841._ + +MY DEAR MELBOURNE,--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. + +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. + +The only appointment yet settled is De Grey to Ireland; he was very +unwilling, but Peel insisted. Yours sincerely, + +CLARENDON. + + [Footnote 81: The retiring Lord Privy Seal.] + + [Footnote 82: Letter forwarded by Lord Melbourne to the + Queen.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FAREWELL AUDIENCES] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON TERRACE, _31st August 1841._ + +... 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 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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _2nd September 1841._ + +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[83] cordially +for his services. He is a thoroughly honest man and an able public +servant. If your Majesty could say to the Lord Chancellor,[84] "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. + +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.... + +The appointment of Colonel Arbuthnot will of course be very agreeable +to the Duke of Wellington. The Arbuthnots are quiet, demure people +before others; but they are not without depth of purpose, and they are +very bitter at bottom. + +Your Majesty will not forget the two Knights for Mr de la Beche[85] +and Major Monro. + +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. + + [Footnote 83: The retiring Chancellor of the Exchequer.] + + [Footnote 84: Lord Cottenham.] + + [Footnote 85: Sir Henry T. de la Beche, an eminent geologist.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE'S LAST OFFICIAL LETTER] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _2nd September 1841._ + +....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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne most anxiously wishes your Majesty every blessing. + + + + +[Pageheading: COUNCIL AT CLAREMONT] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _3rd September 1841._ + +Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is well after this +trying day.[86] 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. + +And first with respect to public affairs. In the concerns of 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE ON THE NEW MINISTRY] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _4th September 1841._ + +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 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.... + +Lord Melbourne anxiously hopes that your Majesty is well and happy +to-day. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _5th September 1841._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne encloses the exact names of the two gentlemen to whom +Knighthood has been promised by your Majesty.... + +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.... + +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 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.... + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE ON PEEL] + + +_6th September 1841._ + +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. + +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. + +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.[87] + + [Footnote 87: Lady Palmerston (no doubt in sympathy with Lord + Ashley) expected some factory legislation to be announced.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Countess of Gainsborough._[88] + +CLAREMONT, _6th September 1841._ + +MY DEAREST LADY GAINSBOROUGH,--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 _really_ better.... + +I hoped that you would be pleased at what you thank me for; you see +I _did not_ 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, +_most_ distressing. You will understand _what_ 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 +thankful and grateful for these blessings, and take these hard trials +as lessons sent from above, for our best. + +Our little girl makes great progress, and suffers comparatively but +very little from her teething. We came here to be _quiet_ for a few +days, as this place is so very private. + +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. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + +Pray thank Fanny for her kind letter. + + [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).] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S DEPARTMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +_7th September 1841._ + +The Queen wishes that Sir Robert Peel would mention to Lord De la +Warr[89] 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. + + [Footnote 89: See _ante_, p 156.(Ch. VIII, 7th May, 1839)] + + + + +[Pageheading: DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +_8th September 1841._ + +There is a subject which the Queen wishes to mention to Sir Robert +Peel, as she is at present so little acquainted with 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _8th September 1841._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _already_ proved +himself, _very_ useful and _valuable_ 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--_daily_--you may imagine that I +_must_ feel the change; and the longer the time gets since we parted, +the _more_ I feel it. _Eleven days_ was the _longest_ 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: + +"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 have recourse to +it, whenever it is needed, and rely upon it with confidence." + +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. + +The Household (of which I send you a list) is well constituted--_for +Tories_. + +Lord Aberdeen has written to me to say Bourqueney has announced Ste +Aulaire[90] as Ambassador. This is very well, but let me beg you, for +decency's sake, to stop his coming immediately; if _even not meant_ +to, it would have the effect of their sending an ambassador the moment +the Government changed, which would be too marked, and most _offensive +personally_ to _me_. Indeed Guizot behaved very badly about refusing +to sign the Slave Trade Treaty[91] 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 _not_ forgive nor +_forget_ offences, and then France would be worse off than before, +with England. I therefore _beg_ you to stop Ste Aulaire for a little +while, else _I_ shall feel it a great personal offence. + +_9th._--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, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 90: See _post_, p. 334. (Ch. X, 1st October, 1841)] + + [Footnote 91: A treaty on the subject was signed in London, + on 20th December, between Great Britain, France, Austria, + Prussia, and Russia.] + + + + +[Pageheading: QUEEN ADELAIDE] + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +SUDBURY HALL, _8th September 1841._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--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. + +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 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! + +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. + +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. + +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!... + +I am much amused with reading your Life by Miss Strickland,[92] which, +though full of errors, is earnest on the whole, and very interesting +to _me_. 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.... + +With my affectionate love to dear Prince Albert, believe me ever, my +dearest Niece, your most devoted and affectionate Aunt, + +ADELAIDE. + + [Footnote 92: Miss Agnes Strickland (1808-1874), who also + edited _Letters of Mary Queen of Scots_, etc.] + + + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +CLAREMONT, _9th September 1841._ + +The Ministerial arrangements are now nearly completed. Writs for new +elections moved last night. + +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. + +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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN CRITICISES APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +_9th September 1841._ + +The Queen takes this opportunity of writing to Sir Robert Peel +_confidentially_ about another person: this is about Lord ----. The +Queen is strongly of opinion that Lord ---- should _not_ 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,[93] 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. + + [Footnote 93: As Governor-General of Canada.] + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +_9th September 1841._ + +... 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. + +He begs for the present to assure your Majesty that he shall 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL APOLOGISES] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Mr Anson._ + +WHITEHALL, _10th September 1841._ + +MY DEAR SIR,--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. + +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 _16th of September_. 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. + +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. + +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. + +I am, my dear Sir, very faithfully yours, + +ROBERT PEEL. + + + + +[Pageheading: DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _10th September 1841._ + +... Lord Melbourne has no doubt that Sir Robert Peel has the most +anxious wish to do everything that can be agreeable to your Majesty. + +Your Majesty should not omit to speak fully and seriously to 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.... + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: CANADA] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +WOBURN ABBEY, _12th September 1841._ + +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 greatly signify who is the Ambassador at Vienna, or even at +Petersburg or Paris. Stuart de Rothesay[94] and Strangford[95] are not +good men, either of them, but it will be difficult for Lord Aberdeen +to neglect their claims altogether. Heytesbury[96] is an able man, the +best they have. Sir Robert Gordon[97] 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. + +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.... + +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. + + [Footnote 94: The new Ambassador to St Petersburg.] + + [Footnote 95: Percy, sixth Viscount Strangford (1780-1855), + formerly Ambassador to Constantinople, whom Byron described as + + "Hibernian Strangford, with thine eyes of blue, + And boasted locks of red or auburn hue."] + + [Footnote 96: See _post_, p. 329. (Ch. X, 19th September, 1841)] + + [Footnote 97: The new Ambassador to Vienna.] + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIA AND AFGHANISTAN] + +[Pageheading: LORD ELLENBOROUGH'S REPORT] + +[Pageheading: INDIAN FINANCES] + + +_Lord Ellenborough[98] to Queen Victoria._ + +Lord Ellenborough presents his most humble duty to your Majesty, and +humbly acquaints your Majesty that having, on 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."[99] + +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. + +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:-- + + +"From the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India +Company to the Governor-General of India in Council. + +"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. + +"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 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. + +"We shall not fail to communicate to you at an early period our fixed +decision upon this subject." + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 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. + +It appeared that the political and military charges now incurred +beyond the Indus amounted to L1,250,000 a year--that the estimate of +the expense of the additions made to the Army in India, since April +1838, was L1,138,750 a year, and that the deficit of Indian Revenue +in 1839-40 having been L2,425,625, a further deficit of L1,987,000 was +expected in 1840-41. + +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. + + [Footnote 98: President of the Board of Control.] + + [Footnote 99: For the progress of affairs in Afghanistan, + _see_ Introductory Notes for 1839-1842. + (to Ch. VIII; Ch. IX; Ch. X; Ch. XI)] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Ellenborough._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th September 1841._ + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th September 1841._ + +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 +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. + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _21st September 1841._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty.... + +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.[100] + +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. + +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. + + [Footnote 100: He was made Governor and Captain of the Isle of + Wight, and Governor of Carisbrooke Castle.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE AND PEEL] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +ROYAL LODGE, _21st September 1841._ + +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 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." + +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." + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th September 1841._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _feel_ the _change_, and +I own I am much happier when I need _not_ see the Ministers; luckily +they do not want to see me often. I feel much the King's kindness +about Ste Aulaire;[101] I shall see him here on Tuesday next. + +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. + +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 +_particulierement_.... 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 _addio!_ dearest Uncle, and pray believe me, always, your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 101: See _post_, p. 334. (Ch. X, 1st October, 1841)] + + + + +[Pageheading: FINE ARTS COMMISSION] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +_26th September 1841._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _28th September 1841._ + +... 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 man[oe]uvres. Sir +Robert Gordon and Sir S. Canning will do very well.[102] + +Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty was pleased and +impressed with Archdeacon Wilberforce's[103] 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. + +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. + + [Footnote 102: For Vienna and Constantinople.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE'S ADVICE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _1st October 1841._ + +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 upon so many points. Ste Aulaire's +hair-powder seems to make a very deep and general impression.[104] +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[105] will not be a bad choice to accompany Sir +Charles[106] to Canada. Your Majesty knows Bulwer well. He is clever, +keen, active; somewhat bitter and caustic, and rather suspicious. A +man of a more straightforward 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[107] 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 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.... + +Lord Melbourne dined and slept on Wednesday at Wimbledon.[108] He +met there Lord and Lady Cottenham, Lord[109] 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. + + + [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 Moliere.... + Passez-lui ses cheveux poudres, son air galant et papillon + aupres des femmes. He cannot help it."] + + [Footnote 105: Sir Henry Bulwer, afterwards Lord Dalling.] + + [Footnote 106: Sir Charles Bagot.] + + [Footnote 107: He was a pupil of Raphael, celebrated for + (among other works) his "Fall of the Titans."] + + [Footnote 108: The word is almost illegible. Wimbledon was at + that time in the occupation of the Duke of Somerset.] + + [Footnote 109: Master of the Rolls.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PEERS AND AUDIENCES] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _2nd October 1841._ + +Sir James Graham with humble duty begs to lay before your Majesty two +letters, which he has received from the Earl of Radnor,[110] together +with the copy of the answer which Sir James Graham returned to the +first of the two letters. + +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. + +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:-- + +"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." + +The general practice on the part of the Sovereign has been not to +refuse these Audiences when Peers have asked them.... + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and +Servant, + +J. R. G. GRAHAM. + + [Footnote 110: William, third Earl, formerly M.P. for + Salisbury.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd October 1841._ + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CHINESE CAMPAIGN] + + +_Lord Ellenborough to Queen Victoria._ + +INDIA BOARD, _2nd October 1841._ + +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.[111] + +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 operations may commence at the +earliest period which the season allows. + +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. + + [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. _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, + p. 254. (Intro Note to Ch. X)] + + + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd October 1841._ + +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." + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLISH AND FOREIGN ARTISTS] + + +[Pageheading: SIR FRANCIS CHANTREY] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _4th October 1811._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne is very much rejoiced to hear that the Duchess of Kent +arrived safe and well and in good spirits. + +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 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." + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _5th October 1841._ + +... 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,[112] which appears to Lord Melbourne to be +very enlightened, dispassionate, and just.... + + [Footnote 112: Afterwards Sir Charles Eastlake, Keeper of the + National Gallery, 1843-1847, President of the Royal Academy, + 1850-1865.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S GRANT] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th October 1841._ + +Sat by Her Majesty last night at dinner. + +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. + +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 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. + +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 L70,000 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 _nothing_ 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. + +Her Majesty asked Dr Hawtrey the evening before who was the cleverest +boy at Eton. + +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." + + + + +_Memorandum by Baron Stockmar._ + +_6th October 1841._ + +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. + +The Prince sent for me and consulted with me. I was of opinion that +the Prince had better refrain from giving an 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. + +And so it was done. + + +[Pageheading: RELATIONS WITH PEEL] + + +My Memorandum was as follows:-- + + Sir Robert Peel has yet to make his position opposite[113] 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 _essential injustice_ 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 _too_, that a continued + correspondence of that sort must be fraught with imminent + danger to the Queen, especially to Lord Melbourne, and to the + State. + + [Footnote 113: _I.e._ with.] + +I then gave Anson the further arguments with which he was to accompany +the reading out of this Memo. + + +[Pageheading: DISCRETION URGED ON MELBOURNE] + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE'S INFLUENCE] + +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 '_apple[114] +opinion_.'" Anson told him that the Prince felt that 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[115] 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." + +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 _he_ saw +any danger likely to arise from this correspondence. After a long +pause he said, "_I certainly cannot think it right_," 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 _to Sir Robert's, and he should distinctly +advise the Queen to adhere to her Ministers in everything,[116] +unless he saw the time had arrived at which it might be +resisted_.[117] 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 (from not +feeling the necessity) to place any real confidence in the advice she +received from Peel. + + [Footnote 114: No doubt Lord Melbourne said an "apple-pie" + opinion.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 116: _Note by Baron Stockmar._--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?] + + [Footnote 117: _Note by Baron Stockmar._--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."] + + + + +_The Earl of Liverpool to Baron Stockmar._[118] + +FIFE HOUSE, _7th October 1841._ + +MY DEAR BARON,--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 _you_, 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 _roughshod_ 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 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, + +LIVERPOOL. + +Direct your answer to this house. + + [Footnote 118: This letter was submitted to the Queen.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AUDIENCES OF PEERS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _8th October 1841._ + +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.... + +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 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. + +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. + +Duncannon[119] 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.[120] Lord Charlemont[121] also was +prevented in some manner or another, which Lord Melbourne forgets. + +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.... + +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. + + [Footnote 119: Ex-First Commissioner of Land Revenue.] + + [Footnote 120: See _ante_, pp. 293 and 335-6. + (Ch. X, 'Lord Brougham'; 'Peers and Audiences')] + + [Footnote 121: Francis William, fifth Viscount Charlemont + (1775-1863), created a Peer of the United Kingdom in 1837.] + + + + +[Pageheading: GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF INDIA] + +[Pageheading: LORD ELLENBOROUGH] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +_9th October 1841._ + +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. + +Lord Ellenborough was very much gratified by the proposal, admitted at +once that it was very difficult to find an unexceptionable candidate +for an office of such pre-eminent importance, but made some difficulty +on two points. + +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. + +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 L7,500 per annum, the amount of compensation now paid to him in +consequence of the abolition of a very valuable office[122] which he +held in the Courts of Law. + +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. + +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-- + +"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." + +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. + +Sir Robert Peel humbly hopes that your Majesty will not disapprove of +the use which he made of a confidential note from your Majesty. + +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. + +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 _over-activity_ 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. + +The Duke of Wellington's comments have reference to these 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." + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN SPAIN] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th October 1841._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--- ... Respecting the Spanish affairs,[123] 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 _positively_ that Espartero _never_ would _hear_ 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 _we_ could _never +allow that_. You will see that I have given you a frank and fair +account.... + + [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.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _12th October 1841._ + +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. + +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 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[124] 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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND SPAIN] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _16th October 1841._ + +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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +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.[125] 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, 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. + + [Footnote 125: See _post_, p. 349. (Ch. X, 17th October, 1841)] + + + + +[Pageheading: MASTERSHIP OF TRINITY] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +_16th October 1841._ + +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. + +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:-- + + Professor Whewell.[126] + The Rev. Mr Martin,[127] Bursar of the College. + The Rev. Dr Wordsworth,[128] Head Master of Harrow School, + and son of the present Master of Trinity. + +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. + +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,[129] and of other +works which have attracted considerable notice. + +He is a general favourite among all who have had intercourse with him +from his good temper and easy and conciliatory manners. Though not +_peculiarly_ eminent as a divine (less so 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[130] and the Bishop of London[131] (himself +of Trinity College) incline to think that the most satisfactory +appointment upon the whole would be that of Professor Whewell. + +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. + + [Footnote 126: Then Knightsbridge Professor of Moral + Philosophy.] + + [Footnote 127: Francis Martin, afterwards Vice-Master, died + 1868.] + + [Footnote 128: Christopher Wordsworth, afterwards Bishop of + Lincoln.] + + [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--L8,000 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.] + + [Footnote 130: William Howley.] + + [Footnote 131: O. J. Blomfield.] + + + + +[Pageheading: QUEEN ISABELLA] + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +_17th October 1841._ + +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 _capable_ 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 _own_ doing, and therefore it is not the kindest conduct +towards her children, but the very _worst_, 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. + +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 _France wishes_ 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 +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +PANSHANGER, _21st October 1841._ + +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.[132] Yesterday Sir Edward L. Bulwer[133] 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.... + +Lord Melbourne is rather in doubt about his own movements. Lord +Leicester[134] presses him much to go to Holkham, where Lord +Fortescue,[135] Mr Ellice[136] 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,[137] Wentworth,[138] and Castle Howard,[139] 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. + + [Footnote 132: A daughter of George Canning, the Prime + Minister.] + + [Footnote 133: Afterwards Lord Lytton, the novelist.] + + [Footnote 134: The famous country gentleman, "Mr Coke of + Norfolk."] + + [Footnote 135: Hugh, second Earl, K.G.] + + [Footnote 136: The Right Hon. Edward Ellice, M.P. ("Bear" + Ellice).] + + [Footnote 137: Near Lichfield, a seat of Lord Anglesey.] + + [Footnote 138: Lord Fitzwilliam's house, near Rotherham.] + + [Footnote 139: Lord Carlisle's house, near York, built by + Vanbrugh.] + + + + +[Pageheading: HOLLAND AND BELGIUM] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _22 October 1841._ + +... 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 Salic custom which +Philip V. had brought from France,[140] 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 _opposed_ to the idea of one of his sons going +there; in France, however, that opinion still exists, and Thiers had +it, strongly. + +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 _par la force des circonstances_, but now this +took a turn which I am sure the King does not like; it places him, +besides, into _une position ingrate_; 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 +_tapis_, that I came back on Tuesday, the 19th.... + +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,[141] 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 _is_ 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 _chassez croisez_ with +Otho;[142] he would be the gainer in solids, and I should have sun and +an interesting country; I will try to make him understand this, the +more so as you do not any longer want me in the West. + + [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 _ante_, p. 44. (Ch. V, Footnote 9)] + + [Footnote 141: William I., who had abdicated in order to marry + again, and William II., his son, who was nearly fifty.] + + [Footnote 142: The King of Greece, elected in 1833.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AMBASSADORS' AUDIENCES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +_25th October 1841._ + +With respect to the appointment of Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench, +the Queen approves of Mr Pennefather[143] 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 +_not_ 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. + +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 +_ever_ 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 +_not_ 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. + +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.[144] + + [Footnote 143: Recently appointed Solicitor-General; Sergeant + J. D. Jackson now succeeded him.] + + [Footnote 144: The statement of the Royal Navy in Commission + at the beginning of 1841 sets out 160 vessels carrying 4,277 + guns.] + + + + +[Pageheading: STOCKMAR AND MELBOURNE] + +[Pageheading: STOCKMAR'S ADVICE] + + +_Memorandum by Baron Stockmar._ + +_25th October 1841._ + +... I told [Lord Melbourne] that, as I read the English Constitution, +it meant to assign to _the Sovereign in his functions a deliberative +part_--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, _against his own and better conviction_, 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 _now_ 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.[145] 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. + +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 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 _cease all +her communications_ 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." + + [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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +_26th October 1841._ + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _26th October 1841._ + +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. + +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 that his high spirits did +not betray him into talking too much or too heedlessly, which he is +conscious that they sometimes do. + +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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: DISPUTE WITH UNITED STATES] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _28th October 1841._ + +... 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[146] by the +President of the United States.[147] + +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. + +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. + +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 disquietude and alarm, may +provide for an unfavourable issue of our present differences with the +United States. + +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. + + [Footnote 146: British Minister at Washington.] + + [Footnote 147: One Alexander M'Leod was tried at Utica on + the charge of being implicated in the destruction of the + _Caroline_ (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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PORTUGAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _31st October 1841._ + +The Queen received yesterday evening Lord Aberdeen's letter with the +accompanying despatches and draft. She certainly _is_ surprised at the +strange and improper tone in which Lord Howard's[148] 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. + +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 _soften_ the +words under which she has drawn a pencil line, as she fears they might +irritate Lord Howard very much. + +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:-- + +"_Je dois encore vous dire que nous avons toutes les raisons de nous +louer de la maniere dont le Portugal est traite par votre Ministre des +Affaires Etrangeres, et nous ferons de notre cote notre possible pour +prouver notre bonne volonte."_ + + [Footnote 148: Lord Howard de Walden, Minister Plenipotentiary + at Lisbon.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SECRETARIES OF STATE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _1st November 1841._ + +... Now for His Royal Highness's questions.... + +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 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. + +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.[149] The persons then +appointed were the Duke of Portland,[150] Lord Grenville,[151] and Mr +Dundas,[152] Home, Foreign, and Colonial Secretaries. + +Writing from recollection, it is very possible that Lord Melbourne may +be wrong in some of the dates which he has ventured to specify.[153] + + [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. _See_ Lord + Melbourne's letter of 31st December 1837, _ante_, p. 100. + (Ch. VI, 'State Departments')] + + [Footnote 150: Third Duke (1738-1809).] + + [Footnote 151: William Wyndham, Lord Grenville (1759-1834).] + + [Footnote 152: Henry Dundas (1742-1811), afterwards Lord + Melville.] + + [Footnote 153: See _post_, pp. 358, 359. + (Ch. X, 'The English Constitution', et seq.)] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _4th November 1841._ + +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.... + +Lord Melbourne sends a letter which he has received from 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.... + +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. + +_Prime Minister_ 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[154] accounts of her father, that in his +own family Lord North would never suffer himself to be called _prime_ +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. + +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, 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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SECRETARIES OF STATE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _5th November 1841._ + +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[155] 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. + +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. + +The present arrangement was settled in 1794, which is about the time +which Lord Melbourne stated. + + [Footnote 155: Secretary and Librarian at Holland House.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S POSITION] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _7th November 1841._ + +... 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 about him much of the French +vivacity, and also much of their settled and regular style of +argument.... + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: STOCKMAR'S ADVICE] + +[Pageheading: STOCKMAR'S EXPOSTULATIONS] + + +_Memorandum: Baron Stockmar to Viscount Melbourne._ + +_23 November 1841._ + +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 _of any fair opportunity_ 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 that, without apparent cause, you had +volunteered the promise to write from time to time. This happens at +a moment when _your_ 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 _before_, the other after, your +departure from here. Some weeks back I was walking in the streets with +Dr Praetorius,[156] when, finding myself opposite the house of one +of my friends, it came across my mind to give him a call. Praetorius +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, Praetorius +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. + +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 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." + +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. + +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 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. + +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.[157] 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, + +STOCKMAR. + + [Footnote 156: Librarian and German Secretary to Prince + Albert.] + + [Footnote 157: _Ante_, pp. 352-3. (Ch. X, 'Stockmar and Melbourne')] + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE'S REPLY] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Baron Stockmar._ + +_24th November 1841._ + +(_Half-past 10_ P.M.) + +MY DEAR BARON,--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, + +MELBOURNE. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HEIR APPARENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _29th November 1841._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you for four most kind letters, of +the 4th, 6th, 19th and 26th; the last I received 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 _essentials_, I am better, if possible, than last +year. Our little boy[158] 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 _hope_ and _pray_ he may be like +his dearest Papa. He is to be called _Albert_, and Edward is to be his +second name. Pussy, dear child, is still _the_ great pet amongst us +all, and is getting so fat and strong again. + +I beg my most affectionate love to dearest Louise and the dear +children. The Queen-Dowager is recovering wonderfully. + +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 _not_ +think my hand trembles. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Pussy is _not_ at all pleased with her brother. + + [Footnote 158: His Majesty King Edward VII., born 9th + November.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE INFANT PRINCE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +TRENTHAM, _1st December 1841._ + +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. + +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 _Edward_ is a good English +appellation, and has a certain degree of popularity attached 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[159] 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. + +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.... + +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.... + +Lord Melbourne concludes with again wishing your Majesty health and +happiness, and much enjoyment of the country. + + [Footnote 159: King Frederick William IV., who was to be a + sponsor.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE OF WALES] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _6th December 1841._ + +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.[160] + +Understanding that it is your Majesty's pleasure to have this Creation +inserted in the _Gazette_ 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. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and +Servant, + +J. R. G. GRAHAM. + + [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...."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th December 1841._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We arrived here _sains et saufs_ 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 _must_ not +despond so; you must not be so out of spirits. I have likewise been +suffering so from _lowness_ 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 _how_ fervent my prayers and +I am [sure] _everybody's_ must be, to see him resemble his angelic +dearest Father in _every, every_ respect, both in body and mind. Oh! +my dearest Uncle, I am sure if you knew _how_ happy, how blessed I +feel, and how _proud_ I feel in possessing _such_ 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 _just_ like him! Dear Pussy +travelled with us and behaved like a 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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE APPROACHING CHRISTENING] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +CASTLE HOWARD, _22nd December 1841._ + +... 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.... + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE UNITED STATES] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _24th December 1841._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. He +ventures to request your Majesty's attention 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.[161] 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. + +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. + +Lord Aberdeen humbly ventures to think that such a person may be found +in Lord Ashburton,[162] whom he submits for your Majesty's gracious +approbation. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 162: Alexander, first Lord Ashburton, who had held + office in Peel's short Ministry, and married Miss Bingham of + Philadelphia. See _post_, p. 461. (Ch. XII, Footnote 10)] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHRISTMAS] + + +_Memorandum by Mr Anson._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1841._ + +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. + +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 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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +MELBOURNE, _29th December 1841._ + +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.... + +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. + +The railway smash[163] 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. + +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. + + [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.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XI + + +THE 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. + +In Afghanistan, the disasters of the previous year were retrieved; Sir +Robert Sale, who was gallantly defending Jellalabad, made a _sortie_ +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +1842 + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +SUDBURY HALL, _4th January 1842._ + +MY DEAR NIECE,--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 _facon de parler_, but +my sincere wish. + +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. + +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 _pleasant occupation_. + +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. + +Will you kiss your darlings in my name and bless them, and pray +believe me ever, my dear Niece, your most affectionately devoted Aunt, + +ADELAIDE. + + + + +[Pageheading: WINDSOR] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS,[1] _5th January 1842._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to +return to your Majesty and to His Royal Highness 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.... + +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. + +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. + + [Footnote 1: The house of Lord Palmerston in Hants.] + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _6th January 1842._ + +... 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[2] 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. + + [Footnote 2: Founded by Frederick I. in 1701.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DISASTERS IN AFGHANISTAN] + + +_Lord Fitzgerald to Queen Victoria._ + +_8th January 1842._ + +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 in the public journals +of yesterday, the particulars of which the editors of these journals +had received by express messengers from Marseilles.[3] + +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. + +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. + +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. + +All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty, by your +Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant, + +FITZGERALD AND VESCI. + + [Footnote 3: _See_ Introductory Note, 1841, _ante_, p. 254. + The rebellion broke out at Cabul on 2nd November, and Sir + Alexander Burnes was murdered. (Intro Note to Ch. X)] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE OXFORD MOVEMENT] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS, _12th January 1842._ + +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. + +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 +_Tracts for the Times_, and generally called the Oxford Tracts. The +Professorship of 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.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MORNING CHRONICLE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _17th January 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +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.[4] + +Lord Melbourne was at Broadlands when the Article to which your +Majesty alludes appeared in the _Morning Chronicle_, 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 _Morning +Chronicle_ 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 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 _Morning Chronicle_, 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. + +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. + +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. + +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.[5] Lord Melbourne will take care and say nothing about +Brighton, but is glad to hear that your Majesty is going thither. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 5: The late Lord Granville and his first wife, + only child of the Duc de Dalberg, and widow of Sir Ferdinand + Acton.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th January 1842._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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 _so_ +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 _me_; 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. + +Albert's great _fonction_[6] yesterday went off beautifully, and he +was so much admired in all ways; he always _fascinates_ 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 _addio_. Ever your most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 6: The Prince laid the foundation stone of the new + Royal Exchange.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON] + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _21st January 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +All of which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's +most dutiful and devoted Subject and Servant, + +WELLINGTON. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd January 1842._ + +The Queen cannot say _how grieved_ she is, and the Prince also, at +hearing of Lord Melbourne's serious indisposition, by his letter this +morning. How _very_ provoking if he cannot come on Tuesday. It will +be the _only_ important ceremony during the Queen's reign which Lord +Melbourne has _not_ been present at, and it grieves her _deeply_. It +was already a deep mortification not to see him in his old place, but +not to see him _at all_ is _too_ provoking. If Lord Melbourne should +soon get well we shall hope to see him later during the King's[7] +stay. The Prince is gone to Greenwich to meet the King, and I expect +them about five o'clock. + +The Queen hopes to hear soon of Lord Melbourne's being better, and +expresses again her very sincere regret at his being prevented from +coming. + + [Footnote 7: Frederick Wilham IV., King of Prussia.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SLAVE TRADE] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +_28th January 1842._ + +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.[8] Lord Aberdeen has had one prepared for your Majesty's use, +which he humbly begs to lay before your Majesty. + +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. + + [Footnote 8: The treaty conferred a mutual right of search.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _1st February 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne was in despair at hearing of poor Eos.[9] 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. + +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[10] 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. + + [Footnote 9: A favourite greyhound of the Prince, accidentally + shot by Prince Ferdinand. _See_ King Leopold's letter, 4th + February.] + + [Footnote 10: This letter is not preserved among the Queen's + papers.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st February 1842._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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 _touche_ 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 _liee_ with +Germany, and I think, dearest Uncle, that it would be for the _real_ +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 _little_ Albert (_what_ a pleasure that he has that +_dearest_ 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. + +Uncle Ferdinand is very well, and we are delighted with dear +Leopold;[11] he is so much improved, and is such a modest, sensible +boy. + +I can't say much for poor Gusti,[12] 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, + +VICTORIA R. + +We were grieved to hear Papa had been so ill. + + [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 _post_, p. 487. + (Ch. XII, Footnote 54)] + + [Footnote 12: Prince Augustus, afterwards married to the + Princess Clementine, daughter of King Louis Philippe.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA] + +[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF PRINCE ERNEST] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _4th February 1842._ + +MY DEAR VICTORIA,--Thousand thanks for your kind letter of the 1st, +which I received yesterday. + +The King of Prussia is a very delightful person;[13] 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. + +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 +_correct_ views of what is going on in the West of Europe. + +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 _himself_, he may do a great deal of harm, +and may force us to incline more towards France for fear of _his_ +intrigues with France. + +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 of the family. Ernest +has then been going on fast enough; all I hear of the lady is very +satisfactory.[14] I don't yet know when he means to come here. + +Now I must conclude. In haste, ever, my dear Victoria, your +affectionate Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [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."] + + [Footnote 14: He married the Princess Alexandrina of Baden on + 3rd May 1842.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th February 1842._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I thank you _de tout mon c[oe]ur_ 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,"[15] and quite unhappy at the state of things +in that country.... + +Ernest's marriage is a _great, great delight_ to us; thank God! I say, +as I so ardently wished it, and Alexandrina is said to be really _so_ +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. + +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. + +We are off for Brighton the day after to-morrow; I can't say I _like_ +it at all. We were, and the boy too, all three, vaccinated from the +same child yesterday! Now adieu! Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Fanny Jocelyn is taking her first waiting, and makes a most excellent +and sedate _Dame d'Honneur_. I am sorry she is so very thin still. + + [Footnote 15: The King of Holland. _See_ King Leopold's letter + of 4th February.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHRISTENING OF PRINCE OF WALES] + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, _5th February 1842._ + +MY DEAR NIECE,--I thank you a thousand times for your kind letter, +just received, and am delighted with the hope of 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. + +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. + +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 _very much_; he described her to me as the most lovely +child he ever saw. + +I enclose the impression of my seal, according to your wish.... + +With my best love to dear Albert, I beg you to believe me ever, +dearest Victoria, your most attached and devoted Aunt, + +ADELAIDE. + +May I ask you to give my affectionate respects to the King of Prussia, +and my love to your Mamma? + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _14th February, Monday Night._ (_Half-past_ 1 A.M.) + +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. + +Lord John Russell was followed in the debate by Mr Gladstone, the +Vice-President of the Board of Trade, who vindicated the plan.... + +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 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL AND PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + +WHITEHALL, _15th February(?) 1842._ + +SIR,--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. + +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. + +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, + +ROBERT PEEL. + +_P.S._--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. + + + + +[Pageheading: AFGHANISTAN] + + +_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._ + +INDIA BOARD, _1st March 1842._ + +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.[16] + +Although the Governor-General's despatch announcing these melancholy +tidings also states that no strictly official intelligence 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +He at the same time solicits permission to annex a _precis_ 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. + +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. + +All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty by your +Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant, + +FITZGERALD AND VESCI. + + [Footnote 16: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, pp. 254, 370. + (Intro Note to Ch. X; Intro Note to Ch. XI)] + + + + +[Pageheading: A MARINE EXCURSION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +PAVILION, _4th March 1842._ + +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. + +Our excursion was most successful and gratifying. It rained very much +all Monday evening at Portsmouth, but, nevertheless, we visited the +_St Vincent_ and the _Royal George_ yacht, and the Prince went all +over the Dockyards. + +It stormed and rained all night, and rained when we set off on bord +the _Black Eagle_ (the _Firebrand_ that was) for Spithead on Tuesday +morning; it, however, got quite fine when we got there, and we went on +board the _Queen_, 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. + +It was a great pleasure for the Queen to be at sea again, and not a +creature _thought_ 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. + +The Queen was also much pleased at seeing four of the crew of the +_Emerald_ again whom she knew so well _nine years_ 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. + +The Queen sends Lord Melbourne a letter from the Queen of Portugal, +all which tends to show how _wrong_ it is to _think_ that they connive +at the restoration of the Charter.... + +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. + +Was not his father drowned at Spithead or Portsmouth?[17] + +The Queen hopes to hear that Lord Melbourne is very well. + + [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, _aet._ twenty-three], + "which event, together with the death of two younger sons of + Lord Hardwicke, gave the earldom ultimately to the present + Lord."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +PAVILION, _7th March 1842._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--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 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 _future_. 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. + +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 _Queen_, 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 _other_ nation _can_ equal us in _this_.... + +Now _addio!_ Ever your most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE FALL OF CABUL] + +_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._ + +_10th March 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + +The despatches from the Governor-General of India come down to the +date of the 22nd of January (three days previous 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE GARTER] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _20th March 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +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:-- + + The Duke of Cleveland + The Duke of Montrose + The Marquis of Hertford + The Marquis of Bute + The Marquis of Abercorn + The Marquis Camden + The Marquis of Londonderry. + +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.[18] + +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 in the Lieutenancy of a +county to his case in reference to his county of Durham. + +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. + + [Footnote 18: The Garter was conferred on the Duke of + Cleveland.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EARL OF MUNSTER] + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND THE INCOME TAX] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _21st March 1842._ + +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,[19] 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. + +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. + +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[20] +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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for the kindness of your +letter.... + +Everybody says that the marriage between Miss Stuart and Lord +Waterford[21] 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. + +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. + +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.... + +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 letter with the most fervent expression of his most sincere +wishes for your Majesty's health and happiness. + +Lord Melbourne in speaking of poor Lord Munster forgot to mention that +at the Levee 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. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 20: The Queen had decided that she would herself pay + Income Tax.] + + [Footnote 21: Henry, third Marquis, and Louisa, second + daughter of Lord Stuart de Rothesay, were married on 8th + June.] + + + + +[Pageheading: STRAWBERRY HILL] + +[Pageheading: THE ROYAL GOVERNESS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +PANSHANGER, _31st March 1842._ + +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. + +The sale of Strawberry Hill[22] 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,[23] 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. + +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. + +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[24] 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. + +Lord Melbourne is very glad to learn that your Majesty intends to +offer the Round Tower[25] 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. + +Lord Melbourne thinks that your Majesty's decision respecting the +Governess[26] 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. + +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. + + [Footnote 22: Near Twickenham, formerly the residence of + Horace Walpole, and filled with his collection of pictures and + _objets de vertu_.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 24: Lord Adolphus FitzClarence (1802-1856), a + Rear-Admiral, brother of the Earl of Munster.] + + [Footnote 25: The Earl of Munster had held the office of + Governor and Constable of Windsor Castle, with a salary of + L1,000 a year.] + + [Footnote 26: To the Royal children. Lady Lyttelton was + ultimately appointed.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PARTY POLITICS] + +[Pageheading: THE GARTER] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _6th April 1842._ + +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 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. + +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." + +The Garters[27] 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 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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne is very much concerned to hear of the Baron's[28] +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. + +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. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 28: Baron Stockmar.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A BRILLIANT BALL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th April 1842._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--I am so sorry to see by your kind letter of the +15th that you are all so _enrhumes_, but hear to-day from Vecto that +Charlotte is quite well again. I am quite bewildered with all the +arrangements for our _bal costume_, 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 _Aufzug_; 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 _confuse_. + +To get a little rest we mean to run down to Claremont with the +children from Friday to Monday. My last ball was very splendid, and I +have a concert on Monday next.... + +I hope Ernest and dear Alexandrine will come in June, and stay some +time _quietly_ 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, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _20th April 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +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.... + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT AND THE ARMY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th April 1842._ + +The Queen encloses the Prince's letter to Sir Robert Peel, containing +his acceptance of the Guards. At the same time, 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[29] a mark of favour +should be bestowed upon him.... + +The Queen hopes Sir Robert will think of this. + + [Footnote 29: Lord Cardigan was promoted Major-General in + 1847. He became Inspector-General of Cavalry, and received the + K.C.B. in 1855.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _26th April 1842._ + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: GOETHE AND SCHILLER] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _15th May 1842._ + +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 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. + +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. + +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[30] +always seemed to him a very pleasing young man, and well calculated to +make a woman happy. + +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.[31] 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. + +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,[32] 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. + +Lord Melbourne intends to return on Wednesday, and will have the +honour and pleasure of waiting upon your Majesty on Thursday. + + [Footnote 30: The second Earl Cawdor, who married Miss Sarah + Mary Cavendish.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 32: In the Wallenstein Trilogy.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _20th May 1842._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I found here yesterday a very long and dear +letter from your august hand, which made me very happy. Your _fete_ +I believe to have been most probably one of the most splendid _ever_ +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR EDWIN LANDSEER] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _27th May 1842._ + +... 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. + +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.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th May 1842._ + +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. + +We have got our dear Uncle Mensdorff[33] and his four sons here, which +is a great happiness to us. Dear Uncle (who Lord Melbourne is aware is +a _most_ distinguished officer) is a delightful 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 _vice versa_--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. + +Lady Lyttelton _is_ established here in her new office, and does +everything admirably. + +The Queen must conclude here as she has got so much to do--hoping Lord +Melbourne is well. + + [Footnote 33: _See_ p. 97.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LANDSEER DECLINES KNIGHTHOOD] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _31st May 1842._ + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to +acquaint your Majesty, that he has just seen Mr Landseer. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: ATTEMPT ON THE QUEEN] + +[Pageheading: JOHN FRANCIS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _31st May 1842._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE.--I wish to be the first to inform you of what +happened yesterday evening, and to tell you that we are _saines et +sauves_. 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 _nobody else_. +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[34] (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 _nothing_ 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 _des plus agreables_; 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 _next to whom he was standing +when he_ fired, but we did not stop. Colonel Arbuthnot and two others +saw him take aim, but we only _heard_ 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 +_protecting_ us! The feeling of horror is very great in the public, +and great affection is shown us. The man was yesterday examined 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 on Sunday, which exactly answered. Only twenty +or twenty-one years old, and _not_ the _least_ mad--but very cunning. +The boy identified him this morning, amongst many others. Everything +is to be kept secret _this_ 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 _very_ proud at +dear Uncle Mensdorff calling me "_sehr muthig_," 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, + +VICTORIA R. + +You will tell Louise _all_, of course. + + [Footnote 34: The Hon. Charles Augustus Murray, Master of the + Household, afterwards Consul-General of Egypt, and Minister in + Persia and at Dresden.] + + + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +BUSHEY HOUSE (_Monday night_), _May 1842._ + +MY DEAR NIECE,--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 (_sic_) to alarm you--though in +this instance there was nothing alarming except the evil spirit which +inspired the boy. + +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. + +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. + +Edward[35] 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 _for_ and _with you both_, and how I thank God and +pray that His merciful protection may never fail you. + +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 you ever and ever! dearest +Victoria, prays your most devotedly attached Aunt, + +ADELAIDE. + + [Footnote 35: Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _1st June 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ADDRESS] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _1st June 1842._ + +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. + +The two Houses of Parliament followed the exact precedent which +has been established in Oxford's case; and although 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. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and +Servant, + +J. R. G. GRAHAM. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th June 1842._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _mauvais sujet_. 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. + +Dear Uncle and the Cousins are delighted with Windsor, and the weather +is beautiful, only unfortunately _too_ hot to be pleasant. I rode on +my little Barb at a review of Cavalry at Wormwood Scrubbs on Saturday, +_dont je suis bien fiere_. Now adieu! dearest Uncle. In haste, your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN] + +[Pageheading: SALE AND POLLOCK] + + +_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._ + +INDIA BOARD, _7th June 1842._ + +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. + +They announce a signal victory, achieved by Sir Robert Sale and his +admirable garrison.[36] + +The circumstances attending his glorious success, and the consequences +likely to result from it, are amongst the most important of this +hurtful war. + +They are described in Sir Robert Sale's Report, as published in the +_Bombay Gazette_, a copy of which is most humbly submitted to your +Majesty. + +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.[37] + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +FITZGERALD AND VESCI. + + + [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 _sortie_ on 7th April, and secured + a great victory over Akbar Khan, whose force outnumbered + Sale's by five to one.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEBATE ON THE INCOME TAX] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _10th June 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +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[38] 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.... + +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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: QUEEN'S FIRST RAILWAY JOURNEY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th June 1842._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Though I shall have the inexpressible happiness +of seeing you and dearest Louise so soon, I write 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.[39] 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.... + +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 _good_ in dear Arthur! and they are all five so fond of +Pussy, and she so fond of them.... Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + [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, _The + Railways of England_, p. 17.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE INCOME TAX BILL] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _19th June 1842._ + +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. + +The course which had been taken upon the Income Tax in the House of +Commons,[40] 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. + +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. + +The feelings which your Majesty expresses upon the conviction of this +man[41] 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. + +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[42] to danger; and therefore it is a duty to throw +around it every protection which the law and the execution of the law +can afford. + +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. + +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.?[43] It is a curious [work], gives a curious account of +the _interieur_, and shows the King and Queen and the Princesses in a +very amiable light. + + [Footnote 40: Lord John Russell had strenuously opposed the + Income Tax Bill, but had been defeated by large majorities.] + + [Footnote 41: Frances was tried on 17th June, and convicted. + The death sentence was commuted to one of transportation for + life.] + + [Footnote 42: Used in the classical sense of "exposed to"; + _cf._ "obnoxia fato."] + + [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 + _Quarterly_, to which Macaulay replied in the _Edinburgh_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A PRESENT FROM MUSCAT] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _28th June 1842._ + +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. + +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. + + +[List of Articles sent for Her Most Gracious Majesty, The + Mighty Queen, a trifling Gift scarce worth being + mentioned.] + + Two Pearl Necklaces, + Two Emeralds, + An Ornament made like a Crown, + Ten Cashmere Shawls, + One Box containing four Bottles Otto of Roses. + 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[44] from Ali bin Nassur, and make an excuse +for me to Her Most Gracious Majesty, and peace be on you! + + [Footnote 44: _I.e._ accept.] + + + + + +_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._ + +INDIA BOARD, _4th July 1842._ + +... From the seat of war, the intelligence is most satisfactory. The +conduct of the army, its perseverance and its courage, have not been +surpassed in the military history of British India. + +Recent events have not, however, changed the views of Lord +Ellenborough as to the general policy which he recommends to be +pursued. + +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. + +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. + +In the Indian Dominions and in the native Army the best spirit +prevails. + +All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty, by your +Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant, + +FITZGERALD AND VESCI. + + + + +[Pageheading: BEAN'S ATTEMPT ON THE QUEEN] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _4th July 1842._ + +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[45] 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.[46] +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 only collect the intentions of men from the deeds which they +perform. + +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. + + [Footnote 45: Bean, a deformed lad, presented a pistol at the + Queen in the Mall.] + + [Footnote 46: The perpetrators of attempts on King Louis + Philippe.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUKE OF ORLEANS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _14th July 1842._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--These two horrible news of poor dear Chartres'[47] +fatal accident have quite overcome us. It is the most dreadful +misfortune I ever remember, and will be felt everywhere. I can't say +_how_ I feel it; I liked and admired him, and know how he was adored +by all of you, and by poor wretched Helene, whom this will kill. Those +poor helpless little children! it is _too_ melancholy. After escaping +from so many dangers, to be cut off in this way is _too_ 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 +Helene could not be with him in his last moments! God be with you all, +and believe me, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +I had begun a letter to poor _Chartres_ this morning. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ACCOUNT OF THE ACCIDENT] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _15th July 1842._ + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--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. + +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 Helene. May God help +them and have mercy on them! Clementine and Victoire are gone to +Plombieres to give to Helene 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. + +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, + +LOUISE. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +CLAREMONT, _16th July 1842._ + +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.[48] 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 _unbiassed_--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 _fair_, it is indifferent to her who goes there.... + + [Footnote 48: Then British Minister at the Hague.] + + + + +[Pageheading: GRIEF OF THE QUEEN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +CLAREMONT, _17th July 1842._ + +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 Helene, 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 _last scene_, +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 Helene had not even that +comfort! + +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. + +We are here since yesterday week, enjoying the fine weather, and great +quiet and peace; but the news from Paris have damped our spirits. + +The Queen is charmed with her new sister,[49] who is a most amiable, +sensible, and gentle creature, and without being really handsome, very +pretty and pleasing. + +We return to town to-morrow and the Queen hopes soon to see Lord +Melbourne. We intend going to Windsor to settle, on Saturday. + +The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne is quite well. + + [Footnote 49: The Duchess Ernest of Saxe-Coburg.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM KING LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +NEUILLY, _17 Juillet 1842._ + +MADAME MA BIEN CHERE ET BIEN BONNE S[OE]UR,--J'ai bien reconnu +le c[oe]ur de votre Majeste dans l'empressement qu'elle a mis a +m'exprimer la part qu'elle prend a mon malheur. Ma malheureuse Reine +en est egalement bien touchee, et si elle ne le temoigne pas elle-meme +des aujourd'hui a votre Majeste, c'est qu'elle est encore dans +l'impossibilite d'ecrire. Nous osons lui demander tous les deux, +d'etre notre interprete aupres du Prince Albert, et de lui dire +combien nous sommes sensibles a son interet. S'il pouvait y avoir une +consolation au coup affreux qui a frappe nos vieux jours, ce serait +ces temoignages d'interet, et les regrets dont on entoure le tombeau +de mon enfant cheri, et la perte immense que tous ont faite en lui! +C'est a present qu'on sent ce qu'il etait, et ce qu'il devenait chaque +jour de plus en plus. + +Je remercie de nouveau votre Majeste, du fond de mon c[oe]ur brise, de +tous les sentiments dont elle veut bien me donner tant de preuves, et +je la prie d'agreer l'expression de la haute estime et de l'inviolable +amitie avec lesquelles, je suis, Madame, ma tres chere S[oe]ur, de +votre Majeste, le bien affectionne Frere, + +LOUIS PHILIPPE R. + + + + +_The Queen of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +NEUILLY, _19 Juillet 1842._ + +MADAME MA TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Je comptais que votre Majeste et le +Prince Albert s'associeraient a notre immense douleur; que Dieu vous +benisse pour les tendres expressions de votre lettre. Nous sommes +aneantis par le coup dont Dieu nous a frappes, que sa Sainte Volonte +soit faite! J'ai perdu l'objet de ma plus vive tendresse, celui qui +depuis 32 ans avait ete mon amour, mon bonheur, et ma gloire, plein de +vie, d'avenir, ma tete n'y est plus, mon c[oe]ur est fletri, je tache +de me resigner, je pleure et je prie pour cette Ame qui m'etait si +chere et pour que Dieu nous conserve l'infortune et precieux Roi dont +la douleur est incommensurable; nous tachons de nous reunir tous +pour faire un faisceau autour de lui. Notre ange de Louise et votre +excellent oncle sont arrives avant-hier; leur presence nous a fait +du bien. Helene, aneantie par la douleur, a un courage admirable, sa +sante se soutient. Nemours, dont l'affliction est inexprimable, tache +de prendre des forces pour nous consoler tous, et les bonnes Victoire +et Clementine apres l'horrible et douleureuse scene a laquelle elles +avaient assiste, ont passe trois nuits pour aller chercher leur +infortunee Belle-S[oe]ur. Enfin, Dieu veut que nous vivions pour nous +soutenir les uns les autres, que ce Dieu Tout Puissant vous benisse, +Madame, et vous preserve a jamais de pareilles douleurs, c'est le +v[oe]u bien sincere de celle qui se dit de tout son c[oe]ur, Madame, +De votre Majeste la toute devouee S[oe]ur, + +MARIE AMELIE. + + + + +[Pageheading: LEIGH HUNT] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _22nd July 1842._ + +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.[50] + +It is a very gay and lively work, and has in it some wit and fun. + +Lord Melbourne had great pleasure yesterday in seeing your Majesty +well and in good spirits. + + [Footnote 50: The poem was no doubt _The Palfrey; a Love-Story + of Old Times_.] + + + + +_Mr Leigh Hunt to Viscount Melbourne._ + +32 EDWARDES SQUARE, KENSINGTON, _15th July 1842._ + +MY LORD,--I was once speaking to Mr Fonblanque[51] of my unwillingness +to trouble your Lordship, when Prime Minister, with a request to lay +my tragedy of the _Legend of Florence_[52] 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 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. + +The bookseller tells me that it is no longer "the mode" for authors to +present their volumes _bound_; 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. + +I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's ever grateful and +faithful Servant, + +LEIGH HUNT. + + [Footnote 51: Hunt had founded _The Examiner_ in 1808, and + Albany Fonblanque (1793-1872) had succeeded him on it as + leader writer.] + + [Footnote 52: Leigh Hunt's play, _A Legend of Florence_, had + had a great success at Covent Garden in 1840; in 1852 it was + performed at Windsor by the Queen's command.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE AFFLICTED FAMILY] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +NEUILLY, _21st July 1842._ + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--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 _great misfortune_. I know it is very +heart-felt, and we are all very grateful for it. Victoire and my poor +mother have already given you news from the unfortunate Helene. +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 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. + +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 _merry_ 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[53] is much grown, extremely quick +and lively, and begins to speak. The remainder of the family is, +as you may easily imagine, in the _deepest affliction_. Nemours +especially is quite broken down with grief. Chartres was _more_ than +a _brother_ to him, as he was _more_ than a _second father_ to us all. +He was the _head_ and the _heart_ and _soul_ of the whole family. We +all looked up to him, and we found him on all occasions. A _better_, +or even _such_ 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 _most +necessary_ 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 _all_ 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.... + +I thank you again and again, my beloved Victoria, for all your +interest and sympathy. I was sure you would think of 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;[54] but once more, _God's will be done_. I +remain now and ever, yours most devotedly, + +LOUISE. + +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. + + [Footnote 53: The young Duc de Chartres, born in 1840.] + + [Footnote 54: See _ante_, p. 144. (Ch. VIII, Footnote 8)] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _23rd July 1842._ + +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.[55] 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.... + +Several members of the Opposition voted with the Government, and +declared that they would not be parties to such vexatious proceedings. + +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. + +The motion was negatived by a majority of 156 to 64--92. The House did +not adjourn until three this morning. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FURTHER PARTICULARS OF ACCIDENT] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +NEUILLY, _22nd July 1842._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 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. + +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 _valet de +chambre_, 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 _alone_. He set +out later than he expected, and if the King had set out _exactly_ as +he had named, the parents and the son would probably have met on the +rising avenue of the Champs Elysees, towards the Barriere de l'Etoile +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 _quasi_ 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 _standing_ 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. + +He _knew_ 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. + +I refer for some other details to Albert. Poor Louise looks like a +shadow, and only her great devotion for me supports her. 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 _never +in better spirits_. But I must end. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR EDWARD DISBROWE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th July 1842._ + +The Queen thanks Lord Aberdeen for the letter she has this morning +received. + +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.[56] 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. + + [Footnote 56: _See_ p. 409. Lord Aberdeen had suggested + sending Sir Edward Disbrowe a private admonition.] + (Ch. XI, 16th July, 1842) + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd August 1842._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the pleasure of receiving your kind letter of +the 29th, late on Sunday evening. You know _all_ we have felt, and +do _feel_, 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. _Him_ we must _not_ pity! + +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. + +Pray, dearest Uncle, will not and ought not Paris to be Duke of +Orleans now? Helene is sole guardian, is she not?... + +Dear Louise will, I trust, excuse my not answering her kind letter +to-day; pray give her my best love, and believe me, always, your most +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE FATHERLESS CHILDREN] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _5th August 1842._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... Little Paris,[57] who has gained much of +late, will keep the name of Paris, at least for the present. Helene +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 57: The late Comte de Paris, who bore this title to + the end of his life, father of the present Duc d'Orleans.] + + + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _5th August 1842._ + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... Poor little Paris is aware of his misfortune +in the way he can be. Helene 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 "_de cher +Papa_," 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 Helene does what she can to keep alive in him the +remembrance of his father.... Yours most affectionately, + +LOUISE. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _8th August 1842._ + +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. + +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[58] at dinner. +Lord Melbourne thinks that Lord Prudhoe's marriage[59] was to be +expected.[60] 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. + + [Footnote 58: Afterwards Lord Wensleydale.] + + [Footnote 59: To Lady Eleanor Grosvenor.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF LORD HILL] + + +_Lord Hill to Queen Victoria._ + +HARDWICKE GRANGE,[61] _9th August 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +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 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. + + [Footnote 61: Lord Hill's country house in Shropshire.] + + + + +[Pageheading: APPOINTMENT OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _10th August 1842._ + +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. + +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,[62] who will succeed Lord Hill in the Barony. +Lord Beresford[63] and Lord Combermere[64] 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. + +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. + +Sir George Murray,[65] Sir Edward Paget,[66] Lord Londonderry,[67] +Lord Combermere, and perhaps Lord Beresford, will severally urge their +pretensions. + +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 his, and no selection from +the candidates whom he has named would be satisfactory to the Army or +public in general. + +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. + + [Footnote 62: Lord Hill died 10th December 1842, and was + succeeded in his peerages by Sir Rowland Hill, who died in + 1875.] + + [Footnote 63: William Carr Beresford (1768-1854), created + Viscount Beresford in 1823 for the victory of Albuera, 1811.] + + [Footnote 64: Sir Stapleton Cotton (1773-1865), created + Viscount Combermere for the capture of Bhurtpore.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 66: General Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B. (1775-1849), + brother of the first Marquis of Anglesey.] + + [Footnote 67: Prior to being Ambassador at Vienna, Lord + Londonderry had distinguished himself in the Peninsula.] + + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE ACCEPTS] + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _12th August 1842._ + +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. + +He is sensible of and grateful for this fresh proof of your Majesty's +confidence in him and gracious favour towards him. + +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. + +Which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's most +dutiful and devoted Subject and Servant, + +WELLINGTON. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Hill._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th August 1842._ + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: RIOTS IN MANCHESTER] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +CABINET ROOM, DOWNING STREET, _13th August 1842._ + +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.[68] + +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. + +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[69] 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. + +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. + +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 from that time +to half-past seven will probably be the least inconvenient to your +Majesty. + +He writes this immediately after the breaking up of the Cabinet. + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHARTIST DISTURBANCES] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _15th August 1842._ + +Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty +the enclosed letter from Major-General Sir William Warre[70] in +command of the Northern District. + +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. + +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;[71] 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. + +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.[72] + +Sir James Graham will hasten to-morrow to inform your Majesty of the +accounts which he may receive. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and +Servant, + +J. R. G. GRAHAM. + + [Footnote 70: Lieutenant-General Sir William Warre + (1784-1853), a distinguished Peninsular officer.] + + [Footnote 71: The mob attacked the military, who fired and + killed three or four persons.] + + [Footnote 72: A colossal petition in favour of the Charter had + been presented during the Session by Mr T. Duncombe.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SATISFACTORY RESULTS] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _18th August 1842._ (_Thursday morning._) + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +leave to acquaint your Majesty that he returned to London last night. + +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. + +It appears to Sir Robert Peel that the general tenor of the reports is +_satisfactory_. From Manchester, from Wigan, from Preston, the reports +are very good. + +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. + +People of property and the Magistrates (notwithstanding their +political dissensions) are now acting in harmony, and with more +energy. + +Orders have been sent to apprehend the Delegates assembled in +Manchester, _the very moment_ 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. + +Every vigilance will be exerted with reference to _Cooper_[73] (whom +your Majesty names) and all other itinerant agitators. + +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. + +Birmingham is tranquil and well-disposed. The accounts from Scotland +are favourable. + + [Footnote 73: A Leicester Chartist, who was afterwards tried + for sedition.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PARLIAMENT PROROGUED] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _17th August 1842._ + +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 to-morrow, and Lord and Lady Cowper will +probably come over from Panshanger. + +Your Majesty read extremely well in the House of Lords on Friday +last.[74] 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. + +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. + +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. + +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 _Times_ 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[75] 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. + +Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty and the Prince, the +Prince, and Princess are all well. + + + [Footnote 74: Parliament was prorogued by the Queen in person + on 12th August.] + + [Footnote 75: Who represented the Radical views of the + Birmingham school.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DISTURBED DISTRICTS] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _18th August 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: DISTURBANCES IN LONDON] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _19th August 1842._ + +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.... + +Five of the principal Delegates at Manchester have been apprehended. +Warrants are out against four others. A very 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. + +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. + + + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +_20th August 1842._ + +... 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. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and +Servant, + +J. R. G. GRAHAM. + + + + +[Pageheading: TROUBLE AT THE CAPE] + + +_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _26th August 1842._ + +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,[76] 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, 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. + +All which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +STANLEY. + + [Footnote 76: Sir George Napier (1784-1855) governed Cape + Colony for seven years, and the Boers were extruded from Natal + by him.] + + + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +BUSHEY HOUSE, _7th September 1842._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--... Your Mamma's visit gave me great pleasure, and +it has been a great treat to me to hear her sing again, and _so well_, +which put me in mind of former happy days. I regret _much_ that she +leaves me already this afternoon again, but the strong and powerful +_magnet_ which you have left at the Castle draws her back, and I dare +not keep her away from such treasures. + +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, + +ADELAIDE. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN VISITS SCOTLAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +TAYMOUTH,[77] _8th September 1842._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I make no excuses for not having written, as I know +that you will understand that when one is travelling about and seeing +so much that is _totally_ new, it is very difficult to find time to +write.... + +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 _relation_ of it. From Dalkeith we went through Perth +(which is _most_ beautifully situated on the Tay) to Scone Palace,[78] +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; _all_ 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[79] men. +_He_, poor man! is suddenly become _totally_ blind, and it was very +melancholy to see him do the _honours_, _not_ seeing _anything_. 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[80] 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.... + + [Footnote 77: Lord Breadalbane's house. The Queen left London + on 29th August for Scotland by sea, reaching Edinburgh on 1st + September.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 79: Afterwards George, sixth Duke of Atholl + (1814-1864).] + + [Footnote 80: John, second Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T. + (1796-1862).] + + + + +[Pageheading: DRUMMOND CASTLE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +TAYMOUTH, _10th September 1842._ + +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, and the +sport he gave the Prince out shooting was on the largest scale. + +The Highlands and the mountains are too beautiful, and we _must_ come +back for longer another time. The Queen will finish this letter at +Drummond Castle,[81] as we leave this in half an hour. + +_Drummond Castle, 11th._--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[82] (I don't know _how_ 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 _me_, that we are most +anxious to return there again. + +The journey from Killin to Comrie was _most_ 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[83] where we sleep, and re-embark the next day +for _England_. 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. + +The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is very well. The Prince begs to be +remembered to him. + +Dalkeith is a fine good house, and the park and grounds very pretty. + + [Footnote 81: The seat of Lord Willoughby d'Eresby.] + + [Footnote 82: It should be written Auchmore.] + + [Footnote 83: The seat of the Duke of Buccleuch.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th September 1842._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Pray accept my best thanks for your kind letter of +the 15th, which I received on Saturday, the day 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 _Trident_, 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 _grief_ (which she +_cannot_ repress) gnaws at the very roots of life and undermines +health. Ostend and sea-baths would, I should think, do her good. + +I am very glad that you went to see the King of Prussia, and saw so +many old friends; Fritz of Mecklenburg[84] is, you know, Albert's very +dear friend; he is just arrived here. + +Alexandrine's brother everybody praises; the whole family are handsome +and well brought up. + +The Archduke Frederic[85] comes here to-morrow for a week's visit. +Everybody praises him, and Ferdinand liked him very much; all Archduke +Charles's[86] sons are said to be very well brought up. How I wish +Archduke John[87] had come over here! + +Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! and pray believe me, always, your most +affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +It would be _very_ kind of you if you would tell me if there is a +chance of Augustus's marrying Clementine.[88] Don't believe I should +say a word _against_ it; but I have heard so much about it that I +should be really and sincerely glad to know a _little_ of the _truth_ +from _you_. + + [Footnote 84: Frederic William (1819-1904), afterwards Grand + Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. See _post_, p 434. (Ch. XI, Footnote 93)] + + [Footnote 85: Son of the Archduke Charles.] + + [Footnote 86: (1771-1847), third son of the Emperor Leopold + II. Distinguished in the Napoleonic wars.] + + [Footnote 87: (1782-1859), younger son of the Emperor Leopold + II. Commanded on the Rhine, 1815. Administrator of the Empire, + 1848.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S STEAM YACHT] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _22nd September 1842._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +leave, with reference to your Majesty's note of yesterday, to state +to your Majesty that the _first_ act of Sir Robert Peel on his return +from Scotland was to write to Lord Haddington[89] and strongly urge +upon the Admiralty the necessity of providing a steam yacht for your +Majesty's accommodation. + +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. + +Sir Robert Peel has had a personal communication with Sir John +Barrow,[90] 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,[91] who is out of town. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + [Footnote 89: First Lord of the Admiralty.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 91: Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn + (1772-1853), First Naval Lord.] + + + + +[Pageheading: QUEEN ISABELLA] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +_27th September 1842._ + +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. + +Lord Aberdeen is humbly of opinion that the language hitherto employed +by your Majesty's Government upon this subject ought not to undergo +any change, and that it ought to be treated entirely as a Spanish +question. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE ON SCOTLAND] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _29th September 1842._ + +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.[92] 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. + +Lord Melbourne greatly congratulates your Majesty upon the 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.... + +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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully remembered to the Prince. + + [Footnote 92: Prince Aloysius Joseph of Liechtenstein + (1796-1858) and his wife, Princess Francoise-de-Paule, + Countess Kinsky.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th October 1842._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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! + +Louise says Vecto is in great beauty, and the baby magnificent. I wish +you could see Pussy now; she is (_unberufen_) 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 +_best_ month _there_ and the _worst here_. I think I _may_ announce +Augusta Cambridge's[93] marriage as certain, as I have just received a +note from the Duke, which is as follows:-- + +"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." + +I shall see him to-morrow, and report the result to Louise on Friday. + +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 _very_ sorry to lose him, +he is so amiable and agreeable, and I have known him ever since I can +remember anybody; he is, besides, _equally liked_ and on _equally +good terms_ with _both_ parties _here_, which was of the greatest +importance. It was touching to see him so low and ill and unlike +himself. + +The accounts of poor dear Alexandrine's eyes continue _very bad_; she +cannot write at all, or go out, or do anything. + +Say everything proper from us to the whole family, and pray believe +me, always, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 93: The Princess Augusta of Cambridge, who was + married to Frederic William, afterwards Grand Duke of + Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in the following June.] + + + + +[Pageheading: HISTORICAL STUDIES] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _20th October 1842._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty is reading with +the Prince. Hallam's work[94] 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[95] 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, _The +History of the Rebellion_, though that is well worth reading, but the +_Memoirs_, 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[96] lectures upon Modern History, and particularly upon +the French Revolution, seem to Lord Melbourne sound, fair, and +comprehensive. Lord Mahon's[97] 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. + +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. + + [Footnote 94: The _Constitutional History_, published in + 1827.] + + [Footnote 95: Louis Rouffroy, Duc de Saint-Simon, author of + the celebrated _Memoires_, published 1829-30.] + + [Footnote 96: William Smyth (1765-1849), Regius Professor of + Modern History at Cambridge.] + + [Footnote 97: Afterwards fifth Earl Stanhope: the book + referred to is his _History of England from the Peace of + Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: WALMER CASTLE] + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WALMER CASTLE, _26th October 1842._ + +MY DEAR PEEL,--Arbuthnot has shown me your letter to him respecting +this house. + +Nothing can be more convenient to me than to place it at Her Majesty's +disposition at any time she pleases.... + +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.... + +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, + +WELLINGTON. + +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. + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM QUEEN ADELAIDE] + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +CANFORD HOUSE, _31st October 1842._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--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[98] 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. + +I am happy to hear that you thought the Cambridge visit went off well, +and that the affianced[99] 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 _die Prinzessin Teuer_. + +We received 25,000 Fl. each when we married, and 10,000 Fl. for our +_trousseaux_ each. + +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 _menage_, +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. + +I wish you could see the Convent to which I went the other day. The +nuns belong to the Order of the Cistercian _Trappists_. 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 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." + +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 _situation_, +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, + +ADELAIDE. + + [Footnote 98: Afterwards King George V. of Hanover. He married + Princess Marie of Saxe-Altenburg, 18th February 1843.] + + [Footnote 99: Princess Augusta of Cambridge. _See_ p. 434. + (Ch. XI, Footnote 93)] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ILLNESS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_1st November 1842._ + +... 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 _quite enchants_ 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 _then_? Windsor is +_beautiful_ in December. + +The news of Lord Melbourne, I am thankful to say, are _excellent_, and +he improves rapidly under Dr Holland's care, but his first seizure was +very alarming.[100] I shall not fail to convey your kind message to +this worthy friend of ours. + +I am so pleased at your account of Nemours and poor Helene. +Tatane[101] is not your favourite, is he? + +Lord Douglas's[102] marriage with Princess M. of Baden _is_ settled; +_I_ shall of course treat her as a Princess of Baden--I can't do +otherwise (it is like Aunt Sophie,[103] and Princess M. of Wuertemberg +who married Count Neipperg[104])--and him as Lord Douglas, which won't +please him. + +I wish Clem's marriage was no longer a secret, now that it _is +settled_, as it is (forgive my saying it) really a fashion in our +family to have these _secrets de la comedie_, when one is almost +forced to tell a lie about what is true. I _own_ I dislike these +secrets; it was so with poor Marie and with Vecto. Now _adieu!_ +dearest, kindest Uncle, and believe me, always, your most affectionate +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 100: He had a paralytic seizure, and never regained + his former health or spirits.] + + [Footnote 101: Duc de Montpensier.] + + [Footnote 102: Afterwards eleventh Duke of Hamilton: he was + married to Princess Mary on 23rd February following.] + + [Footnote 103: Sister of the Duchess of Kent and of the King + of the Belgians, and the wife of Count Mensdorff.] + + [Footnote 104: Alfred, Count Neipperg, who died in 1865.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CROWN JEWELS] + +[Pageheading: PROVISION FOR PRINCESS AUGUSTA] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _11th November 1842._ + +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.[105] + +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. + +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 +_fair_ advantage for the Crown of England which would have accompanied +an appeal to the regularly constituted tribunals of the country. + +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. + +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. + +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.[106] + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Sir Robert Peel proposes to return to Drayton Manor for a short time, +and to leave London to-morrow morning. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 106: See _ante_, p. 437. + (Ch XI, Footnote 99, 31st October, 1842)] + + + + +[Pageheading: SUCCESSES IN CHINA] + + +_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _23rd November 1842._ + +Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, has the honour of submitting to +your Majesty an original despatch from Lieutenant-General 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,[107] 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. + +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. + +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. + +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 _Ningpo direct_. + +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 _Gazette_ extraordinary will be published to-morrow, the +voluminous nature of the despatches rendering it necessary to take +some time lest an important despatch should be omitted. + +All which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +STANLEY. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VICTORIES IN AFGHANISTAN] + + +_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._ + +INDIA BOARD, _23rd November 1842._[108] + +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. + +Each of those armies has achieved a glorious victory over superior +numbers of the enemy. + +The city of Ghuznee has been captured, and its formidable fortress +utterly razed and destroyed. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +An extract from a letter from General Pollock to Lord Ellenborough, +dated at Cabul the 21st of September, gives the most gratifying +intelligence that _all_ 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. + +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, + +FITZGERALD AND VESCI. + + [Footnote 108: The mail, which informed Ministers of the Chinese + success, also brought the news of the capture of Cabul. General + Nott (see _ante_, p. 402 (Ch XI, 'Sale and Pollock')) 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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +ARDENNE, _24th November 1842._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... 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 _well aware_ of it; but you know that the Liberal +party tried to even harm him by representing him as a _mere_ creature +of England. We live in odd times when really one very often thinks +people mad; their _uncontrouled_ passions do not develop +amiable feelings, but on the contrary everything that is bad and +unreasonable.... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WALMER CASTLE, _25th November 1842._ + +The Queen wishes Sir Robert to consider, and at an _early_ 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. + + + + +[Pageheading: MILITARY HONOURS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WALMER CASTLE, _29th November 1842._ + +Approve of the G.C.B. given to-- + + Sir H. POTTINGER. + Sir W. PARKER. + GENERAL NOTT. + GENERAL POLLOCK. + +Likewise of the proposed pension to Sir R. Sale, and the Baronetcy to +Sir Hugh Gough. + +Thinks the latter very fit to succeed Sir Jasper Nicols[109] as +Commander-in-Chief in India. + +Grants with pleasure the permission _to her troops_ 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. + + [Footnote 109: Lieut.-General Sir Jasper Nicols (1778-1849), + created a K.C.B. for his services at Bhurtpore.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE GATES OF SOMNAUTH] + + +_Lord Ellenborough to Queen Victoria._ + +SIMLA, _18th October 1842._ + +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,[110] 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. + +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. + +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. + +The gates of the Temple of Somnauth have been brought away by +Major-General Nott. + +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,[111] he wished +to make a stipulation that when Shah Sooja recovered his power he +should restore the gates to India, and Shah Sooja refused. + +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.[112] + +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.[113] + + [Footnote 110: See _ante_, p. 441, note 107. + (Ch. XI, 'Successes in China')] + + [Footnote 111: See _ante_, p. 142. (Intro Note to Ch. VIII)] + + [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."] + + [Footnote 113: See _post_, pp. 463, 468, and 477. + (Ch. XII, Footnote 13; 10th March, 1843; 19th February, 1843)] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND SPAIN] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th December 1842._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--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 +_May_ weather. Clear, dry frost would be wholesome. + +Victoire gave me yesterday a much better account of poor little +Robert.[114] + +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 _would not be at all sorry to go away_. Now, this is +_folly_, and a most dangerous language to hold, as if he entertains +this, I fear the Portuguese will _some beau matin_ indulge him in his +wishes. + +The news from Spain are better, but I must own frankly to you, that +_we are all disgusted_ at the _French intrigues_ which have _without +a doubt_ 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 _cannot succeed_ 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 _most honest_ 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 _too much_ to +remain silent, and as I have ever been privileged to tell you, dearest +Uncle, my feelings, and the truth. + +Poor Lord Hill's death, though fully expected, will grieve you, as it +has grieved us. + +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, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 114: The infant Duc de Chartres.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th December 1842._ + +The Queen is very desirous that something should be done for Major +Malcolm[115] (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. + + [Footnote 115: In such cases it has been usual to confer some + distinction.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1842._ + +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 in the meantime be entrusted with +the _extraordinary_ 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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SCOTCH CHURCH] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +DRAYTON MANOR, _26th December 1842._ + +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.[116] + +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. + +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. + +The Church, however, requires the absolute repeal of the Act of Anne. + +An answer to the demands of the Church will now become requisite. + +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.[117] + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A SERIOUS CRISIS] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +DRAYTON MANOR, _30th December 1842._ + +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. + +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. + +Sir Robert Peel saw yesterday a letter addressed by Dr +Abercrombie,[118] the eminent physician in Edinburgh, to Sir George +Sinclair,[119] declaring his conviction that the Secession of +Ministers from their Livings would take place to _a very great +extent_--would comprise very many of the Ministers most distinguished +for learning and professional character, and would meet with very +general support among their congregations. + +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.... + +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. + + [Footnote 118: John Abercrombie (1780-1844), one of the chief + consulting physicians in Scotland, and a great medical writer. + He left the Established Church.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: HISTORICAL READING] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _30th December 1842._ + +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. + +Lord Mahon has sent Lord Melbourne his book.[120] Lord Melbourne has +not yet read it, but he has read the review of it in the _Quarterly_, +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +We expect here to-morrow the Duchess of Sutherland[121] and Lady +Elizabeth Gower,[122] who have been kind enough to propose to pay Lord +Melbourne a visit. + + [Footnote 120: _Essai sur la vie du grand Conde_, afterwards + published in English.] + + [Footnote 121: Formerly Mistress of the Robes.] + + [Footnote 122: Afterwards Duchess of Argyll.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XII + + +Repeated 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. + +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. + +In Ireland the agitation for Repeal was at its height. O'Connell, +supported by the _Nation_ 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. + +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. + +The better feeling existing between this country and France enabled +the Queen and Prince to visit Louis Philippe at the Chateau d'Eu. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +1843 + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th January 1843._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--... We have been _very_ gay; danced into the New Year, +and again _last_ night, and were _very_ 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 _almost_ fancied +happy old times were returned; but alas! the dream is _past_! He +enquired much after you. + +Now adieu! Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF PRINCE DE JOINVILLE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _10th January 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _all_ +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 _happiest_ days of my otherwise _dull_ childhood--where I +experienced such kindness from you, dearest Uncle, which has ever +since continued. It is true that my _last_ stay here _before_ I came +to the Throne, from November '36 to February '37, was a peculiarly +painful and disagreeable one, but somehow or other, I do _not_ think +of those times, but only of all the former _so_ happy ones. Victoria +plays with my old bricks, etc., and I think you would be pleased to +see this and to see her _running_ and jumping in the flower garden, as +_old_--though I fear _still little_--_Victoria of former days_ used +to do. She is very well, and such an amusement to us, that I can't +bear to move without her; she is _so_ funny and speaks so well, and in +French also, she knows almost everything; she would therefore get on +famously with Charlotte.... + +Might I ask you some questions about Joinville's match,[1] which +interests me much? First of all, _have_ you heard of his arrival at +Rio? Secondly, if the Donna Francesca pleases, is he empowered _at +once to make the demand_, or must he write home first? How nice it +would be if the _two_ marriages could take place at _once_; but I +suppose, under any circumstances, that could _not_ be.... + +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 _he_ seems improved, as he likes to live _quietly_ +with her, and speaks of her too with the greatest affection. + +Now, my dearest Uncle, let me take my leave, begging you to believe +me, always, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 1: He was married to the Princess Francesca of + Brazil on 1st May.] + + + + +[Pageheading: HISTORICAL READING] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _12th January 1843._ + +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.... + +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[2] 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. + +The book which your Majesty remembers Lord Melbourne reading is +the production of Dr Waddington,[3] whom your Majesty, under Lord +Melbourne's recommendation, made Dean of Durham, which dignity he now +holds. It is a very good book. + +Adolphus's[4] 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.... + +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. + + [Footnote 2: Bishop, then of Sodor and Man, afterwards of St + Asaph. His book, a _Sketch of the History of the Church of + England_, was published in 1832.] + + [Footnote 3: George Waddington (1793-1869), Dean of Durham, + published in 1833 the _History of the Church from the Earliest + Ages to the Reformation_.] + + [Footnote 4: John Adolphus, barrister, wrote a history of + England from 1760 to 1783.] + + + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +CANFORD HOUSE, _Friday, 13th January 1843._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--... As you take so kind an interest in our +dear Thesy,[5] 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 _two boys_? 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, "_that I could not accept it_," 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 _you +have accepted_ the offer of becoming sponsor to this little _Victor_, +YOU, as the Head of the English Church, give to understand that _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 +_yourself_, 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 _alone_.... Your most +attached and devoted Aunt, + +ADELAIDE. + + [Footnote 5: Princess Therese, daughter of the Prince of + Hohenlohe-Schillingsfurst, and wife of Prince Frederick + Charles of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Queen Adelaide._ + +CLAREMONT, _15th January 1843._ + +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_ had +sanctioned your doing so. I never remember even _talking_ to _you_ on +the subject, but only heard from Mamma that _you_ 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 +_assure_ you that I do not remember _ever_ having spoken to you on the +subject at all. + + + + +[Pageheading: GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF CANADA] + + +_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _19th January 1843._ + +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[6] 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, 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. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most, dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +STANLEY. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ASSASSINATION OF MR DRUMMOND] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + +WHITEHALL, _20th January (1843)._ + +SIR,--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.[7] + +Two pistols were discharged, the first close to Mr Drummond's back, +the second after the assassin had been seized by a policeman. + +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. + +The assassin gives his name _MacNaghten_, and appears to be a Glasgow +man. + +Two five-pound notes were, I understand, found upon his person, and +a receipt for L750 given to Daniel MacNaghten, confirming, therefore, +the man's account of his name. + +We have not hitherto been able to discover that this man had any +alleged grievance or complaint against the Treasury or any public +office. + +He has been loitering about the public offices for the last fortnight, +and being questioned, I understand, some days since, by the Office +Keeper of the Council office, said he was a policeman. This, of +course, for the purpose of evading further enquiry. + +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." + +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. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal +Highness's most faithful and humble Servant, + +ROBERT PEEL. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MISTAKEN FOR SIR ROBERT PEEL] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _21st January 1843._ + +Sir Robert Peel begs leave to mention to your Majesty a fact _which +has not hitherto transpired_--and of which he was not aware until he +had an interview this morning with Sir James Graham. + +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?" + +He (MacNaghten) said: "Yes--Sir Robert Peel." + +From this it would appear that he had mistaken Mr Drummond for Sir +Robert Peel. + +The Magistrate thought it better not to have this evidence at present +placed on record. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF MR DRUMMOND] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _25th January 1843._ + +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. + +He breathed his last this morning about half-past ten o'clock. + +A very unfavourable change took place last night, and no hopes were +entertained after seven o'clock in the evening. + +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. + +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. + +Sir Robert Peel encloses such further information as has reached him +respecting MacNaghten. + +He does not hesitate to send to your Majesty every word of information +of the least importance which he receives.... + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEMEANOUR OF MACNAGHTEN] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _25th January 1843._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + +MacNaghten will be charged with the offence of murder, and every +effort will be made to bring him to condign punishment. + +His counsel will probably endeavour to establish his insanity. + +Nothing can be more collected and intelligent in many respects than +his conduct in prison. He was conversing with the 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _25th January 1843._ + +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. + +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. + +Lord Melbourne was very glad to hear of the marriage of Prince +Augustus of Coburg with the Princess Clementine, as he apprehends that +the connection must be very agreeable to your Majesty. + +Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully and affectionately remembered +to His Royal Highness. + + + + +[Pageheading: COMMITTAL OF MACNAGHTEN] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _28th January 1843._ + +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. + +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.[8] + +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. + + [Footnote 8: He was defended by four counsel, including Mr + Cockburn, afterwards Lord Chief Justice.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ROYAL FAMILY AND POLITICS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _2nd February 1843._ + +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 not doing so will deprive him for so long a +time of the honour and pleasure of seeing your Majesty. + +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,[9] 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. + +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 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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE AMERICAN TREATY] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _3rd February 1843._ + +... 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.[10] It betrays too great an anxiety for +peace, and too much fear of war.[11] + + [Footnote 10: See _ante_, pp. 368, 370 (Ch. X, 'The United States'). + The treaty had been negotiated by Lord Ashburton.] + + [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."] + + + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _6th February 1843._ + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I am quite of your opinion about balls. +_Nothing_ can change what _cannot change_, and I consider all these +things, which have always been _a bore_ to me, as a matter _of duty_ +and not otherwise. The duties of station are to be fulfilled like the +others, and my _first_ and _most pleasant_ duty is to do _all_ that +your Uncle may command or wish. Your Uncle was much _shocked_ by +your answer about _Miss Meyer_,[12] whom he considered of _uncommon +beauty_. He is quite in love with her picture, and is very anxious +to discover who she is. The other pictures of the _book of beauty_ +he abandons to you, and they are certainly worthy of a _book of +ugliness_.... Yours most devotedly, + +LOUISE. + + [Footnote 12: Eugenie 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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD AND PEEL] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _10th February 1843._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... I am very much gratified by your having +shown my hasty scrawl to Sir Robert Peel, and that the sincere +expression of a conscientious opinion should have given him pleasure. + +It was natural at first that you should _not_ 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. + +I believe, besides, Sir Robert sincerely and warmly attached to you, +and as you say with great truth, _quite above_ mere party feeling. +Poor Lady Peel must be much affected by what has happened.... Your +truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _12th February 1843._ + +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.... + +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 upon +his shoulders,[13] 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. + + [Footnote 13: The Somnauth Proclamation created a good deal of + ridicule.] + + + + +[Pageheading: POSITION OF THE PRINCE OF WALES] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _13th February 1843._ + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: DOMESTIC HAPPINESS] + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +CANFORD HOUSE, _14th February 1843._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--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 _many, many years_. You cannot say too +much of _yourself_ and dear Albert when you write to me, for it is a +most interesting subject to my heart, I assure you. + +What a _shame_ to have put on darling little Victoria a _powdered +wig_! Poor dear child must have looked very strange with it! Did her +brother appear in _einer Allonge-Peruecke_?... + +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, + +ADELAIDE. + +Pray tell your dear mother, with my affectionate love, that I will +answer her letter to-morrow. + + + + +[Pageheading: INTERCHANGE OF VISITS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th February 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _on the 10th_, and not taking any notice of the _dearest, +happiest_ day in my life, to which I owe the present _great_ 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, _after_ my accession, there was a +great deal of worry. Indeed I _am_ grateful for possessing (_really +without_ vanity or flattery or _blindness_) the _most perfect_ being +as a husband in existence, or who ever did exist; and I doubt whether +anybody _ever_ 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.... + +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 +(_D.V._) of your kind visit, which would suit perfectly. _A propos_ 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 _many_ reasons it would be better +for us to pay you our _first_ visit only at _Ostend_, and not at +Brussels or Laeken; you could lodge us _anywhere_, 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 _wish_ is to behold Albert again--and would +not be so difficult (_pour la lere fois_) in many ways. I could, +nevertheless, see Bruges and Ghent from thence by help of the +railroad, and return the same day to Ostend. + +What you say about Peel is very just. Good Lord Melbourne is much +better. + +I hope soon to hear more about Joinville and Donna Francesca. Now, +ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +We are all very well (_unberufen_) and move, _to our horror_, to town +on Friday. + + + + +[Pageheading: COBDEN'S ATTACK ON PEEL] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _18th February (1843)._ + +(_Saturday morning._) + +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[14] was rejected by a large majority, the number being-- + + For the Motion 191 + Against it 305 + --- + Majority 114 + --- + +The chief speakers were Mr R. Cobden and Lord John Russell in favour +of the motion, Mr Attwood, Lord Francis Egerton, and Sir Robert Peel +against it. + +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. + +Mr Cobden with great vehemence of manner observed more than once that +Sir Robert Peel ought to be held _individually responsible_ for the +distress of the country.[15] + +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. + + [Footnote 14: To go into Committee on the depression of the + manufacturing industry. The debate turned mainly on the Corn + Laws.] + + [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 _rapprochement_ 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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Lincoln._[16] + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th February 1843._ + +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 _use_ it _very soon_, +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. + + [Footnote 16: Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FANNY BURNEY'S DIARY] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _21st February 1843._ + +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 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[17] 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.[18] + +Adolphus is, as Aberdeen says, too rigidly Tory, but there are plenty +of narratives of the same period, such as Belsham[19] and others, of +whom it may be said with equal truth that they are too Whig.... + +Lord Melbourne read the _Edinburgh_ 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,[20] a subject of much importance, and in which he +is much interested. + +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 recollection, serves him, +very like. Lord Melbourne remains, ever, your Majesty's faithful, +devoted, and attached Servant. + + [Footnote 17: Brother-in-law of Lord Uxbridge, and afterwards + Earl of Stratford.] + + [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."] + + [Footnote 19: William Belsham (1752-1827) wrote, in twelve + volumes, _A History of Great Britain to the Conclusion of the + Peace of Amiens in 1802_.] + + [Footnote 20: In the _Quarterly Review_, by Lady Eastlake.] + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL (_4th March 1843_). (_Sunday morning._) + +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. + +The fuller account of the evidence which Sir Robert Peel has seen is +on the accompanying newspaper. + +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[21] 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. + +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. + + [Footnote 21: Chief Justice Tindal, and Justices Williams and + Coleridge.] + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _10th March 1843._ + +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.[22] + +The motion was made by Mr Vernon Smith.[23] The resolution +proposed condemned the Proclamation as _unwise_, _indecorous_ +and _reprehensible_. Mr Vernon Smith was followed by Mr Emerson +Tennent,[24] one of the Secretaries to the Board of Controul. + +Mr Macaulay next spoke, and condemned the conduct of Lord Ellenborough +in a speech of great bitterness and great ability. + +The motion was negatived by a majority of 242 to 157. + +The minority included Lord Ashley, Sir Robert Inglis, and six other +gentlemen, who generally support your Majesty's servants. + +The debate was a very animated one, with a strong infusion of Party +zeal. + + [Footnote 22: See _ante_, p. 445. (Ch. XI, 'The Gates of Somnauth')] + + [Footnote 23: Robert Vernon Smith (1800-1873), afterwards + President of the Board of Control, created Lord Lyveden in + 1859.] + + [Footnote 24: James Emerson (1804-1869), afterwards Sir James + Emerson Tennent, M.P. for Belfast, author of _Letters from the + AEgean_, etc.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CRIMINAL INSANITY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th March 1843._ + +The Queen returns the paper of the Lord Chancellor's to Sir Robert +Peel with her best thanks. + +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,[25]--and +_they allow_ and _advise_ the Jury to pronounce the verdict of _Not +Guilty_ on account of _Insanity_,--whilst _everybody_ is morally +_convinced_ 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 _bound_ to interpret the +law in _this_ and _no other_ sense in their charges to the Juries?[26] + + [Footnote 25: Solicitor-General. His health gave way in middle + life, and he died in 1845.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCESS MARY OF BADEN] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _13th March 1843._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. In obedience +to your Majesty's commands he has endeavoured to consider the letter +of the Grand Duke of Baden with reference to the position of the +Princess Mary[27] 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.... + +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. + +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. + + [Footnote 27: The Princess Mary of Baden had recently married + the Marquis of Douglas, eldest son of the Duke of Hamilton. + _See_ p. 439. (Ch. XI, 1st November, 1842)] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE TO HOLD LEVEES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th March 1843._ + +The Queen has spoken again to the Prince about the Levees, 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 _only_, object of having these Levees, is +to save the Queen the _extreme fatigue_ of the _Presentations_ +which would come in such a _mass_ together when the Queen _held them +herself_; the Prince naturally holds the _Levees for_ the Queen, and +_represents her_; 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 _so great_ if nobody at all could +be presented till late in the season, that something must be devised +to get over this difficulty. + + + + +[Pageheading: LEVEES] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _18th March 1843._ + +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 Levees 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: + + "His Royal Highness Prince Albert will, by Her Majesty's + command, hold a Levee on behalf of Her Majesty on ---- + + "It is Her Majesty's pleasure that presentations to the Prince + at this Levee shall be considered equivalent to presentations + to the Queen. + + "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 Levee in person." + +Sir Robert Peel humbly submits to your Majesty that it would not +be advisable to _prohibit_ by notice in the _Gazette_ subsequent +presentations to your Majesty. It will probably answer every purpose +to state that they shall be considered _equivalent_, and when your +Majesty shall hold a Levee it may be then notified at the time that +second presentations are not necessary. + +When the Prince shall hold the Levee, it may be made known at the +time, without any formal public notification, that kneeling and the +kissing of hands will not be required. + +Sir Robert Peel hopes that the effect of holding these Levees may be +materially to relieve your Majesty, but it is of course difficult to +speak with certainty. He was under the impression that in the reign of +Queen Anne, Prince George had occasionally held Levees on the part +of the Queen during the Queen's indisposition, but on searching the +_Gazette_ of the time he cannot find any record of this. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +CLAREMONT, _19th March 1843._ + +The Queen has received Sir Robert's letter, and quite approves of his +suggestions concerning the Levees. 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 Levees 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 _only_ the _two_ next weeks are +available for these purposes _before_ Easter. + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _27th March 1843._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and hastens +to reply to your Majesty's note of this date. + +Sir Robert Peel assures your Majesty that he does not think that there +is the slightest ground for apprehension on the occasion of the Levee, +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. + +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 Levee. + +It may tend to remove or diminish your Majesty's anxiety to know +that Sir Robert Peel has _walked_ home every night from the House +of Commons, and, notwithstanding frequent menaces and intimations of +danger, he has not met with any obstruction. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE COMET] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th March 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the pleasure of receiving your kind letter of +the 24th, on Sunday. How lucky you are to have seen the comet![28] It +is distinctly _to be seen_ here, and _has been seen_ by many people, +but we have till now looked out in vain for it. We shall, however, +persevere. + +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. + +It is most kind and good of dearest Albert to hold these Levees for +me, which will be a great relief for hereafter for me. Besides _cela +le met dans sa position_; _he_ and _I_ must be _one_, so that I can +_only be represented_ by _him_. I think this, therefore, a good thing +for that reason also; and God knows, he, dear angel, _deserves_ to be +the _highest_ in _everything_. + +Our Consecration went off extremely well, and the Chapel is +delightful, and so convenient. I am sure you will like it. + +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 _not_ in the _slightest_ 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 _very_ sound still; +and they say _no one's_ lungs are _quite sound_. She must be well +starved, poor thing, and not allowed to sleep in beds, as she +generally does. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MELBOURNE ON DIET] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _2nd April 1843._ + +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.e._ half a +_schoppen_,[29] can be prejudicial. Lord and Lady Erroll[30] 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 Levee +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. + + [Footnote 29: A _schoppen_ is about a pint; it is the same + word etymologically as "scoop."] + + [Footnote 30: William George, seventeenth Earl of Erroll, + married a sister of the first Earl of Munster.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ROYAL CHILDREN] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th April 1843._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _all_, including dearest Louise, and the children he says are _so_ +grown; Leo being nearly as tall as Louise! _En revanche_ 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 _no Royal +Menage_ is to be found equal to _ours_, but _no other menage_ is to +be compared to ours, nor is _any one_ to be compared, take him +altogether, to _my dearest_ Angel!... + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _6th April 1843._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has this +moment received your Majesty's note. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE TOAST OF THE PRINCE] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _6th April 1843._ + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, hastens to +make a communication to your Majesty, on the subject 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 _toasts_ at the +theatrical dinner, or to the conduct of the Duke of Cambridge in +reference to them. + +Sir Robert Peel, since he addressed your Majesty, has made enquiry +from Colonel Wood, the member for Brecon, who was present at the +meeting. + +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:-- + +_Q._ What were the toasts at the theatrical dinner last night? + +COLONEL WOOD. The first was _The Queen and the Prince_. 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. + +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 +Levee on behalf of your Majesty. + +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 _intention_ +of His Royal Highness must have been to show respect to the Prince. + +The reports of public dinners are frequently incorrect, the reporters +being sometimes placed at a great distance from the chairman. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF HANOVER] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _12th April 1843._ + +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. + +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. + +It was not stated from whence the letters advising the King to remain +on the Continent had proceeded. + +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. + +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. + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _13th April 1843._ + +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. + +The Duke's reply was, as nearly as possible, as follows:-- + +"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."[31] + +This was all that was material that His Royal Highness said. + + [Footnote 31: The eminent physician.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE GATES OF SOMNAUTH] + + +_Lord Ellenborough to Queen Victoria._ + +CAMP, DELHI, _19th February 1843._ + +... 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.[32] + +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.... + + [Footnote 32: See _ante_, p. 445. (Ch. XI, 'The Gates of Somnauth')] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUKE OF SUSSEX] + + +_Extract from the Will of his late Royal Highness the Duke of + Sussex, dated the 11th August 1840[33] (sent at the Queen's + request by Sir Robert Peel to the Duke of Wellington for his + advice.)_ + +"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." + + [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.] + + + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Sir Robert Peel._ + +STRATHFIELDSAYE, _21st April 1843._ + +MY DEAR PEEL,--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,[34] +that the body of the Duchess of Inverness should be interred near to +his when she dies. + +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. + +The Queen's Royal Command might overrule the Duke's desire to be +buried at Kensal Green.[35] Nobody would complain of or contend +against it. + +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.[36] 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. + +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. + +It would be desirable to know the opinion of the Lord Chancellor, the +Archbishop, and others. + +I can't think of anything likely to occur, which might alter me: and +I'll abide by that which I have above given. + +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, + +WELLINGTON. + + [Footnote 34: The Duke of Sussex being Grand Master of + England, and Master of the Lodge of Antiquity.] + + [Footnote 35: The body lay in state at Kensington, and was + eventually buried, as the Duke had desired, in the Kensal + Green Cemetery.] + + [Footnote 36: See _ante_, p. 478, note 33 (this Ch., above). The + marriage took place, by special licence, at Lady Cecilia's house + in Great Cumberland Place.] + + + + +_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._ + +_22nd April 1843._ + +MY DEAREST NIECE,--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 _yourself_ +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. + +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 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. + +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. + +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, + +ADELAIDE. + + + + +[Pageheading: BIRTH OF PRINCESS ALICE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th May 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind and dear letter of the 12th has given +me great pleasure. I am happy to give you still better accounts of +myself.[37] 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 _when_ he +will come, even _now_, but always threatens that he will.... + +Our little baby, who I really am proud of, for she is so very forward +for her age, is to be called _Alice_, an old English name, and the +other names are to be _Maud_ (another old English name and the same +as Matilda) and _Mary_, 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,[38] 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. + +Are there any news of Joinville's proceedings at Rio?[39] Ever your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 37: Princess Alice was born on 25th April.] + + [Footnote 38: Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester.] + + [Footnote 39: He married Princess Francesca, sister of the + Emperor of the Brazils and of Queen Donna Maria.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHRISTENING OF PRINCESS ALICE] + + +_The Earl of Ripon to Queen Victoria._ + +INDIA BOARD, _5th June 1843._ + +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.[40] The forces of +the latter were completely routed, with the loss of all the guns and +several standards. + +RIPON. + + [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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _6th June 1843._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _very_ 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. + +Our christening went off very brilliantly, and I wish you could have +witnessed it; nothing could be more _anstaendig_, and little _Alice_ +behaved extremely well. The _dejeuner_ 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. + +The King of Hanover arrived _just in time_ to be _too late_. He is +grown very old and excessively thin, and bends a good deal. He is very +gracious, for _him_. Pussy and _Bertie_ (as we call the boy) were +not at all afraid of him, _fortunately_; they appeared after the +_dejeuner_ 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 _very dear_, all in white, and _very distingues_; they were +much admired. + +We came here on Saturday. The news from Ireland continue to be very +alarming. Hoping to hear soon, for _certain_, when you come, believe +me, ever, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +I hope you will _kindly answer_ my letter of _last Tuesday_. + + + + +[Pageheading: IRISH AFFAIRS] + + +_Sir Thomas Fremantle_[41] _to Sir Robert Peel._[42] + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _9th June (1843)._ + +MY DEAR SIR ROBERT,--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. + +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, + +THOMAS FREMANTLE. + + [Footnote 41: One of the Secretaries of the Treasury: + afterwards Lord Cottesloe.] + + [Footnote 42: Forwarded to the Queen by Sir Robert Peel.] + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + +WHITEHALL, _11th June 1843._ + +(_Sunday._) + +SIR,--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. + +We had a very long discussion. + +The prevailing opinion was that if legislation were proposed,[43] 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. + +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. + +I have not received any material information from Ireland by the post +of this day, nor has Sir James Graham. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal +Highness's most faithful and humble Servant, + +ROBERT PEEL. + + [Footnote 43: In consequence of the Repeal agitation, the + Ministers had already introduced an Irish Arms Bill, which was + carried.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE REBECCA RIOTS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _22nd June 1843._ + +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. + +Lord Melbourne is very glad that your Majesty has seen _As you Like +It_. 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. + +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[44] 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. + + [Footnote 44: The agitation against the turnpike system which + had broken out in South Wales. _See_ Introductory Note, p. + 450. (to Ch. XII)] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd June 1843._ + +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[45] 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. + + [Footnote 45: _I.e._, the Rebecca rioters.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MILITARY MEDALS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th June 1843._ + +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[46] should receive lower grades of the Bath. The Queen is +much _impressed with the propriety_ 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. + + [Footnote 46: See _ante_, p. 481. (Ch. XII, 5th June, 1843)] + + + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _24th June 1843._ + +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.[47] + +Every effort will be made to trace this lawless outbreak to its +source, and to bring the principal offenders to justice. + +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. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and +Servant, + +J. R. G. GRAHAM. + + [Footnote 47: Lord Cawdor was Lord-Lieutenant of + Carmarthenshire.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Norfolk._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th June 1843._ + +MY DEAR DUCHESS,--The same right which you feel, and which you had +to overcome before you took the final step of tendering your +resignation,[48] 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 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. + +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. + +With the Prince's kind regards to yourself, and mine to the Duke, +believe me, always, yours very affectionately, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 48: Of her position as Bedchamber Woman.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DUELLING IN THE ARMY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Wellington_. + +(_July 1843._) + +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 _all branches_ of the Naval and Military +Service.[49] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGE] + + +_The Prince Albert to Lord Aberdeen._ + +_20th July 1843._ + +MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--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[50] and the 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. + +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., + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 50: Son of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and + brother of the King of Portugal. See _ante_, p. 378, and + _post_, p. 486. (Ch. XI, Footnote 11; Ch. XII, 'The Spanish Marriage')] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Norfolk._ + +DEAR DUCHESS,--I write to inform you that I have named your +successor,[51] who is to be Lady Douro.[52] 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. + +With the Prince's best regards to yourself, and mine to the Duke, +believe me, always, yours very affectionately, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 51: As Bedchamber Woman.] + + [Footnote 52: Elizabeth, daughter of the eighth Marquis of + Tweeddale, afterwards Duchess of Wellington. She died in + 1904.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd August 1843._ + +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. + +The Regulations strike the Queen as very judicious, and she 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. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th August 1843._ + +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[53] is +decided upon, should in _no way_ influence the transaction, as it is +quite immaterial whether the King stays longer here or not. + + [Footnote 53: Of the Crown jewels; _ante_, p. 439. + (Ch. XI, 'Crown Jewels')] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th August 1843._ + +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.[54] The Queen is as much as ever convinced +that instead of tending to pacify Spain _this_ combination cannot fail +to call _new_ 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 should be _clearly_ +understood by Sir Robert Gordon, and Prince Metternich. + + [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, + "_La Reine aura des enfants et ne mourra pas._" 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 + _ante_, p. 485. (Ch. XII, 20th July, 1843)] + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _13th August 1843._ + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +[Pageheading: PARLIAMENTARY OBSTRUCTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th August 1843._ + +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.[55] 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 _no kind_ of concession to these gentlemen, which +[could] encourage them to go on in the same way. + +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. + + [Footnote 55: By opposition to the Bill removing doubts as to + the admission of Ministers in Scotland.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd August 1843._ + +The Queen returns these papers to Sir J. Graham, and thinks that this +important Memorial[56] should _not_ 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. + + [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.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _23rd August 1843._ + +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,[57] 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[58] 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. + +Matrimonial affairs, Lord Melbourne is afraid, remain _in statu quo_. + +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. + +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. + + [Footnote 57: To Lord Dalmeny. _En secondes noces_, she + married the fourth Duke of Cleveland.] + + [Footnote 58: Lady Evelyn Leveson Gower, married, on 4th + October, to Charles, Lord Blantyre.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO THE CHATEAU D'EU] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CHATEAU D'EU, _4th September 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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.[59] 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)[60] 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 Loewenstein[61] 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, + +VICTORIA R. + +Pray forgive this confused and horrid scrawl. + + + [Footnote 59: The Queen was enthusiastically received at + Treport. On the 2nd there was a great entertainment in + the banqueting-room of the Chateau, and on the 4th a _fete + champetre_ on the Mont d'Orleans in the forest. On the 5th + there was a review, and on the 7th the Queen returned to + England.] + + [Footnote 60: The Princess of Joinville. See _ante_, p. 451. + (Ch. XII, 10th January, 1843). + Hadjy is the Prince of Joinville.] + + [Footnote 61: Prince William of Loewenstein (1783-1847).] + + + +[Pageheading: THE FRENCH VISIT] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +MELBOURNE, _6th September 1843._ + +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.[62] +She promised to suit us all well, my sister particularly, and to be a +great source of happiness and comfort. + +Your Majesty is quite right in supposing that Lord Melbourne would at +once attribute your Majesty's visit to the Chateau 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. + + [Footnote 62: Mr and Mrs William Cowper had only been married + on 24th June.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _8th September 1843._ + +MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--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. + +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. + +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 +_in the least_ called for, the passions of nations become very +inconvenient sometimes for their Governors.... Your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + +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. + +I left Stockmar extremely hypochondriacal, but I trust not so unwell +as he fancied. His son accompanies him to Coburg. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S RETURN] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +ON BOARD THE _Victoria and Albert_, IN THE RIVER,[63] + +_21st September 1843._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--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 A.M. 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. + +Let me thank you and my beloved Louise in both our names again for +your _great kindness_ to us, which, believe me, we feel _deeply_. We +were _so happy_ with you, and the stay was _so delightful_, 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 _very_ sad after +you left us; it seems so strange that all should be over--but the +_delightful_ souvenir will _ever_ remain. To leave my dearest Louise +too was so painful--and also poor Aunt Julia,[64] 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 _lighter_ than usual, which causes the tremulous motion to be so +much more felt. + +That God may bless and protect you _all always_ is our fervent prayer. +Believe me, always, your devoted and grateful Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 64: Sister of the Duchess of Kent, married to the + Grand Duke Constantine.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd September 1843._ + +The Queen has received Sir James Graham's letter of the 22nd.[65] 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 _vigorous_ efforts on the part of the Government. The +Queen, therefore, willingly 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. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MATRIMONIAL PROJECTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th September 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I cannot sufficiently thank you for your two _most +kind_ and affectionate letters of the 22nd and 23rd, which gave me the +greatest pleasure. _How often_ we think of our _dear_ and _delightful_ +visit it is impossible for me to say; indeed, I fear these _two_ +never-to-be-forgotten _voyages_ and _visits_ 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.... + +Feodore and Ernest came to us yesterday, and I find them both _very_ +well; Feodore is, I think, grown more serious than she was.... + +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. _Qu'en pensez-vous?_ Then for _Tatane_[66]--a Princess of +Saxony would be extremely _passlich_. + +How long does Aunt Julia stay with you? + +Albert, I suppose, writes to you, and I, dearest Uncle, remain ever +and ever, your _most truly_ devoted and _warmly attached_ Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +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?" + + [Footnote 66: Antoine, Duc de Montpensier.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ROYAL VISITORS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd October 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many, many thanks for your kind letter of the 28th, +received on Sunday, which was written from the Camp of Beverloo, which +Albert recollects with _great pleasure_ and interest, having amused +himself so much there. + +I can give you excellent accounts of ourselves. The boy returned from +Brighton yesterday, looking really the picture of health, and +much _embelli_; Pussy is in great force, but not to be compared to +Charlotte in beauty; and Fatima (_alias_ 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. + +We expect the Grand Duke Michael here this afternoon; he is to stay +till Friday. The Michael Woronzows,[67] 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. _How_ I envy +your going to that dear French family! I hope that you will like my +favourite Chica. I trust, however, that you will _not_ stay too long +away for your good people's sake. + +Not being quite sure of your going, I shall direct this to Brussels +still. + +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.[68] + +The Revolution at Athens[69] looks like _le commencement de la fin_; +it was _very_ unanimous. + +Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! Ever, your most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 68: The Duchess of Cambridge.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th October 1843._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's two letters. She has been +reflecting upon his proposition that Mr Lytton Bulwer[70] 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 _together_. +The Queen feels _certain_ that if it is known by _our_ respective +Ministers that _both_ Governments _wish_ to act _together_, and not +_against_ one another, that much irritation will be avoided; and that +our agents, particularly in distant countries, will understand +that they are _not_ fulfilling the wishes of their Sovereign by +representing every little incident in the most unfavourable light.... + +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[71] is rather infirm. The +Queen regrets to say that the Duc de Bordeaux[72] is coming here; he +really must not be received by the Queen, as she fears his reception +at Berlin has done _no_ good; and altogether, from what she sees in +the papers, she fears there is no good purpose in his coming here. + + [Footnote 70: Afterwards Lord Dalling.] + + [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.] + + [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.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th October 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--It is not my day, but my object in writing is to +speak to you about the _dear_ 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 _understand_ (for of course +we have had no direct communication) that the Duc de Bordeaux has +embarked at Hamburg for _Hull_, and intends travelling in Scotland +_before_ he visits England, and _that_ incognito and under the name of +Comte _tel et tel_; his being in Scotland when Nemours is in +England, and particularly _on a visit to us here_, _could_ make +_no_ difficulty, and even if he were travelling about _incognito_ in +England, it could not signify, I think. Moreover, I feel certain that +if he knew that _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 _feted_ by me--_while their Henry V._ was +_not_ even noticed or received. I could easily, and indeed have almost +done so, make it known generally that _I_ expect the Nemours, and I +would say _immediately_, and he would be sure to get out of the way. +I cannot tell you _how very_ 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 truly do not think it +need be, it would be _best_ if the Nemours could come _before_ the +10th of November; which is the _latest_ term when they could come? Now +pray, dearest Uncle, do settle this for me; you have no notion _how_ +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. _Ainsi je mets cette chere visite dans vos +mains._ Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Pray, dearest Uncle, let me have an answer by the next post about +this, as I am all in a _fidget_ about it. + + + + +[Pageheading: ARREST OF O'CONNELL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th October 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind letter of the 13th I received yesterday, +and return you my warmest thanks for it.... + +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 _in London_ 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. + +The great event of the day is O'Connell's arrest;[73] they have found +bail, but the trial will shortly commence. The case against him is +_very_ strong, the lawyers say. + +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 _any_ hopes of assistance from France, which +he pretended there would be, and he now declares for the Duc de +Bordeaux!... + +You must encourage the dear King and Queen to send over some of the +dear family often to us; _ils seront recus a bras ouverts_.... + +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 Lord Hardwicke's,[74] 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, + +VICTORIA R. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 74: Wimpole, near Royston, nine miles from + Cambridge.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + +DRAYTON MANOR, _20th October 1843._ + +SIR,--The enclosed letter[75] from Sir James Graham to me (which +as your Royal Highness will perceive is _entirely of a private +character_) 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 _in +extenso_ to the making of any extracts from it. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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.[76] 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. + +The party on whom I could entirely rely was out of town, but will +return to-morrow, and will immediately find out what he can respecting +the properties. + +The result shall be made known to the Queen and your Royal Highness +without delay. + +Will your Royal Highness have the goodness to mention this to Her +Majesty?... + +I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal +Highness's most faithful and humble Servant, + +ROBERT PEEL. + + [Footnote 75: Referring to the visit of the Duc de Bordeaux.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S DECISION] + + +_The Prince Albert to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st October 1843._ + +MY DEAR SIR ROBERT,--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 _much_ wish, therefore, that it was _decidedly_ stated _that +the Queen will not receive him_. 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. + +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, + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUC DE NEMOURS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th October 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _fully_ expect he will. Suppose, however, he could _not_ be, +and the Nemours could not come _then_, would the King not kindly allow +them to come later? Even if the Chambers were to be sitting--such +a little _Ausflug_ 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 _case_ Bordeaux should come to London, which I _really_ think he +will _not_, if he once knows that the Nemours are coming. And I must +add that I think Nemours not coming at _all_ 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 _not_ coming _at +all_, should he be prevented from coming at the beginning of November, +would not be a good thing _politically_, independent of the _extreme +disappointment_ it would cause us.... + +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;[77] it is curious how sometimes you can trace +likenesses many generations back.... + +Pray offer our respects to _all_. How long do you stay? Ever your +devoted niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +DRUMLANRIG, _27th October 1843._ + +Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty +another letter received last night from Lord Morton,[78] which gives +an account of the visit of the Duc de Bordeaux, and of his further +communication with the Duc de Levis on the projects and views of His +Royal Highness. + +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. + +In order to explain to your Majesty how Lord Morton, who lives in +a very retired manner, should have received a visit 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,[79] 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. + +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. + + [Footnote 78: George Sholto, nineteenth Earl of Morton + (1789-1858).] + + [Footnote 79: Dalmahoy, Midlothian.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE] + +[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF THE DUC D'AUMALE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st October 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _at length_ going back to Belgium, as (though I +fully understand from _personal_ 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. + +We returned on Saturday, highly pleased and interested with our +tour,[80] though a little _done up_. I seldom remember 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 _will all, in time_, have a certain +part to play; they are the rising generation, and an event of this +kind makes a lasting impression on their minds. + +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. + +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! + +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 _si bien dresse_. Prince +Alexander of the Netherlands is also coming down to take leave this +week. We never had so many visitors. + +I am beyond everything interested with that beautiful novel by +Rellstab,[81] _1812_, which I know you admire so much. The description +of the Russian Campaign is incomparable, and so beautifully written. +You quite _see_ everything before you. Have you read his other, _Paris +und Algier_? By the by, have you read Custine's[82] book on Russia? +They say it is very severe on Russia, and full of hatred to the +English. + +We found the children very well, and Bertie quite recovered, but poor +fat Alice (who, I _must_ say, is becoming _very_ pretty) has had the +earache. + +Mamma with Feo and Ernest are with the Queen Dowager at Witley Court +since Thursday last, and only return next Thursday (the day after +to-morrow). Clem seems very happy, and writes that she is happiest +when she is _tete-a-tete_ with poor Gusti, which _I_ should _not_ +fancy. Ever, dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +I open my letter, dearest Uncle, to say that I have _just_ 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[83] (a +singular coincidence after what I wrote to you in _utter ignorance_ +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 _rely_ on my discretion, and I shall not breathe a word of what +you may answer me, if you wish the secret to be kept. + + [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. _See_ Lord Melbourne's letter of + 7th November, _post_, p. 503. (Ch. XII, 7th November, 1843)] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 82: The Marquis Astolphe de Custine (1790-1857), + author of _La Russie en 1839_, at this time recently + published.] + + [Footnote 83: The Due d'Aumale married in November 1844, + Caroline, daughter of the Prince and Princess of Salerno.] + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +DRAYTON MANOR, _31st October 1843._ + +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. + +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,[84] 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. + +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. + +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 Governor-General, +signed by the three members of the Secret Committee of the Court of +Directors. + +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.[85] + +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. + +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. + + [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.] + + [Footnote 85: See Parker's _Sir Robert Peel_, vol. iii. chap. 1.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +MELBOURNE, _7th November 1843._ + +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.[86] Lord Melbourne hopes he is within +[the mark]; if he is it forms a remarkable and advantageous 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.[87] + +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.[88] There is much history and more poetry connected +with it. Prior[89] mentions it repeatedly, and always calls the first +Lady Harley, the daughter of the Duke of Newcastle, Belphebe.[90] If +Hardwicke should have a daughter, he should christen her Belphebe. The +Lady Belphebe Yorke would not sound ill.... + + [Footnote 86: See _ante_, p. 292. (Ch. X, 17th June, 1841)] + + [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.] + + [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 L100,000. He had married Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles, + daughter and heiress of John, Duke of Newcastle, who brought + him L500,000, 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.] + + [Footnote 89: Who died there in 1721.] + + [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.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PROPOSED VISIT TO PEEL] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + +WHITEHALL, _9th November 1843._ + +SIR,--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. + +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. + +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. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal +Highness's most faithful and humble Servant, + +ROBERT PEEL. + + + + +[Pageheading: TRAVELLING ARRANGEMENTS] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + +WHITEHALL, _Sunday, 12th November 1843._ + +SIR,--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. + +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. + +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. + +The Corporation (which is a completely Radical one) might solicit +permission to present an Address to Her Majesty at the station. + +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. + +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. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal +Highness's most faithful and humble Servant, + +ROBERT PEEL. + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUCHESSE DE NEMOURS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1843._ + +MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--A long and most _interesting_ letter +reached me on Sunday, dated 9th and 10th, and I beg 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 _reserved_, and that, I +think, he is _not_ now. Dearest Victoire is _amazingly_ improved and +_developpee_--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 _so +lovely_, dear sweet child. I must always look at her, and she, dear +child, seems so pleased to see me again. I find her _grown_, 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_ and also Sir Robert Peel _always_ felt and +thought. Aberdeen, with the greatest wish to do _all_ that is kind and +right, _really thought_ that B. was only come to amuse himself, +and had no idea till _now_ that the feeling in France in _all_ the +different parties was so strong. You will have heard by this time that +we have decided _not_ to receive B. in _any way_ whatever. It is a +pleasure to hear how mildly and sensibly Nemours speaks upon all these +subjects, and indeed every subject.... + +I think you did _uncommonly right_ in what you answered the poor King +about the _arrete_ in favour of the _Prussians_, and I am very glad +you _have_ done so. It will have a good effect here. + +Louise will tell you how we celebrated good Bertie's birthday. The +children are in great favour with the Nemours. + +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. + +We are very sorry to lose dear Feo and Ernest. They are so good and +excellent, and she is so _brav_. Ever, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + +[Pageheading: BIRMINGHAM] + + +[_Memorandum enclosed from Sir Robert Peel to Prince Albert, + about the political condition of Birmingham, which the + Prince was intending to visit._] + +The Mayor is a hosier--of _extreme_ political opinions--_in fact, a +Chartist_. + +The contest for the office of Mayor was between him and a man of +Radical opinions, but Chartism prevailed. + +The Mayor has taken a violent part, before his Mayoralty, against +Church Rates, and in reference to the state of Ireland. + +The Conservative party took no part whatever in the Municipal +Elections, and would not vote. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +There may be a proposal of a collation and of an Address, to be +received in the Town Hall. + +Should not the Lord Lieutenant (Lord Warwick) have notice? + +Is the Mayor to accompany the Prince in the same carriage?[91] + +The Mayor has no carriage. + +No communication should be made to any party in Birmingham, except to +the municipal authorities, notwithstanding their political bias and +_extreme_ opinions. + +The late Mayor, Mr James, though a Radical, would have summoned the +leading men of different parties. + +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. + +This risk must be incurred, as communications to other parties would +not be advisable. + + [Footnote 91: This was the course adopted.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _1st December 1843._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has not yet +received any communication from the Duc de Levis, 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 Levis 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 +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. + +Lord Aberdeen understands from Sir Robert Peel that your Majesty would +like to be informed of any particulars connected with the Levee 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 _Morning Post_, 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. + +It may perhaps be worth mentioning to your Majesty that at the +presentation of the Address by M. Chateaubriand[92] 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'Angouleme.[93] + +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. + + [Footnote 92: Francois, Vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768-1848), + a great supporter of the Bourbons, and made a Peer in 1815. He + was Ambassador in London in 1822.] + + [Footnote 93: Eldest son of Charles X.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._ + +CHATSWORTH, _3rd December 1843._ + +The Queen approves of Lord Stanley's proposed Draft to Sir Charles +Metcalfe.[94] 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 firmness in his most arduous and unsatisfactory +situation, and deserves much praise and encouragement. + + [Footnote 94: Governor-General of Canada.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO CHATSWORTH] + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BELVOIR CASTLE, _4th December 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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.[95] 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. + +Albert is going out hunting to-morrow, which I wish was _over_, but I +am assured that the country is much better than the Windsor country. + +The Duc de Bordeaux's proceedings in London are most highly improper. + +The Queen Dowager is also here. + +We leave this place on Thursday for home, which, I own, I shall be +glad of at last. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [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.] + + + + +_The Princess Hohenhohe to Queen Victoria._ + +LANGENBURG, _10th December 1843._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... You ask in your letter about the manner in +which my children say their prayers? They say it when in their beds, +but not kneeling; how absurd to find _that_ 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?... + +Your attached and devoted sister, + +FEODORA. + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT WITH THE HOUNDS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th December 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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 _how_ well the remainder of our journey went off, and how well +Albert's hunting answered.[96] 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! + +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 _the greatest success_; for instance, at +Birmingham the good his visit has done has been immense, for Albert +spoke to all these manufacturers _in their own language_, which they +did not expect, and these poor people have only been accustomed to +hear demagogues and Chartists. + +We cannot understand how you can think the country about Chatsworth +_not_ 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.... + +Pray have you heard anything about Aumale's plans? Dear little Gaston +seems much better. + +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. + +With Albert's love, ever, dearest Uncle, your most devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 96: The Prince hunted with the Belvoir hounds on the + 5th.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AN AMERICAN VIEW OF MONARCHY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _15th December 1843._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--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 +_not_ 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; _ainsi est et sera le monde_. + +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. + +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 +_some branch of the Coburg family might be disposable_ for such a +place. _Qu'en dites-vous_, is not this flattering?... + +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, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th December 1843._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--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_ +think very disagreeable and unseasonable; it always makes me so +bilious. The young 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 _was_ the case, I am sorry to say, the first time she +saw you this year.... + +I don't believe that the _white_ flag on the house at Belgrave +Square[97] 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 _quite_ +himself, and there was hardly any strangeness at all. Lady Beauvale is +really a _very, very_, 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[98] is, I fear, dying, and Lord Grey is so +bad he cannot last long.[99] + +Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 97: The house occupied by the Duc de Bordeaux.] + + [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.] + + [Footnote 99: He died in July 1845.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th December 1843._ + +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,[100] but she regrets +that Sir Robert tried to make excuses for the conduct we have pursued, +which the Queen thinks requires no apology. + + [Footnote 100: See _ante_, p. 487, note 54. (this Ch., above)] + + + + + * * * * * + +_Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury. +Paper supplied by John Dickinson & Co., Ld., London_. + + * * * * * + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +This is the first Volume of three. The index is in Volume 3. +It is suggested that all three Volumes be downloaded to the same folder. + +[ae] and [oe] are used for the diphthongs/ligatures in (mostly) French +words. (e.g. c[oe]ur, heart; s[oe]ur, sister; ch[oe]ur, choir, chorus; +v[oe]ux, wishes.) + +Some hyphenation is inconsistent and has been retained. + +There are a number of 'period' spellings, which I have retained +(e.g. bord, controuled, uncontrouled, Controul, woud, etc.). + +The original pageheadings have been retained, moving them to appropriate +positions, to the beginning of letters and text to which they refer, +so as not to interrupt the flow of the text. Thus, a long letter may +be prefaced by two, or even three pageheadings. + +Likewise, footnotes have been moved to the end of the appropriate letter, +or the appropriate paragraph, in the case of longer pieces of text. + +Initial letters are spaced as in the original, i.e., personal initials: +spaced; academic initials: unspaced. + + +There are many footnotes which refer to earlier or later pages. +e.g.: + [Footnote 53: Of the Crown jewels; _ante_, p. 439. + (Ch. XI, 'Crown Jewels')] +For clarification, I have added (Ch. and 'Pageheading') or (Ch. and date). + + +Errata and [sic]: + +Page 12: '... were desired to take me a drive to amuse me.' [sic] + +Page 14: removed extraneous opening quote. + +Page 83: replaced 'It' with 'If' (It you could get my kind....) + +Page 145: 'mariage' [sic]: King Leopold may have used the French + spelling 'mariage' for the English 'marriage'. + +Page 146: changed 'anxety' to 'anxiety' - old typo? + +Page 157: removed duplicated word (Lord Lord Melbourne) + +Page 162: corrected 'Houeshold' to 'Household'. + +Page 191: corrected 'beng' to 'being'. + +Page 193: corrected 'affecionate' to 'affectionate'. + +Page 261: replaced missing period. + +Page 298: replaced missing period ... + '_I.e._, Lord Melbourne being succeeded + +Page 376: corrected 'Every our' to 'Ever your'. + +Page 384: '... on bord the _Black Eagle_ ...' [sic] + +Page 392: 'I ... am quite _confuse_. [sic] + Queen Victoria used the feminine form of the French adjective, + "confus, e, confused, overpowered; obscure, dim." + +Page 417: corrected page no. in footnote from 408 to 409. + +Page 443: _uncontrouled_ [sic] + +Page 445, Footnote 112: 'a' corrected to 'at'. + +Page 448: 'woud' [sic] (though followed by 'would' in same paragraph). + +Page 466: corrected 'as' to 'at' ...'look at'... + +Page 469: '... one of the Secretaries to the Board of Controul.' [sic] + +Page 512: Replaced missing period ... 'Viney, Ld.,' + + + + + + + +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.txt or 20023.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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